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2025 City Council Candidate Mac Kiel

Mac Kiel

Mac Kiel
La Crosse city council District 7 candidate

Contact: [email protected]

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MacKielforCityCouncil


WIZM La Crosse Talk interview with Kiel:


Kiel’s answers to WIZM questionnaire:

About You:

I was raised in Viroqua and always saw La Crosse as this amazing big city coming up whenever I could to visit the downtown shops and food joints! I moved here for college in 2007 and fell in love with the City. I started at Western Technical College and received a degree in Visual Communication and a degree in Early Childhood Education. I then went on to Viterbo to finish my Bachelors in Educational Studies. Eventually I landed back at Viterbo where I completed my Masters is Servant Leadership. I worked at the Boys & Girls Club for 10 years and it was a huge part of my family – even meeting my husband there. I moved on from BGC to Western to continue to work to make a difference in the lives of our youth in the community that needed us most. I was lucky enough to be able to work with some students I met while they were in Kindergarten and help them work to attend college at Western! My husband and I have two amazing children at 3 and 6 (and only know me as a council member😊) along with our sweet golden, Piper! My family continues to be involved in many ways in the community and we are so lucky to be here in La Crosse where there is SO much for us to do as a family!


RUNNING FOR CITY COUNCIL
I am running for City Council again because I see the amazing things happening in our community and how lucky we are, but I also see the challenges we face now and moving forward. I want La Crosse to be a welcoming place for all, and the City Council makes crucial decisions that directly impact those living here or thinking of living here. It’s important that we consider what we leave behind for future generations and make changes to ensure a better La Crosse for them. As a mother with a full-time job, I bring a unique perspective to the council. It’s essential to have diverse voices at the table, asking hard questions. I’m committed to amplifying the voices of those historically ignored in our decision-making.

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Our City staff makes community engagement easy because they understand its importance and strive to craft plans based on the needs of our constituents. I will continue to support this effort, finding new ways to add to their work, such as promoting public input through different forms to capture as many voices as possible. The culture of the council also affects public input, and I will ensure that every voice that wants to be heard can be.

CITY ADMINISTRATOR
To be transparent, this is an ongoing topic, so I’ll continue to research and listen to my constituents before casting my vote. However, based on my research, I support this initiative and believe it could have a positive impact on La Crosse. Currently, the Mayor manages department heads while handling the public’s demands, which is an impossible task. Having someone to align department heads and focus on the city’s long-term vision—something hard for our current staff to do while managing daily tasks—would be a game changer. The City of Oshkosh has an excellent strategic plan that is transparent to its residents, and I’d love to see something similar for La Crosse.

HOMELESSNESS
I strongly support the Pathways Home initiative. I’ve had the opportunity to join the Homeless Outreach Team and connect with individuals living outdoors. We have a broken system, and Pathways is working to fix it. As City Council members, it’s crucial we consider the impact of our votes on this issue and continue to support this collaboration. This effort takes time and is not something that can be fixed quickly or in isolation. I’m proud of the work already done by the Pathways team and their continued efforts. It’s vital to find creative ways to increase all types of housing in La Crosse. Recently, we’ve passed important developments and funding for bridge housing with ARPA dollars. These decisions will lead to significant progress. The wrap-around case management is a key part of this initiative. Nonprofits have been fighting homelessness for years, but we can’t do it alone. Pathways brings everyone together, ensuring we all work toward the same goal while respecting each organization’s strengths.

AFFORDABLE HOUSING
I will continue to support the City’s staff, who are experts in this area and have already done great work. We must continue this work and find funding to support programs like the Landlord Mitigation Program. Even changing zoning regulations can have a ripple effect on housing availability.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
In District 7, I will continue to support the Copper Rocks development. The developers have done an excellent job engaging the community, and while there were delays due to economic factors, we will soon see movement. It’s important to work with surrounding businesses to ensure we add value to the area. Being intentional about making the intersection more pedestrian-friendly and planning long-term for the space will benefit the community.

POPULATION DECLINE
To attract people to La Crosse and retain those who call it home, it’s crucial to support projects like Copper Rocks in District 7. Many constituents have reached out asking about housing in the River Point district, as they no longer wish to care for single-family homes. Copper Rocks will provide options for those wishing to downsize while staying in the community they love. This will open up single-family homes for others to move in. Outside of Council, I am working to address other barriers to living in La Crosse, such as housing and childcare.

INFRASTRUCTURE
We must find innovative ways to fund and provide roads, public transportation, and utilities. I was once told, “Build a city for people, not for cars,” and that has stuck with me. While cars will always be necessary, promoting other forms of transportation, like walking and biking, will reduce road usage and maintenance costs. We need to focus on people’s needs, not just cars.

TRANSPORTATION AND MOBILITY
We are fortunate to have public transportation, but I advocate for expanding it, understanding our budget limitations. We need to improve walking and biking options, such as adding safer bike lanes. As a mother, I love biking my kids to school, but the reality is that cars dominate the roads, making it dangerous. We need to build a city that supports all types of transportation, not just cars. This will take time, but many constituents want safer bike and pedestrian options.

PUBLIC SAFETY
I’m proud of the Police Department’s NRO program. I’ve seen firsthand the positive impact of police officers connecting with youth, building trust through personal relationships. We need to continue being transparent in any and all ways. I support community policing and believe relationships are key. Additionally, the squad car with a social worker is a huge step, and I want to continue supporting these efforts to help both officers and residents.

CLIMATE ACTION & SUSTAINABILITY
This issue is close to my heart because we have the power to leave a better world for future generations. The wastewater treatment plant is almost off the grid—an incredible achievement by the City. We also have many programs that help educate residents on sustainability, such as “No Mow May.” I will continue to support the Climate Action Plan and work with our dedicated staff to protect the earth and save money in the long run.

EDUCATION & YOUTH SERVICES
I’m passionate about educating youth. The City already does great work with initiatives like the Youth Climate Action Fund and Hydro Helpers. Every year, the Planning Department works with middle school students to design creative spaces. I’d love to expand this partnership and offer opportunities for students to experience a day in the life of City staff. I want youth to see how they can make an impact on their community through these roles.

TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION
As a City Council member, I believe supporting tech innovation and improving our digital infrastructure is vital for La Crosse’s growth. In District 7, better internet access and tech solutions can make life easier for residents. Smart city initiatives, like improved traffic control and energy-efficient systems, can improve our community. Supporting the local tech industry will also create jobs and help attract new businesses to the area.