Before
Council
A monthly civic briefing helping La Crosse residents understand what is headed toward the Common Council before votes are cast.
Listen Now
Find us wherever you listen to podcasts.
Find Before Council wherever you listen to podcasts.
Most residents hear about city decisions after they happen.
Before Council is built around a simple idea:
The best time to understand a decision is before the vote.
The goal is not to tell residents what to think.
The goal is to help residents understand enough information to decide for themselves.
Statement of Intent
Each month, Tony Ayala and former Common Council member Mac Kiel discuss the Judiciary & Administration and Finance & Personnel Committee meetings, providing context, background, and plain-language explanations of items likely to reach the Common Council.
Before Council is not a political show.
It is a civic education project.
A civic utility.
About Before Council
This show is for residents who want to follow local government but do not have hours to watch every meeting, read every agenda packet, or track every issue moving through City Hall.
Each month, Tony Ayala and former Common Council member Mac Kiel discuss the Judiciary & Administration and Finance & Personnel Committee meetings, providing context, background, and plain-language explanations of items likely to reach the Common Council.
Listeners are encouraged to explore official meeting materials, attend public meetings, submit public comment, and contact their elected representatives directly.
Before Council is not a political show.
It is a civic education project.
A civic utility.
New episodes are released after the monthly Judiciary & Administration and Finance & Personnel Committee meetings and before the regular meeting of the La Crosse Common Council, which is typically held on the second Thursday of each month at 6:00 PM in the Common Council Chambers at City Hall, 400 La Crosse Street.
Before Council is independently produced in La Crosse as part of Open Session and Just Good Fight and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the City of La Crosse.
Why Before Council Exists
Looking for Official Information?
Before Council is an independent podcast produced Just Good Fight in partnership with Open Session. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by the City of La Crosse.
For official City business, meeting materials, agendas, minutes, livestreams, council contact information, and public records, please use the City's official resources below.
Common Council Information
https://www.cityoflacrosse.org/Your-Government/Elected-Officials/City-Council
Council Members by District
https://www.cityoflacrosse.org/Your-Government/Elected-Officials/City-Council/City-Council-Members
Contact All Council Members
https://cityforms.cityoflacrosse.org/Forms/ContactCityCouncil
Aldermanic District Map
https://www.cityoflacrosse.org/files/assets/city/v/1/city-council-amp-boards/documents/city-map-june-2024.pdf
Agendas, Minutes, Livestreams & Video Archive
https://cityoflacrosse.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx
Before Council is intended to complement, not replace the City's official meetings, records, and public participation process.
Your Hosts
Tony Ayala
Host, Founder of Good FightTony Ayala is a La Crosse resident, stay-at-home dad, community builder, and founder of Just Good Fight.
On Before Council, Tony serves as the curious resident and audience proxy. His role is to ask questions, slow down jargon, connect city decisions to everyday life, and help make local government easier to follow for residents who are still learning how the process works.
Tony is not here as the expert.
He is here as someone trying to understand his city more clearly and invite others into that process.
Mac Kiel is a former La Crosse Common Council member, educator, and longtime community servant.
Mac served on the La Crosse Common Council from 2021 to 2025, where she gained firsthand experience with city process, committee work, budgeting, policy, and long-term planning.
On Before Council, Mac helps explain how items move through city government, why committee meetings matter, and what residents should understand before decisions reach the Council floor.
Her role is not to persuade.
Her role is to provide context, explain process, and help translate city government into plain language.
Co-HostMac Kiel
What to Expect
A calm, nonpartisan conversation focused on understanding, not outrage
Links to agendas, minutes, meeting recordings, district information, and council contact resources
Plain-language discussion of Judiciary & Administration and Finance & Personnel Committee meetings
Explanations of city process, votes, motions, referrals, amendments, and public participation
Context on agenda items before they reach the Common Council
Have a question you want us to tackle?
Before Council exists to help residents better understand what is happening before votes are cast.
If there is an agenda item, city process, committee discussion, or upcoming vote you want us to help explain, send us your question.
Voice memos are welcome.
Please share only what you are comfortable sharing.