VILLAGE OF LA FARGE
Economic Flood Recovery Committee Meeting
The Village of La Farge Economic Flood Recovery Committee will meet Monday, December 21, 2020 at 5:00 p.m. at the Emergency Services Building, located at 201 S. Cherry Street, La Farge.
All participants, including the public, can join using the option below:
Join Zoom Meeting: https://zoom.us/j/96025607120 Meeting ID: 960 2560 7120
Any questions, please call 608-625-4422.
Agenda:
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Call to Order, Roll Call
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Verification of meeting posting
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Review of Input from Public Workshop No. 2
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Review and discussion of Draft Economic Recovery Plan
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Adjournment
Kimberly Walker, Village Clerk/Treasurer
Posted 12/17/2020
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VILLAGE OF LA FARGE
Economic Flood Recovery Committee Meeting
Monday, December 21, 2020
*Chair Brad Steinmetz called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. at the Emergency Services building.
(A Zoom option was offered for participating).
1). Roll Call - Present at the meeting:
All Members: Brad Steinmetz, Barb Melvin, Kris Gabrielson, Greg Lawton, and Dean Steinmetz.
Also: Sarah Pittz and Kurt Muchow from Vierbichers, Village President Cheryl Purvis, Public Works Manager Wayne Haugrud, news reporter Lonnie Muller, Dave Bonifas from MRRPC (via Zoom), Marcy West from Kickapoo Valley Reserve (via Zoom), Samantha Laskowski (via Zoom), and Utility Clerk Greg Lawton.
2). Verification of posting at the Bank, Post Office, and Village office on December 17, 2020 was given.
3). Discuss Results from Public Meeting #2: Vierbichers handed out a large summary binder with comprehensive information from past discussed components. Sarah noted she had not received any written comments from the second public meeting and asked the committee if they had. Purvis noted she heard feedback from some a preference to move the electrical substation rather than floodproof. Chair Brad Steinmetz noted the community may be a little reserved about a levy and the follow through on a public project due to past history. Chair Steinmetz reviewed there will be an update given to the full village board in January on the planning so far. A final draft document will come to the committee on January 25th then a public meeting and next steps will run into March as a final plan is developed.
General discussion from the committee and Vierbichers. Kurt and Sarah both noted it would be up to direction from the committee and the community which way to go with the electrical substation relocation or floodproofing. There was discussion on whether doing nothing would be an option, and it could be. Melvin asked if there would be any benefit to raising the highway or not regardless, and Kurt thought it could be, however it floods up to the Zzip Stop anyway. He pointed out the cost benefit of another bridge. Brief conversation on levy construction by Kurt. He told the committee Richland Center and Elroy have been happy with their levies and the Reedsburg levy has also performed well. Gabrielson asked about status of buyout properties. Purvis said the Rivers Edge property on West Main has been removed from the buyout since it would not be able to have a levy built on it if the Village is successful in getting one someday due to deed restrictions. Marcy West said a lot of the grants with a cost benefit calculation would not be very successful for us as she has not found one that works out for communities with a population under 1,000. Kurt said that may be true for some grants, but many are tied to financial damage by recuring floods. Purvis mentioned the benefit of a certified 500-year levy would be much safer for the area as access to the fire and EMS district west of La Farge for emergency services could be maintained. Marcy asked about maintenance of the levy if one were constructed and Kurt shared the Village would be responsible for that as owner and for the annual inspection required and report submission to the DNR.
4). Discuss Draft Economic Recovery Plan: Kurt reviewed some components of the large manual presented. It was noted nothing was really new but more of a comprehensive collection of all the work done so far. Kurt recommended the Village relocate the electrical infrastructure due to issue of dry land access. He also recommended priority on North Mill Street preparation for potential businesses after the Main Street and electrical relocation projects. Purvis mentioned she is aware recently of another business owner interested in La Farge so there may be opportunity. There are many factors and scenarios for potential funding. Land acquisition is not included in projected costs for each project.
*Sarah asked the committee to take the next month to study all the material and send her any edits or recommendations. The material will be sent to the Village to have posted on the website and available at Village Hall for review by the community
5). Barb Melvin moved, Dean Steinmetz seconded to adjourn. (Carried) Adjourned at 6:18 p.m.
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Greg Lawton, Utility Clerk