VILLAGE OF LA FARGE

                     Special Board Meeting      Monday, June 23, 2025

                                                                   

1). Village President Aaron Nemec called the special meeting of the La Farge Village Board to order at 6:01 p.m. at the Emergency Services building, at 201 S. Cherry Street.

   

Roll Call – Present at the meeting:

All Board members: Barbara Melvin, Dave Fish, Jill Stoltz, Terry Jensen, Karen Leis, Cathy St. John, and Aaron Nemec.                 

Also: News reporter Lonnie Muller, Public Works Manager Wayne Haugrud, Utility Clerk Greg Lawton, Mark Digman with Delta 3 Engineering, Samantha Laskowski, and Clerk Kimberly Walker.      

               

2). Verification was given of meeting posting at the Farmers State Bank, La Farge Post Office, and Village Office bulletin board on June 18, 2025.       

  

3). This special meeting is to approve submitting paperwork to the DNR (due the end of June), to apply for Safe Drinking Water and Clean Water grant and/or loan funds for 2026 infrastructure improvements on Adams Street (previously discussed in May). Mark Digman was present to review the paperwork. With recent televising, 10+ cracks were found where water is infiltrating in the line, so the sanitary sewer also needs to be replaced. This wasn’t in the budget before, so it brought the project up to around $1 million (may be less).

 

a). Jensen moved, Leis seconded to approve submittal of Wisconsin (WI) Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Safe Drinking Water Loan Program (SDWLP) Application. (Carried).

 

b). Leis moved, St. John seconded to approve Wisconsin DNR SDWLP Authorized Representative Resolution #6-01-2025 (for the Village President to sign documents). (Carried).

 

c). Fish moved, Melvin seconded to approve Wisconsin DNR SDWLP Reimbursement Resolution #6-02-2025 (allowing us reimbursement if funded). (Carried).

 

d). Jensen moved, St. John seconded to approve submittal of Wisconsin (WI) Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Clean Water Fund (CWF) Application. (Carried).

 

e). Melvin moved, Leis seconded to approve Wisconsin DNR CWF Authorized Representative Resolution #6-03-2025 (for the Village President to sign documents). (Carried).

 

f). Leis moved, Jensen seconded to approve Wisconsin DNR CWF Reimbursement Resolution #6-04-2025 (allowing us reimbursement if funded). (Carried).

 

g). Mark handed out a set of plans to each board member to review, which will be submitted with the application. The sanitary sewer is in bad shape. We are hoping to cross the highway (131 N.) before the DOT paving project goes thru. The plans are for no ditches on the sides. The road is now 24’-27’ wide, and the new road will be 36’ wide with curb and gutter. The estimated cost is $850,000, plus the engineering fees. The project will be bid out after we hear back on this funding (which is possibly October). Construction would be in 2026. Melvin moved, Stoltz seconded to approve the plans, specifications, and estimates. (Carried).

 

h). Mark reviewed an Engineering Services contract with Delta 3 Engineering. Cost is $101,500. The project on Adams Street is from Mill (Hwy 131 N) to Bird Street. Jensen moved, Fish seconded to approve the Engineering Contract with Delta 3 Engineering, Inc. (Carried).

 

*Mark said the current project, (on East Main Street), will hopefully close out next week. They were here today, and maybe tomorrow (depending on the weather). Like to be done before our July 14th meeting. 

 

4). Wayne reviewed that we applied last year and received an OECI grant for new doors and water heaters at the Community Center and Village Hall and had an energy audit done on both buildings. There is $125,000 available for more funds, with no match required. There is no charge to us to apply for more funds. Samantha Laskowski said the application is due July 16th. She will work with Wayne on this. Melvin moved, Jensen seconded to approve applying for this. (Carried).

 

5). Jensen moved, Leis seconded to adjourn. (Carried). Adjourned at 6:22 p.m.  

                                                            

                                              __________________________________

       Kimberly Walker, Village Clerk/Treasurer