VILLAGE OF LA FARGE

Regular Board Meeting               Monday, September 8, 2025

 

1. Village President Aaron Nemec called the regular meeting of the La Farge Village Board to order at 6:30

p.m. at the Emergency Services building, at 201 S. Cherry Street.

 

Roll Call - Present at the meeting:

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

Also: News reporter Lonnie Muller, Public Works Manager Wayne Haugrud, Utility Clerk Greg Lawton, Police Chief Steve Palmer, and Clerk Kimberly Walker.

 

1. Verification was given of meeting publishing in the La Farge Episcope, and of posting at the Farmers State Bank, La Farge Post Office, and Village Office on Friday, September 5, 2025.

 

1. Melvin moved, Fish seconded to approve the previous meetings minutes: (8-11-2025/Regular Village Board meeting, 8-21-2025/Emergency Services Building committee meeting; 8-25-2025/Public Hearing & Special Village Board meeting; and 6-23-2025 & 7-28-2025/Nuisance Property committee meetings). (Carried).

 

1. Correspondence: Read a thank you from Jim and Ann Deline, expressing their gratitude to the village workers for their support and assistance.

 

1. Public Comment: None.

 

1. Utility business: The DNR posted the 30-day comment period for the utilities WWTP discharge permit, and that ended today. Hopefully we'll have it signed and to us by October 1st.

 

1. Old Business: Rescission ofland sale: On July 14, 2025, the village sold a parcel ofland to Daniel and Janet Gremban, abutting their property by Organic Valley. Years back, OV purchased property from the Stout family and there was a strip 200', from Highway 131 to the end by the Gremban property that was found to be dedicated to the public, which OV did to put the street, One Organic Way, in. It shows it's in the village's name, but it's not ours to sell. We can vacate it, but the Grembans need an agreement with OV to purchase it first. Vernon County Surveyor, Laurence Johns, has been talking with Wayne on this, as he is dealing with this issue in a couple of other places. Jensen moved, Fish seconded to rescind the sale of property to the Grembans. (Carried).

 

1. Going along with Agenda item 7, the Village sold land to James and Crystal Hanson that is also along One Organic Way, but the difference is the land was village park property, not part of the Stout farm, so just need to approve to discontinue/vacate the roadway issue. Our Attorney has said the board needs to take action to publish a class 3 notice on this, then act on a resolution at the next meeting to discontinue (portions of Outlot 1). Jensen moved, Stoltz seconded to proceed with publishing a class 3 notice. (Carried).

 

1. Dairyland Power offers a $1,200 matching grant, which we have received in the past. This year, looking to update a few signs that need repair: The Village/Utility office, Village Park, and a sign for Bean Park. Melvin moved, St. John seconded to approve applying for the matching grant. (Carried).

 

1. Leis moved, and Jensen seconded to approve the application for a picnic license for the La Farge Volunteers for the annual gun raffle fundraiser on Saturday, October 4, 2025, at the ESB. (Carried).

 

1. Current Village Assessor Jerry Kins is retiring at year end. At the May 22nd Board of Review meeting, he informed us of this and gave his recommendation of Barrett Brenner, who also works with Jerry at Chimney Rock Appraisal, and who worked in the village when the last re-assessment was completed. The board doesn't have to bid for services and can proceed how they'd like. Melvin moved, Stoltz seconded to approve Barrett Brenner with Chimney Rock Appraisal as our new village Assessor. (Carried).

 

1. Stoltz moved, Leis seconded to approve October 3rd and 4th for the 16th annual Fall Village-wide rummage sales. (Carried).

 

1. Police Chief Steve Palmer gave his monthly report.

**A press release was made for vehicle enforcement, which begins September 15th in Sector 1. The main point is to clean up the junk and abandoned and unregistered motor vehicles plaguing our community.

**Cashton, Black River Falls, and La Farge were awarded a grant from the Department of Justice for a vent hood, which is used to test drugs in a safe environment. Each one is valued at $4,700 and we got it for free.

**Steve received word today he was accepted into a Forensic Interview Class. He will be 1 of 3 in the county after training. This is interviewing children that have been the victims of some pretty bad things.

 

**Agenda item: Discussion/Possible action on approval of bids for an abatement warrant issue. At this point, Chief Palmer's recommendation is that the village approve up to $35,000 for an abatement. President Nemec asked if anyone had any concerns or questions. Hearing none, Jensen moved, Melvin seconded to approve of this. (Carried).

 

**Updates to Ordinance 10-5: It was brought to Steve's attention about the loop holes of rotating vehicles when doing the cleanup process. He got with Attorney Nikki Swayne, and they came up with an amendment to the vehicle ordinance. He reviewed the updates which included a definition for Continuous Storage, Demolition Derby Vehicles, Business Vehicle Storage Restrictions, Prohibition on Continuous Storage, Permits for General and Demolition Derby Vehicles and Violations. Jensen moved, Fish seconded to approve the updates of our vehicle ordinance with said revisions, Ordinance 10-5-B. (Carried).

 

1. Committee Reports and Updates:

**Chronic Nuisance: Jill reported they are meeting next week.

**Library: Barb said Ethos was at the library today to put together information for a grant application that goes to the PSC, for mini splits to make the meeting room more efficient and a new hot water heater.

**Streets: The new school year has started. Aaron thanked the village workers for the new crosswalks they painted, which was a huge help, and Officer Palmers help with traffic issues with the new pick up and drop off areas.

 

1. Fish moved, Leis seconded to approve payment of the bills. (Carried).

 

1. Jensen moved, Leis seconded to adjourn. (Carried). Adjourned at 7:04 p.m.