VILLAGE OF LA FARGE

                 Regular Board Meeting         Monday, August 11, 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:

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

Also: News reporters Lonnie Muller and Bonnie Sherman, Public Works Manager Wayne Haugrud, Utility Clerk Greg Lawton, Police Chief Steve Palmer, Stacie Sanborn, and Clerk Kimberly Walker.     

            

2). 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, August 8, 2025.     

                

3). Melvin moved, Leis seconded to approve the previous meetings minutes: (7-14-2025/Regular Village Board meeting and 7-28-2025/Police committee meeting). (Carried).    

 

4). Correspondence: None.

   

5). Public Comment: None. 

 

6). Utility business:   

**Reps from Delta 3 and Badger Environmental met with Wayne and did a walk thru of the Main, Mill, and Seelyburg projects They have 14 minor items for repair, mainly landscaping and some sewer manhole adjustments.  

**Wayne reviewed the CMAR (Compliance Maintenance Annual report) for the WWTP. We received all A’s from the DNR, except one B for the phosphorus discharge, which is out of our control, exceeding some limits due to rainfall. Soil samples (from depositing sludge on fields), are required on fields every 4 years, and this was done last year. 

**The DNR WWTP permit was issued August 7th. There is now a 30-day waiting period if anyone has any comments. Then we should be able to get the final permit. 

 

7). Old Business: None.

   

8). Stacie Sanborn, Director at the Vernon County Solid Waste facility, was present to explain the Vernon County Municipal Solid Waste Agreement. This will support the landfill by the municipality taking our waste to them securing the volume for future expansion. In exchange for us sending our garbage to them, we are offered Spring and Fall cleanup dumpsters for no charge, just the tipping fee for the volume. The current tipping fee is $60 a ton, which hasn’t changed since 2008, but in January of 2026, it is to increase to $65 a ton. We’re also given an additional discount on mattresses, electronics, and appliances. They met with the DNR today on the landfill expansion. There’s still 12-14 months remaining on air space left. Hopefully the DNR approves the overfilling. December 31, 2026, is the deadline if the expansion doesn’t go thru. Melvin moved, Leis seconded to continue the process as it currently is, to use the Vernon County Solid Waste landfill. (Carried).   

 

9). Discussed renewal of the ad in the Hidden Valley Visitor’s Guide for 2026. The cost is $285. LAPA does not contribute to this ad. Leis moved, Melvin seconded to approve the renewal of the ad. (Carried).

 

10). Driftless Wisconsin inquired if we’d be a sponsor again for a Driftless WI ad campaign. Fish moved, St. John seconded to approve sharing the $500 sponsorship with LAPA, each paying $250. (Carried).   

 

11). Leis moved, Fish seconded to approve three operator license applications: Jori Campbell (training completed on 7-22-25), Dusty Campbell (holds a current license in the City of Edgerton), and Laurie Cauffman (training completed on 7-4-25). (Carried). 

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12). Police Chief Steve Palmer gave his monthly report.

**He’s been accepted into a basic SWAT course with the La Crosse County Sheriff’s office. 

**Been dealing with animal issues, with dogs and chickens running loose, and an increase in people not cutting their grass. He is utilizing the chronic nuisance ordinance for repeat offenders on these.     

 

**Steve previously spoke about dividing the community into 7 sectors for cleaning up junked vehicles and appliances, and he noticed there was nothing for businesses within our ordinances. He introduced a proposed amendment, to include the wording: A business may not retain vehicles in the open which are inoperable, unlicensed, junked, or wrecked for a period exceeding three (3) months (along with some other wording). Fish moved, Melvin seconded to approve the revised ordinance, 10-5-A, concerning abandoned and junked vehicles and appliances. (Carried).  

 

**Steve said Kelly Wild, Regional Director of the Boy Scouts, inquired on holding a recruiting event in Bean Park, sometime in August, for the Cub Scouts. They’d like to get more youth involved. Leis moved, St. John seconded to approve the event. (Carried).

 

**The Abatement Warrant was tabled.

 

**July 28th, the Police committee met on a new squad car. The current squad is having some mechanical issues. We’ve had it about 10 years, as it’s a 2016 model. After discussion, the committee recommended purchasing a new 2025 from Sleepy Hollow in Viroqua. The car is $45,497, plus $14,611 to outfit it, and $4,139 for a new computer. Total cost is approximately $65,000. The squad savings has $34,115. We would need an additional $25-$30,000. Options are to take out a loan for the balance, or pay it now from our funds, to be paid back by levying the taxes over a time frame. Discussed the levy deal, as there’s no interest. Fish moved, Leis seconded to approve the 2025 Police Interceptor from Sleepy Hollow (gas model). (Carried).

**As far as financing, it’s not exact numbers yet, but between $25-$30,000, will be levied on the taxes. The costs will be paid up front now, splitting the funds between the Park Savings account and the Clinic savings account, and will be repaid to these accounts over the next 3 years. Fish moved, St. John seconded to approve this. (Carried).         

   

13). Committee Reports and Updates:

**Library: Barb reported things are going fine. The next meeting is in October, for budget time. 

**Streets: Reminder of the Public Hearing and Special Village Board meeting for the possible closing of Gold Street, on August 25th at 6 p.m.  

 

14). Fish moved, St. John seconded to approve payment of the bills. (Carried).

          

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

     

                                                                                      __________________________________      

                                                           Kimberly Walker, Village Clerk/Treasurer