VILLAGE OF LA FARGE

                 Regular Board Meeting          Monday, December 9, 2024

                                                                                    

1). Village President Frank Quinn 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: Terry Jensen, Barbara Melvin, Dave Fish, Karen Leis, Aaron Nemec, Jill Stoltz, and Frank Quinn.              

Also: News reporter Lonnie Muller, Brad Steinmetz, Samantha Laskowski, Bill Bailey (Zoom), Public Works Manager Wayne Haugrud, Utility Clerk Greg Lawton, Police Chief Steve Palmer, and Clerk Kimberly Walker.     

            

2). Verification was given of meeting publishing in the La Farge Episcope, and of posting at the Bank, Post Office, and Village Office on Thursday, December 5, 2024.    

           

3). Melvin moved, Nemec seconded to approve the previous meetings minutes: (10-28-2024/Chronic Nuisance Property committee meeting; 11-11-2024/Streets and Utilities committee meeting; 11-11-2024/ Regular Village board meeting; 11-26-2024/Public Budget Hearing/Special Village board meeting; and 12-3-2024/Regular Library Board meeting). (Carried).    

              

4). Correspondence: Received a letter from a resident in town commending police Chief Steve Palmer on his demeanor on the scene of a medical emergency call, where the patient had a cut artery. He was first on the scene, and they wanted to tell us how great a help he was with the situation. The ambulance crew was also great, and they wanted to thank all involved.  

 

5). Public Comment: None. 

 

6). Bill Bailey was present on zoom, for a virtual informational presentation on Microgrid projects in Bayfield County that they’ve been working on over the last 3 years. He explained the process they went through and mentioned there’s a lot of paperwork and reports involved. He took some questions and was thanked for taking the time to speak.  

   

7). Samantha Laskowski was present to talk on a Rural and Remote grant to build a microgrid and update infrastructure. Information was passed out giving basic information. This is the same grant Bill Bailey has that he discussed for Bayfield County. This is a 5% to 20% match, depending on the area. It’s due February 27th. La Farge is a priority community. She gave a basic summary of the grant opportunity. VCED will help us on our behalf to write the grant. The grant is not just for the Microgrid. Wayne said upgrades can be applied for on the generator, meters, etc. Wayne has done leg work into this already. Quinn said we can tell them we are interested and wait to hear from Wayne about what we need and info on costs.         

 

8). Utility Business: Pay application #5 was received from Badger Environmental & Earthworks for $125,234. Wayne mentioned they have finished up Mill Street, except for some minor items. They started with the water lines, looping Snow to Main. They have quit for the winter, due to no more access to blacktop, and they don’t want to dig up the highway and replace it with gravel. They will finish in the Spring by May 23rd. Jensen moved, Fish seconded to approve the pay application. (Carried).

 

**The Streets and Utilities committee met before this meeting and have recommended a 3% rate increase in the sewer. They reviewed the last 4 years of increases from the auditors. They suggest keeping up with the water increase and go with 3%. The date to go into effect is 2-1-2025. The sewer is not regulated by the PSC, so it’s up to the village. Looking at an average of $1.55 per month for residential users, $3.09 for large users, and a little more for commercial. Melvin moved, Stoltz seconded to approve the 3% increase for sewer, starting 2-1-2025. (Carried).         

 

**We’ve applied through Vernon County for a new civil defense siren. The new tornado siren should be up by December 17th and is to be installed at the top of the Village Park, by Organic Valley. This one has a battery backup, so if the power goes out, it still works. We still have the other one by the Village Shop.    

 

9). Old Business: None.

 

10). Johnson Block & Company sent engagement letters for accounting assistance (preliminary work ahead of the main audit), and to perform audit and accounting services for the year ending 12-31-2024. They are both for the Village and Utilities. Leis moved, Jensen seconded to approve both engagement letters. (Carried). 

 

11). Police Report/Update:  

**Chief Palmer presented new cost rates for 2025 for the Chronic Nuisance rates. This will need to be done on a yearly basis, to incorporate the Police Chief’s pay increase and fringe benefits, along with a 2% inflation charge for the squad. The impound rate of $150 stayed the same. Jensen moved, Nemec seconded to approve the changes. (Carried).   

**Chief Palmer started an Advanced Traffic Law Course today. This is a 40-hour course from the Wisconsin State Patrol Academy. It’s an excellent class.

**Steve has been accepted into the Wisconsin Department of Criminal Investigation (DCI) Drug Investigation school. This is hard to get into. It’s only offered once a year and he was finally accepted. It’s a great opportunity. It is a 2-week course through Wisconsin DPI.

 

12). Committee Reports and Updates:

**Police: Jill commented the Nuisance Property committee has a meeting next week.   

**Library: The board recently had a meeting. Working on a new website. 

**Frank commented he is not running for Village President (in April) but is running for Municipal Court Judge. He’s been with the Village for 11 years (1/3 of his life), so it’s been a big part for him. He said we need the court to be successful. He’s been working to help restructure it, and they need someone to fill the gap. Doing this, he will still be serving La Farge, but in a different capacity. He feels we have a good mix of people on the board, and Aaron Nemec will be running for President. And we also have good employees. 

 

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

 

14). Jensen moved, Melvin seconded to adjourn. (Carried). Adjourned at 7:27 p.m.

   

                                                                                      __________________________________      

                                                           Kimberly Walker, Village Clerk/Treasurer