VILLAGE OF LA FARGE

                 Regular Board Meeting          Monday, March 9, 2026

                                                                                     

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 South Cherry Street.

  

Roll Call - Present at the meeting:

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

Also: News reporters Lonnie Muller and Bonnie Sherman, Public Works Manager Wayne Haugrud, Police Chief Steven Palmer, Utility Clerk Greg Lawton, Brad Steinmetz, Barry Donovan, Mark Digman from Delta 3, and Village 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 Thursday, March 5, 2026.    

         

3). Melvin moved, Jensen seconded to approve the previous meetings minutes which were sent out via email in advance: (2-9-2026/Regular Village board meeting). (Carried).    

             

4). Correspondence: The Police Department was the recipient of $200, and Village Park $400, from the La Farge Lions Club School giving back program. Classes select a place they want their share awarded to. 

    

5). Public Comment: None.

 

6). Utility business:

**Mark Digman, with Delta 3 Engineering, was present to review the items needed for the proposed 2026 Infrastructure Improvements for the Adams Street project. Four bids were received:

1). JI Construction, LLC, Livingston, WI bid $722,005.00

2). Mike Lepke Excavating, Readstown, WI bid $681,027.91

3). Gerke Excavating, Inc., Tomah, WI bid $664,300.30

4). H. James & Sons, Inc., Fennimore, WI bid $716,797.50

Gerke Excavating was the low bidder, coming in around $81,000 under the construction estimate of $745,000. In 2021, they did the Village Main Street project and were good contractors. Mark passed out a sheet on the total costs of the project, with the split of village costs, SDWLP funds, and CWFP funds. Jensen moved, Stoltz seconded to recommend the low bidder for contract #1 with Gerke Excavating, for $664,300.30. (Carried). The project will be in early summer, after the 4th of July.

 

*Mark reviewed the bond counsel agreements, received from Quarles & Brady. The DNR requires proof of funds, showing the money is secured to pay back the loans by securing revenue bonds. The Clean Water Fund Program (CWFP) is a 0% loan, for $211,227.80. Jensen moved, Melvin seconded to approve the Bond Counsel Agreement thru Quarles & Brady, to write up the bond for the DNR CWFP. (Carried).

 

*Leis moved, St. John seconded to approve the Bond Counsel Agreement thru Quarles & Brady, for the bond for the DNR Safe Drinking Water Program (SDWLP) for $112,220.05 at 1.485%. (Carried). We did receive $208,408.67 in SDWLP grant funds.

 

*Mark reviewed the Grant Administration Services Contract. Delta 3’s fee is $30,000, which is covered by the DNR funds. Melvin moved, Stoltz seconded to approve the administration contract with Delta 3 Engineering, Inc. (Carried).  

  

*Mark gave an update on the previous North Street project. We’re still waiting on the DOT for the LRIP money to come in. The village originally applied for a hot mix asphalt street project, and not a reconstruction project, and the road was going to stay the same width but was widened. So we’re waiting on the DNR for approval on these changes so we can get our money reimbursed.

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*Wayne met with Samantha Laskowski, Grant Administrator for the Department of Energy, for the Community Center and Village Hall projects. One is a solar energy storage feasibility study for the community center. This is out for Request for Proposals (RFP’s) and is due by April 8th. Samantha reached out to Barb Melvin to be part of a committee, to help score the RFP’s, and Wayne suggested the village Building committee also be involved (Karen, Dave, & Jill). A meeting needs to be held between April 8th and April 13th, to present a recommendation on a contractor to the village board on April 13th.

 

7). Old Business: Dave Fish talked to Dode, owner of Kickapoo Hardware, on placing a mailbox for flag disposal on their property, right next to the Village office, and they were fine with it. He’s not sure about a cement pad to set it on. It is to arrive sometime in March and will then go to the school for painting. Leis moved, St. John seconded to approve a mailbox for flag disposal. (Carried).             

 

8). Barry Donovan was present, representing the Nuisance Property committee, on another possible cleanup day, like the one last year. He thanked the board for their support and felt it was a huge success, with minimal cost to the village. They’d like to do the same thing this year. They picked a date of April 18th, with a rain date of May 9th, to go from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. If the board approves, they will reach out for some possible donations. Barb asked if this is now a yearly event? Barry thought it might be. We’re on the right track, and it’s a good opportunity to clean up. Chief Plamer said he’s better set with ordinance enforcement options now, with having an office assistant, allowing him to do more with proactive cleanup during the year. The accumulation of items will be more efficiently handled going forward. Jensen moved, Stoltz seconded to approve the cleanup day. (Carried).

 

9). Wayne discussed buying a new riding lawn mower, to have a third one on hand. We bought the zero turn (in 2023). We do a lot of mowing. The John Deere broke down for weeks last year, and it’s hard to keep up with one. We’d like to save the John Deere, as it’s also used for snowplowing and sweeping. There’s approximately $144,000 in the equipment savings account. Received 3 quotes: Portland was $18,500, Anderson Power Service & Sales was $18,797, and Salama Equipment (John Deere) was $18,850. Melvin moved, Fish seconded to approve the purchase of a third mower, thru Portland Implement, at $18,500. (Carried).    

 

10). Leis moved, Jensen seconded to approve advertising for bids on mowing and trimming of the Chapel Hill Cemetery. (Carried). Bids will be opened at the April board meeting.

 

11). Police report: Chief Steve Palmer reported on the following:

**Three weeks ago, on a traffic stop, he had a driver who didn’t speak English. Steve talked with Aaron and Kim on this and moved forward with equipment from Axon that can convert conversations in over 50 languages. Cost is $30 a month. Another feature is asking it factual questions.    

 

**Steve presented an ordinance for a Proposed Sex Offender Residency Restriction. Viola and Wilton have this in place, and he would like it, too. It has a 1,500’ radius for a child safety zone. This includes areas around Parks, the library, softball field, and bus stop locations (where the school picks up students at houses). It doesn’t affect current people living in town, and if there’s a court order for a person to live here, there’s nothing we can do about that. Attorney Nikki Swayne has reviewed this. Steve feels it’s a good thing for the community. St. John moved, Fish seconded to approve the ordinance (No. 11-8, Relating to Sex Offender Residency Restrictions). (Carried).    

 

12). Committee Reports/Updates:

**Aaron recently spoke with the Vernon County Economic Development committee. He talked about all the great things happening, including the village ordinance changes and the new businesses. He is very proud of what we do here. And he thanked Greg Lawton for the invite to the Fire Department banquet evening. It was a great time. 

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13). St. John moved, Jensen seconded to approve the payment of the bills. (Carried).

 

14). Jensen moved, Leis seconded to convene into closed session, in accordance with Wisconsin State Statutes section 19.85 (1)(g), for conferring with legal counsel for the governmental body who is rendering oral or written advice concerning strategy to be adopted by the body with respect to litigation in which it is or is likely to become involved. (Carried).

 

                                                   ***Closed Session***

 

15). St. John moved, Melvin seconded to reconvene into open session. (Carried).

    

16). Jensen moved, St. John seconded to adjourn. (Carried). Adjourned at 7:44 p.m.

 

                                                                                      __________________________________      

                                                           Kimberly Walker, Village Clerk/Treasurer