VILLAGE OF LA FARGE

                 Regular Board Meeting         Monday, February 14, 2022

                                                                                  

*Village President Cheryl Purvis called the regular meeting of the La Farge Village Board to order at 6:30 p.m. at the Emergency Services building.       

          

Roll Call - Present at the meeting:

All Board Members: Barbara Melvin, Aaron Nemec, Karen Leis, Aaron Appleman, Frank Quinn, Terry Jensen (via phone), and Cheryl Purvis.    

Also present: News reporter Lonnie Muller, Public Works Manger Wayne Haugrud, Utility Clerk Greg Lawton, Police Chief Jonathon Brown, and Clerk Kimberly Walker.    

         

*Verification was given of meeting publishing in the La Farge Episcope, and of posting at the Bank, Post Office, and Village Office on February 10, 2022.

    

*Quinn moved, Leis seconded to approve the previous meetings minutes: (1-10-22/Regular Village board meeting and 1-18-22/Regular Library Board meeting). (Carried).    

            

*Correspondence: The Firemen’s Banquet is March 19th. Board members and spouses are invited.                

 

*Public Comment: None.             

     

*Utility business: Wayne had an updated cost estimate on the substation relocation project of $2,076,451, up from 1.75 million. This includes excavation work and the building products/materials price increases.  

**The yearly wastewater treatment multi discharge variance payment to Vernon County for the excess phosphorus that goes in the Kickapoo River, is $3,365.68. This is up about $800 from last year, due in part to the Main Street project, having a lot of high flow.        

 

*Update on Grants:

**The paperwork has been submitted for the Skid steer grant.

**Last week, Purvis, our Attorney, the engineer, and the office staff talked with the EDA and DOA concerning the EDA grant for the substation relocation. They had some questions, needed some updates, and were given the revised costs. Should be a decision soon.           

 

*Talking with Mark from Vierbichers, the village is also eligible to apply for USDA funds to help fund a new squad car (55% grant/45% match). We have our match covered with the squad savings account. Vierbichers have 90% of our information from the skid steer application, so the application should be minimal. Chief Brown will need to get some quotes. Our current squad is a 2016 SUV. Melvin moved, Nemec seconded to pursue applying for USDA funds to purchase a new squad car. (Carried).   

  

*Old business: Dollar General update: They have a signed contract agreement for a location, and it’s been submitted to their Board of Directors. Just waiting to hear back.     

 

*The current 2003 GMC village 1 ton pickup is starting to have rust problems to the frame and other repairs. It has 143,200 miles. We will need to decide to drive it until it dies or pursue looking for a replacement. To replace the tilt bed, estimates came in from $8,200 to $11,200, which is about the value of the truck. We have money in the equipment fund to buy something but will wait to see if we get the skid steer funding first. Wayne wanted to make the board aware of this for the future.  

     

*Quinn moved, Appleman seconded to approve the engagement letter for audit and accounting services, including a single audit, from Johnson Block & Company, Inc. for the year ending 12-31-2021. (Carried). 

 

*Melvin moved, Leis seconded to approve an operator license for Craig Hysel. (Carried 6-1, with Purvis recusing herself). The Seller server course was completed on 2-2-2022.

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*Police report/update: Chief Jonathon Brown had 100 calls for service in January. Municipal court was held February 3rd with no appearances by his 2 cases and he had no arrests.              

 

*Committee Reports:   

**Library: Melvin reported they are doing well.

**Finance: February 28th, planning on a meeting to discuss ideas for the ARPA funds. Then will bring these back to the board in early Spring.    

 

*Quinn moved, Appleman seconded to approve payment of the bills. (Carried).  

   

*Appleman moved, Melvin seconded to adjourn. (Carried). Adjourned at 6:48 p.m.

                    

                                                                     Kimberly Walker, Village Clerk/Treasurer