The Viroqua Public Record: April 11, 2026
Committee appointments, historic landmark designations and more for the coming busy week of meetings.
Your neighbor's guide to what happened (and what's coming) at City Hall
The Big Takeaway
Viroqua's summer event season is officially taking shape, and the Council is set to greenlight a packed calendar. On Tuesday, April 14, alderpersons will vote on temporary beer and wine licenses for the Driftless Music Festival at Eckhart Park on July 11, a series of eight "Live in Viroqua" street events on West Court Street running from late May through August, and a Viroqua Pride celebration at Eckhart Park on June 27. If you enjoy strolling downtown on a summer evening with a cold one in hand, these votes are what make that possible. All three licenses are for the nonprofit/event organizer Fourthstream and Viroqua Pride, respectively.[1]
Money Watch
• The Historic Preservation Commission will discuss making its annual $1,000 donation to the Vernon County Historical Society — a longstanding tradition that helps keep local history programming alive.[5]
• The Airport Commission is taking up wages for terminal building janitorial services and future airport staffing needs on April 15 — no dollar figures listed yet, but these are the kinds of line items that quietly shape the municipal budget.[4]
• Public Works will review a TAPCO annual traffic signal preventative maintenance contract, which also goes to the full Council for approval. No price tag is published in the agenda, but this is the company that keeps Viroqua's traffic signals running safely year-round.[3] [1]
• The Finance/Personnel Committee will handle the routine payment of bills at their 6:15 p.m. session.[2]
Coming Up
Historic Preservation Commission
Meets to discuss attending up to four preservation conferences this year, including the national NAPC Forum in Minneapolis, July 24–26, where Viroqua may be in the running for a Commission Excellence Award.[5]
Public Works
Tackles brush and compost pickup scheduling and commercial fees for the brush/compost site, plus a discussion about the parking lot by Mr. G's. If you have opinions about yard waste pickup or downtown parking, this is your meeting. Join via Zoom[3]
Tourism Commission
Welcomes new member Brian Wrobel and discusses a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Chamber and the Viroqua Welcome Center.[6]
Airport Commission
Meets at the terminal building to discuss hangar lease updates and an AWOS (Automated Weather Observation System) update.[4]
The Quick Rundown
Board and commission appointments: The Council will confirm Brian Wrobel to the Tourism Commission (replacing Josh Brown), plus reappoint Bill Brooke (Board of Review), Brian Ekern (Police & Fire Commission), Jan Rasikas (Plan Commission), and Jean Klousia (Board of Appeals). Routine but important — these are the folks shaping city decisions behind the scenes.[1]
Historic landmarks in the pipeline: The HPC's agenda lists 13 potential landmark properties and districts under discussion, including the Rhythm Bakery building (formerly Clyde's Grocery), Mr. G's/Old Opera House, and the Courthouse Lynching Tree Site. A recognition plaque for Gigi Macasaet and a new plaque for the Gilman Bur Oak Tree are also moving forward.[5]
Airport lighting project: An update is expected on the ongoing airport lighting improvements — no details yet, but worth watching if you fly in or out of Viroqua Municipal.[4]
One More Thing
Buried deep in the HPC agenda: the commission is working on a historic designation for Mark Lee's childhood home. No further context is given, which makes it one of those delightful small-town mysteries — stay tuned.[5]