The Viroqua Public Record: June 6, 2026
"Busy Council meeting on June 9 features short-term rental ordinance, housing projects, new mural, and more!"
Your neighborhood guide to what's happening at City Hall
The Big Takeaway
The Common Council has a packed agenda on Tuesday, June 9 — and the headline item is a short-term rental ordinance coming out of the Housing Advisory group. Whether you rent a room on Airbnb, live next door to one, or just care about housing availability in Viroqua, this is the kind of policy that shapes neighborhoods. The Council will also be voting on a USDA loan for the landfill project, approving pay requests for both the Hanson Farm development and the Center Avenue project, and considering a new library mural. It's one of the busiest single meetings in recent weeks, and it's open to the public — in person or online.[3]
Money Watch
Several spending items are on the table for June 9:
Change Orders #4 & #5 for the Welcome Center project — the Council will review cost adjustments to the Viroqua Welcome Center construction. No dollar amounts are listed on the agenda, but change orders typically mean the price tag is shifting.[3]
Utility backhoe replacement — Public Works is asking the Council to approve replacing a backhoe, which likely means a six-figure equipment purchase.[3]
USDA loan for the landfill project — The Council will vote on a letter of intent to meet conditions and request obligation of funds. Federal loans like this often come with favorable rates, but it's still debt the city takes on.[3]
Additional mower purchase — Parks & Rec wants to add a mower beyond what was already in the Capital Improvement Plan.[3]
Lucid Painting contract for a library mural — approved by the Library Board and heading to Council for final sign-off.[3]
Over at the Historic Preservation Commission on June 8, members will vote on their annual $1,000 donation to the Vernon County Historical Society, plus reimbursing Chair Cyndy Hubbard $75 for a national preservation membership and $50 for a state one. They're also eyeing two conferences — one in Minneapolis in July and another in Appleton in October.[5]
Coming Up
Historic Preservation Commission
at City Hall. They'll consider a Certificate of Appropriateness for a new awning at the Viroqua Public Market and updates on several potential landmark properties, including the Old Opera House (Mr. G's) and the Courthouse Lynching Tree Site.[5]
Finance/Personnel Committee
Key item: an update on the City Administrator hiring process. Join via Zoom[4]
Common Council
The big one. Short-term rentals, infrastructure pay requests, landfill loan, and more. Join via Zoom[3]
Tourism Commission
at City Hall. Chamber and city reports.[2]
Airport Commission
at the Terminal Building.[1]
The Quick Rundown
Street names for Hanson Farm — The Council will pick names for streets in Viroqua's newest development. If you've got opinions about what your future neighbors' addresses should sound like, now's the time.[3]
Parkitecture service agreement changes — Something's shifting in the contract for park design/architecture services. Details will come out at the meeting.[3]
Airport runway compliance — Hal Davis from the Bureau of Aeronautics will report on whether Runway 02-20 meets length requirements. The commission will also discuss updating hangar leases and get an update on the AWOS (Automated Weather Observation System — the gadget that tells pilots what conditions are like).[1]
HPC quorum troubles — The Historic Preservation Commission had no quorum in April and skipped May entirely. They're now discussing changing their regular meeting day and time and recruiting new members to fix the problem.[5]
2025 Compliance Maintenance Annual Report — An annual state-required checkup on the city's wastewater system. Routine but required.[3]
One More Thing
Buried deep in the HPC agenda is a fascinating list of properties they're considering for historic landmark status — including the childhood home of Mark Lee, Olga Bennett's law office and home, and something called the Dane Piper House (1901-02). But the one that catches the eye? The Courthouse Lynching Tree Site, being researched by commission member Eddy Nix. Local history isn't always comfortable, but Viroqua's preservation commission is clearly committed to telling the full story.[5]