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HomeMy WebLinkAboutLand & Water 02-05-08 NOTICE OF MEETING AND AGENDA ST. CROIX COUNTY LAND & WATER CONSERVATION COMMITTEE February 5, 2008 —10:40 a.m. Agricultural Service & Education Center CALL TO ORDER 19608 th Avenue, Baldwin, WI ROLL CALL APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING ADOPTION OF AGENDA DATE OF NEXT MEETING — March 4, 2008 LAND & WATER CONSERVATION DEPARTMENT A2ency reports FSA NRCS DNR RC &D West Central Area NEW BUSINESS: Director's report Wildlife Damage - Review 2007 claims - Plan of Administration — amendments form - signature Board of Adjustment report Rain barrel — update Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program — contract extension LWCD truck bids Vouchers OLD BUSINESS: Staff reports PARKS DEPARTMENT NEW BUSINESS: Director's report Bills /vouchers DVD — Bike loop St. Croix River Crossing Mower bids Courtesy dock bids — Pine Lake OLD BUSINESS: Bicycle /pedestrian trail — bike plan narrative - Public hearing - update ANNOUNCEMENTS & CORRESPONDENCE ADJOURN SUBMITTED BY: Robert Heise DATE: January 23, 2008 COPIES TO: COUNTY BOARD OFFICE NEWS MEDIA /NOTICE BOARD COUNTY CLERK COMMITTEE MEMBERS (Items may be taken in different order) *Additions /Changes /Corrections UNOV? ICIAL ST. CROIX COUNTY LAND & WATER CONSERVATION COMMITTEE Agricultural Service & Education Center, Baldwin, WI February 5, 2008 Members Present: Lois Burri, Ken Graf, Sharon Norton- Bauman, Bill Peavey, Ron Raymond, Gene Ruetz Members Absent: None Staff Present: Director -Bob Heise, Land Specialist (Rural) -Steve Olson, Administrative Assistant - Arlene Lier Others Present: Pete Skorseth -DNR, Steve Pernsteiner-NRCS, Cindy Blonk- Wildlife Damage Chair Raymond called the meeting to order at 10:54 a.m. Action on Previous Minutes: Motion by Ruetz, seconded by Burri, to approve the January 4, 2008 meeting minutes. Carried. Adoption of Agenda: Peavey made motion to adopt the agenda, seconded by Ruetz. Carried. Date of Next Meeting: February 13, 2008 (Director job performance evaluation) March 4, 2008 LAND & WATER CONSERVATION DEPARTMENT FARM SERVICE AGENCY (FSA) No report. NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION SERVICE (MRCS) Steve Pernsteiner - District Conservationist reported: All eligible applicants for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) in St. Croix County have been approved and contracted for 2008. This includes 21 contracts for a total of $293,495. Most contracts are for Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plans. Sign up for 2008 Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP) ends this Wednesday, February 6. NRCS is encouraging projects which restore wildlife habitat in cooperation with non - profit environmental groups such as Trout Unlimited and Pheasants Forever. The SAFE program application has been approved and Farm Services Agency is currently working on details for conducting a sign up. This program is for landowners wishing to establish short to medium height prairie on cropland. The project area covers the towns to the west of Hwy 63. The rules are essentially the same as CRP with some added incentives. The Farm Bill is still in joint House Senate committee. Not having a Farm Bill is affecting conservation program application and agency funding. DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES (DNR) Pete Skorseth - Environmental Engineer reported: He explained his position as wastewater (municipal and industrial) engineer in St. Croix plus three other counties. There are not many changes as far as programs go. Biggest issue is the state budget. DNR has a hiring freeze and travel `restrictions due to the budget. Agronomist position for animal waste is frozen. Wastewater treatment plants are doing well as far as meeting effluent standards are concerned. Currently there are no major expansions. The vacant Water Regulations position has been filled by Carrie Stoltz (formerly St. Croix County Zoning Technician). Raymond stated that he is trying to get a movement across the state and region to protect the quality and quantity of water in Wisconsin. RESOURCE CONSERVATION AND DEVELOPMENT (RC &D) Ruetz reported that there is a board of directors meeting on February 6. The financial problems have been resolved (2006 ended up $7,000 in the red, while 2007 ended up $32,000 in the black). As of January 2, 2008, expected revenues amount to $54,016. The prairie seed program is being promoted. They are waiting for information on the future of CRP before ordering seeds for 2008. The Value Added Agriculture conference was well attended. Specialty farm products were promoted. The major future of agriculture may end up with small units for producing specialty products. WEST CENTRAL AREA Heise reported that the next meeting will be held on Thursday, February 14, at the Dunn County Ag Center. Ratification of the Great Lakes Compact will be discussed. Legislation is in the works for ratification of the compact. Raymond stated that the WLWCA Board will meet later in February and he would like them to adopt, as a top priority for them, the protection of the quality and quantity of the water in the state. Al Carothers, Board member, should be equipped with the material to get this job done with the state board. Through the WLWCA and WALCE organizations, Raymond would like the Conservation Departments in all 72 counties, supporting this goal. He would like the DNR and the Department of Ag to carry this same message. Wildlife Damage — Cindy Blonk Plan of Administration — Amendment form Cindy Blonk presented the amendment to the county plan of administration ( "Program Eligibility: 1. To participate in the WDACP, the person requesting assistance may not have any delinquent property taxes "). Chair Raymond signed the amendment which had been approved at the January meeting. This would affect claimants in 2008. Review 2007 claims The price of organic soybeans (Bob Keatley claim) is $21.00/bushel. Norton - Bauman made motion, seconded by Ruetz, to approve the price of $21.00 reimbursement for organic (food grade) soybeans. Carried. Cindy presented and reviewed the 2007 St. Croix County Wildlife Damage Claims list. Motion by Peavey, seconded by Graff, to approve the claims for 2007 excluding the Keith Frye claim due to the needed verification of deer shot. Carried. NEW BUSINESS Director's Report Heise stated that the Great Lakes Compact issue has already been discussed. Board of Adiustment report Steve Olson presented to the LWCC the number of Special Exception Permits and Land Use Permits reviewed by the Land and Water Conservation Department in 2006 and 2007. In 2006 the department reviewed 4l special exception permits and 15 land use permits for a total of 56 permits. In 2007 the Department reviewed 37 special exception permits and 21 land use permits for a total of 58 permits reviewed Rain barrel — update Heise reported that LWCD sold 75 rain barrels during 2007. City of River Falls issued an incentive for purchasing rain barrels. Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) — contract extension Heise reported that the State of Wisconsin and the USDA have agreed to extend the CREP until September 1, 2008. Burri made motion, seconded by Ruetz, that LWCC approves the contract extension to allow St. Croix County landowners to participate until the term of the contract for Chair Raymond's signature. Carried. LWCD truck bids Heise presented the 6 bids received for the LWCD truck (2008 4x4 '/2 ton extended cab). Peavey made motion, seconded by Ruetz, that LWCC approves the bid which satisfies all requirements of the bidding process, from Cox Motor Sales Inc. for a Ford F -150 XL, purchase price $21,595.00 (this price reflects the 1995 - Ford Contour trade -in allowance of $500.00). Carried. The truck will be delivered in 2 -5 months. Vouchers Reviewed vouchers. Ruetz made motion, seconded by Graff, to approve Chair Raymond's signature on the February LWCD voucher lists (2007 total $3,215.85, 2008 total $9,439.96). Carried. OLD BUSINESS None. Chair Raymond adjourned meeting at 12:11 p.m. PARKS DEPARTMENT Members Present: Lois Burri, Sharon Norton- Bauman, Bill Peavey, Ron Raymond, Gene Ruetz Members Absent: None Staff Present: Director -Bob Heise, Operations Manager -Dave Larson, Administrative Assistant - Arlene Lier Others Present: None Chair Raymond called the meeting to order at 12:25 p.m. NEW BUSINESS Director's Report Heise reported: • Erosion problem at Troy Beach and the YMCA Camp — Staff conducted a survey and design of a serious erosion problem taking place on the YMCA property, but deposits are affecting the County property on Troy Beach. We have money in our 2008 budget for our portion of costs. It takes several months to receive the required permits of projects located in the River District. Staff did receive word that YMCA has contacted a contractor that is working up a cost - estimate for the project. • Homestead Parklands — Sam Clapper met with the Hudson Scuba Club to schedule pulling the Eurasian Milfoil weeds at the beach. Dates set are May 17, June 8, and July 19. • Fish cribs — Staff hopes to get logs delivered to Glen Hills Park shortly to install the project in mid February. Mower Bids Larson presented the four bids received for the purchase of two new 2008 front mount lawnmowers for the Parks Department. Motion by Ruetz, seconded by Peavey, to accept the low bid from MDMA Equipment in the amount of $7,999.00. Carried. Courtesy dock bids — Pine Lake Larson met with Dana Baker, Management Systems Specialist, on January 25' to review bids for the Pine Lake courtesy dock. After reviewing bids, it was decided to reject all bids and repost the courtesy dock request for bid. Bids will be due Friday, February 15 and will be presented to the Committee at the March meeting. DVD — Bike loop St. Croix River Crossing Committee decided to view the animated loop crossing bike trail around the St. Croix River bridge at their March meeting. Heise suggested that we try to work out trail problems with the town of St. Joseph. Bills/Vouchers The February bills list for Parks was presented. Motion by Peavey, seconded by Ruetz, to approve Chair Raymond's signature on the voucher list (Snowmobile accounts total $18,205.82, Park accounts total $32,971.63). Carried. OLD BUSINESS Bicycle /pedestrian trail — bike trail narrative Public hearing update - Heise reported that there were articles published in the New Richmond News, the Hudson Star Observer, and also an article in the Sunday St. Paul Pioneer Press. Staff will formulate our comments after February 15 (noon) and bring them back to the committee on March 4. LWCC has to give staff direction on public comments received. Changes have to be made to the plan as soon as possible so we can present to County Board on March 18th. Chair Raymond adjourned meeting at 12:56 p.m. Gene Ruetz Secretary Arlene Lier Recording Secretary