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HomeMy WebLinkAboutLand & Water 01-04-05 NOTICE OF COMMITTEE MEETING TO: Clarence Malick, Chairman St. Croix County Board FROM: Ron Raymond, Chairman COMMITTEE TITLE: Land & Water Conservation DATE: January 4, 2005 TIME: 10:40 a.m. LOCATION: Ag Center, Baldwin CALL TO ORDER ROLL CALL ADOPTION OF AGENDA DATE OF NEXT MEETING: February 1, 2005 ACTION ON PREVIOUS MINUTES PARKS DEPARTMENT NEW BUSINESS: Director's Report Bills /vouchers Apple River Property - Star Prairie Land Preservation Trust Timber sale bid opening Timber sale income UNFINISHED BUSINESS: Snowmobile ordinance Site Manager position - Homestead Parklands LAND & WATER CONSERVATION DEPARTMENT Agency Reports FSA NRCS DNR RC &D West Central Area NEW BUSINESS: Subdivision Review - 1:00 p.m. Staff update - Siting livestock facility legislation County goal setting recommendations Vouchers * Setting Wildlife Damage grain prices (2004 claims) UNFINISHED BUSINESS: Wastewater - Joint meeting - January 11 - Planning & Zoning Draft MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) - DNR Administering NR -151 Farmland Preservation Program - Soil & Water Conservation Standards - Set public hearing date Staff Reports Information & Education report Priority Watershed Projects ANNOUNCEMENTS & CORRESPONDENCE POSSIBLE AGENDA ITEMS FOR NEXT MEETING: ADJOURNMENT (Agenda not necessarily presented in this order) SUBMITTED BY: Robert Heise DATE: December 20, 2004; amended December 29, 2004 COPIES TO: COUNTY BOARD OFFICE NEWS MEDIA /NOTICE BOARD COUNTY CLERK COMMITTEE MEMBERS * ADDITIONS /CORRECTIONS /CHANGES Convened: 11:10 a.m. Recessed: 12:06 p.m. Reconvened: 12:55 p.m. Adjourned: 3:00 p.m. ST. CROIX COUNTY LAND & WATER CONSERVATION COMMITTEE Agricultural Service & Education Center, Baldwin, WI January 4, 2005 Members Present: Lois Burri, Gene Ruetz, Bill Peavey, Ron Raymond, Jan Zoerb Members Absent: Jim Cody (excused) Staff Present: Bob Heise, Dave Larson, Pete Kling, Arlene Lier Others Present: Stuart Nelson -Star Prairie Land Preservation Trust; Cindy Blonk- Wildlife Damage Program Adoption of Agenda: Ruetz made motion to adopt the agenda, seconded by Burri. Carried. Date of Next Meeting: February 1, 2005 Action on Previous Minutes: Motion by Peavey, seconded by Ruetz, to approve the December 7 meeting minutes. Carried. PARKS DEPARTMENT NEW BUSINESS Apple River Property — Star Prairie Land Preservation Trust Heise introduced Stuart Nelson, president of Star Prairie Land Preservation Trust. Nelson gave a presentation to LWCC on the activities that the Land Trust is achieving in the Star Prairie area and how their properties and the Apple River property may compliment one another. The land trust focus is to preserve water quality, wildlife habitat and environmentally sensitive areas in northern St. Croix County and southern Polk County. The Menkes have donated a 63 -acre property on Cedar Lake. It is the last chance to preserve undeveloped property on Cedar Lake (850 ft. of lake frontage). He also gave the status of current projects: Casey, Rylander, Peterson, and Wright properties. Discussed their partnership with Star Prairie Fish & Game, which donated $18- 20,000 of startup money for the trust. One of their accomplishments is the beautiful park in Star Prairie (handicapped accessible), cost $100,000 with all donated labor. Discussed the 40 -acre Apple River property owned by the county. The trust would be willing to protect it by placing an easement on the property. Heise stated that the property boundaries are difficult to determine at this time. Raymond stated that public awareness and support is necessary so it can be protected. Zoerb could not comment due to conflict of interest. She suggested that the property should be incorporated into the Outdoor Rec Plan. Nelson reported that there is an offer to purchase for the Apple River trout farm property (owned by Mac & Marcy Graham), to make it into a recreational park, which is not a desired use in the eyes of the land trust. Cheryl Bursik has been hired as a consultant to put together a plan for the Grahams, funded by the Land Preservation Trust. They are trying to show them ideas on how they can sell without disturbing the shoreline and if grants would be available. Director's Report Heise reported: He received a letter from the Zoning Administrator regarding change of fees in 2005. Decision was made by the Planning & Zoning Committee that there will be no park dedication fees for 2005. Balance at the end of 2004 amounts to approximately $90,000 for County Park dedication fees. Towns will have to create their own policy. Raymond suggested a letter be sent to Finance or Administration on the impact this is going to have on the Parks Department budgets. Last month Dave Larson met with Springfield Town Board and they committed to around $8,600 in park dedication fees to be used towards improvements at the Glen Hills Park boat landing. Outdoor Recreational Plan - There are two meetings scheduled, Wednesday- January 26 and Wednesday - February 23, to be held at the DNR office. All townships /municipalities have been invited to become involved with developing input into the plan. Star Prairie Land Preservation Trust will also be invited. Dave Trechter from UW- River Falls will be our facilitator. Ruetz will represent the LWCC. Reported on the renter of our cropland at Glen Hills. Three letters have been sent to him informing him of late payment. The last letter we sent was certified. We got a check with a greatly reduced amount of rent with a number of explanations. Heise will respond to that letter after discussing with Greg Timmerman - Corporation Counsel regarding legal action. Electrical plan — We hope to have a bid package prepared by SEH for electrical plan improvements by next month. Park map — We plan to have the park map printed by next month. We are still seeking more advertising commitments. Staff met with the printer J & M Printing and the map is ready to be formatted. Partitions in bathrooms (Glen Hills, Pine & Troy) — Contractor has been hired and is working on these projects. Diseased trees at Troy Beach — This has been taken care of and the trees removed. Bills/Vouchers Bills list was presented. Motion by Peavey, seconded by Burri, to approve the bills list for $9,153.25. Carried. Timber Sale Bid Opening Larson reported that bid packages were sent out to 16 different loggers on December 22. We have already received 3 inquiries. Bids will be opened at the Ag Center on Wednesday, January 19 at 1:30 p.m. Bids will be reviewed by Ruetz, Heise, Larson, Dahn Borh (DNR Forester), and Raymond. The contract draft has been reviewed by Corporation Counsel and ready to go. Burri made motion, seconded by Zoerb, that LWCC gives the authority for the reviewing committee to give the contract (name and price) to the recommended bidder and report back to the committee the following month. Carried. Timber sale income Discussed whether the revenue should be ear marked for future park improvements projects or will this revenue end up in the General County Revenue. Raymond stated that LWCD should do exactly as the 2005 budget indicates on the timber sale income to meet the requirements of the budget. The income should not go into the general fund. The Glen Hills Park income will roll over and be deducted from the 2006 budget. UNFINISHED BUSINESS Snowmobile Ordinance Heise reported that he made the first "draft" of amendments to the snowmobile ordinance. The "draft" was sent to the Sheriff's department for review. The Sheriff informed Heise that he would pass it along to his patrol people and will get back with him when he hears from his people. Site Manager Position — Homestead Parklands Heise reported that the position is being advertised on our Web site along with the Wisconsin Park and Recreation Web site. Deb Kathan will also be putting it in the local newspapers. It will be posted at UW -River Falls and also UW- Stevens Point. Deadline is February 1. LWCC members, Peavey and Ruetz, will participate in the interviews which should be scheduled February 1 -15. Start date would be early March. LAND & WATER CONSERVATION DEPARTMENT Reconvened: 12:55 p.m. Adjourned: 3:00 p.m. Members Present: Lois Burri, Bill Peavey, Ron Raymond, Gene Ruetz, Jan Zoerb Members Absent: Jim Cody (excused) Staff Present: Director -Bob Heise, Land Specialists —Steve Olson, Pete Kling; Technician -Jeff Lueck; Secretary- Arlene Lier Others Present: Bob Hendrickson -FSA; Steve Pernsteiner -NRCS; Cindy Blonk- Wildlife Damage Program NEW BUSINESS Setting Wildlife Damage grain prices (2004 cliams) Cindy Blonk handed out the 2004 Wildlife Damage Program Crop reimbursement rates for corn, soybeans, organic soybeans, and apiaries. The price of $22.00/bushel (verbal quote) for organic soybeans may change depending on the official price when he sells in February. We need these prices (yearly average) approved to finalize the 2004 claims. Peavey made motion to approve the 2004 Wildlife Damage Program Crop reimbursement rates, seconded by Ruetz. Carried. Subdivision Review Kling presented: Serenity Meadows - (Located in part of the NW ' / 4 of the SW '/4, the NE '/4 of the SW ' / 4 and part of the SE' /4 of the SW '/4 of Section 33, Town of Troy, St. Croix County, Wisconsin) Serenity Meadows is a 86 -acre development, 4 lots in total. All storm water and erosion control issues have been resolved and the plans conform to the St. Croix County Subdivision Ordinance. The storm water and erosion control plans are acceptable for this subdivision. Peavey made motion to recommend that the plans for this subdivision are acceptable and a letter be sent to the Planning & Zoning Committee, Ruetz seconded. Carried. Lundy's North - (Located in part of the SE ' / 4 of the SE ' / 4 and part of the SW '/4 of the SE '/4 of Section 22, Town of Richmond, St. Croix County, Wisconsin) Lundy's North is a 49.5 -acre development, 21 lots in total. All storm water and erosion control issues have been resolved and the plans conform to the St. Croix County Subdivision Ordinance. The storm water and erosion control plans are acceptable for this subdivision. Raymond made motion to recommend that the plans for this subdivision are acceptable and a letter be sent to the Planning & Zoning Committee, Peavey seconded. Carried. Willow Bluff - (Located in part of the NE' /4 of the NE' /4 of Section 16, Town of Hudson, St. Croix County, Wisconsin) Willow Bluff is a 14.4 -acre development, 5 lots in total. All storm water and erosion control issues have been resolved and the plans conform to the St. Croix County Subdivision Ordinance. The storm water and erosion control plans are acceptable for this subdivision. Burri made motion to recommend that the plans for this subdivision are acceptable and a letter be sent to the Planning & Zoning Committee, Ruetz seconded. Carried. Sunset Hills First Addition - (Located in part of the NW 1 /4 of the SE 1 /4 and part of the NE 1 /4 of the SW 1 /4 of Section 11, Town of Hudson, St. Croix County, Wisconsin) Sunset Hills First Addition is a 27.4 -acre development, 10 lots in total. All storm water and erosion control issues have been resolved and the plans conform to the St. Croix County Subdivision Ordinance. The storm water and erosion control plans are acceptable for this subdivision. Raymond made motion to recommend that the plans for this subdivision are acceptable and a letter be sent to the Planning & Zoning Committee, Ruetz seconded. Carried. Christianson CSM - (Located in part of the NE 1 /4 of the NW ` / 4 of Section 11, Town of Kinnickinnic, St. Croix County, Wisconsin) Christianson CSM is a 14 -acre development, 4 lots in total. All storm water and erosion control issues have been resolved and the plans conform to the St. Croix County Subdivision Ordinance. The storm water and erosion control plans are acceptable for this subdivision. Peavey made motion to recommend that the plans for this subdivision are acceptable and a letter be sent to the Planning & Zoning Committee, Ruetz seconded. Carried. Discussion on NR -151 urban standards. Kling stated that the State DNR has a shortage of staff for permitting purposes. FARM SERVICE AGENCY (FSA) Robert Hendrickson reported: • The FSA County Office Committee (COC) ballots were counted on December 13. Suzette Sontag was re- elected for another 3 -year term. The FSA COC will be electing the President and Vice President at their January meeting. • Compliance is nearly completed. • Possibility of another CRP (Conservation Reserve Program) sign -up sometime this year. • We will be making 2005 advance DCP (Direct and County Cyclical Program) payments soon. Most of the producers wanted their payments after the first of the year. • No information yet on second advance Counter Cyclical payments for 2004. If producers haven't signed up for the first or second advanced payment, they should do that now. • The interest rate for January Commodity Loans is 3.325% and 3.875% Facility Loans. • No MILC (Milk Income Loss) payments for December at this point. • The LDP'S (Loan Deficiency Payments) for today: .17 for corn, .38 for Barley, .00 for Soybeans and. 12 for HRS Wheat. NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION SERVICE (MRCS) Steve Pernsteiner reported: St. Croix County will be holding an initial Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) sign up until February 15. Current allocation is approximately $98,000. Statewide sign up for Manure storage applicants will run until April 29, 2005. Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program (WHIP) has been funded and will be holding sign up February 14 to March 11. This is a good program for landowners who do not qualify for CRP and wish to improve wildlife habitat. The Wetland Reserve Program is looking for new applications. Deadline is February 15. Several landowners have recently expressed interest in the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP). Jay will be making contact with them in the next couple of weeks. DNR Ruetz stated that Dahn Borh -DNR Forester will be one of the timber bid reviewers on January 19. RESOURCE CONSERVATION & DEVELOPMENT (RC &D) Ruetz reported that the Board of Directors meeting will be held on January 5. West Central Area Heise reported that Jean Schomisch is resigning from the secretary- treasurer position for the West Central Area. The West Central Area Committee needs to meet and appoint a person to that position. Staff Update — Siting livestock facility legislation Heise and Olson gave a presentation on the proposed "DRAFT" siting legislation and proposed standards. There should be public hearings this spring. These rules apply even though local units of governments do not incorporate these rules into their local ordinances. County goal setting recommendations Zoerb asked for suggestions of places that county board members could tour for goal setting in April. Prairie Flats would be a good site. LWCD staff person should ride on the bus and explain the projects. Heise said that April would be the best month to tour John Vrieze's digester operation. Heise explained that the Governor adopted 2005 as being the "year of conservation ". The WLWCA has selected different projects throughout Wisconsin, one project showcased each month. St. Croix County was offered to showcase a project and has selected the "Prairie Flats Wetland Restoration" project. Vouchers Reviewed vouchers. Heise explained the 4 large items on the voucher list which pertain to the Tiffany Creek project (South Fork/Hay River Cost Share). It pays for rock and some of the work that has been done to this point, leased equipment, etc. (about $50,000). Zoerb questioned the Huppert Bros. $12,383.62 payment (Kinnickinnic Cost Share). Heise explained that most of the project cost was paid by NRCS. Peavey made motion to approve Chair Raymond's signature on the January voucher list (total $98,810.51), seconded by Ruetz. Carried. UNFINISHED BUSINESS Draft — MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) - DNR Administering NR -151 Heise reported that the review by the State DNR has not been completed. Farmland Preservation Program — Soil & Water Conservation Standards Set public hearing date - Heise stated that a date needs to be set for the public hearing. He suggested February 2 (Wednesday) or February 9 (Wednesday). Decision was made to hold the hearing on February 2, 7:00 p.m., at the Ag Center. Public notices will be run in the county newspapers and also notices will be sent to town clerks. Information & Education Report Heise reported that the I & E report was mailed to the LWCC. Priority Watershed Proiects Heise reported for Kulow: Kinnickinnic - The Goodman project on the Kinnickinnic is complete. The Nelson project has begun. South Fork/Hay River - Work is being done on the Tiffany Creek project. Wastewater - Joint meeting — January 11— Planning & Zoning Discussed setting time to meet jointly with the Planning & Zoning Committee to discuss the "Wastewater Septage- County wide" issue. Decided to meet at 8:00 a.m. before the regular Planning & Zoning Committee meeting at the Government Center. Announcements & Correspondence None. Chair Raymond adjourned meeting at 3:00 p.m. Jan Zoerb Secretary Arlene Lier Recording Secretary