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HomeMy WebLinkAboutLand & Water 10-04-05 ST. CROIX COUNTY NOTICE OF COMMITTEE MEETING TO: Clarence Malick, Chairman St. Croix County Board FROM: Ron Raymond, Chairman COMMITTEE TITLE: Land & Water Conservation DATE: October 4, 2005 TIME: 10:40 a.m. LOCATION: Ag Center, Baldwin CALL TO ORDER ROLL CALL ADOPTION OF AGENDA DATE OF NEXT MEETING: October 4, 2005 - 7:00 p.m. (Outdoor Recreation Plan Public Hearing) November 2, 2005 (Wednesday) ACTION ON PREVIOUS MINUTES PARKS DEPARTMENT NEW BUSINESS: Director's Report Bills /vouchers UNFINISHED BUSINESS: Capital Outlay plan 2006 budget Outdoor Recreation Plan LAND & WATER CONSERVATION DEPARTMENT Agency Reports FSA NRCS DNR RC &D West Central Area NEW BUSINESS: Subdivision Review - 2:00 p.m. Land Use Development Ordinance - Planning Department Vouchers West Central Area Association - Resolutions Baldwin - Wastewater facility plan UNFINISHED BUSINESS: Capital Outlay plan 2006 budget Staff Reports Priority Watershed Projects ANNOUNCEMENTS & CORRESPONDENCE POSSIBLE AGENDA ITEMS FOR NEXT MEETING: ADJOURNMENT (Agenda not necessarily presented in this order) SUBMITTED BY: Robert Heise DATE: September 22, 2005 COPIES TO: COUNTY BOARD OFFICE NEWS MEDIA /NOTICE BOARD COUNTY CLERK COMMITTEE MEMBERS * ADDITIONS /CORRECTIONS /CHANGES 4 ' N Convened: 11:25 a.m. Recessed: 12:02 p.m. Reconvened: 12:45 p.m. Adjourned: 3:53 p.m. ST. CROIX COUNTY LAND & WATER CONSERVATION COMMITTEE Agricultural Service & Education Center, Baldwin, WI October 4, 2005 Members Present: Lois Bum, Bill Peavey, Ron Raymond, Gene Ruetz, Jan Zoerb Members Absent: None Staff Present: Director -Bob Heise, Operations Manager -Dave Larson, Administrative Assistant - Arlene Lier Others Present: None Adoption of Agenda: Peavey made motion to adopt the agenda, seconded by Burri. Carried. Action on Previous Minutes: Motion by Peavey, seconded by Burri, to approve the September 6, 2005 meeting minutes. Carried. Date of Next Meeting: Wednesday, November 2, 2005 PARKS DEPARTMENT NEW BUSINESS Director's Report Heise reported on meeting with the Finance Committee on the budget last Thursday, September 29. In 2006 our budget tax levy is $483,000, comparing that to 2005 ($436,000), essentially $46,000 more than 2005. We were asked to go back to Committee and re -look at the budget figures and try to make a reduction of approximately 50% of the increase. Raymond did not feel we should take the truck out of the 2006 budget if there is a valid need. Heise stated that the assessor's plat is in there, which was in last year's budget, but was removed by the Finance Committee. Zoerb questioned where we are at on impact fees and whether we explored our user's fees and option of impact fees. Heise stated that we made a proposal on fee increases for 2006 at the September meeting and the LWCC did acknowledge staff's recommendations and raised park fees for 2006. Impact fees were turned down in general. Heise stated that he had a discussion with Greg Timmerman, Corporation Counsel. Heise suggested reducing the budget by $24- 25,000 ($5,000 -park promotion, $8,000- assessor's plat, Troy beach gate - $2,500, I & E coordinator - $5,000). Expected increase revenue of approximately $4,500.00 Peavey made motion to reduce the Parks budget $20,500 as indicated on Heise's list, keeping the truck in, anticipated additional $4,500 revenue in 2006, which would total a reduction of $25,000, seconded by Zoerb. Carried. Heise stated that the 2006 draft Outdoor Recreation Plan public hearing will be held this evening at 7:00 p.m. at the Ag Center. Reported that the Apple River project is expected to begin this week. Larson and Wittmer will be doing a site showing for the Glen Hills pier. There will also be a site showing on the Pine Lake shoreline restoration project. S.E.H. Stairway update Larson stated that he and Heise met with the S.E.H. engineer at Homestead Parklands on the stairway design to realign the route that makes better use of the terrain to come out more towards the beach area. Bills/Vouchers Bills list was presented. Motion by Burri, seconded by Zoerb, to approve the Parks account bills ($56,686.45). Carried. Recessed: 12:02 p.m. Reconvened: 12:45 p.m. LAND & WATER CONSERVATION DEPARTMENT Members Present: Lois Burri, Jim Cody, Bill Peavey, Ron Raymond, Gene Ruetz, Jan Zoerb Members Absent: None Staff Present: Director -Bob Heise, Land Specialist —Pete Kling, Administrative Assistant - Arlene Lier Others Present: Bob Hendrickson -FSA, Steve Pernsteiner -NRCS, Dave Fodroczi, Ellen Denzer - Planning Department; Jon Sonnentag -S &N Surveying; Stuart Preston, Fritz Baisley, Allen McCoy, Jim Smith - Secluded Land Company LLC LAND USE DEVELOPMENT ORDINANCE — PLANNING DEPARTMENT Dave Fodroczi - Planning & Zoning Director and Ellen Denzer -County Planner presented a summary of the proposed changes to the Land Development Ordinance. NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION SERVICE (NRCS) Steve Pernsteiner- District Conservationist reported: NRCS does not have an operating budget for 2006. It is anticipated that Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP) and Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP) will be funded similar to last year. Field Offices will be holding sign up for these programs starting on November 1 st and lasting until December 30`". The draft of practices for the 2006 EQIP program takes out no -till and adds a couple of new practices. The sign up will also encourage producers to get Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plans (CNMP). This past year NRCS contracted with a private engineer to design and install two grade stabilization structures in St. Croix County. Jerry Thompson, Northwest Assistant State Conservationist, is currently on a detail for 90 days to Washington. Randy Gilbertson is acting and should be contacted if questions. FARM SERVICE AGENCY (FSA) Bob Hendrickson - County Executive Director reported: • CRP - Staff is now in the process of making the annual rental payments. • After the first of the year, FSA may be extending CRP contracts that are going to expire from 2007 -2010 for 10 years. • Compliance is nearly complete. Late file crop reports cost is $25.00 per farm and $10.00 per field. • DCP (Direct and County Cyclical Program) - There will be a final Counter Cyclical Payment (CC) for corn for 2004. There will be no final CC payment for soybeans, 2004. • There still are a few 2004 Commodity Loans out there that staff are currently working with producers to get paid off. At this point none of them are delinquent. • The interest rate for September: Commodity Loans is 4.875% and for Facility Loans is 4.0 %. • All MILC (Milk Income Loss) payments are out for June. • The LDP'S (Loan Deficiency Payments) for corn today are for .4 1, for Barley .3 6, for Soybeans .00, for HRS Wheat .00. So far this year we hit a high of .47 cents for corn. • For Corn loans: If the producer runs out of storage, he could pile it on the ground and get a loan on it this year. Producer would be responsible for the quantity and the quality of the corn. There is a Distress loan provision in this program. This is where a produce could pile the corn on the ground and get a loan for 3 months, pay it back with principle plus interest and then move it to good storage and get another loan on the same corn for 9 months. • We made out checks /deposits this year (2005) for over 13 million dollars. We don't have a break down of each program but that is a total including loans. • Washington D.C. is trying to consolidate some of our offices, possibly 13 of them in Wisconsin. This could affect 26 Counties. St. Croix and Pierce Counties are currently being considered. DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES (DNR) No report. RESOURCE CONSERVATION AND DEVELOPMENT (RC &D) Ruetz reported: • Dale Fern was named "Council Member of the Year ". • As chairman of the Fund Raising Committee, so far they have raised $5,000 of the $8,000 goal. Federal funds are not there any more, it is all by grants and they try to get corporate sponsors. • An intern is working on a project to dredge a lake in Trempealeau County to determine what kind of sediment they have and the type of contaminants are contained in the sediment. • The rotational grazing initiative is going strong. WEST CENTRAL AREA Raymond reported on the Board of Directors meeting he attended in Stevens Point on October 3. A listening session was held on the by -law changes. Most comments received indicated no changes should be made. Counties can vote if they pay their annual dues ($950.00). Discussed the WALCE (Wisconsin Association of Land Conservation Employees) organization. The Area Fall Meeting & Speaking Contest will be held on Wednesday, October 26, at the Plaza Hotel & Suites in Eau Claire. Burri, Cody, Raymond and Ruetz plan to attend the meeting. The county van will leave from the Ag Center at 8:00 a.m. The annual state WLWCA conference will be held at the Plaza Hotel in Eau Claire on December 7 -9. Cody, Peavey, and Ruetz tentatively plan to attend the conference. NEW BUSINESS SUBDIVISION REVIEW Kling recommended approval of the following four subdivisions: Roetteer's Ridee - (Located in the West '/z of the SE ' / 4 of Section 24, T30N -R20W, Town of St. Joseph, St. Croix County, Wisconsin) — 78.6 acres, 20 lots 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, seconded by Cody. Carried. Maiestic Waters — (Located in part of the North Half of Section 26, T30N -R18W, Town of Richmond, St. Croix County, Wisconsin) — 225 acres, 102 lots 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. Ruetz made motion to recommend that the plans for this subdivision are acceptable and a letter be sent to the Planning & Zoning Committee, seconded by Peavey. Carried. The Glens of Willow River — (Located in the NE' /4 of the SE 1/4, the NW '/4 of the SE '/4, part of the SW '/4 of the SE 1/4, part of the SE '/4 of the SE ' / 4 of Section 18, T30N -R18W, also part of the NW ' / 4 of the NE '/4 of Section 19, T30N -R18W, Town of Richmond, St. Croix County, Wisconsin) — 159 acres, 70 lots total. Staff recommended establishing a conservation easement on the lots that front the river and also some lots on steep slopes. Conservation easement should have a third party (Town, DNR, Land Trust) enforcement to make sure this corridor is preserved. John Sonnentag -S & N Surveying, Jim Smith- Secluded Land Company, and the General Manager - Secluded Land Company made comments on the conservation easement. Raymond made motion to recommend approval of the storm water and erosion control plans for the Glens of Willow River with the conditions: 1) Conservation easement be agreed to and developed for this property with third party enforcement for lots with frontage on the river and for lots 500' north of outlot 2 that have frontage on either of the two natural drainage swales (lots 31 -44, 49, 50, and 64 -70), that the conservation easement shall include steep slopes, wetlands, drainage swales, river, and floodplain, that the conservation easement shall include permanent storm water management practices such as rain gardens or infiltration basins to address storm water runoff from individual home sites that would otherwise flow directly to the river or drainage swale. This conservation easement be fully developed and approved by the Planning & Zoning Committee prior to final plat. 2) A vegetative management plan shall be developed, and put in place that describes the management of vegetation within the conservation easement. The plan shall limit tree cutting and promote native species and the control of non - native species. Motion was seconded by Peavey. Carried. Took a short break (3:25 -3:32 p.m.) Baldwin — Wastewater facility plan Heise reported on the proposed alternatives that are laid out in the facility plan. Staff recommended that Option 1 be considered the option of choice; this option is to continue discharge to Baldwin Creek at the existing location. Option 1 has some environmental issues and concerns. At this point we don't have any better alternatives for the Village of Baldwin. Considering that is their only option, let's consider treating the effluent to the best available treatment and try to get some of the BOD's, suspended solids and the nitrogen down to acceptable levels (Alternative 4). SEH is asking both departments (Planning & Zoning and Land & Water Conservation) to give them some preliminary comments. This is not out for public comment or public hearing at this time. The Baldwin Creek option is probably what the DNR is looking at. In the Baldwin proposal, as Baldwin population grows, the effluent discharge increases and continues to flow downstream further and further and the village must consider where the sink holes are and consider sink hole treatment, this is the biggest issue and concern. Raymond stated that this plan only recognizes a short-term solution (20 -year facility plan) and a long -term wastewater solution needs to be developed for the County. Vouchers Reviewed vouchers. Cody made motion, seconded by Burri, to approve Chair Raymond's signature on the October LWCD voucher list in the total amount of $12,172.74. Carried. Correspondence Heise reported that the Town of St. Joseph would be holding a public hearing on Tuesday, October 25 to discuss vacating portions of 132 Avenue (south road along Bass Lake) and make a cul de sac. The road will terminate at that point. Chair Raymond adjourned meeting at 3:53 p.m. Jan Zoerb Secretary Arlene Lier Recording Secretary ST. CROIX COUNTY NOTICE OF COMMITTEE MEETING TO: Clarence Malick, Chairman St. Croix County Board FROM: Ron Raymond, Chairman COMMITTEE TITLE: Land & Water Conservation DATE: October 4, 2005 TIME: 7:00 p.m. LOCATION: Ag Center, Baldwin ROLL CALL ADOPTION OF AGENDA DATE OF NEXT MEETING: November 2, 2005 (Wednesday) ACTION ON PREVIOUS MINUTES UNFINISHED BUSINESS: NEW BUSINESS: PUBLIC HEARING - St. Croix County 2006 Outdoor Recreation Plan ANNOUNCEMENTS & CORRESPONDENCE POSSIBLE AGENDA ITEMS FOR NEXT MEETING: ADJOURNMENT (Agenda not necessarily presented in this order) SUBMITTED BY: Robert Heise DATE: September 22, 2005 COPIES TO: COUNTY BOARD OFFICE NEWS MEDIA /NOTICE BOARD COUNTY CLERK COMMITTEE MEMBERS * ADDITIONS /CORRECTIONS /CHANGES ST. CROIX COUNTY NOTICE OF COMMITTEE MEETING TO: Clarence Malick, Chairman St. Croix County Board FROM: Ron Raymond, Chairman COMMITTEE TITLE: Land & Water Conservation DATE: October 4, 2005 TIME: 7:00 p.m. LOCATION: Ag Center, Baldwin ROLL CALL ADOPTION OF AGENDA DATE OF NEXT MEETING: November 2, 2005 (Wednesday) ACTION ON PREVIOUS MINUTES UNFINISHED BUSINESS: NEW BUSINESS: PUBLIC HEARING - St. Croix County 2006 Outdoor Recreation Plan ANNOUNCEMENTS & CORRESPONDENCE POSSIBLE AGENDA ITEMS FOR NEXT MEETING: ADJOURNMENT (Agenda not necessarily presented in this order) SUBMITTED BY: Robert Heise DATE: September 22, 2005 COPIES TO: COUNTY BOARD OFFICE NEWS MEDIA /NOTICE BOARD COUNTY CLERK COMMITTEE MEMBERS * ADDITIONS /CORRECTIONS /CHANGES t Convened: 7:05 p.m. Adjourned: 8:25 p.m. ST. CROIX COUNTY LAND & WATER CONSERVATION COMMITTEE Agricultural Service & Education Center, Baldwin, WI October 4, 2005 Members Present: Lois Burri, Gene Ruetz, Bill Peavey, Ron Raymond, Jan Zoerb Members Absent: None Staff Present: Bob Heise, Dave Larson, Arlene Lier, Ellen Denzer - County Planning Others Present: Gaylen Enerson, Jim Riesselman, Peggy Rode, Jim & KoKo Heebink, Mike Reiter, Don & Louise Schumacher, Debra Moe, Iry Sather, Art Doyle, Jane Loux, Dale & Deb Hagen, Don Berkseth, Warren Bader, Lori Elhorn, Vicky Wine, Debra Walters, Peter & Sue Lohmeier, Steve & Linda Kromer, Jim & Marian Webber, Paula Frye, Gerald Bauer Adoption of Agenda: Peavey made motion to adopt the agenda, seconded by Ruetz. Carried. Date of Next Meeting: November 2, 2005 (Wednesday) PUBLIC HEARING — ST. CROIX COUNTY 2006 OUTDOOR RECREATION PLAN Chair Raymond explained the format of the public hearing. The first part of meeting will be a presentation by Bob Heise on the summary of the plan. The "questions and answers" part of the meeting will end at 8:00 or until the questions are exhausted. The deadline for submitting written comments to the Parks Department is Friday, October 21. Chair Raymond introduced the LWCC, Parks Department staff, and Ellen Denzer - County Planner. Bob Heise, Director of County Parks and the Land & Water Conservation Department, gave an overview of the 2006 Outdoor Recreation Plan. He explained the reasons for the plan, which covers our jurisdictional boundaries of St. Croix County. The process began last year with a phone survey. To develop the plan, the department and committee wanted more public input (good representation and what their recreational needs are). UW -River Falls Survey & Research Department assisted us in developing a number of questions and conducted a phone survey of 200 county residents and 49 non - residents (random sample). The department used this survey information as a foundation and thought it would be a good beginning for establishing the recreational needs for the Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC). The CAC met in both January and February 2005 and also provided input into this process. Staff took the phone survey information and the CAC information and started to build a draft plan from that during March through September. Sections of the plan that were written were brought back to our committee's monthly meetings and staff received feed back from the committee. A draft plan was presented to the committee in the September LWCC meeting and the committee felt the plan was ready for public hearing. Oral or written comments may be presented this evening and the comment period for written comments will be received until Friday, October 21. Oral and written comments will be tabulated and brought back to the committee at the November 2 nd meeting. E -mails will not be accepted. Staff will receive feedback from the committee, additions, deletions and changes to the plan. With committee direction, staff will make the recommended changes in the plan and bring back to the committee at the December 6` meeting and may present it to the County Board in December or January. The Land & Water Conservation Committee has policy direction over the plan and determines what remains in the plan. Other folks that were a part of this effort were our Parks Department staff and also our Planning Department was very instrumental in developing this plan. Heise thanked Ellen Denzer (County Planner) for her work in developing the plan. Our Citizens' Advisory Committee represented 18 townships, 6 municipalities, several different groups and organizations, 4 citizens, one representative from our LWCC, also an individual from the Eau Galle recreational area. The CAC depicts a solid representation and interest, and a good cross section of geographical representation within the county. The St. Croix County outdoor recreation plan is adopted under the Planning & Zoning Authority, Wisconsin statutes 59.69 (1) (3). When staff began looking at the Outdoor Recreation Plan, we had at least 3 targets that we wanted to look at. First of all we wanted more public input into this plan. Previous plans were pretty much staff driven. Another thing we looked at, we wanted to have it follow a similar format and layout of other county plans and we wanted it written specific enough to allow the County to participate and write various grants for our Outdoor Recreation needs. Heise gave a powerpoint presentation on the park system facilities we have in the county: • Glen Hills Park (700 acres, built as part of PL -566 Floodwater Prevention Project) - Constructed in the late 1960's to early 1970's. When this dam was built across Beaver Creek, it created about an 84 -acre reservoir. There are 61 campsites in the park, day -use area, swimming beach, and boat landing. • Wildwood Trail (7 –mile abandoned railroad track) – This trail is currently lacking connectivity to a facility or municipality. • Pine Lake Park – Day use facility, offers a boat landing, picnic area and off shore fishing. • Kinnickinnic Forest (80 acres) - This property is new to the Park plan. • Homestead Parklands (Perch Lake – 80 -acre facility) - Newest of our County Parks, Seasonal Park May 1— October 31. Offers swimming, hiking, fishing and scuba diving. • Troy Beach (4 acres - beach along St. Croix River). • Bass Lake Boat Landing (17 -stall parking lot). • Apple River Property (40 plus acre property) - This property has seen some recent improvements, canoe landing, signage and parking lot. • Stanton Forest (40 acres) - This property is new to the Park plan. QUESTION & ANSWER SESSION Heise asked for questions: Jane Loux, Baldwin - Asked about the park questionnaires and if that was how priorities were decided. Heise stated that there were questionnaires in each of the staffed Parks in 2004. There were 3 questions for Park users to answer (What you did or did not like about this county park? Are there recreation needs that are not provided at this park? List any other recreational activities you would like to see provided in the county park system.). There were no questions specifically related for horseback people on that questionnaire so the interest of that group did not show up in the questionnaire. Heise indicated that the questionnaire was to get feedback (things the department could improve on) from users of the parks. Jane Loux- Baldwin indicated that, as a horse back person, they are not having their needs met in the county. They have to go out of the county to ride. The trails are taken over by snowmobilers, bikers, etc. They, as taxpayers, are not getting their needs met. Staff did inform the citizens present that there are areas of the Wildwood Trail, from 50 Avenue to 10` Avenue, that are available for horse riding. Marian Webber- Hudson asked what the purpose was of the meeting. Heise stated that the purpose is a public hearing on the contents of the outdoor recreation plan and to receive feedback from citizens. Regarding bike trails, she felt this is just the beginning point and that committees will have to be formed and decisions would be made as a result of committees. Heise stated that there is a lot of interest in bike trails and even during the development of the plan, a number of communities had spoken and are interested in getting together as a cooperative effort on building a good trail or multi -use trail in county. Peggy Rode - Woodville referred to page 24 Citizen Advisory Committee trails group setting forth as their strong point. (emphasizing multi -use trails). The plan addresses looking into and exploring the multi -use trail. This plan possibly precludes a specific trail plan that could be created in the future with the various organizations (snowmobile clubs, ATV clubs, horseback riding clubs, saddle clubs, etc.). This is the final draft. In the event that those respective groups did get together and form some type of subcommittee, what would the amendment process be to this plan? Would it be feasible to do that? Or, should we take this as a beginning point and move forward to form a specific trail plan to meet the needs of a very fast growing county? Chair Raymond attempted to answer her questions as a policy standpoint; right now we really don't have a good trail system in the county for anything. The purpose of this plan is to give us the vehicle to start having various communities start to think about a way of linking this together. The starting point from his standpoint is the bike trail. There is a lot of bike trail interest in the communities. Part of the process has to come from each community. The county can be the integrator to connect their trail plans (bike or multi -use trails). We have the responsibility for the Wildwood trail. It is our responsibility to try to get the bike trails connected. Debra Walters - Woodville stated that she is concerned about kids biking to school (Baldwin- Woodville). She felt that the county should provide leadership. Chair Raymond stated that much of the plan content came out of the CAC meetings. The LWCC did not modify a lot that came out of the CAC group. Marian Webber stated that there is a problem with integrating bike and horse trails. Sue Lohmeier (CAC member) complimented the staff on getting the comments in the plan. She stated that the same things come up but nothing gets done. Chair Raymond commented that the previous plan was obligatory to get grant money. This plan was made to be real and having good probability of happening. Raymond encouraged the towns and communities to come forward to plan and develop some trails. They have to decide when the transportation money will be used. This is a good plan for the use of that money. Paula Frye- Hudson stated that Towns are not always aware of what is going on at the county level. We need better communication and coordination. Art Doyle- Hudson — On page 76 in the Bicycle System Action Plan, he inquired about the first two items — funding source (N /A). Ellen Denzer stated that it is not applicable because it talks about encouraging Wisconsin DOT to spend their money. We view it as a political issue. Debbie Hagen- Hudson — Talked about updating the previous plan. Heise stated that the Bicycle Transportation Plan map is not in the plan because as they met with the Highway Department, we asked them to re -look at their map and make any changes that had taken place so that we can have a more recent map. Highway Department will have to be brought back into the planning process when developing a Bicycle trail system. Jerry Bauer - Hudson — Also asked about page 76, Bicycle System Action Plan. Does this include cost for wider shoulders? Heise stated that "not on any town roads ". Highway Department has to get involved in identifying those routes and build into the budget when those County roads are upgraded. Ellen Denzer - Coordinate with villages and towns especially with the Highway Department to develop and adopt a separate document "County wide trails plan for multi -use type trails ". This came out of all the input we received. Doing this trail plan is bigger than doing this Outdoor Recreation Plan. We need a lot more input from agencies like the Highway Department. We need them at the table every minute. It would take a year or two to do the multi - jurisdictional (including towns) document. Debra Hagen — Stated that the Wildwood Trail has access to horses. The description reads that it is more of a bike trail. Currently there is nothing that states it is for horses. The trail ends at the county line. Peggy Rode questioned funding information. Ellen Denzer stated that the plan allows for trail planning funding (grants). Chair Raymond called the public hearing to order. Heise read the "Public Hearing Notice - St. Croix County 2006 — Outdoor Recreation Plan ". The Parks Department will accept written comments until Friday, October 21, 2005. Chair Raymond stated that the public should identify themselves before speaking. Peggy Rode - Woodville - I believe that this is a great starting point for St. Croix County. I really see, from this report, that emphasis should be put on engaging the planning commissions and town boards of the 21 townships and municipalities of St. Croix County to further explore and move on to creation of a multi -use trail system that possibly could connect east to west, north to south, to look at the various areas that the Parks Department is responsible for, whether they would lend themselves to various activities, to also engage the activities of special interest groups such as the Willow River Riders, Somerset Riders, as well as bicyclists, hikers, bikers, ATV programs, snowmobiles, etc. because there is a lot of good information out there that can be used with the respective towns to get this situation underway. Marian Webber -Town of Troy — I feel that it is an opportunity to take advantage of money that will support a culture that will result in an attitude that pedestrians have the right of way. Town of Troy should put bike shoulders on main transportation routes. Jerry Bauer - Hudson - Page 24, County F and Coulee Road — safe access to Hudson. I think that identifies a very important issue and that is safe bicycle routes to get out of our cities and into the lower traffic density countryside. New Richmond has some issues with being able to get in and out of the city from countryside too. Don Berkseth - Baldwin — I think it is important that the citizens' groups go to town board and village board meetings about their issues. Jim Webber - Hudson — Made comments on the passage of the Federal Transportation bill, which can be used for the bicycle trails. Marian Webber- Hudson — There will be a large number of dollars for planning and developing trails. Debra Hagen -Town of St. Joseph — Horse owners create a lot of revenue coming into St. Croix County in the form of property tax as everybody else. We buy feed, support farmers, vet bills, etc. We would like County Planning to consider taking into account the revenue we bring into the county. Jane Loux - Baldwin — Horse trails and campgrounds bring in people from outside the area. They bring in money to the county. They purchase gas, food and other items. You see lots of horses when you drive around the county and also lots of horse trailers. They are taking their money someplace else. If we want our money to stay here, we need to have horse trails and campgrounds. Vicky Wine - Baldwin — She said there is a high need for horse trails. Her customers have to go out of the county to use horse trails. The horse people are willing to put in the sweat equity to put the horse trails in and maintain them. They have the resources and equipment to build the trails. Sue Lohmeier— Trustee - Village of Woodville, Chair -Parks Committee —The issues I hear is that a lot of people are asking for bike trails. We are getting input that is requested in this plan. I have heard this for a number of years and the opportunity is here in this plan. Debra Moe - Emerald — I, in addition to many of the other people here, support horse trails and we need to have our voices heard. Trail needs - Biking would be the number one need for trails, horse trail people need trails also. There is a great need for a multi -use trail system. Art Doyle- Hudson — I am in favor of the entire plan and happy to see there is a comprehensive plan for both parks and my special interest which is bicycling. I think you should take advantage of the existing network of roads that the dairy farmers started. I think the county should continue using those roads to allow easy access throughout the county. Not all of it is considered parks; a lot of it would be for bicycles - transportation. Separate trails which will be easier for recreational cyclists or less experienced cyclists and children who will be able to make connectivity between playgrounds, schools, and homes. With the population density increasing in this county, now is the time to start thinking about it, to encourage or make it an ordinance that development has to have trails or sidewalks instead of the old developments that had nothing. I am very happy with the bicycle system action plan and agree it is a huge process to connect the towns. The county is the place to start the connection process. Mike Reiter — St. Croix County Sportsmen's Alliance, Star Prairie Fish & Game Association, and Star Prairie Land Trust — I suggest that the Apple River Property (pages 58 -60), Apple River Action Plan: "Addition" — Explore and evaluate options to coordinate with various conservation groups for the acquisition of adjacent easements and land purchases to expand linear corridor connections thereby creating an access between properties, while buffering and protecting the resource. Marian Webber— Hudson — Several years ago they explored whether utility companies would be willing to share their easements. Jim Webber —Town of Troy — I would like to encourage the county to be aggressive in working with the towns on this plan. We need to educate and push them on this plan. Debbie Walters — Woodville — My concern is the link between Baldwin and Woodville. The bike trail is needed because the kids ride the back roads, which have a higher traffic volume and are not as safe as an off road trail. We need seed money to start the process. We need leadership on how to get the landowners into a plan like this. The county should provide leadership on how to go about it. Also the trails should be wide enough for both horses and bikes. Jane Loux- Baldwin — I used to live in Afton where they had a trail that had both a horse trail and bike trail that was within 5 feet of each other. Bikers had one part and horseback riders had a dirt trail that was not really wide, but wide enough so you could go down with horses and a bridge for the bikers. Minnesota had areas for both horses and bikers, so it can be done Paula Frye -Town of Hudson — I support the plan. Also, I want to go back to page 25 on regional cooperation. There is strength in numbers. We as horseback riders or other interest have to come together and communicate, maybe on a monthly basis. Linda Kromer - Glenwood City — I am in support of the multi - purpose trail. Using the ditches is the answer. A lot of people are willing to help out. Steve Kromer- Glenwood City — Most of the St. Croix County is full of CRP (Conservation Reserve Program) land. Possibly we could use the land for trails. Most of it is lying dormant. Heise stated that the landowner would have to give the permission. i Marian Webber - Hudson — Dog parks — We don't have one. There is a use for it. Gene Ruetz stated that Three Lakes on Highway E has land for dogs to run on. Chair Raymond asked for a motion to close the public hearing. Ruetz made motion to close the public hearing, Peavey seconded. Carried. Chair Raymond adjourned the meeting at 8:25 p.m. Jan Zoerb Secretary Arlene Lier Recording Secretary