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HomeMy WebLinkAboutLand & Water 11-02-05 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: November 2, 2005 (Wednesday) TIME: 10:40 a.m. LOCATION: Ag Center, Baldwin CALL TO ORDER ROLL CALL ADOPTION OF AGENDA DATE OF NEXT MEETING: December 6, 2005 ACTION ON PREVIOUS MINUTES PARKS DEPARTMENT NEW BUSINESS: Director's Report Bills /vouchers UNFINISHED BUSINESS: 2006 budget Outdoor Recreation Plan - Public hearing comments LAND & WATER CONSERVATION DEPARTMENT Agency Reports FSA NRCS DNR RC &D West Central Area NEW BUSINESS: Subdivision Review - 2:00 p.m. Vouchers WLWCA conference Discontinuance of 240 Street - Cylon Township UNFINISHED BUSINESS: 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: October 20, 2005 COPIES TO: COUNTY BOARD OFFICE NEWS MEDIA /NOTICE BOARD COUNTY CLERK COMMITTEE MEMBERS * ADDITIONS /CORRECTIONS /CHANGES 6 �0� Convened: 10:54 a.m. Recessed: 11:43 a.m. Reconvened: 12:54 p.m. Adjourned: 2:25 p.m. ST. CROIX COUNTY LAND & WATER CONSERVATION COMMITTEE Agricultural Service & Education Center, Baldwin, WI November 2, 2005 Members Present: Lois Burri, Bill Peavey, Ron Raymond Members Absent: Gene Ruetz, Jan Zoerb (both excused) Staff Present: Director -Bob Heise, Operations Manager -Dave Larson, Administrative Assistant - Arlene Lier Others Present: Julie Speer 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 two October 4, 2005 meeting minutes, one being the Public Hearing- Outdoor Recreation Plan. Carried. Date of Next Meeting: December 6, 2005 PARKS DEPARTMENT NEW BUSINESS Director's Report Heise reported: The 2006 Conservation Aids project (Oak savanna restoration at Homestead Parklands) has been approved. The staff plans to do some of that project work this winter. Dave Larson and Tammy Wittmer will be having a site showing on November 3` (afternoon) for the Glen Hills pier and walkway down to that pier. Plans were submitted to 14 contractors. The goal would be to lock in a bid before the end of the year. SEH (Short Elliott and Hendrickson) has been hired to work on the stairway design for Homestead Park. They haven not finalized the details; we expect to have that at our December meeting. The quarterly revenue report was handed out to the committee. Revenues are up this year compared to last year and also up from the estimated amounts in the budget. The Apple River project (county aids project — 2005) is completed. Our goal was to make improvements on the parking lot. Dave Larson showed pictures of the completed parking lot. Heise stated that Homestead Parklands opens on May 1 st and closes October 31 During that time period there are five different timeframes that we open and close throughout the season. Bills/Vouchers The November bills list was presented. Motion by Burn, seconded by Peavey, to approve the Parks account bills ($16,401.13) and Snowmobile account ($171.46), seconded by Peavey. Carried. 2006 Budget Chair Raymond stated that all budgets were approved as proposed by the Finance Committee. He stated that future budgets will be under more pressure than they have in the past. We have to go forward with the Outdoor Recreation Plan. Raymond stated that improving the plan does not include authorizing (approving) the expenditures related to the plan. Outdoor Recreation Plan — Public hearing comments Chair Raymond reported that County Board Chair Malick brought up the "levels of service standards" to him and asked whether we have a good explanation and details on that. Raymond told him that they were not written yet. We have to have a clear focus on that when we make the presentation. Heise stated that written comments were open until Friday, October 21. We received 4 letters and comments (copies were mailed to LWCC). One comment (Mike Reiter — Star Prairie Land Preservation Trust) was submitted the night of the public hearing. Staff put together a memo on some additions and changes (page numbers, indexing, grammar, etc.). We added those comments. We also offer some suggestions /recommendations as changes. There should be some reference to SCORP (Wisconsin's Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan). This was accidentally omitted. Mike Reiter's comments clarify some wording on the Apple River property. They have the McMurty property which was donated to them. That is not far from the Apple River property. Vem Nelson's property (purchased by Stuart Nelson's son) is between those properties. They are working on an easement between those two properties. There is a short link to make that connectivity to that. The more specific we can be on the Outdoor Recreation plan, the better off we are to get grants. Third item was our Parks staff comments (wording, grammar, changing indexing, insertion of maps, also to insert bicycle map which was being worked on). There were some comments that evening which supported local units of government getting organized and meet on a regular basis. so everybody has an idea of what is going on. The team effort should be made stronger. The link between Baldwin and Woodville - It would fit in Goal E and Objective 8. Those decisions will be made when we bring everybody back together and decide what a good trail system would be in the county. Ellen Denzer read draft copy (public hearing version) of plan — Goal E on page 11 says "Develop plans for and encourage development of comprehensive county-wide multi jurisdictional trail system to meet the needs of residents in cooperation with cities, villages, towns, special interest groups, and the County Highway Department ". Objective 15 says `Encourage the development of a county-wide horse trail system by the saddle clubs of St. Croix County". There were a number of comments that supported horse trails and the concept of multi -use trails, with usage expanded to all users. One town indicated that a tax should be put on horses. Bum suggested that the horse enthusiasts should work together with the town people. We have to prioritize the trails. Bike trails came up with the most points. How can we serve the most people with a limited amount of money? Research of the agricultural statistics, St. Croix County has approximately 3,500 horses (people who make a profit from horses), with recreational use we may have about 4,500 horses in the county. We do not know of the number of saddle clubs in the county We are asking the saddle clubs to come forward with some basic ideas for developing a horse trail. Raymond said we have to recognize that there may be a recreational use for horse trails. Eau Galle Recreational Area provides horse trails and has the accommodations for parking. Larson stated that horse trails and human powered trails are reasonably incompatible. In fact, throughout the state, where there has been horse trails and human powered trails, they have been separate trails, but adjacent to each other. The plan does not say we are going to develop horse trails and suggest the saddle clubs organize and work with the communities. Saddle Clubs have to go out and get support for a trail like the Snowmobile Clubs did. Raymond is concerned about how we are going to get human powered trails. Heise said folks have to think about this and put lines on paper, and as developments occur in the county, that is when those public improvements get made. Then there is connectivity to towns and then connectivity to our larger map. That is our priority. Raymond stated that it will be triply difficult to try to accommodate horses. We, as a committee, will recommend to the county that we are going to have the human powered trails as a priority which will be difficult anyway. Burri felt that we could help horse clubs to organize. Raymond suggested that a chart be created to explain "levels of service ". Burri made motion to make changes to the plan based on staff's comments and recommendations, seconded by Peavey. Carried. Raymond suggested that we update the plan and bring back to our December LWCC meeting. The approved, revised plan would be presented at the January County Board session. Recessed: 11:43 a.m. Reconvened: 12:54 p.m. LAND & WATER CONSERVATION DEPARTMENT Members Present: Lois Burri, Jim Cody, Bill Peavey, Ron Raymond Members Absent: Gene Ruetz, Jan Zoerb (both excused) Staff Present: Director -Bob Heise, Land Specialists —Pete Kling, Kyle Kulow; Lakes Cluster Technician -Tammy Wittmer Administrative Assistant - Arlene Lier Others Present: Bob Hendrickson -FSA, Steve Pernsteiner -NRCS, Ellen Denzer - Planning Department NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION SERVICE (NRCS) Steve Pernsteiner- District Conservationist reported: Sign up for conservation programs is taking place November 1 to December 30, 2005. This will give landowners an earlier opportunity to apply and find if they are approved for cost - sharing. Environmental Equality Incentives Program (EQIP) has some changes. No -till is no longer a cost shared practice, and nutrient management is cost shared only if producer does a comprehensive livestock farm plan. Alternative waste management systems are a new cost - sharable practice. This includes waste systems such as methane digesters and composting systems. Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP) and Wetland Reserve Program (WRP) are also taking sign ups during this time frame. We have some construction projects being completed yet this year. Currently, two wetland scrapes and two grass waterways have been started this week. Jay Custer assists Pierce County one day a week. FARM SERVICE AGENCY (FSA) Bob Hendrickson -County Executive Director reported: • The annual rental payments for CRP (Conservation Reserve Program) are nearly complete. • St. Croix County has a total of 257,676 acres of cropland in the county. St. Croix County has enrolled 29,367.5 acres of CRP in the county. • 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) - The final 2004 Counter Cyclical Payment (CC) for corn has been determined. The final DCP payments for 2005 have also been determined. The advance DCP payments for 2006 will be made after December lst. • Staff is making the 2005 Commodity Loans as well as LDP'S (Loan Deficiency Payments). • The interest rate for November Commodity Loans is 5.0% and for Facility Loans is 4.25 %. • All MILC (Milk Income Loss) payments have been completed. There is no word at this time if the Milk program will be extended. • The LDP'S for today: corn .47, barley .34, soybeans .00, HRS wheat .00. So far this year, corn hit a high of .48 cents. • Staff approved $912,680.31 dollars worth of LDP'S today • Corn loans: If the producer runs out of storage, he could pile it on the ground and get a loan on it this year. Producers would be responsible for the quantity and the quality of the corn. Also there is a Distress loan provision out there. This is where a producer 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. • The consolidation for some Wisconsin FSA offices has been put on hold. DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES (DNR) No report. RESOURCE CONSERVATION AND DEVELOPMENT (RC &D) No report. WEST CENTRAL AREA Raymond reported on the business meeting and speaking & poster contest held on October 26 at the Plaza Hotel & Suites in Eau Claire. There were speakers from the DNR, NRCS, FSA, WCRP and DATCP. Approved Buffalo County being a member of our West Central Area group. Buffalo County will host the 2006 summer tour. A resolution supporting no -till and reduced till (EQIP cost sharable practices) was developed and approved during the business meeting. Raymond will serve as moderator at the WLWCA speaking contest to be held on November 12 at UW- Stevens Point. WLWCA ANNUAL CONFERENCE Heise stated that the annual conference will be held at the Plaza Hotel & Suites in Eau Claire on December 7 -9. Ron Raymond, Bob Heise, Kyle Kulow, and Tammy Wittmer will be attending the conference. Our staff will be assisting with the live auction and silent auction. Burri volunteered to get an auction item for a donation from our county. Currently there are 13 resolutions to be discussed at the business meeting. Raymond stated that he will be attending a WLWCA board meeting on Friday, November 11. On December 6 th Tammy Wittmer and Steve Olson will be conducting a presentation on the Prairie Flats project to the State Land & Water Board meeting at Eau Claire. NEW BUSINESS SUBDIVISION REVIEW Kling presented: Cedar Woods - (Located in the SE ' / 4 of the SW '/4 and part of the SW ' / 4 of the SE ' / 4 of Section 5 and part of the NE ' / 4 of the NW ' / 4, and part of the NW ' / 4 of the NE ' / 4 of Section 8, T28N -R19W, Town of Troy, St. Croix County, Wisconsin) — 51 acres, 17 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. Burri 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. Vouchers Reviewed vouchers. Cody made motion, seconded by Burri, to approve Chair Raymond's signature on the November LWCD voucher list in the total amount of $31,490.37. Carried. Discontinuance of 240 Street — Cylon Township Heise reported that the Town of Cylon is holding a public hearing to discuss the discontinuance of a portion of 240 Street. DNR wants to still use that road. It is the only road that would provide reasonable access to the 40 acres the county owns in the Cylon Wildlife area. Heise was directed to work something out with DNR and get something in written form. UNFINISHED BUSINESS 2006 Budeet — Heise reported that everything went well. Essential services are going to demand more of the county budget. Priority Watersheds Update Kulow reported: South Fork of the Hay River One last bill appeared for the work done on Tiffany Creek. Because it was after the June 30"' deadline it was too late to pay it with grant dollars. As a result, the St. Croix County Sportsmen's Alliance will cover it in the amount of $141.00. We have until February of 2006 to file our last progress report with the State. The report is being completed by Dunn County with St. Croix providing the data for our portion of the project. Kinnickinnic River Priority Watershed: Pierce County LCC has approved moving forward with a stream restoration project on the South Fork of the Kinnickinnic River along highway 29 in Pierce County. St. Croix County will be involved in terms of transferring some dollars from our ACRA down to Pierce to help cover some of the expense. John Sours from DNR'S Trout Habitat Crew and I met with the Pierce County LCC at their meeting October 5 of 2005 to explain the project. The project is slated to begin in December of 2005. We have expended our non - bonded cost share dollars on nutrient management planning and cover crops in the amount $24,000. Pierce County had transferred approximately $8,000.00 of their funds up to us in mid October. We cost shared about 500 acres of cover crops and updated 4 nutrient management plans. We are in the process of a barnyard installation on the Dan Pearson farmstead. This project should be completed within the next week. Six waterways have also been installed throughout the watershed. A grade stabilization structure along with a waterway and critical area treatment have been completed on the John Pietenpol property. Bills have yet to be submitted. Our deadline for reimbursement for these types of practices is December 31 2005. All indications are that we will have approximately the same amount of cost share dollars for 2006 ($20,000 for soft practices and approximately $174,000 for hard practices). Wittmer reported: St. Croix Lakes Bass Lake - As far as the Bass Lake watershed, we have Roger Orf and Donald Teske's shoreline restoration projects completed or in process for this year. We also have an additional 4 projects scheduled for next year; one of those projects being Engelhart/Wilson shoreline restoration. We are still waiting for all the proper documentation and permits, but the decision has been made on October 25 by the Town of St. Joseph, to officially abandon 132 Avenue. A meeting is scheduled for November 4` to meet with the landowner, DNR, township and our department to determine the next steps. Also, in the Bass Lake watershed, the Riemenschneider and Simon families entered approximately 9 acres into the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) Squaw Lake Watershed - One shoreline restoration project has been completed on Squaw Lake. We've started installing equipment for the Prairie Flats Monitoring Project. It has been a great cooperative effort between the DNR and the county so far. Pine Lake Watershed — We are planning a shoreline stabilization project on Pine Lake for the Parks Department. We will be stabilizing approximately 350 feet of shoreline. A site showing for this project is scheduled for November 17 Chair Raymond adjourned meeting at 2:25 p.m. Arlene Lier Recording Secretary