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HomeMy WebLinkAboutLand & Water 04-06-04 X ST. CROIX COUNTY NOTICE OF COMMITTEE MEETING TO: Clarence Malick, Chairman St. Croix County Board FROM: Art Jensen, Chairman COMMITTEE TITLE: Land & Water Conservation /Agriculture & Extension Committee DATE: April 6, 2004 TIME: 10:40 a.m. LOCATION: Ag Center, Baldwin CALL TO ORDER ROLL CALL ADOPTION OF AGENDA DATE OF NEXT MEETING: May 4, 2004 ACTION ON PREVIOUS MINUTES PARKS DEPARTMENT NEW BUSINESS: Director's Report Request for Proposals 1) Barbecue grills 2) Trash receptacles DNR - Forester response - County softwood plantation Bills /vouchers Electrical system - Glen Hills campground Cropland lease agreement Resolution Authorizing Application for Grant Funds to Renovate the Boat Landing at Glen Hills Park, St. Croix County Resolution Authorizing Application for Grant Funds to Purchase and Install a Fishing Pier at Glen Hills Park, St. Croix County UNFINISHED BUSINESS: Park House - Proposal asbestos /lead assessment LAND & WATER CONSERVATION DEPARTMENT NEW BUSINESS: TRM grant - Tiffany Creek Farmland Preservation plan amendments - Ag performance standards NR -151 - Memorandum of Understanding Conservation Awards candidates Conservation Aids project - Apple River property Subdivision Review - 2:00 p.m. Vehicle policy - 2004 van Vouchers UNFINISHED BUSINESS: Staff Reports Information & Education report Priority Watershed Projects Summer Tour - Update Agency Reports FSA NRCS DNR RC &D West Central Area ANNOUNCEMENTS & CORRESPONDENCE POSSIBLE AGENDA ITEMS FOR NEXT MEETING: ADJOURNMENT (Agenda not necessarily presented in this order) SUBMITTED BY: Robert Heise DATE: March 25, 2004 COPIES TO: COUNTY BOARD OFFICE NEWS MEDIA /NOTICE BOARD COUNTY CLERK COMMITTEE MEMBERS * ADDITIONS /CORRECTIONS /CHANGES x UNOFFICIAL Convened: 10:42 a.m. Recessed: 11:50 a.m. Reconvened: 12:38 p.m. Adjourned: 2:29 p.m. ST. CROIX COUNTY LAND AND WATER CONSERVATION /AGRICULTURE & EXTENSION COMMITTEE St. Croix County Agricultural Service and Educational Center, Baldwin, WI April 6, 2004 PARKS Members Present: Leon Berenschot, Chris Bethke, Lois Burri, Art Jensen, Ron Raymond, Jim Cody Members Absent None Staff Present: Director -Bob Heise, David Larson Others Present: Julie Speer - County Board Supervisor, Peggy Rode, and Gene Nelson Berenschot made motion to adopt agenda, seconded by Bethke, carried. Motion by Berenschot to approve the March minutes, seconded by Burri. Discussion. Cody recommended that the minutes be clarified with the intent that the County would not be responsible to move the Park house off site. Carried. DIRECTOR'S REPORT Heise reported that interviews were conducted for summer help. Five new seasonal employees are needed for the Park system. Heise presented a copy of a proposed bike trail between Roberts and Hammond that was created by a local realtor. Heise informed the Committee that he had a phone conversation as well as an office visit with the realtor expressing concerns about the written narrative on the back of the map presuming St. Croix County's involvement and commitment with this trail concept. Heise informed the Committee that the County Highway Department will be working on a road project on County Trunk I this spring and will use the remaining fill adjacent to the maintenance shed at Homestead Parklands. Heise also informed the Committee that severe weather evacuation plans are being developed for all staffed parks. Staff has been working with Emergency Government on the evacuation plans. Heise stated that he had sent approximately 25 letters to potential Park Hosts that he received from the Army Corps of Engineers web site. The department did receive a few responses, however to date, no commitments. Staff will keep pursuing a "Park Host" for the Glen Hills Park campground. REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS Larson presented the Request for Proposal for the barbecue grills for the County Parks. 36 grills are being replaced at various locations within the County Parks. Discussion. Motion by Raymond to approve the bid from RJ Thomas for $102.40 /grill, seconded by Cody. Carried. Larson presented the Request for Proposal for the trash receptacle units for the County Parks. 50 trash receptacles are being replaced at various locations within the County Parks. Discussion. Motion by Berenschot to approve the bid from Park and Recreation Products for $205.00 /unit, seconded by Bethke. Carried. DNR — FORESTER RESPONSE — COUNTY SOFTWOOD PLANTATION Heise informed the Committee that this past month Larson and the DNR forester conducted an assessment of the pine plantations in Glen Hills Park. Heise presented a letter from the DNR forester stating that the plantations that were visited in Glen Hills Park are overstocked and in need of thinning to create a healthier plantation. Discussion. Committee would like to have the DNR forester develop a management plan and present the plan at one of our next Committee meetings. BILLSNOUCHERS Motion by Berenschot, seconded by Cody to discuss the vouchers. Berenschot had a few questions for staff on the bills; one pertaining to the snowmobile account, the other pertaining to hand tools. Heise explained that many of the tools at Glen Hills Parks were Grant's personal tools and since Grant has moved off site there was a need to purchase new tools. This was an expected and budgeted expense in the 2004 budget. The Snowmobile Association invoice to Rent -A -Flash was to replenish the trail sign inventory. Motion by Berenschot to approve the bills list for the Snowmobile account of $41,181.52 and the Park accounts for $31,835.23, seconded by Cody. Carried. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM — GLEN HILLS CAMPGROUND Heise informed the Committee that in the Park Improvement Grant there was the intention to extend the electrical service to the remaining non - electric campsites in Glen Hills Park. Further research by staff concluded that additional and substantial upgrades to the electrical systems may be required if we were to consider extending electrical service to these additional campsites. Heise recommended to the Committee hiring an electrical engineer to provide the Department a plan. Discussion. Committee directed staff to contact St. Croix Electric to determine if they could provide assistance in developing an electrical service upgrade plan for the Glen Hills Park campground. CROPLAND LEASE AGREEMENT Heise informed the committee that the 33 -acres cropland lease is up for renewal on December 31, 2004. The 33- acres of cropland is north of the day use registration station at Glen Hills Park. The lease has been a 5 -year agreement with $1,000.00 as the annual rent payment. Berenschot stated that the cropland rent should be increased if we are to consider another lease agreement. Discussed other uses of the property, such as seeding it down to native species and creating trails within the prairie. RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING APPLICATION FOR GRANT FUNDS TO RENOVATE THE BOAT LANDING AT GLEN HILLS PARK Heise presented the Committee a "Resolution Authorizing Application for Grant Funds to Renovate the Boat Landing at Glen Hills Park, St. Croix County ". Corporation Counsel has not finished reviewing the resolution submitted. Discussion. Motion by Raymond to approve the resolution subject to Corporation Counsel's review and that the overall content of the resolution has not changed from Corp Counsel's comments or suggestions, seconded by Berenschot. Carried. RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING APPLICATION FOR GRANT FUNDS TO PURCHASE AND INSTALL A FISHING PIER AT GLEN HILLS PARK Heise presented the Committee a "Resolution Authorizing Application for Grant Funds to Purchase and Install a Fishing Pier at Glen Hills Parks, St. Croix County ". Corporation Counsel has not finished reviewing the resolution submitted. Discussion. Motion by Berenschot to approve the resolution subject to Corporation Counsel's review and that the overall content of the resolution has not changed from Counsel's comments or suggestions, seconded by Raymond. Carried. PARK HOUSE Heise informed the committee that he had a discussion with the Administrative Coordinator and Corporation Counsel on the selling of the Park House. He was informed that selling County property is the authority of the Finance Committee and the parent committee should recommend their decision on the use of the Park House to the Finance Committee. Discussion. Heise presented a bid that he had requested from Cedar Corporation to conduct an asbestos and lead assessment of the Park House. The asbestos assessment is required whether the house is moved or dismantled. The lead assessment would be used to disclose information should the house be sold. Motion by Jensen, seconded by Burri, to have Cedar Corporation conduct the asbestos and lead assessment on the Park House for $875.00. Carried. Bethke made a motion to recess the meeting at 11:50 a.m., seconded by Burri, carried. LAND & WATER CONSERVATION Reconvened: 12:38 p.m. Members Present: Leon Berenschot, Chris Bethke, Lois Burri, Jim Cody, Art Jensen, Ron Raymond Members Absent: None Staff Present: Director -Bob Heise; Land Specialist -Pete Kling, Technician -Tammy Wittmer; Secretary- Arlene Lier Others Present: Bob Hendrickson -FSA; Steve Pernsteiner -NRCS; Julie Speer - County Board Supervisor; Peggy Rode Motion by Bethke to approve the LWCC meeting minutes for January 21 and April 1, seconded by Cody, carried. FARMLAND PRESERVATION PLAN AMENDMENTS — AG PERFORMANCE STANDARDS Heise reported that St. Croix County (as stated in our approved Land & Water Resource Management Plan) will amend the plan to reflect updated NR -151 performance standards. DATCP created a set of guidelines that all counties must follow to update the plan. DATCP is requesting that all counties submit the amended changes to the Land & Water Board for approval by October 2004. These amendments will require our department/committee to hold a public hearing. NR -151— MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING Heise reported that DNR responded to our request for their agency to assist us in administering NR -151 and to become engaged in developing a Memorandum of Understanding (M.O.U.). Clark and Dunn Counties offered to participate in the development of the M.O.U. Chippewa County already has been through this process. The M.O.U. will identify roles and responsibilities of each department/each agency on what they are going to do and how they are going to do it. A meeting is set for April 20 to begin the process. CONSERVATION AWARDS CANDIDATES Heise reported that staff is engaged in seeking candidates for the 2004 Conservation Awards program. Heise offered input from the committee on award candidates. Staff will bring this to the committee in May or June. We are having a difficult time finding candidates in the areas of wildlife and water quality. CONSERVATION AIDS PROJECT — APPLE RIVER PROPERTY Heise reported that we were not successful this year in receiving the conservation aids grant from the DNR. Budget shortfalls were the reason grants were not filled. We were planning to work on the landing area around Apple River (Huntington property). Even though we did not receive a grant, we plan to work with the Star Prairie Fish & Game. Heise plans to meet with them on April 17 or possibly in May. They may have an interest in partnering with our department. Heise asked the Highway Department surveyor to do some boundary surveys of that property. VEHICLE POLICY — 2004 VAN Heise developed a policy for efficiency uses of the new vehicle. One contact person will deal with the scheduling process. Discussed with the Finance Director how we can charge back (cents per mile) monthly. The agreement i was to allow the Zoning and Board of Adjustment Committees /departments to use the vehicle for their site reviews. VOUCHERS Reviewed vouchers. Berenschot made motion to approve Chair Jensen's signature on the April voucher list, seconded by Bethke, carried. INFORMATION & EDUCATION REPORT The April report, which was prepared by Aleisha Miller - Information & Education Coordinator, was sent out to the LWCC. Passed around the newspaper article on the awards banquet, which was held in February. Tammy Wittmer reported on the prairie plot, which will be planted next to the tower (cost will be paid by Dairyland Power). Village of Baldwin approved the plot. A 4 -H club or other children's group will do the planting. Plan to install a rain garden later on. PRIORITY WATERSHED PROJECTS Tammy Wittmer reported: Lakes Proiect • OHWM (Ordinary High Water Mark) determination has been sent down to Madison for review (on Bass Lake). No decision has been reached; Engelhart shoreline restoration is therefore on hold. The road issue, according to Engelharts, may move to litigation between the town and them. • Phosphorus balancing project will be set up in the Squaw Lake watershed. Buzz Sorge, Paul Kivlin, Tammy Wittmer and Kyle Kulow will meet with the Lake commissioners in May to come up with a timetable and goals. • Shoreline inventory survey will be done in the Lakes in May to push for more shoreline restoration opportunities. Kinnickinnic Proiect • Dorwes cleanup will begin as soon as road bans are off. Two dumps, 2 waterways and a CREP boundary will be installed. NPS payment for easement will be made once we "check off "on on the installation of those practices. • Native Prairie planting at the River Falls High School will be starting in May with the help of DNR. Signage will be erected to use as an educational opportunity for the school. • St. Croix Central Schools will begin their waterway /critical area stabilization at the end of April. We will incorporate the survey work into their Agriculture class as an educational component to the project. • DNR will soon be back on site to finish rip rap project on the Kinni, near River Road, off of Hwy. 65. • A site showing for another rip rap project off River Road is scheduled for later April (Tom & Jackie Goodman and Steve Linehan properties). • Will be meeting with the city of River Falls to review a rock lined channel design for a gully, which runs from the golf course down to Golf Course Road. Impacts 9 houses along this road. The city will require a drainage easement and pay the landowners 30% of the cost of implementing the practice. • Easement discussions are underway with Dwayne Johnson and Family on a NPS easement near River Falls. South Fork of the Hay River Proiect: • TRM grant application deadline is April 15"', for stream restoration through the fairgrounds. Preliminary cost estimates are around $98,100. A survey of the site is scheduled for next week. Brian Halling, Highway Department Surveyor will help establish the flood plain elevation. Accomplishment reports for all projects are due to Karen Voss by April 15 SUMMER TOUR Heise reported that staff is working on tour program and presentations. The site by U.W. River Falls will not be on the program. DNR No report. FSA Robert Hendrickson reported for FSA: • CRP — Working on cost share agreements, notifying producers of their need to complete their vegetative cover requirements and turn in their bills. • The next CRP signup may be this fall. • To date, 72 loans (Loan Deficiency Payments) have been made. Interest rate is 2.25 %. May 31 is the last day to apply for Corn or Soybean loans. Corn and Soybean prices are up, so we are not getting a lot of loan activity. • Sign up continues for 2004 DCP (Direct and County Cyclical Program). We are making 2004 "advance" payments of. 14 cents/Bu. We will be making April DCP payments soon. • We have started crop reporting of CRP now. • Staff has begun making March MILC (Milk Income Loss Contract) payments of .7875 cents. The payment for April is only .0275. • The Interest rates for our facility loans are 3.625 %, up from last month. This is the time of year for farmers to start looking at whether or not they will need more grain storage for the coming year. • Mary and company are working with the Year End Analysis (YEA). There is some money available for loans. NRCS Steve Pernsteiner reviewed status of federal programs. Wetland Reserve Program (WRP) has been funded for 2004. No applications from St. Croix County. Wildlife Habitat Improvement Program (WHIP) has received about $500,000 for Wisconsin and is taking applications April 19 to May 28 Conservation Security Program (CSP) will be limited to certain watersheds in selected states. Final rules are still being developed for CSP. Steve also reported two new CREP contracts have been developed. We are seeing increased interest in this program. RC &D Berenschot reported: • The board meeting scheduled for April 7 has been postponed until April 19. • Two new people have been hired. WEST CENTRAL AREA Raymond reported that the next event would be the summer tour on June 17. Business meeting will be held before the tour begins that day. Heise reported on the meeting he attended at Black River Falls on the siting legislation issue. SUBDIVISION REVIEW Pete Kling presented: HILLSIDE HEIGHTS — (Located in E % of NE ' / 4 and E %2 of SE' /4 of Section 4, T29N -R17W, Town of Hammond, St. Croix County, Wisconsin) — 147 acre development, 67 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. Cody made motion to recommend that the plans for this subdivision are acceptable and a letter be sent to the Planning & Zoning Committee, Raymond seconded, carried. FARMVIEW RIDGE — (Located in NE' /4 and SE t/4 of Section 5, T29N -R17W, Town of Hammond, St. Croix County, Wisconsin) — 166 acre development, 74 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. Berenschot made motion to recommend that the plans for this subdivision are acceptable and a letter be sent to the Planning & Zoning Committee, Bethke seconded, carried. GLENVIEW 1 ST ADDITION — (Located in NW ' / 4 of NW ' / 4 and SW '/4 of NW '/4 Section 19, T30N -Rl 8W, Town of Richmond, and SE '/4 of NE 1 /4 and NE 1 /a of NE '/a and SW '/a of NE '/a and NW 1 /a of NE '/a Section 24, T29- 30N -R19W, Town of St. Joseph, St. Croix County, Wisconsin) — 66 acre development, 21 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. Cody made motion to recommend that the plans for this subdivision are acceptable and a letter be sent to the Planning & Zoning Committee, Raymond seconded, carried. BLUEBIRD BLUFFS 1 sT ADDITION — (Located in NE 1 /4 of NW 1/4 Section 5,T29- 30N- R20 -19W, Town of St. Joseph, St. Croix County, Wisconsin) — 32 acre development, 9 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. Raymond made motion to recommend that the plans for this subdivision are acceptable and a letter be sent to the Planning & Zoning Committee, Berenschot seconded, carried. LUNDY'S PRESERVE — (Located in the NE 1 /4 of the NE 1 /4 and part of the NW '/a of the NE 1 /a of Section 27, T30N -R18W, Town of Richmond, St. Croix County, Wisconsin) — 77 acre development, 33 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. Berenschot made motion to recommend that the plans for this subdivision are acceptable and a letter be sent to the Planning & Zoning Committee, Raymond seconded, carried. MISCELLANEOUS Heise stated that the Joint Grant Application from Department of Ag is due on April 15. Committee supported & recommended Chairman Jensen sign the application. Meeting adjourned at 2:29 p.m. Jim Cody Secretary Arlene Lier Recording Secretary