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HomeMy WebLinkAboutLand & Water 03-02-04 ST. CROIX COUNTY NOTICE OF COMMITTEE MEETING TO: Clarence Malick, Chairman St. Croix County Board FROM: Art Jensen, Chairman COMMITTEE TITLE: Land & Water Conservation Committee /Resource & Education Committee DATE: March 2, 2004 TIME: 10:40 a.m. LOCATION: Ag Center, Baldwin CALL TO ORDER ROLL CALL ADOPTION OF AGENDA DATE OF NEXT MEETING: April 6, 2004 ACTION ON PREVIOUS MINUTES PARKS DEPARTMENT NEW BUSINESS: Director's Report - Bills /vouchers Request for Proposals 1) Gator 2) Lawnmowers 3) Concrete floor - Glen Hills 4) Vehicle - Truck Grants - 2004, 2005 Septage Contract - Glen Hills UNFINISHED BUSINESS: Park Map Park House LAND & WATER CONSERVATION DEPARTMENT NEW BUSINESS: Presentation - New Ordinance Amendment Rules Farmland Preservation Application Vehicle purchase Request for Reimbursement - CRP - NRCS Subdivision Review - 2:00 p.m. Resolution - RC &D * Resolution - Targeted Resource Management Grant - Tiffany Creek Vouchers UNFINISHED BUSINESS: Staff Reports Information & Education report Priority Watershed Projects Summer Tour - Update * Committee Structure - LWCC /Ag Extension 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: February 18, 2004; amended February 25, 2004 COPIES TO: COUNTY BOARD OFFICE NEWS MEDIA /NOTICE BOARD COUNTY CLERK COMMITTEE MEMBERS * ADDITIONS /CORRECTIONS /CHANGES ]LAN MINUTES AND WATER CONSERVATION/RESOURCE AND EDUCATIO C M 200 ;Members Present: Leon Berenschot, Chris Bethke, Lois Burri, Jim Cody, Art Jensen, Ron Raymond Members Absent: None Staff Present: Director -Bob Heise, Dave Larson Others Present: Julie Speer -County Board Supervisor, Gene Nelson �Burri made motion to adopt agenda, seconded by Bethke, carried. i � Berenschot made motion to approve the February 3, 2004 meeting minutes, seconded by Bethke, carried. Next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, April 6, 2004 at 10:40 a.m. DIRECTOR'S REPORT Heise reported that he had received two responses from the letter that was sent out last month regarding the closing of the Tourism Center in Hudson. One was from the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WDOT) and the other from Governor Doyle's office. Both letters indicated that the WDOT would be working with the Department of Tourism to consider other options and alternatives. Heise informed the Committee that the snowmobile trails have been opened for only 18 days this season and are currently closed. Heise shared with the Committee that he had received a letter from the St. Paul Sail and Power Squadron requesting a private lock —down within the Troy Beach Park after the parks operating hours and to be used for personal use. Staff had informed the Committee that similar requests have been made in the past and the history from the Committee was to deny these requests. Committee also expressed the potential liabilities and unnecessary exposure to the County. Discussion. Motion by Burri, seconded by Jensen to not approve the request and have the Director send a letter to the organization informing them of this decision. Carried. Heise updated the Committee of the unemployment situation within the department as it pertains to seasonal help. BILLS/VOUCHERS Heise presented bills list for the month of March. Motion by Burri, seconded by Bethke to approve the bills for $6,035.38 and the $20.00 expenditure for the Sn A Car ried. REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS Heise and Larson presented proposals for a Utility Vehicle. Discussion. Motion by Burri, seconded by Raymond to purchase the utility vehicle from Greene Implement for the amount of $4,8o9.69. Carried. Heise and Larson presented proposals for the lawnmowers. Larson informed the committee Menomonie Equipment had submitted a letter requesting that their bid be withdrawn because of a mistake they had made when calculating the bid. Discussion. Motion by Berenschot, seconded by Burri to approve the bid and purchase the lawnmowers from Value Implement — Baldwin for $8,500.00. Carried. Heise and Larson presented proposals for a four -wheel drive pick up truck. The Highway Department solicited price quotes from area dealerships and provided the spreadsheet of price quotes that meet our specifications and budget. Discussion. Motion by Raymond, seconded by Burri to approve the bid and purchase the 2004 Chevrolet, 1 /2 Ton, four -wheel drive pick -up truck from Johnson Motors, New Richmond for $19,509.00. Carried. Heise and Larson presented proposals for the concrete floor in the "C" building, Glen Hills Park. Larson explained that he had worked with DATCP engineer and LWCD staff to develop specifications for the concrete floor proposal. Concrete would be poured at a thickness of 5 ", 6 -bag mix with #4 re -bar 24" on center. Discussion. Motion by Berenschot, seconded by Raymond to approve the bid from Sandhill Concrete, Somerset for $14, 538.00. Carried. IGRANTS Heise presented a work plan to the Committee for submitting grants for park improvement projects for 2004 -2007. Projects are consistent with Outdoor Recreational Plan and Capital Outlay Plan. In 2004 the Department will be submitting separate grant requests for a boat ramp and fishing pier at Glen Hills Park; if successful this would be a 2005 project. Also for 2004, the Department will be working with the LWCD to develop plans for a lake restoration /shoreline protection grant for Pine Lake Park. This can be cost - shared through the Lake Cluster Priority Watershed program at 70% with the Parks Department responsible for the other 30%. This project and costs will be included in the 2005 capital outlay plan and 2005 budget. As part of Phase III plans for Homestead Parklands, a stairway was planned from the North parking lot to the beach area. Department will be cooperatively working with the Friends of Perch Lake to determine funding strategies and grant opportunities to have plans developed for the stairway and apply for grants for 2005/20o6. The Pine Lake boat landing is tentatively scheduled for the 2oo6/2007 calendar years. SEPTAGE CONTRACT Larson presented a septage contract that he had worked on and has been approved by Corporation Counsel, Greg Timmerman. Over the past 25 years the department has never dealt with any type of contract when removing septage from Glen Hills Park. This is a two -year contract and will lock the cost in at removing septage in Glen Hills Park at 3.0/gallon. Motion by Berenschot, seconded by Raymond to approve the 1contract an d have Larson work with the contractor to get the contract signed. Carried. PARK MAP Heise informed the Committee that the changes that the Committee had recommended last month are completed and the opinion from Corporation Counsel is that there are no legal issues that he is aware of regarding soliciting advertisements from private businesses to be included on the Park Map to help offset printing costs. ;Letters of inquiry have been sent out to approximately 30 local businesses. Dick Henning has received calls from interested businesses. P Heise presented a memo from the Risk Manager regarding the potential liabilities and exposure to the County on renting of the Park house. Committee feels there is some value to the house and has requested Heise to discuss the selling of the house with Corporation Counsel, specifically issues related to the potential liability and risk exposure to the County for asbestos and lead paint if the park house is sold "AS IS ". Motion by Raymond, seconded by Berenschot that if Corporation Counsel determines potential risks and liabilities to be minimal, staff is to advertise the Park House for two consecutive weeks in the local newspaper. Committee will accept bids and determine if it is worthwhile to sell the house or tear it down. Carried. Recessed: 11:46 a.m. LAND & WATER CONSERVATION Reconvened: 12 :45 p.m. Members Present: Leon Berenschot, Lois Burri, Jim Cody, Art Jensen, Ron Raymond i Members Absent: Chris Bethke Staff Present: Director -Bob Heise; Land Specialists -Pete Kling, Kyle Kulow, Steve Olson; Technician -Jeff Lueck; Specialist - Aleisha Miller; Secretary- Arlene Lier Others Present: Dave Fodroczi -County Planning Director; Steve Fischer -County Zoning Director; Zoning Department Staff; Bob Hendrickson -FSA; Steve Pernsteiner -NRCS; Kris Belling -DNR; Julie Speer -County Board Supervisor; Gene Nelson PRESENTATION — NEW ORDINANCE AMENDMENT RULES Heise stated that the Planning and Zoning Committee met on March 1 and the committee's decision was to delay the Land Division ordinance and other associated ordinance amendments. The new date to bring the proposed ordinances to the County Board is June. Between now and June, staff will set times to meet with the Town Boards and the professionals to provide more public input into the ordinances. Dave Fodroczi - Planning Director and Steve Fisher - Zoning Administrator provided a presentation of the ordinance amendments. The amendments include: New Sanitary Ordinance regulating septic systems and rural wastewater, Land Division Ordinance regulating all the subdivisions and changes to Chapter 17, Zoning Ordinance. The main thrust was to create conservation design for subdivisions. Dave highlighted some of the conservation design areas. Steve highlighted some of the other amendments as it related to zoning and land division. References were made to the county development management plan and the land & water resource management plan as they relate to conservation design. One of the major provisions in the proposed land division ordinance would require conservation design for major subdivisions on parcels that are 50% or more primary environmental corridor identified in the county development plan. Staff discussed new idesign and road standards, landscaping requirements for conservation design and commercial and industrial uses. Staff presented maps of primary environmental corridors and maps comparing a conventional subdivision and a conservation design subdivision. Discussion. FARMLAND PRESERVATION APPLICATION Heise stated that there is an application for a new Farmland Preservation contract. Jeff Lueck stated that Roger Swanepoel (Forest township) is applying for a new 10 -year contract. They had a 20 -year contract, which has expired. Jeff updated the conservation plan with the RUSLE II standards and has discussed the new NR -151 rules with Swanepoel. Cody made motion to approve the contract application and send on for County Board approval on April 1 st, seconded by Raymond, carried. VEHICLE PURCHASE Heise presented the vehicle bids from four dealerships, two are used (2003) vans and two are new (2004) vans. Discussion. Buni made motion to purchase the 2004 Dodge Grand Caravan (7- passenger van) for $19,495.00 from Bernards, New Richmond, Cody seconded, carried. REQUEST FOR REIMBURSEMENT — CRP — NRCS Heise presented a reimbursement request for LWCD's effort in assisting NRCS with the CRP sign -up #26. This is the majority of the reimbursement request, however at this time the contract remains open. The final request to receive the remaining reimbursement will be in September. Raymond made motion to approve Chair Jensen's signature on the reimbursement request, seconded by Berenschot, carried. ; RESOLUTION — RC &D Heise presented a resolution authorizing payment for the RC &D at -large citizen ( representative. Berenschot made motion to approve the resolution and send to the Administration Committee, seconded by Raymond, carried. RESOLUTION — TARGET RESOURCE MANAGEMENT GRANT — TIFFANY CREEK Kulow reported on the resolution regarding the Targeted Runoff Management Grant Application for the stretch of Tiffany Creek, which runs through the St. Croix County ,Fairgrounds property. The deadline for submittal is April 1, 2004. We will ask for $60,000 in funds to cost share a streambank restoration project. The cost share rate is 70% with the remaining 30% landowner share being covered by in -kind labor and materials. The resolution reads that the county will incur no out -of- pocket expenses for this project. Heise informed the Committee that Corporation Counsel has not reviewed the resolution. Motion by Raymond to approve the resolution assuming the context of the resolution remains intact after Corporation Counsel review, seconded by Berenschot, carried. VOUCHERS Reviewed vouchers. Berenschot questioned payments for vehicle repairs if we are getting rid of vehicles and also the nurseries for the 2004 tree program. Heise explained that the vehicle expense was for a truck, which we will be keeping for quite some time. The nurseries are being paid this month because the landowners have already paid for the trees. The tree orders will arrive and be distributed in April. Berenschot made motion to approve Chair Jensen's signature on the March voucher list, seconded by Raymond, carried. Discussed the cost of lodging for Steve Olson while he attended the WALCE conference in Milwaukee. The room charge was $72.00 versus the county maximum of $62.00. Berenschot made motion for approval of "Authorization to Exceed Motel /Hotel Maximum Allowance" to be signed by Chair Jensen, seconded by Raymond, carried. INFORMATION & EDUCATION REPORT Heise handed out the March report, which was prepared by Aleisha Miller, Information & Education Coordinator. To date, the Environmental Education ;Schedule indicated activities beginning on March 29 and running through May 21st. ' SUMMER TOUR i Heise reported that a bus has been reserved for June 17. Staff has been making arrangements on tour schedule with proposed sites and presenters. Heise will be contacting Jean Schomisch, Eau Claire County, regarding the start time for the business meeting at the Ag Center. COMMITTEE STRUCTURE — LWCC/AG EXTENSION Heise reported that last month the concept was to have the elected 5- member !committee serve both the Land & Water Conservation and the Ag & Extension. He -was informed from Corporation Counsel that the County's Rules & Bylaws do not (allow you to have supervisors serving on more than one elected committee. The recommendation is to create an elected committee and name it "Ag & Extension ". The County Board chair person can appoint the same 5 members of the Ag & Extension Committee to the Land & Water Conservation Committee." The bylaws will clearly state that there will be a member from FSA that will join the Land & Water Conservation Committee, which would make 6 members on our committee. You could add another member for making an odd number for voting purposes. To this point, we have not had a problem on voting. The FSA representative would have to attend the Parks portion of the meeting as Parks is under the Land & Water Conservation Committee. Heise informed the committee that a special meeting may be necessary to obtain signatures on the final committee resolution. DNR Kris Belling - Wildlife Biologist reported on "deer management ". Chronic wasting disease was discovered in the year of 2002. As a result, we had decreased hunter numbers and decreased ha rvest numbers in 2002, which caused problems: (1) not killing enough deer and (2) didn't know how too few deer were shot because the numbers that we based population estimate on were inaccurate. We knew that our population estimate was not accurate. For the the 2003 season we attempted to still take a large number of deer based on our best guess of what our population was within those deer management units. The bottom line in 2004, we are dealing with most of ; the deer management units in the state including all the units in St. Croix County with populations of deer that are over goal that we do not believe that during the j conventional season we won't be able to bring the population in check. Kris handed lout a "Preliminary 2004 DMU (Deer Management Unit) Map ". 1 SUBDIVISION REVIEW 'Pete Kling presented: I COYOTE RIDGE — (Located in part of the NE '/4 of the SE ' / 4 and in the NW ' / 4 of the SE ' / 4 of Section 15 and in part of the NW '/4 of the SW '/4 of Section 14, all in T29N -R19W, Town of Hudson, St. Croix County, Wisconsin; including lot 36 of the plat of Sweet Grass Farm) — 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 lacceptable 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, Cody seconded, carried. HIDDEN HILLS — (Located in part of the SW 1 /4 of Section 11, T31N -R19W, Town of Somerset, St. Croix County, Wisconsin) — 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, Burri seconded, carried. SUNSET HILLS — (Located in part of the NW ' / 4 of the SE' /4 of Section 11, T29N -R19W, Town of Hudson, St. Croix County, Wisconsin; also including part of lot 5 of Joshua Hills) — The storm water and erosion control issues have not been resolved. A driveway is going through a drainage easement area. The engineer was requested to furnish detailed plans and an erosion control plan for the driveway construction, which was not submitted. The storm water and erosion control plans are not acceptable for this subdivision. Jensen made motion to deny approval of the plans for Sunset Hills, which are not complete, seconded by Burri, carried. SUNSET VIEW - (Located in the SW V4 of the NE '/4, the SE '/4 of the NE '/4, the NW ' / 4 of the SE ' / 4, and in the NE ' / 4 of the SE ' / 4 of Section 8, T28N -R19W, Town of Troy, St. Croix County) — The driveway to the right -of -way set back line should be concurrent with other road 1 construction. It assures that there is proper driveway separation. The storm water and erosion control plans are acceptable for this subdivision. Raymond made motion to recommend approval of this subdivision based on our practice to require driveway separation and that the driveways be built at the time of road construction. In this case the developer agreed to have these requirements in the covenants, and to place $500 into an escrow account for each driveway. Berenschot seconded, carried. I i FSA Robert Hendrickson reported: .CRP is about the same, still working on C/S agreements and notifying producers. Dawn and Sally will be going to training on GPS measuring of CRP. *Rumor of the next CRP signup is going to be in April of 2004. �*To date, 72 loans (Loan Deficiency Payment) have been made. Interest rate is 2.25 %. i *Sign up continues for 2004 DCP (Direct and Counter Cyclical Program). We are making 2004 "advance" payments of. 14 cents/Bu. March DCP payments will be made soon. *Compliance is near completion. We will be starting crop reporting very soon with CRP. •We will be making February's MILC (Milk Income Loss Contract) payment of .945 cents. There will also be a March MILC payment of .7875 cents. i *The Interest rates for our facility loans are 3.625 %, which is up slightly from last month. •There still is a 50150 chance of a 2003 Disaster program. *Mary and company are working with the Year End Analysis (YEA). NRCS Steve Pernsteiner reported that the EQIP workgroup recommendations have been sent to Madison. We have not yet received money for program in St. Croix. We are getting some sign ups for EQIP. State office has not approved our request of increasing "Well Abandonment" and "Waste Storage Abandonment" to 75 % cost sharing. Jay Custer is currently assisting neighboring counties with implementing new computer programs. PRIORITY WATERSHED PROJECTS Kulow reported: i ' Kinni Project - The DNR has begun a 1500 ft. riprap project on the Kinnickinnic River off of River Road, just north of River Falls. The project should be completed by the time the frost is out of the ground. Kyle will monitor the progress of the project until its completion. This project has been cost shared on through the Kinni Priority Watershed. Lakes Project - Phosphorus balancing will begin in the Squaw Lake Watershed this coming summer. This will be one of the last steps before the Lake Association explores the idea of an Alum treatment on the lake. South Fork/Hay River Project - Resolution for streambank work on Tiffany Creek has been presented to the Committee for review. RC&D Ber e n sc h ot reported: *Attended the National Leadership Forum in Washington D.C. on February 22 -26 (5 days) representing River Country RC &D. All expenses were paid by RC &D. No per diem was received from St. Croix County. We had an opportunity to hear from people in Washington who control some of our programs. •Election was held for the national board of directors. *Attended a forum "against poverty". There is poverty out there. "No Child Should be Left Behind" — The money from that bill will probably not come to our area, but will go to areas where there is extreme poverty. •During 2003, with RC &D Councils' assistance — Over 264 new businesses were created, 1,719 businesses were expanded, 913 businesses were financially assisted, 93 cooperatives were formed across the nation, helped improve 585,101 acres of wildlife habitat, 169,684 acres of lakes, 2,845 miles of streams, more than 6,000 j workshops /training sessions were held, helped 4,982 economically and socially disadvantaged people. *While we were in the offices of legislatures, we asked for $70.2 million for 2005 to fund RC &D councils throughout nation. WEST CENTRAL AREA Raymond reported on the "Siting of large feedlots and the removal of local control" legislation, which was approved by the State Secretary of Agriculture and the Governor its in favor of it. It is on a fast track, legislation will be passed in March. Public hearings were held, WI Counties Association supports it, and groups will be working Ion the requirements /standards of this legislation. j MISCELLANEOUS ( Heise reported that LWCD staff met with the local DNR staff to discuss our land & water resource management plan and to make sure that they are on board regarding NR -151, status reviews, compliance, etc. A letter was sent to Russ Rasmussen at DNR - Madison to encourage their department engagement. We will try to develop a " Memorandum of Understanding" with DNR. That is probably the proper way to proceed so everyone understands their roles and responsibilities. Berenschot made motion to adjourn meeting at 3:08 p.m., Raymond seconded, carried. Jim Cody l iSecretary I Arlene Lier jR eco r ding Secretary