Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutCounty Board 11-16-1999ST. CROIX COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS November 16, 1999 9:00 A.M. Government Center CALL TO ORDER: Chairman Thomas Dorsey INVOCATION: Father Gerald Harris. St. Bridaet's Catholic Church River Falls PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG ROLL CALL CONSIDERATION OF MINUTES OF PREVIOUS SESSION ADOPTION OF AGENDA ANNOUNCEMENTS: DATE OF NEXT SESSION: ***DECEMBER MEETING SCHEDULED FOR DECEMBER 14 1999 9.00 A.M.*** APPOINTMENTS: OLD AND UNFINISHED BUSINESS (Consideration and action on referred to a committee at a 1. Weber Rezoning Request matters tabled, postponed or previous meeting NEW BUSINESS: (Action on newly introduced motions, ordinances, resolutions or other matters) 1. Public Hearing for County Library Plan 9:05 A.M. 2. Resolution Adopting St. Croix County Library Plan *3. United Way Presentation - Connie Burch 4. Presentation of St. Croix County Development Management Plan 5. Resolution Regarding Cancellation of Checks 6. Resolution Establishing 21 County Supervisory Districts in St. Croix County 7. Rezoning from Ag. To Ag/Residential for Lyle & Beverly Palmsteen, Town of Somerset 8. Y2K Committee Report - Chuck Mehls *9. Resolution Supporting Legislation to Establish Additional Penalties for Use of a Firearm in the Commission of a Crime DEPARTMENT HEAD REPORTS: Sheriff, Veterans' Service and Clerk of Court (written) 11:15 A.M. COMMITTEE AND BOARD REPORTS APPLICATIONS FILED FOR ZONING ORDINANCE AMENDMENT MILEAGE & PER DIEM REPORT CORRESPONDENCE ANNOUNCEMENTS: ADJOURNMENT (The above agenda is not necessarily in order of presentations) * Changes or Additions after the Preliminary Agenda ** Late Changes and Additions COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS Regular Session November 16, 1999 Meeting called to order by Chair Dorsey at 9:00 a.m. Invocation given by Father Gerald Harris, St. Bridget's Catholic Church, River Falls. Pledge of Allegiance given to the flag. Chair welcomed the press and guests. Roll call: 28 present, 3 absent-- Suprs. Brown, Gunderson, and O'Connell (all excused) . Motion by Supr. Giese, 2nd by Supr. Bethke to approve the October 26th minutes. Carried. Motion by Supr. Mortensen, 2nd by Supr. Speer to adopt the agenda. Carried. Announcements: Clerk Nelson said Public Health would be giving flu shots during the morning break for anyone interested. Chair Dorsey complimented the Personnel Committee and Personnel Office for the fine employee recognition banquet held November 15. Next meeting scheduled for December 14th (note change of date). Public Hearing on Library Plan: Motion by Supr. Hanson, 2nd by Supr. Bethke to remove this item from the agenda. Carried. Resolution Adopting St. Croix County Library Plan: Corporation Counsel Timmerman advised someone informed the County a library plan was needed to meet statutory requirements. This was not correct. The only time a plan is required is if the County has a County library system. St. Croix County does not have a library system. The County will provide financial assistance to the County libraries under a different section of the statutes. The librarians from the municipal libraries in St. Croix County, who created the plan, will present it to the Finance Committee at a later date with their recommendations. Motion by Supr. Speer, 2nd by Supr. Berenschot to remove the Library Plan resolution from the agenda. Carried. Weber Rezoning Request: Motion by Supr. Hense, 2nd by Supr. Jensen to place on the floor. Planning, Zoning and Parks Comm. Chair Raymond said this committee denied the request for rezoning based on several findings. Zoning Administrator Steve Fisher said this is 120 A. in Town of Troy along CTH F. The Weber request was denied because: 1) it does not meet the current Town of Troy Management Plan and 2) Troy Town Board recommended denial. Fisher outlined the goals of the Troy Growth Management Plan and cited the Plan Based Findings which denied the zoning request. This parcel is surrounded by Ag. zoned land and at the public hearing objections were raised regarding increased traffic 1 concerns, access safety, watershed impacts and incompatibility with the comprehensive Troy Management Plan. Questions and discussion regarding whether or not this parcel is good farm land and what compensation would the owner get if not rezoned. Supr. Speer said this land has not been farmed for many years. One of the Plan's goals encourages continuation of farming but this parcel is not good farmland. Troy Burne was good farm land and was rezoned from Ag to Ag/Res so Speer believes there is inconsistency in rezoning. Troy Town Board Chair Dean Albert said Mrs. Weber is in the CRP program and is making money from the farmland. The Growth Management plan adopted by the County Board in August, 1992 has been amended several times. Albert said Troy Burne was approved because of residential growth around it and the Singerhouse property likewise. The Troy Town Board did not feel it necessary to accommodate Mrs. Weber by changing their Management plan. Town of Troy Planning Board member Bob Rolle was given permission to address the Board. He commended the County Planning, Zoning and Parks Committee and said it is the duty of the County to "father" the Towns. Troy has done the process and followed the law. Troy honors County zoning and the County honored the Troy Growth Management plan. The County Board, an an impartial body has the final say in rezoning requests. Supr. Standafer and Supr. Hense asked if property would likely be rezoned under the new proposed plan. Albert said about 2/3 of the property would qualify. Corporation Counsel Timmerman presented his legal opinion. The rezoning is not inconsistent with the growth management plan. This parcel would be rural residential development and not urban development. It is not prime agricultural land. Several changes have been made to the Plan since the County Board adopted it in 1992. Timmerman distributed a map showing changes in rezoning since 1992 that were not consistent with the plan. The subdivision ordinance would address traffic concerns. Regarding the public hearing, objections to the rezonement were cited by Fisher but there were also comments made in support of the rezoning which were left out of the report. There is residential development across the road from the Weber property. The County does not have a strong legal basis to deny this rezoning. If the Board overrides the recommendation to deny the rezoning, the PZP Committee would be directed to draft an Ordinance for the rezoning. The Town Board has the final say and can veto the County rezoning. Then the Town could defend their growth management plan if litigation arose because of a veto. Motion by Supr. Wert, 2nd by Supr. Krueger to deny the rezonement. Roll call vote: 7 yes, 21 no. Motion failed. PZP Committee was 2 directed to draft an Ordinance for approval of the Weber rezoning for the December Board meeting. United Way Presentation: Connie Burch, representative of the United Way of St. Croix County, said 80% of the funds are raised from employee presentations and pledge forms. Over 70 county organizations are helped by United Way. Ms. Burch said $470,000 is needed to help fund County programs. She is willing to talk to any group interested. John Coughlin, Executive Director said United Way is a partner with the county and asked support for their efforts. Y2K Committee: Supr. Mehls, Chair of Y2K Committee, reported on the Emergency Operations Center plan. The County Board Chair is the commander and Jack Colvard, Emergency Government Director, is chief of staff. There will be 14 people on board from 9:00 pm, December 31 to 3:00 am, January 1. The Finance Committee approved $1,020 for expenses of mileage, postage, food and refreshments. The Radio Amateur Communication Emergency Services (RACES) people will be assisting that night. Mehls said the biggest concerns are power and communications. Resolution Establishing 21 County Supervisory Districts: Motion by Supr. Standafer, 2nd by Supr. Bieraugel to adopt. Standafer stated an accurate count for the 2000 census so Wisconsin does not lose a U.S. Representative seat. The County now has 31 Supervisory districts and in order to improve county government efficiency, the Administration Comm. is recommending a reduction to 21 districts. With 31 districts a Supervisor represents about 2000 people; with 21 a Supervisor would represent 2,952 with a projected population of 62,000. Committee structure would be reviewed to make committees more efficient. This proposal would streamline county government. Motion by Supr. King, 2nd by Supr. Boche to postpone action on this resolution until April of 2000 when the new Board will take office. Carried. Resolution #31 (99): Regarding Cancellation of Checks. Motion to adopt by Vice Chair Jacobson, 2nd by Supr. King. Carried. Ordinance #529 (99): Rezoning from Ag to Ag/Res for Lyle and Beverly Palmsteen. Motion to adopt by Supr. Raymond, 2nd by Supr. Jensen. Carried. Supr. Wm. Krueger voted no. Resolution #32 (99): Supporting Legislation to Establish Additional Penalties for use of a Firearm in the Commission of a Crime. Motion to adopt by Supr. Irwin, 2nd by Supr. Boche. Irwin explained this is resolution supporting legislation for mandatory sentencing for crimes committed with use of a firearm. 3 If a crime is committed using a firearm, the offense shall be punished by an additional term of 10 years; if the firearm is intentionally discharged, the person would be punished by an additional 20 years and if great bodily injury was caused as a result of the firearm being discharged, the person would receive an additional 25 year to life in state prison. The additional years are added to the punishment already prescribed for the felony. Citing statistics from Fresno, CA (where 10/20/Life law is in effect), Irwin reported there has been a 410 drop in violent crime. The City of Fresno advertises this law and uses a poster stating, "Use a gun and you're done." Motion carried. Supr. Mehls excused at 11:00 a.m. Department Reports: Sheriff Dennis Hillstead reported that about $400,000 in grant money will be received in 2000 including money for the Meth team and COPS program. One of his goals is to increase productivity among the officers. Overtime costs for the Y2K event will be approximately $5000. Veterans' Service Officer Lorin Sather said his office continues to provide support to County Veterans. Automation has been very helpful; an application can be done for a loan and it can be approved within the same day. St. Croix County will host a Veterans' Service Officer conference in September, 2000. Sather thanked the Administration Committee, County Board and his staff - Bob Penman, Wanda Plourde and Pam Bune- for their support. Supr. Bieraugel excused at 11:30 a.m. Presentation of St. Croix County Development Management Plan: PZP Committee Chair Raymond said no vote will be taken today; this presentation is for information purposes. Planning Director Dave Fodroczi cannot be here today due to post surgery problems. County Planner Ellen Denzer outlined the first ever comprehensive master plan for St. Croix County. The plan has been developed under the direction of the Steering Committee and the Planning, Zoning and Parks Committee. It has been a four year project with extensive public input and review. Over 100 committee and sub committee meetings were held. The plan's goals, objectives and the policies to support them include environmental corridor protection, density and site design elements to maintain rural character, agricultural preservation techniques and separation of urban land uses. Denzer noted the plan has been revised four times based on public input. The plan is an "umbrella" plan, which strongly encourages and in fact relies on town or even neighborhood level planning for implementation. She described in detail the planning areas H and the impact on development in St. Croix County and the changes made in response to public input. Supr. Giese thanked the Planning staff and PZP and Steering Committees for the work done on the Management Plan. Supr. Raymond said public hearings are being held now. County Board will have a resolution for adoption of the Plan within 90 days. If approved, a new Zoning Ordinance will be written and will go to the Towns for their decision to be in County Zoning or not. Applause by Board for Denzer's presentation. Committee Reports: PZP Committee Chair Raymond reminded Supervisors the last public hearing is scheduled for Wed., November 17 in the Community Room. Committee is also working on changing the Ordinance relating to Ag. businesses and zoning jurisdiction for the Riverway District. Applications for Rezoning: Applications for rezoning from Ag to Ag/Res received from John and Georgine Moelter, Town of Troy and Daryl and Lurene Bahnsen, Town of Pleasant Valley. Mileage and Per Diem: Motion by Supr. Grant, 2nd by Supr. Bethke to approve $7,742.08 for October, 1999. Carried. Announcements: Clerk Nelson noted nomination papers for the April County Board election can be picked up today. No signatures can be obtained before December 1 and papers are due on January 4, 2000. Minimum number of signatures is 20 and maximum is 100. Motion to adjourn by Supr. Raymond, 2nd by Supr. Berenschot. Meeting adjourned at 12:30 p.m. Thomas Dorsey, Chair Sue E. Nelson St. Croix Co. Board of Supervisors St. Croix Co. Clerk 5