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HomeMy WebLinkAboutLand & Water 07-01-03 ST. CROIX COUNTY NOTICE OF COMMITTEE MEETING TO: Clarence Malick, Chairman St. Croix County Board FROM: Art Jensen, Chairman COMMITTEE TITLE: Land & Water Conservation /Resource & Education Committee DATE: July 1, 2003 TIME: 9:00 a.m. LOCATION: Ag Center, Baldwin CALL TO ORDER ROLL CALL ADOPTION OF AGENDA DATE OF NEXT MEETING: August 5, 2003 ACTION ON PREVIOUS MINUTES NEW BUSINESS: Glen Hills *- Agreement - Structure #2 Structure #8 alarm Structure #4 Emergency action plans *Emergency Communications - Micro -wave System Natural Resource Management Plan - Discuss public hearing Subdivision Review - 10:00 a.m. Vouchers UNFINISHED BUSINESS: Staff Reports Resolution: Opposing state legislation seeking to bypass local authority on farm expansions in Wisconsin Municipal Waste - Regional - Update State budget update - Staff funding County budget Priority Watershed Projects 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: June 18, 2003, amended June 23, 2003 COPIES TO: COUNTY BOARD OFFICE NEWS MEDIA /NOTICE BOARD COUNTY CLERK COMMITTEE MEMBERS * ADDITIONS /CORRECTIONS /CHANGES UNOFFICIAL Convened: 9:00 a.m. Adjourned: 11:50 a.m. ST. CROIX COUNTY LAND & WATER CONSERVATION/RESOURCE & EDUCATION COMMITTEE Agricultural Service & Education Center, Baldwin, WI July 1, 2003 Members Present: Leon Berenschot, Chris Bethke, Art Jensen, Ron Raymond Members Absent Lois Burri, Jim Cody (both excused) Staff Present: County Conservationist -Bob Heise; Land Specialists -Pete Kling, Kyle Kulow; Technician -Ryan Schaefer; Secretary - Arlene Lier Others Present: Jay Custer -NRCS; Bob Hendrickson -FSA; Bob Baczynski -DNR; Gary Kollman- Emergency Communications; Hendrik VanDyk Meeting called to order by Chair Art Jensen. Berenschot made motion to adopt agenda. Bethke seconded. Carried. Berenschot made motion to approve the June 3, 2003 meeting minutes, seconded by Raymond, carried. Next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, August 5, 2003 at 9:00 a.m. GLEN HILLS Structure # 2 - With the completion of the house removal within the floodplain below structure #2 and the requirements under the Rehabilitation program, Heise reported that NRCS is requesting that an agreement be signed which extends the operation and maintenance of the structure to 100 years to this date. Corporation Counsel Greg Timmerman has reviewed the agreement and has offered no additional changes. Berenschot made motion to authorize Chair Jensen's signature on agreement, seconded by Bethke, carried. Structure #8 alarm - Heise reported that Ryan has been attempting to set up a time to meet with Gary LePac, DNR to begin the process of determining the type of alarm system that may need to be installed below structure #8. As Ryan began some preliminary work, he determined that the "bench mark elevation" on structure #8, provided by Ayres Associates, was incorrect. This issue is now resolved and a correct Bench Mark was provided by Ayres. Pike Separation - The pipe separation project has been completed. The Highway department has finished the internal sleeve in structure #3 and the pipe separation in structure #4. Will purchase a bag of grass seed to complete a dormant seeding this coming fall on any exposed areas as a result of the construction activity on the pipe separation project. Emergency Action Plans - Jonna and Ryan have been working on updating the emergency action plans for the high hazard Glen Hills dams. I It has been reported by Joe Grant that ATV's have been ridden on structure #6. Park crew will mow dams in late July or August. EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS — MICRO -WAVE SYSTEM Gary Kollman from Emergency Communications attended meeting and provided an update for the committee on the proposed Microwave system and a Back Up Emergency Communications Center in Baldwin. He will be meeting with the Baldwin Planning Commission on July 7 for approval on construction of a 200 -foot tower or the possibility of Dairyland Power Corporation joining in the venture for a 230 -foot tower. NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN — DISCUSS PUBLIC HEARING Heise reported that a "draft" of the LWRMP was sent to the DATCP for their preliminary review. Discussed setting a public hearing date after review of their comments. A two -week notice is required for a scheduled public hearing. Decided on hearing to be scheduled for Wednesday, August 13, 7:00 p.m. at Ag Center. The plan would be presented to Wisconsin Land & Water Board in October. Berenschot asked whether "rotational grazing" was included in the LWRMP. There are grants available to landowners (or LWCD) if included in the plan. Mary Anderson will be calling Heise. RESOLUTION: OPPOSING STATE LEGISLATION SEEKING TO BYPASS LOCAL AUTHORITY ON FARM EXPANSIONS IN WISCONSIN Heise reported that the bill itself is not numbered until ready to go on floor. It will be a hot issue in the coming year. Resolutions should come from WLWCA, West Central Area, and Wisconsin Counties Association. Raymond made motion to approve joint resolution and send on to the Planning, Zoning, & Parks Committee, Berenschot seconded, carried. Resolution would go to County Board in August. (Resolution date should be changed and signed later, and send on to PZP.) MUNICIPAL WASTE - REGIONAL - UPDATE Heise reported that a new wastewater facility plan was developed for the Roberts/Hammond communities. Proposed location would be on the Miller property, south of Roberts. Soil type is similar to the Gilles property. St. Croix County received a copy of the facility plan and copies of the plan have been distributed to other reviewing departments. He and Dave Fodroczi attended the public hearing on June 25` Their purpose was not to provide any comments opposing or in favor of the plan, but rather to request additional time to review the document and share information with our respective parent committees. A 30 -day comment period was granted. Public hearing comments concerned raw sewage going across the county. We are considering a joint meeting between PZ &P and the LWCC to discuss our strategy and provide written comments. Bob Baczynski -DNR questioned where the sludge would be disposed. Joint meeting planned to be scheduled during week of July 14. STATE BUDGET UPDATE — STAFF FUNDING Heise reported that Joint Finance cut DATCP $500,000 annually in their staffing grant allocation for both 2004 and 2005. DATCP has not made any decisions on how these reductions are to be distributed and how this is going to affect local LWCD's. COUNTY BUDGET Heise reported that although no budget instructions were distributed to department heads, the Finance committee proposed that the departments are to work their 2004 budgets with a 0% increase in their operations portion of the budget. LWCD 2004 budget will need to include a computer server and auto CAD software (need 2004 version to keep our engineering software going). VOUCHERS Reviewed vouchers. Motion by Berenschot, seconded by Bethke, to approve Chair Jensen's signature on the July voucher list. Carried. PRIORITY WATERSHED PROJECTS Kulow reported: Kinnickinnic Watershed — Reported on Kelly Springs project, which has been under construction. We are working with Kinni Land Trust and it should be completed within a day or two. Dorwes Easement is in David Cowles' hands. We are still waiting for DNR to review the appraisal. Kinni Steering Committee will be set for the month of August. Date to be determined. Lakes Cluster Watershed — Met with Margaret Orf. She is interested in selling/or easing all of her land (which is in a trust). She wants to protect it from development. He and Tammy Wittmer gave her some options which she will discuss with her son. The Englehart (Bass Lake) survey of shoreline is complete. Landowner will pursue the necessary permits once shoreline stabilization plan is complete. South Fork Hay River Watershed — Bob Eicher will have a waterway and crossing designed as part of an overall conservation plan for his farm. SUBDIVISION REVIEW Pete Kling presented: JOSHUA HILLS - (In part of the NW 1 /4 of the SE %4 and part of the NE %4 of the SW 1 /4 of Section 11, T29N, R19W, Town of Hudson, St. Croix County, Wisconsin) — 22 acre development, 5 lots total. All storm water and erosion control issues have been resolved and a revised plan has been submitted. 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. WOODLAND HILLS - (In the NW 1 /4 of the NE %4 and in the SW 1 /a of the NE %4 of Section 4, T31N- R18W, Town of Star Prairie, St. Croix County, Wisconsin) — 90 acre development, 12 lots total. All storm water and erosion control issues have been resolved and a revised plan has been submitted. A preconstruction meeting will be scheduled prior to beginning any construction. The storm water and erosion control plans are acceptable for this subdivision. Bethke 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. WILLOW RIVER EAST — (In part of the SW 1 /4 of the SW %a of Section 30 and in part of the NW V4 of the NW I /4 of Section 31 all in T30N -R18W, Town of Richmond, St. Croix County, Wisconsin) — 45 acre development, 22 lots total. All storm water and erosion control issues have been resolved at Bass Ridge Pines, satisfying LWCC condition for allowing Willow River East to be on agenda. The storm water and erosion control plans are acceptable for this Willow River East. If not completed, financial guarantees would be cashed and we would finish project. Hank VanDyk expressed his real concerns of the developer. Raymond made motion to recommend approval of the plans with the following conditions: Mr. Railsback shall schedule a pre - construction meeting to be attended by himself, engineer, erosion control sub - contractor, and all permitting agencies; and that Mr. Railsback shall implement a late fall/winter cessation plan if construction activities are not in substantial conformance with approved plans by September 15, 2003. All construction activities shall be completed by July 1, 2004. Mr. Railsback will be subject to fines and forfeitures if deadlines are not met. Seconded by Berenschot. Carried. There was a lengthy discussion on meeting requirements in a timely manner. FARM SERVICE AGENCY Robert Hendrickson reported for FSA: • Approximately 300 applications have been taken for the Livestock Compensation Program 11(LCP) which ends July 3. • Activity continues with CREP (Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program). • CRP (Conservation Reserve Program) sign up was extended to June 13, 2003 with 160 offers made by producers on 4,300 acres. There was not as much CRP activity as expected. • Commodity loans are starting to get repaid now that the crops are in. • DCP (Direct and County Cyclical Program) sign up is close to 100% complete. • The MILC (Milk Income Loss Contract) program going well. Monthly payments are being made to the Dairy producers. The May rate is $1.791, down from $1.8225. The June rate is $1.7775. Interest rates for our facility loans are 3.25 %. This again is a seven -year program and is for most grain facilities. • We have started a Crop Disaster program (CDP) for the years 2001 or 2002 for any producers who may have had a 35% loss or more in their grain, ending on August 25, 2003. • Budgets for the rest of the year are shaky, and 2004 doesn't look much better. • Jim Cody's knee surgery went well and he expects to leave the hospital today. DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES Bob Baczynski reported: DNR budget is in transition now. DNR has been in a work force reduction mode (first stage) since February. All "at risk" DNR staff (115 employees) received letters in June and were advised they were at risk. First process involved the front desk and computer staff. After budget is set, we will adjust number of at risk employees (lay offs) to finalize budgets. Starting next July 1St, licensing fee increase was not as great as expected. There can still be action on these licenses that can become effective. There is no reduction in Water & Forestry staff during first round, but it is expected eventually. Baldwin and all other service centers across the state have reduced their hours — closed over lunch. The Baldwin service center will open August 1" in the new building. Bethke asked about deer population as more dead deer are being seen along roads. Human population increase has effect on deer kill. Bob Baczynski will get information for a report at the August LWCC meeting. NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION SERVICE Jay Custer gave the NRCS report on current USDA programs, EQIP, WHIP, CREP, Grassland Reserve Program. Jay outlined the program signup periods and eligibility criteria. NRCS anticipates a number of new CREP, WHIP, and EQIP contracts over the next months. Added to that workload is Conservation plan development for the successful General CRP applicants. RC &D Berenschot reported: • Dale Fern (member at large) is a good representative of St. Croix County and is very interested in RC &D. • Full council meeting was held on June 30. • The 2000 Ford Explorer is still for sale. Mileage is 52,000. Will sell for wholesale price. • The National RC &D convention will be held at San Antonio, TX for 4 days the end of July. • Full council meeting is scheduled for August 27 at the Ag center. Plan to arrange tour of the bison ranch. Mary Anderson has signed the owners (Smeesters) up for the rotational grazing program. • FFA group from Dunn County is in process of hooking up with RC &D. • Request received from City of Independence (not part of RC &D) for work on Mill Pond. • Received an A+ on the review conducted by the Civil Rights Team on what we are doing. • Polk County is reconsidering their position on continuing RC &D membership. WEST CENTRAL AREA Raymond reported on the summer tour held on June 25 in Polk County. Next year St. Croix County will be hosting the tour. Decided that 4 tour stops should be enough sites to visit, with one site following lunch. Perhaps lunch could be at a park setting similar to Polk County's. MISCELLANEOUS Heise reported that the yearly transect survey has been completed. Chair Jensen stated that due to issues related to the Hay Study and possibility of the Parks department being under direction of LWCC, a joint PZ &PJLWCC meeting should be scheduled. Decided on Tuesday, July 8, 9:00 a.m., at the regular PZ &P committee meeting. ANNOUNCEMENTS & CORRESPONDENCE Pete Kling announced that the annual golf outing is planned for August 15, 1:00 p.m., at the Hammond Golf Course. Kulow announced that the Sportsmen's Alliance picnic will be held this evening (July 1) at Perch Lake at 6:00 p.m. There will be election of officers. Chair Jensen adjourned meeting at 11:50 a.m. Arlene Lier Recording Secretary