HomeMy WebLinkAboutCommunity Development 11-15-2012 Minutes MINUTES
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
November 15, 2012 6:00 PM
County Board Room - Government Center
1101 Carmichael Road, Hudson, Wisconsin
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Attendee Name Title Status Arrived
Edward Sontag FSA Representative Absent
Travis Schachtner Secretary Present
Agnes Ring Chair Present
Richard Ottino Supervisor Present
Andy Brinkman Vice Chair Present
Duane Russett Supervisor Present
OTHERS PRESENT: Pat Thompson, County Administrator; Ellen Denzer, Community
Development Director; Bob Heise, LWCD and Parks Director; Dave Larson, Parks Operation
Manager and Monica Lucht, Recorder.
GUESTS PRESENT: Dave Solberg, WisDOT Project Manager and Chris Ouellete, WisDOT
Communications Manager.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
1.October 25, 2012 6:00 PM
The minutes of October 25, 2012 were accepted as presented.
RESULT:ACCEPTED
PUBLIC COMMENT
BUSINESS ITEMS
1.Financial Reports
Thompson reviewed the September financial reports explaining the addition of extra
columns to show 2010 and 2011 comparisons to 2012. The reports look fine with no
areas to highlight. Land and Water Conservation is showing low revenues, but the
receipt of grants will be reflected in the October report.
2.County Land and Water Resource Management Plan Extension
Heise reported that in 2008 when St. Croix County and the Citizen Advisory Committee
began to update the department's Land and Water Resource Management Plan, the
objective was for a ten-year period, which the State preferred, but approved as a five-year
planning document. Heise is requesting an extension to the Resource Management Plan
to be approved as a valid plan until 2018. The plan requires a 2-year work plan with a 5-
year timeline that will be provided for the period of 2013-2018. Motion by Ottino, 2nd
by Russett approving the St. Croix County Land and Water Resource Management Plan
extension. Motion carried.
3.St. Croix River Crossing Loop Trail Discussion
Denzer reviewed the summary of the St. Croix River Crossing Loop Trail, and introduced
Dave Solberg, Project Manager for the WisDOT and Chris Ouellete, WisDOT
Communications Manager. Solberg gave a powerpoint presentation on the St. Croix
Crossing Loop Trail. There has to be a maintenance agreement in place in order to build
the trail. Solberg presented a timeline of the project design and construction. Included
will be pedestrian and bicycle facilities allowing overlooks of the river. Bicycles and
pedestrians will also have trail to use on both sides of Old Hwy 35. The benefits of the
Loop Trail are to connect the St. Croix County bicycle system to the Twin Cities bicycle
and pedestrian system, create non-vehicular commuting options, increased tourism,
increased quality of life and increased property values. The WisDOT will design and
construct the trail, but needs to find an entity to maintain the trail. Its policy is to transfer
both ownership and maintenance to local entities. If ownership and maintenance is
identified prior to construction, the local entity would have the benefit of providing input
into the trails features. Members of the committee questioned the timeframe of the trail
operation taking into account the danger of Houlton Hill during winter months and
possible liability that local unit of government would have . Solberg said the trail plan is
to be closed during the winter months. He said based on DNR costs, it will be
approximately $5,000 per year to maintain the trail. Chair Ring asked the committee if
they would conceptually be interested in maintaining the trail. Thompson suggested that
staff bring back a report of the pros and cons before the county starts negotiating with the
State. Chair Ring asked if staff could provide that report at a future meeting. Solberg
added that the State is looking for an answer soon. A decision would be needed by this
time next year if the local entity would like to have input on the design.
4.Review Draft Outdoor Recreational Plan and Schedule Public Hearing
Heise reviewed and highlighted sections of the draft Outdoor Recreational Plan. Over a
year's worth of work went into revising the plan, and Heise thanked staff for all their time
and effort putting it together. The reason for updating the plan is because there are many
county recreational facilities and an adopted plan gives staff direction on improvements,
operations and expansion. The Plan needs to be approved every five years to be eligible
for state grant programs. Heise stated that not everything in the plan will be done, but it
starts the building blocks for the next plan. A Citizen Advisory Committee was put into
place to give feedback and input into the plan. Chair Ring asked if at a future meeting
the committee could review guidelines the level of service to provide as described in the
plan. Heise explained that the next step is to hold a public hearing, with recommendation
to the County Board in January 2013. The committee scheduled the public hearing to be
held December 20, 2012 at 6:15 p.m.
ANNOUNCEMENTS & CORRESPONDENCE
ADJOURN
The meeting adjourned at 7:37 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted: Monica Lucht
DATE OF NEXT MEETING - DECEMBER 20, 2012, 5:15 P.M. IN HUDSON