HomeMy WebLinkAboutCounty Board 02-15-2000ST. CROIX COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
February 15, 2000 9:00 A.M.
Government Center
CALL TO ORDER: Chairman Thomas Dorsey
INVOCATION: Pastor Dean Simpson, Cross Lutheran Church,
Roberts
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG
ROLL CALL
CONSIDERATION OF MINUTES OF PREVIOUS SESSION
ADOPTION OF AGENDA
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
DATE OF NEXT SESSION: March 21, 2000
APPOINTMENTS: Lyle Kellaher, John Helgeson and Don Lind, St.
Croix County Veterans' Service Commission. Marguerite Sumner to
Council on Aging.
REPORT OF II ADMINISTRATIVE COORDINATOR
OLD AND UNFINISHED BUSINESS
(Consideration and action on matters tabled, postponed or
referred to a committee at a previous meeting
NEW BUSINESS:
(Action on newly introduced motions, ordinances, resolutions or
other matters)
1. Approving Appointment of New Administrative Coordinator
2. Lower St. Croix Riverway Ordinance
3. Rezoning from Ag. To Ag. Residential for Paul Sylla, Town
of Troy
4. Resolution Opposing Restrictions on the Use of National
Forests
DEPARTMENT HEAD REPORTS: Zoning, Emergency Government &
Emergency Communication 11:00 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
ST. CROIX COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
January meeting rescheduled February 15,2000
Meeting called to order by Chair Dorsey at 9:00 a.m. Invocation was given
by Supv. Daryl Standafer. Pledge of Allegiance was recited. Guests and
the press were welcomed.
Roll call: 25 present, 1 vacancy, 5 absent and excused-- Supervisors Mary
Louise Olson, Wm. Krueger, Stan Krueger, Dave Hense and Einar Horne.
Motion by Supr. King, 2nd by Supr. Berenschot to approve the December 1999
minutes. Carried. Motion by Supr. Giese, 2nd by Supr. Mortensen to adopt
the agenda. Carried. Next meeting scheduled for March 21, 9:00 a.m.
Appointments: Chair Dorsey had made the following appointments:
Veterans' Service Commission —Lyle Kellaher, John Helgeson and Don Lind;
St. Croix Council on Aging —Marguerite Sumner.
Administrative Coordinator: Don Brown reported on changes in insurance
which has saved County dollars by consolidation or discontinuing a policy.
He is implementing the Section 125 plan which allows employees to set
aside pre-tax dollars to use for unscheduled medical expenses, dental care
and child care. The bid process will be used to obtain a Section 125 Plan
Administrator.
A floor space adjustment has been made for Register of Deeds to expand.
The Victim Witness room has been moved to another area. A Safety Forum is
planned for all County vehicle drivers. Our Workers' Comp claims have
been reduced through these educational safety programs.
Brown relayed a humorous story comparing beef and venison. Generally the
County is running well and he thanked the Board for the opportunity to
serve as the Administrative Coordinator. Supr. O'Connell thanked Brown
for his initiative in saving County dollars.
Approval of New Administrative Coordinator: Chair Dorsey introduced
Charles Whiting who was recommended by the Interview Committee consisting
of Supervisors Standafer, Jacobson, Giese, Peterson and Chair Dorsey.
Supr. Giese said they interviewed five people and Mr. Whiting met the
educational and background requirements.
Whiting introduced his wife Heidi and thanked the Chair and board for the
thrill and honor to become a part of this great County. He has been in
Government for 14 years in several locations including small towns and the
City of Mounds View, MN. His goal will be to keep St. Croix County the
best County in Wisconsin. His starting date would be March 29, 2000.
Motion by Supr. Bieraugel, 2nd by Supr. King to approve the selection of
Charles Whiting as the St. Croix County Administrative Coordinator. Supr.
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Wert asked about references checked. Personnel Director Deb Kathan
replied she had checked five references including both professional and
personal. Carried unanimously.
Chair announced a reception for Chuck Whiting on Monday, February 21, 1:30
to 4:30 in the County Board room.
Ordinance No. 534 (2000): Amending Section 17.36, St. Croix County Zoning
Ordinance. Motion by Supr. Raymond, 2 nd by Supr. King to place on the
floor. Raymond referred to the maps showing the Federal, State and County
boundaries along the St. Croix River. This amendment removes the County
boundaries because Sec. 17.36 is not enforceable outside the master plan
boundaries. Map is attached to the Ordinance using light green for
Federal Boundary, dark green for State Boundary and yellow for County
Boundary.
Corporation Counsel Greg Timmerman explained the Lower St. Croix National
Scenic Riverway-Minnesota/Wisconsin Final Master Plan was created in 1976.
The National Parks Service administers the north 27 mile segment and the
States of Minnesota and Wisconsin administer the south 25 miles.
The riverway district boundaries were established by the Secretary of
Interior and published in the Code of Federal Regulations. The WI
Statutes required WI DNR to adopt rules and guidelines for land use within
the riverway district (NR 118) and the County to adopt regulations for
land use in the riverway district in accordance with DNR regulations.
The boundaries in the County Ordinance (yellow area) exceed the Master
Plan boundaries by including the federally administered area and exceeding
the boundaries of the state administered area.
Terry Moe, WI DNR, was concerned about an area in the Town of Somerset
that is mostly included in a State Wildlife Management area but does have
some private land owners. If the County boundary was deleted, the river's
protection is diminished in this area.
Tony Andersen from the National Parks Service said the St. Croix River, as
part of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, is different from other National
Parks such as Yellowstone and Yosemite. He called this a partnership park
and encouraged the County to participate in protection of the river.
Marcia Penner, Attorney for the Dept. of Natural Resources, said it is
DNR's goal to work with local officials to enforce rules. The County
Ordinance does cover a broader area than the Master Plan, however DNR
would like to protect more land. Penner said the County should have
zoning in the entire Master Plan. The Ordinance covers more than the
Master Plan. The amendment appears to remove the northern section
(federal zone) from any control. DNR objects to this and would prefer the
County have some restrictive zones.
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Chair Dorsey asked why DNR and the State didn't include more land adjacent
to the Master Plan boundaries and Marcia Penner said the State is limited
to the Master Plan. He asked if the County could be more strict than NR
118. Terry Moe said they are working on modifying NR 118.
Admin. Coordinator Brown said there is already development taking place in
this "yellow" area. If the County enforces invalid zoning, the County
could face numerous law suits.
Francis Ogden, land surveyor and developer from River Falls, encouraged
the Supervisors to listen to the advice of Corporation Counsel. He said
riverway zoning is a chaotic situation with no consistency. He agreed
with Brown regarding possible lawsuits and said it is reasonable to pass
this Ordinance amendment.
Timmerman said he is not arguing with what should be regulated, only what
can be regulated under current law. The County Board can adopt local
ordinances restricting development in the Federal or yellow zone.
Steve Thorn, resident of Bayport, MN., asked the Board not to remove
County zoning protection from a large portion of the riverway. If
removed, this could open up large areas for future development. He asked
the Board to make further study and possibly change the boundaries or use
a moratorium but not take the protections off.
Roll call vote: yes means to eliminate the County boundaries (yellow
area); no means to leave the County boundaries. 22 yes, 2 no. Carried.
Ordinance No. 535 (2000): Rezoning from Ag to Ag Res for Paul Sylla, Town
of Troy. Motion to adopt by Supr. Raymond, 2nd by Supr. Boche. Carried.
Resolution No. 1 (2000): Opposing Restrictions on the Use of National
Forests. Motion to adopt by Supr. Standafer, 2nd by Supr. Bethke.
Standafer noted this resolution was not forwarded from the Administration
Comm. because they did not meet in February. President Clinton and the
National Forest Service have proposed prohibiting the use of up to 74,000
acres in the Chequamegon and Nicolet National Forests for logging and
motorized recreation. This Roadless Initiative will have an adverse
effect on the people and the economy of Wisconsin. Logging companies and
recreation enthusiasts are opposed to these restrictions. This resolution
supports continuation of multiple use forest lands. Carried. Supr.
Bieraugel voted no.
Department Reports: Zoning Administrator Steve Fisher used charts and
graphs to show numbers of sanitary permits, major and minor subdivisions,
rezonings, variance/special exceptions. Violations have increased from 29
to 60 due to the hiring of an enforcement officer. A total of 765 acres
was rezoned in 1999.
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Emergency Government Director Jack Colvard reported St. Croix County is
the first to implement mutual aid agreements among county nursing homes.
If an emergency takes place in one home, other homes will assist in
transporting and housing of residents. The State is using our plan as a
guide. Colvard said he is proud of our Nursing Home Administrators.
Emergency Communications Director Bruce Brantner said 9-1-1 is in its 2 oth
year of operation. There was a 3% increase in calls in 1999 for a total
of 35,346. The center operates 24 hours, seven days a week with nine full
time, two part time and two temporary employees.
Committee Reports: Y2K Committee Chair Chuck Mehls indicated a book
established for the Y2K event could be used for other disasters such as an
ice storm or tornado. Mehls thanked everyone for their cooperation in
preparation for Y2K.
-y-Planning, Zoning and Parks Chairman Raymond said the Land Use Plan will be
presented at the March Board meeting. Committee is also working on
Floodplain Zoning, Non Conforming Uses and Direct Farm Marketing.
Applications for Rezoning: Ag to Ag/Residential: Fairmont Farms, Town of
Rush River; Chris and Linda Milliron; Town of Erin Prairie; Don and Sharon
Dykhouse, Town of Baldwin, Kowski Farms, Town of Somerset; Herbert and
Harriet Day, Town of Troy; and Ag. to Ag II: Glenn and Joan Malcein, Town
of Baldwin.
Mileage and Per Diem: Motion by Supr. King, 2 nd by Supr. Bethke to
approve total of $8,324.17 for December, 1999 and $7,083.54 for January,
2000. Carried.
Correspondence: Response letter received from the Governor's Office
thanking the Board for sending Resolution No. 32 (99) regarding the
10/20/Life Law.
Clerk Nelson shared information from a resolution in 1975 that approved
holding evening County Board sessions from April 1 to November 1 due to
the hardship created for Supervisors who were farming. The resolution has
been modified to night meetings only in May and June plus July if a
meeting is held.
Motion by Supr. Giese, 2 nd by Supr. Mortensen to adjourn. Meeting
adjourned at 11:40 a.m.
F - r)-t--L1-VJ
Thomas Dorsey, Chair Sue E. Nelson, County Clerk
St. Croix Co. Board of Supervisors St. Croix County
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