HomeMy WebLinkAboutCommunity Development 12-15-11NOTICE OF MEETING AND AGENDA
ST. CROIX COUNTY COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
December 15, 2011— 6:00 P.M.
St Croix County Government Center — Community Room
1101 Carmichael Road Hudson, Wisconsin
L CALL TO ORDER
II. ROLL CALL
IILAPPROVAL OF MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING: November 3, 17 and 30, 2011
IV. BUSINESS ITEMS:
1. Refill position of Committee Secretary
2. Financial Report
3. Municipal Plats
4. County Parks Ordinance regarding gun regulation standards
5. Recycling Ordinance — public hearing comments
6. Farmland Preservation Plan — public hearing comments
V. ANNOUNCEMENTS & CORRESPONDENCE
VI. ADJOURN
DATE OF NEXT MEETING: January 5, 2012 at 4:00 p.m., work session in Hudson
REVIEWED AND APPROVED BY: Committee Chair and County Administrator
DATE APPROVED: December 9, 2011
A quorum of the St. Croix County Board of Supervisors (County Board) may he present at this meeting. Therefore, this
notice also serves as notice of'a meeting of'the County Boardfor the purpose of'ohtaining information relaxing to subjects
listed above for use at future County Board Meetings.
12/9/2011
MINUTES
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
DECEMBER 15, 2011
CALL TO ORDER: Chair Hermsen called the meeting to order at 6:02 p.m.
ROLL CALL - Members Present: Supervisors Steve Hermsen, Sharon Norton- Bauman, Bill
Peavey, Buzz Marzolf, Lorin Sather and Robert Shearer. FSA Representative Ken Graf was absent.
STAFF PRESENT: Pete Kling, Ellen Denzer, Brett Budrow, Jennifer Havens, Bob Heise, Ryan
Sterry, Pat Thompson, Don Gillen and Monica Lucht
GUESTS: Sharon Ellwein, Don Schumacher, Todd Rehnelt, Dan Linneman, David & Annette Olson,
Larry Joachim, Larry Rauch, Doug Rivard, Stan Wekkin, Jon Stephenson, Scott Counter, Bill Gnatzig,
Roger Humphrey, Marc Putman and George Klein.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING: Motion by Sather 2nd by Shearer
approving the minutes of November 3, 17 and 30, 2011. Motion carried.
BUSINESS ITEMS
Refill position of Committee Secretary: Motion by Norton - Bauman, 2nd by Shearer, nominating
Marzolf as the committee secretary. Motion carried.
Financial Report: County Administrator Thompson reviewed the financial report for the month of
November for the Community Development department. Revenues stand at 93.5% of budget, and
expenditures are at 83% of budget. Budgets are not showing any stress and there are three departments
exceeding revenues.
Municipal Plats: Denzer reviewed the municipal plat for Red Cedar Canyon Four Winds located in the
City of Hudson, and recommends no objection. Motion by Sather, 2nd by Shearer for no objections to the
plat. Motion carried.
County Parks Ordinance regarding gun regulation standards: Chair Hermsen reminded the
committee that the last discussion was of what was considered a building, and asked the committee if
anyone had a change of view. Thompson indicated that Corporation Counsel Gillen was going to look at
the legal definition of park shelter. Gillen stated that a picnic shelter is not considered a building and
should not be called that because it's not restricted by walls. Marzolf is concerned that pavilions are
where families gather, and to allow weapons seems inappropriate. Gillen agreed that it is /maybe
inappropriate, but it is not considered a building and it's no different from walking in a park. Motion by
Norton - Bauman, 2nd by Peavey to change the definition in `A. Building' by striking the words "and open
picnic shelters ". The definition should read "A structure intended to be or capable of being occupied by a
person or person, including but not limited to, registration stations, maintenance buildings, permanent
restrooms, utility sheds ". Norton - Bauman stated her vote has changed in light of the definition presented
by Gillen because the previous definition would not pass legal review. Discussion. Motion failed,
Marzolf, Shearer and Sather opposed. Norton - Bauman stated that if challenged on the definition of a
building, it needs to be in the ordinance. Gillen feels under the law of firearms in buildings, it comes
down to the definition of a building, and is of the opinion that picnic shelters are not buildings — they don't
have walls and are open. Norton - Bauman asked if Gillen is suggesting no definition at all. Gillen is not
stating the County needs to have a definition for clarification, just not to include `open picnic shelter'.
Motion by Shearer, 2nd by Norton - Bauman for reconsideration of the original motion. Motion carried.
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Discussion. Peavey clarified that the committee is creating a definition, and not just changing it. A vote
was taken on the original motion. Motion carried. Marzolf and Sather opposed.
The committee than discussed section `M. Weapons' of the County Parks Ordinance. Motion by Sather,
2nd by Peavey to strike section `M. Weapons' from the ordinance. Discussion. Norton - Bauman explained
it has to be deleted; there is no choice because the state doesn't have a definition. Motion carried. Chair
Hermsen questioned if there should be a new section `M. Firearms' as staff has drafted. Motion by
Norton - Bauman, 2nd by Marzolf to adopt the new definition for firearms as drafted by staff. Discussion.
Peavey feels the wording is enforcing or repeating the resolution passed by the County Board banning
firearms in County buildings. Sather questioned if section `M. Firearms' is considered a definition of a
firearm. Gillen responded that the definition is just saying what you can't do with a fireman, and we
absolutely need that provision in the ordinance. Motion clarified by Norton - Bauman, 2nd by Marzolf to
state that the committee adopts definition `M. Firearms' which states that firearms are not allowed in
County buildings, and make this definition part of the body of the ordinance. Motion failed, Shearer,
Sather and Peavey opposed resulting in no section `M' at all.
Farmland Preservation Plan — public hearing comments: Chair Hermsen clarified that this was not a
public hearing and instead encouraged the public guests to write their Farmland Preservation Plan (FLP
Plan) comments on comment cards. Kling explained the summary comments received from the
November 30, 2011 public hearing, with ten in favor of the plan, four against and one neutral. Kling
asked to focus on the changes made to the plan because of the comments made. Budrow gave explanation
of all the changes made to the FLP Plan based on comments received from residents in the Towns of
Somerset, Troy, Star Prairie, Erin Prairie, Baldwin and City of New Richmond. Denzer stated that for the
committees consideration, staff has put together a resolution for County Board if the committee moves
forward with this. Chair Hermsen asked if anyone has questions they should ask now.
Chair Hermsen called for break at 6:53p.m to allow for public guests to write comments.
The committee reconvened at 7:02 p.m.
Chair Hermsen asked for the written comments and read each comment into record. Written comments
were submitted by Scott Counter, Town Supervisor of Star Prairie, Don Schumacher, Town Chair of Rush
River, Roger Humphrey, Marc Putnam and Annette Olson. Chair Hermsen than brought the discussion
back to the committee. Denzer explained that the first thing to do is either to accept, or not to accept the
map changes along with the tracked changes made by the Department of Agriculture, Trade and
Consumer Protection ( DATCP), because these changes were directly from the public hearing. Motion by
Marzolf, 2nd by Sather that the map changes and tracked changes from DATCP be accepted. Motion
carried. Chair Hermsen asked the committee to discuss the FLP Plan as a whole based on the public
comments received tonight. Sather questioned if there is a timeline. Kling answered that this plan is tied
to a chapter in the Comprehensive Plan and feels a substantial amount of work, with quite a bit of
information, has gone into presenting this to as many people as possible, and to wait would not benefit the
plan. Budrow explained that legislation in Chapter 91 requires that counties of certain population and
population growth, including St. Croix County, are in the first group required to revise their FLP Plan
before it expires. The existing plan from 1980 will expire, and upon expiration county property owner's
eligibility for income tax credits would be eliminated. Denzer explained the timeline and urged the
committee to make a decision in a timely manner because of many steps still to do in a tight timeframe.
Chair Hermsen questioned if all the Towns affected have been on board with revising the FLP Plan.
Denzer answered that the Towns do not have to approve, but they were all sent copies and encouraged to
share with their Town Board and Plan Commissions for any comments or questions. Kling also answered
that he has been to several of their Town meetings. Chair Hermsen stated he understands the public fears
and clarified that this locks government from touching property, secondly, determines eligibility in a non -
favoritism manner, and also sets up for an opportunity. Marzolf asked if the committee could put a hold
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on the resolution and incorporate new comments received in a revised FLP Plan. Denzer explained
another public hearing would have to be held. Motion by Sather, 2nd by Marzolf to table the resolution for
sixty days so staff can get written acknowledgments of opinions on the FLP Plan, from the municipalities
involved. Gillen commented that it seems we've already gotten their response. Norton - Bauman remarked
that the committee has worked on this for over two years, and it's getting too close to a committee
changeover. It would be a terrible waste of staff and public time to postpone and feels a decision is in
order. Peavey asked if Town Chairs present at this meeting would voice their opinion now. Doug Rivard,
Star Prairie Town Chair, agreed the plan should move forward now. Don Schumacher, Rush River Town
Chair, said he feels a delay is waste of time, either finish it now or forget it. Lawrence Rauch, Somerset
Town Supervisor and Plan Commission Chair commented that he fails to see what the committee is trying
to obtain from the Towns that they don't already know. Rivard commented that the eastern towns are all
Agriculture and most likely are not present tonight because the FLP Plan is okay. Chair Hermsen asked
the committee if they are in accordance with the motion to delay, and requested additional criteria in the
motion that regardless of response by the towns the resolution would still go in front of the County Board
at their March 2012 meeting. Marzolf withdrew his 2" Hearing no other 2" the motion failed. Motion
by Norton - Bauman, 2nd by Marzolf that the resolution which has been presented, be forwarded, by this
Committee, to the County Board for approval at their January 2012 meeting. Discussion. Peavey asked
for clarification, referring to Section 3.5, if wording could be added without another public hearing since it
was brought up at the November 30 public hearing. Denzer answered that it could. Motion carried,
Sather and Hermsen opposed.
Recycling Ordinance — public hearing comments: Denzer gave a summary of the comments heard at
the public hearing held November 30, 2011. There were numerous comments on specific areas in the
Recycling Ordinance. Denzer compared the comment sheet with the newly revised draft Recycling
Ordinance and gave staff recommendations. She asked the committee for any questions on the changes
and recommended material. Chair Hermsen asked if the public guest had any questions. George Klein,
from the Village of North Hudson, questioned putrescible waste. Havens explained this material will
naturally rot. Klein also wanted to encourage the public to negotiate some of these ordinance provisions
with their waste hauler. Denzer explained NR544 Effective Recycling Programs code. Bill Gnatzig, from
the Town if Kinnickinnic, questioned the use of lids on recycling containers. Havens explained that
would pertain to trash containers and not recycling. Dianne Joachim, from the Town of New Richmond,
feels the County is getting into the garbage business with rates and reporting and is concerned that
additional reporting done by the haulers, would add to their costs. She asked how the County could
regulate the rates with the service received, if there's been a cost analysis done with the local haulers.
Havens explained that haulers are already providing reports to municipalities; the County would just
require a copy of that report. Jon Stephenson, from Hudson, commented that that, in general, he is in
support of the ordinance but has concerns over the enforcement in 21.4 Section C. Inspections. Denzer
explained the provisions and permissions staff would have to seek, and how very limited the authority is.
It does not allow for entrance into residential structures. Joachim questioned Corporation Counsel Gillen
if the County is allowed to limit State Statute. Gillen answered that the County could do what the State
Statute allows, but the County is actually more limiting. Norton - Bauman explained that the County Board
specifically addressed the limit to go into anyone's house. When it comes to health issues, the health
department, most likely, would get involved, which is completely separate from the recycling issue.
Annette Olson, from Glenwood, asked for clarifications on outbuildings. Denzer answered that the open
space and yard area, in her opinion, doesn't include outbuildings. Peavey clarified residential
outbuildings, not agriculture outbuildings. Chair Hermsen read a written comment into the record
submitted by Todd Rehnelt, Town Chair of Richmond, commending staff on a well written document and
for the hard work from the committee and staff that went into this ordinance. Rehnelt is asking for
support of the ordinance to make his job easier in dealing with infestation problems. Gnatzig spoke and
gave his appreciation for the items addressed. He hopes in the process, Town Boards have a chance to
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talk how this impacts them at the local level. He also included that with animal agricultural buildings,
there has to be precaution with disease and infestation from outside traffic. Lawrence Rauch, from Town
of Somerset, appreciated the changes with better language, making constituents happier. He questioned
staff on state statute if this has become a federal issue now. Denzer explained St. Croix County is the
responsible unit for twenty -six municipalities since 1994, and the State has repeatedly amended statutes
and code. The County staff had to write a Compliance Assurance Plan, which included updating our
Recycling Ordinance to come into compliance with state law. Chair Hermsen turned the discussion back
to the committee. Sather stated he has not been for this ordinance from day one and feels the
municipalities are responsible, and with a bit of tweaking, the old recycling ordinance could meet State
requirements. Motion by Sather, 2nd by Shearer to scrap the new Chapter 21 Recycling Ordinance, and
that the present Chapter 43 be tweaked and brought back to the committee. Discussion. Chair Hermsen
asked staff what amount of work would go into just tweaking the old Chapter 43. Denzer answered the
work would by the majority of what went into the new Chapter 21. Marzolf feels it is critical that we
make the revised ordinance happen. Motion failed on a vote of 1 -5. Motion by Norton - Bauman that the
Committee takes this revised draft Chapter 21 Recycling Ordinance and moves it forward to the County
Board. Motion amended by Peavey, 2nd by Norton - Bauman to change 21.4 Section C. La. 5) to read "Any
open space or yard area adjoining only residential structures. This does not include agriculture
structures ". Motion carried. Motion amended by Chair Hermsen, 2nd by Sather to completely eliminate,
21.3 Section A.3. Rates and Services, from the ordinance. Discussion. Chair Hermsen feels that dealing
with rates and services is a business between the resident and hauler, and the hauler and municipality, not
the County, and should be worked out in contracts. Peavey asked if any of this section in the ordinance is
required by state statute before we eliminate it. Denzer stated that by encouraging haulers to offer
volume -based systems, which majority has, is an activity that promotes recycling, but removal of the
section in the ordinance will not take us out of compliance. Norton - Bauman recalled from the past
comments and discussion that citizens were more concerned about not being offered smaller containers
and wanted provisions put in for smaller container options. Roll call vote: Norton - Bauman — no, Peavey
— yes, Marzolf — no, Hermsen — yes, Sather — yes, Shearer — yes. Motion to amend carried. Roll call vote
on the on the main motion, moving Chapter 21 Recycling Ordinance as amended to the County Board
Norton - Bauman — yes, Peavey — yes, Marzolf — yes, Hermsen — yes, Sather — no, Shearer — yes. Motion
carried.
ADJOURN: Motion by Peavey, 2nd by Marzolf to adjourn the meeting at 9:19 p.m.
DATE OF NEXT MEETING: January 5, 2012, at 4:00 p.m., work session in Hudson.
Respectfully submitted:
Monica Lucht, Recording Secretary Richard Marzolf, Secretary
December 15, 2011
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