HomeMy WebLinkAboutCommunity Development 09 20 2012 Minutes MINUTES
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
September 20, 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 Excused
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, Director; Bob Heise,
Director; Joan Sprain, Family Living Agent; Kevin Grabau, Code Administrator; Tabatha
Hansen, Finance Director; Monica Lucht, Recording Secretary.
Guests Present: Supervisor Dave Ostness and James Pickerign.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
1. August 16, 2012 6:00 PM
Chair Ring proposed to amend the August 16, 2012 minutes to reflect that the committee
will revisit the fee schedule July 2013. Motion by Russett, 2nd by Brinkman to approve
the August 16, 2012 minutes as amended.
RESULT: ACCEPTED AS AMENDED
PUBLIC COMMENT
None
BUSINESS ITEMS
1. Financial Reports
Hanson reported that the financial reports have been reformatted and are standardized for
all committees. The report shows the annual budgeted amount and balance, but also
shows the year-to-date revenues and expenses for all divisions that the committee
oversees. Expenses are below target, and the year-to-date is right on target. There have
been suggestions from other departments to add historic data such as the prior year, to
give a trend analysis and a better gage. Hanson explained that figures are below budget
because there are State grants that haven't been received yet. The State pays out quite a
bit in July, so August will reflect those payouts. Brinkman would like to see the financial
report show the last two years to see the trend data of when money comes in. County
Administrator Thompson asked Pabst about the Register of Deeds revenues. Pabst
reported that with 15,000 docs, revenues are in excess of the budget.
2. 2013 Budget Review
Hansen began by explaining that the budget for each division is very preliminary. There
is a health insurance cost place holder of a 10% increase, but retirement numbers are still
unknown. Further discussion will take place with Department Heads once the numbers
come in. Hansen stated that she was able to combine quite a bit of the budgets this year,
and with the combination, the difference in the 2012-2013 budget results in a net
decrease for the Community Development budget. Denzer explained that for efficiency
reasons, staff combinations were made to have all county employees under a county
budget, state employees will stay separate. Chair Ring questioned if the budget reflected
the St. Croix River Crossing mitigation money. Denzer explained that will be in it's own
budget, which is expected to be built possibly by late December, early January with the
money not expected until March at the earliest. St. Croix County will be acting as the
financial agent for itself and the Town of St. Joseph, so it is a standalone fund and there is
no impact on the county budget.
Pabst reviewed the Register of Deeds budget with the committee. She is budgeting for
18,000 docs in 2013. Hansen stated that the total revenues are exceeding the expenses.
The committee had no questions.
Hansen reviewed the Land and Water Conservation budget, explaining the movement of
staff to the Community Development budget. Heise explained the $11,000 increase is
made up of a $5,000 grant, which will only be spent if the grant is received. The $6,000
is for possible contractual services to other counties, or for the DNR to review plans for
design of best management practices. Chair Ring questioned the capital improvement
items, but Hansen explained those items are in a separate fund and the County will decide
the priorities of capital improvement. Thompson added the county is in the process of
developing a long-term capital improvement plan with the intent to place all items on
schedules.
Hansen reviewed the Parks Department budget explaining that the operating expenses
have increased. She also explained that some of the Parks budgets will remain separate
due to the grants they receive. Heise stated that the increase in costs are due to printing
map projects, shingling projects, adding limestone screenings on the Wildwood Trail.
These items come up as operational maintenance, whereas Park structures fall under
operation and maintenance. The revenues for Parks have stayed the same for the most
part, this year having done very well due to good weather.
Hansen reviewed the UW-Extension budget focusing on the two staff members that will
now move into the Community Development budget. Sprain also added explanations for
the UW-Extension budget
Hansen reported that the Fair revenue budget will be down due to State aid grants and a
movement of dollars from the UW-Extension budget to the Fair budget. Ottino
questioned if the County Fair made money in 2012. Hansen answered that the Fair Board
oversees their budget and they are their own entity. The County only contributes a
portion to the Fair. Hansen will request a 2012 expense sheet from the Fair Board.
Sprain explained the history of what the UW-Extension budget took care of such as the
office intern, payment of judges and the Fair premiums. These are not a function of the
Extension office and now will transfer to the Fair Board budget. Chair Ring questioned
what the committees responsibility is to the Fair Board. Thompson answered the
responsibility is to fund an allocation to the Fair. The County owns the fairgrounds and
leases the grounds to the Fair Board. Any money the fair makes goes back into
improvements for the Fairgrounds.
Hansen reviewed the Economic Development Corporation budget requests. The
committee had no questions.
Thompson reiterated that these budgets are what is requested. The efforts to combine
budgets will increase efficiencies. Thompson is in the process of going through all the
budgets. Once they are fine-tuned, the Committee of the Whole will go through the entire
budget again. Then in November, the budget will go before the full County Board.
Denzer thanked Hansen for her diligent work in combining the budgets.
3. Public Hearing - 6:30 P.M. - Pickerign Rezoning, Town of Springfield
Motion by Schachtner, 2nd by Russett to open the public hearing at 6:30 pm. Motion
carried. Grabau reviewed the staff report as well as a current County zoning map, and a
map of the proposed rezoning. The applicant has applied to rezone the entire newly
revised lot area to Commercial to maintain the same zoning status as when he purchased
the lot in 1980.
Chair Ring asked if anyone would like to speak in favor, or opposition to the rezoning
request. Russett asked Pickerign about any possible underground tanks. Pickerign
answered that all tanks have been removed. Motion by Russett, 2nd by Ottino to close
the public hearing. Motion carried.
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Travis Schachtner, Secretary
SECONDER: Duane Russett, Supervisor
AYES: Travis Schachtner, Agnes Ring, Richard Ottino, Andy Brinkman,
Duane Russett
EXCUSED: Edward Sontag
4. Amendments to St. Croix County Code of Ordinances Land Use and Development
Chapter 17 Zoning Section 17.71 Rezoning Amendments
Motion by Brinkman, 2nd by Ottino to recommend County Board approval of the
rezoning without conditions based on staff findings and recommendations. Motion
carried.
RESULT: RECOMMENDED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Andy Brinkman, Vice Chair
SECONDER: Richard Ottino, Supervisor
AYES: Travis Schachtner, Agnes Ring, Richard Ottino, Andy Brinkman,
Duane Russett
EXCUSED: Edward Sontag
5. Comprehensive Plan - Introduction & Public Participation Vol 1
Denzer presented the Introduction and Public Participation element of the Comprehensive
Plan. These are requirements that the State wants to see in the plan.
6. Comprehensive Plan - Land Use Element Volumes 1 and 2
Denzer gave a brief overview of the Land Use Element indicating the goals, objectives
and policies reflect an approach of supporting agriculture and development as identified
in the local municipal plans and in the Farmland Preservation plan and map previously
approved by the County Board. The future land use map has been generalized with the
intent to incorporate the local municipality plans into the county document. Volume 2
Land Use, shows the assessed acreage, growth patterns and density changes. Discussion
of implementation and the need for revised zoning districts that represent the diversity of
the county. Motion by Brinkman, 2nd by Ottino for conceptual approval of the
document. Motion carried.
Denzer asked for the committee to schedule a public hearing for the Comprehensive Plan
at the next Community Development Committee meeting in October, with an
informational meeting to be held two weeks prior to the hearing for ample opportunity for
public comment. The committee agreed to put on the next agenda and have staff hold the
information meeting.
ANNOUNCEMENTS & CORRESPONDENCE
ADJOURN
Chair Ring adjourned the meeting at 7:37 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted: Monica Lucht
DATE OF NEXT MEETING - OCTOBER 25, 2012 AT 6:00 P.M. HUDSON