Ag Services & Education Center, Baldwin
Convened: 12:30 p.m.
Adjourned: 2:10 p.m.
Present:
Leon Berenschot, Ronald Raymond, Art Jensen, Chris Bethke, Lois Burri, David
Fodroczi, James Janke, Kimberly Reaman, Mary Lestrud
Absent:
Lee Milligan, Diana Alfuth
The meeting was
called to order by Chairman Chris Bethke at 12:30 p.m.
Date of next
meeting was set for Tuesday, April 2, 2002 at 12:30 p.m.
Art Jensen moved
that the agenda be adopted as presented. Leon Berenschot seconded the
motion. Motion carried.
Leon
Berenschot moved that the previous meeting's minutes be approved. Lois
Burri seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Art Jensen moved
that the vouchers be approved. Lois Burri seconded the motion.
Motion carried.
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT
Federal Budget Update—No report.
State Budget Update—
No report.
County Budget—The
UWEX 2002 budget contains $6,500 to purchase a copy machine. With the
likely potential that each County Department will be asked to reduce the 2002
budget Reaman researched the possibility of leasing a copy machine rather than
making an outright purchase. EO Johnson provided the lowest bid. It
is $90/month to include 60,000 copies annually with overages billed at .0092 a
copy. The service contract includes all service, parts, labor, travel, drum
replacement, toner and staples. Motion made by Raymond to approve this
lease option. Seconded by Burri. Motion passed.
WACEC Update—No
report.
Personnel:
Horticulture Position—Reaman
contacted the personnel office and received approval to proceed with re-filling
the horticultural position. Reaman contacted Mike Perkl, UWEX Western
District Director who will submit the proper paperwork to the University.
Shared Leadership for Office
Chair Roles/Responsibilities—Reaman reviewed the revised Shared Leadership
Proposal and the official contract stipulating the new appointments. The
contract was signed by the St. Croix County Extension Committee members and the
St. Croix County UWEX Agents to be forwarded to Mike Perkl, UWEX Western
District Director.
Personnel Study—Reaman
distributed the organizational study developed by the agents and support staff
for UWEX.
PLANNING DEPARTMENT’S REPORT
Mercury Exchange Project: Fodroczi indicated that the response to
the pilot Mercury Exchange Program is going well. Almost 30 mercury thermometers
have been exchanged for mercury-free weather thermometers. Staff calculated that
the mercury collected would be enough to result in fish advisories on a 600-acre
lake.
2002 Collection
Contracts: Fodroczi reported that interest in our spring collections is
already growing, based on calls from the public. All preparations have been
finalized for the Electronics collection on May 11th and Clean Sweep
on May 18th. The events will be publicized in the spring issue of the
"Your Wasteline" newsletter to be distributed in late April.
Legislative Update:
Fodroczi reported that AB 636/SB 319 to restore recycling funding for UW
research and technical assistance was unanimously recommended by committees from
both houses for adoption by the full Legislature. The County Board resolution
supporting this legislation was previously submitted for hearing consideration.
Fodroczi also indicated that companion bills to ban mercury thermometers that
were introduced by Representative Joe Plouff and Senator Judy Robson of Beloit
were scheduled for hearing today. A comprehensive mercury management bill is
also being developed.
State Budget Issues:
Fodroczi summarized comments from Administrative Coordinator Chuck Whiting
regarding State budget cuts. Additional direction should be forthcoming from the
Finance Committee and County Board as State budget adjustments are clarified.
4-H YOUTH AGENT’S REPORT
St. Croix County Plat Book—The St. Croix County
Plat Book is the primary fundraiser for the St. Croix County 4-H Leader’s
Association. The proceeds from the sale of plat books are used to provide
additional programs for 4-H members and leaders. Final ads for the plat
book have been submitted. The cost of publishing the book is
$49,000. The ad sales campaign raised $29,500 to help pay for the cost of
publishing. The $20,000 shortfall will have a negative impact on the
Leader’s Association budget. The new book will be available in September and
will sell for $25 per book.
4-H Promotional Items—Reaman shared two new
promotional items she has developed. One is a bookmark that clubs will
distribute to 1st and 2nd graders this spring before
school is out. It encourages them to “Come to the County Fair to see all
you can do in 4-H”. The other is a brochure that outlines commonly asked
questions about 4-H. It is designed to provide families with enough
information to make a decision about joining 4-H.
4-H Cultural Arts Day—110 youth participated in
the 4-H Cultural Arts Day on Saturday January 26. Volunteers taught
workshops in ceramics, leather, hodge podge, sand art, foam art, jewelry making,
plastic canvas and stamping.
Volunteer Screening and Dismissal Conference—All
4-H Agents throughout Wisconsin participated in the two-day training on
volunteer screening and dismissal. The current screening process includes
a background check and a mandatory orientation. The presenter suggested
that background checks are not enough because they only uncover individuals who
have actually been convicted of crimes, not allegations or charges, and most
child perpetrators are very savvy and often one step ahead of the system.
Her recommendation is that each volunteer participate in an individual
interview, that no less than 3 reference checks be made on the volunteer, and
that once a volunteer is accepted they receive regular supervision and a “personnel”
file be maintained on them that would annually include copies of their drivers
license and proof of adequate insurance if they provide transportation for
youth. The “personnel” file should be kept for 30 years since child
abuse cases are often not reported until many years after the actual abuse
occurs. There is much concern across the state about staff time to
implement a process as detailed as was presented. St. Croix County alone
has over 400 adult volunteer leaders in the 4-H program. The State 4-H
Policy Committee will be meeting to revise the current volunteer screening
process and most likely try to find some middle ground.
Jr. Leader Activities—Reaman passed around photos
of the older members who participated in the community service project at Mary’s
Place in Minneapolis, Saturday morning, February 9th. The teens supervised
the playroom and helped the children make Valentine cards. At the March
meeting the Jr. Leaders made Easter cards that will be distributed to elderly
through the Department on Aging.
Interviews for 4-H Summer Assistant—The interview
date for the 4-H summer assistant position has been scheduled for March 22, 1:30
p.m. at the Ag Services and Education Center in Baldwin. Berenschot and
Bethke will participate in the interview process.
RESOURCE AGENT’S REPORT
Janke reported on the Technology Zone Application from
St. Croix Pierce, and Polk Counties. If approved, businesses in the zone
would be eligible for Wisconsin income tax credits for technology. The
application process is being led by Bill Rubin, who asked Janke for assistance
with a section of the application. Janke brought in UWEX Specialist Steven
Deller, who used a software package to provide the data needed. Janke
pointed out that this is a good example of the extra leverage that a county
receives by having access to the expertise of the Extension specialists through
the presence of county agents.
The next bi-monthly small business management
counseling will be held in April.
Janke reported working with town boards and plan
commissions in seven towns and one village on comprehensive planning.
Public opinion surveys are underway in Hammond and Baldwin. Erin Prairie
has created a plan commission and will begin scheduling their public
participation program. Janke and Dave Fodroczi gave presentations at a
public information meeting in Emerald. Janke and Ellen Denzer gave
presentations at a public information meeting in Cylon attended by over 50
people. Stanton has scheduled an Issues Identification kickoff workshop
for April 4 that will be led by Janke. At the suggestion of committee
member Leon Berenschot, the Glenwood Town Planning Committee invited Janke to
advise them on starting their planning program. The village of Star
Prairie has asked Janke and Fodroczi to attend a special meeting on March 21 to
discuss the state comprehensive planning law and how to start their planning.
FAMILY LIVING AGENT’S REPORT
Mary will be assuming the coordination of the Federal
Nutrition Education program in St. Croix and possibly Polk County. She
attended new coordinators training in February.
She is looking into developing a program for St. Croix
County jail inmates called “Breaking Barriers With Books” in which inmates
would read to their absent children via videotape. Mary showed the
committee research which highlighted the importance for children of fathers
maintaining contact with them.
Mary attended a Parenting Education training in
Madison in February. She is helping the Family Resource Center director
develop a logic model for a significant grant application.
Twenty-eight peer helpers at Hudson High School have
asked Mary to teach them about anger management so they can help other students
deal with their anger.
Working with a prevention committee at
Baldwin/Woodville High School, Mary’s helping plan a community supper
and program which would help parents and others understand the latest survey
information from 8th, 10th, & 12th graders
regarding their risk and protective behaviors.
Art Jensen moved
to adjourn. Ron Raymond seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Submitted by,
Art Jensen
Secretary
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