Members
Present: Leon Berenschot, Chris Bethke,
Art Jensen, Ron Raymond
Members
Absent: Lois Burri, Jim Cody (both excused)
Staff
Present:County Conservationist-Bob Heise; Land Specialists-Pete
Kling, Kyle Kulow; Technician-Ryan Schaefer; Secretary-Arlene Lier
Others
Present:
Jay Custer-NRCS; Bob Hendrickson-FSA; Bob Baczynski-DNR; Gary Kollman-Emergency
Communications; Hendrik VanDyk
Meeting
called to order by Chair Art Jensen.
Berenschot made motion to adopt
agenda. Bethke seconded. Carried.
Berenschot made motion to approve the
June 3, 2003 meeting minutes, seconded by Raymond, carried.
Next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday,
August 5, 2003 at 9:00 a.m.
GLEN
HILLS
Structure
#2 - With the
completion of the house removal within the floodplain below structure #2
and the requirements under the Rehabilitation program, Heise reported that
NRCS is requesting that an agreement be signed which extends the operation
and maintenance of the structure to 100 years to this date.
Corporation Counsel Greg Timmerman has reviewed the agreement and has
offered no additional changes. Berenschot made motion to authorize Chair
Jensen’s signature on agreement, seconded by Bethke, carried.
Structure
#8 alarm - Heise reported that Ryan has been attempting to set
up a time to meet with Gary LePac, DNR to begin the process of determining
the type of alarm system that may need to be installed below structure #8.
As Ryan began some preliminary work, he determined that the “bench mark
elevation” on structure #8, provided by Ayres Associates, was incorrect.
This issue is now resolved and a correct Bench Mark was provided by Ayres.
Pipe
Separation - The pipe separation project has been completed. The
Highway department has finished the internal sleeve in structure #3 and
the pipe separation in structure #4. Will purchase a bag of grass
seed to complete a dormant seeding this coming fall on any exposed areas
as a result of the construction activity on the pipe separation project.
Emergency
Action Plans - Jonna and Ryan have been working on updating the
emergency action plans for the high hazard Glen Hills dams.
It
has been reported by Joe Grant that ATV’s have been ridden on structure
#6.
Park
crew will mow dams in late July or August.
EMERGENCY
COMMUNICATIONS – MICRO-WAVE SYSTEM
Gary
Kollman from Emergency Communications attended meeting and provided an
update for the committee on the proposed Microwave system and a Back Up
Emergency Communications Center in Baldwin. He will be meeting with
the Baldwin Planning Commission on July 7 for approval on construction of
a 200-foot tower or the possibility of Dairyland Power Corporation joining
in the venture for a 230-foot tower.
NATURAL
RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN – DISCUSS PUBLIC HEARING
Heise
reported that a “draft” of the LWRMP was sent to the DATCP for their
preliminary review. Discussed setting a public hearing date after
review of their comments. A two-week notice is required for a
scheduled public hearing. Decided on hearing to be scheduled for
Wednesday, August 13, 7:00 p.m. at Ag Center. The plan would be
presented to Wisconsin Land & Water Board in October.
Berenschot
asked whether “rotational grazing” was included in the LWRMP.
There are grants available to landowners (or LWCD) if included in the
plan. Mary Anderson will be calling Heise.
RESOLUTION:
OPPOSING STATE LEGISLATION SEEKING TO BYPASS LOCAL AUTHORITY ON FARM
EXPANSIONS IN WISCONSIN
Heise
reported that the bill itself is not numbered until ready to go on floor.
It will be a hot issue in the coming year. Resolutions should come
from WLWCA, West Central Area, and Wisconsin Counties Association.
Raymond made motion to approve joint resolution and send on to the
Planning, Zoning, & Parks Committee, Berenschot seconded,
carried. Resolution would go to County Board in August.
(Resolution date should be changed and signed later, and send on to PZP.)
MUNICIPAL
WASTE-REGIONAL - UPDATE
Heise reported that a new wastewater
facility plan was developed for the Roberts/Hammond communities. Proposed
location would be on the Miller property, south of Roberts. Soil
type is similar to the Gilles property. St. Croix County received a
copy of the facility plan and copies of the plan have been distributed to
other reviewing departments. He and Dave Fodroczi attended the
public hearing on June 25th. Their purpose was not to
provide any comments opposing or in favor of the plan, but rather to
request additional time to review the document and share information with
our respective parent committees. A 30-day comment period was
granted. Public hearing comments concerned raw sewage going across
the county. We are considering a joint meeting between PZ&P and
the LWCC to discuss our strategy and provide written comments. Bob
Baczynski-DNR questioned where the sludge would be disposed. Joint
meeting planned to be scheduled during week of July 14.
STATE
BUDGET UPDATE – STAFF FUNDING
Heise
reported that Joint Finance cut DATCP $500,000 annually in their staffing
grant allocation for both 2004 and 2005. DATCP has not made any
decisions on how these reductions are to be distributed and how this is
going to affect local LWCD’s.
COUNTY
BUDGET
Heise
reported that although no budget instructions were distributed to
department heads, the Finance committee proposed that the departments are
to work their 2004 budgets with a 0% increase in their operations portion
of the budget. LWCD 2004 budget will need to include a computer
server and auto CAD software (need 2004 version to keep our engineering
software going).
VOUCHERS
Reviewed
vouchers. Motion by Berenschot, seconded by Bethke, to approve Chair
Jensen’s signature on the July voucher list. Carried.
PRIORITY
WATERSHED PROJECTS
Kulow reported:
Kinnickinnic Watershed – Reported on
Kelly Springs project, which has been under construction. We are
working with Kinni Land Trust and it should be completed within a day or
two.
Dorwes Easement is in David Cowles’
hands. We are still waiting for DNR to review the appraisal.
Kinni Steering Committee will be set
for the month of August. Date to be determined.
Lakes Cluster Watershed – Met with
Margaret Orf. She is interested in selling/or easing all of
her land (which is in a trust). She wants to protect it from
development. He and Tammy Wittmer gave her some options which she
will discuss with her son.
The Englehart (Bass Lake) survey of
shoreline is complete. Landowner will pursue the necessary permits
once shoreline stabilization plan is complete.
South Fork Hay River Watershed – Bob
Eicher will have a waterway and crossing designed as part of an overall
conservation plan for his farm.
SUBDIVISION
REVIEW
Pete Kling presented:
JOSHUA HILLS - (In part
of the NW ¼ of the SE ¼ and part of the NE ¼ of the
SW ¼ of Section 11, T29N, R19W, Town of Hudson, St. Croix County,
Wisconsin) – 22 acre development, 5 lots total. All storm
water and erosion control issues have been resolved and a revised plan has
been submitted. The storm water and erosion control plans are
acceptable for this subdivision. Berenschot made motion to recommend that
the plans for this subdivision are acceptable and a letter be sent to the
Planning & Zoning Committee. Bethke seconded. Carried.
WOODLAND HILLS - (In the NW ¼
of the NE ¼ and in the SW ¼ of the NE ¼ of Section 4, T31N-R18W, Town
of Star Prairie, St. Croix County, Wisconsin) – 90 acre
development, 12 lots total. All storm water and erosion control
issues have been resolved and a revised plan has been submitted. A
preconstruction meeting will be scheduled prior to beginning any
construction. The storm water and erosion control plans are acceptable for
this subdivision. Bethke made motion to recommend that the plans for this
subdivision are acceptable and a letter be sent to the Planning &
Zoning Committee. Raymond seconded. Carried.
WILLOW RIVER EAST – (In part
of the SW ¼ of the SW ¼ of Section 30 and in part of the NW ¼ of the NW
¼ of Section 31 all in T30N-R18W, Town of Richmond, St. Croix County,
Wisconsin) – 45 acre development, 22 lots total. All
storm water and erosion control issues have been resolved at Bass Ridge
Pines, satisfying LWCC condition
for allowing Willow River East to be on agenda. The storm water
and erosion control plans are acceptable for this Willow River East.
If not completed, financial guarantees would be cashed and we would
finish project. Hank VanDyk expressed his real concerns of the
developer. Raymond made motion to recommend approval of the plans
with the following conditions: Mr. Railsback shall schedule a
pre-construction meeting to be attended by himself, engineer, erosion
control sub-contractor, and all permitting agencies; and that Mr.
Railsback shall implement a late fall/winter cessation plan if
construction activities are not in substantial conformance with approved
plans by September 15, 2003. All construction activities shall be
completed by July 1, 2004. Mr. Railsback will be subject to fines
and forfeitures if deadlines are not met. Seconded by Berenschot. Carried.
There was a lengthy discussion on meeting requirements in a timely
manner.
FARM
SERVICE AGENCY
Robert
Hendrickson reported for FSA:
·Approximately
300 applications have been taken for the Livestock Compensation Program II
(LCP) which ends July 3.
·Activity
continues with CREP (Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program).
·CRP
(Conservation Reserve Program) sign up was extended to June 13, 2003 with
160 offers made by producers on 4,300 acres. There was not as much
CRP activity as expected.
·Commodity
loans are starting to get repaid now that the crops are in.
·DCP
(Direct and County Cyclical Program) sign up is close to 100% complete.
·The
MILC (Milk Income Loss Contract) program going well. Monthly
payments are being made to the Dairy producers. The May rate is $1.791,
down from $1.8225. The June rate is $1.7775.
·Interest
rates for our facility loans are 3.25%. This again is a seven-year program
and is for most grain facilities.
·We
have started a Crop Disaster program (CDP) for the years 2001 or 2002 for
any producers who may have had a 35% loss or more in their grain, ending
on August 25, 2003.
·Budgets
for the rest of the year are shaky, and 2004 doesn't look much better.
·Jim
Cody’s knee surgery went well and he expects to leave the hospital
today.
DEPARTMENT
OF NATURAL RESOURCES
Bob Baczynski reported: DNR
budget is in transition now. DNR has been in a work force reduction
mode (first stage) since February. All “at risk” DNR staff
(115 employees) received letters in June and were advised they were at
risk. First process involved the front desk and computer staff.
After budget is set, we will adjust number of at risk employees (lay offs)
to finalize budgets. Starting next July 1st, licensing
fee increase was not as great as expected. There can still be action
on these licenses that can become effective. There is no reduction in
Water & Forestry staff during first round, but it is expected
eventually.
Baldwin and all other service centers
across the state have reduced their hours – closed over lunch.
The Baldwin service center will open August 1st in
the new building.
Bethke asked about deer population as
more dead deer are being seen along roads. Human population increase
has effect on deer kill. Bob Baczynski will get information for a report
at the August LWCC meeting.
NATURAL
RESOURCES CONSERVATION SERVICE
Jay Custer gave the NRCS report on
current USDA programs, EQIP, WHIP, CREP, Grassland Reserve Program.
Jay outlined the program signup periods and eligibility criteria.
NRCS anticipates a number of new CREP, WHIP, and EQIP contracts over the
next months. Added to that workload is Conservation plan development
for the successful General CRP applicants.
RC&D
Berenschot reported:
·Dale
Fern (member at large) is a good representative of St. Croix County and is
very interested in RC&D.
·Full
council meeting was held on June 30.
·The
2000 Ford Explorer is still for sale. Mileage is 52,000. Will
sell for wholesale price.
·The
National RC&D convention will be held at San Antonio, TX for 4 days
the end of July.
·Full
council meeting is scheduled for August 27 at the Ag center. Plan to
arrange tour of the bison ranch. Mary Anderson has signed the owners (Smeesters)
up for the rotational grazing program.
·FFA
group from Dunn County is in process of hooking up with RC&D.
·Request
received from City of Independence (not part of RC&D) for work on Mill
Pond.
·Received
an A+ on the review conducted by the Civil Rights Team on what we
are doing.
·Polk
County is reconsidering their position on continuing RC&D membership.
WEST
CENTRAL AREA
Raymond reported on the summer tour
held on June 25 in Polk County.
Next year St. Croix County will be
hosting the tour. Decided that 4 tour stops should be enough sites
to visit, with one site following lunch. Perhaps lunch could be at a
park setting similar to Polk County’s.
MISCELLANEOUS
Heise reported that the yearly
transect survey has been completed.
Chair Jensen stated that due to issues
related to the Hay Study and possibility of the Parks department being
under direction of LWCC, a joint PZ&P/LWCC meeting should be
scheduled. Decided on Tuesday, July 8, 9:00 a.m., at the regular PZ&P
committee meeting.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
& CORRESPONDENCE
Pete Kling announced that the annual
golf outing is planned for August 15, 1:00 p.m., at the Hammond Golf
Course.
Kulow announced that the Sportsmen’s
Alliance picnic will be held this evening (July 1) at Perch Lake at 6:00
p.m. There will be election of officers.
Chair Jensen adjourned meeting at
11:50 a.m.
Arlene Lier
Recording Secretary
