Members Present: Leon Berenschot,
Chris Bethke, Lois Burri, Jim Cody, Art Jensen, Ron Raymond
Members Absent:
None
Staff Present:
Director-Bob Heise, Land Specialist-Pete Kling, Secretary-Arlene Lier
Others Present: Lee
Milligan-UW-Extension; Cindy Blonk-Burnett County; Bob Hendrickson-FSA;
Steve Pernsteiner-NRCS; Pete Skorseth-DNR; Peggy Rode, Gene Nelson;
Art
Jacobson, Don Jordan, Linda
Luckey, Buck Malick, Chuck Whiting, Jan Zoerb
Raymond made motion to adopt the agenda
with the removal of two items, (1) Sanitation Ordinance, (2) Sewer/Water ½
acre lots, seconded by Berenschot, carried.
Berenschot made motion to approve the
January 6, 2004 meeting minutes, seconded by Raymond, carried.
Next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday,
March 2, 2004.
Discussed the “committee structure issue” of the Resource &
Education Committee. One committee is Land Conservation and the other is Ag
Extension.
Heise stated that we are dealing with two different sets of
statutes, Chapter 59 (Agriculture Extension and Education Committee) and
Chapter 92 (Land & Water Conservation). Corporation Counsel, Greg
Timmerman’s comment was that we could operate under two separate
committees. He said if that is not the way the committees want to operate,
we may have to go back and change the language in the bylaws to make it
clear how the committees wish to operate. The Resource and Education
committee is an elected committee. Heise e-mailed Corporation Counsel on
clarification regarding elected committee versus an appointed committee.
Have not received a response. Raymond asked if the state statutes dictate
that there be two committees? The county elected to bring these two
committees together for wisdom and put that under Resource & Education. That
is what they have written in the bylaws.
To answer why there is a representative from FSA on the
committee, Heise stated that under Chapter 92, it specifically says that
there will be a member from FSA (formerly ASCS) on the Land & Water
Conservation Committee. The FSA representative receives per diem and
mileage.
Committee prefers having two committees. State statute
refers to “two committees”, there is no saving in dollars, and staff prefers
two separate committees. The bylaws do not state having separate chairs
under the Resource & Education Committee.
The Ag Extension committee meeting could be held in the
morning, with the Parks report following. The Land & Water Conservation
Committee could meet at 12:30 p.m.
CREP - CONTRACT AMENDMENT
Heise explained the USDA, FSA, and the State of Wisconsin
have agreed to a contract amendment #2 for the CREP (Conservation Reserve
Enhancement Program). The amendment adds a practice (CP-29) that allows
landowners the option of “NOT” planting trees near water bodies
protected by CREP buffers on marginal pasturelands. Burri made motion that
LWCC approves Chair Jensen’s signature on the CREP contract amendment #2,
seconded by Bethke, carried.
2003 WILDLIFE DAMAGE CLAIMS – CINDY BLONK
Cindy Blonk handed out information on the two Wildlife Damage
claims (deer) for 2003: (1) Keith & Harold Frye (Town of Springfield/Cady)
- Corn/soybeans, $4,768.04 (after $250.00 deductible), (2) Robert Keatley
(Town of Kinnickinnic) - Organic soybeans, $3,218.15 (after $250.00
deductible). There were 5 landowners that had shooting permits issued to
them to shoot deer to prevent damage. They did not have enough damage to
submit a claim. Berenschot made motion to approve the two Wildlife Damage
claims for Chair Jensen’s signature, Burri seconded, carried.
The Tri-County meeting will be scheduled for sometime in
April.
EQIP WORK GROUP
Chairman asked Steve Pernsteiner, DC to
cover local workgroup items.
LWCD and NRCS staffs have developed a
revised ranking sheet for 2004 EQIP. This ranking appears easier to
understand and to complete. Points are given in areas targeted in the
county as well as practices that match resource concerns of the St. Croix
Land and Water Resource Management Plan. Local workgroup supported using the
new ranking sheet.
Steve reviewed the revised practice
list. Mulch tillage has been dropped from list and Conservation Cropping
System (Organic Farming) has been added. Group has decided to place a limit
of 100 acres per producer on incentive practices including: Nutrient
Management, Pest Management, Prescribed Grazing, Cover Crop, and No-till.
Cost sharing rates for actual cost
practices are at 50 %. The workgroup would like to have Well
Decommissioning and Closure of Waste impoundments also raised to 75 % as
these are the highest priority practices in St. Croix County.
Steve will submit recommendations to
State Office for approval and posting on Web.
WEST CENTRAL SUMMER TOUR – DRAFT AGENDA
Heise stated that we are the sponsors of the West Central
Summer Tour. Discussed the “draft” itinerary of the proposed sites
recommended by the staff. Berenschot suggested considering a “rotational
grazing” site, Loren Smeester-Town of Rush River or Dan Pearson-Town of
Troy. The catered lunch would be served at Homestead Parklands. Committee
chose Thursday, June 17 for the tour date, the alternate date is June 16.
Raymond suggested that we have visual sheets showing “before” and “after” on
projects.
Eau Claire County Land Conservation Supervisor, Jean
Schomisch, suggested that due to the elections in April, the West Central
Board may change; therefore the business meeting may have to start earlier
than 9:00 a.m. to establish the new board and take care of other business.
CONSERVATION AWARDS BANQUET
Heise discussed the awards banquet to be held at 7:00 p.m. on
February 11 at the Ag Center. The program copy shows award recipients and
the names of the presenters.
JOINT MEETING WITH ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE – DISCUSS
COMMITTEE STRUCTURE
The Administration Committee members joined the Land & Water
Conservation Committee meeting. Chair Jensen stated that the LWCC and Ag
Extension Committee feel that the committee structure should remain as it is
now – two Chairmen, two Vice Chairmen, and two Secretaries. There is the
same amount of money involved with one or two chairmen. The workload
warrants having two chairmen.
Raymond commented that most counties have two separate
committees. It has always worked well for our county. The statutes mention
Agriculture & Extension and Land & Water Conservation, but do not mention
Resource & Education. There may have to be some minor changes in the County
Board Rules & Bylaws.
Administration Committee Chair, Linda Luckey, stated that it
came to their committee’s attention that the By-laws mentioned one
committee; therefore, she sent a letter to Chair Jensen and Chair Bethke
pointing this out and stating that we may have to change the County Board
Rules and Bylaws. We could have a resolution drafted with the two
committees’ members being elected and having two separate chairmen, and
identical committee members, except being joined by the FSA (Farm Service
Agency) representative on the Land & Water Conservation Committee.
County Board Chair Malick asked whether the FSA pays the per
diem for the FSA rep (Jim Cody) or if the county pays. Raymond stated that
Ch. 92 of State Statutes stipulates that the county pays the per diem and
mileage for the FSA representative on the LWCC.
Art Jacobson stated that it makes good sense to have separate
committees as each committee has different staff people attend.
Lee Milligan and the other staff agreed to have the
Agriculture & Extension and Parks meet in the morning and the LWCC would
meet in the afternoon.
County Board Chair Malick also asked about the committee
title. Do we want to keep “Resource and Education” as part of the committee
title? Raymond stated that “Resource” refers to Land & Water Conservation
and “Education” refers to Agriculture Extension. Those two committees
currently comprise the “Resource and Education Committee”. It was decided
that the title “Resource and Education” would be dropped, as having three
titles would be too confusing.
Jan Zoerb made a motion to update the
Rules & Bylaws of the County Board of Supervisors to reflect two separate
committees, the Agriculture and Extension Committee and the Land & Water
Conservation Committee. Corporation Counsel will be asked to create a
resolution for the upcoming March County Board meeting to reflect the
changes. Committee Chairs are authorized to make changes or comment on the
resolution prior to the County Board. The Rules and Regulations will show
that the committees are elected committees of five County Board Supervisors.
Each committee will have the same five members serving on the Agriculture
and Extension Committee and the Land and Water Conservation Committee. The
FSA will appoint one member from their committee that will serve on the Land
& Water Conservation Committee. Each committee will have the flexibility to
structure their committee, each having a different chair, vice chair, etc.
if they so choose. Also, included in the Bylaws will be language that the
county provides per diem and mileage to the FSA member. Berenschot
seconded, carried.
LETTER OF INTENT – ST. CROIX WATERSHED RESEARCH
STATION/WILLOW RIVER WATERSHED
Heise stated that at our January meeting, Buzz Sorge, WDNR,
discussed this project that is going to take place in the Willow River
Watershed. He met with Sorge and Jim Almedinger regarding this subject and
how our department may be involved. To run the Soil and Water Assessment
Tool (SWAT) model, it is imperative that land use data be acquired to insert
into the model. One option was to have a summer intern hired by the LWCD to
assist in acquiring data for this project. The letter of intent shows
willingness from the St. Croix Watershed Research Station to provide the
department $3,500-5,000 to hire this summer student to collect this data.
Although this letter is contingent upon receiving funds from WDNR, Raymond
made motion that LWCC supports the St. Croix Watershed Research Station
project assuming we get the grant money according to previous motions,
seconded by Cody, carried.
VOUCHERS
Reviewed vouchers. Berenschot questioned the $725.00 to NACD
(National Association of Conservation Districts) for the 2004 quota
payment. Heise stated that $725.00 is our budgeted amount, which is much
less than the requested payment of 1% of our total LWCD budget. Bethke
questioned the price difference in the well abandonment vouchers.
Berenschot also questioned the $1,260.00 being paid to Aleisha Miller
(Information & Education Coordinator). Heise explained that it is a
budgeted line item (contracted services). Motion by Bethke, seconded by
Burri, to approve Chair Jensen’s signature on the February voucher list,
carried.
INFORMATION & EDUCATION REPORT
Heise handed out Aleisha’s report for January. Also passed
around the informational packet, which was sent out to the schools.
Recently she conducted 5 presentations on “Soils” to 4th grade
students at the Greenfield Elementary School.
Dairyland Power agreed to provide prairie flats as a
promotional effort. Greenfield Elementary 4th grade students are
interested in planting a small (20’ x 20’) plot (flowers and grasses) west
of the communications tower to be used as an educational tool.
Aleisha is starting to get calls on conservation days for
this spring.
The Conservation Awards program/dinner will be held at the Ag
Center on February 11.
FSA
Robert
Hendrickson reported:
·Dawn
Christenson continues to work on C/S agreements from the last CRP
(Conservation Reserve Program) signup.
·The
next CRP signup may be in April of 2004.
·To
date we have processed 70 loans, interest rate at 2.25%.
· Sign
up for 2004 DCP (Direct and Counter Cyclical Program) has started and we are
making 2004 "advance" payments for that of .14 cents/Bu. February DCP
payments will be made soon.
·Compliance
is about a third done. We are working with a new GIS system, which is going
slower than expected.
·The
office will be making January’s MILC (Milk Income Loss Contract) payment of
.828 cents soon. There will also be a February MILC payment of .945 cents.
·The
interest rates for our facility loans are 3.75%, which is the same as last
month.
·The
Crop Disaster program (CDP) program for the years 2001 or 2002 has now
closed as of January 30th. All producers have been paid.
·A
2003 Disaster program? We haven’t heard anything yet but there is a 50/50
chance for one.
DNR
Pete Skorseth updated the LWCC on the Central St. Croix
Sewerage Commission wastewater issue. The Villages of Hammond/ Roberts were
planning on a joint wastewater treatment center. The last plan that came in
during December suggested that they are considering two separate facilities.
Roberts would discharge potentially to East Twin Lakes where they discharge
right now. Hammond is trying to expand at their wastewater facility where
it currently discharges to groundwater. Hammond did a significant soils
investigation and we are waiting for that soils information to return to
determine if they can expand their discharge. Roberts has to go through an
evaluation of what the impact would have on discharge (on both water quality
and water quantity issue). It still is in the planning stages. No guarantee
that this will work.
Berenschot asked whether they have a moratorium on new
building. Skorseth reported that Hammond has a moratorium in place. They
have a limited number of dwellings that they have given permits to because
of legal obligations. Roberts is limiting development but they do not have
a moratorium in place.
Raymond commented on his concern about how this wastewater
issue can be solved in the future.
NRCS
Steve Pernsteiner passed out copies of
the Glen Hills-566 project fact sheets.
Steve mentioned that the federal
government now has a budget and will have allocations for various
conservation programs soon.
Committee was also given copies of the
Conservation Security Program Fact Sheet. Steve explained the basics of
this new program and mentioned that a public meeting will be held February
26 in Madison. This program should be available to producers this year.
PRIORITY WATERSHED PROJECTS
Peter Kling reported for Kyle Kulow:
The whole farm phosphorus budgeting will be studied in the Squaw
Lake watershed with help from UW-Extension. No decision has been made on
the Bass Lake OHWM (Ordinary High Water Mark) determination. Watershed
staff met with South Fork of the Hay River farmers last week to
update their nutrient management plans.
SUBDIVISION REVIEW
Pete Kling had no subdivisions to present.
He gave a power point presentation on “St. Croix County
Subdivision Statistics 1995-2003”.
The 2003 unofficial subdivision statistics: In 2003 the
county approved 32 major subdivisions (577 individual lots) and 172 minor
subdivisions (308 individual lots). This development required 4,600 acres
of land.
Public hearing for the “New Subdivision
Ordinance” will be held on February 12. Zoning Director, Steve Fisher, is
in charge of information and setting up the meeting.
Kling will be attending a meeting
(“Safeguarding Community Character”) on Tuesday, February 10, 7:00-9:00 p.m.
at the UW-River Falls. Jim Janke sent out information on this meeting.
Denise Gunderson, County Board Supervisor, and Ed Schachtner, Town of
Somerset, will also attend. Walter Mondale will be one of the speakers.
Buck Malick, County Board Chair, thought it was a worthwhile meeting to
attend.
RC&D
Berenschot reported:
·Sponsored
the Midwest Value Added Agriculture Conference in Eau Claire on January
30-31, 2004 with 230 people attending. They were told it was one of the
finest conferences in the United States.
·They
were happy to have the kick off at the conference of the new Dean for
University Extension.
·He
and Ed Weber (former RC&D Coordinator) will be going to Prairie du Chien on
February 12th to sit with 5 different states on the Upper Mississippi
Initiative.
·He
is scheduled to go to Washington D.C. on February 22-26 for a leadership
conference with many breakout sessions. While in Washington D.C. he will be
lobbying with a group of legislatures from Wisconsin. Last year $550,000
was received for “grazing in Wisconsin”.
·On
Friday, January 23, he went to Stevens Point and participated in two
meetings. He was appointed by the Wisconsin Land & Water Conservation to be
part of the Grazer Land Leadership, which was interesting. They were doing
the same thing in grazing as we sponsored in RC&D. Brian Pillsbury from NRCS
heads that up.
·Will
be reviewing the 2004 Value Added Conference at the February 4th
meeting in Altoona.
Raymond made motion to authorize per diem and mileage to be
paid for RC&D Member at Large, Dale Fern, seconded by Burri, carried.
Heise is to draft a resolution that articulates this payment for the RC&D
at-large citizen representative. The resolution shall be reviewed by Greg
Timmerman-Corp Counsel and forwarded to the Administration committee.
WEST CENTRAL AREA
Raymond reported that there would be no meeting until the
Summer Tour on June 17.
ANNOUNCEMENTS AND CORRESPONDENCE
Heise asked what the committee’s opinion would be on having
Steve Fisher or Dave Fodroczi, or one of their staff, give a presentation
(30-45 minutes) on the overview of the new subdivision rules (subdivision
ordinance, cluster development, sanitation code, land use changes) and how
that relates to Land & Water Conservation at our March 2nd
meeting. Committee agreed that it would be a good idea to have the
presentation.
Chair Jensen adjourned meeting at 11:47 a.m. and recessed
until the “Parks” report during the afternoon Ag Extension meeting.
Reconvened to Parks Department Business at 2:15 p.m.
Members Present: Chris Bethke,
Leon Berenschot, Lois Burri, Art Jensen, Ron Raymond
Members Absent:
Jim Cody
Staff Present:
Bob Heise, Dave Larson, Ryan Schaefer, Marlys Tews
BILLS AND INVOICES:
Motion by Ron Raymond, seconded by Lois Burri to
approve the bills as presented - $1,031.94 for the Snowmobile Association
and $20,414.89 for the Parks Department.
DIRECTOR’S REPORT:
DUMP TRUCK WITH BOX AND TRAILER
Heise reported that the truck, truckbox
and trailer all had been purchased. These were budgeted items in 2003.
BIDS FOR A NEW PARK TRUCK AND VAN
FOR LAND & WATER
Heise reported that he and Dave Larson
are working with Kevin Brown of the Highway Department on bids for a new
park truck and a van for Land & Water Conservation Department.
REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS -
RFPs
Heise reported that Dave Larson is
working on bids for park lawnmowers, a gator, as well as pumping of the
septage for the Glen Hills Park and Campground. Larson is also working on
RFP’s for toilet renovation and electrical work at Glen Hills as part of the
Park improvement grant. Park staff will be meeting with LWCD and NRCS staff
to consider solutions to resolve the active erosion that is taking place at
the Pine Lake Boat Landing.
OUTDOOR REC PLAN
The County Outdoor Recreation Plan is a
document that needs to be updated every 5 years. This is a project that
staff will be working on in the 2004-2005 calendar year.
SNOWMOBILE TRAIL
Heise reported that with the new
snowfall the snowmobile trails are now open.
REORGANIZATION
Heise provided an overview to the
committee on the recent reorganization of the Parks Department and staff’s
new responsibilities.
PARK HOUSE
Heise reported that Joe Grant had
officially moved out of the park house on January 14th, 2004.
There are three potential options to consider:
1) Move house off site
2) Tear down the house
3) Have the Fire Department burn the
house in place
Staff is recommending to dispose of the
Park House, but before that can be done an assessment for asbestos and lead
will have to be completed. Heise has an estimate from Northern
Environmental for $700. 00 for an assessment and report plus there is a
$20.00 per sample lab charge. Berenschot stated that Cedar Corporation also
has this similar service. Leon also brought up the suggestion of renting
the house out for income and security. Pressure tank and water lines will
have to be installed before the house can be disposed.
PICNIC TABLES – GLEN HILLS
In the 2003 budget, $35,000 was set
aside for toilet renovations; however the park improvement grant that was
submitted and approved for 2004 also included this same project. It was the
decision of the PZ&P’s committee to use the 2003 budgeted money and purchase
approximately 60 picnic tables for the Glen Hills Park. Staff recommended
how the old picnic tables will be swapped out. The old tables will be
offered to the local units of government in the following priority order:
County Buildings, the Fair Board, 4-H Clubs, Townships, Municipalities at no
fees and then with the remaining tables, should any remain, be offered to
the public for a fee.
PARK HOST AGREEMENT – GLEN HILLS
Heise handed out a summary of the
requirements for the campground Park Host; there is an application that goes
along with this agreement. Discussion. It was suggested a change be made
on the Park agreement that a background check shall be made, rather
than may be made. Motion by Art Jensen to approve the Park host
agreement and begin advertising for interested parties, seconded by Chris
Bethke. Carried.
PARK MAP
Ryan Schaefer provided a presentation of
the proposed Park Map. The map looks good; suggestion from the committee
was to delete the word undeveloped and the picture of Apple River property.
Committee requested Heise to discuss with legal counsel the ramifications of
the department soliciting businesses to advertise on the County map for fee.
DEPOSIT SOFTWARE PROGRAM
Dave Larson reported on the new deposit
software program. Staff has gone through training and the goal is to have
it up and running by March 1st. This is a revenue program; it
was designed in the Access software program by the Computer Services
department. The program design is to maximize accountability, create a check
and balance in our accounting system, provide a real time deposits and an up
to date list of annual and daily sticker numbers.
LETTER – HUDSON TOURISM CENTER
Heise presented a letter written to the
Wisconsin Department of Transportation opposing the closing of the Tourism
Center at Hudson. Motion by Lois Burri, seconded by Chris Bethke to have
Jensen sign the letter. Carried.
Berenschot made a motion to
adjourn the meeting at 3:36 p.m., seconded by Bethke, carried.
Jim Cody
Secretary
Arlene Lier
Recording Secretary
