Present: Chair
Jan Zoerb, Supervisors, Lois Burri, Buck Malick, Brian Hurtgen, Wally
Habhegger. Staff: Brian Halling, Dave Fodroczi, Rod Eslinger, Ellen
Denzer, Brett Budrow, Deb Kathan, Chuck Whiting and Judy Olson. Guests:
Supervisor Julie Speer, Renae Bugni, Robin Hafner, Rob Schettle, Orv
Schettle, Randy Calleja, Jerry RipleyCall to
Order: Chair Zoerb called the meeting to order at
9:01 a.m.
Adoption of the Agenda-
Motion by Burri, 2nd by Hurtgen, to adopt the agenda and
carried.
Action on Previous Minutes:
Motion by Malick to approve the minutes of March 25 and 30, April 27, May
26, June 2, 8, 16, 17 and 24 with revisions. Motion 2nd by Burri
and carried.
Dates of Next Meeting:
Thursday, July 22, 2004, 9:00 a.m.
COUNTY SURVEYOR UPDATE-
Halling reported that the surveyors are very busy with subdivision review.
Bleskacek handles the major subdivisions while Colbeth checks the technical
aspects of plats. Halling and Colbeth review the CSM’s. The milling machine
has been used extensively in past weeks. 25 - 30 miles have been milled.
Halling and other staff GPSed all of the section corners for the
orthophotography project. Halling was out with Markhurd, the photography
company, and painted marks in roads for control. GPS was used along with
that so they could use that control in the adjustments. That project took
priority through the spring and early summer. We have a GPS network with 59
stations throughout the county that we maintain. Staff is also involved in
reviewing the new ordinances and have submitted comments. The department
receives numerous calls daily with general survey questions. Halling will
report more to this Committee at next month’s meeting and will give a full
report to the County Board on August 17.
PLANNING BUSINESS-
Bills and Invoices-Motion by
Burri, 2nd by Hurtgen to accept the revenue report of
$7,016.75 as presented and approve the payment of the bills in the amount of
$24,186.35. Motion carried.
Planning Activities- Fodroczi
reported on a groundwater follow-up session in June with state and federal
agencies in River Falls. Pierce, Polk and St. Croix county staff met by
conference call yesterday with Regional Planning and UW Extension area water
resources educator. All the counties submitted site-specific or area-wide
groundwater issues that they are aware of. Regional Planning will compile a
map to use as a basis in talking with state and federal agencies on proposed
modeling efforts. We will be reconvening that call in a couple weeks to
work with USGS and the state agencies to revise a proposal made to us.
Fodroczi is also working with the Administrative
Coordinator on some related projects. Finance Committee is interested in a
county land inventory, which we have extracted from a generalized file from
the Real Property file of all county owned property. That was submitted a
few months ago to a consultant that the Finance Department has been working
with on asset management. Michelle Pietrick organized a meeting for July 16
with Planning, Human Services, Highway and Land and Water Conservation,
departments that are largely responsible for most of that land. Finance
Committee also received requests from the Hudson Area Fire District and the
Library Board about possible property site acquisition on this property.
This process was done three years ago and a decision made at that time not
to sell any property. Finance Committee has asked Whiting to develop a plan
for re-examining the issue. He asked for our support and input.
Denzer will attend an open public information meeting for
agencies and local units of government on July 14 with WisDOT regarding a
transportation corridor analysis on the segment of I-94 from Exit 1 through
Exit 4 covering capacity and operation. It is the busiest segment of
highway in western Wisconsin.
Budrow reported that monthly meetings continue in Baldwin,
Hammond and Pleasant Valley. Pleasant Valley is moving ahead well with
plans. There was much discussion at the last meeting about density in its
land use plan, with one per 40 density, and transfer of density allowed.
There was good citizen input and dialog from plan commission and citizens.
The Town of Hammond is planning to do an open house in August to present
information on what they have been working on, the goals and objectives for
the various elements. Baldwin has completed the cultural resources
section. There was discussion at last night’s meeting about the revised
subdivision ordinances and how to move forward in the future regarding
subdivisions and land use.
Denzer reported good attendance at Stanton’s open house,
but not many questions. No follow-up letters or comments have been
received. There was good discussion with citizens, though nothing
critical. Two meetings were held in June. No meeting is scheduled in
July. The Town of Cylon met the end of June and will meet again in July and
August. They are working on the ag section and will start on the natural
resources section next. There was concern of not completing the process in
time to get the money. That issue was clarified.
Hammond/Roberts Wastewater Facility Plans-
Fodroczi reported that he heard through Bob Heise that a public hearing was
held on June 21on a public facility plan out for review on separate
facilities in Hammond and Roberts. However, we received no notification of
that hearing and thus did not submit comments on the plan. We had received
direct notices of meetings during the last couple years, but not of this
hearing. There is also a draft environmental assessment out from Wisconsin
DNR, and they were awaiting feedback from the County and other local
government units from the hearing process as to whether or not there were
any issues with the facility plans. We have not received a copy of the
facility plans. Focroczi talked with Scott Boran of DNR Water Resources in
Madison who was also expecting our participation in the local process.
Zoerb suggested a letter be sent from this committee addressing the fact
that we did not receive notice and should be notified of future meetings.
Fodroczi will communicate with cities and villages and DNR and report at
next month’s meeting.
Land Information Program-
Budrow reported that the land information website should be up and running
tomorrow at 9:00 a.m. Computer Services staff will have an internet
security expert monitoring it at that time. Budrow will work with Kay Walsh
to coordinate Laredo and Tapestry at the same time on this website. The map
part with access to that information and the Register of Deeds information
should be available. Part of the concern regarding security is that this
will be served up outside our firewall.
ORDINANCE DEVELOPMENT
Subdivision Ordinance/Sanitary Code/Zoning Ordinance-
Fodroczi updated the committee following the public hearing on June 24.
Seven parties spoke at the public hearing, and those comments are reflected
in the minutes of that meeting. A number of written comments were received
from attendees. Towns that are under county zoning may file disapproving
resolutions on the zoning ordinance within 10 days from the date of the
public hearing. Four have been received. If the majority of towns under
county zoning file disapproving resolutions, then the committee can only
recommend the ordinance to the County Board with changes. However, even
without a majority, these specific issues will be included as part of the
comment process.
Fodroczi stated that so far comments have been received
from three towns, three development firms; one citizen who is a member of a
town plan commission; one private nonprofit; from the County Highway
Department, the Land and Water Conservation Department and from Wisconsin
DOT and Wisconsin DOC. Denzer met with Wisconsin DOT to review comments
along with Jeff Durkee of the County Highway Department.
A summary of comments will be prepared for the July 22
meeting and mailed to the committee prior to the meeting.
ZONING BUSINESS-
Zoning Activity Report-
Eslinger reported that 102 sanitary permits were issued in May and 106
permits in June. The volume this year has been steady. Cedar Corp is
providing three licensed inspectors to help with sanitary inspections. Nine
Board of Adjustments applications were received this month with a wide
spectrum of issues.
Municipal Plats- Four plats
were presented. Motion by Malick, 2nd by Habhegger to certify no
objection to the plat of Heritage Greens Second Addition in the City of
Hudson and stipulating that no opinion is expressed concerning adequate
sewer service. Motion carried.
Motion by Habhegger, 2nd by Burri to certify no
objection to the plat of Stonecreek Development in the City of Hudson and
stipulating that no opinion is expressed concerning adequate sewer service.
Motion carried.
Motion by Habhegger, 2nd by Malick to object to
the plat of Royal Oaks of River Falls in the City of River Falls because
lots are split in two counties. Motion carried.
Motion by Burri, 2nd by Hurtgen, to certify no
objection to the plat of Fox Run Second Addition in the City of New Richmond
and stipulating that no opinion is expressed concerning adequate sewer
service. Motion carried.
As an update on the Stillwater Bridge Fodroczi reported
that feedback from the two meetings in June is being processed. The
timeframe is set for the stakeholders meetings to conclude in October.
Personnel Update- Zoning Specialist Alex Blackburn will
begin work on July 15. Eslinger stated that Blackburn is experienced in all
facets of zoning, is a certified soil tester, POWTS certified and
experienced in GIS, subdivision review, shoreland-floodplain and Riverway.
Due to staff shortage, code enforcement reports to the
committee have been temporarily suspended. The department is receiving
calls and logging complaints and responding to failing septics. Full
enforcement will begin again when there is full staff. Administrative
secretary Jessie Nye is recuperating at home after delivery of her premature
baby. The baby will require hospital care for some time yet. Jessie hopes
to return to work in late August, but that will depend on the baby’s needs.
Eslinger reported that he, Fodroczi and Deb Zimmerman
created a plan of how work will be allocated after he leaves the position.
This item will be on the July 22 committee meeting agenda. Eslinger’s last
day of work will be July 27 before he assumes duties with Eau Claire
County.
Schettle Variance Request-
Eslinger distributed a variance request for relief from the subdivision
design standards for a joint access driveway that was tabled at the June 22nd
meeting for staff to work on a decision. Since then the applicant has
received bids on the cost to do the work and now requests that the
application be withdrawn because of the expense to construct the
improvements. Rob Schettle stated that the reason is two fold – the expense
associated with it but also the amount of trees to be removed from the
hillside. It doesn’t make sense to remove that much of the hillside. For
that reason he asked to withdraw the variance request. Mr. Schettle asked
questions regarding the history of this property and events referring to
letters received from the County in 1975 and 1992. Copies were distributed.
Motion by Malick to note for the record that the variance
request is withdrawn and because county costs have been incurred no money
will be refunded. Motion 2nd by Burri and carried.
CSM-Esther Rapp Rev. Trust-
Eslinger distributed revised maps for review and approval. At the last
meeting it was asked that the land surveyor identify the net buildable area
on the property so as to not affect filling and grading requirements. The
soil test location for the septic system was identified incorrectly on the
map that was received. The soil test is located in the hatched area and the
surveyor identified the net project as delineated on the map as 7.7 acres.
Soil borings are on file. The committee wanted to make sure that if this
map were approved those two items were verified. The current map is
presented for final approval. Renee Bugni, representing the family,
explained the lay of the land and where the best building area would be.
Motion by Habhegger for approval of the successful soil borings that are
located in the crosshatch area shown on CSM #61-04. Motion 2nd
by Malick and carried.
Tabled Rezoning Requests-
Greg Nelson, Town of Somerset. This request was tabled for clarification on
the guidelines or criteria that the Town uses for its rezoning
recommendations to the County. The applicant attended a subsequent town
meeting where that point was addressed. The Committee reviewed a letter
dated June 30 from the Town of Somerset listing the five guidelines that
were used for its recommendation for approval. Eslinger reviewed the points
of rezoning that are generally consistent with the County Plan. This
rezoning is consistent with the town plan. Motion by Zoerb to approve the
rezoning request for 80 acres by owner Greg Nelson in the Town of Somerset
from Ag to Ag-Residential citing #1, 6, 9, 10, 11 and 15 and the letter
dated June 30, 2004 in support of items A-F and state statute 9187 has been
considered. Motion 2nd by Malick and carried. This will be on
the County Board agenda for August 17.
A rezoning request for Curtiss and Calleja for a
reception/banquet facility in the Town of Richmond was tabled in June.
Recent correspondence was reviewed including one to the applicants from
Eslinger requiring completion of a warrants analysis and that the two
existing driveways be eliminated serving lot 3 and entry into the property
via the access serving lot 4, consistent with the St. Croix County Highway
Non-proliferation Policy. Another was a letter of approval from the Town of
Richmond plus a letter dated today from JEO Consulting Group, Inc. stating
interest in preparing the necessary documentation for the warrants
analysis. Motion by Malick, 2nd by Burri to table this request
until we receive a professionally done warrants analysis/traffic study and
appropriate recommendation for driveways. Motion carried.
DEPARTMENTAL REORGANIZATION-
Zoerb reported that she attended the Personnel Committee meeting on July 2.
Personnel Committee agreed that this Committee should have time to prepare a
reorganization chart and job description revisions. The Personnel Committee
will meet again on August 6. The Hay Evaluation Committee also has a
deadline for preparing any new job descriptions that need to be evaluated by
that Committee. The Planning and Zoning Committee has looked at some
staffing scenarios at previous meetings regarding budget. Decisions must be
made by this Committee on what to present to the Personnel Committee on
August 6 regarding the timeline for people to be in positions. Fodroczi
presented three alternatives staffing scenarios to consider. Each scenario
uses 2004 salaries. He reviewed the current staffing with the additional
POWTS contract for services with costs budgeted this year. He then
explained Alternative Staffing #1 and Alternative Staffing #2 each
highlighting positions that would be affected. Deb Kathan advised the
committee during discussion. Habhegger moved that the Committee endorse
Alternative #2 with four position title changes. Motion 2nd by
Malick and carried. New job descriptions are needed for the Code
Administrator and Land Information Manager positions. Committee members
agreed that the positions of Code Administrator and Land Information Manager
may be substitutes for existing positions, but with more authority and
responsibilities and emphasized the recruitment of the Code Administrator as
quickly as possible.
Fodroczi and Kathan will create new job descriptions and
bring to the July 22 meeting. Fodroczi will also have more information on
the open recruitment on July 22.
Zoerb reported that advertising for the selection
committee for the Planning and Zoning Department Director will continue
through July 31. Designates from other committees have been selected.
Motion by Malick, 2nd by Hurtgen to designate Zoerb and Habhegger
for the selection committee. Malick’s other recommendations are Rita Kozak
and Brian Ohm, professor from UW Extension, or someone he might suggest.
Other suggestions were the Executive Director of the Rivers Alliance of
Wisconsin; Janet Hill, planner for Kane County Illinois; Les Beck, planner
for Lynn County, Iowa (Cedar Rapids). All agreed that it should be someone
from Wisconsin. Malick will contact Brian Ohm.
Zoerb requested that committee members let her know when
they cannot attend meetings.
The chairperson adjourned the meeting at 1:35 p.m.
Respectfully submitted:
Judy Olson, Recording Secretary
Buck Malick, Secretary
