LA CROSSE COUNTY BOARD PROCEEDINGS

COUNTY BOARD SPECIAL MEETING

MONDAY, MAY 7, 2007

The La Crosse County Board of Supervisors Special County Board Meeting was held on May 7, 2007 in the Administrative Center, Room B410.  Chair Doyle called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.  The County Clerk, Marion I. Naegle, took attendance.  All supervisors were present except as noted:

County Board Chair Steve Doyle

He called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.

·         County Clerk Marion Naegle asked Supervisors to fill in their Public Directory information and turn in back in to her by the end of the meeting.

·         County Clerk Marion Naegle explained to Supervisors that there were index sheets for their 2006-2007 County Board agendas and minutes binders on their desks.

·         Reminder – Collaboration Conference is May 17 – registration is at 7:30 and the conference starts at 8:00 a.m.  It is free and lunch will be provided.  The topic this year is “Housing”.

·         A volunteer for the invocation is needed for May 17 County Board meeting.  If interested, please contact Chair Doyle after the meeting.

County Administrator Steve O’Malley

• Proclamation – Law Enforcement/Public Safety and Courts Month

WHEREAS, a free society, law enforcement is entrusted and expected to protect the civil rights of its residents; and, WHEREAS, La Crosse County employees serve to enhance public safety in the Courts, District Attorney, Sheriff Patrol and Jail, Mediation & Family Court, Juvenile Services, Emergency Planning, Medical Examiner and Emergency Services Dispatching; and  WHEREAS, thousands of residents are helped each year by the professionals whom respond to emergencies and assisting those in need.  NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the La Crosse County Board does hereby proclaim the month of May as Law Enforcement, Public Safety & Courts Month and urges all residents to join in recognizing the valuable contribution of persons dedicated to ensuring the safety of its county’s residents.

Motion to approve by Burke/Hammes passed unanimously with 1 excused – B. Pfaff and 3 absent – Belzer, Hanson and L. Pfaff.

• $1.1 Million Grant

La Crosse County and the Village of West Salem received a grant of $1.1 million from the U.S. Dept. of Commerce to the Lakeview Business Park.  This amount is almost half of the $2.5 million allocated for the eight state region.  A round of applause was given to Charlie Handy and Brian Fukuda of the County Planning Dept. and Peter Fletcher and Greg Flogstad of the Mississippi River Regional Planning Commission for all the hard work in attaining this grant.

Update Report on the Land Use element of the Comprehensive Plan

·         Supervisor Schroeder spoke to the process of the Comprehensive Plan Committee and acknowledged its members.

·         Supervisor Rauk walked the supervisors through the handout.

o        Highlighting the Map of Future Land Use

o        Future Land Use Districts

§         Residential

§         Non Residential

§         Public/Institutional

§         Agricultural and Rural

§         Environmental

o        Land Use Policies, Recommendations and Programs

§         Development Review and Ordinance Updates

·          Develop Neighborhood/Sub Area Plans for Designated Development Areas

·          Create a Density-Based Zoning Program

·          Measuring the Fiscal Impact of Development

·          Create a County-Wide Purchase of Development Rights Program

·          Development Review Thresholds

§         Form and Character

·          Conservation Design Principles

·          Bluff Design Guidelines

·          Establish Design Corridors

Supervisor Rauk made supervisors aware that this is a guideline and aid for towns to look at; it is still their decision as to what they will do.  He also wants supervisors to look at this information and be able to bring back suggestions to better these guidelines or be in agreement to approve the guidelines.

Next Steps:

·         Nine elements of Comprehensive Planning

o         Issues and Opportunities – Existing Conditions Report which the Board has already passed.

o         Land Use – received tonight and will go through the July cycle.

o         Agricultural, Natural and Cultural Resources

o         Housing

o         Economic Development

o         Transportation

o         Intergovernmental Cooperation

o         Utilities and Community Facilities

o         Implementation  - Target date set by the County Board is November 2007

·         Our objective: Truth in Advertising

o         Pick it and Stick to it/Choose it and Use it

o         The importance here is consistency.

o         Developers/landowners and local elected officials appreciate this consistency.

o         Important for each municipality to be allowed diversity.

Supervisor Rauk offered, on behalf of the Comprehensive Plan Committee, an invitation to the public, media and supervisors to come and listen or participate in the Comprehensive Plan Committee meetings.

A question and answer session ensued.

Presentation by Venture Architects on the Conceptual Plan for County Facilities in Downtown La Crosse

Power point by Venture Architects

1. Study Overview

·         Project Goals/Outcomes

o         Create a Vision and Master Plan for County-owned properties in the downtown.

o         Identify the County’s top priorities for next 20 years.

o         Identify potential opportunities to successfully partner with other key players.

o         Improve the quality of life in downtown La Crosse.

·         Scope of Work/Steps

o         Existing Facilities Evaluation

o         Department Space Needs Analysis

o         City of La Crosse/WTC Needs

o         Campus Conceptual Design

o         Final Report/Presentation

·         Schedule

o         Program and Facilities Analysis                          October 2006 to March 2007

o         Campus Conceptual Design Development           February 2007 to June 2007

o         Final Recommendation/Final Report                    May 2007 to July 2007 

2. County Department Needs

·         Buildings Studied

o         Administrative Center

o         Law Enforcement Center

o         Health and Human Services

·         Department Highlights

·         Space Program Summary

·         Staffing Summary

3. Existing Buildings Review

·         Administrative Center

o         General condition – major remodeling project

o         Architectural/Structural – Sound structure; damage to garage floors; replace windows; replace roof; does not meet accessibility code; asbestos abatement with any remodeling or demolition

o         HVAC - needs new air handling units: ductwork; piping; reuse boilers and chillers

o         Plumbing/Fire Protection – replace water distribution system; requires a fire sprinkler system

o         Electrical – adequate/inadequate number of electrical outlets; upgrade fire alarm system

·         HHS Building

o         General Condition – generally in good condition

o         Architectural/Structure – good condition

o         HVAC – good condition

o         Plumbing/Fire Protection – good condition /has sprinkler system

o         Electrical – good condition

4. City of La Crosse Vision 2020 Goals/WTC Needs

·         Connection to river

·         Downtown parking

·         Redevelopment of major catalytic project nodes

·         Historic core

·         Place making

·         WTC

o         Grow the campus

o         Currently involved in 2 campus projects for next 4 years:

§         Welcome Center

§         Community Corporate Training Center

o         Long-term interest in continued discussions with county

o         Student housing is an emerging need

5. County Master Plan Options

·         Expand Law Enforcement Center; close Women’s Jail.

·         Improve Facilities access to the public.

·         Address Administrative Center problems.

·         Provide pairing for county needs and adjoining neighbors.

·         Meet general government department 20 year growth needs.

·         Meet Health and Human Services 20 year growth needs.

·         Fit into the City’s 20-20 vision.

·         Options:

o        Option A -  Reuse Administrative Center.

o        Option B - Replace Administrative Center in a new location.

·         Cost comparison

·         Size and Shape

·         Location

·         Department disruption

§         Pros and cons of reuse of Administrative Center

§         Pros and cons of replacing the Administrative Center

6. Highway 53 Re-Route

·         Why relocate the Highway : benefits to the County of La Crosse

·         Relocation Options

·         Discussion with the State of Wisconsin Department of Transportation

·         New Development/Partnership Opportunities;  County all have similar needs.

·         La Crosse County has a unique opportunity to partner with others because of its’ campus location.

·         Greater sense of cooperation between City, Wisconsin Technical College, Downtown and County.

7. Development Strategies

·         County owns property and develops in house

·         County owns property and develops in partnership with others

·         County owns property and leases development rights long-term

·         County sells property

8. Questions/Feedback

·         The County is committed to staying in downtown La Crosse

·         Which option makes the most sense?

·         Are the locations for Administrative, Health and Human Services & Justice correct?

·         What should happen to the Administrative center?

·         Should Highway 53 be rerouted?

·         Should the County partner with neighbors in the new developments?

A question and answer session ensued.

Chair Doyle:  What is the next step?  Discussion ensued.  Supervisors decided on an Ad Hoc Committee.  Doyle will bring a resolution to the Board through the June cycle.  All supervisors are welcome to be on the Committee.  The Committee will decide whether outside members should be included.

ADJOURN:

Motion by Hammes/Sebranek to adjourn at 8:08 p.m. passed on a unanimous voice vote with 4 excused –Montgomery, T. Johnson, Schroeder and B. Pfaff and 2 absent – Hanson and L. Pfaff.

The above minutes may be approved, amended, or corrected at the next Board meeting.

I, Marion I. Naegle, La Crosse County Clerk, in and for the County of La Crosse, Wisconsin, do hereby certify that the foregoing is a true and correct copy of the Journal of Proceedings of the La Crosse County Board of Supervisors Special County Board Meeting held Monday, May 7, 2007 and that it is the whole thereof IN WITNESS THEREOF,  I HAVE HEREUNTO SET MY HAND AND AFFIXED THE OFFICIAL SEAL THIS 8^th DAY OF MAY 2007.