LA CROSSE COUNTY BOARD PROCEEDINGS

PUBLIC HEARING MONDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2007

AND ANNUAL MEETING MONDAY AND TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 12-13, 2007

The La Crosse County Board of Supervisors Public Hearing was held November 12, 2007 and the Annual Meeting was held November 12 & 13, 2007 in the Administrative Center, Room B410.  Chair Doyle called the Public Hearing to order at 6:00 p.m.  The County Clerk, Marion I. Naegle, took attendance.  All supervisors were present except as noted:

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

BUDGET OVERVIEW – Administrator Steve O’Malley

Administrator O’Malley presented a budget overview with tax rate comparisons.

·         2008 Expenses

o         38 %   Human Services

o         23 %   Courts & Public Safety

o         17 %   Health, Aging, Nursing Homes

o         11 %   Highway & Solid Waste

o           8 %  General Government & other

o           2 %  Debt Service

o           1%   Library

·         2008 Revenues

o         38 %   Fed & State Sources

o         21 %   Fees and Charges

o         14%    Bond proceeds

o         10%    General Levy

o           7%   Solid Waste

o           6%   Sales & Other Taxes

o           2%   Debt Levy

o           1%   Library Levy

o           1%   Other Sources

·         2007 Tax Bill – $2702 Tax Bill on a $100,000 Home in the City of La Crosse, La Crosse School District

o         43 %   $1,165 City Tax

o         34 %   $   928          School District Tax

o         14%    $   376          County Tax

o           8 %  $   214          Wisconsin Technical College Tax

o           1 %  $     19         State Forestry Tax

·         2008 Estimated Changes:

o         Home Value of $106,000

o         County Taxes would be $6 more per year with the Administrator’s 2008 proposed budget

·         2008 Budget Results

o         2^nd lowest levy increase in past 10 years

o         Progress toward LEC/Jail solution, within debt rate limit set by the board

o         Significant progress on Lakeview Health Care Center financial situation

o         Maintain among the lowest County taxes in Wisconsin:  comparing rate, per capita levy spending and annual levy for similar sized counties

o         Tax rate continues decline of past 6 years – 1 of the few local tax rates to decline

o         1999-2003 Change – Value 31%, Levy 48%

o         1999-2003 Rate Change - $3.51 to $3.97

o         2004 – 2008 Change – Value $48%, Levy 34%

o         2004-2008 Rate Change - $3.91 to $3.60

Additional slides were shown and explained that demonstrated how some local tax rates would decline and how La Crosse County compares with other Wisconsin counties.

·         County Goals for 2008 and Beyond

o         Law Enforcement Center addition completion and system enhancements

o         Comprehensive Plan implementation

o         Economic & Community Development

o         Sustainability Initiatives

o         Protect Health & Human Services

o         Continued work on Lakeview Health Care Center Financial situation

o         Multi-Year Capital needs within debt rate limit, downtown campus & roads.

o         Performance Improvement: Lean processes and Customer Centered Government

PUBLIC HEARING:

Chair Doyle opened the floor to those who signed up to speak.  Each speaker was asked to keep their remarks under 3 minutes.  The following individuals expressed their views on various budget policies and choices, and specifically the following pending budget items:

As there were no others from the public wishing to speak, Chair Doyle concluded the Pubic Hearing after reading the statements submitted by the following that wanted their opinion known but did not wish to speak. 

THE PUBLIC HEARING CONCLUDED AT 7:10 P.M.

ANNUAL MEETING:

At 7:10 p.m. Chair Doyle concluded the Public Hearing and announced that the Board would now proceed with the County Board Annual Meeting agenda.

COMMUNICATIONS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

·   COUNTY BOARD CHAIR REPORT

o   LUNCH – The budget portion of the agenda will be addressed on Tuesday morning.  The Board will recess at 11:30 for lunch and reconvene to vote on the final tax levy.

o   SUPERVISOR CONFERENCE REPORTS

·          HAMPSON reported on a National Conference on Tobacco Control that she attended.

·          BINA reported that the Southwest Badger Resource Conservation and Development (SWRCD) had been awarded a $10,000 grant for a mountain bike trail.

o         ORDINANCE #57 TO AMEND CHAPTER 3 ENTTILED “PERSONNEL ADMINISTRATIVE RULES” OF THE GENERAL CODE OF LA CROSSE COUNTY

At the first consideration in September the ordinance was referred back to the Executive Committee as there were questions on the item that authorized department heads over the age of 50 to convert up to 10 days of vacation to deferred compensation.  Chair Doyle reported that the ordinance will be revisited by the Committee.  They will also be looking at management retention issues so the intention is to bring some type of comprehensive plan sometime after the 1^st of the year.

·   COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR REPORT

o   COMPREHENSIVE PLAN – Requested feedback from the Board regarding having the Public Hearing on the Comprehensive Plan in front of the full Board before the December Planning meeting.  At the Planning meeting, there would be a preliminary overview on the initial steps of the LEC addition design, concentrating on sustainability.  Due to the amount of public input heard tonight, all agreed it would be better to hold the Public Hearing on the Comprehensive Plan at a different time.

o   FUTURE OF UNIVERSITY EXTENSION – All supervisors are invited to a session in the Administrative Center Auditorium on Tuesday, November 7^th on the future of University Extension.                       

CHAIR CHANGE:  Chair Doyle yielded the Chair to First Vice Chair Hammes.

APPOINTMENTS

Reappointment of David Eilertson to the Board of Adjustment for a three-year term to expire November 30, 2010.

Reappointment of Terry M. Houlihan as 1^st alternate to the Board of Adjustment for a two-year term to expire November 30, 2009.

Motion by Doyle/T. Johnson to approve the appointments as presented passed on a unanimous voice vote with 3 excused – Maney, L. Pfaff and Bilskemper.

CHAIR CHANGE:  Chair Doyle resumed the Chair.

CONSENT AGENDA

Motion by Plesha/Sebranek to approve by consent agenda the minutes of the County Board of Supervisors Monthly Meeting held October 18, 2007 and the Planning Meeting held November 5, 2007, and the Claims List for $11,510,720.06.  Spiker added approval of the minutes of the Planning Meeting held October 15, 2007.  The motion as amended passed on a unanimous voice vote with 3 excused – Maney, L. Pfaff and Bilskemper.

TERMINATION OF CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT NO. 246 ISSUED TO KENNETH AND BARBARA FEEHAN FILED BY LA CROSSE COUNTY ZONING, PLANNING AND LAND INFORMATION GIS SPECIALIST/ENFORCEMENT OFFICER ON LAND THAT IS ZONED AGRICULTURAL DISTRICT “A” IN THE TOWN OF MEDARY

The La Crosse County Planning, Resources and Development Committee, having considered the application filed by:  Chad Vandenlangenberg, GIS Specialist /Enforcement Officer La Crosse County Zoning, Planning And Land Information Department 400 4^th St N – Room 3170 La Crosse WI 54601 and having held a public hearing on the 29^th day of October, 2007 on a petition to terminate Conditional Use Permit No. 246 issued to Kenneth and Barbara Feehan, W5267 County Road B, La Crosse, WI 54601, and passed by the County Board on April 23, 1992 to operate a small engine repair business from their residence.  Reason for terminating – no longer performing small engine repair on land that is zoned Agricultural District “A” in the Town of Medary on land described as follows:  Described as:  Part of the SW¼ of the SW¼ of Section 13, T 16 N, R 7 W described as Commencing at the southwest corner of the SW¼ of the SW¼, thence North 853’; thence S70˚12’E 139.32’; thence S77˚45’E 52.54’ to the point of beginning; thence S77˚45’E 282.53’; thence S14˚43’W 150’; thence N77˚45’W 282.53’; thence N12˚15’E 150’ to the point of beginning.  Town of Medary.  And pursuant to s. 59.69 Wis. Stats. and s. 17.36 Zoning Code: the Committee did publish and receive proof of a Class II notice of the hearing; did receive receipts of mailing of the notices to the affected Town Clerk(s); did hold a public hearing to hear testimony or correspondence from the people; and, did receive and consider action from the affected Town Board(s).  The Committee and the affected Town Board(s), under s. 17.36(4), have the authority to approve the application with integral conditions or to disapprove of the application.  Having considered the entire record the Committee’s recommendation is to:  Terminate.  By unanimous vote, the Committee recommended terminating Conditional Use Permit No. 246 based on not performing small engine repair for over one year.  The County Board took the following action this 12^th day of November, 2007:  Approved termination.

PLANNING, RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE

Motion by Hammes/Meyer to approve termination as recommended by the Committee passed on a unanimous voice vote with 3 excused - Maney, L. Pfaff and Bilskemper.

CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT NO. 766 FILED BY RONALD G. AND TERRIE ROTHERING TO USE AN EXISTING 50-ft x 100-ft AGRICULTURAL BUILDING FOR INSIDE COMMERCIAL STORAGE IN THE TOWN OF BARRE

The La Crosse County Planning, Resources and Development Committee, having considered the application filed by:  Ronald G. and Terrie Rothering W4551 County Road B West Salem WI  54669 and having held a public hearing on the 29^th day of October, 2007 for a Conditional Use Permit to use an existing 50-ft x 100-ft agricultural building for inside commercial storage only on land that is zoned Exclusive Agricultural District in the Town(s) of Barre on land described as follows:  Part of the NW-SW of Section 17 and part of the NE-SE of Section 18, T 16 N, R 6 W described in tax parcels 2-44-0 and 2-58-0.  Town of Barre.  And pursuant to s. 59.69 Wis. Stats. and s. 17.36 Zoning Code: the Committee did publish and receive proof of a Class II notice of the hearing; did receive receipts of mailing of the notices to the affected Town Clerk(s); did hold a public hearing to hear testimony or correspondence from the people; and, did receive and consider action from the affected Town Board(s).  The Committee and the affected Town Board(s), under s. 17.36(4), have the authority to approve the application with integral conditions or to disapprove of the application.  Having considered the entire record the Committee’s recommendation is to:  Approve subject to 5 conditions.  By unanimous vote, the Committee recommended approval subject to the following five conditions:

1.      No outside storage.

2.      Building can be used for storage October 1 to April 30 annually during the winter months.

3.      Temporary sign not larger than 3-ft x 5-ft October 1 to April 30 annually.

4.      Storage allowed in existing 50-ft x 100-ft pole shed.

5.      Permit is non-transferable.

The County Board took the following action this 12^th day of November, 2007:  Approved subject to conditions as outlined.

PLANNING, RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE

Motion by Hammes/Keil to approve as recommended by the Committee passed on a unanimous voice vote with 3 excused - Maney, L. Pfaff and Bilskemper.

ZONING ORDINANCE #Z168-11/07 RE:  PETITION NO. 1758 FILED BY GARY LASS, GERRARD-HOESCHLER REALTORS, O/B/O DAVID L. WHISTLEMAN TO REZONE FROM TRANSITIONAL AGRICULTURAL DISTRICT TO AGRICULTURAL DISTRICT “A” WITH DEED RESTRICTIONS IN THE TOWN OF ONALASKA

The La Crosse Planning , Resources and Development committee, having considered Petition No. 1758 to amend the La Crosse County Zoning Ordinance filed by:  Gary Lass, Gerrard-Hoeschler Realtors 1131 Main St Onalaska WI  54650, O/B/O David L. Whistleman 230 19^th St S La Crosse WI 54601 and having held a public hearing on the 29^th day of October, 2007 to rezone from Transitional Agricultural District to Agricultural District “A” with deed restrictions the following described land in the Town(s) of Onalaska Part of Government Lot 1 in Section 26, and in part of the SE-SE of Section 23, all in T 17 N, R 8 W more fully described in tax parcels 10-1783-0 and 10-2144-0.  Town of Onalaska.  And pursuant to s. 59.69 Wis. Stats.: the Committee did publish and receive proof of a Class II notice of the hearing; did receive receipts of mailing of the notices to the affected Town Clerk(s); did hold a public hearing to hear testimony and official correspondence; and, did receive and consider action from the affected Town Board(s).  The Committee, under s. 59.69(5)(e)4, Wis. Stats., has the authority to approve the petition as submitted; to disapprove of the petition; or, to modify and approve the petition.  Having considered the entire record the Committee’s recommendation is to: Approve as Conditional Zoning.  By unanimous vote, the Committee recommended approval of the zoning change to Agricultural District “A” Conditional Zoning, subject to the recording of deed restrictions indicating after the creation of 3 parcels, there can be no further subdividing. (If this petition is approved as a conditional zoning, deed restrictions must be recorded before zoning takes effect.) The County Board, under s. 59.69(5)(e)5 Wis. Stats., has the authority to effectuate the petition by ordinance or to disapprove it.  The County Board took the following action this 12^th day of November, 2007:  Approved the petition with conditions, becomes an ordinance, after recording conditions.

PLANNING, RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE

Motion by Hammes/Meyer to approve as recommended by the Committee passed on a unanimous voice vote with 3 excused - Maney, L. Pfaff and Bilskemper.

ZONING ORDINANCE #Z169-11/07 RE:  PETITION NO. 1759 FILED BY THOMAS WHITNEY, O/B/O JAMES W. DAVIS TO REZONE FROM AGRICULTURAL DISTRICT “A” TO AGRICULTURAL DISTRICT “B” IN THE TOWN OF HAMILTON

The La Crosse County Planning, Resources and Development Committee, having considered Petition No. 1759 to amend the La Crosse County Zoning Ordinance filed by:  Thomas Whitney 3638 E Blackhawk Drive Milton WI 53563 O/B/O James W. Davis 11002 460^th St Wanamingo MN 55983 and having held a public hearing on the 29^th day of October, 2007 to rezone from Agricultural District “A” to Agricultural District “B” the following described land in the Town(s) of Hamilton Lot 1 of Certified Survey Map No. 33 in Volume 4.  Town of Hamilton.  And pursuant to s. 59.69 Wis. Stats.: the Committee did publish and receive proof of a Class II notice of the hearing; did receive receipts of mailing of the notices to the affected Town Clerk(s); did hold a public hearing to hear testimony and official correspondence; and, did receive and consider action from the affected Town Board(s).  The Committee, under s. 59.69(5)(e)4, Wis. Stats., has the authority to approve the petition as submitted; to disapprove of the petition; or, to modify and approve the petition.  Having considered the entire record the Committee’s recommendation is to:  Approve.  By unanimous vote, the Committee recommended approval of rezoning to Agricultural District “B”.  (If this petition is approved as a conditional zoning, deed restrictions must be recorded before zoning takes effect.) The County Board, under s. 59.69(5)(e)5 Wis. Stats., has the authority to effectuate the petition by ordinance or to disapprove it.  The County Board took the following action this 12th day of November, 2007:  Approved the petition as submitted, becomes an ordinance.

PLANNING, RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE

Motion by Hammes/Meyer to approve as recommended by the Committee.  Discussion ensued.  Zoning, Planning and Land Information Director Bluske spoke to the petition and responded to questions from the Board.  The motion passed on a unanimous voice vote with 3 excused - Maney, L. Pfaff and Bilskemper.

ZONING ORDINANCE #Z170-11/07 RE:  PETITION NO. 1761 FILED BY CRAIG REEDY, O/B/O JIM SHURSON AND A-1 PUMPING SERVICE INC.  TO REZONE FROM EXCLUSIVE AGRICULTURAL DISTRICT TO AGRICULTURAL DISTRICT “A” IN THE TOWN OF HAMILTON

The La Crosse County Planning, Resources and Development Committee, having considered Petition No. 1761 to amend the La Crosse County Zoning Ordinance filed by:  Craig Reedy N4043 County Rd M West Salem WI 54669, O/B/O Jim Shurson and A-1 Pumping Service Inc. N4314 County Rd M West Salem WI  54669 and having held a public hearing on the 29^th day of October, 2007 to rezone from Exclusive Agricultural District to Agricultural District “A” the following described land in the Town(s) of Hamilton.  Part of the NE-NW of Section 16, T 16 N, R 6 W described as follows:  Commencing at the North ¼ corner of Section 16, thence S16˚37’22”W 547.23’ to the point of beginning of this description:  Thence S00˚06’45”W 175.80’ to the North line of Lot 1, Certified Survey Map, Volume 12, Page 175-175A; thence N88˚20’15”W 100.07’ to the northwest corner thereof; then N00˚06’45”E 175.80’; thence S88˚20’15”E 100.07’ to the point of beginning of this description.  Town of Hamilton.  And pursuant to s. 59.69 Wis. Stats.: the Committee did publish and receive proof of a Class II notice of the hearing; did receive receipts of mailing of the notices to the affected Town Clerk(s); did hold a public hearing to hear testimony and official correspondence; and, did receive and consider action from the affected Town Board(s).  The Committee, under s. 59.69(5)(e)4, Wis. Stats., has the authority to approve the petition as submitted; to disapprove of the petition; or, to modify and approve the petition.  Having considered the entire record the Committee’s recommendation is to: Approve as Conditional Zoning.  By unanimous vote, the Committee recommended approval as Conditional Zoning under Agricultural District “A”, subject to the recording of deed restrictions indicating the parcel can not be subdivided.  (If this petition is approved as a conditional zoning, deed restrictions must be recorded before zoning takes effect.) The County Board, under s. 59.69(5)(e)5 Wis. Stats., has the authority to effectuate the petition by ordinance or to disapprove it.  The County Board took the following action this 12^th day of November, 2007:  Approved the petition with conditions, becomes an or