PUBLIC WORKS AND INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEE

 

Monday, May 7, 2007

Administrative Center – Room 3220

4:00 p.m.

 

MEMBERS PRESENT:  Charles Spiker, Jim Berns (arr @4:03), Leon Pfaff, Ralph Geary, Andrea Richmond, Jeff Schroeder, Jai Johnson     

MEMBERS EXCUSED:  None   

MEMBERS ABSENT:  None      

STAFF & GUESTS:  Dennis Osgood, Keith Back, Jim Speropulos, Mary Kaufmann, Brian Tippetts, Jeff Gloyd, Steve O’Malley, Tom Faella, Ron Lichtie, Thai Vue, David Feyen, David Easterday, Scott & Nicole Suhr, Sharon Hampson, Reid Magney, Cheryl Stephen   

 

CALL TO ORDER

Committee Chair Charles Spiker called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. 

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

MOTION by Schroeder/Richmond to approve minutes of April 9, 2007.  Motion carried unanimously; Berns absent.

 

CONSENT AGENDA

MOTION by Richmond/Pfaff to receive and place on file the following Consent Agenda item:

Motion carried unanimously.  Committee Chair Spiker requested reports from the attendees for the June committee meeting.

 

PUBLIC COMMENT

None requested.

 

APPROVE CHECK REQUISITIONS/PURCHASE ORDERS OVER $20,000

Dennis Osgood distributed information regarding check requisitions to be paid in May, 2007.  MOTION by Geary/Johnson to approve the following check requisitions:

·        Johnson Fargo Culvert Inc.                 $20,005.45

·        Sherwin Industries                                42,335.93

·        Venture Fuels                           20,632.00

·        Vermeer Wisconsin Inc.                        38,767.00

Motion carried unanimously.

 

RESOLUTION RE MEDICATION DISPOSAL PROGRAM

Brian Tippetts and Jeff Gloyd reviewed.  In 2000, WI waterways were tested and medication related contaminants were found.  La Crosse County wants to offer satisfactory disposal by utilizing the Household Hazardous Materials (HHM) Program.  The Solid Waste Dept. and Sheriff’s Department will develop and implement medication collection and a disposal program that meets local, state and federal regulations.  Estimated start-up costs are $25,000 and a fundraising campaign will be led by program partners who will see that these costs are covered; any future funding will be covered by existing and future HHM budgets.  MOTION by Pfaff/Berns to approve the resolution.  Supervisors Berns and Johnson expressed appreciation for the new program.  Motion carried unanimously.  

   

RESOLUTION RE APPROVAL OF GOOSE ISLAND DEER MANAGEMENT PLAN AND MANAGED DEER HUNT FOR 2007

Jim Speropulos noted another managed deer hunt is recommended at Goose Island in December 2007.  Ron Lichtie, DNR Wildlife Biologist, reviewed the need for such.  A detailed 7-page report, “Goose Island Deer Management Plan for 2007”, was attached to the resolution.  Copies of “Spring 2007 Aerial Deer Survey” were distributed that showed deer count; total at that time was 64 in various areas of the park, including 24 in some of the adjacent uplands.  Ron noted the count as not accurate and that deer can be in hidden areas; he estimated total number in the park at around 80-90, and by fall of 2007 that could increase from 100-120.  Of the 37 deer that were harvested in 2006, none had CWD, but 18 had liver parasites and vast majority were underweight.

 

The Task Team that was formed in 2006, consisting of US Army Corps of Engineers, US Fish & Wildlife Service, WI DNR, the County and Town of Shelby, recommend another managed deer hunt for 2007.  The North American Squirrel Association has again agreed to develop a managed hunt for the physically challenged participants.

 

MOTION by Pfaff/Richmond to approve the resolution which grants exception to the prohibitions set forth in s. 19.03(1)-(3) of the County Code to permit the possession, use and discharge of firearms by the participants of the managed deer hunt at Goose Island Park on December 8 and 9, 2007.  Motion carried unanimously.  Committee Chair Spiker noted the 7-page report was excellent.      

 

HMONG NEW YEAR REQUEST – VETERANS MEMORIAL PARK

Thai Vue was present to answer questions.  He had sent a letter on April 26, 2007, asking permission to use Veterans Memorial Park for the 18th Annual Hmong New Year on October 13-14, 2007.  It was noted that the Facilities Dept. and the Sheriff’s Dept. had never encountered any significant problems from previous years.  MOTION by Richmond/Geary to approve the use of Veterans Memorial Park for the 18th Annual Hmong New Year on October 13-14, 2007.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

WILDLIFE FOOD PLOT REQUEST – WEST OF HIGHWAY 108

David Feyen had sent a letter requesting permission to plant a wildlife food plot on 1 acre of County-owned land west of Highway 108.  Jim Speropulos distributed copies of aerial photo showing the exact area; he noted that there was an agreement with another farmer until the end of 2008, but for last year and again this year, this person does not intend to plant in this particular area.  The entire County owned land in this area is approximately 17-19 acres and is open to the public for hunting.  MOTION by Richmond/Pfaff to approve a 1-year agreement with David Feyen to plant approximately 1 acre total of wildlife food plots on County owned land located west of Highways 16 and 108 in the areas as shown on the distributed map.  Motion carried unanimously.  Jim Speropulos suggested to Mr. Feyen that he contact DNR for advice on proper seed mixture for such wildlife food plots.

 

WEST SALEM ROD & GUN CLUB REQUEST – VETERANS MEMORIAL PARK

David Easterday, as a member of the West Salem Rod & Gun Club, sent a letter on April 27, 2007, asking permission to use Veterans Memorial Park on May 12, 2007 to hold a Youth Fishing Contest.  Mr. Easterday was present to answer questions.  He noted this as 3rd year of such event; Boy Scout Troop #77 prepares the food and is reimbursed by the club.  The club will have insurance for that one day.  MOTION by Pfaff/Berns to approve the use of Veterans Memorial Park on May 12 from 9:00 a.m. through noon for a Youth Fishing Contest as sponsored by the West Salem Rod & Gun Club.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

2006 PARK SYSTEM ANNUAL STATISTICAL REPORT

Copies of the annual report were sent with the agenda.  MOTION by Berns/Richmond to approve the 2006 Park System Annual Statistical Report as distributed.  Motion carried unanimously.  Some discussion on the fact that the County leases the Goose Island Park/Campground land from the US Army Corps of Engineers.

 

BID RE PURCHASE OF CRAWLER/DOZER

Dennis Osgood reviewed, noting 4 vendors had submitted proposals.  A 5-person staff evaluation team evaluated the proposals based on specifications, delivery/service/warranty, and price.  The vendor with the highest score was also the lowest bidder, that being Roland Machinery.  The evaluation team recommends approval of the low bidder as well as purchase without trade-in as the used machinery broker should get a better price by selling it outright.  MOTION by Schroeder/Pfaff to approve the purchase of a crawler dozer from Roland Machinery in amount of $85,760 for a Komatsu - Model D39PX-21, without trade-in, and to be paid from the Machinery Fund.  Motion carried unanimously.  

 

Other vendors/proposals (without trade-in) as follows:

St. Joseph Equipment               $105,568                     Case/850K LGP

Brooks Tractor                           105,950                     John Deere/650J LGP

FABCO Equipment                    107,500                     Caterpillar/D5G LGP

 

RFP RE COMPREHENSIVE ROAD MAINTENANCE/REPLACEMENT STUDY – PHASE 2

Dennis reviewed noting this as the 2nd phase of the Comprehensive Road Maintenance/Replacement Study.  It will include collecting and analyzing future traffic projections to identify areas needing improvement, creating a major thoroughfare for County highways, recommending policies for traffic study requirements and impacts of development, and recommend guidelines for access control, intersection spacing guidelines and turn lane requirements.  Tom Faella of MPO was able to get a federal grant that will cover about 65% of the cost; the remainder of the cost estimated at $40,000 is in the 2007 Highway Dept. budget.  The RFP was distributed to five vendors but only one submitted a proposal, that being Kimley-Horn and Associates out of St. Paul; they had also done Phase 1.  MOTION by Berns/Richmond to approve the services of Kimley-Horn and Associates to provide the Comprehensive Road Maintenance and Replacement Study for Phase 2.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

LETTER FROM BICYCLE PEDESTRIAN ADVISORY CHAIRMAN (LAPC) RE COUNTY HIGHWAY SHOULDER POLICY

Committee Chair Spiker noted a letter was sent to the members of this committee as well as the County Comprehensive Planning Committee from the Bicycle/Pedestrian Advisory Committee (a subcommittee of the La Crosse Area Planning Committee [LAPC]).  The letter noted the subcommittee voted unanimously to recommend as part of the Comprehensive Planning process to include 3-foot shoulder paving on certain County roads for use by bicyclists.  Dennis noted cost, safety and need to meet State standards. After some discussion, committee members concurred with Committee Chair Spiker that the letter should be referred to the LAPC.

 

FOLLOW UP FROM COUNTY BOARD RETREAT – WHAT ADDITIONAL INFORMATION SHOULD COME BEFORE THE COMMITTEE

Steve O’Malley said this came about from the County Board Retreat, and that some Board Members would like more information.  No suggestions offered. 

 

ITEMS FOR FUTURE AGENDAS

None requested.

 

ADJOURNMENT

MOTION by Richmond/Schroeder to adjourn the meeting.  Motion carried unanimously.  The meeting adjourned at 4:52 p.m.

 

Disclaimer:  The above minutes may be approved, amended or corrected at the next committee meeting.

 

Cheryl Stephen, Recorder