PUBLIC WORKS AND INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEE

Monday, August 6, 2007

Administrative Center – Room 3220

4:00 p.m.

MEMBERS PRESENT:  Charles Spiker, Leon Pfaff, Ralph Geary, Andrea Richmond, Jai Johnson, Jeff Schroeder     

MEMBERS EXCUSED:  Jim Berns   

MEMBERS ABSENT:  None      

STAFF & GUESTS:  Dennis Osgood, Keith Back, Jim Speropulos, Mary Kaufmann, Brian Tippetts, Steve O’Malley, Dale Hexom, Cheryl Stephen   

CALL TO ORDER

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

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

MOTION by Richmond/Johnson to approve minutes of July 9, 2007.  Motion carried unanimously; Berns excused.

CONSENT AGENDA

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

• Economic Development Fund Minutes of July 5, 2007

Motion carried unanimously.  Schroeder questioned why these are brought before this committee.  Spiker noted because they relate to County-owned land and also as a way of keeping the committee informed.  It was also pointed out that a related resolution is on today’s agenda.    

PUBLIC COMMENT

None requested.

APPROVE CHECK REQUISITIONS OVER $20,000

Dennis Osgood distributed a handout of the check requisitions needing committee approval for the August payment cycle.  MOTION by Pfaff/Richmond to approve the following check requisitions as distributed:

Motion carried unanimously; Berns excused.

REPORT ON XCEL ENERGY RDF PLANT DOWN TIME

Brian Tippetts reviewed as well as distributed a 2-page report entitled, “La Crosse County Resource Recovery Facility – Outline of Waste Diversion Days for 2006 and 2007 (YTD)”.  The handout also included “Capacity/Obligations, Operation and Maintenance of the Facility” per the contract between the County and Xcel Energy.  Of the last 1.5+ years, there were a total of 13 days of waste diversions; as compared to prior years, this was more than usual.  Of the 13 waste diversion days in 2006 and 2007 (YTD), 3 days related to large volumes of waste, 3 days related to required maintenance, and 7 days related to unscheduled repairs.  Brian noted the cost affects relating to waste diversions to the County Landfill.  Miscellaneous questions and answers followed.

RESOLUTION RE APPROVAL OF I-90 DESIGNATED ALTERNATIVE ROUTES

Dennis reviewed.  This was brought to the committee last month followed by direction of the committee to create a resolution, including a copy of the Memorandum of Understanding between the County and State DOT.  Dennis noted one additional route was added, that being CTH B from West Salem to STH 162 in Bangor.  The only concern mentioned was made by Committee Chair Spiker who asked about the alternate routes in relation to the road maintenance study.  MOTION by Schroeder/Pfaff to approve the resolution, which approves the noted I-90 designated alternate routes, including the MOU, with the State DOT.  Motion carried unanimously; Berns excused. 

STATE DOT DISCRETIONARY MAINTENANCE AGREEMENT - $63,000 FOR CABLE GUARD REPAIR ALONG STH 108 MINDORO CUT AREA

Dennis reviewed, noting the project cost covers wages, supplies and use of County Highway equipment.  MOTION by Pfaff/Geary to approve the Discretionary Highway Maintenance Agreement with the State DOT in amount of $63,000 for the County Highway Dept. to do cable guard work along STH 108 in the Mindoro Cut area.  Motion carried unanimously; Berns excused.

INFORMATION RE DAMAGE TO HIGHWAY EQUIPMENT LOCATED IN JACKSON COUNTY

Sent with the agenda was a written memo from Dennis to the committee relating to this topic.  It basically relayed the fact that the La Crosse County Highway Dept. was assisting Jackson County with a seal coating project in June, 2007.  The sharing of equipment and assisting with projects is common practice between counties as it helps with receiving additional revenue.  During this seal coating project, damage to a chip spreader occurred while a Meigs Oil Company transport driver backed into it.  The company has assured that all repairs or replacement will be taken care of.  Committee Chair Spiker requested the memo/report be placed on file and that the committee be kept informed as to status of reimbursement.

RESOLUTION RE SALE OF PROPERTY TO TOWN OF SHELBY

Jim Speropulos reviewed.  This parcel of land was obtained from tax delinquent foreclosure.  This small parcel has the Wedgewood Valley Addition sign on it; a picture of the small parcel was shared with the committee members.  MOTION by Richmond/Schroeder to approve the resolution which authorizes the sale of this small piece of land to the Town of Shelby for payment of the outstanding taxes against said parcel in amount of $19.85.  Motion carried unanimously; Berns excused.  

RESOLUTION RE AUTHORIZATION TO TRANSFER FUNDS FROM BUDGETED RESERVE TO CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT FOR CONSTRUCTION OF A BATH/SHOWER FACILITY AT VETERANS MEMORIAL CAMPGROUND

Jim reviewed, noting this project was budgeted in 2006, but not completed so the funds were carried forward to 2007.  When the bids were received, there were not enough funds to cover the cost of the project, so this resolution is requesting two account transfers as well as approving the low bid of RJ Jurowski Construction, Inc.  MOTION by Richmond/Johnson to approve the resolution which approves the low bid of RJ Jurowski Construction, Inc. in amount of $249,925, including the two account transfers, those being $50,000 from Park Maintenance Shop budgeted reserve and $62,000 from Campground Expansion budgeted reserve.  Motion carried unanimously; Berns excused.  Committee Chair Spiker questioned if this will need 2/3 vote of the County Board.  Steve O’Malley will check.  Bid summary as follows:  

Supervisor Johnson asked if solar water heating could be considered.  Jim said he will check into it, but being this was not in the specifications, a change order would be required.

OKTOBERFEST PARKING CONCESSION

Jim reviewed, noting as done in previous years, County departments are notified that parking lots A and C are available during the Oktoberfest as parking concessions/fundraising projects.  If there is no interest by County departments, then it is posted in the Tribune for other non-profit organizations to consider.  He also noted that it is not offered to the same group two years in a row.  MOTION by Pfaff/Geary to authorize the Facilities Dept. to proceed with offering parking lots A & C during 2007 Oktoberfest as parking concession, first to County departments, and if no interest, then proceed with posting in the Tribune – same process as done in prior years.  Motion carried unanimously; Berns excused. 

RESOLUTION RE AUTHORIZATION FRO LA CROSSE COUNTY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FUND, INC. TO ACT AS AGENT FOR LA CROSSE COUNTY IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF PHASE 2 OF THE LAKEVIEW BUSINESS PARK

Charlie Handy reviewed as well as distributed current aerial photos of the Lakeview Business Park.  He noted recent land sales and developers agreements with River Steel (currently under construction) and most recent sale of 11 acres to Amerhart, with an option of an additional 4 acres which is currently owned by the County.  In the creation of Phase 1, the Economic Development Fund purchased the land from the County.  In the next Phase 2, the request is to have the Fund act as La Crosse County’s agent; this eliminates the need  to draft a deed and for the property to change hands more than once.  Miscellaneous questions and discussion on future annexation to the Village of West Salem.  MOTION by Richmond/Johnson to approve the resolution which authorizes the County Board to authorize the Fund to act as La Crosse County’s agent in the development of Phase 2 of the Lakeview Business Park.  Motion carried unanimously; Berns excused.  

ITEMS FOR FUTURE AGENDAS

• Update on the alternate entrance for the Highway Dept.
• Update on request by Village of West Salem to purchase land for water tower
• Report on vandalism at Goose Island Park/Campground

ADJOURNMENT

MOTION by Richmond/Geary to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried unanimously; Berns excused. The meeting adjourned at 4:35 p.m.

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

Cheryl Stephen, Recorder