Thursday, January 3, 2008
Administrative Center – Room 3220
7:30 a.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Steve Doyle, Steve O’Malley, Vicki Burke, Barry Bertelsen, J. Terry Hanson, Don Brenengen (exc @8:39), John Wettstein, Mary Jo Werner, Bill Shepherd, Joan Curran (arr @7:35), Audrey Kader (arr @7:38), Gary Ingvalson (arr @7:38), Tara Johnson (exc/arr @7:47), Brad Pfaff (exc/arr @8:03)
MEMBERS EXCUSED: George Hammes
MEMBERS ABSENT: None
OTHERS PRESENT: Brian Fukuda, Charlie Handy, Jennifer Kuderer, Karl Green, Tim Kabat, Dennis Manthei, Greg Flogstad, Reid Magney, Cheryl Stephen
Steve Doyle, President of the Board, called the meeting to order at 7:33 a.m.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
MOTION by O’Malley/Werner to approve minutes of December 13, 2007. Motion carried unanimously; Hammes, Johnson, Pfaff excused; Curran, Ingvalson, Kader absent.
PUBLIC COMMENT
None requested.
APPROVE PAYMENT OF VOUCHERS
One check requisition was presented and listed in the Staff Report as sent with the agenda. MOTION by Burke/Bertelsen to approve payment of $21,907.17 to Foth Environmental for engineering services as approved by staff. Motion carried unanimously; Hammes, Johnson, Pfaff excused; Curran, Kader, Ingvalson absent.
COUNTY FARM MASTER PLAN OPTIONS
Brian Fukuda gave an update as to what occurred at the last meeting and direction by committee. Information was sent via email to board members asking for written responses; this information would then be shared with Schreiber Anderson, but very few responses received. Also question as to who should be approving the final Master Plan. Board Chair Doyle said it needs to be presented by the consultant to the entire County Board and then back through committee cycle that would include Planning Resources & Development Committee and Public Works & Infrastructure Committee. Additional comments as follows:
· Brenengen would like to know the projection of cost differences between the 3 plans/options
(estimated percentage); and maintenance could be another issue that should be considered.
· Curran also suggested information on associated revenue stream that would help offset the expenses (such as tax base, increase in number of jobs, etc.) that could end up as net benefit. Need to consider the overall objective in the selection process.
· Board Chair Doyle said the County is not in charge of the development; the County will give guidance and set the parameters.
· Werner thought Plan #2 is easier to access the commercial section – better I-90 access, but more residential vs. commercial as compared to the other two.
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· Wettstein said he is not qualified to make any decisions on the 3 plans; that’s why experts were hired; he basically wants to see an excellent tax base and a nice community.
· Green reviewed the Cost of Community Services Study as done for the Town of Holland, noting the impact of residential growth and cost of providing services; the survey showed that for every $1 of tax base from low density residential, it cost $1.14 for services; as compared to commercial, services were less costly and generated more tax base.
· Kader noted the importance of having a conceptual plan. She also noted that Plan #3 has a better traffic flow plan.
· Charlie noted the residential density in each of the 3 plans; need to change vision of future development – less sprawl; need connectivity – trail systems, sidewalks, etc. Most want to spend less time in their cars. The density of residential is the key in building tax base. Based on 6 to 15 residential units per acre, that brings in more tax base than commercial though at more expense for the Village. Plan #3 has the most infrastructure cost.
· Supervisor Hanson said additional jobs are needed as there is adequate housing already there and planned for future developments; residents need jobs closer to home so they do not have to drive to other locations.
· Board Chair Doyle suggested videos of communities with similar concepts, such as Middleton, Madison, etc., be viewed at the next committee meeting.
· O’Malley and staff will work on projections (density, tax base, jobs) and compare to what is already in West Salem.
APPROVE REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL (RFP) FOR CDBG-EAP GRANT
Charlie reviewed. A housing provider is needed to assist with the $380,000 grant in providing relief to County flood victims. The grant pays for the administration so there is no cost to La Crosse County. In December, RFP’s were sent to three housing providers; only one submitted a proposal, that being CouleeCap; the other two vendors were called as follow up and they indicated that they were not interested, did not have the personnel or the experience. CouleeCap cost for grant administration is 15% of the grant total; this is normal rate for this kind of administration. Copies of CouleeCap proposal were made available to the board members. MOTION by Burke/Shepherd to approve CouleeCap as the administrator/provider for the CDBG-EAP grant in amount of $380,000. Estimated administration cost will be approximately $57,000 based on 15% of the grant total; they are also administering the same grants for Monroe, Vernon and Crawford Counties. Motion carried unanimously; Hammes excused.
LAKEVIEW BUSINESS PARK LAND PRICING
A one-page report was sent with the agenda that included staff recommendations. Brian noted discussion on this topic started back in September, 2007. There have been no increases since 2003, and land values continue to increase in value. Noted comparable industrial land prices in and around the area. Below are staff recommendations regarding land pricing:
· $28,000 per acre for parcels 3 acres or larger
· $33,000 per acre for parcels between 2 and 3 acres
· $38,000 per acre for parcels less than 2 acres
Staff also made a recommendation of implementing a strategy to use as a tool to encourage businesses to exceed County expectations for the park in the areas of density, tax base creation, job creation and rail use; the strategy is to offer discount on original land price based on exceeding two the following thresholds and per their development agreement:
Page 3 – Economic Development Committee Minutes of January 3, 2008
· 35% or greater coverage ratio
· Guarantee of greater initial construction value of improvements - $300,000/acre in the medium scale development area or $250,000/acre in the large scale area.
· Guarantee of the creation of new jobs – at least 1.5 FTE per acre at wage rates which are 135% of County Median Wage Rate. These jobs, above the current employment, must be created within 2 years of building occupancy.
· Use of rail – at a minimum level of 100 cars per year.
MOTION by Hanson/Werner to approve, as presented, new land prices for the Lakeview Business Park, including land sale strategies. (See above.) MOTION by Bertelsen/Wettstein to amend the motion that includes yearly review of the Lakeview Business Park land prices at the December monthly meeting, including data information of comparable parks. Motion on the amendment carried unanimously; Hammes excused. Motion as amended carried unanimously; Hammes excused.
LAKEVIEW PROJECT UPDATE
Brian noted River Steel is moving in as of December; they are very happy with the location and with their building; they are planning a grand opening for sometime in February. Brian also noted for the next committee meeting, need to revisit annually the status of the TIF.
REVIEW OF COMMITTEE GOALS
Brian said these will be reviewed at the February meeting; need to cross off the list those as completed or undoable and/or add to the list. The results of the process will affect staff work plans. Curran suggested the addition of a scorecard where staff could make notations as to completed or on-going plus comments and/or recommendations. Supervisor Johnson also suggested inclusion of connections with other committees and departments would also be helpful.
AGENCY REPORTS
UW Extension – Karl Green, Community Development Agent, distributed copies of his written report. He went on to review his activities over the past year, as follows:
· As part of the public education and outreach component of Stormwater Management, made presentations to the County Towns Association and to West Salem Business Association; also working with the school districts in implementing into their education program for grades K-8; and working on County ordinance.
· Continue to work with Village of Holmen on their Community Preparedness Index Survey.
· Working with City of La Crosse on First Impressions Study with City of Oshkosh; plan to complete a report by end of January.
· Working with County/City Joint Oversight Committee on Sustainability; facilitated a Retreat for the committee and staff in December.
· Developed and presented educational program on bio-energy to various community and business groups. The program focuses on 4 basic forms: ethanol, bio-diesel, biomass/refuse derived fuel, and methane digestion – all which could be used or created locally.
Schedule of Reports for 2008 – Brian noted the plan is to bring in 1-2 outside agencies per month to give a brief presentation/report. He’s still working on contacts and needs to fine-tune the schedule.
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ITEMS FOR FUTURE AGENDAS
NEXT MEETING
Thursday, February 7th at 7:30 a.m.
ADJOURNMENT
MOTION by Hanson/Curran to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried unanimously; Hammes, Brenengen excused. The meeting adjourned at 8:56 a.m.
Disclaimer: The above minutes may be approved, amended or corrected at the next committee meeting.
Cheryl Stephen, Recorder