Thursday, February 7, 2008
Administrative Center – Room 3220
7:30 a.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Steve Doyle, Steve O’Malley, Vicki Burke, Barry Bertelsen, John Wettstein, Mary Jo Werner, Bill Shepherd, Audrey Kader, Brad Pfaff (exc/arr @7:55)
MEMBERS EXCUSED: Don Brenengen, Joan Curran, George Hammes, Gary Ingvalson, J. Terry Hanson, Tara Johnson
MEMBERS ABSENT: None
OTHERS PRESENT: Brian Fukuda, Charlie Handy, Greg Flogstad, Jennifer Kuderer, Karl Green, Tim Kabat, Catherine Kolkmeier, Cheryl Stephen
Steve Doyle, President of the Board, called the meeting to order at 7:35 a.m.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
MOTION by Burke/Wettstein to approve minutes of January 3, 2008. Motion carried unanimously; excused: Brenengen, Curran, Hammes, Ingvalson, Hanson, Johnson, Pfaff.
PUBLIC COMMENT
None requested.
APPROVE PAYMENT OF VOUCHERS
One check requisition was presented and listed in the Staff Report. MOTION by Shepherd/Bertelsen to approve payment of $9,318.36 to Foth Environment, LLC, for engineering services through December 31, 2007. Staff concurs with the payment. Motion carried unanimously; excused: Brenengen, Curran, Hammes, Ingvalson, Hanson, Johnson, Pfaff.
REVIEW LA CROSSE COUNTY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FUND ORDINANCE
Brian Fukuda noted at the last meeting, there was a suggestion to add an additional member to the Board that had banking/financial background. Included with the agenda packet was a copy of the County ordinance that pertains to the Economic Development Fund Board membership. Membership has certain criteria; 15 members that include the Board Chairs, additional County Board members, plus six citizen members. To increase the membership, the ordinance has to be revised, or a new member could fill a vacancy. Discussion followed. Chairman Doyle noted additional members also requires larger quorum which is a majority of the total membership. There was a suggestion to add a clause in the current ordinance for membership flexibility, such as use the words “at least”. General agreement to wait until after the April election and then bring forth an ordinance that includes suggested membership changes and/or flexibility language, plus membership terms of 2 or more years.
RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF CITY OF LA CROSS AND DOWNTOWN MAINSTREET INC. JOINT APPLICATION TO THE STATE OF WISCONSIN PROGRAM FOR DESIGNATION AS A MAIN STREET COMMUNITY
Steve O’Malley reviewed the benefits for the City of La Crosse and Downtown Mainstreet Inc. in becoming a Main Street Community. Members of this Board were also asked to write letters of support. Tim Kabat also reiterated the benefit of the designation, if chosen. MOTION by Werner/Burke to approve the resolution that endorses the joint application by the City and Downtown Mainstreet Inc., as well as pledges up to $2,500 in annually for the next 3 years to Downtown Mainstreet Inc. Motion carried unanimously; excused: Brenengen, Curran, Hammes, Ingvalson, Hanson, Johnson, Pfaff.
RECOMMEND RESOLUTION FOR SALE OF 1.4 ACRES TO VILLAGE OF WEST SALEM FOR RESERVOIR SITE
Charlie reviewed as well as distributed aerial photo of the proposed reservoir site; this is the best location on the County Farm as to land height and type of soils as needed for the water reservoir. MOTION by Kader/Burke to recommend to the Public Works & Infrastructure Committee and County Board the sale of 1.43 acres to the Village of West Salem as needed for a water storage system. Motion carried unanimously; excused: Brenengen, Curran, Hammes, Ingvalson, Hanson, Johnson, Pfaff.
COUNTY FARM MASTER PLAN OPTIONS
Charlie reviewed. Included with the agenda packets was a spreadsheet relating tax base numbers. The information was for all 3 options as prepared by Schreiber Anderson, as well as a 4th option based on conventional 2 or less housing units per acre; the other 3 options have higher residential density (6-15 units per acre). The key information provided was the projection for the tax base. Charlie presented a slide show on schematic block developments ranging from 2-8 units per acre. Discussion on developers and requirement for them to meet certain standards; this can be placed in the covenants or by developer’s agreements, or deed restrictions. It may take 15 years to develop; it’s a unique market for a walkable neighborhood while at the same time promoting social choices. Chairman Doyle thanked staff for providing the information noting the Board will make recommendations at the March meeting and then on to the County Board at their March 10th Planning meeting; he requested staff to prepare pros and cons for each of the options – a separate sheet for each. Charlie noted that each option was not exclusive and we could approve a final hybrid plan with elements of each option. The information as presented today will be made available on the County Economic Development website.
LAKEVIEW PROJECT UPDATE AND TIF STATUS REPORT
Brian gave a brief update on Lakeview project. Staff met with and is working with EDA so they can sign off on the plans in order to move forward with the Village reservoir and the rail agreements with Amerhart. Staff is working with another large prospect that is considering a phase-in project.
Brian noted a 2-page memo and economic feasibility analysis tables for TIF #1 were sent with the agenda; the TIF plan suggests annual review. In summary: expenses were lower than projected for 2006 and 2007; the mil rate for the Village of West Salem has decreased based on comprehensive reassessments; and assessment values are higher than estimated. Discussion on discrepancies between local assessor and State assessor relating to manufacturing properties; the local assessor and county staff are providing information to the State assessor regarding land and improvement values in the area. Audrey Kader suggested for the next TIF report, to include the first projection table so the Board can use as comparison tool.
CONSIDERATION OF RAIL AGREEMENTS BETWEEN CP RAIL, AMERHART, AND LA CROSSE COUNTY
Waiting on CP Rail to return such agreements; matter referred to a future meeting. Supervisor Pfaff commended staff
REVIEW OF COMMITTEE GOALS
Brian noted considerable progress made on the goals as approved by the Board in 2007. May want to expand on some, such as sustainability/alternative energy, housing, and marketing. Chairman Doyle suggested further review after the April election.
AGENCY REPORTS
Health Science Consortium – Catherine Kolkmeier gave an overview of their projects:
· Health Scorecard – visit their website at www.lmhscscorecard.com; information includes: health data on 20 counties in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa; risk factor data; data comparisons at county, state and national levels; trend reporting; current demographic data; and scored comparisons with national and state benchmarks. This is a valuable tool for researchers, faculty, students, and media.
· Alcohol related injuries between 12-24 year olds; received a planning grant for La Crosse County and halfway through it; a report will be compiled – “Economic Burden of Injury Report”; also created an asset inventory; and creating a Strategic Plan; received a lot of local support for this project.
· Working in partnership and merge with Winona State to create an online tool to assist students’ placement into clinical sites; both of the local medical institutions are also involved.
· There are 3 partners in the Health Science Consortium building: UW-La Crosse, WTC, and Gundersen Lutheran.
· Upcoming simulation conference at Viterbo.
· Challenge of maintaining state-of-the-art equipment.
CLOSED SESSION (pursuant to s. 19.85(1)(e) Wis. Stats.)
Not needed.
ITEMS FOR FUTURE AGENDAS
NEXT MEETING
Thursday, March 6th at 7:30 a.m.
ADJOURNMENT
MOTION by Wettstein/Kader to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried unanimously; excused: Brenengen, Curran, Hammes, Ingvalson, Hanson, Johnson. The meeting adjourned at 8:48 a.m.
Disclaimer: The above minutes may be approved, amended or corrected at the next committee meeting.
Cheryl Stephen, Recorder