LA CROSSE COUNTY

LOCAL EMERGENCY PLANNING COMMITTEE (LEPC) MEETING

May 21, 2008

Administrative Center, Room 3220

9:00 am

CALL TO ORDER

Mark Schultz, Vice-Chair, called the meeting to order at 9:03 am

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Motion by Gregg Cleveland/Tom Wright to approve the March 19, 2008 meeting minutes.  Motion carried.

UPDATE COUNTY HAZARDOUS ANALYSIS

It’s been almost a year since Jaime Balongia, our intern, completed the County Hazard Analysis Plan. It’s that time we need to consider if we need to go through it again and update it.  There are several items not ranked that should be considered.  Nuclear power plant is ranked high but there are no cores at the power plant in Genoa.  Is this a project we want to do again this year?  Phil recommends that this plan be updated once a year.  Marc thinks it’s a good idea to update.  Keith asks if we should form a subcommittee to review it.  Phil thinks that Keith Butler should update it and then have the full committee review and make any recommendations from that point.  Phil made motion to have Keith complete the update and bring it to the next LEPC meeting.  Second by Sherri.  Motion carried. 

LEPC AND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ACTIONS

Keith informed the group that the Mississippi River Regional Planning Commission has completed the mitigation plan.  There are a whole mess of things that need action from this plan.  Do we want to tackle these items or even some of them?  Keith suggests that we pick a few of the actions and complete them.  There is no money available for doing this.  This is up to the group to decide what we want to do.  Vicki suggests that we remind municipalities of the importance of accepting these mitigation plans and getting them through their agenda and approval process as soon as possible.  There is a competitive grant that we could apply for.

1^st QUARTER HAZMAT TEAM REPORT

Gregg said a large amount of focus during the first quarter was on training, mainly on radiation and terrorism.  They did meet with La Crosse County LEPC, Jackson County Emergency Management; they participated in the Sparta Tabletop exercise, and had a meeting with the Fort Mc Coy Fire Dept and Hazmat Team.

There was an incident regarding a gas leak, it was determined that no odorant was put into the gas lines so no one knew the gas was leaking or for how long.  This was stopped before any problems could occur. 

PUBLIC COMMENTS

Jamie of the American Red Cross reported the following for the first quarter:

10 blood drives

18 families helped

Safety courses taught to142 people

Held four presentations with 227 people attending

Updating partnerships with hotels and restaurants.  This is done to obtain rates and pricing ahead of time, so during an incident it is already determined.  Also determined is what the facility can or will provide.

They will be participating in the functional exercise at Sparta on 5/22/08, and plan on feeding 200 people

They will have extra summer training as they are pushing volunteer recruitment.

Construction of the Red Cross building is progressing and should be completed by the middle of July.  The construction includes a classroom, updating offices, storage space and room for expansion. 

COMMUNICATIONS FROM COMMITTEE MEMBERS

Keith asked Ron about the Radiological training regarding transportation coming up.  Ron said he doesn’t get much information on this anymore.  So he is not exactly sure.

We did update the Hydrite Chemical Co plan this year.

Sherri would encourage everyone to give blood during the summer. 

Keith mentioned that last meeting Al Graewin came to talk about a Partnership Grant.  This grant has been approved and looks likes this project will be going forward. 

Also a large project we are doing is a typing resource project.  This is huge.  We have started this project and will be working on it for a while.  The hard part has been that everyone is asking what happens when this is complete, and how this information will be used.

Message boards for roadways are approximately $27,000 and up.  Unfortunately there is no grant money available.

Two events:  S&S Motorcycle will have their 50^th anniversary party here at the Oktoberfest grounds on June 26, 27, 28 and are expecting over 50,000 people.

Our Lady of Guadalupe shrine will have a week long event and are expecting over 20,000 people in the end of July through the first few days in August.

FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS:  Nothing specific

ADJOURNMENT:

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 9:48 am.

The above minutes may be approved, amended, or corrected at the next Committee Meeting.

Kim Olson, Recorder