PLANNING, RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
Monday, February 4, 2008
Administrative Center – Room 3220
3:00 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT: George Hammes, J. Terry Hanson, Tom Rauk, Don Meyer, Don Bina, Brian Kapanke, David Hansen (FSA rep.)
MEMBERS EXCUSED: Robert Keil
MEMBERS ABSENT: None
STAFF & GUESTS: Jeff Bluske, Gregg Stangl, Mike Weibel, Bill Jung, Charlie Handy, Karl Green, Steve O’Malley, Robert Taunt, Ray Ebert, Cheryl Stephen
CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL
Committee Chair George Hammes called the meeting to order at 3:01 p.m.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
MOTION by Hanson/Meyer to approve minutes of January 2, 2008. Motion carried unanimously; Keil excused.
PUBLIC COMMENT
None requested.
RESOLUTION RE APPROVAL OF THE THIRD ADDITION TO BURNS CEMETERY
MOTION by Bina/Hanson to approve the resolution. MOTION by Rauk/Meyer to defer for 45 days. Supervisor Rauk noted that he would like to view the property. Bill Jung reviewed, noting back in 1946, this piece was surveyed and added to the cemetery. It was never platted. It’s now a fenced area and is not a zoning issue; it’s actually a housekeeping matter. Motion to defer FAILED on 3 to 3 tie vote: Rauk-yes, Meyer-yes, Kapanke-yes, Bina-no, Hanson-no, Hammes-no; Keil excused. Motion to approve the resolution carried on 5 to 1 vote; Rauk-no; Keil excused.
COUNTY SURVEYOR ANNUAL REPORT
Copies of the 2007 Annual County Surveyor Report were sent with the agenda. Bill Jung was available to answer questions. There being no questions, Committee Chair Hammes declared the report as received and filed.
LAND CONSERVATION ANNUAL REPORT
Copies of the 2007 Annual Report for the La Crosse County Department of Land Conservation were sent to the committee members. Gregg Stangl was available to answer questions. Supervisor Bina asked if there are enough funds in their budget in order to complete projects. Gregg noted so far so good, but upcoming stormwater regulations will affect his budget. Supervisor Rauk noted his appreciation for the detailed information, in particular relating to water quality and management. There being no further questions, Committee Chair Hammes declared the report as received and filed.
RESOLUTION TO APPROVE THE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING FOR A BOUNDARY AGREEMENT BETWEEN TOWN OF HAMILTON, VILLAGE OF WEST SALEM, CITY OF ONALASKA AND LA CROSSE COUNTY
MOTION by Rauk/Meyer to approve the resolution. Supervisor Bina requested further clarification. Charlie Handy reviewed, noting he and Brian Fukuda served as mediators in this matter. The three municipalities were discussing where boundary lines should fall; the City of Onalaska was pursuing extension of the sewer service area because of possible annexation to the city; these created concerns of the residents and local officials. The Town of Hamilton held a public informational meeting; and the residents present voted unanimously to maintain their property in agriculture for the next 10 years. The Town recommended the drafting of a boundary agreement, and because the County has zoning authority, it’s now before this committee. The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) basically states that the county and 3 other municipalities will work together to draft standards for development in this corridor, and will not make decisions without the written consent of the other parties to the MOU on proposed annexations, rezonings, conditional use permits, or subdivision requests in this area until these standards are complete and that the proposed requests are shown to meet the standards as drafted; it doesn’t say that it can’t be developed – just needs review by all 4 governmental bodies. Once this is approved, staff and others will work on a cooperative boundary agreement. Motion carried unanimously; Keil excused.
DISCUSSION ON COMMITTEE DUTIES
Supervisor Hanson requested this agenda item. He noted the County Economic Development Fund Board is looking at County Farm Master Plan. He thought this committee (PRD) as the planning committee for the County. Supervisor Rauk suggested review of committee duties per County Code as well as State Statutes. Jeff Bluske noted historically the committee looks at only the unincorporated areas; the County Farm Master Plan is for an area that is annexed to the Village of West Salem. Committee Chair Hammes suggested further review, though wait until after the April election as there will be change in committee membership. Steve O’Malley noted the Economic Development Fund Board is only making a recommendation to the full County Board who will ultimately make the final decision.
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
None requested.
CLOSED SESSION (3:32 p.m.)
MOTION by Hanson/Rauk to enter into closed session pursuant to s. 19.85(1)(c), Wis. Stats., considering employment, promotion, compensation or performance evaluation data of any public employee over which the governmental body has jurisdiction or exercises responsibility, to wit: UW-Extension Family Living Agent. Motion carried unanimously; Keil excused.
OPEN SESSION (4:11 p.m.)
MOTION by Hanson/Rauk to reconvene to open session. Motion carried unanimously; Keil excused.
MOTION by Hanson/Rauk to accept Proposal #2 as brought forth by the County Personnel Dept., that being: permit UW-Extension to increase Robert Matysik’s salary by $4,500 annually and the County provide a matching annual increase for Mary Meehan-Strub which will maintain a proper pay spread; this will partially address a long ignored pay inequity and to maintain 60/40 cost share as a whole department. Unused salary funds are available in the UW-Extension budget as a year-end carryover. Motion carried on 5 to 1 vote; Bina-no; Keil excused.
RECESS (4:15 p.m.)
MOTION by Hanson/Bina to recess until the 6:00 p.m. public hearing. Motion carried unanimously; Keil excused.
Disclaimer: The above minutes may be approved, amended or corrected at the next committee meeting.
Cheryl Stephen, Recorder