PLANNING, RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE

Monday, June 2, 2008

Administrative Center – Room 3220

3:30 p.m.

MEMBERS PRESENT:  Don Meyer, Tom Rauk, Don Bina, Robert Keil, Beverly Mach, Marilyn Pedretti, Dennis Manthei (arr @3:34), David Hansen (FSA rep.) 

MEMBERS EXCUSED:  None         

MEMBERS ABSENT:  None

OTHERS PRESENT:  Gregg Stangl, Jeff Bluske, Mary Meehan-Strub, Cheryl Mc Bride, Mary Jo Webster, Bill Jung, Steve O’Malley, Steve Huntzicker, Robert Matysik, Sheila Harding, Jenny Holm, Christine Wysoki, Greg Yakle, Veronica Alba, Chris Papenfuss, Eric Dummer, Tina Wehrs, Cheryl Stephen

CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL

Committee Chair Don Meyer called the meeting to order at 3:30 p.m.

APPROVE OF MINUTES

MOTION by Bina/Keil to approve meeting minutes of April 28, 2008.  Motion carried unanimously; Manthei absent.   

PUBLIC COMMENT

None requested

CHAIRMAN MEYER COMMENTS AND TOUR DATES DISCUSSION

Chairman Meyer addressed the committee members as follows:

• Welcomed the committee members, noting former and new ones.
• Noted new challenges in relation to the newly adopted County Comprehensive Plan.
• Encouraged members to visit each of the departments under the committee jurisdiction.
• Noted the importance of site visits and encouraged attendance at the zoning tours which will occur on Fridays.
• Requested use of overhead projector for aerial maps at County Board meetings, in particular for controversial items.
• Noted the importance of the newly distributed “Zoning Due Process” book.
• Meals will be provided to committee members following the business meeting and before the start of the public hearings.    

REVIEW EROSION CONTROL PLAN FOR DUMMER VALLEY DRIVE, TOWN OF GREENFIELD

Mary Jo Webster distributed a memo addressed to the committee members, dated May 27, 2008, in which she reviewed the erosion control and stormwater plan for Dummer Valley Drive located in Town of Greenfield.  The project includes construction of 350’ of town road, a cul de sac, a bridge, and approximately 2500’ of private driveway.  Mary Jo used a large map to show the particular areas.  She noted the following additions/amendments are needed in order to meet the requirements of Chapter 21, County ordinance:

• Silt fence is to be extended on the west side of the proposed bridge to minimize the potential for sediment from the road fill to impact the stream.
• As soon as the fill for the bridge approach is in place, it is to be stabilized.

• Stabilization to be done according to the following table.  Erosion control mat is to be listed on the WI DOT Erosion Control Product Acceptability List (PAL):

      All graded areas that are to be vegetated that are not stabilized with seed and specified erosion control

      mat shall be stabilized with seed and properly anchored mulch to meet DNR Conservation Practice

      Standards 1058 and 1059.

• Prior to disturbance the owners shall acquire all specified stabilization materials including seed.
• No land disturbance shall occur until after an on-site preconstruction conference that includes the owner or their representative, the contractor, and Land Conservation Dept. staff.
• Additional measures beyond those indicated in the conditionally approved plan may be required if potential for off-site impacts occurs.
• As required in the County’s erosion control ordinance, a final inspection including the owner or their representative and Land Conservation Dept. staff shall occur at the end of the project.  The owners are also required to provide the Dept. with as-built plans.   

Miscellaneous questions by committee members.  Noted that it was presented to the Town Board.  Mary Jo recommended approval, including the above noted requirements per Chapter 21.  MOTION by Bina/Keil to approve the Dummer Valley Drive Erosion Control and Stormwater Plan as located in Town of Greenfield, including the above noted conditions/requirements of Chapter 21.  Motion carried unanimously. 

WISCONSIN LAND & WATER CONSERVATION ASSOCIATION (WLWCA) NEW SUPERVISOR TRAINING SESSION

Gregg Stangl reviewed the upcoming training session at Sparta on Friday, June 27, as sponsored by WLWCA.  He encouraged attendance as training manuals will be provided as well as meet peer group.  He also noted the date is the same day as the scheduled zoning tour.  Some discussion.  Determined that because Tour Dates was listed under the Chairman’s comments, that the committee could consider a change for the June meeting.  MOTION by Keil/Bina to change the June tour date to Wednesday, June 25^th and to leave all others on Fridays as previously approved.  Motion carried unanimously.  Attendees for the June 27^th WLWCA workshop are:  D. Meyer, B. Keil, D. Bina, M. Pedretti and B. Mach.  Gregg Stangl will arrange carpooling and the travel authorizations and registrations will be made by the County Board Chair Office, including contact as to time and place to meet.

OVERVIEW OF DEPARTMENT OF LAND CONSERVATION

Gregg reviewed the duties and programs of the Land Conservation Dept., noting total of 7 employees which includes him.  Written information was sent to committee members prior to the meeting.  The department develops strategies, implements programs, and provides technical assistance to protect and enhance the soil and water resources of the County.  Citizens are provided assistance with environmental planning and technical assistance for the agricultural and urban sectors.  Urban programs include:  erosion control land disturbance per county ordinance and per Uniform Dwelling Code, site evaluations including same for rural, non-metallic mining, and plat subdivision & 5 acre or greater subdivisions.  Rural programs include:  animal waste management, Farmland Preservation, State Agriculture Performance Standards, nutrient management planning, stream water quality monitoring, technical and cost-share assistance for Best Management Practices, and County forest system.   

OVERVIEW OF COUNTY SURVEYOR

Bill Jung gave an overview of the County Surveyor Office, noting total of 2 employees – himself as a Registered Land Surveyor and an engineering aide.  The County was originally surveyed in the 1840’s using wood markers and overtime these have disappeared.  Since 1984, the mission of the office is to resurvey the County and re-monument lost sections and quarter corners with permanent survey markers which are now brass-capped pipes, plus actively maintain the system as survey markers are destroyed or lost due to construction, development, logging and farmland consolidation.  Prior to 1973, there were no County Surveyor records as all records were lost except for one volume.  Today, the office is the official repository of all survey records for the County which are used and maintained on a daily basis.  Fifteen years ago, started to build a system of GPS survey markers and maintains a system of vertical control benchmarks.  Plus administers the County subdivision control ordinance and reviews all new subdivisions in the unincorporated areas, and reviews all certified survey maps recorded in La Crosse County. 

OVERVIEW OF UW EXTENSION

Mary Meehan Strub handed out two brochures relating to UW Extension Programs and copies of 2007 Annual Report by UW Extension and UW Colleges; in addition she gave a PowerPoint presentation.  It’s a 3-way partnership between La Crosse County, University of WI, and U.S. Dept. of Agriculture who work together to offer educational programs that address the learning needs of individuals, families and communities.  Created under 59.56(3), WI state Statutes, in which counties may enter into; first in existence in 1914, with first agent in La Crosse County as an emergency food agent in 1917.  Funding is shared amongst the 3 partners.  Mary introduced staff, noting two unavailable.  She welcomed committee members to visit the various office areas and/or visit the website; and indicated that UW-Extension staff are willing to meet with the committee separately to provide more in-depth information about each of the UW-Extension programs in La Crosse County. There are four program areas that offer educational services:

·         Family Living Education is involved with:  1) consumer health education, 2) family financial education, 3) affordable housing, 4) leadership and organizational development, 5) strategic planning and facilitation, and 6) WI Nutrition Education Program (WNEP)

·         Agriculture & Agri-Business is involved with:  1) farm business management, 2) crops, 3) dairy and livestock production and management, 4) milk quality programs, 5) nutrient and pesticide management, 6) home horticulture, and 7) WI Master Gardener Program

·         4-H and Youth Development is involved with:  1) youth and adult leadership, 2) life skills development, 3) 4-H clubs and after school programs, 4) community youth development, and 5) educational opportunities.  Currently 1,000 4-H club members of which 85% from city and urban areas; 1,700 in after-school programs and 400 leaders & volunteers.

·         Community Resource is involved with:  1) government leadership and policy development, 2) economic development, 3) regional business development, 4) natural resources public policy, and 5) comprehensive planning.  

Additional orientation information specific to this committee can be found at the following websites: www.uwex.edu/ces/admin/wacec/members/phase1.cfm and www.uwex.edu/ces/admin/wacec/ .

OVERVIEW OF REGISTER OF DEEDS

Cheryl McBride gave an overview of the Register of Deeds office, noting total staff of 5, including her.  They record all real estate documents for La Crosse County of which there are 475 different document types; each have to be proofed, including correct fees; then recorded, indexed and scanned with some being returned; currently doing back scanning which is time consuming.  Record all vital records, those being marriage licenses, birth certificates, and death certificates, plus military discharges, corporation papers, and UCC’s.  Assist customers that want to do research, including genealogists.  The office is the weatherization agent for the State.  Office also provides tours for UW-La Crosse and WTC real estate students.  For today, the office handled 250 documents; yearly average is 28,000.  On average, the office takes in $1.4 million in transfer fees and currently brings in $685,000 revenue to the County.     

ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY INCENTIVE PROGRAM UPDATE, GREG YAKLE, NATURAL RESOURCE CONSERVATION SERVICE

Greg Yakle, District Conservationist of the Natural Resource Conservation Office – a division of the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture.  The office is staffed by 2 full-time with the help of summer interns and is located on Riders Club Road in Onalaska; it is funded by the federal government.  He distributed an informational sheet relating to 2008 Environmental Quality Incentive Program with common practices and technical assistance relating to cropland, riparian corridor, woodland and pasture & feedlots.  Works closely with the County Land Conservation Dept. with one major project being the Gills Coulee watershed and TRM Grant.

FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS

Report on Southwest RC&D by Supervisor Bina.

RECESS (5:02 p.m.)

MOTION by Keil/Bina to recess until the 6:00 p.m. public hearing.  Motion carried unanimously.

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

Cheryl Stephen, Recorder