PLANNING, RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
Monday, October 27, 2008
Administrative Center – Room 3220
3:30 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Tom Rauk, Beverly Mach, Marilyn Pedretti, Don Bina, Dennis Manthei (exc @4:10/returned @5:09), and David Hansen (FSA rep.)
MEMBERS ABSENT: Don Meyer, Bob Keil
OTHERS PRESENT: Gregg Stangl, Mary Meehan-Strub, Cheryl McBride, Mike Weibel, Charlie Handy, Steve Huntzicker, Chad Vandenlangenberg, Bill Jung, Tom Faella, Dale Hexom, Tim Acklin, Greg Yakle, Steve O’Malley, Sharon Hampson, Tom Hillstrom & Tim Carlson (CapX2020 representatives), Cheryl Stephen
CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL
Committee Vice Chair Tom Rauk called the meeting to order at 3:30 p.m.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
MOTION by Manthei/Pedretti to approve meeting minutes of September 18 and September 29, 2008. Motion carried unanimously; Meyer and Keil absent.
PUBLIC COMMENT
None requested.
RESOLUTION RE APPROVAL OF PURCHASE OF E-RECORDING SOFTWARE FROM FIDLAR TECHNOLOGIES
Cheryl McBride, Register of Deeds, reviewed the need to purchase electronic recording software from sole source provider Fidlar Technologies. The State Dept. of Revenue will require customers to complete the digital transfer return electronically by July 1, 2009, and in conjunction with the electronic return, the County needs to purchase compatible software that will work with the current system as previously purchased from Fidlar. MOTION by Bina/Manthei to approve the resolution which authorizes the sole source purchase of e-recording software from Fidlar Technologies in amount of $25,000 to be paid from the Land Recording budget, Computer Software account. Motion carried unanimously; Meyer and Keil absent.
DISCUSS AND ACT ON YAHNKE ZONING PETITION NO. 1793
William H. Yahnke, W6816 Village View Ln, Holmen, WI - Petition to rezone from the Transitional Agriculture District to Agriculture District “A”, a 7.97 acre parcel in order to convert part of an existing pole building to a residence on land described as: Part of the SW-SW of Section 26, T18N, R8W described in tax Parcel number 8-1129-7, Town of Holland.
Mike Weibel noted committee action was taken at the September 29, 2008, public hearing though at that time the County had not received correspondence from the Town of Holland. On October 9, 2008, the Zoning, Planning and Land Information Dept. received correspondence from the Town of Holland; it indicated unanimous approval by the Town Board to allow one (1) house on that particular piece of property. MOTION by Manthei/Pedretti to reaffirm committee approval taken on September 29, 2008, that being approval of Petition No. 1793 to rezone 7.97 acre parcel from Transitional Agriculture District to Agriculture District “A” for that part of the parcel that is not conservancy in the Town of Holland Plan. Motion carried unanimously; Meyer and Keil absent.
RESOLUTION RE APPROVAL TO REQUEST FUNDING THROUGH THE TARGETED RUNOFF MANAGEMENT OR URBAN NON-POINT SOURCE (POLLUTION) & STORM WATER GRANT PROGRAMS
Gregg Stangl reviewed the grant application process, including the financial and authorizing party requirements per the County Finance Department. MOTION by Mach/Hansen to approve the resolution. Supervisor Bina expressed concern that the committee is losing some of its authority. Gregg and other staff explained that this is not the case; the committee will still be approving the individual grants. The Land Conservation Dept. has the authority of applying for grants; and after grant award and after committee acceptance/approval, the County Board Chair signs the grant agreement forms, including the grant reimbursement forms as stated in the resolution. Motion carried unanimously; Meyer and Keil absent.
UW EXTENSION WRITTEN REPORTS
The written UW Extension quarterly reports were sent with the agenda. Mary Meehan Strub was available to answer questions. Supervisor Bina asked if there were any major concerns from the Fair; Steve Huntzicker noted none that he could think of. In addition, Mary noted WNEP staff received the 2008 Regent Academic Staff Excellence Award.
DISCUSS CONFERENCE FUNDED BY DATCP ON LOCAL WORKING LANDS PRESERVATION EFFORTS
Charlie Handy noted the County received approval of a grant to fund a half-day or full-day multi-county conference in Western Wisconsin relating to protection of farmland/working land preservation; tentative date is December 10 with La Crosse County being the host. Also plan to bring in a speaker from the American Farmland Trust. Charlie and others (Karl Green, Mike Dummer, Jim Servais) are working on the details of the event. Participants will include elected officials as well as landowners. Future updates on the conference will be shared with the committee at the next meeting.
DISCUSS AND ACT ON “WILDLIFE ABATEMENT DEER DONATION PROGRAM” REIMBURSEMENT PROCESSING FEE
A letter, dated September 9, 2008, was submitted by Supervisor Leon Pfaff on behalf of the Wildlife Damage & Abatement Committee in which he is a member; he is requesting the County to continue to supplement the State DNR deer donation program by paying an additional $20 per deer in addition to the State $50. Being the Wildlife Damage & Abatement Program reports to the PRD Committee, it is before the committee for consideration. Currently, the only meat processor in the County that participates in the deer donation program is Craig’s Meat who claims the $50 from the WI DNR is not adequate. In 2007, the Executive Committee approved an additional $10 per deer for processing up to $3,500 which came from the General Fund Operating Contingency Fund. Statistics of the deer donated in past years: 220 in 2007, 249 in 2006, 134 in 2005, 301 in 2004, and 173 in 2003. Supervisor Bina spoke in favor of subsidizing the DNR deer donation program. MOTION by Bina/Manthei to approve $20 per deer for the 2008 deer donation program up to $3,500 to be taken from the General Fund Operating Contingency Fund. Motion carried unanimously; Meyer and Keil absent. Supervisor Pedretti expressed concern on how much of the meat is actually being used and if any is being thrown away; she suggested for future consideration, such information be shared with the committee. O’Malley noted that there are no funds in the 2009 County budget in relation to this matter.
UPDATE ON COUNTY ZONING ORDINANCE AMENDMENTS
Charlie distributed a one-page summary of “Future Zoning Classifications.” The goal is to have County classifications being consistent with the approved comprehensive plans. Suggested classifications broken down by: (1) Conservancy, (2) Residential [A, B, C, Ag & other variations], (3) Agricultural Preservation, (4) Urban Mixed Use, (5) Public/Institutional, (6) Commercial/Retail, and (7) General Industrial. Next step is to take to various agency groups for their input. Hope to finalize with the committee by end of the year or early 2009. Charlie asked the committee on how they want to proceed; have a detailed presentation, hold special meetings, etc. Vice Chair Rauk suggested each committee member review the summary and if have questions, meet with Charlie individually before the next monthly meeting; Charlie will keep track of those questions and include those questions and answers along with his presentation to the committee at the next committee meeting.
REPORT ON MOBILE HOME PARK ENFORCEMENT
Chad VandenLanenberg, Code Enforcement Specialist, distributed a 2-page handout entitled “Mobile Home Court Updates and Inspections Program”; it detailed a plan of action that will occur over the next year. This came about due to recent issues with some mobile home courts in the County and at the request of Committee Chair Meyer who suggested an inspections program be initiated. Mobile home parks are regulated by the State Dept. of Commerce, including oversight by the Zoning Dept. and the County Health Dept. First step is to review all regulations, better define them and revise the County Zoning Code accordingly. Next is to notify all mobile home park owners regarding the new inspections/enforcement program, and on a yearly basis, staff from both departments will make yearly inspections. Supervisor Bina also suggested contacting the DNR in relation to wells, etc.
REPORT AND DISCUSSION ON CAPX 2020 POWER LINE
Tom Hillstrom and Tim Carlson, representatives of CapX2020, were present to give an overview of proposed extension of high voltage transmission lines to La Crosse, including slide presentation. Highlights as follows:
· Since 1980’s, electrical usage has increased 80%.
· Four states are involved in the project: Minnesota and parts of North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin. It also involves 11 utilities; two in WI - one being Dairyland Power.
· 700-mile project broken down in 4 phases/projects for total cost of $1.7 billion; proposed in-service dates of 2012-2015.
· The last phase is the line from SE Twin Cities to La Crosse.
· Permit process will take 10 years; WI requires 1 permit from the Public Service Commission including involvement of the DNR.
· In December, 2008, need to narrow down the route options to two options; currently 3 proposed crossings over the Mississippi River, those being at Alma, Winona or La Crescent.
· The 345-kV lines are the most efficient and most cost effective lines; estimate only 6-8% energy loss; structures will be single poles estimated at 150 feet high.
· One of the two substations in La Crosse will be the final destination; locations are at Lang Drive in the marsh area or on Riders Club Road. Whichever one is chosen, it needs to be expanded; concern with getting permission to expand in the marsh area (would need 3 add’l acres).
· Outreach to residents and citizens is ongoing; have held 9 public hearings thus far and plan to do more. Held two informational meetings in Wisconsin thus far with more to come.
· Plan to apply for Wisconsin permit in spring of 2009 in which it may be a one-year process.
· Information available on website: lacrosseinfo@capx2020.com or 1-800-238-7968 or local contacts are Chuck Thompson at Dairyland Power or Mike Hero at Xcel Energy.
· Discussion on renewable energy. Noted Xcel plans to use 30% renewable energy by 2020. Wisconsin is 10% by 2015 and 3 utilities 25% by 2025.
· Reviewed wind density as needed for efficient wind turbines/wind farms. The Dakotas and Minnesota are ideal plus portions of Iowa and Wisconsin.
· In addition, distributed seven handouts: (Copies available in County Board Chair Office)
ü CapX2020 Group 1 projects timeline (July 2006-2009)
ü Minnesota Regulatory Process for High Voltage Transmission Lines
ü Understanding Easements and Right-of-Ways
ü Birds and Power Lines
ü SW Twin Cities-Rochester-La Crosse 345-kV transmission line/Project Update
ü Wisconsin Regulatory Process for High Voltage Transmission Lines
ü CapX2020 Proposed Transmission Line Infrastructure
Committee Chair Rauk asked the representatives to keep the committee informed of upcoming meetings, etc., and to work with the County Zoning Dept.
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
None requested.
RECESS (5:24 p.m.)
MOTION by Pedretti/Bina to recess until the 6:00 p.m. public hearing. Motion carried unanimously; Meyer and Keil absent.
Disclaimer: The above minutes may be approved, amended or corrected at the next committee meeting.
Cheryl Stephen, Recorder