PUBLIC WORKS AND INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEE

Monday, May 5, 2008

Administrative Center – Room 3220

4:00 p.m.

MEMBERS PRESENT:  Charles Spiker, Leon Pfaff, Ralph Geary, Jai Johnson, Jim Berns    

MEMBERS EXCUSED:  Jeff Schroeder and 1 vacancy     

MEMBERS ABSENT:  None      

OTHERS PRESENT:  Dennis Osgood, Brian Tippetts, Jim Speropulos, Mary Kaufmann, Steve O’Malley, Tom Herman, Paul Weibel, Andrew Helgerson, Dan & Linda Meeker, Sharon Hampson, Bob Keil, Lori Kean & Girl Scouts, Cheryl Stephen  

CALL TO ORDER

Committee Chair Charles Spiker called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m.

APPOINTMENT OF VICE CHAIR

Committee Chair Spiker noted his appointment of Supervisor Jim Berns as Committee Vice Chair.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

MOTION by Johnson/Berns to approve the minutes of April 7, 2008.  Motion carried unanimously; Schroeder excused.

CONSENT AGENDA

MOTION by Berns/Johnson to accept the following Consent Agenda items:

• Economic Development Fund minutes of April 3, 2008
• LEC Construction Committee minutes of April 8 and 22, 2008
• Waste Relocation Report – Brian Tippetts noted this as the last report as the garbage has been removed and just doing clean up.
• Summer Highway Conference – June 9-11, 2008 at Kalahari in Wisconsin Dells; contact Board Chair Office for Travel Authorization approval – deadline is May 8.     

Motion carried unanimously; Schroeder excused. 

PUBLIC COMMENT

None requested.

APPROVE CHECK REQUISITIONS OVER $20,000

None presented.

REQUEST TO REDUCE SPEED LIMIT FROM 45 TO 35 MPH ON PORTION OF COUNTY ROAD “F”

Dennis Osgood reviewed.  The following copies were sent with the agenda:  letter from Town of Shelby in support, petition signed by residents in the area, and law enforcement report on traffic stops/accidents.  This area is close to being considered a semi-urban area in which such low speed is allowed; Shelby police and Sheriff’s Patrol would have to enforce it.  Dennis is in support, but also suggested a policy be drafted and approved by committee for future speed reduction requests.  He also noted that the speed limit of 35 MPH should be the same until it reaches the Three Town Road.   Residents Paul Weibel and Andrew Helgerson spoke in support of the speed reduction.  MOTION by Johnson/Geary to approve the lowering of speed limit from 45 to 35 MPH on County Road F north of Highway 33 to area near the Three Town Road.  Motion carried unanimously; Schroeder excused.        

LOCAL FORCE ACCOUNT RE HIGHWAY 53

Dennis reviewed.  The State Dept. of Transportation (DOT) has issued a contract for construction/local force account for concrete repair and miscellaneous work on portion of US Highway 53 and State Highway 35, from north of La Crosse city limits to Trempealeau County line; contract dollar amount is $256,000.  MOTION by Johnson/Pfaff to approve, as presented, the Local Force Account for project #1630-06-69 in amount of $256,000.  Motion carried unanimously; Schroeder excused.

RELOCATION ORDER FOR COUNTY ROAD “B” BRIDGE

Dennis reviewed and distributed copies of relocation order as provided by the consultant relating to La Crosse River bridge and approaches.  Any time right-of-way changes are to be made, such relocation orders need to be approved; the right-of-way that needs to be purchased are: .04/acre from LaVerne & Delores Torgerson, .03/acre from David & Vicki Arndt, and .02/acre from Schwans Sales Enterprise, Inc.  MOTION by Berns/Geary to approve the relocation order, as presented, relating to County Road B bridge and the purchase of right-of-way as noted.  Motion carried unanimously; Schroeder excused.

APPROVE STATE/MUNICIPAL AGREEMENT ON COUNTY ROAD “OA” SAFETY PROJECT

Dennis distributed copies of State/Municipal Agreement for a highway improvement project, that being for the OA Safety Project.  Total project cost is $983,020 – most being federal and state funds, with County match of $287,302; project completion is planned for 2010.  The project is to complete the environmental documentation, including preliminary plan development, for the entire section of County Road OA between County Road FO and County Road O for future construction and to reconstruct OA between Tyson Road and Drectrah Road.  MOTION by Pfaff/Berns to approve, as presented, the State/Municipal Agreement for the County Road OA Safety Project, including authorization for the Highway Commissioner to sign the original agreement.  Motion carried unanimously; Schroeder excused.

REQUEST USE OF LOT C ON SATURDAYS BY FARMERS’ MARKET

Jim Speropulos reviewed.  A letter From Steven Freng and related information was sent with the agenda.  Currently, the Farmer’s Market is using Parking Lot C on Saturday mornings during the spring, summer and fall.  Per the request of Steven Freng, they would like to create an organization, charge fees, eliminate overnight parking on Friday nights, and restripe the lot for their needs.  MOTION by Berns/Johnson to refer to the June committee meeting in order to have Mr. Freng attend the meeting to answer questions.  Motion carried unanimously; Schroeder excused.   

RESOLUTION RE AUTHORIZATION TO TRANSFER FUNDS FROM BUDGETED RESERVE TO CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT FOR CONSTRUCTION OF A SANITARY SEWER SYSTEM FROM VETERANS MEMORIAL CAMPGROUND TO THE VILLAGE OF WEST SALEM

Jim reviewed, noting a new bathhouse and sanitary sewer system was previously approved as part the 2008 budget approval process.  Four bids were received to construct the sanitary sewer system; low bidder was Hess Excavating in amount of $109,858.00; staff recommends approval.  The total sanitary sewer project cost is $161,457; Village of West Salem share is $16,925 and County share will be $144,532; currently $100,000 in the Parks budget as designated for the project.  In addition to approving low bidder, need to transfer $44,532 from the Parks Capital Improvement Budgeted Reserve to the Parks Capital Improvement account.  MOTION by Berns/Johnson to approve the resolution.  Motion carried unanimously; Schroeder excused.  Other bidders were:  Hengel Brothers Inc. @$129,515.00, Ellingson Co. @$132,888.49, and A-1 Excavating @$135,850.78.    

RESOLUTION RE APPROVAL OF GOOSE ISLAND DEER MANAGEMENT PLAN AND MANAGED DEER HUNT FOR 2008

Jim noted this as the third year for doing a managed deer hunt at Goose Island.  The Task Force recommends one more year of data before compiling and recommending a long-term management plan for Goose Island.  Tom Herman, DNR representative, was present to answer questions.  MOTION by Pfaff/Johnson to approve the resolution.  Motion carried unanimously; Schroeder excused.

2008 ANNUAL PARKS REPORT

Mary Kaufmann distributed copies of the 2007 La Crosse County Park System Annual Statistical Report.  Jim noted this will be referred to the June meeting in order to give committee members time to review.

EASEMENT REQUEST BY LINDA’S BAKERY

Jim noted Dan and Linda Meeker are requesting a perpetual easement across County property on the southwest corner of Swarthout Neshonoc Park in order to provide water and sanitary sewer utility service to their residence and Linda’s Bakery on the west side of Highway 16.  Jim used an aerial map to show the location.  The Meekers were present to answer questions; they noted annexation to the Village of West Salem in January 2008; they are currently using a holding tank.  MOTION by Pfaff/Johnson to approve the easement request, as presented, for Dan & Linda Meeker.  Motion carried unanimously; Schroeder excused.  Jim noted that a resolution may be required; he will check with Corporation Counsel; if so, may need to hold a recess meeting on County Board Day – May 15^th.

OKTOBERFEST PARKING

Jim noted each year the Facilities Dept. will advertise the availability of downtown parking lots for use by nonprofits as fundraisers during Oktoberfest (weekend only).  Jim recommends continuation of this practice.  MOTION by Johnson/Pfaff for Facilities Dept. to proceed with Oktoberfest parking for nonprofit groups.  Motion carried unanimously; Schroeder excused. 

LOSS OF PARKING SPACES DURING LEC RENOVATION & NEW GARAGE

Jim estimated loss of 150 permit parking (employee) spots during renovation and construction, with majority of them in Parking Lot A.  Staff has reviewed and recommends the following in order to make up for 101 permit spots:  removal of 59 meters, discontinue 30 public permits, remove 7 city spaces, and eliminate 4 handicap in order to accommodate 5 permits.  If additional space is needed, another option is to rent parking space from Reinhart Corp. which has a large lot to the west near 2^nd Street.  MOTION by Johnson/Spiker to approve, as presented, the temporary parking plan, including the promotion of ride share and public transportation.  Motion carried unanimously; Schroeder excused.  Steve O’Malley noted this approved temporary parking plan will be shared with the full County Board as informational.

OFFERED SALE OF LAND NEXT TO HOEFT FOREST

Jim noted that he was contacted by Tom Bina that has 75 acres for sale next to Hoeft Forest at an estimated $3,000/acre.  Some discussion on need, vandalism issues, etc.  MOTION by Johnson/Geary to not pursue purchase of the land as offered by Tom Bina.  Motion carried on 4 to 1 roll call vote:  Johnson-yes, Geary-yes, Spiker-yes, Berns-yes, Pfaff-no; Schroeder excused.  

RESOLUTION RE SUPPORT USE OF BIODIESEL FUEL

Supervisor Pfaff requested the resolution.  Committee Chair Spiker requested comments from the Highway Commissioner.  Dennis said he is neutral, noting some benefits; there are times when it is less expensive, but at times if can run from $.02-.05 higher per gallon; based on previous direction of the committee, the Highway Dept. uses biodiesel when feasible (less expensive).  MOTION by Pfaff/Johnson to approve the resolution.  Supervisor Pfaff briefly reviewed his rationale for the resolution; it would approve the continued use of bidiesel fuel by the Highway Dept. provided that the cost of biodiesel fuel does not exceed the cost of grade 2 diesel fuel with no additive by an amount of 3% per gallon.  Supervisor Johnson noted the work of the Joint Oversight Committee on Sustainability toward this same effort.    Motion carried on 3 to 2 roll vote:  Pfaff-yes, Johnson-yes, Berns-yes, Spiker-no, Geary-no; Schroeder excused.

FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS

• Create policy for reduction in speed requests
• Request by Farmer’s Market
• 2007 Annual Parks Report

NEXT MEETING

Monday, June 9 at 4:00 p.m.  This particular meeting is during same time as the Summer Highway Conference.  It was determined that most committee members who plan to attend the conference will be able to attend the committee meeting.  

ADJOURNMENT

MOTION by Berns/Pfaff to adjourn the meeting.  Motion carried unanimously; Schroeder excused.  The meeting adjourned at 5:08 p.m.

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

Cheryl Stephen, Recorder