PUBLIC WORKS AND INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEE
Monday, June 9, 2008
Administrative Center – Room 3220
4:00 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Charles Spiker, Arlene Benrud, Ralph Geary, Leon Pfaff, Jim Berns (arr @4:03), Jai Johnson (arr @4:05)
MEMBERS EXCUSED: Jeff Schroeder
MEMBERS ABSENT: None
OTHERS PRESENT: Jim Speropulos, Brian Tippetts, Mary Kaufmann, Steve O’Malley, Brian Fukuda, William Shepherd, Bill Jung, Larry Kirch, Mike Gilster, Paul Gilster, Henry Koch, George Webster, Steve Freng, Linda Saley, Ann Degenhardt, Larry Kirch, Sharon Hampson, Cheryl Stephen
CALL TO ORDER
Committee Chair Charles Spiker called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
MOTION by Geary/Pfaff to approve minutes of May 5 and May 15, 2008. Motion carried unanimously; Schroeder excused; Berns and Johnson absent.
CONSENT AGENDA
MOTION by Pfaff/Benrud to accept the following Consent Agenda items:
Motion carried unanimously; Schroeder excused.
PUBLIC COMMENT
None requested.
APPROVE CHECK REQUISITIONS OVER $20,000
Information was sent with the agenda. MOTION by Pfaff/Geary to approve, as presented, the following check requisitions:
Motion carried unanimously; Schroeder excused.
ISSUE OF CABIN ON COUNTY LAND NEAR LAKE NESHONOC
Jim Speropulos reviewed; copies of aerial photo showing the area in question were sent with the agenda. NSP purchased these lands around Lake Neshonoc back in 1948; in 1970, NSP sold these lands to the County. Due to recent surveys of that area, this particular one has a cabin 15’ on county land. There are two options for the adjacent landowner - to move it or to purchase the County riparian property. Paul and Mike Gilster, as current owners, addressed the committee, noting the land has been in their family for as long as they could remember, and they have owned the property for 32 years. They have done conservation work, kept it cleaned up, fixed fences, planted trees; they also noted an easement agreement with the County. Bill Shepherd noted the lease agreement has limited rights, for example, they cannot build structures; county owned land is for public use, though noted that it would have to be accessed by boat. Bill Jung concurred, noting lease agreements are usually for pasturing, trapping, etc. – limited use. MOTION by Benrud/Spiker to authorize staff to discuss options with the landowner(s) and to bring back a specific recommendation to the committee. Motion carried unanimously; Schroeder excused. Mike Gilster noted discussions may have to take place with their attorney.
Page 2 – Public Works & Infrastructure Committee Minutes of June 9, 2008
RESOLUTION RE SALE OF COUNTY RIPARIAN PROPERTY ADJACENT TO WEBSTER PARCEL IN THE LAKE ROAD AREA
Jim reviewed, noting same aerial map, copy of survey map, and letter from law offices of O’Flaherty Heim Egan, Ltd. on behalf of George Webster, were sent with the agenda. Mr. Webster is the property owner east of the County riparian land in the Lake Road area. He has requested to purchase this piece of land next to his Tax Parcel #7-1262-0. Per the resolution, staff recommends the sale to Mr. Webster based on fair market value as determined by an appraiser, including the actual costs for the survey, appraisal, title insurance, and any other associated costs that are customarily the responsibility of the purchaser. Bill Jung estimated the lot size at approximately ¼ acre. Mr. Webster was present and concurred with the related costs being his responsibility. MOTION by Berns/Geary to approve the resolution which authorizes the sale of county riparian land to George Webster, as presented, including fiscal note: “the amount of $2,500 required as prepayment toward the costs is broken down as follows: surveying - $800; appraising - $1,500; title insurance - $200. The fair market value of the parcel to be sold is undetermined at this time. The net proceeds will be directed toward conservation practice/public improvements on or around Lake Neshonoc to be approved by the County Board before expenditure of the funds.” Motion carried unanimously; Schroeder excused.
USE OF PARKING LOT C BY FARMERS’ MARKET AND REQUEST FOR CHANGES
Jim noted this was referred from the May committee meeting due to committee members wanting more information. Steven Freng was present who addressed the committee as well as answered questions. He noted currently there is a group known as Farmers’ Market who use County parking Lot C (across from Wettstein’s) on Saturdays during the harvest months; prior to, they used the City parking lot. Because of safety concerns and other issues, he would like to form a La Crosse County Farmer Market Association to better serve all communities; there would be a yearly membership fee plus additional fee based on number of stall spaces. Each vendor also needs a permit from the Health Dept. which is currently being done. The request before the committee is Mr. Freng’s request to use number markers at specified spots in Lot C; these numbers would be placed at the end of the white parking lines and would be used by the Farmer Market Association members; the request also includes the elimination of Friday night parking. The Friday overnight parking has caused problems with market setup on Saturday mornings, including safety issues. Jim expressed concern of not allowing parking on Lot C on Friday nights; he offered the parking lot in the Health & Human Services building. Mr. Freng said that particular lot is not big enough to accommodate 100+ vendors plus parking for customers. Supervisor Berns said a policy should be in place for use of County-owned parking lots. Other questions raised were: who would police the Friday night parking, additional markings on parking lines, County liability, need for a written agreement, etc. MOTION by Berns/Johnson to refer the matter back to staff in order to work out the details and to bring back a recommendation for future committee consideration. Motion carried unanimously; Schroeder excused. Committee Chair Spiker noted for future agenda items similar to this, for staff to share background and history information; committee members would a have better understanding of these matters.
BANGOR BLIZZARD BUSTERS SNOWMOBILE CLUB REQUEST FOR TRAIL ON COUNTY LAND
Jim reviewed; a colored aerial map was sent with the agenda that showed the current snowmobile trail that was developed by the Bangor Blizzard Buster Snowmobile Club, including the proposed trail. Apparently through a previous agreement between them and the County, there is an existing trail through 36 acres of county forest preserve between County Road A and Town Road. The club would also like to go through another portion of county forest preserve of approximately 25 acres that is located north that eventually crosses State Highway 162. Linda Saley and Ann Degenhardt, as representatives of the snowmobile club, were present to answer questions. Linda noted changes in landownership whereby some no longer allow trails on their property or near their homes, which is understandable; the County forest land seems to be logical alternative. Jim concurred with the approval and suggested a motion that would encompass both forest preserve locations. MOTION by Pfaff/Johnson to authorize staff to work out an agreement and/or lease with the Bangor Blizzard Busters Snowmobile Club for snowmobile trails in the two County forest preserves located north of County Road A and west of State Highway 162. Motion carried unanimously; Schroeder excused.
Page 3 – Public Works & Infrastructure Committee Minutes of June 9, 2008
RESOLUTION RE AUTHORIZATION TO SELL PROPERTY (1603 9TH STREET SOUTH) TO CITY OF LA CROSSE
Jim noted that he’s been working with the City of La Crosse Planning Dept. on this particular piece of property which has a house in bad repair; lot size is 52’ x 150’. Per State Stats., the County can sell property to any municipality within the County in which the City is interested. Larry Kirch noted thus far, the City has obtained over 25 parcels through the City’s Replacement Housing Program; total assessment value for those properties was at $825,601, and for 2007, now have total assessment value of $3,175,000. MOTION by Johnson/Benrud to approve the resolution which authorizes the sale of 1603 9th Street South to the City of La Crosse in an amount of $22,000; fiscal note as follows: total amount of unpaid general property taxes and special assessments previously paid by the County to the taxing jurisdictions for this property was $17,799.20. The 2008 taxes will also be paid to the City of La Crosse by the County Treasurer. The sale price of $22,000 was determined as follows: 2001-2007 unpaid property taxes - $14,339.65; 2001-2007 Special Assessments - $3459.55; 2008 property taxes (including special assessment of $357) - $3,000; Facilities Dept. costs - $1,200. Motion carried unanimously; Schroeder excused.
2007 ANNUAL PARKS REPORT
MOTION by Berns/Benrud to accept the 2007 Annual Parks Report and to forward copies on to the County Board. Motion carried unanimously; Schroeder excused.
RESOLUTION RE APPROVAL OF BID FOR FINAL COVER AND GAS SYSTEM CONSTRUCTION AT THE LA CROSSE COUNTY LANDFILL
Brian Tippetts reviewed. The cost to cover the expense for final cover and for the gas system is in the 2008 budget; had first anticipated to bond for such, but have since decided to pay from the Solid Waste Undesignated Fund Balance. A total of five bids received; Brian recommended the acceptance of the low bid; also noted that Foth, as the consultant, also concurs. MOTION by Pfaff/Johnson to approve the resolution which approves the bid from Integrity Grading & Execution, Inc., for Project A-08, for final cover and gas system construction at the cost of $1,426,614.28. Motion carried unanimously; Schroeder excused. Other bidders: Frattalone Companies, Inc. @$1,612,066.50, St. Joseph Construction Co. @$1,696,357.00, Hoffman Construction Co. @$1,785,694.50, and Veit & Company, Inc. @$1,862,348.20.
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
None in particular mentioned, though noted that more Neshonoc land issues will be coming before the committee.
NEXT MEETING
Monday, July 7th at 4:00 p.m.
ADJOURNMENT
MOTION by Pfaff/Johnson to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried unanimously; Schroeder excused. The meeting adjourned at 5:20 p.m.
Disclaimer: The above minutes may be approved, amended or corrected at the next committee meeting.
Cheryl Stephen, Recorder