Conservation, Planning, and Zoning Committee Meeting

January 27, 2015 CPZ Committee Meeting Minutes (27 KB)

SAUK COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

CONSERVATION, PLANNING, AND ZONING COMMITTEE

Tuesday, January 27, 2015

County Board Room/Gallery, West Square Building

Conservation, Planning, and Zoning (CPZ) Committee members present:  J. Ashford, J. Dietz, J. Fish, S. Johnson, G. Lehman, E. Peterson, D. Polivka

Excused absence:  N. Johnson

Others present:  Louise Boettcher, Lowell Boettcher, P. Boettcher, D. Boettinger, B. Cunningham, T. Geoghegan, C. Kromm, M. Krueger, R. Loger, D. Lorenz, B. Michalek, B. Peper, T. Persche, P. Pohle, B. Simmert, S. Sorenson

At 9:00 a.m. Chair Lehman called the Conservation, Planning, and Zoning Committee meeting to order and certified to be in compliance with the Open Meetings Law. 

Adopt agenda:  Motion by Polivka/Peterson to adopt the amended agenda.  Motion carried, all in favor.

Adopt minutes of previous meeting-January 8:  Motion by S. Johnson/Ashford to adopt the minutes from the January 8 Conservation, Planning, and Zoning Committee meeting.  Motion carried, all in favor.

Public Comment:  Shana Johnson introduced herself and gave her background.

Communications: 

1. Received communication from Alison Volk from DATCP recognizing the Town of Excelsior in the Farmland Preservation Program.
2. Received notification that we were officially approved for the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP).  Will begin the hiring process for one staff person.  May apply again in the next round of RCPP applications for the southern part of Sauk County around Spring Green.
3. Lehman provided the article from the January 22, 2015, edition of the “Agri-view” regarding RCPP.
4. Copies of the deadline dates for public hearings were provided to the CPZ Committee.
5. Polivka mentioned that Katie Pfeiffer, John Exo, and Serge Koenig have been working with the farmers around Spring Green and commends them for the good work. 
6. Michalek is working with Corporation Counsel to develop a Sauk County version of the “Land Use Series-Dealing with Constituent Complaints on Planning and Zoning Issues.”
7. Michalek will be participating in the Wisconsin County Association (WCA) County Ambassador Program.
8. Lehman questioned if there is a cistern on the county farm.  Lehman had spoken to Brian Cunningham, and staff will check if there is a well there that needs to be decommissioned in the spring.

Discussion and recommendation regarding CPZ Department/Badger Oversight Management Commission (BOMC) request for Ho-Chunk Nation money:   Michalek reviewed what happened regarding this action at the last Finance Committee meeting and the amounts allocated from 2010-2014.  Looking at $5,000 for BOMC operating expenses and $15,000 for staffing assistance for the Great Sauk Trail.  No additional staff needed for BOMC; current staff doing the work which has reduced considerably in the past few months.  Motion by Dietz/Fish to approve $5,000 for BOMC operating expenses and $15,000 for Great Sauk Trail staffing out of the Ho-Chunk money.  Motion carried, all in favor.

Presentation on county surface water monitoring: Serge Koenig presented on the water monitoring he has done over the years and how it has benefited the department and the county.  Committee questions were answered, and Koenig was commended for the work he has done in this area.

Review and approval of 2015 Southwest Badger Resource Conservation & Development (RC&D) Council annual dues:  Lehman reported on what the other counties are paying for their 2015 dues ranging from $200-$2,500.  Discussed what Southwest Badger RC&D has done in the past and what they plan on doing this year for Sauk County.  Motion by Polivka/Ashford to approve $1,200 for 2015 dues and want to receive annual updates on what they are doing in Sauk County to help decide what to pay for futures dues.  Motion carried, all in favor.

Adjourned to the public hearing at 10:03 a.m.       

Public hearing: To begin at approximately 10:00 a.m. (Committee to consider and take possible action at the conclusion of the respective hearing.)

1. Petition #1-2015. A petition to rezone certain land located in S14, T10N. R5E, Town of Honey Creek, Sauk County, from an Exclusive Agriculture to an Agriculture zoning district by Richard Balfanz and Timothy Evert c/o Yahara Materials.

        Lehman called the public hearing to order at 10:07 a.m.  He explained the procedures for the public hearing and introduced the committee and staff members. 

         Simmert appeared and presented a staff report.

         Robin Loger, registering and appearing in favor, allowed Tim Geoghegan to speak on his behalf.

         Tim Geoghegan, registering in favor, told about Yahara Materials long-term plans for the quarry.

         Chris Kromm, registered in favor, did not wish to speak.

          Brian Peper, registering and appearing in favor, spoke in favor of the rezone. 

          Louise Boettcher-Troxel, appearing in opposition, spoke against the rezone.

          Patricia Boettcher, registering in opposition, did not wish to speak.

          Lowell Boettcher, registering in opposition, no longer present.

          Doug Boettinger, registering and appearing as interest may appear, did not wish to speak.

          Todd Persche, registering as interest may appear, did not wish to speak.

          Seeing no one else wished to appear, Lehman closed the public hearing at 10:32 a.m.

          Move to approve the petition by Ashford/Polivka.  Motion carried, all in favor.

Report on department operations and office layout:  Michalek briefed the CPZ Committee on the latest situation in the office and concerns on safety for employees.  Committee supported doing what is necessary to keep staff safe.

Review of cost-share policy for well abandonment:  Cunningham requested the CPZ Committee direction for how to handle well abandonment requests for cost share assistance. Committee supported to continue cost sharing for well abandonment at 70 percent.  If we get a backlog and spend the $5,000 annual budget, the committee will reassess the cost-share policy.  Felt it was reasonable to have a $1,000 cap. 

Review and approval of CPZ Department annual report:  Committee asked for time to review the annual report; will discuss at their next meeting.

Approval of possible attendance at Agricultural Community Engagement (ACE) seminar - February 24:  Due to this being held the same day as a CPZ Committee meeting, no one will attend.

Review and possible approval of Earth Month proclamation:  Motion by Lehman/Polivka to approve.  Motion carried, all in favor.

Next meetings of the Conservation, Planning, and Zoning Committee will be held on Thursday, February 12, and Tuesday, February 24.  Motion by Polivka/S. Johnson to adjourn at 11:19 a.m.  Motion carried, all members in favor.  

Respectfully submitted,

Dennis Polivka, Secretary