LAND RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE

LRE minutes 1/26/2021 (254 KB)

SAUK COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

LAND RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE

Thursday, January 26, 2021

County Board Room 326A & B

Sauk County West Square Building

Land Resources and Environment (LRE) Committee members present:  M. Krueger, R. Nelson, R. Curry, P. Kinsman, B. Lohr, V. McAuliffe, R. Puttkamer

Others present:  M Schlupp, B. Simmert (zoom), L. Wilson (zoom), R. Roeker (zoom), M. Stieve, B. Miller

Absent:  D. Polivka

At 9:00 a.m. Chair Krueger called the Land Resources and Environment Committee meeting to order and certified to be in compliance with the Open Meetings Law. 

Adopt agenda:  Motion by Nelson/Curry to adopt the agenda. Motion carried, all in favor.

Adopt minutes of previous meetings – December 29, 2020:  Motion by Curry/Puttkamer                            to approve the January 14, 2021 LRE Committee meeting minutes.  Motion carried, all in favor.

Public Comment:
Fred Marquart appeared and spoke about his opposition to the proposed cell tower.

Carolyn Marquardt appeared and spoke about her opposition to the proposed cell tower.

Bill Wiese appeared and spoke about his opposition to the proposed cell tower.

Gary Henshue appeared and stated that Bug Tussel has not entered into any agreements with the Wisconsin DNR regarding a cell tower site or placement.

Communications: 

Chair Krueger noted that letter that he had received, which was attached to Granicus.  Chair Krueger also stated that Rob Nelson received an email from Mr. Armstrong, which is being handed out to the Committee.

Director Wilson noted that the poster contest is underway and if Committee members are interested, Conservation Manager Schlupp would be sending out an email to the members to help judge the posters.  Schlupp provided further guidance and clarification on this item.

Review and Approval of Vouchers:

Templin presented the vouchers for 2020 and 2021.  Motion by Kinsman/Curry to approve Land Resource vouchers for 2020 in the amount of $24,864.86 and 2021 in the amount of $7,002.87.  Motion carried, all in favor with Nelson abstaining.

Discussion and possible action on 2020 APHIS Claims – Phil Peterson

Peterson noted that he was looking for approval of the APHIS Claims.  Peterson noted that there is one claim from Frank Dwyer for deer damage to corn and soybeans.  Peterson noted that the landowner took alfalfa out of the rotation, so shooting deer while the crops are on the landscape is difficult.  However, Mr. Dwyer did fill his deer tags this year, so Peterson would recommend approval of the claim.  Motion by Puttkamer/McAuliffe to approve the APHIS Claim for Frank Dwyer in the amount of $2,425.83.  Motion carried, all in favor.

Discussion and possible action on postponed decision from December 29, 2020, for a petition from Bug Tussel Wireless, to consider a conditional use permit pursuant to s. 7.038(9)(i) for a mobile tower siting on land owned by Bonham Farm LLC.  Said conditional use is located in the NW ¼ of Section 7, Town 11 North, Range 7 East, Town of Greenfield, Sauk County, WI

Chair Krueger provided explanation of the outcome of the last meeting for this item; and apologized for attempting to do something that neither he nor the Committee had the authority to do for the proposed CUP application.  Director Wilson noted that guidance was provided, which outlines the role and responsibility of the Committee when reviewing a CUP Application.  Director Wilson noted that she would hand the item over to Rebecca Roeker to provide further legal guidance and explanation to assist the Committee in the decision-making process.  Attorney Roeker outlined the provisions of Act 67 and 66.0404, as they pertain to the proposed application.  Nelson questioned the subjective items that are noted in our ordinance.  Attorney Roeker noted that the Committee would need to weigh the facts and provide substantial evidence within the findings.

Chair Krueger noted that while he understands the issues, the proposal as presented would appear to meet the requirements of the ordinance.  Kinsman and Lohr also commented on the application and agreed with the Chair.  Motion by Kinsman/McAuliffe to approve the conditional use permit for Bug Tussel Wireless for a mobile tower siting on land owned by Bonham Farms LLC with the conditions as noted within the staff report and based upon the Findings of Fact and Conclusion as presented.  Motion carried, with Nelson voting nay.

Update on Hemlock Dam

Park and Recreation Manager Stieve provided an update on where the County is in the process with the land use agreement with the DNR.  Stieve noted that more accurate cost estimates have been attached to Granicus.  Stieve answered questions with regards to the extension process.

Discussion and possible action on a conditional use permit for a Planned Rural Development (PRD) lot for Merle and Connie Ballweg, Ballweg Living Trust, located in Section 2, T10N, R5E, Town of Honey Creek, Sauk County, pursuant to Chapter 7 Subchapter IX, of the Sauk County Code of Ordinances.

Templin presented the request.  Motion by Kinsman, seconded by McAuliffe.  Motion carried, all in favor.

Discussion and possible action on a conditional use permit for a Planned Rural Development (PRD) lot for Joel Beachy located in Section 35, T10N, R5E, Town of Honey Creek, Sauk County, pursuant to Chapter 7 Subchapter IX, of the Sauk County Code of Ordinances.

Templin presented the request.  Motion by Curry/Kinsman to approve the PRD lot for Joel Beachy with conditions as presented and based upon the Finding of Fact and Conclusion.  Motion carried, all in favor.

Discussion and possible action on 1st Addition to Timber Run Subdivision.

Planning/Zoning Manager Simmert outlined the request.  McAulife questioned if allowing more density ensures a more efficient use of the land.  Simmert responded.  Chair Krueger questioned if the Town approved the request.  Simmert stated that the Town Board approved the request.  Motion by Lohr/Kinsman, to approve the 1st Addition to the Timber Run Subdivision.  Motion carried, all in favor.

Discussion on Summer Oaks Land Exchange.

Planning/Zoning Manager Simmert outlined the request.  Park and Recreation Manager Stieve provided his thoughts on the land swap; and noted that he would support a sale versus a swap.  Stieve noted that the property to be gained by the County is not advantageous.  Lohr noted that he agreed with Stieve.  Nelson requested clarification on the map and if a different area near the lake would be more beneficial.  Stieve explained why it would not be more beneficial.  Jim Grothman, Surveyor, for the property owner provided some explanation as to why the area was chosen.  Kinsman noted that he would like to look at a sale of the property, rather than a swap, particularly if the County has no use for the swap area noted.  Chair Krueger also noted that he is not in favor of the land swap, as he was unsure why we would want that parcel.  Nelson questioned if there would be access to the County’s boat landing from the new road.  Stieve stated that he did not believe so.  Simmert noted that staff would reach out to legal and determine the next steps or path for a land sale.

Discussion and possible action on notices of FPP Non-Compliance: Beier, Blacklock, Green Acres Trust, Meixelsperger, Rock Park Trust

Conservation Manager Schlupp provided the background on the item.  Puttkamer questioned a few of the notices.  Schlupp noted that people can always come back into the program.  McAuliffe questioned noticing.  Schlupp explained the landowners situation and noted that no mail had been returned.  Nelson questioned the 12/31/2020 deadline.  Schlupp noted that this was an error.  Schlupp explained the process to get people into compliance and submit information on time.  Chair Krueger questioned if the number was less than last year.  Schlupp noted that it was.  Curry questioned the benefit of the program.  Schlupp explained.  Kinsman noted that there is plenty of notice provided to landowners and those owners need to show some responsibility.  Puttkamer did note that last year there were some issues with consultants not completing on time, even though landowners were following thru.  Motion by Puttkamer/ to issue notices of non-compliance for Beier, Blacklock, Green Acres Trust, and Rock Park Trust.  Motion carried, all in favor.

Next meetings of the Land Resources and Environment Committee will be held at 9 a.m. on Thursday, February 11th and Tuesday, February 23rd, 2021.

Motion by Curry/McAuliffe to adjourn. Motion carried, all in favor.  Meeting adjourned, 10:32 a.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Ross Curry, Secretary