SAUK COUNTY TRANSPORTATION AND PARKS, AND LAND CONSERVATION COMMITTEES
DATE: March 11, 2004
PLACE:
Sauk County Highway Shop
West Baraboo
Present: Cassity, Craker, Lehman, and Zowin from the Land Conservation Committee; Hartje, Meister, Schmitz, Sprecher, and Stevens from the Transportation and Parks Committee; Muchow and Carignan-Highway Department; Koenig-Parks Department; Van Berkel and Pohle-LCD; Larson-DNR; Wiegand-Administrative Coordinator; R. Statz-Town of Delton; E. Prem and J. Prem-Town of Franklin; T. Garrelts and J. Sprecher-Town of Spring Green; Seering-Reedsburg Independent; Committee members Bernien and Wiese were absent.
Call to Order and Certify Compliance with Open Meeting Law: Joint meeting of the Land Conservation Committee and Transportation and Parks Committee called to order by Transportation and Parks Committee Chairman Hartje at 9:00 a.m. It was certified that the requirements of the open meeting law have been met.
Adopt Agenda: Motion by Stevens/Lehman to adopt the agenda.
Motion carried, all in favor.
Adopt Minutes of Previous Meeting: Motion by Meister/Sprecher to approve the minutes of the February 12 joint meeting.
Motion carried, all in favor.
Appearances: There were no appearances other than for agenda items.
Dredging Project Update and Issues: Van Berkel informed the Committees that the excavation of the lake is done, and Phenco has moved out their equipment. Excavation quantities are still being determined. At issue is some overexcavation in the west bay. Phenco is stating they had verbal authorization to proceed. Joint Committee had authorized $900,000 at the February joint meeting. Final pay amount may be above this based upon final reviews. Cost sharing from NRCS at 65 percent will be available on final approved quantities. No action is required today of the committees.
The thaw started after Phenco was done, causing some problems for work being performed by the highway crews. The beach is being constructed. All of the work below the final water line is done. Remaining work at the beach is sand placement. The Highway Department will wait until drier conditions and then build a berm to protect the beach. Highway crews also constructed a spawning reef for fish that extends out in the lake. Extensive seeding and grading also needs to be done. Koenig complimented the Highway Department on their work on the beach. The park road to the north also needs major repairs due to truck traffic. The highway crew will level off the top of the spoil and will seed it to try and keep out weeds this spring. Asbestos is being removed from both houses on Friday, March 12. The Plain Fire Department will conduct a practice burn at the former Ellefson house. The fire department will notify neighbors. The Nachreiner house will be demolished by highway crews after minor asbestos removal.
NRCS Decision on Reuse of Shop Building: Van Berkel informed Committees the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has reversed their decision regarding the reuse of the shop building. They had originally felt that whatever reuse would be approved by DNR would also be approved by them. However, they now have determined a precedent was set in a similar project in St. Croix County where they did not allow a garage to remain for storage use. Van Berkel distributed copies of the letter from NRCS regarding this decision on the disposition of the shop building. Committee asked that a representative from NRCS appear at the next meeting to discuss this issue.
Consider Sale of Barn on Highway 23 Property: At the last meeting the Committees had intended to return to the barn disposition issue but had not done so. Van Berkel commented that only one bid was received on the barn for $200. There was some question of whether the bidder would be taking down the building completely. Motion by Meister/Cassity to delay a decision until the shop issue was decided and then consider readvertising for bids on the barn along with the shop.
Motion carried, all in favor.
Consider Approval of Cooperative Habitat Agreement on Highway 23 Property: Van Berkel discussed the Cooperative Habitat Agreement on the stream corridor. There is DNR funding from Trout Stamp money to do it now, which will be lost after July 1. The DNR work crew has time to do it this spring, probably starting at the end of March. This agreement will let DNR come in to do the work this spring without a formal easement or purchase. There was a modification added as item #12 to the previous draft agreement which gives Sauk County the right to rescind this agreement if an easement or purchase is not transacted. Corporation Counsel agreed that this addition accomplishes its goal. The fishery project will begin the rehabilitation work on this Class II brown trout stream and would allow for public access. The agreement was presented to the Property and Insurance Committee on Monday and was approved. There is no county cost involved. Tim Larson, DNR Fishery Manager, explained that prior to the construction of the dam at White Mound Lake, Honey Creek was a trout stream. Modifications to allow more cold water flow have restored these waters enough to allow the regeneration of trout. Their crews would work to improve habitat in the stream by narrowing the creek, tapering the banks and providing some undercuts. Costs to DNR will be around $17,000-$20,000. In order for the state/DNR to spend this money, the cooperative agreement is necessary. Joe Prem, Franklin Town Chair, stated that the Town of Franklin Planning Commission will be meeting tonight to discuss the property. They are asking that the county not rush into selling the property. They also have concerns with the plan to provide parking in this area, fearing problems that may occur in that area. Motion to approve the agreement by Meister/Zowin.
Motion carried, all in favor.
Plan for White Mound Rededication Event: Van Berkel informed the committees that due to the fact this was a pilot project, involving much cooperation between and funding from the county, state, and NRCS, staff felt that some sort of rededication event should be held. As a pilot project for PL566 rehabilitation, funding was given to only three states and a limited number of projects within each state were approved. Possible dates would be the first day of fishing season, free fishing day, etc. Motion by Cassity/Meister to have Koenig in charge of planning for a rededication event.
Motion carried, all in favor.
Van Berkel informed the committees that the Corporation Counsel had stated that we do not need to put the rental farmland out for bids and that the joint committees can make the decision on renters and rates. Motion by Craker/Schmitz to rent out the property to the previous renters at the same rate as last year.
Motion carried, all in favor.
Motion to adjourn by Meister/Stevens at 9:55 a.m.
Motion carried, all in favor.
Respectfully submitted: Kathy Zowin, LCC Secretary
DATE: March 11, 2004
PLACE:
Sauk County Highway Shop
West Baraboo
Present: Cassity, Craker, Lehman, and Zowin from the Land Conservation Committee; Norgard-FSA; Van Berkel and Pohle-LCD. Bernien and Wiese were absent.
Call to Order and Certify Compliance of Open Meeting Law: Meeting called to order by Secretary Zowin at 10:10 a.m. It was certified that the requirements of the open meeting law have been met.
Adopt Agenda: Motion by Lehman/Craker to adopt the agenda.
Motion carried, all in favor.
Adopt Minutes of Previous Meeting: Motion by Lehman/Cassity to adopt the minutes from the regular meeting on February 12.
Motion carried, all in favor.
Appearances: There were none.
Training events: Motion by Cassity/Craker to approve the list of training events.
Motion carried, all in favor.
The Committee directed the Land Conservation Department to check the Goad property located at the corner of Highway V and Farber Road about complaints regarding cattle numbers and manure runoff.
Bills: Bill summaries were distributed to the Committee members. Motion by Craker/Cassity to approve bills in the amount of $40,266.44.
Motion carried, all in favor.
Correspondence: Van Berkel distributed copies of the two latest Thursday Notes.
Van Berkel discussed Committee attendance at the Southern Area Meeting on March 26. Van Berkel will be attending. If there is anything important on the agenda for LCC members, notification will be made to the Committee.
Van Berkel informed the LCC that Governor Doyle had sent out statistics on the Farmland Preservation Program.
Reports: Norgard informed the LCC that there are no confirmed general CRP signup dates set at this time. National training for CRP was held last week, and the state training will be completed by the end of this month. There could be a signup in April.
Norgard reported that Sauk County has been declared a Disaster Area. A benefit of being declared a Disaster Area is that emergency loans are available for real estate at 3.75 percent for terms of 20-30 years up to 7 years production if a landowner qualifies. Another benefit is that special legislation for various livestock programs could be enacted.
There was some discussion regarding the Conservation Security Program.
NACD Dues Request: Dues are based on the district/county budget with a minimum payment of $775 and a maximum $1,075. The minimum amount was budgeted, and that is was what we usually pay. Motion by Craker/Lehman to approve payment of 2004 NACD dues in the amount of $775. Motion carried, all in favor.
Adoption of 2004 EQIP Ranking Criteria: The proposed EQIP ranking sheet was distributed and reviewed by the LCC. The Land Conservation Committee is the local work group that needs to approve the ranking. The LCD, Ag Agent Dietmann, and Forester Livingston have revised it from the 2003 version. The ranking criteria can be amended again at anytime if it is not working out. Scoring is done by Land Conservation and NRCS staff. Motion by Cassity/Craker to approve the 2004 EQIP ranking criteria as presented.
Motion carried, all in favor.
Authorization to Represent Committee at Southern Area Association Business Meetings: Van Berkel requested authorization to vote on behalf of the LCC at Southern Area Association meetings. Motion by Craker/Lehman to authorize Van Berkel to represent the LCC when there are no Committee members present.
Motion carried, all in favor.
Authorization to Sign for Committee for USDA Programs: Van Berkel stated that authorization is needed for him to sign for the LCC for USDA programs. Motion by Cassity/Craker to grant Van Berkel authorization to sign on behalf of the Committee for USDA programs.
Motion carried, all in favor.
Approval of Farmland Preservation Agreement – Lester and Lorraine Degner: Van Berkel informed the LCC that Degners have worked with the LCD in the past and have a conservation plan. Motion by Lehman/Cassity to approve the Degner 10-year agreement.
Motion carried, all in favor.
Motion to adjourn until April 8 at 9:00 a.m. by Cassity/Craker at 11:25 a.m.
Motion carried, all in favor.