DATE: June 29, 2005
The Baraboo Range Commission met in a regular session at 8:30 AM, June 29, 2005 at the Sauk County West Square Building in Baraboo, Wisconsin.
Members present: Ashford, Beard, Hartmann, Statz, Steinhorst, Turnquist and Wenzel. Also present: Dave Tremble, Sauk County Planning and Zoning, Rodney Walter, TNC, and Audrey Parker.
Chairperson Ashford brought the meeting to order at 8:30 AM., and asked members to review the meeting agenda. Motion to adopt the agenda as presented by Hartmann, second by Turnquist. Motion carried.
Ashford asked members to review minutes from the May 25, 2005
meeting. Motion to adopt the minutes by Steinhorst, second
by Wenzel.
Motion Carried.
Tremble read a letter from Senator Russ Feingold regarding the Senate Joint Finance Committee report on charitable donations and the tax status of conservation easements.
None
Tremble reported that Sauk County had implemented the electronic database tracking of conservation easements, allowing staff to determine quickly whether specific properties where a land division or development is being proposed are protected by conservation easements.
Tremble reported no action of BRPP amended language.
Members discussed the May 25th presentation of Stewardship Fund rules by Stephanie Brouwer. Tremble reported that Sauk County Corporation Counsel had offered the opinion that BRPP acquisitions, even those using outside sources of funding, would require approval by the Sauk County Board.
Tremble provided an update on current and projected expenses, reporting a projected acquisition fund balance of $460,396.96 once all the currently expected easement projects are completed.
Members discussed the potential of other projects to go forward, and discussed strategies for encouraging additional interest among landowners. Members agreed that getting more projects "in the pipeline" might require directly soliciting landowner's interest. Members directed staff to notify landowners who've indicated no further interest that their files have been closed.
Members viewed the map of protected land in the Baraboo Range and briefly discussed options for using remaining funds along with Stewardship funds to buffer and connect currently protected land. Members directed Tremble to provide color coded maps of the existing protected clusters with parcel data for the next meeting.
Steinhorst moved to convene a closed session, pursuant to s. 19.85 (1)(e):
"Deliberating or negotiating the purchasing of public properties, the investing of public funds, or conducting other specified public business, whenever competitive or bargaining reasons require a closed session." for the purpose of discussing negotiations with private landowners. Second by Persche. Motion carried unanimously.
The Commission convened in closed session.
The Commission returned to open session immediately following the closed session.
The next regular session is scheduled for Wednesday July 27, 2005 at 8:30 a.m.
Motion to adjourn by Wenzel, second by Turnquist. Motion carried.
The meeting adjourned at 10:30 AM.
Respectfully submitted: Dave Tremble, Sauk County Planning and Zoning