Baraboo Range Commission Meeting Minutes

The Baraboo Range Commission met in a regular session at 8:30 AM, October 26, 2005 at the Sauk County West Square Building in Baraboo, Wisconsin.

Members present: Ashford, Beard, Hartmann, Persche, Statz, Steinhorst, Turnquist and Wenzel. Also present: Dave Tremble, Sauk County Planning and Zoning, and Linda Bormann.

Chairperson Ashford brought the meeting to order at 8:33 AM., and asked members to review the meeting agenda. Motion to adopt the agenda as presented by Steinhorst, second by Hartmann.
Motion carried.

Ashford asked members to review minutes from the September, 2005 meeting. Motion to adopt the minutes by Persche, second by Steinhorst.
Motion Carried.

Communications

Tremble mentioned a FAX from Stefanie Brouwer of the WDNR regarding the complexities of the Waldinger project in terms of approving a stewardship grant. The FAX also stipulated the need for Sauk County to acquire title insurance for the other three projects recently submitted for Stewardship funding.

Public Comment

None

Staff Report

• Tremble reported on the October 25th Sheriff's auction of the Don Adams property in the Town of Westfield. The property was purchased by Zerwicke family for $510,000.
• Tremble mentioned that the terms of several BRC members would end in 2006, according to the County Clerk's office. Tremble requested notification of their interest in renewing their memberships for an additional three year term.
• Tremble reported on price quotes obtained from Sauk County Abstract and Title Co. for title insurance for five recent easement acquisitions, to fill a Stewardship Fund grant requirement. The price for each is based on $5 per $1,000 of acquisition price, with a total of $2,480 estimated for the five projects. Hartmann suggested moving ahead with the purchase, and to negotiate for a final total amount. Persche moved to approve ordering the title insurance at that price, second by Turnquist. Motion Carried.
• Tremble reported on his attendance at the annual Land Trust Alliance Rally, held this year in Madison.
• Tremble reported that he would be attending a Managed Forest Law workshop.
• Unfinished Business Tremble asked if members had any additional concerns about the direction of future conservation easement acquisitions. Members expressed consensus that staff should work with landowners of properties adjacent to, surrounded by, or potentially connecting nearby protected land. Tremble reported that no further progress had been made on establishing a route across BRPP protected land. Tremble reminded members of the previous months discussion and the suggestion that a "self-directed" auto tour of the Baraboo Range might be a good way to introduce travelers to the area to the benefits of land protection. Tremble said that he would attempt to develop some ideas for signage to be temporarily placed at roadsides by protected properties. Hartmann suggested contacting Best-EX in Baraboo as a potential sign source. New Business Hartmann 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 Beard.

  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 November 30, 2005 at 8:30 a.m.

Motion to adjourn by Persche, second by Turnquist.
Motion carried.

Respectfully submitted: Dave Tremble, Sauk County Planning and Zoning