Baraboo Range Commisssion


DATE: June 28, 2006

The Baraboo Range Commission met in a rescheduled regular session at 8:30 AM., June 28, 2006 at the Sauk County West Square Building in Baraboo, Wisconsin.

Members present: Ashford, Hartmann, Kowalke, Persche, Steinhorst, and Wenzel. Also present: Dave Tremble, Sauk County Planning and Zoning, and Audrey Parker.

Chairperson Ashford brought the meeting to order at 8:35 AM., and asked members to review the meeting agenda. Motion to adopt the agenda as presented by Hartmann, second by Steinhorst.
Motion carried.

Ashford asked members to review minutes from the May 31, 2006 meeting. Motion to adopt the minutes by Steinhorst, second by Persche.
Motion Carried.

Communications

Tremble read from a letter received from Scott Lawry, Wisconsin Dept. Of Transportation, requesting consideration of an expedited schedule for paving two additional lanes of the north bypass of the USH12 project, from I-94 to Terrytown Road.

Public Comment

None

Staff Report

Tremble reported on the June 20th meeting of the Sauk County Board, and on recent conservation easement monitoring activities.

Unfinished Business

Tremble reported on the status of the easement enforcement actions at the Brian C. Farr property, and on the issues requiring Sauk County Board of Adjustment permit approval. Tremble reported that the excavation and filling within 300 feet of Skillet Creek is an activity that the Board of Adjustment needs to approve, and that B.C. Farr has submitted his permit application and awaits a hearing before the Board, to occur in July.

New Business

Tremble reported at length on the discussion at the June 20th Sauk County Board meeting about the Dave Lundgren conservation easement. He reported that the Board is mainly concerned about the lack of legal access that the landowner has to the property, an issue affecting both the value of the easement and Sauk County's ability to access the property for purposes of easement monitoring and enforcement. Tremble reported that the opinion of Sauk County Corporation Counsel is that a survey may be required, but that at least a legal right of way description would be necessary to provide a legal description of the access route. This description should be recorded with the Register of Deeds.

Audrey Parker asked members if the legal access right of way easement would have to be purchased by the grantee landowner from the adjacent landowner. Members discussed alternatives and agreed that the proposal should be brought back to the Board along with the other two adjacent conservation easement projects at the same time. Judy Ashford will consult with staff prior to bringing these proposals back to the County Board.

Members discussed scheduling and agreed to convene a special Commission meeting if needed to take action prior to upcoming Planning Zoning and Land Records Committee meetings.

Audrey Parker asked if the Commission could take action on an item discussed in closed session if the item is not posted for action as part of the regular session agenda. Tremble responded that the item in question appeared to have been published mistakenly as part of the closed session agenda. Members agreed to postpone action on those items until the next Commission meeting.

Persche moved to convene a closed session, pursuant to s. 19.85 (1)(e): Deliberating or negotiating the purchase 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 Wenzel.
Motion Carried unanimously.

The Commission convened in closed session. Members present for the closed session: Ashford, Hartmann, Kowalke, Persche, Steinhorst, Turnquist and Wenzel. Also present: Dave Tremble, Sauk County Planning and Zoning.

The Commission returned to open session immediately following the closed session.

The next meeting is tentatively scheduled for Wednesday July 26, 2006.

Motion to adjourn by Steinhorst, second by all. Motion Carried. The meeting adjourned at 9:50 a.m.

Respectfully submitted: Dave Tremble, Sauk County Dept. Of Planning and Zoning