DATE: March 8, 2007
PLACE:
Reedsburg Public Library
Reedsburg, WI
Meeting called to order by Chair Wiese at 9:34 a.m. It was certified that the requirements of the open meeting law have been met. Present were Zowin, Lehman, Wiese, Borleske, Cassity, and Prem from the Committee; Van Berkel, Pohle, and Stewart-LCD.
Motion by Cassity/Lehman to adopt the agenda.
Motion carried, all in favor.
Motion by Cassity/Borleske to adopt the minutes of the regular LCC meeting
on February 15.
Motion carried, all in favor.
None.
Van Berkel informed the LCC that Pohle volunteered and will be serving on the WLWCA Youth and Education Committee and assisting with the Wisconsin Envirothon as noted in the Thursday Note.
Van Berkel noted that the Southwest Badger Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D) Council is made up of one county board member and one citizen member from each county. When Pam Karg resigned as our citizen representative, she was never replaced. There has not been any compensation for this appointment previously. The Council meets quarterly during the day. Zowin and Borleske will check to see if the citizen representative could receive per diem or some stipend. Lehmann will contact Mike and Jody Cummings to see if they might be interested in serving as the citizen representative. Committee members agreed to try to think of other potential representatives. Committee will consider nominees at the April meeting. There was discussion about the projects offered and what assistance they may provide to Sauk County. Van Berkel will provide copies of their annual report to the LCC.
The Parks Department, with assistance from Planning & Zoning, are redoing their outdoor recreation plan. They are holding an open house on March 14 to receive recommendations for the plan.
Van Berkel announced that the Southern Area Association meeting will be
held on Thursday, March 29, in Verona. Motion by Borleske/Zowin to approve
Wiese's attendance at the SAA meeting.
Motion carried, all in favor.
WLWCA submitted a request for 2007 dues in the amount of $950 and also sent a letter highlighting their 2006 accomplishments. Julian Zelazny has replaced Rebecca Baumann as Executive Director and appears to be making progress to heal divisions within the organization. These dues were budgeted for 2007. Wiese recommended paying the dues. The Committee agreed.
Van Berkel informed the LCC that Phil Hahn from the PL-566 Watershed Coalition arranged for a legislative listening session on March 14 to make a plea for state funds for dam maintenance. Van Berkel will attend and has invited Sauk County legislative representatives.
A. Update on Working Lands Initiative Workshop-Borleske, Zowin and Wiese led discussion regarding the workshop presentations especially regarding the Purchase of Development Rights (PDRs). PDRs will be put on as a discussion item at a future LCC meeting.
There was discussion about promoting locally grown and sustainable products.
Van Berkel highlighted items from the Land Conservation Department monthly report.
Van Berkel noted that the Executive & Legislative Committee has encouraged the Department to host a Clean Sweep Program this year.
Voucher summaries were distributed to the Committee members.
Motion by Zowin/Borleske to approve bills in the amount of
$12,886.23.
Motion carried, all in favor.
There was discussion about the details reported in the County Farm Budget.
Van Berkel informed the Committee that a revision to our LWRM Plan is required by the state, but it is also very useful for the LCD to plan our priorities. Stewart is taking lead on plan preparation. A proposed timeline was distributed with the final presentation to the Land and Water Board on December 4, 2007. Van Berkel and Stewart have been meeting with Dave Tremble (Planning & Zoning), Jenny Erickson (UWEX), John Exo (UWEX), and Dennis Presser (DATCP). The handout "Prioritized Natural Resource Issues" listed the ranking of topics based upon responses from the survey and from town comprehensive plans relating to the natural resource issues. Staff have been looking at other counties processes and their completed plans.
The LCC reviewed the recommendations and provided additional member suggestions.
Van Berkel briefly reviewed that at the April 2006 LCC meeting
approval was given to use $8,000 of Narrows Creek Watershed
(NBR) cost-sharing funds for a summer intern to conduct a Farmland
Practices Inventory and gather data. This was not done in 2006,
and the money is still available. The purpose of the evaluation
is to determine changes in nutrient management practices due
to the NBR project. Karl Hakanson did a lot of the original
inventories and is now available. There would be a benefit
in having him make the contacts, offer a nitrate screening
and do the survey. Van Berkel proposed contracting with Hakanson
at $50 per farm visit to do the sampling and survey. The estimate
would be for about six weeks of work and the hope is to start
soon. Motion by Borleske/Cassity to contract with Hakanson
for 125 surveys for a total of $6,250.
Motion carried - Borleske, Cassity, Prem, Wiese, Zowin in
favor; Lehman opposed.
Van Berkel noted that they were in the program previously. Motion by Zowin/Borleske to approve Dean and Leslie Schlute's 25-year agreement. Motion carried, all in favor.
Motion to adjourn until April 11 at the Reedsburg Public Library
at 9:30 a.m. by Borleske/Cassity at 12:27 p.m.
Motion carried, all in favor.
Respectfully Submitted: Kathy Zowin, Secretary