DATE: April 30, 2008
PLACE:
Rm. 213
West Square Building
505 Broadway
Baraboo, WI
Members present: Ashford, Hartmann, Persche, Steinhorst, and Wenzel. Also present: Dave Tremble, Sauk County Planning and Zoning, Alene Kleczek, Sauk County Asst. Corporation Counsel, 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 by Persche,
second by Hartmann.
Motion carried.
Ashford asked members to review the draft minutes from the January 30,
2008 Commission meeting. Motion to approve by Steinhorst, second by Wenzel.
Motion
Carried.
None to report
None
Tremble reported on recent efforts to complete local Town comprehensive plans, as well as the start of the Sauk County Comprehensive Plan process. He also reported on the planned Americorps service workers trip to Sauk County scheduled for May 14. Workers will be removing invasive plants on public and selected private lands, including the Ski Hi Fruit Farm and the Dean Steinhorst property in the Town of Freedom. Tremble mentioned that Sauk County is hiring interns this summer, who could be utilized for easement monitoring and for mapping GPS coordinates of conservation easement protected properties.
Tremble reported that Betty Thiessen had purchased the Patricia Hackett property on USH 12. She remains interested in removing the existing residence and buildings, pending final WisDOT determination of the future highway alignment.
Alene Kleczek appeared to brief the Commission on recent Wisconsin Supreme Court decisions (January '08 and March '07) regarding the Wisconsin Open Meetings statute, and their impact on the Commission's use of closed sessions to discuss negotiations with private land owners. Ms. Kleczek reported that, in essence, the closed session cannot be convened simply for the purpose of maintaining landowner confidentiality. Public notice of the meeting requires that closed sessions be identified with an explanation of exactly whey the closed session will be convened, including to identify with or about whom the discussions are being conducted. Closed sessions can be convened on a case-by-case basis if good reasons exists, such as to protect proprietary information or to protect a confidential informant. Otherwise, the Commission and landowners have options to protect confidentiality, such as the partnership with a non-profit organization. Alene said that Corporation Counsel would be available to consult with on an expedited basis regarding Open Meetings issues. Meanwhile, the Commission needs to develop a protocol for determining specific case requirements for closed sessions, and it needs to issue agendas earlier to assure conformity with the law.
Persche asked that the minute reflect the Commission's desire to assure objectivity and responsibility in the conduct of its business through he exercise of a legitimate process, and not to hoodwink the public.
The Commission took a five minute recess to relocate the meeting to the County Board room.
The Commission reconvened at 9:05 a.m. in the Sauk County Board of Supervisors chamber.
Tremble presented maps and information related to the Richard and Julie Klemm property in the Town of Freedom Members determined to postpone any decision regarding the hiring of an appraiser until a full site visit and evaluation could be completed.
Members determined to postpone a review of project priorities to a future date.
The next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday May 28, 2008.
Motion to adjourn by Wenzel, second by Hartmann.
Motion Carried.
The meeting adjourned at 9:35 a.m.
Respectfully submitted: Dave Tremble, Sauk County Dept. of Planning and Zoning