Planning, Zoning & Land Records Committee


DATE: July 8, 2008

Committee Members Present: Lehman, Ashford, Gaalswyk, Cassity and Netzinger

Others Present: Mark Steward, Mary White, Brian Simmert, Ben Vondra, Steve Pate, Pat Dederich, and others.

Chairman Cassity called the meeting to order and compliance with the open meetings law was noted.

Motion by Gaalswyk, seconded by Ashfordto adopt the agenda. Motion carried, 4-0.

Motion by Gaalswyk, seconded by Ashford to approve the minutes of the June 10, 2008 and June 24, 2008 Committee meeting. Motion carried, 4-0

Public Comment: None

Communications: Discussion followed on an e-mail from Kathy Schauf regarding pre-approval for per diem and mileage to non-board committee meetings.

Lehman joined the meeting.

Steward stated that the Farm Tour for the WCA conference was on the same day as the October Planning, Zoning and Land Records Committee meeting, so the Committee may want to change the date of their meeting.

Business items: None

Departmental Updates:

Steve Pate, appeared and gave the departmental update for the Mapping Department. His staff has been working on parcel updates for Spring Green. They had also been called upon to deal with flooding issues. He stated that update of parcel maps is a basic everyday duty along with specific projects that arise. Maintenance background issues are dealt with on a daily basis. Committee would like to know what the department focus was each month. Flooding issues were discussed. Netzinger requested that the Committee go on record that Sauk County was one of the best in the state for the way the flooding emergency was handle. This includes the Sheriff's Department, Mapping, Emergency Government, MIS and Planning and Zoning and Highway Department. These departments went over and above what was needed. Pate will provide the departments with copies of these approved minutes.

Output statistics and short term goals were reviewed. Archive records for tracking parcel history was discussed. This is a way to analyze development patterns. Pate explained GIS to Committee.

Budgets for mapping and land records modernization were reviewed. Pate stated that budgets were on track.

The Committee reviewed land records vouchers for the months of May and June. Motion by Gaalswyk, seconded by Lehman to approve May vouchers in the amount of $5,800.00 and June vouchers in the amount of $265.15. Motion carried, 5-0.

Discussion followed regarding Department of Military Affairs and DOT funding for lidar and orthophotography. They are looking for in-kind funding for FEMA from the County. Motion by Netzinger, seconded by Gaalswyk to approve payment of $1,000.00 toward lidar and orthophotography.

County Surveyor, Pat Dederich, appeared. Parcel mapping and problems with gaps and overlaps in county coordinate system were discussed. He stated that having accurate GPS measurements at corners is a problem. The bounty system and tie sheets were discussed. He stated that he was using careful quality control on the coordinates and tie sheets that are being done at this time.

He does random field checks. The Committee reviewed the coordinates map. The coordinate process was discussed.

The Surveyor's vouchers were reviewed. Motion by Gaalswyk, seconded by Netzinger to pay department vouchers in the amount of $8,059.68. Motion carried, 5-0.

Mark Steward, Planning and Zoning Director, appeared. He briefly gave the monthly report. Flooding issues were discussed. Discussion followed on the formula used to determine extent of flood damage. Landfill areas were discussed. The department is only addressing properties in the floodplain. Discussion on what is substantial damage was reviewed. Gravel quarries were discussed.

The Committee then discussed posting the GIS position. Steward stated that the position has been approved by the Personnel Committee. The Finance Committee was requesting the department to look closely at the position to be sure it was necessary. This position was needed in the Planning and Zoning Department or the Mapping Department. Steward suggested looking into the possibility to run it as a continuing intern position to save money. Ashford was concerned about the continuity. The intern position could be bringing in new knowledge. The department revenue was discussed. It was suggested to leave the position open for a time. It was also suggested for the department to downsize to support this position. The question was if the County could afford this position. Motion by Netzinger, seconded by Lehman to postpone posting the GIS position and to look at it with the possibility of filling the position with interns. Discussion followed regarding striking the "possibility of filling the position with interns." Lehman offered an amendment to state "to allow the director to investigate the possibility of using interns." Discussion followed. Motion on amended motion carried, 5-0.

Planning and Zoning Department vouchers were reviewed. Motion by Ashford, seconded by Gaalswyk to approve the vouchers in the amount of $2,265.74. Motion carried, 5-0.

Discussion followed regarding the Town of Dellona comprehensive plan billing.

The Town Chairman requested an explanation of the bill. The Committee directed Mark Steward to explain the billing to him. The committee reviewed the breakdown. Steward stated that this was a contract billing not based on an hourly amount. Discussion followed regarding paying per diem for committee members. The Towns needed to pay committee members themselves. There is preparation time involved. Steward was directed to write a letter explaining this was a contract charge and also that preparation time was involved.

Discussion on Lighthouse Rock Subdivision followed. Town of Winfield and the State had approved the final plat. Simmert stated they had met all requirements and recommended approval. Road grades and water runoff were discussed. Motion by Lehman, seconded by Netzinger to approve the final plat of Lighthouse Rock Estates. Motion carried, 5-0.

Discussion was held regarding the David Hutter (SP-08-08) rezoning request. Additional information from DOT and Brian Farr was distributed. Simmert appeared and stated that highway safety was a concern. Additional safety information from DOT was requested. The "8 second rule" was discussed. Other commercial uses could be possible. Hutter stated the Town of Baraboo would not allow any other use. Ashford asked if there was a possibility the property would be sold. Hutter stated that was a possibility. Ashford expressed her concern about highway safety. Paul Hasheider, representing the Town of Baraboo, stated the Town would not approve any other use. Discussion followed regarding future plans for Highway 12. Traffic problems in the area were further discussed. Cassity stated he did not like going against town wishes.

Motion by Gaalswyk, seconded by Netzinger to approve the rezoning. Motion called, 2-3, motion lost.

The next item for discussion was the rezoning of the Mid-Continent Railway Historical Society, (SP-09-08). Motion by Lehman, seconded by Ashford to approve this rezoning request. Discussion followed. Motion carried, 5-0.

The Committee briefly discussed limiting public comment during public hearings to either 3 or 5 minutes.

Motion by Lehman, seconded by Gaalswyk to adjourn, 11:30 A.M. Motion carried, 5-0.

Respectfully submitted,

Judy Ashford, Secretary

Notes by mary white.