DATE: June 4, 2009
UW-Extension ETN West Square Building
Meeting called to order by Chair Wiese at 9:02 a.m. It was certified that the requirements of the open meeting law have been met. Present were Borleske, Kriegl, Posewitz, Puttkamer, and Wiese from the Committee; Brereton-NRCS; Van Berkel and Pohle-LCD; Krueger-County Board; Stadler and Vertein-Conservation Congress; Frost-DNR; Friedrich-Project Hunger and Southwest Community Action Program; Peterson-WDS. Zowin was absent.
Adopt agenda: Motion by Borleske/Puttkamer to adopt the agenda. Motion carried, all in favor.
Adopt minutes of previous meeting: Motion by Borleske/Posewitz to adopt the minutes of the regular LCC meeting on May 14. Motion carried, all in favor.
Public comment: None.
Communications:
A. Thursday Note(s): None
B. Southern Area meeting and Tour, possible approval of committee attendance: Wiese will attend, and his attendance was approved at the May LCC meeting. No other interest.
C. Response from Governor regarding budget concerns: Van Berkel received a letter from Governor Doyle noting they will take our requests into consideration.
Legislative updates: Van Berkel updated the LCC regarding budget issues as approved by Joint Finance. They are shifting some available nutrient management money from cost sharing to staffing, recognizing the importance of staff in getting good nutrient management plans implemented. Landfill tipping fees are being increased to fund some added initiatives. This increase is being opposed so may or may not remain in the final budget.
Reports:
A. Land Conservation Department report-Van Berkel reviewed the report and informed the LCC that only one bid was received from Dan Peterson to rent the unused land at the new Health Care Center. He signed a one-year lease for $70/acre. With the budget passage, the Committee will need to look at implementing the Working Lands Initiative, especially in the case of expiring Farmland Preservation Program agreements.
B. Natural Resources Conservation Service report-Brereton reported that Sauk County received 61 applications for the local EQIP signup - 19 were for the forestry fund pool and 42 were for the
general pool for a total of $412,676. Currently we were allocated $171,937. This should be adequate to fund six of the forestry applicants and 16 from the general pool. More money was requested to fund additional applicants.
Sauk County received one application for the statewide Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) Waste Storage Signup. It has not been funded at this time.
There is a new EQIP signup for organic producers and those transitioning to organic. This signup uses the same conservation practices that our regular signup has but it's a separate pool of money at the state level.
Sauk County had 4 applicants for the Floodplain Easement program. None were funded. In Wisconsin, 23 of the 254 applicants were funded for a total of $19.7 million.
C. Farm Service Agency report-Puttkamer informed the LCC there are just a few Erosion Control Program (ECP) applications left to be addressed, some have withdrawn.
D. Foresters' report-None
E. Economic Development Committee report-Krueger noted they will have a special meeting on Monday to go over the final contract for broadband expansion in the county. Merrimac Bridge Study is being performed. Economic Development Committee is assisting the Property & Resources Committee on evaluating all the real estate the county owns for future use. They will also address the possibility of a Purchase of Development Rights program. Eighty percent of the materials from demolition of the Health Care Center building will be recycled.
F. Mirror Lake District report-None
G. Lake Virginia Management District report-Wiese reported there was no meeting.
H. Lake Redstone Management District report-Borleske reported they will be meeting June 9. August 1 will be the annual meeting. The District is working on contracts for spraying nuisance and invasive weeds.
Review and approval of vouchers: Voucher summaries were distributed to the Committee members. Motion by Borleske/Posewitz to approve bills in the amount of $23,137.78. Motion carried, all in favor.
Annual report on Conservation Congress activities - Vertein: Vertein and Stadler noted this is their first report to the Land Conservation Committee. They previously answered to the Finance Committee. They are looking forward to being involved with the LCC and keeping the Committee informed. A brochure will be provided to the LCC about Conservation Congress. The Congress is getting involved in more issues than fishing and hunting. There are five Sauk County delegates for the Conservation Congress. Various information was distributed. They invited the LCC to attend and/or join the Sauk County Sportsmen's Alliance.
Update on wildlife issues in county - Peterson, WDS and Roth, DNR: Peterson informed the Committee that Roth had a conflict and was not able to attend. He discussed present wildlife issues in the county, including black bears, wolves, CWD and deer, geese, etc.
Discussion regarding Wisconsin Deer Donation Program - Frost, DNR: Frost and Friedrich are trying to revitalize the Wisconsin Deer Donation Program in Sauk County. The Program would collect deer donated by hunters for area food pantries. There would be no cost to the county, but we will need to do an amendment to our DNR Wildlife Damage Service Agreement to obtain funds. Committee will consider approval at the July LCC meeting.
Review and approval of Manure Management Ordinance Draft #10: Van Berkel informed the LCC that the DNR and DATCP have sent some suggested changes. Van Berkel will make the changes and submit to the County Clerk for introduction at June County Board and for action in July. Motion by Borleske/Kriegel to approve the Management Ordinance and forward it on to County Board for review. Motion carried, all in favor. The "Report of Significant Issues to Sauk County Board of Supervisors" was provided to the LCC for review. This report will be mailed with the ordinance to the County Board.
Develop 2010 program evaluation forms: The Committee decided to take the form home to fill out and bring it back for discussion at the next meeting. There were concerns about how it could affect the department if program scores were compared with scores from other departments.
Review and approval of 2010 Form 1, Performance Measures: Van Berkel reviewed the form. There were only minor edits made since review at the previous Committee meeting. Motion by Borleske/Posewitz to approve 2010 Form 1, with the mission, vision, goals, performance measures and outcomes as proposed.. Motion carried, all in favor.
Consider Gene Hausner offer to serve on the Southwest Badger Resource & Conservation Development Council: Van Berkel informed the LCC that Hausner is retired from NRCS, lives in Spring Green, and serves on the Village Board in Spring Green. Motion by Kriegl/Puttkamer to nominate Hausner to serve on the Southwest Badger Resource & Conservation Development Council. Motion carried, all in favor. Van Berkel will forward the name to the County Board for appointment.
Update and possible decision regarding filing of claim for tire damage: Van Berkel talked to Corporation Counsel and Victim Witness and was advised that the Small Claims process was probably not worth the effort. LCC directed Van Berkel to contact Human Services and Victim Witness to see if it is possible to work off the $250 restitution.
Consider approval of additional youth camp scholarship: Pohle presented another camp scholarship application for Nate Helm-Quest to attend the Wisconsin Land & Water Conservation Camp. Motion by Borleske/Wiese to approve Nate Helm-Quest to receive a 2009 camp scholarship in the amount of $100. Motion carried, all in favor.
Motion to adjourn until July 16 at 9:00 a.m. by Borleske/Posewitz at 10:52 a.m. Motion carried, all in favor. An August meeting date of August 13 was tentatively set.
Linda Borleske, Secretary