DATE: July 16, 2009
Meeting called to order by Chair Wiese at 9:00 a.m. It was certified that the requirements of the open meeting law have been met. Present were Borleske, Kriegl, Posewitz, Puttkamer, Wiese and Zowin from the Committee; Norgard-FSA; Van Berkel, Pohle, and Stanek-LCD; Peterson-WDS; Roth-DNR; Goethel, Klemm, Otto, Perkins, Schara-camp scholarship recipients.
Adopt agenda: Motion by Borleske/Posewitz to adopt the agenda. Motion carried, all in favor.
Adopt minutes of previous meeting: Motion by Puttkamer/Posewitz to adopt the minutes of the regular LCC meeting on June 4. Motion carried, all in favor.
Public comment:
A. Youth Camp Scholarships: Goethel, Klemm, Otto, Perkins, and Schara gave short presentations on their camping experiences and thanked the LCC for the scholarships.
Communications:
A. Thursday Note(s): The July 2 Thursday Note was received at the Committee Members homes.
B. DNR purchase of 20-acre addition to Devil's Lake State Park, Town of Merrimac and a purchase of 23 acres Town of Excelsior to add to Dell Creek Wildlife area. No action required.
Legislative updates: The budget signed by the Governor restores staffing grant funds from nutrient management. This is only a temporary solution because staff grant allocations in future budgets will now start at a reduced level. The status of the Land and Water Conservation Board will be maintained. Some money was budgeted for Clean Sweep, but we do not know if we will qualify because of the emphasis on regional efforts.
Reports:
A. Land Conservation Department report-Van Berkel discussed the frequency of newsletters distributed and the mailing list. Update on flood issues-Spring Green has two separate initiatives going on there. There was discussion on the lack of communication from the drainage board. DNR informed Van Berkel that they may be able to offer a $35,000 grant to investigate flood issues in the Clark Creek area.
B. Natural Resources Conservation Service report-No report.
C. Farm Service Agency report-Norgard reported they have 28 Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) contracts expiring September 30; 3-year and 5-year extensions were offered and a few people are interested. They are wrapping up Emergency Conservation Program (ECP) work from 2008 floods, six are asking for an extension. The 2008 disaster payments are being handled under the Supplemental Revenue Assistance (SURE) Program. Sign up for SURE is projected later in the calendar year. Payments for livestock losses due to a disaster are being offered through the Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP). The LIP signup deadline is September 13 for the initial phase. Acreage reporting deadline was July 15 and has been extended to August 14.
D. Foresters' report-No report.
E. Economic Development Committee report-Zowin was not able to attend their last meeting.
F. Mirror Lake District report-Zowin did not attend the last meeting. Van Berkel noted there are no cost estimates on repairs for the Mirror Lake and Redstone Lake dams yet. May be able to start repair later this fall if draw down is required.
G. Lake Virginia Management District report-Wiese noted their next meeting will be in August.
H. Lake Redstone Management District report-Borleske reported they had a meeting on Tuesday night. Annual meeting is on August 1. Steve Koenig will give an update at the annual meeting.
Review and approval of vouchers: Voucher summaries were distributed to the Committee members. Motion by Borleske/Posewitz to approve bills in the amount of $44,917.81. Motion carried, all in favor.
Update on wildlife issues in county - Peterson, WDS and Roth, DNR: Roth reported that wildlife staff is down 50 percent. DNR received FEMA money to repair parking lot at Tower Hill State Park. Some DNR lands were included in the drainage district in Spring Green. DNR has asked to be removed from the proposed district. DNR staff are finding out about drainage board meetings through local paper. DNR does have some regulatory authority over drainage outlet. DNR Wildlife has received Turkey Stamp funds for habitat restoration, prescribed burns and invasives control.
Consider participation in 2009 Wisconsin Deer Donation Program: Peterson presented proposed budget amendments to address program needs - $300 additional for 2009 administrative budget from $250 to $550, $2,500 increase for venison processing for food pantries. The budget will increase from $14,597.41 to $17,397.41. There is no cost to county, the funds are generated through hunting license sales. DNR could do another amendment if necessary. Straka Meats in Plain will be participating as a processor. Motion by Borleske/Zowin to participate in the 2009 Wisconsin Deer Donation Program. Motion carried, all in favor.
Discussion of Board presentation of Manure Management Ordinance: The Committee reviewed the ordinance changes. Wiese will contact Linda White and ask her to speak in support of the ordinance at the July County Board meeting.
Update on Gene Hausner appointment to Southwest Badger Resource and Development Council: Initiative was too late for the July Board meeting. Anticipating appointment at the August County Board meeting.
Review of completed 2010 budget program evaluation forms: Committee discussed how they will be utilized and their concern if the results are compared with other departments. The forms were collected and will be compiled and discussed at the next meeting. They will aid the LCD in setting their priorities. The Committee directed that Clean Sweep money be requested as a part of the LCD's 2010 budget.
Consider approval and funding of Serge Koenig's participation in Sauk County Institute of Leadership: Motion by Zowin/Borleske to approve Koenig's participation in SCIL. Motion carried, all in favor.
Consider approval of request to extend Winnifred and Tony Weitzel Farmland Preservation Agreement application term from 10 to 20 years: Weitzel's application has been approved by County Board for 10 years and he would like to extend it to 20 years. The change only requires LCC approval, not full County Board approval. Motion by Borleske/Puttkamer to approve the extension. Motion carried, all in favor.
Stanek explained that there are currently 325 Farmland Preservation Program (FPP) contracts that upon expiration will not be able to reapply for agreements and qualify for tax credits under Farmland Preservation due to recent changes in the budget. The task will be to work with towns and villages to implement exclusive agricultural zoning or establish Agricultural Enterprise Areas for the Working Lands Initiative program. Staff plan on doing a presentation regarding the change at a future towns association meeting.
Motion to adjourn until August 13 at 9:00 a.m. by Borleske/Posewitz at 11:40 a.m. Motion carried, all in favor. Tentative date was also set for September 17 for a September LCC meeting.
Linda Borleske, Secretary