Conservation, Planning & Zoning Committee

May 10, 2012 CPZ Meeting Minutes (32 KB)

Conservation, Planning, and Zoning (CPZ) Committee members present: J. Ashford, J. Dietz, F. Halfen, J. Lehman, D. Nobs, D. Polivka, R. Puttkamer

Others present: R. Churchill, B. Cunningham, G. Frosch, J. Grothman, L. Hasenbalg, B. Michalek, C. Norgard, P. Pohle, K. Schauf, B. Simmert

At 9:00 a.m. Chair Lehman called the Conservation, Planning, and Zoning Committee to order and certified to be in compliance with the Open Meetings Law.

Adopt agenda: Motion by Ashford/Nobs to amend the agenda to allow for election of officers by paper ballot if there is more than one candidate. Motion carried, all members in favor.

Motion by Halfen/Polivka to adopt agenda as amended. Motion carried, all in favor.

Election of officers:

a. Election of chair - Motion by Puttkamer/Polivka to nominate Lehman as chair. Motion by Ashford/Halfen to nominate Halfen as chair. Motion to close nominations by Polivka/Ashford for the chair position. Motion carried, all in favor. Votes were cast by paper ballot. Michalek read the ballot results-four for Lehman and two for Halfen.

Dietz arrived at approximately 9:10 a.m.
b. Election of vice chair - Chair Lehman called for nominations for the vice chair position. Nomination by Nobs/Halfen for Ashford as vice chair. Motion to close nominations and cast a unanimous ballot for Ashford by Nobs/Polivka. Motion carried, all in favor.

c. Election of secretary - Chair Lehman called for nominations for the secretary position. Nomination by Halfen/Polivka for Puttkamer as secretary. Discussion regarding Puttkamer’s ability to be secretary since he serves as a FSA representative and is not able to vote on zoning issues. Halfen/Polivka withdrew their nomination of Puttkamer. Nomination by Ashford/Halfen for Nobs as secretary. Motion to close nominations and cast a unanimous ballot for Nobs by Halfen/Polivka. Motion carried, all in favor.

Adopt minutes of previous meetings-April 12: Motion by Ashford/Halfen to adopt both sets of minutes from the meetings on April 12 for the Planning, Zoning & Land Records Committee and Land Conservation Committee with changes made to the public hearing minutes. Motion carried, all members in favor.

Public comment: There was discussion on Puttkamer being able to vote only on zoning issues and why the Conservation, Planning, and Zoning Committee is six supervisors plus one advisor instead one of seven supervisors plus one.

Communications: Discussed the primate rescue center that was considering locating in Sauk County. There will be more information at the May 22 meeting.
Introductions of those in attendance were made.

Discussion regarding a possible farm consolidation located in Section 30, T9N, R6E, Town of Prairie du Sac on property owned by Charlene Frosch: Simmert informed the Committee about the possible farm consolidation and available options. It was noted that this is not an action item. Before 2006, farm consolidations were an administrative decision but they were changed to a committee decision. CPZ Department staff and Corporation Counsel are working on how these will be handled in the new ordinance. Gregory Frosch and Jim Grothman were present. The area being discussed is 38 acres in size of which 11 acres are tillable. Frosch’s mother currently lives in an older farm home on the property and are considering creating an opportunity for son Gregory to build a home on the same property. Frosch is looking where he may be allowed to build on the property. They are starting with the county and have not brought this to the town yet for a decision. Discussed past similar situations. Talked of a potential for precedent being set. There was no recommendation given or action taken.

After discussion, the Committee recommended staff to have the topography on the exhibits in the future.

Possible closed session:

a. Possible closed session pursuant to Wisc. Stats. 19.85 (1) (c) Considering employment, promotion, compensation or performance evaluation data of any public employee over which the governmental body has jurisdiction or exercises responsibility. Performance evaluation of Conservation, Planning, and Zoning Director-Motion by Ashford/Halfen to adjourn into closed session. Roll call vote taken with all in favor to go into closed session at 9:50 a.m.

b. Reconvene in open session-motion by Ashford/Puttkamer to reconvene in open session. Motion carried, all in favor.

Review and possible approval of resolution for Targeted Runoff Management grant (Otter Creek): Michalek noted that the CPZ Department is looking for guidance in setting a policy for applying for grants as to whether they should always be brought through this committee and County Board for approval. Options were discussed. When a grant is awarded to the county, the county committee and County Board have to accept the grant and amend budget accordingly. If required to take to the committee and County Board for approval before submitting applications, deadlines may not be able to be met due to the time this would take. It was decided to amend draft resolution to include that these are not matching grants (pass through money only) and setting the maximum amount allowed to apply at $1 million. Postpone decision until May 22 when the resolution will be revised by the CPZ Director and Corporation Counsel.

Select and appoint committee representative to the Southern Area Association (SAA): Motion by Halfen/Nobs to appoint Lehman and Polivka as the alternate to the SAA as committee members. Motion carried, all in favor. Motion by Puttkamer/Halfen to appoint Michalek and Cunningham as the alternate to the SAA as employee members. Motion carried, all in favor.

Approval of attendance at Southern Area Association meeting on May 31: Lehman and Polivka may attend the meeting. No action necessary.

Budget:

a. Review acronyms-A listing of common acronyms were provided to the committee.

b. Review organizational chart-Starting to set up the CPZ Department with a team structure and shifting things around for continuous coverage.

c. Review September 1, 2011, summary memo-Michalek highlighted that the full-time person was hired-Andrew Skog will be starting on May 29. Smart phones have been issued to certain field staff and are saving time when communicating and taking photos while in the field. MSA was hired as the primary engineering firm, and we are working on the backup firm. Have $120,000 left in Baraboo Range Preservation easements which have to be kept in perpetuity. Considering reducing from 50 percent down to 25 percent in the future to cover the planner’s salary for eight more years instead of four years. Received another $150,000 for Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP). We are exploring the first use of the Purchase of Development Rights funds for the 80 acres in Town of Dellona owned by the county; we are working with landowners to grant access. If we cannot get access to it, we will report that and then move on to the other priorities.

d. Discussion and consideration of mission, vision and goals-Will discuss at the next meeting. It was decided to define the roles the CPZ Department staff are to spend for the Badger Oversight Management Commission at an upcoming committee meeting.

e. Discussion and consideration of strategic planning for 2013 budget compilation: programs, mandates and priorities; departmental goals and objectives-It was decided to have a walkthrough of the CPZ Department during the May 21 meeting to meet staff and see the department layout.

Conservation, Planning, and Zoning Department:

a. Department report and updates: Michalek reviewed the Conservation, Planning, and Zoning department report.

b. Review and approval of vouchers: Motion by Halfen/Nobs to approve vouchers in the amount of $19,453.47. Motion carried, all members in favor.

Reports:

a. Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) report: None.

b. Farm Service Agency (FSA) report: Norgard noted there has been moderate interest in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) and should gain more than we lose. The current Farm Bill expires September 30. The county committee COC elections nominations will start June 15. Discussed current milk prices.

c. Foresters’ report: None.

d. Economic Development Committee report: Polivka mentioned another meeting is scheduled for May 24. Asking DOT to come back with some clarification on barricades and signage on Hwy. 12.

e. Mirror Lake District report: Update given by Nobs.

f. Lake Virginia Management District report: Update given by Nobs and Michalek.

g. Lake Redstone Management District report: Dietz informed the committee that the meeting is tonight (May 10).

Next meeting of the Conservation, Planning, and Zoning Committee will be held on Monday, May 21, at 9:00 a.m. and Wednesday, June 13, at 5:00 p.m.

Motion by Polivka/Ashford to adjourn at 11:47 a.m. Motion carried, all members in favor.

Respectfully submitted,

Don Nobs, Secretary