Land Resources and Extension Committee

Land Resources and Extension Committee Meeting Minutes 07.10.2025 (196 KB)

SAUK COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
Land Resources and Extension Committee
Meeting Minutes
Monday, July 10, 2025
County Board Room
Sauk County West Square Building

Land Resources and Extension (LRE) Committee members present: M. Krueger, D. Polivka, P. Kinsman, V. McAuliffe (10:00 am), L. Eberl, B. Spencer, B. Lohr, B. Prosser, R. Puttkamer

Others present:  T. Kabat, B. Simmert, R. Meyer, T. Hillmann, M. Jensema, M. Walters, K. Felton, M. McArthur, C. Edgar

Absent: None

At 9:00 a.m. Chairman Krueger called the Land Resources and Extension Committee meeting to order.  LRE Staff certified the meeting to be compliant with Open Meetings Law. 

Adopt agenda - Motion by Spencer / Eberl to adopt the July 10, 2025, agenda.  Motion carried unanimously.

Adopt minutes of previous meeting – June 24, 2025 - Motion by Puttkamer / Kinsman to adopt the June 24, 2025, LRE Committee meeting minutes.  Motion carried, unanimously.

Public comment – No public comment

Communications – None      

Land Records

1. Land Records Department Report – K. Felton presented the Land Record Department Report
2. Review and approval of vouchers – K. Felton requested payment of the vouchers in the amount of $166,553.50.  Motion by Polivka / Eberl to approve vouchers for the Land Records in the amount of $166,553.50.  Motion carried, unanimously.

Register of Deeds

1. Register of Deeds Department Report – B. Bailey was not present to give the Register of Deeds Department Report.  The department report is on Granicus for the Committee to view.
2. Review and approval of vouchers – R. Meyer noted that B. Bailey will not be present and requested payment of the vouchers in the amount of $8,411.77.  Motion by Lohr / Spencer to approve vouchers for the Register of Deeds in the amount of $8,411.77.  Motion carried, unanimously.      

Extension Education

1. Report:  Morgan McArthur, Community Development Educator – Sauk County Institute of Leadership (SCIL) & Township Drinking Water Program. M. McArthur gave a presentation about the SCIL Program.  M. McArthur also spoke regarding the annual township drinking water program, stating that three towns each year collaborate with Sauk County to assist residents in getting their well water tested.
2. Extension Highlights Report. C. Edgar presented the Extension Highlights Report. C. Edgar reported that the Food-Wise program will be eliminated at the end of September with some lay-offs to follow.
3. Review and approval of vouchers – C. Edgar presented vouchers in the amount of $667.74 for Extension Education.  Motion by Spencer / Puttkamer to approve vouchers for $667.74 for UW Extension. Motion carried, unanimously.

Public Hearing:  To begin at approximately 9:15 a.m. or soon thereafter.  Committee to consider and take possible action at the conclusion of the respective hearing. 

M. Krueger called the public hearing portion of the meeting to order at 9:23 am, the committee introduced themselves.

1. Petition CURZ-25-4. A petition to consider a rezone pursuant to s7.150 from an Agriculture Zoning District to a Single-Family Residential Zoning District on lands owned by Sherman and Jeanna Raschein. Said rezone is located in the Town of Sumpter, Sauk County. Lands affected by the proposed rezone are located part of the NE ¼, SE ¼, and NW ¼, SE ¼, Section 24, T10N, R6E, Town of Sumpter, and as further described in Petition 25-4. Tax parcel identification numbers 034-0352-01000 and 034-0363-10000.

R. Meyer certified that the public hearing notice for Petition CURZ-25-4 has been properly posted.

R. Meyer read the public hearing notice.

T. Hillmann presented a petition to consider a rezone pursuant to s7.150 from an Agriculture Zoning District to a Single-Family Residential Zoning District on lands owned by Sherman and Jeanna Raschein. Said rezone is located in the Town of Sumpter, Sauk County. Lands affected by the proposed rezone are located part of the NE ¼, SE ¼, and NW ¼, SE ¼, Section 24, T10N, R6E, Town of Sumpter, and as further described in Petition 25-4. Tax parcel identification numbers 034-0352-01000 and 034-0363-10000.  Town of Sumpter Plan Commission and Town Board recommends approval of requested rezone.  LRE department also recommends approval of requested rezone.

The applicant, Sherman Raschein, provided a summary of their plans to covert lands into a subdivision in the Grubers Grove area.

Tim Colby, representing the Town of Sumpter as Chairperson, spoke regarding the rezone in the Town of Sumpter being a positive growth impact for the area including extra tax base for the town.

B. Lohr inquired about the Town’s comprehensive plan update notices.  T. Colby responded that every meeting was properly posted and open to the public.

No one spoke in favor for the rezone.

Paul Weum spoke in opposition of the rezone.  Mr. Weum and his family moved to the area for the peaceful neighborhood.  If the subdivision is allowed, it will have a negative impact on what he currently uses his property for such as hunting and target shooting.

Jennifer Gjertson spoke in opposition of the rezone. Ms. Gjertson provided reasons for opposition to the rezone.  Ms. Gjertson also stated how upset she is about the lack of notification of the rezone and the changes made to the Town’s comprehensive plan.

Summer Von Behren spoke in opposition to the rezone. Ms. Von Behren has concerns with the developer for the project asking for forgiveness instead of permission.  Ms. Von Behren also spoke regarding the lack of notice on the amendment for the comprehensive plan.

Stephanie Krum registered in opposition to the rezone.

Lori Stratton-Wells registered in opposition to the rezone.

Greg Stratton registered in opposition to the rezone.

Connie Henry spoke in opposition to the rezone.  She said the future of her property for upcoming generations is at risk including impacts to the quiet neighborhood and environment.

Bob Henry registered in opposition to the rezone.

Calvin Berning registered in opposition to the rezone.

Robert Sinclair spoke as an interested party to the rezone.  Mr. Sinclair spoke regarding Grubers Grove Road being a class B road and will need to be redone after the construction equipment uses the road.

Dani DeCloux (via zoom) spoke as an interested party to the rezone as a representative of Alliant Energy.  Ms. DeCloux noted that there are strict guidelines on the use of the shoreline areas.

Supervisor Prosser asked the applicant, Sherman Raschein, if larger lot sizes were considered while applying for the rezone.  Mr. Raschein commented that he looked at the surrounding areas and most lot sizes are 1/2 acre or less.

The public hearing was closed at 10:23 a.m. for committee deliberations on Petition CURZ-25-4.

Supervisor McAuliffe noted the water near the former Badger Ammunition plant is contaminated. 

Supervisor Lohr also noted that the projects within the bay over the past few years have raised concerns.

Supervisor Eberl inquired about water testing for this area.

Motion by McAuliffe to table the rezone request until the dredging project by the Army is completed.  The motion died for a lack of a second.

Motion by Polivka / Kinsman to approve a rezone from an Agriculture Zoning District to a Single-Family Residential Zoning District on tax parcel numbers 034-0352-01000 and 034-0363-10000 on lands owned by Sherman and Jeanna Raschein in the Town of Sumpter, Sauk County as presented based on the findings of fact and conclusion of law, subject to the staff analysis, and subject to the conditions as noted in the staff report.  Motion carried 6 to 3, with Lohr, McAuliffe, and Prosser in opposition.

1. Petition CURZ-25-5. A petition from Live Love Dwell LLC, applicant, to consider a conditional use permit pursuant to s. 7.036(2)(e) for a campground. Lands affected by the proposed conditional use are located in part of the NE ¼, NW ¼, of Section 15, T11N, R6E, Town of Baraboo, Sauk County, tax parcel identification numbers 002-0435-00000 and 002-0432-00000 on land owned by Live Love Dwell LLC.           

R. Meyer certified that the public hearing notice for Petition CURZ-25-5 has been properly posted.

R. Meyer read the public hearing notice.

T. Hillmann presented a petition to consider a conditional use permit pursuant to s. 7.036(2)(e) for a campground on lands owned by Live Love Dwell LLC in the Town of Baraboo, Sauk County. Lands affected are further described in Petition CURZ-25-5. Tax parcel identification numbers 002-0435-00000 and 002-0432-00000.  Town of Baraboo Plan Commission and Town Board recommends approval of the requested conditional use permit.  LRE department also recommends approval of the requested conditional use permit.

The applicants, Gregg Dahlgren, provided a summary of their plans to covert lands into a 12 site-campground.

Randy Puttkamer, Town of Baraboo Plan Commission and Town of Baraboo Supervisor representative recommended approval of the campground on behalf of the Town of Baraboo.

Peter Schmitz spoke in favor of the campground.

No one spoke in opposition or as an interested party.

The public hearing was closed at 10:51 a.m. for committee deliberations on Petition CURZ-25-5.

Motion by Lohr / McAuliffe to approve CURZ-25-5, a conditional use permit for a campground in the Town of Baraboo, Sauk County, tax parcel identification numbers 002-0435-00000 and 002-0432-00000 on land owned by Live Love Dwell LLC as presented based on the findings of fact and conclusion of law, subject to the staff analysis, and subject to the conditions as noted in the staff report.  Motion carried unanimously.

The public hearing portion of the committee meeting closed at 10:53 am.

Land Resources and Environment

1. LRE Department Report – T. Kabat presented the LRE Department June report.
2. WI River Recreation Bridge Update.  T. Kabat gave an update on the WI River Recreation Bridge construction progress.
3. Update on capital improvement plan projects. T. Kabat gave a brief update on capital improvement plan projects.
4. Review and approve updated premium pay and on call policy. T. Kabat presented the updated premium pay and on call policy for the Land Resources and Environment department.  Motion by Kinsman / Spencer to approve the premium pay and on call policy.  Motion carried unanimously.
5. Review and approval of vouchers – T. Kabat presented vouchers in the amount of $117,760.27 for the Land Resources and Environment department.   Motion by Eberl / Prosser to approve vouchers in the amount of $117,760.27 for the department.  Motion carried, unanimously.

Reports

1. Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) – Janice Kelley gave an update for the NRCS department and different programs available. 
2. Farm Service Agency (FSA) – None.
3. Foresters – None.
4. Economic Development Committee – M. Krueger noted a lot of time is being spent on the historic grant preservation program applications. 
5. Mirror Lake Management District – B. Prosser noted the dredging project is moving along.
6. Lake Virginia Management District – M. Krueger noted they are moving ahead with the aerator project and the dam work will happen in the fall per DNR request.
7. Lake Redstone Protection District – P. Kinsman noted that the wake board ordinance is in the works and the group did complete the goose round up.
8. Southern Area Association – WI Land and Water – None.

Next meeting dates –Tuesday, July 22, 2025, and Thursday, August 14, 2025, at 9:00am.

Adjournment – Motion by Prosser / McAuliffe to adjourn at 11:27 a.m.  Motion carried, unanimously.

Respectfully submitted,

Valerie McAuliffe, Secretary