Economic Development Committee

Minutes 11/22/10 (50 KB)

Members present: Marty Krueger, Joel Gaalswyck, David Reik, Kathy Zowin, Gerald Lehman, Peter Murray, Don Stevens

Members absent: none

Others present: Kathy Schauf, Gene Dalhoff, Tom Jackson, Dennis Polivka, Mark Cupp, Steve Koenig, Dave Radel, Mike Birr, Marc Higgs, Peter Livingston. Cecilia Farran, Susan Tatar, Gerald Schmidt, Doug Jones, Mary Ann McKenna, Dave Terpstra, Vicki Terpstra, Brad Hutnik, John McKenna

The meeting was called to order and certification of Open Meeting compliance was given at 3:15 p.m. The agenda was approved on a motion by Zowin, second by Murray. Motion carried.

The minutes from the prior meeting were approved with a motion by Gaalswyk, second by Stevens. Motion carried.

Public Comment
John McKenna – presented interim report from the Town. Report is anticipating a mid-January completion time. Five acres of forest were sold to Peck’s. Spoke to terms of sale and the completion of the terms of sale.

Bill Mertens – SCORP, SGCP the importance of the property as a buffer, filter for groundwater, and the importance of preservation

Trish Dickinson – reason that she moved to the area was because of the Community forest

Mike Birr – spoke to potential county objective of looking at the forest as a revenue source. Recommends harvest as a revenue source that could be turned over to the township so that it can be preserved.

Patricia Blair – moved to the area because of the forest. Concerned about groundwater and well (nitrate levels). Preservation of the forest is important.

Jerry Schmidt – Attachment 3 Is the forest keeping the nitrates from penetrating?

Cecelia Farran – The forest is a compilation of a variety of types of wood. Pines and hardwoods are interspersed. Not just a bunch of pine trees.

Doug Jones – been here 10 years. Concern over nitrates and levels of nitrates. Believes that the forest provides a buffer. Dan County is attempting to buy more property for use as green space – believe county to save space that is set aside as green space.

Peter Livingston – working on interim report to aid in decision making process. Not directly affected by nitrates in the water. Entire town is affected by how well that area does economically. Desires to have adequate time to research positive and negative affects of the forest on the area. The Town of Spring Green created a special committee to study the community forest.

Dennis Polivka – requested that committee would research this topic. The Town has not seen the report as of this date.

Susan Tartar – If state values green space why are we doing away with it here? Utilizes the forest for walking and recreation. The forest is utilized by area hunters. The forest has improved the quality of life in this area. Value community forest as a resource.

Al Ikeler – owns land that abuts to the community forest. We all understand the need for revenue in government. Believe that sale of the forest is a short term solution to the revenue problem.

An overview of the Economic Development Committee role and introductions of members was given.

The committee moved to a tour the Community Forest and Tri-County airport properties.
 

Communications
The committee returned to the Tri-County airport for the remainder of the meeting.

Krueger spoke to the process for considering the future of the Spring Green process is one that will keep the Town involved and informed.

Interim report from special committee on the forest – by John McKenna

E-mail from Wisconsin Counties Association regarding discussions at the state level on initiatives in economic development.

Business Items

Update on Rails and Trails process
Krueger updated committee on the scheduling of the next meeting date for the stakeholder group. The villages, towns, and co-op have worked with WSOR to identify options for rail service in the towns and villages. They have explored common interests and concerns in order to move the discussion forward. The villages requested that WSOR and the Co-op develop scenarios that could be considered.

Krueger provided background regarding the state purchase of the United Pacific line from Reedsburg to Madison, which has currently been suspended. Dalhoff and Erickson updated the group on research that is being conducted on the economic impact of freight rail in the county with Extension and Steve Deller. This information will be utilized to inform future processes up to and including the rationale for the needed local match if the state were to acquire the Reedsburg to Madison line. Erickson provided copies of the original survey that was conducted earlier this year. A model of what the study should look like was created. It is designed to help decision makers have needed information to make better decisions. Motion by Stevens, second by Murray to expand and update the rail survey. Motion carried.

Report on meeting with Property and Insurance Committee
Krueger presented information on the meeting and request to provide further work to study county properties.

Outcome of prior meetings with township and residents regarding county forest
Koenig provided information on the history of the community forest, and stakeholder input to date. The forest is not an official county forest as it is not in the county forest program. Koenig provided history of acquisition of the property, and reviewed the County Outdoor Recreation Plan as it applies to the community forest. Koenig updated the committee on work done by the Highway and Parks Committee to study the portions of the community forest. Initial thoughts were that section B would be divided into 12 lots along Kennedy Road. “If we are going to sell something what are we going to sell?”, was the premise under which the study was conducted. The Highway committee study assumed sale of portions at the outset. No final decisions were made.

Discussion of process for Community Forest
Consider town desires (stakeholder input), as well as existing plans. Priority is on developing a vehicle for stakeholder input. Identification of stakeholders and timeline for process will be developed at the next meeting.

Vision, Mission and goals discussion was postponed to the next meeting.

Next meeting date: December 20, 2010, at 6:30 in the West Square Building.

Motion by Zowin, second by Murray, to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried.

Respectfully submitted,

Donald Stevens
Economic Development Committee Secretary