Economic Development Committee

11/13/12 Minutes (63 KB)

Members present: Marty Krueger, Donna Stehling, Dave Riek, Joe Fish, Dennis Polivka, Gerry Lehman

Members absent: Brian Peper

Others present: Kathy Schauf, Todd Liebman, Tim Stieve, Gene Dalhoff, Steve Muchow

The meeting was called to order and certification of Open Meeting compliance was given at 6:30 p.m. The agenda was approved on a motion by Polivka, second by Riek.

The meeting minutes from the prior meeting(s) were approved on a motion by Fish, second by Riek. Motion carried.

Communications
Economic development committee mission, vision, and goals. Prior year documents were combined in a draft form for discussion purposes.

Discussion and approval of final resolutions regarding County Guaranty, Intergovernmental Agreement and Midwestern Disaster Area Revenue Bond financing for Bug Tussel Wireless, LLC Project and reimbursement and access agreement between Sauk County and Hilbert Communications/Bug Tussel Wireless, LLC and Hilbert Communications, LLC Guaranty.
T. Stieve provided an update to the committee on the status of the status of the rental of fiber optic cable and the subsequent revenue paid to the County from Hilbert Communications. He described the history of the engagement and the mutually beneficial results for both the County and Hilbert to date.

M. Krueger updated the committee on the public purpose of this project as an economic development tool. G. Dalhoff shared information regarding the use of broadband as an economic driver in rural areas. Areas of negotiation have acquired additional service to local governments in use of the structures added under this agreement. The agreement also includes the needed spectrum giving the physical infrastructure value.

Motion by Polivka, second by Stehling, to approve the Final Resolution Regarding Unconditional County Guaranty of its Pro Rata Share, Intergovernmental Agreement and Midwestern Disaster Area Revenue Bond Financing for Bug Tussel Wireless, LLC Project, and forward it to the Board for approval. Motion carried.

Discussion and consideration of potential uses /re-uses of the closed landfill property.
Review of governmental uses of the landfill.

• Landfill. Potential areas of conflict with various recreational uses and governmental uses. Potentially the property could be sold, however it is sold with obligations and covenants and restrictions. The ability to de-list may not be available for the next five years for the older “super-fund site”.
• Portions of property that are currently vacant are landlocked and the methane piping goes underneath the parcels.
• Officers Range.
• Highway and Parks – storage.
• It was discussed that it may be beneficial to review what the recommendations were in the final use plan of 2006.
• Use of the property for a consolidated Highway Shop poses some potential problems as it pertains to wells and septic. Likely to require an actual waste water treatment facility. Long term for adjacencies to the work etc. do not work well operationally. Connection to municipal services is high. Landfill infrastructure precludes the ability to have a large enough footprint for Highway.
• A list of the restrictions and limitations will be compiled.

Discussion of stakeholder input opportunities.

• 37 owners, 58 parcels with either properties adjacent or within the 1200 foot zone.
• J. Fish indicated that the Town of Excelsior currently has no known concerns. It has not been discussed for a number of years.
• Involvement of constituents in the Town of Excelsior in the overall re-use process. 1. Develop list of limitations and present to the Town Board. 2. Ascertain view of Town Board on the properties limitations. 3. Work with Town Board to involve other constituents.

Discussion of projects and priorities.
Motion by Lehman, second by Riek to cancel the December meeting and hold a joint meeting with the Town of Excelsior in January. Motion carried. Meeting date and agenda items for next Economic Development Committee meeting. J. Fish will confirm the Town’s wishes in regard to a joint meeting.

Motion by Lehman, second by Fish, to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried.

Respectfully submitted,

Donna Stehling
Economic Development Committee Secretary