Economic Development Committee

06/21/12 Minutes (51 KB)

Members present: Marty Krueger, Donna Stehling, Dave Riek, Brian Peper, Dennis Polivka, Joe Fish

Members absent: Gerald Lehman

Others present: Kathy Schauf, Gene Dalhoff, Brian Simmert, Steve Muchow, Richard Vydrzal, Brentt Michalek, Steve Schneider, Dan Bahr, Mike Palm, Ruth Dawson, Jim Bowers

Stakeholders present: Bruce Meyer, Walt Smith John Kessenich, Bill Lowe, Representative Cloud, John Chastan, Steve Freese, Scott Larson, Dave Pierce, Randy Puttkamer, Steve Cohoon, Steve Schmelzer, Cory Franczick, Larry Volz, Representative Holst, Bekah Stehling, Westly Laxman

The meeting was called to order and certification of Open Meeting compliance was given at 6:05 p.m. The agenda was approved on a motion by Riek, second by Polivka. Motion carried.

Motion by Riek, second by Peper to approve the meeting minutes from the prior meeting. Motion carried.

Communications
None

Update on the build-out of the county's fiber optic loop by Hilbert Communications – Steve Schneider
800 customers in Sauk County. Schneider showed a map on locations of existing customers. Schneider sketched out plans for future growth and the use of Midwest Disaster Area Recovery Bonds.

Highway 12 / BD Stakeholder Discussion
Krueger introduced the topic and discussed the background and reasons for the process of discussion for Highway 12 by-pass.

Public Comment
None

Report from subgroup.
The subgroup designed signs and for installation. Temporary signs have been designed by the subgroup and approved by DOT for use. The Town of Baraboo agreed to fund the signs. The signs will indicate the Businesses on BD / Old Hwy 12 Are Open for Business. The town of Baraboo will submit the permit application.

The Chamber will be the lead agency to continue the work.

Discussion of Ski Hi road and exits off of bypass.
Entrances and exits off of the by-pass were discussed as it pertained to traffic patterns, and flow. Terrain and ease of use were also discussed. A request was made that the design team re-evaluate the options for getting on and off of Highway 12. The group will obtain resolutions from the represented municipalities requesting: Prior to finalization of the design plan the stakeholders group requests DOT to revisit all possible exit and access points from Ski Hi Road to the Baraboo River, and to look for alternate and safer exits to handle traffic to and from Devils Lake and Baraboo exits and entrances. It will also be requested that an opportunity be afforded to meet with the design team prior to final design and present information on options and constraints; and receive additional input from the stakeholder group. The resolution will cite statistics on traffic flow and safety history. The City and the County jointly lead the effort when design team is reinitiated.

Update on the responsibilities when renaming roadways and updating GPS coordinates - Richard Vydrzal.
GPS units are sent out by private companies. Information is regularly supplied to companies as they make their requests.

Next steps
Initial work of the stakeholder group is completed. The group will recess until such time as new information becomes available or until design or signage are discussed. Two areas for discussion are 1. Reconvene when design team is ready to present to local units of government, and; 2. Re-evaluate the design.

The subgroup (City of Baraboo, Chamber of Commerce and membership, Village of West Baraboo, Town of Baraboo, Town of Delton, Ho Chunk Nation, Town of Sumpter, Walt Smith, and Dave Pierce) will continue to work to forward on issues associated with signage. Continuity of ordinances for signage between overlapping governmental units will be addressed.

Next agenda
1. Rick Vydrzal will obtain information on short range radio stations for updating on road conditions, attractions, etc. for the next stakeholder meeting.
2. Evaluate whether efforts thus far have been effective.
3. Subgroup will report on formation and efforts.

Public Comment
None

Motion to postpone item “Process for discussion of potential uses /re-uses of the closed landfill property” to next meeting by Lehman, second by Stehling. Motion carried.

Next regular meeting: July 26, 2012 at 6:00 p.m.

Motion by Peper, second by Polivka, to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried.

Respectfully submitted,

Donna Stehling
Economic Development Committee Secretary