UW Extension Arts & Culture Committee

Members present:  Judy Ashford, John Dietz, William Hambrecht, Donna Stehling , Eric Peterson, Marty Krueger                                             

Members absent:  Alan Anderson

Present: Jenny Erickson, Meg Sage, Danielle Sander, Paul Wolter

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Call to Order

            The meeting was called to order at 9:00AM by Chair Ashford.

Certification of Open Meeting Notice

            Requirements of the Open Meeting Law were met.

Approval of Agenda

Motion made by Peterson, second by Hambrecht to approve the October 14, 2015 agenda.  Motion carried, all in favor.

Approval of Minutes of Last Meeting

Motion made by Stehling, second by Hambrecht to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of September 9, 2015.  Motion carried, all in favor.

Public Comment:

Paul Wolter shared that Sauk Co. Historical Society received good idea grant last month from the Arts & Culture Committee.  The curator’s workshop at H.H. Bennett Studio was recently cancelled.  SCHS will return the $500 check and reapply.

Communications:

• I-pad training will be offered by MIS prior to the October 20^th County Board meeting from 4:30-6:00pm
• Thank you –Arts Wisconsin
• The Al Ringling Theatre – donor information

Review Budget and Approval of Vouchers:

UW Extension

Erickson reviewed budget details pointing out contract expense, county salary vs. LTE salary and small equipment lines; it is still unclear whether UW Extension will be over budget because of Zick’s reclassification.  Agent contracts will have approximately a $5000.00 credit due to the vacant Ag Agent position.   Motion was made by Stehling, second by Dietz to approve the UW Extension vouchers for the month of September in the amount of $69,627.11.

Motion carried, all in favor.

Arts & Culture

Motion was made by Hambrecht, second by Peterson to approve the Arts & Culture vouchers for the month of September in the amount of $1,000.00.  Motion carried, all in favor.

Department Updates:

UW Extension

Zick will return on a part-time basis starting October 19^th planning to return full-time by December 7^th, 2015.

Arts & Culture: 

Man Mound Park Resolution:  UW Extension, Arts & Culture Committee will have a ”Special Meeting” prior to the County Board Meeting at 5:55pm, October 20^th  to weigh in and support a Resolution for the designation of Man Mound Park as a National Historic Landmark.

Update on 2016 Budget Process: 

            Overall, review with the Finance Committee went well with the 2016 proposed budget

• Sauk County UW Extension office restructure was discussed.   Consensus of committee members to support creating an “office manager” type position that would more effectively utilize support staff and streamline projects, time management, cross-training and ease of transition to a new model.
• Retention increase – J. Erickson received $5,000 starting 10/1/2015.

Discussion and possible action on request for out-of-state travel and expense reimbursement for Meg Sage to attend National 4-H Conference in Portland, Oregon on October 25-29, 2015.

Sage is a member of the diversity and inclusion task force and will be presenting on this topic as well as youth civic leadership at the conference.  Other funding will be from the state and out of pocket.  Motion made by Peterson, second by Stehling to approve Sage attending conference and to cover some travel and related expenses to out-of-state travel for Margaret Sage/4-H Youth Development Agent.   Motion carried, all in favor.

Discussion and possible action:  Update and posting of UW Extension Ag Agent position

Erickson emphasized the importance of having an ag agent position in Sauk County; UW Extension is considering this position in Sauk County a priority position to hire.   Krueger supported posting the Ag Agent position to maintain ourselves as a “core” county and remain in a position of leadership while UW Extension moves towards their new model.

Motion was made by Stehling, second by Dietz to approve moving forward with the posting and hiring of the UW Extension Ag Agent position.  Motion carried, with Peterson opposed.

Agents’ Reports:

Danielle Sander, WNEP:

-Megan Knudsen, Nutrition Educator accepted a position with Dane County UW Extension leaving the Sauk County position vacant.  Recruitment will be for a .83 FTE working full time during the school year and half time during the summer.

Jenny Erickson, CNRED: 

-Stewardship grant to help fund the Great Sauk Trail was received by Sauk County in the             amount of $400,000.  Simmert and Erickson completed the lengthy grant application.

-Improving workplace diversity and inclusion practices

WCA Webinar Cooperative Extension: Transforming Today's Extension for Tomorrow's Possibilities:

Dean Klemme and Chancellor Sandeen outlined proposed changes to Cooperative UW      Extension’s model; current model is not sustainable.  Draft structure for the Local/County/Tribal Component was outlined.

Consideration of Applications for Good Idea Grants:

Baraboo Area Senior Citizen Organization:   Requested $350 to cover speaker costs for a lecture series to be offered to Baraboo residents.  Motion made by Stehling, second by Peterson to approve $350 to support the lecture series.   Motion carried, all in favor.

Future Agenda Items

       -October 20^th- Special Meeting:  Resolution for the designation of Man Mound Park as a National Historic Landmark

Next Meeting Date:

       The next meeting will be on Wednesday, November 18, 2015 in the UW Extension Conference Room at 09:00AM.

Adjournment

       Motion was made by Stehling, second by Dietz to adjourn the meeting.   Motion carried, all in                       favor. Meeting adjourned.

Respectfully Submitted,

William Hambrecht, UW Arts and Culture Committee Secretary

Judy Gurgel, Recording Secretary