LAND RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE

Minutes (22 KB)

SAUK COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
LAND RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE
Thursday, October 10, 2019
Room 213, Sauk County West Square Building

 

Land Resources and Environment Committee members present:  J. Berlin C. Spencer, M. Krueger, B. Newport, J. Dietz, C. Whitsell, R. Puttkamer, and G. Johnson.

Absent:  None.
 

Others present:   L. Wilson, G. Templin, B. Simmert, C. Fowler, M. Stieve, B. Bailey, K. Felton, and J. Kelly.    See registration slips for public comment.

At 9:00 a.m., Spencer called the Land Resources and Environment Committee meeting to order and Templin certified to be in compliance with the Open Meetings Law.  At this time Spencer turned the meeting over to Vice Chair Krueger.

Adopt agenda:   Motion by C. Whitsell/B. Newport to adopt amended agenda as presented.  Motion carried, all in favor.

Adopt minutes: Motion by G. Johnson/B. Newport to approve the September 24, 2019 minutes LRE Committee meeting minutes.  Motion carried, all in favor.

Public Comment:

Paul Bodendein, appearing to speak about the Hemlock dam issue.  Spoke of the knowledge that the community wants a dam and pond; and feels that it is an obligation of the municipalities and the county to fix the problem.

Richard Sharratt, appearing to speak about the Hemlock dam issue.   Stated that he feels Hemlock is more of a lake than a pond and feels the restoration of the dam will restore a quiet place that the public can retreat to and enjoy.  Feels the restoration of the dam is of great public interest.

Raymond Demaske, appearing to speak of the Hemlock dam issue and representing the Town of LaValle.   He stated that there is a lot of community support to put the pond back to the original depth.  He spoke of the support from the Town Board to replace the dam.

Ken Nolden, appearing to speak on the conditional use permit for winery issue and representing the Town of Excelsior.   He stated that the Town has requested conditions for the permit and would like to request that those be part of the permit approval granted this morning.

Sarah May, Village of LaValle Community Action President, stated that the Hemlock Park means a lot to the younger generation and they would like to see the pond and dam restored.

Communications:

a.  Email regarding park entrance fees.  Wilson reviewed the email provided.

Whitsell spoke of several emails and written communications he has received regarding the proposed cell tower.  Other Committee members noted they have received them as well.  Staff requested that copies be forwarded to the Department to be made part of the record at the hearing.

Land Resources and Environment
a.  Discussion and possible action on resolution Authorizing the Decision to Remove or Repair Hemlock Dam and Authorizing the Land Resources and Environment Department to Proceed with related Application to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Municipal Dam Grant.  Stieve appeared and provided a recap on the requirements posed to the County from the Wisconsin DNR.  He also addressed the updated requirement, which included that trees on both sides of the 400 trail need to be removed, and an offer of up to $30,000 from the DNR to assist in the removal of the trees was provided.   He also spoke of an easement being required for maintenance of the dam, which now the maintenance of the 400 trail in that area, as the DNR has determined this to be part of the dam.  He confirmed the county does not have the equipment to maintain.  Krueger asked for definition of responsibility of the 400 trail.  The committee asked questions about the dam structure and the differences between keeping the dam in and the removing it and how it would affect the water on either side.

Berlin stated they should explore the possibilities and use the municipal grant to help fix up the 400 trail.  Spencer felt a decision needs to be made one way or the other.  Stieve explained the Municipal Dam Grant.   Motion by C. Spencer/C. Whitsell to repair the dam with the drop inlet option and proceed with plans/specifications and the associated application to the  DNR for the dam grant.  Motion carried, all in favor.  Committee spoke of the disappointment with the DNR.  Dietz spoke of his concern with the long-term responsibility with the 400 trail.

b.  Discussion and possible action on resolution Authorizing the Director of Land Resources and Environment to Submit Multi-Discharge Variance Application the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.  Wilson explained the request.  Motion by C. Whitsell/C. Spencer to approve the resolution to authorize the Director to submit the multi-discharge variance application to the DNR.  Motion carried, all in favor.

At this time (9:42 a.m.), Spencer recused himself and left the room.

c.  Discussion and possible action on a conditional use permit pursuant to s7.027(3)(g) for an Agriculture tourism (winery), located in the Town of Excelsior, Sauk County, tax parcel 010-0911-10000 (Postponed action from September 24, 2019 public hearing).  Simmert appeared and reviewed the history and provided the standards and conditions for the committee to review and make findings per Chapter 7.  He also verified the conditions the department is recommending, as well as conditions by the Town of Excelsior.

Whitsell verified the conditions by the Town.  Johnson verified the condition of Town of Excelsior for a 5-year permit.   Dietz asked about the noise condition and the committee discussed.

Motion by C. Whitsell/G. Johnson to accept the findings of fact and conclusion presented by staff and approve the CUP for a Winery/Ag Tourism with the conditions by the LRE department and the Town of Excelsior.  Motion carried, all in favor.

Spencer rejoined the committee at this time (9:50 a.m.).

d.  Discussion and possible action on approving purchase of picnic table frames and lumber.  Stieve appeared and explained the request to accept the quote from Custom Manufacturing in the amount of $9,075.00.   Spencer verified the expense is in the budget.  Stieve verified it would come from the campground improvement line item.  Motion by J. Berlin/C. Spencer to accept the bid from Custom Manufacturing in the amount of $9,075.00  Motion carried, all in favor.
 

e.  Discussion and possible action on approving purchase of a debris blower for trail maintenance. Stieve appeared and explained the request $6,993 from Horst Distributing.  Motion by C. Spencer/C. Whitsell to approve the purchase of a debris blower in the amount of $6,993 from Horst Distributing.
 

f.  Discussion on draft SCORP.  Simmert appeared and provided a draft of the SCORP.  Simmert reviewed an anticipated timeline of approval and details throughout the plan.  The committee discussed.

g.  Discussion and possible action on Comprehensive Plan strategy.  Wilson spoke of the Comprehensive Plan strategy and a regional perspective that would work with the cities and villages.  The committee discussed the benefits of a regional effort and agreed that the staff should continue with the concept presented.

h.  Discussion and possible action on possible changes to 2020 budget.  Wilson reviewed the changes to the department budget.

i.  Department report.  Wilson reviewed the department report.

j.   Review and approval of vouchers.  Templin reviewed vouchers in the amounts of $7,821.69 and $52,548.98.  Motion by C. Spencer/C. Whitsell to approve vouchers as presented.  Motion carried, all in favor.
 

*k.  Discussion and possible action on Resolution Commending the Original Board of Directors of Friends of the
  Great Sauk State Trail.  Motion by C. Spencer/C. Whitsell to approve the resolution to commend the original board of Director of Friends of the Great Sauk State Trail.  Motion carried, as represented.

Land Records

Department report.  Felton reviewed the department report.
Review and approval of vouchers.  Felton reviewed vouchers in the amount of $135.  Motion by C. Whitsell/C. Spencer to approve vouchers as submitted.  Motion carried, all in favor.
 

Register of Deeds
a.  Department report.  Bailey reviewed the ROD department report.
b. Review and approval of vouchers.  Bailey reviewed the vouchers in the amount of $9,983.   Motion by to C. Whitsell/J. Berlin approve vouchers as submitted.  Motion carried, all in favor.
 

Reports
a.  Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).  Kelly provided a report for NRCS.
b.  Farm Service Agency (FSA). No report.
c.  Foresters. No report.
d.  Economic Development Committee.  Krueger stated two outside agency requests were considered from Baraboo Homeless Shelter and Safe Haven for a total of approximately $26,000.
e.  Mirror Lake District.  Krueger stated they did not meet since the last report.  He did speak of the committee tour on Mirror Lake.
f.  Lake Virginia Management District.  Johnson spoke of the annual meeting on September 14th.    
g.  Lake Redstone Management District.  Dietz spoke of the dredging project as well as the request for the outside agency funding that was removed the 2020 budget.

Next meetings of the Conservation, Planning, and Zoning Committee will be held on Tuesday, October 22nd and Thursday, November 7th  2019 at 9:00 a.m. Motion by C. Whitsell/J. Berlin to adjourn the meeting at 11:05 a.m.  Motion carried, all in favor.

Respectfully submitted,

Glen Johnson, Secretary