DATE: December 14, 2004
Committee Members Present: Wiese, Gaalswyk, Lehman, and Sprecher.
Others Present: Lance Gurney, Mary White, Ted Brenson, Lowell Haugen, Darlene Hill, Jim Michaels, Matt Filus and Brent Bailey.
Chairman Wiese called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m. and staff certified the meeting had been properly posted.
Motion by Sprecher, seconded by Gaalswyck to adopt the agenda as submitted.
Motion by Sprecher, seconded by Gaalswyck to approve the minutes of the November 23, 2004 Committee meeting as originally submitted. Motion carried.
Communications: Mr. Ted Brenson, County Cartographer, distributed a letter to the Committee stating his desire to retire from County employment as of March 31, 2005.
Business items: Mr. Gurney distributed a corrected notice for the December 28, 2004 public hearing.
Mr. Gaalswyck questioned some work being done filling a wetlands near Plain. Mr. Gurney stated that that project was permitted. The Department of Natural Resources approved this filling 2 or 3 years ago. Apparently the original permit had lapsed and the DNR issued a new permit. The height of this filling was not a concern.
Mr. Brent Bailey, Register of Deeds, then appeared. He stated that Kerry Beghin from the County Accounting Department, had contacted him regarding the charging of sales tax for items that he department sells. He sent informational requests out to other Register of Deeds Departments in the state and had not received any returns indicating that these other offices were charging tax. He felt the tax would probably amount to $1,700.00 per year. Discussion followed. Mr. Bailey would keep the Committee informed on the outcome of this discussion.
Mr. Bailey submitted his voucher list for approval. Motion by Gaalswyck, seconded by Lehman to approve the vouchers in the amount of $5,305.16. Motion carried.
There was no monthly report or vouchers from the Mapping Department.
The County Surveyor, Matt Filus Surveyor, appeared next. He stated that a new surveyor would be taking over the office after the first of the year. He distributed a list of accomplishments that had been completed during his term of office. He stated that he appreciated the Committee's support over the last four years. There was some discussion regarding making this position appointed instead of elected. Mr. Sprecher asked if this item should be taken to the E & L Committee for review. Mr. Gaalswyck also offered to take this item to the Committee. Mr. Filus showed the Committee a copy of the Wisconsin County Surveyors Handbook which he had helped compile. Further discussion followed regarding changing the status of this position.
Mr. Filus did not have any vouchers for review. Mr. Gurney stated that the quality of surveys being submitted to his office had increased during Mr. Filus's two terms of office.
Mr. Gurney, Planning and Zoning Director, gave a very brief monthly report. He stated that his department was working on comprehensive plans and Highway 12, phase 2.
The Committee discussed fee increases for nonmetallic mining.
The next item for discussion was a petition by Thomas and Darla Kuester to rezone property in the Town of Baraboo which was considered at the previous meeting. Mr. Jim Michaels representing the owners stated that the petition had been approved by the Town of Baraboo. Mr. Gurney stated that this would be part of the sanitary district with community wells. The City of Baraboo, Town of Baraboo and County have review authority during the platting process and the sanitary district and community wells would be discussed further at that time. Motion by Gaalswyck, seconded by Lehman to approve rezoning the property from agricultural and recreational commercial to a single family residential district. Motion carried.
The land use moratorium by the Town of Westfield was then discussed. This moratorium was approved so that the Town could complete their comprehensive planning process. The Town would not approve any new land divisions or rezonings at this time. Motion by Sprecher, seconded by Gaalswyck to approve the moratorium by the Town of Westfield. Motion carried .
Discussion followed regarding tower locations and uses.
Motion by Gaalswyck, seconded by Lehman to adjourn. Motion carried.
Respectfully submitted,
Judy Ashford, Secretary