DATE: August 25, 2009
Committee Members Present: Ashford, Gaalswyk, Netzinger, Lehman, and Cassity.
Others Present: Mark Steward, Mary White, Brian Simmert, Brent Bailey, and Lowell Haugen.
Vice-Chair Lehman called the meeting to order and staff verified compliance with the open meetings law.
Motion by Netzinger, seconded by Ashford to adopt the agenda. Motion carried, 5-0.
Motion by Gaalswyk, seconded by Ashford to adopt the minutes of the August 11, 2009 Committee meeting. Motion carried, 5-0.
Public Comment: None
Communications: Color copies of maps for the Committee and Board were discussed. The Committee and Board were to get color copies of maps with any additional copies to be in black and white.
Brent Bailey, Register of Deeds, appeared and presented his budget. He explained that there wasn't much of a change over last year's budget. He gave the changes and highlights of the budget. He stated that the part-time position for his office had been eliminated. Since Bailey was elected 1 and 2/3 positions have been eliminated in his department. He planned to use an LTE or summer help if needed. He stated that they sell more online copies than office copies. The line item "retirement - employees share" was questioned. MIS charges were discussed. Timeshare licensing was reviewed. Motion by Ashford, seconded by Gaalswyk to approve the 2010 Register of Deeds budget. Motion carried, 5-0. He did not feel it was necessary to have a committee member meet with the Finance Committee when they review the budget.
The Committee then reviewed the Planning and Zoning Department vouchers. Motion by Gaalswyk, seconded by Netzinger to approve the vouchers in the amount of $1,024.48.
The next item for discussion was a Class 1 subdivision by Edward Strubel. Brian Simmert, Planner, gave a history of the property. The Strubel junk yard briefly discussed. Simmert stated that the staff had no objections to the plat. Motion by Ashford, seconded by Gaalswyk to approve the Class 1 plat of Strubel Acres. Motion carried, 5-0. This plat does not have to go to County Board.
A request for a farm consolidation for Victor and Karen Hineman was then discussed. Simmert appeared and gave some background on the property and the Findings of Fact. The conditional use permit standard was read and answered affirmative. Motion by Lehman, seconded by Gaalswyk to approve the farm consolidation for Victor and Karen Hineman. Motion carried, 5-0.
The Birkemeier mediation was discussed. Steward reported that there were no results from the mediation session. Sawmills, in general, were discussed. They agreed to go ahead with the amendment to public hearing in September.
Steward offered a communication from the Town of Excelsior recommending an amendment to the junkyard ordinance to consider stricter rules.
Steward also informed the Committee that the Wisconsin Fund Grant had been offered to the County in the amount of approximately $96,000.00.
Steward reported that he is not working on the Baraboo Range budget at this time.
The Board of Adjustment budget was then reviewed. Motion by Ashford, seconded by Cassity to approve the budget as presented. Discussion followed. Three Planning and Zoning employees were included part time in the Board of Adjustment budget. "Retirement - Employees Share" was again questioned. This will be taken up with the Finance Committee. Motion carried, 5-0.
The Planning and Zoning Department budget was next for review. Purchase of a copy machine was discussed. This would be paid to the MIS department as departmental charge back. The amount was approximately $17,000.00 for new computers, software and a copier. This purchase was deleted for 2009. Centralizing copiers was discussed, possibly one on each floor.
The GIS position was discussed. It is included in the budget for 2010. Sharing this position between several departments was briefly discussed.
Vehicles were then discussed. Again, these vehicles could be shared between several departments and communities. Sharing vehicles should be looked into.
Steward stated that there was no levy increase for the Planning and Zoning Department's budget.
Cassity stated the Committee needed to look at subscriptions, professional subscriptions, membership dues, seminars and registration as possible ways to cut budget. BAAP was discussed. This is a carry forward account. Planning projects were reviewed. Hiring a consultant to write or help write ordinances was discussed.
Land easement acquisition and the working lands initiative for preserving farm land was briefly discussed. Leaving the money in the account was reviewed. Motion by Ashford, seconded by Gaalswyk to approve the 2010 Planning and Zoning Department budget. Motion carried, 5-0.
The mission and vision statements for the department were discussed. Netzinger will bring suggested wording to the next meeting.
The next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, September 9, 2009. There will be a joint meeting with the Land Conservation Committee starting at 9:00 a.m. with the Committee convening in a regular session at 10:30.
Motion by Ashford, seconded by Netzinger to adjourn. Motion carried, 5-0.
Respectfully submitted,
Judy Ashford, Secretary
Notes by Mary White.