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HomeMy WebLinkAboutApproved MINUTES AUGUST 7 2012 GRANT COUNTY LAND & WATER CONSERVATION COMMITTEE MEETING August 7, 2012 9:00 a.m. Ag Services Building Lancaster, Wisconsin The meeting was called to order by Chairman, Mark Stead at 9:00 a.m. Present in addition to Chairman Stead were; Lester Jantzen, Dwight Nelson, Roger Guthrie, Marvin Kettler, Dale Hood, and Vince Loeffelholz. Others present were, Larry Wolf, Melissa Bartz, Lynda Schweikert, Kevin Lange, and Annette Lolwing. Certification of Open Meeting Law: Annette Lolwing Annette Lolwing sent the agenda to Karla Schwantes to post in the Administration Building and at the Courthouse, also sent agenda to Bob Middendorf, WGLR, and was posted in the front of the Ag Service Building. Media notices were sent to Karla Schwantes, Herald Independent, Tri County Press, and the Platteville Journal. Motion by Dwight Nelson, seconded by Dale Hood to approve the agenda as printed. Motion carried. Motion by Lester Jantzen, seconded by Vince Loeffelholz to approve the July 3, 2012 minutes. Motion carried. Motion by Dwight Nelson, seconded by Marvin Kettler to approve the bills. Motion carried. County Cost Sharing: Lynda Schweikert Lynda reported that Gale & Cheryl Knapp, South Lancaster Twp., has requested to cancel their $3,500.00 county cost sharing and $3,500.00 DATCP cost sharing for the closure of a waste impoundment structure. This structure was previously closed prior to the approval of the county ordinance. Motion by Dwight Nelson, seconded by Lester Jantzen to cancel both county and DATCP cost sharing. Motion carried. Lynda presented final approval request for county cost sharing of $190.96 on a well decommissioning project for Donald Russell, Cassville Twp. Motion by Lester Jantzen, seconded by Dale Hood to approve payment. Roll Call: 7 Yes, 0 No, 0 Absent. Motion carried. Lynda presented final approval request for county cost sharing of $1,044.00, and DATCP cost sharing of $6,650.00 on a grade stabilization structure for Steve Adrian, Glen Haven Twp. Motion by Roger Guthrie, seconded by Marvin Kettler to approve payment. Roll Call: 7 Yes, 0 No, 0 Absent. Motion carried. Lynda presented 4 tentative approval requests for county cost sharing on cover crop for Timothy J. Napp, Fennimore Twp., $624.38, 1st year; Landon Brothers Farm, North Lancaster Twp., $1,000.00, 1st year; Steve Adrian, Glen Haven Twp., $565.00, 3rd year; Tom Kunkel, Hazel Green Twp., $1,000.00, 3rd year. Motion by Roger Guthrie, seconded by Dale Hood to approve all 4 requests. Motion carried. Lynda presented 5 tentative approval requests for county cost sharing on well decommissionings for Randy Bendorf, South Lancaster Twp., $412.50, Home site; Randy Bendorf, South Lancaster Twp., 500.00, Farm site; Bernadean Divall, Liberty Twp., $300.00; Donald Fecht, Hickory Grove Twp., $500.00; and Nobleland Beef Farms Inc., Bob Noble, North Lancaster Twp., 300.00. Motion by Dale Hood, seconded by Vince Loeffelholz to approve all 5 requests. Motion carried. Lynda presented tentative approval request for county cost sharing for an emergency well decommissioning project for Mary Brandemuehl, Liberty Twp., $500.00. Lynda completed the construction plan for the well decommissioning, and the project was completed prior to the August 7th meeting. Motion by Lester Jantzen, seconded by Dwight Nelson to approve Mary’s emergency well decommissioning project. Motion carried. Approval of Well Decommissioning Cost Share Policy: Lynda Schweikert Lynda presented a new well decommissioning policy to review with the person when they come into the office to complete the county cost sharing application. Once we review the policy with them we will then ask them to sign and date the form stating that they are fully aware of the proper steps that will be followed through the well decommissioning process. Motion by Lester Jantzen, seconded by Dwight Nelson to approve the new well decommissioning policy. Motion carried. Discussion on Increasing Animal Waste Storage Facility Permitting Fees: Lynda Schweikert Lynda handed out a statewide survey of how many counties have an animal waste storage ordinance and how much they charge for their services and permits, if any. There are 62 WI counties that currently have an animal waste ordinance in place. Motion by Vince Loeffelholz, seconded by Dale Hood to open and review the existing ordinance and to possibly make changes of increasing the animal waste storage facility permitting fees, then take to County Board for review and approval. Motion carried. Discussion on Network Wiring: Lynda Schweikert Lynda reported that to install another phone line in the building to have internet service would cost $90.00 per month or $1,080.00 per year to operate the Springbrook program. Lynda will also check into the cost of a broadband service through US Cellular to operate Springbrook. Motion by Lester Jantzen, seconded by Roger Guthrie to take the request to the Executive Committee first, then take the request to Public Property to see if they could make a change from paying the copy machine lease and put it toward installing a phone line for internet service. Motion carried. Discussion/Approval to Sell 2002 Polaris Ranger and Triton Trailor: Lynda Schweikert Lynda discussed the options of selling the Polaris Ranger and Triton Trailor in house or to advertise county or public wide. Will be accepting sealed bids and will have the option to accept or reject any bids. The deadline for placing sealed bids is August 31st. Motion by Vince Loeffelholz, seconded by Lester Jantzen to advertise both items public wide. Motion carried. Discussion/Approval of 2013 Budget Lynda presented the 2013 budget. The only change from last month was the reinstatement of the county cost share program to $20,000. This would come to a 4.63% increase over last year. She also had a column showing the impact of a 1% salary increase if the county board chooses to approve a wage increase. Motion by Roger Guthrie, seconded by Dale Hood to approve the proposed budget. Motion carried. Land and Water Conservation Department Report: Lynda Schweikert Lynda reported that on July 25th the new computers had been ordered. Allow 30 days for shipping. Lynda reported that the Southern Area Association Summer Tour will be hosted by Jefferson County and will be limited to 55 individuals. Those interested in attending are: Lester Jantzen, Mark Stead, Dale Hood, Vince Loeffelholz, Lynda Schweikert, Dwight Nelson, Kevin Lange and Annette Lolwing. Registratio ns and payment were due by Friday, July 25th. Lynda reported that each Area Association is encouraged to nominate a candidate for the LWCB by August 27th. The Area Associations are also welcome to submit resolutions to WLWCA by August 20, 2012. If there is anyone that is interested in being on the LWCB let Lynda know. Both LWCB elections and resolutions will be voted on during the 59th Annual Meeting/County Conservationists Meeting on October 4-5, 2012, in Wisconsin Rapids. Lynda reported that there were 414 hits on the LWCD Website Counter as of July 30, 2012. Lynda handed out a packet of all the comments and results of those who completed the Field Office of the Future Survey. This survey was sent to all the LWCD offices and committee members. FPP Report: Kevin Lange Kevin reported that he has been working on the continuous CRP contracts that are expiring in September and rolling them over into the CREP contracts. Kevin reported that they are 50% through the 2012 FPP spot checks. Kevin reported that he has been working with Chris Baxter, UW-P, and Doc Higgs, retired UW-P professor, on the Midwest Regional Soil Judging Contest. NRCS Report: Melissa Bartz Melissa reported that the Driftless Area Initiative EQIP sign up ended August 3rd, ranking to be completed by August 17th, and funds obligated by August 30th.  It was announced on August 6, 2012 of an EQIP sign up just for cover crops, because of the drought. Deadline to sign up is August 24. Deadline to obligate funds is September 18th. Cover Crops are not to be harvested as grain, only used as forage or left as a cover crop.  CRP contracts are to be signed and to FSA by August 24th  There is a huge request for the haying and grazing of CRP ground. There are 2 types of haying: Emergency and/or Managed. A threatened and endangered species review was done by Steve Bertjens, State Office Staff, and Brian Hillers, Area Office Staff. Only 2 turtle hits were found during the review process on the CRP haying and grazing requests.  The construction of dams has been held up because of the dry weather.  DNR permits are being held up by the DNR on a couple of rip rap sites. This is limiting the time frame for the construction of those sites. FSA Report: Jared Reuter None to Report Motion by Vince Loeffelholz, seconded by Dwight Nelson to adjourn until September 4, 2012. Motion carried. Respectfully Submitted by Annette Lolwing for Lester Jantzen