HomeMy WebLinkAboutApproved MINUTES_November _2012 GRANT COUNTY LAND & WATER CONSERVATION
COMMITTEE MEETING
November 6, 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, Melissa Bartz, Jared Reuter, 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 i n 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 Lester Jantzen to approve the amended agenda with the change
that Dale Hood would like to report on the WLWCA at the end of the reports. Motion carried.
Motion by Lester Jantzen, seconded by Vince Loeffelholz to approve the October 2, 2012 minutes.
Motion carried.
Motion by Dwight Nelson seconded by Roger Guthrie to approve the bills. Motion carried.
Motion by Dwight Nelson, seconded by Lester Jantzen to go into closed session per state statute 19.85
(1)(c) in considering employment, promotion, compensation or performance evaluation data of any
public employee over which the governmental body has jurisdiction or exercises responsibility,
specifically as it relates to the performance evaluation of the County Conservationist. Roll Call was
taken; Motion carried.
Motion by Roger Guthrie, seconded by Marvin Kettler to return back to open session at 9:25 a.m.
Education Requirements for County Conservationist Job Description: Lynda Schweikert
Lynda asked the committee to review the minimum education requirements for the County
Conservationist job description. She surveyed the Southern Area counties and all 7 that responded said
that a 4 year degree is required. Motion by Vince Loeffelholz, seconded by Lester Jantzen that under
the Minimum Education Qualifications to delete the associate degree in an Ag related field and remove
the word “preferred” under the 4 year degree. Motion carried. Lynda will submit the approved change
in the job description to the Executive Committee for their approval.
Vehicle Insurance: Lynda Schweikert
Lynda received a Public Property Committee memo directed from Linda Gebhard asking each
committee to discuss the vehicle insurance policy. Motion by Roger Guthrie, seconded by Marvin
Kettler to recommend to stay self funded but to raise the premiums proportionally to the departments;
based on number, type, and replacement cost of vehicle. Motion carried.
Land & Water Resource Management Plan Extension: Lynda Schweikert
In 2013, Grant County’s LWRM Plan expires. Lynda is requesting a 5 year extension of the LWRM
Plan, since the plan was initially written as a 10 year plan. Motion by Lester Jantzen, seconded by
Dwight Nelson to approve the 5 year extension request. Motion carried. The LWRM Plan will then
need to be taken and approved by the County Board for approval.
County Cost Sharing: Lynda Schweikert
Lynda reported that Lester Jantzen’s EQIP cost sharing will cover 70% of the project. Therefore,
Lester’s County Cost sharing of $3,798.73 and DATCP Cost Sharing of $5,076.27 have both been
cancelled.
Lynda presented final approval request for county cost sharing of $279.58 on a well decommissioning
project for June Grass, North Potosi Twp. Motion by Dale Hood, seconded by Marvin Kettler to
approve payment. Roll Call: 7 Yes, 0 No, 0 Absent. Motion carried.
Lynda presented final approval request for county cost sharing of $342.77 on a well decommissioning
project for Jeff Belstra, Mt. Ida Twp. Motion by Lester Jantzen, seconded by Vince Loeffelholz to
approve payment. Roll Call: 7 Yes, 0 No, 0 Absent. Motion carried
Lynda presented final approval request for county cost sharing of $414.00 on a well decommissioning
project for Lynn Harb, Castle Rock Twp. Motion by Dwight Nelson, seconded by Vince Loeffelholz to
approve payment. Roll Call: 7 Yes, 0 No, 0 Absent. Motion carried.
Lynda presented final approval request for county cost sharing of $1,000.00 for a 3rd year cover crop
project for Tom Kunkel, Hazel Green Twp. Motion by Lester Jantzen, seconded by Vince Loeffelholz
to approve payment. Roll Call: 7 Yes, 0 No, 0 Absent. Motion carried.
Lynda presented final approval request for county cost sharing of $1,000.00 for a 1st year cover crop
project for Landon Brothers, North Lancaster Twp. Motion by Dale Hood, seconded by Marvin Kettler
to approve payment. Roll Call: 7 Yes, 0 No, 0 Absent. Motion carried.
Lynda presented a tentative approval request for county cost sharing on a well decommissioning project
for Ray Bruner, Hickory Grove Twp., 500.00. Motion by Lester Jantzen, seconded by Dwight Nelson to
approve Ray’s request. Motion carried.
2012 DATCP SEG Funding Requests: Lynda Schweikert
Lynda reported that the SEG funds are cost share money used for Nutrient Management Plans. We
received $25,000 from DATCP in 2012 for NMP’s. Lynda sent out letters to 63 individuals that were
spot checked in 2012 for Farmland Preservation and those who were willing to go through an
agronomist for a NMP. The state offers $7.00 per acre for 4 years. State is not able to do multiyear
contracts so they issue the landowner all their money in the 1st year, $28.00 per acre. We had 3
individuals sign up; Richard Sedbrook, Potosi Twp., 111.1 acres, $3,111.00, Leary Fischer, Millville &
Patch Grove Twp., 192.0 acres, $5,376.00, and Jeff Belstra, Mt. Ida Twp., 288.0 acres, $8,064.00. This
used up $16,551 of the $25,000, leaving $8,449 unused. Motion by Vince Loeffelholz, seconded by
Roger Guthrie to approve Richard, Lear y, and Jeff’s request. Motion carried.
SEG Transfer of Nutrient Management Cost Share Funds: Lynda Schweikert
Lynda offered the $25,000 to 63 FPP participants needing a NMP. Only 10 inquired and 3 applied for
the cost sharing. There is $8,449 remaining. If we do not spend the money, we will get penalized by
DATCP. Lynda sent word statewide for any other county interest in the SEG money. Green County
responded immediately, stating they would be interested in a transfer. November 15th is the deadline to
do the transfer. Motion by Marvin Kettler, seconded by Dale Hood to approve the transfer of $8,449 to
Green County. Motion carried.
NACD Dues: Lynda Schweikert
Lynda reported that in our previous budget we were approved for $1,000 for NACD Dues. Lynda is
requesting to decrease the NACD dues from $1,000 to $775 (the minimum requested). Benefits that we
receive from NACD are that they lobby for the NRCS for funding and for programs, and we purchase
our stewardship comic books and flyers from them. Motion by Roger Guthrie, seconded by Lester
Jantzen to approve paying the dues of $775. Motion carried.
Land and Water Conservation Department Report: Lynda Schweikert
Lynda reported that the 9 animal waste storage closures on the B&E Farms are complete. The process
went very easy and was a positive experience.
Lynda reported that Terry Loeffelholz gave us notice that Harrison Township is now zoned.
Landowners in Harrison Township can now receive tax credit if they are 100% in compliance. There
were a couple of landowners that worked ahead to complete a NMP so they will be able to receive the
2012 FPP tax credit. Will send out letters and plan an informational meeting after April 15, 2012 for
those landowners in Harrison Township.
Lynda reported that the Southwest Regional Planning is doing a long term, 20 year plan, for Southwest
WI called “GROW WI”. Lynda is on the advisory committee for Natural Resources. Lynda reported
that they have done their vision statement, and goals, and will be working on the action plan next week.
Lynda reported that the last Southern Area Association meeting was a short and quick meeting. Had the
Poster Contest and had approved the By-Laws. Grant County won 1st place in all the poster contest
divisions that we entered in. Richland County had a poster in the Sr. Special Needs, so they won that
division.
Annette reported the winners of the State Level Poster Contest that was held on November 3rd in
Wisconsin Rapids. David Foust, 1st place in the K-6 Special Needs, Junior Division and Jonathan
Breuer, 1st place in grades 4-6, Middle Division. Jonathan will now go on to the National Level.
Jonathan’s poster will not be judged at the National Level until January 27 -30 at the NACD National
Conference to be held in San Antonio, Texas. There is no division at the National Level for the Special
Needs Categories. Jonathan and David both received a plaque for winning 1st place at the state level.
Jonathan’s poster also went to the National Level competition in 2009.
Annette asked for assistance from the supervisors to go to the schools and take photos with the poster
winners. Roger Guthrie volunteered for St. Mary’s, Bloomington, Vince Loeffelholz volunteered for
Cuba City H.S. and for St. Joseph School, Hazel Green, Dale Hood volunteered for Fennimore
Elementary School, Mark Stead volunteered for St. Clement, Lancaster, and Lester Jantzen volunteered
for IGEMS.
Lynda also informed the committee that she will be taking the LWCC photo at the December meeting
for the annual report.
Lynda has a training conflict on the December 4th LWCC meeting date. Will reschedule for Monday,
December 10th at 9:00 a.m.
FPP Report: Kevin Lange
Kevin reported that he was supposed to lay out contour strips, but was wet and snowy outside.
Kevin reported that he has 11 Notices of Non Compliance on Farmland Preservation Spot Checks.
There are 5 that have not turned in their paperwork in over a year to stay in compliance. These 5
Notices of Non Compliance are: Todd & Amy Brandemuehl, Liberty Twp., Dennis Fritz, Liberty Twp.,
Joseph & Mary Martin, Wingville Twp., Darren & Kathleen Kreul, Mount Ida Twp., and Paul Adams,
Liberty and South Lancaster Twp. There are 6 voluntary Notices of Non Compliance to refrain out of
the Farmland Preservation Program: David & Penny Uren, Mount Ida Twp., Steve & Holly Allen,
Clifton Twp., Robert Moon, Mt Ida Twp., Tom & Charlotte Jinkins, Clifton Twp., David Digman, Mt.
Hope Twp., and Brian Olson, Lima Twp. Motion by Lester Jantzen, seconded by Dale Hood to accept
the 11 Notices of Non Compliances. Motion carried.
Kevin and Lynda have a list of 4 spot checks to finish.
Lynda reported that there are 48 landowners that were spot checked in 2011 and are still working
towards compliance. Lynda has sent them all letters stating that we need those NMP’s by December 31,
2012.
Kevin reported that by next month we may have the tree sale listing available.
NRCS Report; Melissa Bartz
Melissa reported that this is her 2nd day back to work after being off on a 3 month maternity leave.
Melissa reported that there were 29 people that received contracts for cover crops. There are 2 that have
not been paid yet.
Melissa reported that they have started to make (CSP) Conservation Stewardship Payments. Will need
to set up a time to meet with those 20 people to over their contracts and to make payments. Also,
waiting to hear if there has been money set aside for the CSP (Conservation Security Program). There
are 45 people that have contracts. Once the money is approved, those 45 will need to come in and
review their contract before payments are made.
Melissa reported that the October meeting, Patty was here to report that Melissa had accepted the D.C.
position in Lafayette County. Melissa thanked Lynda and all her staff, for everything that they had
done. The Grant County D.C. position has been posted and will close toward the end of November.
FSA Report: Jared Reuter
Jared reported that the FSA starts their new fiscal year on October 1, 2012. Jared reported on the
analysis of the office; strengths and weaknesses of this office. The strengths are: that we have a veteran
staff, centrally located within the county, have programs when available and can assist once farm bill
gets passed, have a local loan office, programs are managed appropriately and proficiency, a weakness
is that they are not co-located with UW Extension Office, half the staff may be retiring within the next 5
years, the programs have become more complex, will have 3 new staff members that were direct
reassigned, and 1 that was hired. Threats to the office: no longer under staffed for the program staff
with new employee they are now .8 of a person over staffed, but are crossing over to help out the loan
department. With adding the loan department and FSA staff together they are still understaffed by 1
person. The Legislation may be closing out programs, which may result in a new state director. If there
is a change in president, it usually means a change in a state director, which could be a change in
philosophies. Opportunities within the FSA: are more involved with the farm loan department and being
more specialized in programs.
#1 program was the DCP or ACRE Program. Those together had 2,800 contracts totaling a
little under $5 million goes out in that program.
Milk Program: paid out $3.5 million to dairy producers – 280 to 300 contracts.
CRP: paid out $3.4 million from rental payments to cost sharing to incentive payments.
Commodity Loans: $3.2 million – will have fewer loans in 2013 because of less bushels.
Guarantee Loans: which FSA is co-signing and the bank is providing the financing. They
had 284 guaranteed loans totaling $67 million.
Direct Loans: directly from FSA were 407 loans totaling $35 million.
There is no milk rate for December. No payment for the milk income loss program.
All payments are out except for a very few CRP payments.
They have a few emergency loans for the purchase of feed.
Commodity Loans are available.
Funds are the issue that is up in the air.
Guarantee loans they can do.
Operating loans they can do.
No direct loans available to purchase farms.
Tammy Reynolds is the new employee working in the Farm Loan Department. She comes
from the Mound City Bank and was a compliance officer with them.
Still waiting for a Farm Bill. If there is no Farm Bill approved by December 31st, they may
be starting from scratch.
WLWCA Report
Dale Hood reported on the WLWCA state convention that will be March 11-13, 2013 at Wisconsin
Dells. Will need auction items. Undecided to have a raffle or silent auction. An area in the state where
a speaking contest was offered had 60 speakers participate. They want to get the speaking contest
connected with the school curriculum – schools want it in the Spring.
Motion by Dale Hood, seconded by Lester Jantzen to adjourn until December 10, 2012 at 9:00. Motion
carried.
Respectfully Submitted by
Annette Lolwing for Lester Jantzen