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HomeMy WebLinkAboutApproved MINUTES_June 3_2013GRANT COUNTY LAND & WATER CONSERVATION COMMITTEE MEETING June 3, 2013 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; Dwight Nelson, Lester Jantzen, Roger Guthrie, Dale Hood, Vince Loeffelholz, and Myron Tranel. Others present were, Larry Wolf, Jared Reuter, Marlene Sorenson, Lynda Schweikert, 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 an 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, Platteville Journal, and the Muscoda Progressive. Motion by Lester Jantzen, seconded by Dale Hood to approve the agenda as printed. Motion carried. Motion by Dwight Nelson, seconded by Vince Loeffelholz to approve the May 7, 2013 minutes. Motion carried. Bills: Annette Lolwing Motion by Vince Loeffelholz, seconded by Dwight Nelson to approve the bills. Motion carried. County Cost Sharing Requests: Lynda Schweikert Lynda presented 2 County Cost Sharing extension requests for John Gibson, East Glen Haven Twp., well decommissioning, $500.00. The well decommissioning is done and we are just waiting for the paid receipts; and Tom Schneider, Beetown Twp., closure of waste impoundment, $3,500.00. Tom has contractor hired, just waiting for it to dry out. Motion by Lester Jantzen, seconded by Roger Guthrie to approve both extension requests to December 31, 2013 to complete their project. Motion carried. Lynda presented final approval request for county cost sharing of $3,279.00 on a stream bank protection project for Joe Starrett, East Beetown Twp. Motion by Roger Guthrie, seconded by Myron Tranel to approve payment. Roll Call: 7 Yes, 0 No, 0 Absent. Motion carried. Lynda presented tentative approval requests for county cost sharing on 4 well decommissionings for Patrick Adams, Hazel Green Twp., $375.00; Roger Goke, Smelser Twp., $360.00; Lisa Bartels, North Lancaster Twp., $500.00; and Peter Heberlein, Wingville Twp. $450.00. Motion by Dale Hood, seconded by Dwight Nelson to approve the 4 well decommissioning requests. Motion carried. Lynda presented tentative approval request for county cost sharing of $3,500.00, on a closure of a concrete waste impoundment structure for Larry Mumm, Little Grant Twp. Motion by Vince Loeffelholz, seconded by Lester Jantzen to approve Larry’s request. Motion carried. Lynda presented tentative approval request for DATCP cost sharing of $2,632.00, 94.0 acres x $28.00, for a nutrient management plan for Patrick Kroll, Wingville Twp. Motion by Roger Guthrie, seconded by Myron Tranel to approve Patrick’s request. Motion carried. Manure Storage Construction Permit for Nick Mumm Lynda reported that Nick Mumm is constructing a new concrete storage structure that is being designed by Ralph Hemling. Nick has paid his $200.00 permit fee. Motion by Roger Guthrie, seconded by Dale Hood to approve the construction permit. Motion carried. Vendor Space for 2013 Grant County Fair Lynda received the application for the Grant County Fair to rent a 10 x 17 space for $150.00 in the Eckstein Exhibit Hall. Motion by Lester Jantzen, seconded by Dale Hood to approve the $150.00 expenditure. Motion carried. WIPFLI Study Lynda asked the committee to see if there were any questions regarding the WIPFLI study? There is a potential of going merit based vs. the step increase for any wage increases. In the private industry, their wages are private, and the county wages are public knowledge, therefore an employee can see what another employee is making. Lynda feels this will lead to employee unrest and favors the step increases. Merger with Zoning and Sanitation Lynda reported that the merging of the Zoning/Sanitation and the Land Conservation Departments is moving forward. Lynda met with Zoning/Sanitation on May 29th to get a better understanding of what they do; their computer programs, their space needs, and what the staff needs are with the offices at Administration Building. On Tuesday, June 4th there will be a joint meeting with the LWCD staff and the Zoning/Sanitation staff. The staff will be meeting off site and will take the morning to get to know one another. After the meeting the Zoning/Sanitation staff will then visit the LWCD office for a tour. Lynda mentioned that the building will need to be wired for internet. At this point they are not allowed on the NRCS computer system. Lynda will contact TDS to inquire about the internet. Lynda Gebhard mentioned that her maintenance department and the highway department has a tommy lift on the tailgate will able to assist with the move. Looking at the 3rd or 4th week of June for the move. Land & Water Conservation Report Lynda reported that a couple of counties were sending around a Foreign Ownership Resolution. In Walker’s budget, he wanted to remove the $640.00 acre limit of foreign ownership as an entity or as an individual. Lynda asked the LWCC if they be interested in the resolution since the law has not changed. No action taken. Lynda reported that she assisted with the annual strip layout season that lasted for 2 – 3 weeks with laying out 847 acres. We had some help from Rick Lange, Crawford County; Brian Hillers from the NRCS area office, and the eastern part of the state brought over some employees for training/education. They were here for 2 days and had completed 2 jobs. Over 50% of the acres that were marked out had been land coming out of CRP. Lynda reported that on May 29, 2013 was the first real SAA meeting since the merger of staff and supervisors. The Vice President and Secretary were voted in as officers. In the By-Laws of the Southern Area Land and Water Conservation Association; the members voted to STRIKE the wording “That the Board of Directors shall appoint an Area Coordinator whom shall be from the same county as the Area President, which may be any LCC member or conservation staff person”. As of now the Coordinator does not have to be within the same county as the President. FPP Report: Kevin Lange No Report NRCS Report: Marlene Sorenson – Acting DC Marlene reported that we still don’t have a DC hired. Steve Bertjens is the current acting DC but he is on vacation. So Marlene is the lucky one to be acting DC for the acting DC.  No word as to the hiring of a new DC yet.  The CSP sign up has been extended to June 14th.  Marlene will be starting next week to work on the Crawford County’s compliance reviews for this year.  Marlene will be doing the CRP field visits. FSA Report: Jared Reuter Jared reported that he has no numbers to report for the CRP sign up. FSA office has been busy with a full schedule of appointments. Most of the enrollments are expiring CRP contracts. There are a few new acres coming, but the majority is re-enrollments that are coming in. May extend the sign up a week or two because of the software not working properly.  Crop reporting is also about 3 weeks out for making an appointment.  County Committee Election is coming up. Chuck Raisback, Northwest Area, is up for election.  Last week the new phone system has been hooked up and it lasted 10 to 15 minutes, then we were back to the old system.  Jared will be touching base with Lynda with the new employees coming in. Motion by Vince Loeffelholz, seconded by Dwight Nelson to adjourn until, Tuesday, July 2, 2013. Respectfully Submitted by Annette Lolwing for Lester Jantzen