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HomeMy WebLinkAboutApproved 11-01-2018 CSZC MinutesGRANT COUNTY CONSERVATION, SANITATION, & ZONING COMMITTEE MEETING November 01, 2018 9:00 a.m. Grant County Board Room (#264) Lancaster, Wisconsin The Grant County Conservation, Sanitation & Zoning Committee meeting was called to order on November 01, 2018 at 9:00 a.m. by Dwight Nelson, the Conservation, Sanitation, and Zoning Committee Chairman, in the Grant County Board Room #264, 111 S. Jefferson St., Lancaster. Board members present: Dwight Nelson, Lester Jantzen, Gary Northouse & Mike Lieurance. Gabe Loeffelholz arrived at 9:02 a.m. Others present: Lynda Schweikert, Kevin Lange, Annette Lolwing, Justin Johnson, Bob Keeney, Joe Schmelz, Jay Regnier, Ryan Ammermann, Nathalie Schattner, and Jennifer Bahl. Certification of Open Meeting Law Annette Lolwing sent the amended agenda to Karla Schwantes and Linda Gebhard to post in the Courthouse and in the Administration Building, an amended agenda was sent to Bob Middendorf, WGLR, an amended agenda was also posted in front of the Ag Service Center Building. Media notices were sent to Karla Schwantes, Linda Gebhard, Herald Independent, Tri County Press, Platteville Journal, Muscoda Progressive, and the Boscobel Dial. Approval of Amended Agenda Motion by Lester Jantzen, seconded by Gary Northouse to approve the November 01, 2018 amended agenda. Motion carried. Approval of the September Minutes Motion by Gary Northouse, seconded by Lester Jantzen to approve the October 4, 2018 minutes. Motion carried. Review & Accept the Bills Motion by Mike Lieurance, seconded by Gary Northouse to accept the bills. Motion carried. Public Hearings Grant County Mobile Tower Siting Permit Ordinance Dwight Nelson opened the public hearing. Justin mentioned that since ACT 20 was implemented in the 2013 budget bill, this changes how Counties can regulate mobile tower siting’s. The only item under our Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance that is required is a Conditional Use Permit for any structure over 100 feet in height. This Ordinance would develop a way to place more accountability on the applicant in terms of putting the permits into categories. In the ordinance there are 2 permit categories; Class 1 Collocation, and Class 2 Collocation. The ordinance describes a restoration process for the site which goes on the recorded deed. There is a removal/security clause for removal of the structure. There is also an access protection provision to protect permit requirements. Act 20 sets the maximum a county can charge for a fee at $3,000 per tower. In Favor: None In Opposition: None In Interest: None Committee’s Discussion: Dwight asked if there is a limit to the height of these towers? No Maximum height was set. Mike asked if this was the tower at the County Farm. This ordinance will pertain to any tower in Grant County, not just the County Farm. Lynda stated that in 2013, Act 20 basically deregulated cell phone towers. This ordinance needed to be developed with the regulations that were set up by the state, as to what we can enforce. Lynda has worked with Ben Wood on the proposed ordinances. The mobile tower and wind siting ordinances that are on the agenda today are county wide, not just in the zoned townships. Dwight Nelson closed the public hearing Motion by Gary Northouse, seconded by Lester Jantzen to recommend approval of the mobile tower siting permit ordinance to the full county board. Motion carried. Grant County Wind Energy Siting Ordinance Dwight Nelson opened the public hearing. Justin stated that there will be Wind Energy coming into the County. The Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance would only address this proposal for the wind turbines being over 100 feet in height. The Wind Energy ordinance would line up with the Wis. statute 66.0401 and the Public Service Commission Wis. Admin. Code Ch. PSC 128. Justin and Lynda are working with Ben Wood to make sure that the process is done correctly. In Favor: Ryan Ammermann, spoke in favor of the request. He stated that it takes time for project timing and project financing and is requesting an increase of 6-months be added on to the 12-month permit date. Jay Regnier spoke in favor of the ordinance referring to the PSC 128. The increase requested would fall under section 3.2.0, page 4. Permit reads that a Zoning permit issued under this ordinance shall expire if the project construction has not been started within 12 months of the permit issued date. An extension may be requested in writing to the director for up to 12 additional months provided the original permit has not yet expired. The director shall grant an extension provided the project is not inconsistent with any subsequently enacted law, rule or regulation under the purview of the office. In Opposition: None In Interest: There was discussion on the permit validity period. At this time the permit read that it is valid for 12 months. The construction would need to be started within that 12-month period for the permit to continue to be valid. They could apply for an extension up to 12 additional months if construction has not started. Justin brought a correction to our attention. This will be on page 12 under 12.15. under parenthesis e). The parentheses f) should follow onto the next line. Committee Discussion: Gary Northouse stated that he understood why they would like a 6-month increase in permit validity. Ryan also made the comment that some of the science studies have a shelf life which plays into the permit timing process. Mike Lieurance stated that he sees no problems with the additional 6 months. Justin noted that once 1 turbine is constructed this means that this project has started. Lynda stated that we have not received any phone calls on this project. Ryan and Jay received a few phone calls, and the feedback from those individuals were positive and would like to see the project move forward. Mike asked how long the turbines life expectancy is? They are engineered with a survival life span from 20 to 25 years. Lynda stated that the wind company will have to set up a complaint process. If the complaints are not addressed by the wind companies, then it comes to the county, then possibly to the PSC. Dwight Nelson asked how many manufactures of the wind turbines are? There are many manufactures all over the world. Many are built here in the USA. Dwight Nelson closed the public hearing. Motion by Gary Northouse, seconded by Mike Lieurance to recommend approval to the full County board, and to change 12 months to 18 months for permit validity and the other format change. Motion carried. Wind Energy System Siting Ordinance Fee Resolution Lynda reported that with a recommendation of passing the Wind Energy Ordinance there comes a resolution to set Wind Energy Siting fee. Proposing a Zoning Permit for a Small Energy Wind System - $100.00/Turbine, under 100 kilowatts and a Zoning permit for a Large Energy Wind System - $200/Turbine, over 100 Kilowatts. Motion by Mike Lieurance, seconded by Gary Northouse to approve the resolution. Motion carried. Zoning and Sanitation Report Lynda presented the Sanitation and Zoning report. The 2nd notice for 3-year maintenance and late fee for septic systems were due on October 31st. Will start issuing citations toward the middle of November. There are still 7 landowners from last year that have not complied. These will cycle through the citation process again. For the Zoning citations, Levi Fischer has been given to December 3, 2018 to rectify his Zoning issues. Lawrence Wiest and Charlie Wamsley had a court date of October 8, 2018. They have paid their citation and will reissue a new citation because nothing has been rectified. There is no BOA scheduled at this time. Looking at the month to date Zoning/Sanitation Report. We are up on 3-year maintenance, receiving 384 more maintenance reports than we had last year at this time. Zoning and Sanitation permits are about the same as we had last year. Motion by Lester Jantzen, seconded by Gabe Loeffelholz to accept the Zoning and Sanitation report. Motion carried. County Cost Sharing – Starting Balance $4,441.21/Ending Balance $4754.61. Lynda presented an extension request for Vernon and Carol Ann Kruse, Potosi Twp., $520.00 to January 1, 2019 for their well decommissioning project. Motion by Gary Northouse, seconded by Lester Jantzen to approve the extension request to January 1st. Motion carried. Lynda presented a cancellation request for Chad and Laura Bahr, Lima Twp., $687.75. They did not get their cover crops planted by October 1st. Motion by Lester Jantzen, seconded by Gabe Loeffelholz to approve the cancellation request. Motion carried. Lynda presented a final approval request for county cost sharing on a waste facility closure for Eugene Hostetler, Watterstown Twp., $2,580.00. Motion by Gary Northouse, seconded by Gabe Loeffelholz to approve payment. Roll Call: 5 Yes, 0 No, 0 Absent. Motion carried. Lynda presented a final approval request for county cost sharing for 1st year cover crop, 33.2 acres for A&R Farms, Potosi Twp., $518.44. Motion by Gary Northouse, seconded by Lester Jantzen to approve payment. Roll Call: 5 Yes, 0 No, 0 Absent. Motion carried. Lynda presented a final approval request for county cost sharing for 1st year cover crop, 189.68 acres for David & Cheryl Gehrke, Fennimore Twp., $1,000.00. Motion by Mike Lieurance, seconded by Gary Northouse to approve payment. Roll Call: 5 Yes, 0 No, 0 Absent. Motion carried. Lynda presented a final approval request for county cost sharing for 2nd year cover crop, 8.94 acres for Eli Borntrager, Clifton Twp., $209.37. Motion by Gabe Loeffelholz, seconded by Mike Lieurance to approve payment. Roll Call: 5 Yes, 0 No, 0 Absent. Motion carried. Lynda presented a final approval request for county cost sharing for 2nd year cover crop, 10.0 acres for Josh Peer, Marion Twp., $240.00. Motion by Gabe Loeffleholz, seconded by Lester Jantzen to approve payment. Roll Call: 5 Yes, 0 No, 0 Absent. Motion carried. Lynda presented tentative approval requests for county cost sharing on a well decommissioning for Tim Klaas, Mt. Ida Twp., $1,000.00, and for Richard Veech, Ellenboro Twp., $1,000.00. Motion by Mike Lieurance, seconded by Gary Northouse to approve both cost sharing requests. Motion carried. SWRM Cost Sharing 2017 DATCP Cost Sharing – Beginning/Ending Balance $9,137.95 2018 DATCP Cost Sharing – Beginning $0.00/Ending Balance is $0.00. No Cancellation or Change Orders. Storage Permit Approval Lynda reported that Larry Sauder, Liberty Twp., is requesting to construct a concrete storage facility with a sub- liner for 92 dairy cows. Construction plan was designed by Austin engineering. Dave Russell, DATCP engineer, has reviewed the plan and has concurred with our animal storage ordinance. He has also completed his nutrient management plan and has paid his $200.00 permit fee. Lynda approved the permit on October 26th. Motion by Gary Northouse, seconded by Mike Lieurance to concur with Lynda’s permit approval. Motion carried. SW WI Groundwater & Geology Study Update Lynda reported that the SWIGG is underway. There was a concern by Lafayette County that they would not be participating because of the lack of funding. The farmer led watershed group in Lafayette County has come forth to fund the first portion of Lafayette County’s portion of the study to keep them in the program. The sample kits have been sent out to the landowners. 147 landowners out of 554 possible have agreed to participate in Grant County. This leaves 32% participation, we were hoping for 40% participation. November 9th and 10th are the sample collection days. There will be staff in Bloomington at the Highway Shop, Lancaster Service Center Building, Platteville Public Library, and Montfort Town Hall, for the public to bring in their water samples. The samples need to be in Dodgeville by Saturday evening, so they can get to UW Stevens Point lab by Sunday. NACD Dues Approval Lynda reported that $775.00 has been set aside in the budget for NACD dues. In the past we have deducted the cost of printing the Stewardship materials from the dues. In 2018 we had spent $346.92 for printing costs. Motion by Gary Northouse, seconded by Mike Lieurance to pay $428.08 dues to NACD. Motion carried. Wildlife Damage Budget Lynda reported that we need approval of the 2019 Wildlife Damage Abatement Claims Program Budget, $23,802.00. This is the amount in our County budget. We need the County to sign off on the DNR’s budget. Motion by Mike Lieurance, seconded by Gabe Loeffelholz to approve the WDACP budget. Motion carried. CSZD Administrator Report Lynda reported that we received notification from DATCP that the 2019 final allocation plan has been approved. We will have $99,306 for staff and support which is up $1039 from 2018, and we have been allocated $60,513 for cost sharing which is up $9,513 from 2018. Lynda reported that she received a NACD Conservation District Survey which was to be completed with the committee. Lynda completed the survey as she had all the numbers and information in the office to do so. Lynda reported on the SAA meeting. We needed to replace David Hammer, as our chairman, who had passed away. He was replaced by Lisa Dure, Dodge County. Lynda handed out some resolutions for the committee to review. Will discuss them at the December CSZC meeting. Lean Update Lynda reported that she is the team leader for the County Owned Property Committee. Met last month and are currently developing policy to address the purchasing and vacating county owned property. Lynda reported that she met with the Computerized Maintenance Committee regarding the Facility Dude Program. Orchard Manor uses a program called “Works Hub”. Possibly switching everyone over to Works Hub or another program that would work better. Lynda reported that she has been updating her Continuity of Work plan. FPP Report Kevin reported that last month he helped Dr. Baxter at the UW Platteville. They were hosting the collegiate soils judging contest that was held in Crawford County.  Kevin reported that he helped Lafayette County a couple of days with their High School land judging contest. Grant County Schools done very well. Potosi schools won 1st place, Monticello won 2nd, Cuba City won 3rd, Lancaster won 4th, and Shullsburg won 5th.  Kevin reported that he has been out on some contour strip jobs.  Kevin reported that he should have the 2019 Tree Sale Order Form ready for the December 6th committee meeting. Motion by Lester Jantzen, seconded by Mike Lieurance to accept Kevin’s report. Motion carried. NRCS Report – Joe Schmelz Joe reported that they are still waiting on a Farm Bill. They are still working on all the programs but can’t move forward with much until the Farm Bill is in place.  Joe reported that all the CSP renewals are ready and waiting. Existing CSP contract payments went out in October.  Joe reported that the EQIP deadline is still November 16, 2018. Still planning on the 2 batching dates. There are 45-50 EQIP applications.  Joe reported that all the NRI (Natural Resource Inventory) segments are complete. These are completed every year and are to show the national trends in agriculture.  Joe reported that there will be a new Ultima employee starting November 13th.  Joe reported that the Operational Agreement between NRCS and the County was discussed at the September meeting. NRCS’s agreement is set to expire this month. Joe will find out when they will be receiving the draft form for them to review. FSA Report – Nathalie Schattner  Nathalie reported that the MFP (Market Facilitation Program) is going on until January 15th. This is to certify half of your production and eligible commodities for ag payment due to the tariff retaliation. If there is a 2nd half of the payment it should be announced in December. This is for the 2018 crops that have been harvested  The perennial crop reporting deadline is now due on July 15th. Any fall seeded, small grains, or alfalfa need to be reported by November 15th.  Still no Farm Bill news.  Still no CRP authority  FSA is not able to make contract modifications and not able to pay any cost sharing.  FSA have made their annual CRP, ARC, and PLC payments in October.  Nathalie introduced their new employee, Jennifer Bahl. Katie Leibfried will be starting on November 13th as a new FSA employee.  The COC ballots for election will be mailed this month. It covers 8 counties in the Southeast area. Gabe Loeffelholz is on the ballot.  Nathalie reported that Wisconsin is 99% flown for 2018 imagery. The new imagery is expected to be to the field offices by the first of the year. Forestry Report – None RC&D – None Motion by Lester Jantzen, seconded by Gary Northouse to adjourn to December 6, 2018 at 9:00 a.m. Motion carried. Respectfully Submitted by Annette Lolwing for Lester Jantzen.