HomeMy WebLinkAbout12 Approved 12-05-2024 CSZD Minutes
COMMITTEE MEETING
December 5, 2024
9:01 a.m.
Room #264, Grant County Board Room, Administration Building
Lancaster, Wisconsin
The Grant County Conservation, Sanitation & Zoning Committee meeting was called to order on December 5,
2024, at 9:01 a.m. by Joe Mumm, the Conservation, Sanitation, Zoning Committee Chairman in Room #264,
County Board Room of the Administration Building.
Board members present in the County Board room #264: Joseph Mumm, Brian Lucey, Pat Schroeder, Mark
Vosberg, Larry Jerrett, and Adam Day. Gary Northouse, Excused. Others present in the County Board room;
Annette Lolwing, Robert Keeney, Lucas Finley, Adam Reed, Keith Lane, Brady Bartels, Nate Dreckman, and
Rick Post. Zoom: Robert Keeney, Emily Schildgen, Wepking’s, Mike Adams, Marnee, CSZD Jim Bergles, and
Tonya White.
Certification of Open Meeting Law
Annette Lolwing sent the agenda to the County Clerk’s office to post in the Administration Building,
Courthouse, and on the county website. An agenda was also posted in front of the Ag Service Center Building.
An agenda was also sent to Bob Middendorf, WGLR. Media notices were sent to the County Clerk’s office,
Herald Independent, Platteville Journal, Muscoda Progressive, Boscobel Dial, Fennimore Times, and Bob
Middendorf.
Approval of December 5, 2024, Agenda
Motion by Brian Lucey, seconded by Pat Schroeder to approve the agenda. Motion carried.
Approval of the November 7, 2024, Minutes
Motion by Mark Vosberg, seconded by Brian Lucey to approve the November 7, 2024, minutes. Motion
carried.
Review & Accept the Bills
Motion by Pat Schroeder, seconded by Mark Vosberg to accept the November bills. Motion carried.
Zoning/Sanitation Report
Keith presented the Zoning/Sanitation report.
Sanitation permits: There were 6 sanitary permits issued in November 2024 compared to 10 sanitary permits
issued in November 2023.
Zoning permits: There were 17 zoning permits that were either completed or in process in November 2024,
compared to the 21 zoning permits that were completed in November 2023.
No Board of Adjustments scheduled at this time.
Rick Post Permit Issues in Discussion
Keith stated that the CSZD was notified by Mr. Greg that there was a building being constructed with no
permits posted. The CSZD staff went to the site to do an investigation and finding out that there were no
permits on record. Rick Post was issued a stop work order on Thursday, November 14th. Rick has asked to
address his issue to the committee and other outstanding issues. Rick Post was in attendance and is asking the
committee for a special exemption without the variance for WI Statute 60.62. Rick did issue a response letter. In
that letter he stated that he did plan to use his lean-to for storage, then realized that he was going to run out of
room, so he just expanded the building. He never even thought about getting a permit for the structure. Rick had
started the construction when the complaint came in. Adam Reed, zoning technician, measured the setback of
the structure to the center of the road which did not meet the required set back provisions. The structure is 7 feet
encroaching into the highway easement. Rick paid his $100.00 permit fee times 5 equaling the $500.00 permit
fee. Lucas Finley, zoning technician, stated that the only wording in the ordinance is approved by the Board of
Adjustments and not by the committee. Lucas stepped through the process of applying for a variance. Rick
would need to fill out the application and take it to the Town Board for their recommendation of approval or
denial. Then submit the application to our office so we can get our Board of Adjustment meeting scheduled and
prepare all the documentation for it. The Board of Adjustment would make the final decision of approval or
denial of the variance request if it would meet all 3 criteria or not. Keith informed Rick that he would need to
file for a variance with the Board of Adjustment.
Public Hearing for Rezones
Chairman Mumm opened the Public Hearing
RZ24-24 Vesperman Doris Family Trust Dated 3/30/2009, South Lancaster Twp., are requesting to change the
zoning classification on PIN:056-00785-0000 (pt.) +/- 2.00 ac. from FP to A2 for a new home and overall land
use of less than 50% agriculture.
In Favor: South Lancaster Twp. approved on November 13, 2024.
In Opposition: None
In Interest: None
Committee Discussion: Brain Lucey asked about the location of the driveway. Lucas stated that the driveway
location is the responsibility of the Township.
Chairman Mumm closed the Public Hearing.
Motion by Pat Schroeder, that the items are concurrent with all the conditions on the Farmland Preservation
Worksheet and to recommend approval of the rezone to the full County Board, seconded by Adam Day.
Motion carried. See Attachment A Worksheet.
Chairman Mumm opened the Public Hearing
RZ24-25 Lisa A. Womack, Lima Twp., is requesting to change the zoning classification on PIN:030 -00450-000
+/- 1.0 ac. from A2 to R3 for the existing home to meet setbacks.
In Favor: Lima Twp. approved on November 13, 2024.
In Opposition: None
In Interest: The current residence is 8 feet from the East Property line which is shown on a recent survey. By
rezoning to residential 3 would make it conforming to the side yard setback.
Committee Discussion: Pat stated that the property line to the east, looks to be too close to the shed to the north
of the residence. According to the current survey the shed does meet the current setbacks. Adam Day has a
concern that one or the other residence is going to be nonconforming, as those 2 sheds are very close to one
another. Zack Womack will own the property to the east consisting of the residence and the shed. Lucas stated
that the survey did show that they are meeting the 5-foot setback. The Womack’s lawyer or real estate agent
brought this building setback to their attention regarding the nonconformity of setbacks.
Chairman Mumm closed the Public Hearing.
Motion by Adam Day to recommend approval of the rezone request for Lisa A Womack to the full County
Board, seconded by Brain Lucey. Motion carried.
Approval of 2024 WDACP Commodity Prices
Greg Cerven presented the 2024 crop prices for the deer damage program. Corn price in 2023 was $4.56/bu.,
corn price for 2024 is $3.85/bu., soybean price in 2023 was $12.53/bu., soybean price for 2024 is $9.68/bu.,
alfalfa hay price in 2023 was $210/ton, alfalfa hay price in 2024 is $170/ton, organic corn price in 2023 was
$9.25/bu., organic corn price in 2024 is $6.31/bu., organic hay in 2023 was $255/ton, organic hay in 2024 is
$255/ton. Motion by Pat Schroeder, seconded by Mark Vosberg to approve all the 2024 crop prices for the
WDACP. Motion carried.
Approval of the 2024 WDACP 80% Harvest Date
Greg Cerven asked the committee to set the 80%, 2024 crop harvest date. Adam Day made the motion to set
November 24, 2024, as the 80% crop harvest date, seconded by Brian Lucey. Motion carried.
Keith mentioned that the Fennimore Butcher Shop has taken in 45 deer for the Deer Donation Program.
Discussion on Rewording the Farmland Preservation Zoning District
Keith mentioned that everyone has had a month to think about the rewording of the Farmland Preservation
Zoning District. Keith stated that they talked about having a minimum of 5-acre and greater parcel for a
Farmland Preservation Zoning District. This will be added to our ordinance. It was the consensus of the
committee to go with the minimum of a 5-acre and greater parcel for FP zoning district.
Discussion on Definition of a Residence
Keith supplied the committee with the page out of the ordinance of the definition of a FARM RESIDENCE.
Compared to other Counties and DATCP, this farm residence definition is very comparable. Motion by Pat
Schroeder, seconded by Adam Day to leave the definition of a Farm Residence as is with no changes. Motion
carried. See attached sheet.
County Cost Sharing: Beginning Balance $12,067.75/Ending Balance $8,067.75
Brady presented final approval request for county cost sharing on a well decommissioning for Ben Quick,
Wyalusing Twp., $1,000.00. Motion by Adam Day, seconded by Mark Vosberg to approve the payment
request. Roll Call: 6 Yes, 0 No, 1 Excused. Motion carried.
Brady presented final approval request for county cost sharing on a rye cover crop, 1st year, for Matt Berning,
Jamestown Twp., $1000.00. They did not plant rye to 1.5 bushels per acre per the county standard, they planted
1 bushel per acre. Motion by Mark Vosberg, seconded by Pat Schroeder to approve the payment, as the intent of
seeding a cover crop with multi species is a good practice. Roll Call: 6 Yes, 0 No, 1 Excused. Motion carried.
Brady presented final approval request for county cost sharing on a rye cover crop, 1st year, for Lazy M Farms,
Liberty Twp., $1,000.00. They did not plant rye to 1.5 bushels per acre per the county standard, they planted 1
bushel per acre. Motion by Pat Schroeder, seconded by Larry Jerrett to approve the payment, as the intent of
seeding a cover crop with multi species is a good practice. Roll Call: 6 Yes, 0 No, 1 Excused. Motion Carried.
Brady presented tentative approval for county cost sharing on a well decommissioning for Casey and Carrie
Kersteins, Ellenboro Twp., $1,000.00. Motion by Adam Day, seconded by Larry Jerrett to approve Kerstein’s
cost share request. Motion carried.
2024 DATCP Cost Sharing Requests: Beginning Balance $50,876.75/Ending Balance $50,876.75
Brady presented tentative approval request for 2024 DATCP cost sharing for Steve & Karen Wiencek, Millville
Twp., $13,500.00 for streambank protection. Motion by Pat Schroeder, seconded by Adam Day to approve the
Wiencek’s cost share request. Motion carried.
Brady presented tentative approval request for 2024 DATCP cost sharing for Vosberg Irrevocable Trust,
Jamestown Twp., $7,811.73 for stream crossing and fencing. Motion by Adam Day, seconded by Mark Vosberg
to approve the Vosberg’s cost share request. Motion carried.
Brady presented tentative approval request for 2024 DATCP cost sharing for Karen Yelinek, Clifton Twp.,
$9,500.00 for grassed waterways. Motion by Pat Schroeder, seconded b y Adam Day to approve the Yelinek’s
cost share request. Motion carried.
Brady presented tentative approval request for 2024 DATCP cost sharing for Tim Adams, Beetown & South
Lancaster, Twp., $6,565.02 for grassed waterways. Motion by Mark Vosberg, seconded by Larry Jerrett to
approve the Adam’s cost share request. Motion carried.
Possible Changes to the County Cover Crop Requirements
Brady brought up the possibility of making some changes to the county cover crop requirements. He would like
to see it follow more of the NRCS standards by only planting 1 bushel of rye per acre. Keith stated that if NRCS
would change their cover crop standards we would also change our cover crop requirements. Brady asked if we
should leave the cost share payment at 50% up to $1,000.00 or should we adjust the cost share payment? NRCS
pays a per acre rate. Keith mentioned that CSZD will mirror NRCS standards but will wait on the cost share
rates. The cost share rate and the deadline date to sign up for the program will be tabled to another meeting.
Adam Day made a motion to follow the NRCS Standards for the 1 bushel of rye only per acre and table the
discussion for the deadline date to sign up for the program and payment reimbursement, seconded by Brian
Lucey. Motion carried.
Storage Permit Approval
Brady gave an update on the Lyell Wenger ag waste storage facility permit. They had an onsite visit with the
landowner, engineer, Brady, and Keith. They used this visit as a learning session for all involved. Temporary
fencing is in place. Safety signs have also been installed. Everything else has been installed and approved. Just
waiting to get the permanent fencing done. Also waiting on the 70% of ground disturbance. MSA supplied the
CSZD a copy of all the inspection reports for our records.
CSZD Administrator Report
Meetings
- November 8th, 15th, & 29th, 2024 – Keith has completed his Farmer Written Nutrient Management Plan
Course at Southwest Tech. He wrote the NMP for his farm. Steve and Brady will be
assisting with the class at Southwest Tech.
- November 15th, 2024 – Brady attended the Karst Geology in Southwest WI Training Session
Information
None to Report
Continuous Improvement
- Catalis – Continuing to work on this. Possibly bringing in for production in January/February.
NRCS Report: Mike Adams
Mike Adams reported on NRCS updates.
- EQIP
o NRCS has approximately 95 to 100 EQIP applications, this is up 30-40 applications from
last year.
Bill Kletecka is acting as an ARC at the area office for the next 100 days.
o County cost share thoughts that Mike mentioned that grazing and conservation crop
rotations – adding small grains to a rotation. These are 2 practices the NRCS offers.
FSA Report: Emily Schildgen
Emily reported that the (ODMAP) Organic Dairy Market Assistance Program was to officially
close on November 29th They have now extended the deadline to sign up to December 13th.
Emily reported that the cover crop is technically an FSA program. The Wisconsin Department of
Agriculture Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) just announce this week that they are doing
their cover crop program again for 2024/2025. This is around the 4th year that DATCP has offered
this. This is funding on a first come first served basis for a $5.00 credit to their crop insurance for
next year. FSA comes into play because producers need a copy of their 578-crop report summary.
Producers are still able to stop in to certify their cover crops. DATCP’s press release is only for
those producers that have not received funding through the federal or state cost share funding. EQIP
people would not be eligible for that funding. DATCP will be taking applications until the money is
exhausted or until January 31st.
Emily also mentioned that FSA is collocated with the Farm Loan in the same office in Lancaster.
We have a Farm Loan team here in Lancaster and they just posted a position for a loan analyst.
Tammy Reynolds is the supervisor for the Farm Loan. This position closes on December 19th.
The next meeting is scheduled for January 2, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. in the County Board room.
Motion by Adam Day, seconded by Mark Vosberg to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried.
Respectfully Submitted by Annette Lolwing for Mark Vosberg