The meeting was called to order by the Chair, D. Boettcher, at 7:30 a.m.  Members present were D. Boettcher, J. Brost, J. Dahl, P. Licht, P. Michels, E. Rineck, and L. Willkom. 

Agency staff present were T. Lindsay (NRCS), J.T. Jensen, D. Masterpole, A. Wellnitz, R. Yohnk, and J. Schemenauer - Recorder (LCD).

Item #1 -Minutes/Bills/Plans/Contracts/Agreements.

The minutes from the 8/18/05 and 8/25/05 LCC meetings were presented.  Motion to approve the 8/18/05 and 8/25/05 minutes, as presented: Brost/Michels.  Motion carried.

The LCD program bills, Duncan Creek project bills, and Recycling program bills were presented.  Motion to approve bills: Rineck/Dahl.  Motion carried.

There were no plans, contracts, or agreements presented.

Item #2 - Review Proposal to Reinstate Three (3) Year Funding Allocations to County Stewardship Fund as Local Match for Corporate Grants.

D. Masterpole distributed and the Committee reviewed a proposal titled:  A Funding Proposal to

Pursue Corporate Matching Grants Using New Appropriations to the Chippewa County Stewardship

Fund, (LCD 8/24/05).

The proposal provides the following information as it applies to the County Stewardship Fund.

            •Background of Stewardship Fund.

            •Program Structure and Utility.

            •Fund Appropriations.

            •Past Use of Fund.

            •Overview of Year 2006 Proposal.

Under the proposal:

•A three (3) year funding allocation is requested to resume the funding allocations (initially planned

under a 10 year funding schedule) established in 1998. 

A $100,000 allocation is requested for each of the years 2006, 2007, and 2008.  In the event corporate

or outside matching grants are not gained, annual requests will be deferred.

•This allocation will be used exclusively to exercise the external matching provisions of the Chippewa

County Stewardship Fund.  Under this approach, County funds would be used as local match to

access grant programs offered by corporate interests and nationally based non-profit organizations and

endowments.

•To assure cost efficiency, the appropriated funds will be targeted toward high priority areas of the

County to achieve land use and resource management objectives, as defined in the Chippewa County

Land and Water Resource Management Plan, and the Chippewa County Forest and Parks 10 Year Plan.

There was general discussion regarding the proposal and opportunities that may become available through corporate/County funding.

Motion to approve the funding proposal to pursue corporate matching grants using renewal appropriations, to the Chippewa County Stewardship Fund, and to forward the proposal to the Finance Committee:  Dahl/Rineck. 

Roll call vote: Voting Yes - Dahl, Brost, Rineck, and Boettcher.  Voting No -  Willkom, Michels, and Licht.  Motion carried (4-3).

Item #3 - Report on Results of Recycling Assessments; Restaurants.  Discuss Options to Improve Compliance.

A. Wellnitz presented a PowerPoint report (on file).  The report outlines the results of the Year 2005  Chippewa County Recycling Program Business and Institutional Recycling Assessment Project, as it applies to bars and restaurants. 

The content is as follows:

            General

            •Purpose of project.

            •State and County mandates.

            •Target group assessments completed in Chippewa County.

            •Recycling information sought from businesses/residents.

            Bars and Restaurants

            •Number and location of facilities evaluated.

            •Issues of noncompliance (50% are in full compliance).

            •Reasons given for noncompliance.

            •Policy Questions:

                        -Ignore issue?

                        -Subsidize compliance by allocating public funds?

                        -Enforce ordinance?

                                    Issue warning letter/Pursue citations.

There was general discussion regarding the purpose of the assessments and the extent of compliance.  Additional discussion focused on the County’s obligation to enforce the recycling ordinance and the process used to achieve compliance (applied education and progressive enforcement).

A follow-up report on enforcement action will be provided within six (6) months.

Item #4 - Overview of State Livestock Siting Administrative Rules and Local Policy Issues as They Affect Land Use Planning and Local Ordinances.

D. Masterpole distributed and the Committee reviewed the following material:

1.         Proposed final Administrative Rule draft titled:  Proposed Order of the State of Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection Adopting Rules (ATCP 51), (DATCP 8/30/05).    The rule establishes a statewide framework for the siting and approval of new or expanding livestock facilities involving 500 or more animal units.

2.         Fact sheet titled:  Proposed Livestock Facility Siting Rule (ATCP 51) Changes After Public Hearings, (DATCP 8/30/05).  The fact sheet shows changes made from the public hearing draft.

            Areas of change are as follows:

            •Odor Management for livestock structures.

            •Odor Management for land application of manure.

            •Livestock Structures; Setbacks.

            •Nutrient Management.

            •Runoff Management.

            •Local Approval Requirement and Standards.

            •Local Approval of Existing Facilities.

            •Standard Application Form.

            •Local Application and Approval Process.

            •Definitions.

            •Affected Livestock.

            •Explanatory Notes.

            •Technical Drafting Changes.

3.         Overview titled:  Revised Overview of Livestock Siting Rules - ATCP 51 and Its Implications on Zoning Ordinances in Chippewa County - A Preliminary Assessment of Draft Administrative Code ATCP 51, (LCD 9/14/05).  The overview is a staff report which summarizes the core elements of the proposed siting rule and outlines its implications as it may affect municipalities, livestock producers, and the general public in Chippewa County.

There was general discussion regarding:

1.         The proposed siting standards for new and expanding operations over 500 animal units. 

2.         How it would affect future livestock expansions which are now subject to conditional use permitting under the Chippewa County Zoning Ordinance. 

3.         The public notice and public hearing requirements of the conditional use process.

There was general agreement that if the rule is adopted, the County should continue to be actively engaged in the livestock siting process, as now implemented in zoned towns through County Comprehensive Zoning.