lccminutes

The meeting was called to order by the Chair, D. Boettcher, at 8:30 a.m. Members present were D. Boettcher, J. Dahl, P. Licht, P. Michels, E. Rineck, and L. Willkom.

Members absent were J. Brost.

Agency staff present were J. Myers (FSA), M. Dahlby, D. Masterpole, D. Nashold, and J. Schemenauer - Recorder (LCD).

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

The minutes from the 12/15/2005 LCC meeting were presented. Motion to approve the 12/15/2005 minutes, as presented: Michels/Dahl. Motion carried.

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

There were no plans or contracts presented.

D. Masterpole provided a brief report which summarized grant opportunities that are now being explored by the LCD to implement activities, as outlined in the Chippewa Co. Land and Water Resource Management Plan. A priority will be placed on grants which will enable the County to expand the utility of the Chippewa County Stewardship Fund.

D. Masterpole distributed and the Committee reviewed a table titled: Land Conservation Committee, Options to Apply Carry Over Funds From LCD Budget, (LCD 1/18/06). The table summaries end-of-year balances from 1996-2005 for LCD budget #100-52-57410 and the amount of funds returned to the Chippewa County General Fund.

As a result of staff turnover, it is anticipated that there will be a 2005 year-end balance of $18,346 in Budget #100-52-57410.

A series of policy options were presented as follows:

Option 1 Do not request the carry over of any funds into 2006.

Option 2 Apply $15,000 to increase the amount of a state lakes protection matching grant ($23,000) that will be pursued through the LCC’s Wild Lakes Initiative.

Option 3 Apply $15,000 to conduct Phase I of a Groundwater Quality Inventory Project to retest approximately 800 wells initially tested in 1985 as part of the Chippewa County Groundwater Inventory.

Option 4 Other.

There was general discussion.

Motion to advance Option3 and forward a request to the Finance Committee to carry over $15,000 from the 2005 LCD Budget (#100-52-57410) to be applied to update the water chemistry component of the Chippewa County Groundwater Inventory: Willkom/Michels. Motion carried.

Item #2 - Review Interagency Stormwater Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and Discuss Fees for Stormwater Plan Review and Inspection.

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

1. A working agreement titled: Amendment to Chippewa County Operational Agreement Between DNR, Chippewa County Land Conservation Department, and Chippewa County Zoning Dept. for Stormwater Plan Review and Associated Engineering Services in Chippewa County, (LCD 2/20/02). The agreement defines the roles and responsibilities of the Chippewa Co. Land Conservation Dept. (LCD), the Zoning Dept., and the WI Dept. of Natural Resources (DNR) to implement WI Admin. Rules NR216 and NR15,1 as they apply to stormwater runoff and nonpoint pollution control.

2. A spreadsheet titled: Engineering Services Updated 2006 (Incl. 2005 DATA), (LCD 1/17/06). The spreadsheet shows the results of a staffing/time study. The study compares the type of engineering services and the associated number of staff hours that have been allocated by the LCD to service stormwater permits, as compared to the type of engineering services and time allocated to service animal waste management permits.

The staff hours were itemized by project for the Years 2004 and 2005, as allocated under each of the following service areas:

Type of Activities Used to Service Agricultural Projects	Types of Activities Used to Service Stormwater Projects
•Pre-Project work.
•Site evaluation.
•Soils investigation.
•Survey
•Design.	•Design (review).
•Bid service.
•Installation.	•Installation (inspection).
•Certification.	•Certification (post construction “as-built” survey, review, and onsite inspections).
•Follow-up.

Results of the study show that on average, approximately 250 hours of engineering time are required to fully service an animal waste management permit, as compared to approximately 35 hours required to service a stormwater permit.

3. Table titled: A Comparison of Fee Structures Used by the State and Counties for Stormwater Plan Review, (LCD 1/11/06). The table compares stormwater fee structures now used by counties in west central Wisconsin.

There was general discussion. Discussion focused on:

1. The subdivision and development process.

2. The role of developers and private sector engineering firms in planning and installing stormwater practices, and the role of the County in verifying that stormwater standards are met.

3. The fee schedules used by counties to offset the costs of stormwater plan review and post construction inspection.

Motion to establish a fee structure for stormwater plan review in Chippewa County as follows:

Stormwater Plan Review

•$25 base rate +

•$250 for each standard 3 lot CSM’s or plat + $50 p/lot for each additional lot, and

Post Construction

•$250 inspection fee to verify “as built” condition.

Rineck/Licht. Motion carried.

Item #3 - Review Proposed Roles/Responsibilities to Comply with NR216 Stormwater Management Program and WPDES Permit; Chippewa Falls Urban Area.

D. Masterpole distributed and the Committee reviewed a table titled: Current and Proposed Roles/Responsibilities for Stormwater Permitting and Management in Chippewa Falls Urban Area, (LCD 1/5/06).

Part 1 of the table outlines the existing responsibilities for stormwater permitting and management in the Chippewa Falls urban area, as now being implemented by public agencies, developers, and homebuilders under the current land division and post land division development/construction permitting process.

Part 2 of the table outlines proposed additions to that process which would more explicitly address the requirements of NR216.

Under the proposal, existing responsibilities would remain the same as now administered. New responsibilities would be added to address:

•Stormwater Permit Administration & Enforcement.

•Stormwater BMP Installation.

•Stormwater Infrastructure Inspection and Management.

There was general discussion. Discussion focused on:

1. The proposed responsibilities of the developers and those of the public agencies.

2. The proposed administrative responsibilities of the County Zoning Dept. and the technical responsibilities of the Land Conservation Dept.

3. The County’s intent (working through the Zoning Committee) to develop one (1) ordinance for stormwater permitting that would be administered by the Zoning Dept. to meet the WPDES permit obligations of Chippewa County, the Village of Lake Hallie, the Town of Eagle Point, and the Town of Lafayette.

Item #4 - Discuss Authorization to Negotiate Chapter 66.30 Agreements to Implement Stormwater Information and Education Program.

D. Masterpole provided a report which summarized the status of efforts to pursue a single information and education program which could meet the common WPDES stormwater permit obligations of Chippewa County and Eau Claire County.

To date:

1. A letter of inquiry has been sent from the Chippewa Co. LCC to Eau Claire Co to determine their interest in pursuing a joint program. (1/12/06).

2. An informal response from Eau Claire Co. expressing their interest has been received, (1/18/06). A formal letter of response is anticipated.

There was general discussion regarding the concept.

Additional discussion focused on the process of formalizing an agreement to implement an information and education program.

Motion to pursue the concept of a joint information and education program with Eau Claire County to meet the requirements of Wis. Stats. 216.07(1), and to inform the Administrative Committee of the LCC’s intent to negotiate a Chapter 66.30 agreement for consideration by the Administrative Committee and County Board: Michels/Dahl. Motion carried.

Item #5 - Introduce State Planning Guidance as it Applies to the Agricultural, Natural, Cultural, and Resource Element of a Comprehensive Plan.

D. Masterpole introduced two (2) planning documents which have been prepared by State agencies and the UW system as guidance for municipalities that intend to develop the agricultural, natural, and cultural elements of a comprehensive plan.

The plan guides are as follows:

1. Guide titled: Planning for Agriculture in Wisconsin, A Guide for Communities, (11/02). The guide provides information to help communities plan for the future of production agriculture.

2. Guide titled: Livestock Guidance, Local Planning for Livestock Operations in Wisconsin, (4/03). The guide provides information to help communities respond to changes which are now occurring as they affect the livestock industry.

There was general discussion. Discussion focused on the general approaches used for agricultural planning.

Additional discussion focused on current efforts to complete a comprehensive revision to the Chippewa County Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance, and on input to the proposed changes, as submitted by the Land Conservation Dept. through the public hearing process (12/7/05).

Item #6 - Review Dakota County, Minnesota Farmland Protection Program.

M. Dahlby distributed and the Committee reviewed the following materials:

1. Report titled: January 19, 2006, Review of Dakota County, Minnesota Farmland Protection Program, (LCD). The report explains the mechanics of a farmland protection program as now administered in the Mpls/St. Paul metropolitan area. The approach is based upon zoning and rural density limits with permanent farm land protection provided through a Purchase of Development Rights (PDR) program.

2. Fact Sheet titled: Farmland - Land Owner Fact Sheet, Dakota County Farmland and Natural Area Program. The fact sheet explains the program and opportunities available for interested landowners.

There was general discussion regarding the program approach.

The next LCC meeting was scheduled for Thursday, February 16, 2006, at 8:30 a.m.

Motion to adjourn: Dahl/Rineck.

The meeting was adjourned at approximately 11:20 a.m.