Chippewa County Land Conservation
Committee Meeting
May 17, 2006
The meeting was called to order by Chair, P. Michels, at 3:30 p.m. Members present were D. Boettcher, J. Dahl, M. Holte, P. Licht, L. Marquardt, P. Michels, and L. Willkom.
Agency staff present were M. Dahlby, D. Masterpole, J.T. Jensen, and J. Schemenauer - Recorder (LCD).
Others present were C. Gienapp and B. Swanson (Community Foundation of Chippewa County, Inc.).
Item #1 -Minutes/Bills/Plans/Contracts/Agreements.
The minutes from the 3/16/06 LCC meeting were presented. Motion to approve the 3/16/2006 minutes, as presented: Boettcher/Dahl. Motion carried.
The LCD program bills, Duncan Creek project bills, and Recycling program bills were presented. Motion to approve bills: Holte/Dahl. Motion carried.
D. Masterpole distributed and the Committee reviewed a table titled: Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) Contracts, Completed for Approval in May, 2006, (LCD 5/17/06). The table shows the location of the field plan(s) developed by landowners to meet the requirements of USDA and State administrative rules, under the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP). They are as follows:| Landowner | Tract | Twn | Range | Sec. | Acres | Status | Eval |
| B. Phillips | T7938 | T28N | R8W | 29 | 3.8 | NEW BAS | No |
| Siverling Family Trust | T7064 | T29N | R6W | 4 | 9.0 | NEW BAS | No |
Motion to approve CREP field plans: Boettcher/Marquardt. Motion carried.
Item #2 - Review Duties of the Land Conservation Committee.
D. Masterpole introduced and the Committee reviewed a handout titled: Duties of the Chippewa County Land Conservation Committee, (LCD 4/15/04), mailed 5/12/06. The handout outlines the general responsibilities of the LCC as a State statutory committee, and its assigned duties as a standing committee of the County Board.
There was limited discussion.
Item #3 - Set Meeting Schedule and Discuss Options for Committee Orientation.
D. Masterpole introduced and the Committee reviewed a handout titled: Options to Consider in Establishing A Meeting Schedule for the Land Conservation Committee, (LCD 5/17/06). The handout outlines options which could be considered in establishing a standard date and time for Land Conservation Committee meetings.
The Chair polled the members to determine their availability and preference.
There was general discussion.
The schedule for the regular LCC monthly meetings was set, with meetings tentatively scheduled for the third Thursday of each month at 3:30 p.m.
D. Masterpole distributed and the Committee reviewed a handout titled: Options for LCC Committee Orientation, (LCC 5/17/06). The handout outlines different approaches which could be used to assist in committee orientation.
There was general discussion.
There was general agreement that:
1. Structured orientation will be pursued through use of staff reports to be presented during the next 3-4 meetings.
2. Written material be provided to new members for their individual review. Working sessions will be arranged, as needed, with Department staff to address specific questions regarding LCC programs and services.
3. Field tours, conducted as special Committee meetings, will be used as part of this orientation.
Item #4 - Review
Proposal to Establish a Donor Advised Endowment Through the Community
Foundation of Chippewa County, Inc.
D. Masterpole introduced and the Committee reviewed a working paper titled: A Proposal to Establish the Living Land Endowment - “A Community Fund to Preserve Land and Natural Areas”, (LCD 5/11/06), mailed 5/12/06. The working paper outlines a proposal to create a financial vehicle which could be used to enable members of the community to contribute toward land preservation efforts in Chippewa County.
Under the concept, a “Donor Advised Endowment Fund” and an associated Pass-through Fund would be established through the Community Foundation of Chippewa County, Inc. Charitable gifts would be accepted and managed by the Foundation. The Foundation Board would make grant awards to support land acquisition and preservation efforts sponsored by nonprofit organizations and local units of government. Members of the Land Conservation Committee would serve in an advisory capacity to assist in community outreach and in the disbursement of grant awards.
The content of the working paper is as follows:
•Objectives.
•Opportunities for Charitiable Giving.
-The Current Acquisition Pass-through Fund.
-The Living Land Endowment Fund.
•Project Sponsorship.
•Acknowledgement of Gifts.
•Fund Management and Administration.
-Role of Community Foundation of Chippewa County, Inc.
-Role of the Advisory Committee.
•Guidelines for Fund Administration and Dispersal From the Current Acquisition Pass-through
Fund.
•Guidelines for Fund Administration and Dispersal from the Living Land Endowment Fund.
D. Masterpole introduced B. Swanson, Board Chair of the Community Foundation of Chippewa County, Inc.
B. Swanson presented an oral report. The report explained:
1. The purpose of the Community Foundation and the type of funds that are used to accept charitable gifts.
2. The policies and procedures for establishing an endowment fund.
3. The mechanics of fund administration, including anticipated interest returns and service fee charges.
4. How a “Donor Advised Endowment Fund” and a “Pass-through Fund” can be managed to meet the objectives outlined in the proposal.
There was general discussion.
Discussion focused on:
1. The stated purpose of the Living Land Endowment Fund and the associated project Pass-through Fund.
2. The roles and responsibilities of the Community Foundation Board and the Advisory Committee, as outlined in the proposal.
Item #5 - Consider
Resolution Authorizing Land Conservation Committee to Serve as Advisor and
Assist the Community Foundation in the Administration of the Living Land
Endowment.
D. Masterpole introduced and the Committee reviewed a draft resolution titled: Resolution to Authorize the Land Conservation Committee to Become an Agency Advisor to the Chippewa County Foundation, Inc., (LCD undated), mailed 5/12/06. The draft resolution authorizes the LCC to serve in an advisory capacity to assist the Community Foundation of Chippewa County, Inc. to administer a donor-advised endowment to support land preservation efforts in Chippewa County.
There was general discussion regarding the resolution.
There was agreement that:
1. The purpose and intent of the resolution is acceptable, and that staff work with the office of Corporation Counsel and representatives of the Community Foundation to refine and complete the resolution.
2. When completed, the resolution be returned to the LCC for its consideration and action.
Item #6 - Map Overview of Land Conservation Department Work.
D. Masterpole presented a Power Point presentation (5/17/06 on file). The presentation provides an overview of programs and services administered by the Land Conservation Department, under the direction of the Land Conservation Committee.
There was general discussion.
Item #7 - Report on Status
of Ad Hoc Committee to Study Development Issues in Agricultural
Districts.
D. Masterpole presented an oral report. The report explained the status of efforts to create an Ad Hoc Committee to study development issues in agricultural districts.
An initial meeting was held on April 6, 2006, with assigned representatives from the Agricultural and Extension Committee, the Economic and Industrial Development Committee, the Land Conservation Committee, and the Zoning Committee.
A letter will be drafted by the Zoning Department and will be forwarded to stakeholders to evaluate their interest in participating in the Ad Hoc Committee.
A specific committee charge and meeting schedule of proposed activities will be developed to assist in the effort.
Item #8 - Adjourn.
Motion to adjourn: Boettcher/Dahl.
The meeting was adjourned at approximately 5:45 p.m.