Chippewa County Land Conservation
Committee Meeting
June 15, 2006
The meeting was called to order by the Chair, P. Michels, at 3:30 p.m. Members present were D. Boettcher, J. Dahl, P. Licht, P. Michels, and L. Willkom.
Members absent were M. Holte and L. Marquardt.
Agency staff present were J. Sazama (Corporation Counsel), M. Dahlby, D. Masterpole, J.T. Jensen, and J. Schemenauer - Recorder (LCD).
Others present were J.D. Armstrong, D. Carlson, and J. Morning, (Chippewa Valley Chapter of Pheasants Forever).
Item #1 -Minutes/Bills/Plans/Contracts/Agreements.
The minutes from the 5/17/06 LCC meeting were presented. Motion to approve the 5/17/06 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: Willkom/Dahl. Motion carried.
D. Masterpole distributed and the Committee reviewed the following Farmland Preservation application filed in April, 2006:
| Landowner | Tract | Twn | Range | Sec. | Acres | Status | Eval |
| W. Ebben | T1098 | T28N | R5W | 11 | 200.0 | REV BAS | No |
| T28N | R5W | 12 |
Staff reported that the administrative procedures for processing this application, as outlined in WI Stats. 91.13, have been followed, and that all State and local eligibility requirements have been met.
Motion to recommend that Chippewa County and DATCP approve the application as submitted: Boettcher/Licht. Motion carried.
Item #2 - Overview of Fiscal Strategy and Land Conservation Committee Budgets.
J.T. Jensen distributed and the Committee reviewed the following materials:
1. Pie chart titled: Chippewa County 2006 Tax Levy Distribution, (September, 2005). The pie chart shows how the 2005 County tax levy was distributed among the County departments. In 2005, the tax levy allocated for Conservation, Parks & Land Management related programs was approximately 5% of the total County levy allocated. The Land Conservation Department and Recycling programs accounted for 2% of the levy.
2. Pie charts titled: Land Conservation Department Revenue & Expenditures, Revenue by Funding Source and Expenditures by Program Area, (6/06). The pie charts show the following:
•2005 Revenue •2005 Expenditures
-County Levy - 63% -Technical Services to Landowners - 43%
-State Grants - 30% -Program & Fiscal Management - 23%
-Service Fees - 7% -Compliance Monitoring - 18%
-Permit Reviews - 15%
3. Overview titled: Overview of Fiscal Strategy Used by the Land Conservation Committee 2001-2006, (LCD 6/15/06). The overview outlines the fiscal strategy used by the LCC to accomplish a balanced budget while working within the local levy reductions and freezes from 2001-2006. The strategy used is as follows:
A. Applied short term actions.
•Froze operating budget.
•Delayed capital purchases.
B. Developed and implemented long term fiscal approach using a business model.
•Planned for reduction in state funding sources by implementing 5 year staff transition plan.
•Established fees for services.
•Began pursuing alternative sources of public funding.
•Began pursuing alternative sources of private funding.
4. Graphic titled: Diagram Illustrating Implementation of 5 Year Staff Transition Plan Land Conservation Department, (LCD 6/8/06). The diagram illustrates the number of full-time equivalent (FTE) positions employed each year from 1990-2006, and the source of funds used to support each position (county levy, service fees, and state grants).
5. Summary table titled: 2006 Budget Summaries, Chippewa County Land Conservation Department, (8/30/06). The table is a spreadsheet which shows the item expenses and revenues for the following LCD budgets:
#100-52-57410 Land Conservation Department
#100-52-57423 Gravel Pits
#100-52-57416 Nonpoint Source
#100-52-57424 Farmer’s Fund
#100-52-57425 CREP Fund
#100-52-57414 Plan/Zone Project
#100-52-57417 SWRM
#100-52-57422 Urban Stormwater
There was general discussion. Discussion focused on the services provided by the LCC and the mix of revenue sources used to provide those services.
Additional discussion focused on anticipated budget limitations and fiscal approaches which will be explored by the LCC to address those limitations.
Item #3 - Consider Resolution to Authorize Members of Land Conservation Committee to Serve in an Advisory Capacity to the Community Foundation to Implement a Community Endowment.
D. Masterpole distributed and the Committee reviewed a revised resolution titled: Resolution to Authorize Members of the Land Conservation Committee to serve in an Advisory Capacity to the Community Foundation of Chippewa County, Inc., (6/06). The resolution was introduced and agreed to in concept by the LCC on 5/17/06.
It was explained that the Finance Committee and the Corporation Counsel had reviewed the draft resolution, and had recommended minor revisions as points of clarification. These are as follows:
In the resolution, clarify that:
•The County Board Chair appoint the three (3) members of the LCC who will assist the Community Foundation of Chippewa County, Inc. by serving in an advisory capacity to help administer a “Donor Advised Endowment Fund” and a supporting “Pass-through Fund”.
In the fiscal impact statement, clarify that:
•There will be no (0) new operational expenditures or budget requests beyond those currently allocated under the existing operational budget.
•Add “Anticipate one (1) meeting of the Advisory Committee with paid per diem for appointed members.
One (1) meeting x three (3) members x $35/meeting = $105.00/year.”
There was general discussion.
Motion to approve the Resolution to Authorize Members of the Land Conservation Committee to serve in an Advisory Capacity to the Community Foundation of Chippewa County, Inc and to forward it to the Chippewa County Board of Supervisors for consideration: Dahl/Boettcher. Motion carried.
J. Sazama (Corporation Counsel) informed the LCC of an offer of land donation and purchase which had recently been received by the Land Conservation Department.
J. Sazama advised that a closed session be scheduled to consider the offer. There was general agreement that a closed session meeting be scheduled.
Item #4 - Update on Status of Conservation Efforts; East Hallie Wildlife Area.
M. Dahlby introduced J.D. Armstrong, D. Carlson, and J. Morning, representing the Chippewa Valley Chapter of Pheasants Forever.
M. Dahlby provided a GIS-based presentation. The presentation showed the location of the East Hallie wetland complex, parts of which are now being preserved by local agencies and nonprofit organizations, through fee title acquisition and conservation easements.
There was general discussion.
Discussion focused on the conservation uses and custodial management of the conservation area. Additional discussion focused on the stated intent of Pheasants Forever, to transfer ownership of parcels that it may acquire, to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources for permanent public use and protection.
Item #5 - Evaluate Conditions of NAWCA Grant; Consider Option to Directly Allocate NAWCA Grant to Pheasants Forever for “Cherrier Acquisition II” Project, T28N, R8W, Section 21.
M. Dahlby distributed and the Committee reviewed a summary titled: A Summary of Grant Activity and Options for Use of NAWCA Grant for Cherrier Acquisition II. The summary is an outline of facts which explain the current status of the North American Wetland Conservation Act (NAWCA) grant awarded to Chippewa County (through the West Wisconsin Land Trust) in March, 2006. They are as follows:
1. Chippewa County has been offered $100,000 in North American Wetland Conservation Act (NAWCA) Grant Funds to be used with the Cherrier Acquisition II.
2. Chippewa County LCC accepted the NAWCA funds with the intent of applying the money as a local match grant to the Chippewa Valley Chapter of Pheasants Forever (3/16/06).
3. NAWCA procedures prevent the County from adding further requirements to the grant funds.
M. Dahlby concluded that given the restrictions placed on the NAWCA grant, the County now has two options:
1. If the LCC wishes to accept the NAWCA grant, the acquisition can proceed with the arrangement for the land purchase as follows:
$ 45,000 Pheasants Forever Cash
$145,000 State Grant
$100,000 NAWCA Grant
$290,000 Total Acquisition
2. If the LCC does not wish to accept the NAWCA grant, the acquisition would be put on hold. The LCC would turn down the $100,000 NAWCA grant.
There was general discussion regarding the NAWCA grant and the Chippewa Valley Chapter of Pheasant’s Forever proposal to proceed with the Cherrier Phase II Acquisition.
Motion to accept the $100,000 NAWCA grant and to distribute it as a pass-through grant to support the Cherrier Phase II Project Acquisition: Dahl/Boettcher. Motion carried.
Item #6 - Review Agency Roles/Responsibilities for Storm Water Management Under NPDES Permit in Chippewa Falls Urban Area.
D. Masterpole distributed and the Committee reviewed the following material:
1. Table titled: Current and Proposed Roles/Responsibilities for Stormwater Permitting and Management in Chippewa Falls Urban Area, Current Roles/Responsibilities for Stormwater Permitting and Management in Chippewa Falls Urban Area, (LCD 6/15/06). 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.
2. Table titled: Current and Proposed Roles/Responsibilities for Stormwater Permitting and Management in Chippewa Falls Urban Area, Proposed Roles/Responsibilities for Stormwater Permitting and Management in Chippewa Falls Urban Area, (LCD 6/15/06). 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.
4. Ownership and maintenance responsibilities for stormwater best management practices.
Item #7 - Review Proposed Dates and Agendas for Committee Tours; Urban/Agricultural.
D. Masterpole distributed and the Committee reviewed a handout titled: Proposal for Summer/Fall Committee Tours to View Land Development and Conservation Projects, (LCD 6/14/06). The handout outlines a series of tours, which have been planned at the committee’s request, to illustrate land use development and conservation issues which affect the work of the Zoning, Forest & Parks, and LCC committees.
The tours will have an agenda with a general sequence of steps, but will be informal. No business will be considered or action taken.
There was general discussion. The tours have tentatively been scheduled for the third Wednesday of July, August, September, and October, and will be held during the late afternoon and early evening.
Item #8 - Adjourn.
The next regular LCC meeting was scheduled for Thursday, July 20, 2006, at 3:30 p.m.
Motion to adjourn: Boettcher/Dahl. Motion carried.
The meeting was adjourned at approximately 5:30 p.m.