lccminutes

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, and P. Michels.

Members absent were L. Willkom.

Other County Board members present were E. Rineck.

Agency staff present at times throughout the meeting were J. Sazama (Corporation Counsel), M. Dahlby, D. Masterpole and J.T. Jensen - Recorder (LCD).

The Chair amended the order of the meeting agenda.

Item #8 - Committee Communication. Public Wishing to be Heard.

E. Rineck expressed his appreciation to the Committee and to the LCD for ongoing program efforts and recent tour opportunities.

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

The minutes from the 8/16/06 and 8/17/06 LCC meetings were presented. Motion to approve the 8/16/06 and 8/17/06 minutes: Holte/Boettcher. Motion carried.

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

There were no plans presented.

D. Masterpole presented a signed service contract titled: Contribution Agreement Between the Chippewa County Land Conservation Department and the United States Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service, distributed with meeting materials (9/15/06). The agreement conveys the County’s commitment to assign staff resources to assist in servicing the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) for the period of 10/1/06 - 9/30/07. Under the agreement, the County will be reimbursed at a flat rate for each contract completed, not to exceed $37,450.

Item #2 - Appoint Members to Form Living Land Endowment Advisory Committee.

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

1. A program outline titled: A Proposal to Establish the Living Land Endowment Fund and the Current Project Pass-Through Fund to Preserve Land and Natural Areas, (LCD 6/6/06). The outline establishes an administrative framework, including policies and procedures, to administer a donor-advised endowment fund, which has been established through the Community Foundation of Chippewa County, Inc., (Resolution #25-06).

2. A brochure titled: The Living Land Endowment, A Community Fund to Preserve Land and Natural Areas in Chippewa County. The brochure explains the purpose of the Living Land Endowment and the different options for charitable giving.

It was noted that under the program:

1. The Living Land Endowment Fund will be administered by the Community Foundation of Chippewa County, Inc.

2. The Foundation, acting through its Board of Directors and Grants Committee, will make recommendations regarding the distribution of grant awards generated through the endowment.

3. The Foundation Board and Grants Committee will be assisted by a technical Advisory Committee composed of three (3) members of the Chippewa County Land Conservation Committee (LCC) and two (2) members of the community-at-large, appointed by the LCC.

The Chair called for volunteers to serve on the advisory committee. Interest was expressed by J. Dahl, M. Holte, and P. Michels.

There was general discussion regarding possible candidates for the community-at-large appointments. There was general agreement that D. Dukerschein and R. Smith be invited to serve as the community-at-large members.

Motion to recommend that J. Dahl, M. Holte, and P. Michels be appointed to the Technical Advisory Committee as the three (3) members of the Chippewa County Land Conservation Committee (LCC), and that D. Dukerschein and R. Smith be contacted to determine their interest in accepting an appointment as the community-at-large members: Marquardt/Boettcher. Motion carried.

Item #3 - Review 2007 Nonpoint Source Animal Waste and Pollution Control Grant Awards and Project Commitments.

J.T. Jensen distributed and the Committee reviewed a table titled: Nonpoint Source Animal Waste & Pollution Control Grant Awards & Project Commitments, Chippewa County 2007, (LCC 9/21/06). The table outlines state grant awards, federal grant applications, and preliminary LCD commitments to service agricultural nonpoint pollution control projects in 2007. They are as follows:

Landowner	T-R-Section	Funding Source	BMP	Estimated Total Cost	Pre. Design Costs	Final Design Costs
A. Mikl	31-10- 4	TRM, EQIP	Barnyard Runoff Mgt. Pasture Management Manure Storage	$175,000	N/A	$5,400
B. Phillips	28-7-29	TRM	Riparian Buffer Conservation Easement	$ 53,000	N/A	$4,200
B. Lofthus	31-10-16	DATCP	Barnyard Runoff Mgt. Pasture Management	*$ 55,000	N/A

M. Stanek	31-5-34	EQIP	Manure Storage	$124,424	$500	$5,104
T. LaGesse, Jr.	31-9-18	EQIP	Manure Storage	$291,225	$500	$5,294
L. Boese	31-10-32	EQIP	Manure Storage	$161,916	$500	$5,110
D. Danielson	30-6-33	EQIP	Manure Storage	$129,480	$500	$5,081

*Maximum available.

There was general discussion.

Discussion focused on the limited amount of state and federal cost-share grants which are now available, the staff resources required to complete the grant applications, and the competitive nature of the state and federal cost-share processes.

Item #4 - Report on Status of Kemper Woods Project.

M. Dahlby distributed and the Committee reviewed a report titled: Report on Status of “Kemper’s Woods” Project, (LCC 9/21/06). The report outlines activities which have been completed to date and activities which remain to be completed.

Activities to Date

7/20/06 -LCC directs County Conservationist to pursue a real estate acquisition described as: The East ½ of the Northeast 1/4 of the Northwest 1/4, the East ½ of the Southwest 1/4 of the Northwest 1/4, and the Southwest 1/4 of the Northeast 1/4 ALL in Sec. 16, T28N, R8W, Village of Lake Hallie.

7/25/06 -County enters a one-year option to purchase the real estate.

8/1/06 -LCD staff develops a general approach and sequence of actions to facilitate the establishment and management of the Kemper’s Woods Conservation Area.

8/7/06 -LCD staff convenes a working session with potential stakeholders to introduce the project.

8/11/06 -LCD staff completes an inventory of potential State, Federal, and Corporate grant opportunities, and develops an initial funding proposal which would limit the County expenditure to $100,000.

8/11-20/06 -County receives letters of support and tentative commitment from stakeholders.

8/29/06 -Office of Assistant Corporation Counsel commissions a full narrative land appraisal of the property to support grant applications and possible property negotiations and purchase.

9/14/06 -County Forest & Parks Committee visits the property as part of its annual County tour.

Future Activities Responsible Party

•Continue to evaluate ownership. County

•Receive, review, and evaluate full narrative land appraisal. County

•Complete and submit State, Federal, and Corporate County and stakeholders

grant applications.

•Implement community fund-raising. Non-profit organizations, volunteers

•Determine future owner. County

•Finalize property management plan. County and stakeholders

There was general discussion.

Discussion focused on the appraisal process and grant funding options.

Item #5 - Review Conceptual Changes to Conditional Use Provisions of the Agricultural Zoning District to Comply with the Livestock Siting Rule ATCP 51 and NR151.

D. Masterpole distributed and the Committee reviewed a handout titled: A Preliminary Summary of Revisions to the Agricultural Zoning District to Comply with the Livestock Siting Law, (LCD Working Draft 9/20/06). The summary outlines the scope of ordinance revisions, which are being pursued to retain local review authority for large scale livestock expansions in zoned towns. The revisions are being made based upon the following assumptions:

1. The threshold for conditional use permitting will be retained at the current level of 650 animal units (a.u.).

2. The construction, siting, and pollution control standards to be applied to new and expanding livestock facilities (subject to a conditional use permit) will be those that are prescribed in state law and Administrative Rules ATCP 51 and NR151. New language will be added to:

•Reference or restate the state siting and pollution control standards.

•Retain some level of authority to assign conditions to protect public infrastructure (roads).

3. The process for receiving and reviewing conditional use applications in the agricultural district are not defined in the existing Chippewa County Zoning Ordinance. State Administrative Rule ATCP 51 establishes the process and contains the forms to be in the permit application process. New language will be added to clarify that:

•The Zoning Department will administer the permit process and enforce the zoning ordinance.

•The Land Conservation Department will review permit applications to verify their technical content and will conduct plan reviews and site inspections to assure that the siting and pollution control standards are met.

4. Requirements for public notice and public hearing for conditional use permits associated with new and expanding livestock facilities will be retained, as defined in the existing Chippewa County Zoning Ordinance.

There was general discussion.

There was agreement that:

1. The LCD staff should draft ordinance revisions based upon the concepts presented.

2. The ordinance drafts be forwarded to the LCC and Zoning Committees for review and discussion.

3. If beneficial, a joint meeting of the committees be arranged to review and discuss the ordinance revisions.

Item #6 - Discuss Committee Participation and Representation at Area Meetings.

The Committee discussed member participation and Committee representation at area organizational meetings.

There was general discussion. Discussion focused on the type and limited number of meetings which are anticipated.

It was agreed that Committee members be authorized to participate in the quarterly West Central Area Association (WLWCA) meetings, and in periodic technical meetings sponsored by state and federal agencies.

Item #7 - Set Fall/Winter Meeting Schedule.

There was general discussion regarding the existing meeting schedule and the availability of Committee members.

It was agreed that the issue will be revisited at the December, 2006, meeting.

The next LCC meeting was confirmed as scheduled for 10/19/06 at 3:30 p.m.

Motion to adjourn: Dahl/Holte.

The meeting was adjourned at approximately 6:00 p.m.