WAUPACA COUNTY

LAND & WATER CONSERVATION COMMITTEE

MEETING AGENDA

                                                                                                                        December 1, 2014

                                                                                                                        Courthouse, Waupaca

Chair Federwitz called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m.

Present:            Pat Craig, Bob Ellis, DuWayne Federwitz, Walter Strebe, Dick Rohan, and Don Peterson. (Lee Much was excused)

Also Present:    Brian Haase, Roger Holman, Dave Heideman, Lisa Neuenfeldt, and Shannon Rohde.

Federwitz gave the open meeting statement.

Motion by Craig, seconded by Ellis to approve the agenda.  Motion carried.

Motion by Craig, seconded by Peterson to approve the November 3, 2014 minutes.  Motion carried.

Federwitz opened the meeting for public comment.  There was none.

Neuenfeldt reported that her and Adam have been spending most of their time working on Conservation Stewardship contract renewals.   They expect that workload to carry them through the end of 2014.

Heideman reported they are working on fall crop reports, with an extension being given on the November 17^th deadline, ARC and PLC programs, yield and pick programs, and handed out information explaining the Margin Protection Program for dairy, which has a December 5^th deadline for sign-up.

Haase and Ellis reported on the Golden Sands RC&D meeting they attended on November 20th, noting that the staff at RC&D is down two by not filling the Administrator Coordinator and Invasive Species Specialist positions recently vacant by Jennifer Glad and Paul Skawinski taking other jobs.

Shannon Rohde, Central Wisconsin Windshed Partnership, reported on 2014 projects.  In 2014, 15.4 miles of windbreaks were planted, 40.45 miles of windbreaks maintained (hand pulled weeds), 1,100 trees replaced.  A tree planting for CREP program was done in Waupaca County on the Russ Johnson farm.  CWWP is also doing some natural snow fences for highway departments.  Rohde noted 2014 was a good year for trees and their program benefited by working with the UWSP CWR student intern program. Rohde stated they charge $2.15 per foot for tree and shrub planting installation and 3 years of maintenance.

Federwitz thanked Rohde for his update.

Haase explained that the Committee needs to propose a resolution allowing them to establish fees, seen as the proposed Farmland Preservation fees. Haase stated a resolution will be written for the Committees consideration at the next meeting.

There were no LWRM/TRM contracts for Committee action.

Haase handed out and reviewed the non lapsing fund expenditures. Haase stated they are recommending purchasing a replacement van ($25,000) and three auto cad seat subscriptions ($3,000) with the remaining funds. Discussion followed.

Motion by Craig, seconded by Peterson to purchase a van not to exceed cost of $25,000 under the State Bid pricing and three auto cad seat subscriptions for $3,000. Motion carried.

Haase updated the Committee on the request from the Wolf River Preservation Association for $2,000.00 for river clean-up in 2013 and 2014.  WRPA budget and expenses were handed out for review.  Discussion followed with the Committee noting the 2013 funds are gone and the money towards funding programs outside the County programs has been eliminated from the budget.

Motion by Peterson and Rohan to grant the 2014 request from the Wolf River Preservation Association for $1,000.00 for river clean-up and send a letter explaining this will be the last year for funding.

Haase explained the grant process Golden Sands is working on to fund the County AIS work.  Haase noted that Portage and Waushara are a part of the grant. The grant allows for volunteer aquatic invasive species (AIS) education, biological control of AIS, and education and outreach to lake groups.  Haase stated that to gain more points in the ranking system the County needs to support the grant with cash match funds. Haase explained the financial aspects of the AIS grant and recommended $2,000.00 in match funds. Discussion followed with Craig asking if more funds would help and Haase stating that $2,000.00 should be sufficient to gain the addition points.

Motion by Craig, seconded by Ellis to give $2,000.00 of county grant funds to Golden Sands RC&D for the AIS grant.  Motion carried.

Holman reported they are finishing up evaluations and working on County board strategic questions.

Haase reported on the status of the Farmland Preservation Plan/ Zoning Amendment and provided a copy of the article that he and Ryan Brown wrote for the UWEX newsletter.  This article was also used as the basis for an interview Haase and Brown did with Bob Cloud.  Haase provided the names of the Stratton Lake District appointees that would be forwarded to County Board Chairman Koeppen to serve as the initial Lake District Board per State Statute 33.27.  Haase informed the committee of two LWRM Bonding Transfers totaling $20,999.00 (from Winnebago and Rusk Counties) in to Waupaca County and $6200 SEG transfer out to Winnebago County.

The next meeting was set for January 5^th at 9:00 a.m.

Motion by Peterson, seconded by Sorenson to adjourn. Motion carried.

Meeting adjourned at 11:05 a.m.

                                                                                                Submitted by,

                                                                                                Roger G. Holman

                                                                                                Recording Secretary