Not much on the agenda, but here it is for what it is worth . . .
all 74 pages and 55 [orderly] minutes.
A. ROLL CALL
The following people were absent: 33 present, 4 missiong – Stubbs, and 2 others [Tivoe’d it and couldn’t hear who was gone and they don’t repeat it like the City Clerk does], Hampton was Excused
1. Prayer/Inspirational Message – Supervisor Stoebig
– County Hwy worker on Hwy 151 was killed today. Name not yet released. Asks to bow their heads and a small prayer.
2. Pledge of Allegiance – Supervisor Stoebig
B. SPECIAL MATTERS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS 1. Res 1, 09-10 – Celebrating Maureen Arcand’s 80th Birthday
Supervisor Rusk reads the resolution, sponsored with Supervisor Vedder – Maureen was there. Rusk says that she was born in Dane County in 1929, wasn’t supposed to live more than 6 weeks, and if she survived, she would be just fine. She went to Mt. Horeb High School, she was mainstreamed. Maureen spoke, Dave Ripp is the only one that was on the board when she served. Being on the County Board was one of the highlights of her life, was able to educate people about the needs of people with disabilities and continues to do that. She learned to respect people, even those who don’t agree with her, and she still feels that was about anyone who runs for public office, they should be respected. She thanks Paul and everyone for commemorating her. Says Dane County is a very special place in her mind.
Vedder speaks to say Maureen is a mentor from way back, even from before she was on the board, knew her through her advocacy work she did with Access to Independence. When Movin’ Out had their big party, it was a very special event. Peter Leidy did a song, and she had alot of people there to say its great. Vedder says she can make it six years. Thanks her for everything she has done for the community.
McDonell says that honored former County Board Chair George Harb(?) on his 100th birthday and hopes they can do the same for her. He says that at that time, she’ll still only recognize Dave Ripp.
2. Dane County Safety & Working Conditions Safety Committee – Safety awards presentation – Lt. Mark Twambly
Hesselbein moves to postpone due to the death of the worker today and asks drivers to please slow down.
3. Announcements
Salov – Dane County Breakfast on the Farm posters out front – Hinchley’s [sp?]on Hwy 73 on Sat the 13th, Breakfast 7 – 11, Pam Janke and others will be there. Crowning of first Dane County Fairest of the Fair, Alice in Dairyland will be there, farm tours, horse drawn wagon rides, Soggy Prairie Boys will be making music, live broadcast on Q-106.
DeSmidt – Thanks Mayor and others for stepping in to try to stop the closing of the Catholic Multi-cultural Center, asks people to contact Supervisors if you have used the center, we don’t need to rely on religious organizations, the County, the government and others will make sure people have food on their tables. Thanks Lynn Green and her outrach people and ask people in need to call her, she’ll do what she can.
de Felice – There a county road AB or Buckeye Road in his district that is a continuing concern because of speeding drivers and children, and they have reached an agreement with City and others to reduce speed from 35 to 30 and he is introducing an amendment and would like others to sign on.
Opitz – On behalf of Supervisor Hesselbein, after breakfast on the farm, on June 13th to come to the 2nd Annual Big Event in Middleton, citywide garage sale, live music and food at over 12 places, fireworks. So please come out.
Hulsey – After Breakfast on the Farm and Big Event come to Take a Stake in the Lakes, its the big event to clean up the Lakes, but don’t have to wait that long on June 6th there is the Clean Lakes Festival sponsored by Mad City Ski Team, DeJope and others and goes 9 – 9, there’s a run, canoe races, demo boats, music. June 11th is Paddle to Work Day, that starts at Olbrich. Two weeks from tonight they will have the Clean Water Campions there and a report on Clean Up the Lakes. Was swimming in Lake Wingra and it was cleaner than it has been in 10 years since they took out the carp. A neighbor was fishing this weekend and he said the water in Lake Mendota and say 2 big sturgeons swimming. Extra posters if people need them.
Downing – McDonell asks him if he is capping off the 13th, Downing says he hopes that you will have room on your calendars. 25 Western Dane County Artists invited you to Overture last month, this month the same artists would like to invite you to their studios the over three days the 12th to the 14th, starts at 11 am. Springarttour.com is more info. Holds up poster with examples of art. Come on out to the driftless area.
Ferrell – Nothing on the 13th, a couple days before that Blue and Gold invasion, Monday – Thursday next week, instead of Ash Borer or Gypsy Moth invasion. Come see young and old farmers at the FAA convention, he attended 4 years when he was younger.
Stoebig – Circulating a resolution providing Dane County Board Support for legislation to deal with Pay Day lending Consumer Protection Act. There was a press conference him and Chair McDonell were at, the bill has 48 co-sponsors in Assembly and Senate, not sure if it will pass, but intent is to get as much organizational and government support. Counted 5 pay day loan businesses in his district in 3 blocks on E Wash and says that there are more payday loan businesses than McDonalds. Hoping to turn back financial deregulation that happened in this state in the early 90s. Please think about sponsoring.
McDonell – No special matter from Memorial High School today, thought he might have made a mistake on the calendar. Two birthdays this month. Levin on the 3rd. The clerk, Bob Olson on the 28th. [He’s not there tonight] Says he must be celebrating now.
C. BILLS AND ACCOUNTS
1. Claims Recommended for Approval
Motion to approve Stoebig/Hulsey. No discussion. Passes on voice vote.
D. APPROVAL OF PROCEEDINGS – May 7 & 21, 2009
Motion to approve Matano/deFelice. No discussion. Passes on a voice vote.
E. CONSENT CALENDAR
1. Res 17, 09-10 – Buy Local, Buy American with Economic Recovery Funds (Adopt)
Motion is adoption. No objection, recorded as passed unanimously.
Not quite 7:30 so skip item G.
I. AWARD OF CONTRACTS 1. Res 19, 09-10 – Change order for Stewart Lake Shoreline Dredge (Adopt/Adopt with Amdt.)
Motion is adoption. Also amendment from Personnel and Finance but that is not before them and someone would have to move that here. [No one does] Or not. Finally Ripp moves finance amendment, seconded by deSmidt. Motion passes on a voice vote, no discussion.
Resolution 19 as amended is before them. No discusion. Passes on a voice vote.
J. RESOLUTIONS 1. Res 258, 08-09 – Authorizing the Acquisition of Land from Lyman F. Anderson Family (Adopt Sub 1 with Amdt.)
Adoption of sub 1 with amendment. One registrant Bill White in support and available to answer questions. Supervisor Jensen, moves sub 1. McDonell says its before them. Jensen says he was at a press conference at the farm and has spoken at the board when he introduced it and ihe does it with mixed feelings. All know Lyman Anderson was a former county board member, and environmentalist and an educator, and when he passed away he owned 400 acres of farm land and it was $20,000 per acre. When Pat inherited it, they worked out the tax situation but if something happened to Pat the kids would have to sell the land to pay the taxes and Lyman wouldn’t have wanted that, he would have wanted the land to be kept together. The deal that has been worked out between the county and Anderson Family will keep the farm as one unit, it will remain a farm as long as we are all around, other farmers will rent the land and keep it farmed as Lyman would want it. Goes through specifics. Entire farm in one unit will further educational and recreational opportunities, with the donation of the quarry. When there is a zoning petition they can show how to be a good neighbor, the family is selling the land for half the appraised voice, and create an endowment for maintenance. Lyman would rant wabout how city buys land and doesn’t set aside money for maintenance, the county might not do that, but the family will. The educational opportunity of the quarry. Sub 1, because of our fiscal problems, the first purchase will be in two installments, the first as soon as we can and the second no sooner than 7/15/2010.
Ferrell – Says all recently recieved the press release to cut back on capital borrowing, but we are buying this to honor our commitment. He asks what aobut our commitment to others in need, they deserve our help too. Says the debt service on this purchase of $750,000 for this years purchase will be $62,000 for just this this year to be paid in next years budget, and it will be paid for the next 20 years. And an additional quarter of a million dollars [that’s what he said, but I don’t think that was what he meant] in 2012 and and 2013. So, when people come to us this fall, just remember that we just spent $62,000 out of our operating budget for the next 20 years. Says EANR has an agriculture subcommittee and working on that agenda and trying to find out how to get new farmers and perserve farm land. Says the land won’t remain, we will take 280 acres out of production over the years. If they were debating a development for 280 acres and taking 280 acres out of production, they wouldn’t be there discussing this. Also taking $12,000 in property taxes also won’t be paid based on 2008 taxes. $2200 goes into the county cofers, $1500 to the Town of Oregon and they have to make that up. $7,000 comes out of School, hopes that they appreciate our efforts. Says he never met Lyman Anderson, has his vion of him, thinks he was probably a wonderful man, read and heard alot of him, talked to alot of people who knew him. If this was the John Anderson or John Smith farm, would we be doing this. Sometimes you have to step back and think about it. Urges people to vote no.
Hulsey – says he moved to postpone a month ago, told the family then and asked the family “what would Lyman do” and served with Lyman, thinks he tried to put the conserve back in conservative and supports what Jensen says. Says it will be available for beginning farmers, can’t afford to buy land, but can rent it. Last week Personnel and Finance did freeze half of the capital spending ($25 million), getting information on what state is doing to us, 3% cuts in shared revenue and others. $25M froze will save $3M next year. They are going line by line to see what else they can do. Feels comfortable honoring commitment to Lyman and family, but we have told staff don’t go forward with any more land purchases unless consults with Personnel and Finance and they have set a high bar. Says that this meets that and it will be a wonderful park and urges people to support the sub.
Hendrick – also supports the resolution. Points out that this meets a need in the Parks and Open Space plan and they are acquiring land for recreation and open space for a couple good reasons, improves quality of life of everyone in the county, people with human service needs, people with special needs, everyone benefits. Another lesser known benefit, whenever there is open space, the land around it increases in value, increases in tax assessments, so they will collect more taxes for county, which will also be shared with town and village. The increase will outweigh the use value assessment on farm land and taking it off the tax rolls. Knew Lyman for many years, doesn’t presume to know how he would vote tonight. He would not want his farm developed, but when they honored him, they were all giving speeches and when they called on him, he said that he wanted to remind people that he voted against the building they were naming after him. So, not so sure only doing this for Lyman, but doing it for Dane County and he requests a roll call.
McDonell says he remembers J Michael Blaska and Lyman going to battle over that building.
Jensen – Says farm land in some point in the very, very distant future may be taken out of production, but if this doesn’t pass, that will happen very soon. They are preserving farm land. What the resolution does not say, there are three homes on the farm, the homes and structures will all stay in ownership of the Andersons, so the county is only buying the vacant land. The tax losses will be very minimal.
Martz – Also knew Lyman, good friend and advisor/mentor. One of his concerns is that parks are a great thing when we have money and quesitons if we need this now. But it concerns him that the body has debated over and over about turcks, quarries and the making of this park takes a railroad line, partially owned by Village of Oregon and City of Fitchburg and makes it a bike trail. In most cases, so what, but this is the only rail corridor that goes from Madison to the hub in Evansville and connects to the national rail line. In 1999 the Village of Oregon and City of Fitchburg bought it hoping to get trains back. He says that Lyman wanted trains to run by his farm again. Says that the rail line might cause businesses to come to Madison if this corridor were to stay in place. He says that it is also potential for commuter rail with RTA. Says you might be eliminating the only rail system that has the right of way for two rails. Biggest concern is that this will cause the rail line and potential for that rail line to be eliminated. If commuter rail with park on both sides of the rail, won’t that defeat the purpose, to build high density living quarters along the rail corridor. If this is a park, how will that happen. Points out the issues so they take it into consideration as they vote. We advocate for many things like park land or commuter rail and this purchase flies in the face of many previous resolutions before the board.
Gau – does know Lyman Anderson, understands his issues, won’t talk about the family, but instead county policies. Conservation Fund is used to buy property, for land that needs to be purchased to protect environment, 12% slopes, protect corridors or have environmental issues on it. Looking at those definitions, this parcel doesn’t meet those criteria. The other thing is that no matter what you do tonight, or what the costs are, he understands what the family is going through, however, he also (talks about Middleton chunk of land) he wants to see the local communities contribute. Doesn’t see Town and Village of Oregon contributing. Talking about policies, not emotions. Can’t tell you his vote yet, but those are the things on his mind.
Hendrick – Supervisors should be aware that bike trails are a proven way to preserve rail corridors. Modern development of bike and rail corridors together is a trend. Points out nexus of development and rail projects is not that people want to live next to the trains, they want to live next to the stations, not all along the railroad.
Opitz – previous speaker made many of his points. Public Works and Transportation did talk about the rail issues, Martz raised the issues at that time, and what they said there is that there is no reason why the rails would be removed, bike trails can be contiguous to the rail and if there was a rail stop, it would be in downtown Oregon, not at the park site. So, he appreciates the interest, but the portion that we are voting on tonight is not immediately next to the rail line, that is in the second phase.
de Felice – Fantastically generous offer by the family. They are getting the land at half price and creating an endowment fund to maintain the property and they are selling it in phases so we can adjust accordingly. As supervisors we have to balance to present and the future and this unique opportunity preserves the past for the present and the future. This is the right time, a good buy. Please vote in favor.
O’Laughlin – Sat in front of Lyman for 4 – 6 years and one of his phrases was “a deal is a deal” whether written verbal or handshake. When we entered into this we weren’t in this fiscal position, but the money was in the budget. But, we’re worried, so the Anderson family asked to sit down and make a deal and that is what we have done. He goes back to “a deal is a deal”.
No further discussion.
AYE: Stoebig, Vedder, Veldran, Vogel, Wheeler, Bayrd, de Felice, DeSmidt, Downing, Erickson, Hendrick, Hesselbein, Hulsey, Jensen, Kostelic, Levin, Manning, Matano, Miles, O’Laughlin, Opitz, Richmond, Ripp, Rusk, Salov, Schmidt, Solberg, McDonell
NO: Wiganowsky, Willett, Bruskewitz, Ferrell, Gau, Martz, Schlicht
ABSENT: Stubbs, Hampton
28 ayes, 7 nos, 2 absent, motion carries.
G. REPORTS AND ZONING PETITIONS
a. Map of Dane County
b. Summary of Grant as Modified Petitions
1. Petition 9555 – Town of Perry – Town of Perry (Deny)
2. Petition 10038 – Town of Vermont – Bernhard Magnuson (Grant)
3. Petition 10039 – Town of Springfield – Albert Meinholtz (Grant as Modified)
4. Petition 10040 – Town of Christiana – David Smithback (Grant as Modified)
5. Petition 10041 – Town of Vienna – Henry Land LLC (Grant)
6. Petition 10042 – Town of Oregon – Trosper Tr, Grayson & Marjorie (Grant as Modified)
7. Petition 10043 – Town of Burke – Vetesnik Enterprises LLC (Grant as Modified)
8. Petition 10044 – Town of Dunkirk – Kevin Hanson (Grant)
9. Petition 10045 – Town of Dunkirk – William Taplick (Grant as Modified)
10. Petition 10046 – Town of Perry – Kenneth Hefty (Grant as Modified)
No motions to separate. Committee recommendations are before them. No discussion. Passes on voice vote.
M. SUCH OTHER BUSINESS AS THE COUNTY BOARD IS AUTHORIZED TO CONDUCT BY LAW
None.
N. ADJOURNMENT – Until Thursday, June 18, 2009 7:00 Or the Call of the Chair
Motion to adjourn by Opitz second by Erickson. No discussion. Passes on voice vote.
Meeting done in 55 minutes.
