MONTHLY REPORT TO THE COUNTY BOARD

Planning, Resources & Development Committee

February 2010

County Surveyor

2010 Annual County Surveyor Report – 2009 Year in Review:

2009 Section and Quarter corner observations:
One of our main focuses for 2009 was to acquire GPS coordinate values on those corners without values in the Towns of Washington and Greenfield as well as several corners in the Town of Bangor. GPS sessions lasting anywhere from 45 minutes to three hours were taken during the spring, summer and fall. These session observations are then downloaded to a computer for post-processing. Once the final coordinate values are determined, the values are provided to Ron Roth in the Land Information Office and utilized to enable more accurate parcel mapping in the Geographic Information Systems (GIS).

Section and Quarter corner monument maintenance for 2009:
Working hand-in-hand with our corner observations is the opportunity to visit and assess the condition of monuments and ties at our Section and Quarter corners. We visited 94 corners in 2009. This represents 6.7% of the corners in La Crosse County. This number well exceeds our department goal of visiting 5% of our 1405 Section and Quarter corners each year. In some cases, the monuments at these corners are in need of attention or replacement. In many cases, the witness ties for these corners are in need of an update or replacement. When needed, warning signs are also set near the corners in an effort to notify landowners about the importance of the corner and the need to protect the location of the corner.

Section and Quarter corners re-established in 2009:
We were able to place a monument at nine of the remaining Section and Quarter corners in T15N, R5W and T15N, R6W. These nine corners had some previously computed locations generated for them. With these monuments now in place, each Section and Quarter corner in T15N, R5W (Washington) and T15N, R6W (Greenfield & part of Shelby) has a monument at the corner.

Projects for other Departments:
1) Working closely with the Zoning Department and working with the help of the Land Conservation Department, we tackled a very challenging project to provide topographic data for a group of taxpayers along Edgewater Lane in the Town of Campbell. Preliminary FEMA maps suggested that some homes in this area would be responsible for a higher flood insurance rate. While the new FEMA maps were going through the review and approval process, these land owners took steps to literally elevate their homes and perform landscaping on the ground around their homes. We acquired new topographic data and coupled it with LIDAR data. This data was then shared with Zoning Director Jeff Bluske. Mr. Bluske worked with representatives at FEMA and it was determined that these homes were no longer in a more flood prone area.2) We completed field work and calculations for a Plat of Survey map establishing a sewer line easement for the Village of West Salem through Veterans Park as requested by the Facilities Department. 3) We assisted the Land Conservation Department by providing the field work and calculations for a Plat of Survey map to revise an access easement for a dam in the Town of Washington. 4) We worked with the Land Records Department and Corporation Council by drafting a revised legal description to correct an error in an existing deed for County Trunk Highway “T” in the Town of Farmington. 5) We helped these and other County Departments by answering surveying and land ownership questions.

Scanning Projects:
During winter months, we were able to scan all of our Section and Quarter corner tie sheets. We also scanned the maps in our survey files including the maps found in: 1) Village of Rockland; 2) Village of Bangor; 3) Town of Bangor; 4) Town of Barre; 5) Town of Burns; 6) Town of Greenfield; 7) Town of Medary. This scanning project will continue to move forward during the winter months of 2010.

CSM Review:
The County Surveyor Office is responsible for the review of all Certified Survey Maps brought in for recording in the Register of Deeds Office. For 2009, we reviewed a total of 74 maps. Of this total, 52 maps were maps of divisions of land less than 5 acres in unincorporated areas. As per Chapter 18 of the La Crosse County Code, these maps are subject to a $50 review fee. The revenue from these fees amounted to $2600 for 2009.

County Surveyor Files:
We continue the intake, indexing and filing of all other survey maps that are brought in by land surveyors for filing. We also continue to maintain the maps found in the County Surveyor files as needed. Over the years these maps have become faded, worn and torn through regular use and handling. Senior engineering aid Pete Follansbee continues his work in carefully repairing and rehabilitating the maps found in the County Surveyor files.

Assistance Provided:
As always, we readily assist surveyors, title agents, real estate agents, attorneys and members of the public the many varied and challenging survey and land ownership questions which come to the County Surveyor Department. These questions come in via e-mail, telephone and face-to-face visits.

Respectfully Submitted,

Bryan H. Meyer

La Crosse County Surveyor

Metropolitan Planning Organization

As the Director of a bi-state agency which includes parts of both Wisconsin and Minnesota, I have the opportunity to participate in several groups planning or advocating for high speed rail between the Twin Cities and Chicago. At this time I’d like to update you on the status of rail planning efforts and what is likely to happen in the near future.

Much of the discussion in our area has been not on the possibility of high speed rail, but on the location of the corridor between the Twin Cities and Chicago. In December of 2009, the State of Minnesota released a draft version of the Minnesota Comprehensive Statewide Freight and Passenger Rail Plan, with the final version expected soon. This plan identifies the “River Route” from the Twin Cities through Red Wing, Winona, La Crosse and on to Madison and Chicago as the priority corridor, with sustained speeds of 110 MPH. Wisconsin is currently in the process of writing a statewide rail plan, which will be required for future Federal Railroad Administration funding.

On January 27, 2010, the White House announced ARRA grants to stimulate high speed rail construction. Wisconsin was awarded $810M to construct the link between Chicago and Madison. Wisconsin and Minnesota jointly received $600,000 for a “Service Level NEPA” study of the corridor between the Twin Cities and Madison. This grant will be combined with $600,000 of state funds and will determine the preferred alternative for this portion of the Midwest Regional Rail Initiative. Optimistically, this study will be completed by September, 2010, in time for the 2 states to apply for the $50M required for preliminary design of the preferred route.

Although there are groups advocating for corridors through Rochester and Eau Claire, I believe that the current Amtrak route through La Crosse, the “Empire Builder” route, is the most shovel ready and cost effective route for the first leg of high speed rail in Wisconsin and that I’ll be riding it to meetings in St. Paul and Madison before I retire.

Submitted by,

Tom Faella

Register of Deeds

The new credit/debit card system with PayGov has still not been implemented. Seems to be a hold up with the month to month contract & the problems were not addressed right away, my old contract with OPC for online copies expired on Jan. 19^th. Hopefully the problems are getting ironed out & we can get started with PayGov soon.

US Imaging came into the office to look over ALL of the real estate books we have in our vault area, they are going to give me a price quote for converting the books to digital images. We have over 500 books that have no back up & if something would happen to them, the information would be lost forever.

RSVP volunteers continue to work in the office helping with the backscanning of filed documents. We have drawers upon drawers of old federal tax liens, lis pendens, ordinances, change of name, guardianship, annexations, partnerships, trusts, trade names, appointments, and notices to name a few document types. All of these documents are very old & in most cases the only copy in existence. We have 2 volunteers that work approximately 15 hours each per month.

2009 final statistics

	Birth Certificates	Real Estate Documents	Total Revenue
Jan.	474	2115	$51,529.53
Feb.	512	2657	$57,694.16
Mar.	558	2613	$51,361.20
April	431	2749	$55,865.86
May	484	2540	$61,491.68
June	515	2679	$63,172.45
July	458	2393	$61,254.12
Aug.	617	1860	$50,402.06
Sept.	618	1863	$50,327.93
Oct.	401	1873	$45,558.41
Nov.	418	1855	$42,381.05
Dec.	278	2078	$93,556.23
TOTALS:	5,764	27,275	$684,594.68

Land Conservation

The Department of Land Conservation staff is conducting nutrient management planning workshops for La Crosse County farmers who apply animal manure or commercial fertilizers to crop fields. Both animal and commercial fertilizers contain nutrients that are essential to plant growth. The workshops instruct farmers on how to manage the spreading of animal manures and fertilizers to meet the nutrient needs of crops and prevent the over application of nutrients. Too many nutrients applied to soils can leach through the soil profile and cause groundwater contamination. Excess nutrients that collect on the soil surface, in particular the nutrient phosphorus can be eroded away during storm events and end up in nearby lakes and streams. Once there, it can trigger excessive weed growth and algal blooms that interfere with water based recreation activities such as swimming and fishing. Excessive weed and algal growth can also create conditions that result in massive fish kills by depleting the waters oxygen levels from decomposition. The workshops also show farmers how to save money on purchased fertilizer costs by utilizing the nutrient value of manure and existing legume crops. By moving nutrients around the farm where they are needed most, farmers can reduce their commercial fertilizer costs and prevent over-application of nutrients thus reducing groundwater and surface water pollution. The workshops are free to La Crosse County farmers and are held for three weeks in January and February. In 2008, there were an additional 2,270 acres of cropland that was planned for nutrient management. That increases the total cropland acres in La Crosse County under nutrient management to 25,504. It is anticipated that another 3,000 acres will be added in 2010.

Land Conservation staff are also in the process of preparing to conduct on-site evaluations for 257 La Crosse County farmers who participate in the state’s Farmland Preservation Program. The state has created a new program called the Working Lands Initiative that revamps the old Farmland Preservation Program, creates a Purchase of Agriculture Conservation Easements (PACE) program and establishes Agriculture Enterprise Areas for qualifying farmers. Each of the programs offers direct payments or tax credits as incentive for participation. The Department of Land Conservation is responsible for assisting program participants in complying with the state’s agricultural performance standards which is a requirement for program participation. In 2009, there were 249 farmers in La Crosse County who received $ 227,560.00 in tax credit relief for participating in the Farmland Preservation Program. By the end of 2015, all Farmland Preservation Program participants must be in compliance with the state’s agricultural performance standards in order to receive the tax credit.

Submitted by,

Gregg Stangl

Zoning, Planning and Land Information Department

Staff continues drafting an update of the Zoning Ordinance. The 2010 Census continues to move forward. Jeff Bluske has formed a “Complete Count Committee” which has met and set as its goals to promote timely and accurate response from all residents of La Crosse County on the US Census. Aerial Photography is approved for purchase in 2010, to coincide with the Census Data. Thanks to significant funding from the La Crosse Area Planning Commission, DOT and Land Records funds. The comprehensive Planning legislation at the State requires that as of January 1^st, 2010, all Land Use Decisions are Consistent with the Plan. All of our County Municipalities except for two have an approved plan, and one of the remaining has made significant progress on completing their plan. The Department staff met for a ½ day session on goal setting for 2010. Enclosed are our staff goals and projects for 2010.

La Crosse County UW-Extension

Fifty-three people attended a dairy herd health clinic in Bangor. With the 2009 struggles for the dairy industry, topics focused on milk price and outlook, farm financial management, tax strategies, and a farm loan financial panel. (SDH)

· A horticulture program on energy conservation for greenhouses was held via Wisline at the UW-Extension office. The program was facilitated by the horticulture educator and was attended by seven educators and two commercial greenhouse workers. (JC)

· Thirty people enrolled in the Master Gardener Volunteer General Training program for 2010, which is an increase over 2009. The training begins in February and is facilitated by the horticulture educator. (SDH)

4-H received a $4500 Wal-Mart Foundation Healthy Living Grant. One featured program conducted was 4-H Food, Fun & Fitness Friday’s held at the West Salem Boys & Girls Club during October-December. The youth learned about healthy eating, exercise, safety and staying healthy all while having fun. The Boys & Girls Club Site Director, Deana Protz, was excited about the program and really want to see more opportunities like this in the future. (JH)
Over 50 youth ages 5-19 participated in the 4-H Speaking and Demonstration Festival. Communication skills are among the most frequently mentioned skills learned in 4-H and the participants meet with a judge to receive verbal as well as written feedback to help them improve their speaking skills. (RM)
Money Talk$ presentations on credit, debt, renting, FICO ratings, savings, and identity theft were provided for 152 students/members enrolled in eight UWL 100 classes. Post program evaluations showed ninety-eight percent (98%) found the information presented was useful; and areas where the information was most helpful included: sources of funds for college-69%, credit cards-63%, and credit-57%. (MMS)
Facilitated a Strategic Input Session for the Empire Builder High Speed Rail Coalition as they plan advocacy efforts for higher speed and more frequency rail service along the existing Empire Builder Route. (MMS)

· A session was taught at the senior's meal site on the importance of physical activity on a daily basis and working towards a written goal. After filling out a goal form (83 submitted) the previous month, 35 of 40 (88%) returning participants stated they either had accomplished the goal or are now getting more physical activity.(SH)

· Students at LaCrossRoads alternative high school engaged in food label reading activities and preparing/tasting a healthy snack during a recent “choosing healthy snacks” presentation from WNEP educators. At the conclusion of the class, 87% (13/15) of the students indicated that they planned to choose healthy snacks more often. (SH)

Educated over 30 elected officials with the town of Medary, Village of Holmen and Southwest ITBEC on the property tax system through my Municipal Assessment versus Sales Data study. This presentation and study reviews what happens to property tax payer equity as the average assessment ratio in a municipality falls. (KG)
Continuing to work on the Storm Water Public Education webpage. This webpage will likely go live in the next month or two, and will address most storm water or erosion control question homeowners, homebuilders and contractors may incur. (KG)

JC – Joyce Cieleki, Horticulture Educator

JH – Jenny Holm, 4-H & Youth Assistant

KG – Karl Green, Asst. Prof., Dept. of Comm. Resource Dev., Community Resource Dev. Agent

MMS – Mary Meehan-Strub, Prof., Dept. of Family Living, Family Living Agent / Dept. Head

RM – Robert Matysik, Prof., Dept of Youth Dev., 4-H & Youth Agent

SH – Sheila Harding, Wisconsin Nutrition Education Program Coordinator

SDH – Steve Huntzicker, Asst. Prof., Dept. of Agriculture, Ag Agent

MONTHLY REPORT TO THE COUNTY BOARD

Public Works & Infrastructure

February 2010

Solid Waste

· Construction of the new landfill maintenance shop is expected to be complete in February. Construction is on budget and only minor change orders have been exercised under the contingency fund. Demolition of the old shop is slated for 2010 with removal of contaminated soil and some asbestos.

· Interviews for an account clerk and secretary are underway. Both positions should be filled by the end of February. The search and selection process for the HHM Manager is also underway with that position expected to be filled in April.

· An upgrade to the scale ticket and billing system was performed in December. Minor problems with billings did occur but were quickly resolved.

· Approval has been obtained from the DNR for the low hazard beneficial use of ground shingles as a road sub-base material.

· An amendment to the Xcel contract was finalized that adjusts the fuel credit calculations. Also, a memorandum of understanding was established for 2010 which lowers the thresholds for penalty on tonnages received at the Xcel plant from 73,000 to 70,000. Because of a similar agreement in 2009, no penalties were received since the waste tonnage received was 68,000 (due to a three week shutdown and the recession).

· The HHM facility serviced 6082 La Crosse County households, 612 businesses and disposed of over 562,000 pounds of materials in 2009. 2009 marks the first time the HHM program exceeded $100,000 in small business user revenue. 2010 marks the first year that DATCAP has approved the La Crosse County HHM facility for medical grant funding. The 2010 DATCAP Grant was accepted and temporary employees according to the approved budget will be utilized to deliver services required during the summer months.

· A work scope for services to develop a Solid Waste Evaluation aimed at enhancing collection and recycling services and evaluating alternative solid waste funding mechanisms has been finalized. The work scope was developed in collaboration with Dale Hexom, City of La Crosse, and Jason Gilman, City of Onalaska. A presentation will be made to the two city Mayors and County Board Chair. Approval will be requested to conduct the evaluation during 2010 so that the City of La Crosse can make more informed decisions regarding the 2012 collection contract renewal.

· Three responses to the RFI for a gas to energy project at the landfill were received. Evaluations of the three projects are being completed.

· The La Crosse Sustainability Commission has been filled with local elected officials and community representatives and will start meeting on a regular basis. This group will help guide the City and County in implementing the numerous projects that were part of the Strategic Plan on Sustainability approved last year.

Respectfully Submitted,

Henry A Koch, PE

Highway Department

After a rough December 2009 with near record snowfall amounts January came with very cold temperatures the first part of the month but warming a few days where we experienced rain, freezing rain, and ice. Our crews did a very good job of maintaining the highways throughout the storms and worked hard to provide good service for the traveling public.
As of the end of January we have spread 2100 tons of clear salt and 784 tons of salt mixed with sand to maintain the county trunk highways. We have sold about 400 tons of salt to municipalities and other county departments.
With the slippery conditions there have been several areas where guardrails, beam guard and signs damaged. Crews have been busy repairing the damages in a timely manner so insurance claims can be settled.
With the freeze thaw cycles and especially after rain in January there have been numerous potholes developing. Crews go out daily as weather permits to repair these areas.
Crews have completed an extensive concrete joint repair project on STH 33 from 32^nd St. to the bottom of Irish Hill. Widening work of rock faced banks is being done on STH 162 in preparation for an improvement project in future years.
This year all county, town and municipal bridges that qualify for Federal/State funds (over 20’ in length) must be inspected. For the past ten plus years we have been fortunate that Don Beaty, a retired state bridge inspector has performed these inspections for us at a very reasonable rate. Don has informed us that he will no longer be performing inspections so we will have to solicit other firms. We will miss Don’s expertise and dedication in helping ensure the maintenance and upkeep of the bridges in La Crosse County

Dennis Osgood

A La Crosse County Radio System Planning Group was formed in 2009 and the Emergency Management Coordinator and Emergency Services Department Manager serve as facilitators for this project.

The areas of concern that this group will address are the Federal Communications Commission’s mandated move to narrow-banding of VHF radio frequencies by 2013; Tactical Interoperability Communications planning; and future radio system needs. Numerous meetings with planners and presenters occurred during this reporting period including regular group meetings on the first and third Thursday of each month.

In 2009, Public Safety Communications experienced less total phone calls than 2008, but still dealt with more than 300,000. There was a 3% drop in 9-1-1 calls, with 777 less than last year. This is despite more calls in the summer months of 2009 then there were in 2008.

Even with the drop in phone calls, actual calls for service increased by 2%, up to 121,357. Although fire-related calls for service decreased, both law enforcement and emergency medical calls increased. 2009 was the first time there has been more than 6,000 EMS calls for a year. Just 10 years ago, there were approximately 3,500 medical-related calls.

Public Safety Communications answered 95.11% of 9-1-1 calls within 10 seconds. This is an improvement over 2008 by nearly two percentage points and the 9-1-1answer times exceed both National Emergency Number Association and National Fire Protection Association standards. On average, one out of every 161 9-1-1 calls takes longer than 20 second to answer, or one every 2.1 days.

Calls from wireless phones accounted for 65% of the 9-1-1 calls made to the Communications Center. This is two percentage points higher than 2008 and continues an on-going trend. Statistics show that last year was the first time that households in the United States using only cell phones outnumbered those with traditional landlines only.

· The La Crosse Radio Group prepared a taped interview with the EM Coordinator on December 2 regarding winter weather preparedness. A major winter storm struck the La Crosse area on December 7 – 10, resulting in over $300,000 in road maintenance expenses. Public Works and municipal officials were solicited to provide disaster situation reports to the County EM office where they were compiled and submitted to Wisconsin Emergency Management. FEMA first approved, and then denied a claim for a snow emergency disaster declaration, which could have provided some reimbursement.

· Officials from the Coulee Region Humane Society met with the County EM Coordinator and Brenda Hanson from the Health Dept at the Hillview garage facility to determine the usefulness as an animal evacuation site on December 14. This is part of a larger Private/Public Sector Partnership grant program to encourage organizations and businesses to cooperate in disaster preparedness planning.

· County EM met with organizers for the 2010 La Crosse Fitness Festival Marathon on December 16 and learned the event will be expanded this year, requiring additional public safety support.

· County EM participated in the WI Homeland Security Advisory Group in Madison on December 17 and the WI Radio System Management Group meeting in Fond du Lac on December 18.

· Multiple National Weather Service and Wisconsin Emergency Management conference calls were needed in anticipation of the Christmas week storms on December 22.

· EM Coordinator met with Town of Holland officials on January 5 to plan for an Emergency Operations Center exercise in April.

· EM Coordinator conducted a site visit at Crown Cork & Seal on January 7 to prepare an update to the facility’s emergency plan.

Medical Support Incentives. I bright spot on the funding horizon: The State has received additional funding from the Federal Office of Child Support Enforcement (OCSE) to provide counties incentives funds for identifying private health insurance available to cover children. In 2010, La Crosse County CSA will receive approximately $9576.00 in incentives under this provision. These funds generate an additional 66% in federal funding ($18,588) for a total amount of additional funding of approximately $28,000.00 in 2010.

A recent change in federal child support disbursement policy will ensure more money will be going to support the children of low-income, single parents. Under the new policy, parents receiving public assistance, who also had child support owed to them, can collect the entire past due amount of child support and receive public assistance benefits. This new approach also makes it possible for nearly $130 million in unpaid child support to be collected by custodial parents who either currently receive or previously received public assistance.

“Child support is an important source of income for single parents especially in these tough economic times,” said DCF Secretary Reggie Bicha. “The receipt of previously owed child support will help parents gain financial stability and will play an important role in raising families out of poverty.”

As part of the federal Deficit Reduction Act, this change is intended to increase child support payments and improve the lives of children because custodial parents will now receive more money to provide for their children and assist families in transitioning off public assistance. Non-custodial parents have the reassurance that they are contributing directly to their child’s care and research shows that parents are more likely to pay child support when they know the money is directly supporting their children.

“Child support is paid to provide the essential economic support that helps children thrive,” stated Bicha. “With this change, we are making sure children will benefit from 100% of that money.”

As provided to the Judiciary & Law Committee, the Water Patrol had a successful season in 2009. Reasons for citations were primarily equipment violations, registration violations, and speeding. There were no injuries. Two deputies received a letter of commendation for a boat rescue. Sheriff Helgeson also reported that two deputies took the Sheriff’s Department drug dog to work with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on Mississippi River islands where there had been reports of drug use. Drugs and paraphernalia were seized, and there were five arrests. They received positive feedback from other sandbar users.

The board may be interested in the success of Cliff, the Sheriff’s Department K-9. Of course the handler, Deputy Brandon Stoughtenger, also deserves credit for the success.

         341 items of drug paraphernalia
                        653 Grams of Marijuana
                        48g Meth
                        3g Hash
                        26g Opiates
                        97 Ecstasy Pills
                        1g Cocaine
                        3g Crack