TOWN OF WHEATLAND VERNON COUNTY, WISCONSIN MINUTES FOR PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING April 21, 2011 at 6:00PM Wheatland Community Center Red Mound, Wisconsin 1. CALL TO ORDER Meeting was called to order by Commission Chair, Dan Knapek at 6:00PM. 2. ROLL CALL Commissioners: Dan Knapek, Chair; Vicki Kumlin, Jerry Torgerson, Tim Ballwahn Guests: Robert Streeter, Don Williams, Mary Lee, Doc Cunningham, Steve Casperson, Gary Kumlin 3. ANNOUCEMENTS/ PUBLIC FORUM Steve Casperson asked whether public comments on agenda items would be allowed as item was raised or if the commission prefers public comments by held to the end of meeting. After discussion decision was made that for this meeting comments would be during each agenda item. Casperson expressed frustration that information on the planning commission s work over the past year was not readily accessible to the general public. Casperson indicated he was able to obtain copies of open meeting notices for commission meetings held on June 23, 2010(posted by Town Clerk on June 22) and September 16, 2010 (posted by Town Clerk on September 14) but nothing regarding public notice for the meeting they held on May 18, 2010. He was provided a draft of minutes for September 16 meeting last week after he made a request. (Note: Minutes are considered draft until approved at the following meeting.) Approved minutes from the commission s meetings of May 18 and June 23, 2010 were not available from the Town Clerk when Casperson asked for copies. Casperson commended the board members for the volunteer public service but expressed frustration over process issues, documentation of the commission s
work, and public input was not being solicited, especially on behalf on property owners (591 land owners in 2009, almost 40% are not full time residents). 4. APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING DATED SEPTEMBER 16, 2010 Commissioner Knapek moved to review the minutes from September 16, 2010 meeting. Since no commission member had a copy of the September draft minutes, Casperson loaned his copy to the chair. Knapek read the minutes to all present. Casperson objected to the minutes being approved due to the lack of public comment on a land use ordinance. He noted the public meeting notice never told the public a specific land use ordinance (Town of Wheatland Ordinance No. 11) was being reviewed. He also objected that the minutes did not provide the public with information as to why the ordinance was being reviewed for possible amendment and gave no information on the board s discussion other than they were advising the Town Board to make changes. Motion made by commissioners to accept the minutes of September 16 as read from draft. Motion carried in a voice vote, 4-0. 5. PLAN COMMISSION OPERATIONS Considerable discussion ensued between the Commissioners and citizens on the past year s activities, documentation, function, and role of the commission. The discussion was lively and passionate but clearly everyone had the best interests of the town at heart and were struggling to find the best way to protect the town from what many felt was the encroachment of the state on local control. Cunningham indicated the commission was an important element in maintaining local control and felt that the commission should concentrate on training to help better learn process issues. He stated the commission should go slow, especially since the county was still struggling with contentious issues regarding land use. Commissioner Kumlin strongly agreed with the consensus expressed in the discussion that this was new to the community and emphasized the plan was long term, 5 to 20 years. She indicated there was uncertainty as to some
expectations based on the volume of information and uncertainty of related state and county actions. All of the Commissioners present (Knapek, Kumlin. Ballwahn, and Torgerson) expressed frustration regarding the need to provide the commissioners with better information and training. All the commissioners reminded everyone that this was new territory for the volunteers and the town. Many citizens expressed understanding of the dilemma. Casperson offered to assist the commissioners as a volunteer for process issues such learning doing minutes and adhering to state open records/public hearing requirements. He also offered to help organize and provide training opportunities for commissioners. Commissioner Torgerson suggested meeting monthly. Casperson suggested establishing annual meeting dates, possibly three times a year, so the public has sufficient notice. Commissioner Kumlin indicated that would improve coordination with the Town Board as well. Commission Knapek took this time to inform the commission of the resignation of Bob Hartl due to personal reasons. Cunningham endorsed the idea of concentrating on training as the top priority over the coming year. He reminded the commissioners that they need not try to do all the work themselves, he stated there are citizens that could be tapped to form work groups or committees to concentrate on a specific function or project. Cunningham cited the potential handicap- accessible fishing pier in Victory as a potential citizen project if grant monies could be found. He discussed how that could be a successful effort for the commission if there was determined to be public support. The commissioners indicated they were concerned about costs. A strong consensus emerged that property taxes were already high and there was little support for major expenses in this economy. Commissioner Kumlin expressed concern that the state seemed to be going in the direction of shifting more financial burden to the local communities. There was a consensus that the discussion was respectful and very beneficial. Commissioners were again recognized for their commitment to the town in dealing with challenging issues.
6. LAND USE ISSUES Commissioner Knapek indicated Tim Ballwahn asked the commission look into status and possible education issues for the town on the state s land use legislation. Commissioner Ballwahn indicated the topic again arose during the annual meeting and discussion of the planning commission. He wanted to be sure the town and property owners had the necessary information to prepare for any possible changes. He indicated there appeared to be considerable rumor and uncertainty as to what the state law may mean to the property owner. General discussion over the concern that state again appeared to be impinging on local control. Cunningham discussed his concerns over the state s potential actions. Commissioner Kumlin pointed out this was another example of the need to go slow as information was spotty and future implications unclear. Casperson gave commission chair a web site for Wisconsin Legislative Fiscal Bureau report on Working Lands and Farmland Preservation Tax Credits dated January 2011. According to this report, there will be changes effective in 2012. Cunningham reiterated training was first priority for commissioners, then providing possible informational forum for interested or affected residents toward end of year after better information is hopefully available. This setting of priorities drew majority support. 7. NEW BUSINESS Commission Chair Knapek took this time to inform board and commission he had made the decision to resign. He submitted a formal letter of his request to Commissioner Ballwahn. Commissioners Torgerson and Kumlin expressed disappointment with his decision and requested he stay on through the appointment of a new chair. Commissioner Knapek agrees to this transition. Several guests expressed appreciation for his work for the commission over the past year. 8. ADJOURN Motion made by Knapek to adjourn. Seconded by Torgerson. Consensus expressed that the overall meeting was beneficial and positive. No further discussion. Motion carried by voice vote 3-0. Meeting adjourned at 7:49PM.
Respectfully submitted, Steve Casperson, Volunteer Town of Wheatland