Dane County Towns Association

General Meeting

May 14, 2003

The Annual Meeting of DCTA was held at Fitzgerald’s Restaurant in Sun Prairie.

 The meeting was called to order by President Gerald Derr.

 Bob Bowman led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance.

 President Derr introduced guests and new town board members.

 Minutes and Treasurer’s Report – A motion was made and seconded to approve the minutes and treasurer’s report.  Carried.

 Audit Committee Report – Jerry Jensen, Kevin Viney and Steve Frame examined the DCTA Financial records and found them to be in good order.  A motion to accept their report was made, seconded and carried.

 Roll Call – 20 towns were present.

 Todd Violante, Interim Director of County Planning Department, spoke briefly about plans for the Department.  He will be Interim Director through the end of the yea.  He announced that Peter Conrad from Oconto County has been named Zoning Administrator and will start work on May 19.

 Recognition of Retiring Officers- Bob Boehnen, Cross Plains; Fred Nelson, Deerfield; and Silvin Kurt, Cottage Grove, were honored for their many years of service to their respective towns.

 Friend of Towns Award – was given to Richard Skindrud for his efforts on behalf of town government while in the state legislature and also on county board.

 Hazelbaker Report – Mark noted the passing of Al Switalla, Town of Albion, who died last week.  Al was a long time plan commissioner and building inspector for the town. 

 Mark discussed the implications of the Wood case and how the decision would make RPC decisions on urban service areas moot.  Also the Smart Growth planning would be undermined by cities and villages with extended extraterritorial powers.

The state is also looking at large farm operations and would like to be able to overrule local disapprovals.  This legislation needs to be watched for further developments.

 Elections –The districts caucused and elected the following directors:

            District One – Jerry Derr

            District Two – Kris Hampton

            District Three – Roger Olson

            District Four – Bill Hitzemann

            District Five – Jim Campbell

            District Six – Bob Bowman

            District Seven – Bob Lee

 The directors then elected Jerry Derr as President and Bill Hitzemann as Vice-president.

 President Derr then called for nominations for Secretary-Treasurer.  A motion was made to nominate Pat Ampe.  Seconded.  There being no further nominations, a unanimous ballot was cast for Pat Ampe.

 WTA Resolutions

Hazelbaker presented two resolutions:

1. Regarding legislation to overturn the Woods decision.  A motion to approve was made and seconded.  Carried.
2. Regarding making comprehensive zoning an optional rather than mandatory process.  Tom Anderson asked that the wording in first paragraph of resolution be changed from “coerced” to “encouraged”.  There being no objection this change was made.  A motion to approve as amended was made and seconded.  Carried.

Rick Stadelman discussed pending legislation including the charter town bill and SB 88 and SB 110 which have to do with extraterritorial powers.

 Norm Faber updated the group on WTA activities

A motion was made to adjourn.  Seconded and carried.

Respectfully submitted,

Patricia Ampe, Secretary