Dane County Towns Association

General Member Meeting

Town of Windsor

March 9, 2005

  

The meeting was called to order at 7:40pm by President Jerry Derr. 

Pledge of Allegiance was led by Lyle Updike. 

Derr introduced guests from County Board (Hendrick, Wiganowski, Worzala & Bruskewitz).  Art Riese from WTA was also present.  

Financial Report:  

  • As of 3-9-05, 27 out of 34 towns have paid their dues for 2005.
  • Derr and Lee attended T. of Mazomanie town mtg. to see where they’re at with paying dues and to hear comments.
  • Reported that Gau was authorized as a signatory for DCTA checks.

Roll Call was taken and 10 towns were present. 

Town Chair Summary

  • Towns are welcome to contribute to Newsletter
  • Ch. 10 – need to loot at issue more closely before taking action

OA Updates/CUP Process and Zoning--comments:

Mel Bankes: Towns can’t do their job if they don’t get responses w/in a timely fashion.  Accountability is the problem.

Hazelbaker:  Zoning office doesn’t have the resources needed to get their jobs done.

Updike:  Hotline needed b/w staff.  Structure of ordinance is flawed. 

Hendrick:  CO Exec Committee—audit of planning department (review of customer service area) and funding for training ($10,000) – zoning inspectors get specialized training and customer service improvements.  Still pending with Co. Bd. 

Van Dinter: Lack of staff will not work in the future due to a growing County. 

Updike:  Chapter 10 needs to be recrafted—it is counterproductive, dysfunctional, and flawed.  T. of Sun Prairie has chosen not to approve amendments within Ch. 10. 

Hampton:  If County had the services, we wouldn’t have these problems 

Pulvermacher:  Can revision of Ch. 10 come from bottom up instead of top down?  Now is the time to look at it—experience is here (within the Towns)! 

Hazelbaker:  Co. Bd. needs to be willing to let the towns out - -unlikely it will happen. 

Hendrick:  Co. Bd. /Ordinance Review Committee could approve amendment w/in 12 mos., possibly. 

OA 28:  Change from ¾ votes to simple majority vote on County Bd. 

(Authored by Sup. Worzala): 

  • Existing ordinance is unfair (CUP appeal)
  • Difficult to get ¾ vote, unfair to individual supervisors, and representation is reduced among constituents
  • 6 criteria are used to make a vote

OA 11:  Original amendment adopted by Co. Bd. (adult entertainment)

Farm entertainment amendment adopted—encourages towns to support this. Town language was used in the amendment.  If more than 200 people—a plan should be filed. Farm auction has no number restriction.  T. of Bristol has vetoed it.  

Hazelbaker:  Difficult issues that come up: Mineral Extraction permits.  Towns want to promote local control. 

Van Dinter:  Everything is being premised on the Corp. Council being correct. 

OA 16: (authored by Sup. Jensen)

Hendrick:  Allow towns to veto CUP permit—ruled illegal under current statutes

Substitute Ordinance 1:  towns to appeal – going to Co. Bd on May 2.   Towns have 30 days to review.  Deadline is June 1. 

Open Discussion 

WTA – Art Riese

If you get a letter, make the call to voice your opinion

District meetings have been held with good attendance.

April 27, 2005—Capital Days

Trip to Washington D.C. in September - -National Convention 

March 10 – Comp Planning meeting –Sun Prairie 

Motion to adjourn.  Seconded and carried.  

Respectfully submitted,  

Julie Gau