 Welcome to Sheboygan County government working for you my name's Adam Payne I'm county administrator and co-host of this program with chairman Roger Distruti And as you know every month we strive to bring a new guest who can talk about our roles and responsibilities or give you a Little insight into your county government and today. We're very pleased to have Aaron brought with our planning and conservation director Welcome Aaron. Hi. Thank you for having me Aaron Brault if I didn't say that last name correctly He has been with us for now seven years and some of you may recognize Aaron as wasn't he the guy who was responsible for that New bike program in the county where we're creating all these trails and opportunities for pedestrians to get to and from work and Not have to get in their car to do so the answer is yes Aaron did a tremendous job with our non-motorized transportation program and I think it's been two or three years now It's been I lose track of three years Promoted him to our planning and conservation director and he's been doing excellent work So Aaron, please begin by sharing a little bit about yourself your background and just introduce yourself to our viewers. Sure I started off in in planning By working for a private consulting firm in Madison for four years. That's where I did my undergrad Education at UW Madison So spent four years learning the ropes at the private consulting firm my wife and I then moved to Indiana for a few years for some of her training and Opened my own business at that time Did that for three years and realized we wanted to come back to Wisconsin was able to successfully sell the business and then my wife and I moved back here now about seven and a half years ago and About seven years ago. I was hired by the county as you mentioned to To work on the the non-motorized transportation pilot program grant did that for four years and now I've been director for about three three and a half years and we consolidated our Planning department with our land and water conservation department. So that obviously added additional responsibility in your lap But also leveraged resources and now everyone's housed at the administration building. I think that's worked out pretty well That's worked out great. I mean we've been able to see a lot of synergies and and not only from an equipment standpoint But just being able to the proximity of having those staff members in the same building in the same bill give our viewers a little flavor for the roles and responsibilities of the Planning and conservation department. Sure. We administer about 10 ordinances. I think about seven or eight comprehensive plans for the county anything from our Sanitary program. So if you have a septic system or a mound system in the county, you're on our three-year maintenance period So we administer that Shoreland zoning is another biggie of our department. So we any any Home or business or what have you that might be within a thousand feet of an inland lake or 300 feet within a navigable stream in the In the outskirts or not the outskirts But the non-municipal or non or unincorporated areas of the county fall underneath our jurisdiction non-metallic mining permitting and Recording for non-metallic mines egg waste permitting We're responsible for a number of the county's trails the old plank road trail the interurban trail the new Union Pacific Rail trail that runs through the city of Sheboygan. That's a joint effort between the city and the county Boatlandings six boat landings in the in the county where we're responsible for so all the counties mapping Parcel mapping 9-1-1 calls and everything we're responsible for that system as well So a lot of variety. Yeah, so a lot of variety every day is a different day So it's it's a stewardship program as well Yep, county stewardship program or one of the only counties in the state that I'm aware of that has its own stewardship program there's a few others Dain and a number of others but Back when that was created I went to referendum and I believe it was 73 percent of the county supported it So that's been a very successful program for the county not a lot of money in it But a little bit to help us with some projects and protect some areas. Yep. Yep It's not a huge amount of money, but it the way we run ours is that we have applications in the spring which allows Applicants different municipalities or nonprofits to learn whether or not they can apply for state stewardship funds So our our dollars typically typically go towards the match or part of the match that they may need To finish their leverage more dollars. Yep, leverage more dollars. So yeah, like you said, it's not a huge pot But it certainly helps out helps and we've been doing a lot of that of course one of the The major projects that you were involved in over the last couple few years was the Sheboygan River Harbor cleanup initiative and of course Early in the process I had a chance to be engaged with you on that But as it unfolded you really were a key contact in Sheboygan County as Chad Pellecek was in the city Sheboygan and Wow, did you make good things happen? Yeah, that was another great project. You mentioned Chad at the city I mean he was involved from the city side. I was involved from the county side We both had our fingers in different parts of the project some county lands some county dollars and in a county wrote a Grant to help with the harbor dredging and certainly Chad was involved with the the day-to-day aspects of you know, that kind of Intense project in the city, you know traffic keeping the neighbors happy keeping them updated and things like that. So Yeah, and when you mentioned leveraging dollars about a hundred million dollars leverage from local state federal private sector to clean up and Add depth to our river and harbor just a tremendous Tremendous project and you and Chad and others deserve so much credit for bringing that together So so you've given us a little flavor of the roles and responsibilities a number of different programs You use the word ordinance earlier and I imagine some of our viewers are like what's an ordinance? but in short your administering programs that either the county board has required through an ordinance or your administering programs such as shoreland wetland or Something that the state may have required sir we're the I guess we're the right hand or the right arm of the the state government and in in Regulating some of the statutes and ordinances or programs that they have Pushed on down to the county and in and local levels. So very good How many staff do you have and what's your total operating budget? There's 14 of us? Our typical budget over the last few years is about two two point one million dollars about half of that is levy The other local levy the other half of it is either state funding Private funding we've been able to diversify some of our funding even getting some private funding as well. So And has your funding increased or decreased over the years? This past budget year We are about the same within taking into consideration and inflation over the past few years when the economy was going down And everybody was doing more with less. We saw decreases just like every department. I think the belt. Yeah, yeah As An relatively new department head although three years times gone by quickly. What are some of the key? projects that you plan to tackle in the year ahead or That you enjoy working on yeah Upcoming we still have to administer the non-motorized grant There's still a couple projects hanging out there that we're involved in so That's still ongoing One of the projects I'm most excited about is we're working with the friends of the shaboygan marsh group to potentially Put up a new building. I know we'll talk a little bit more about that later Out at the marsh a multi-purpose educational facility. So that's on our plate right now We're working Potentially at creating a wetland mitigation bank and we'll maybe delve into that a little further later on but those two things I see as being a Large portion of my time this year in addition to We're rolling out and this is more internally the public will really not know on their end, but we're updating our mapping system It's called geographical information system. So we're we're going through an update of that system internally So yeah, again varied a lot of variety a lot of variety in our department Which is it keeps things interesting Yep on the non-motorized and after this question, I'll turn it over to Roger But on the non-motorized which was such a key Emphasis for you early on and you continue to be rolling with I think there's about 27 infrastructure projects associated with that $25 million federal grant that we were fortunate to have fallen our laps thanks to Congressman Tom Petri and others But about 27 infrastructure projects, what are some of the key projects that are going to be worked on in the year ahead? Sure in the year ahead as you mentioned it was about 27 infrastructure projects. However if you Include all the segments. It's about 70 different infrastructure segments throughout the county For instance this past summer Sheboygan Falls had a big project going on and that was considered one project But there was about 28 different segments within the community that were built that year a Couple of the other ones that happened last year And I guess I'll apologize to our viewers for all the the orange cones and barrels They saw this past summer But the the rail line that ran through the heart or used to run through the heart of town We converted into a trail Eisner Avenue on the north side of city of Sheboygan and part of the town of Sheboygan Was reconstructed this year and then moving forward in in 14 and years have had our big project moving forward We're looking at Taylor Drive Starting that hopefully in the fall fingers crossed of 2014 and working on that through 2015 there's some winter work fall work. We're hoping to get good bid prices Keeping some construction firms busy during that fall winter period when they typically don't have a lot of work So there's some winter work items they can do pouring the bridge footings and things like that in the winter retaining walls And then finishing it in 15 again fingers crossed. We're hopeful that we can make that happen City of Plymouth there will be a number of projects on the south side of that city on County Highway E and County Highway PP Moving forward and the village of Kohler We should have a project going or a number again a number of segments in the village of Kohler along Highland Highland Road or Boulevard. I believe it's called Putting in some bike lanes and that's going to be entirely reconstructed And the portion of our funds will put in the bike lanes so with that goal of creating more More access more connections For again the non-motorized transportation, right, you know over you know starting in about the 1950s 1960s We got rid of our compact development Everything became auto oriented if you look at sort of the footprint and how we developed since that time and Really people are looking at it and saying you know that that wasn't all that sustainable You know we got bigger and sometimes people equate that with being better and in from an infrastructure standpoint That's not always the case. So now we're starting. I have to pay for those things that we build and And I think we're starting to say well, maybe we need to go back to The way it used to be a little bit so more walking and walking biking more compact development things like that Excellent nice overview Roger Thanks for being with us today Aaron and for the good work that you and your staff do for Sheboygan County Thank you, and as you know Sheboygan County's got a very good track record of keeping the taxes low and lowering them in the last seven years in particular and also the state imposed Tax limit how is your your department helping with that? Sure Adam touched on it briefly in about three years ago We merged with what was then the land and water department and now we're the planning and conservation department So we've seen some synergies as I mentioned with that again from printers small things or when we combine departments We had I think three or four different printers that we were paying service contracts on and you know having to maintain them So it's not a huge dollar figure, but you know a couple thousand dollars a year certainly adds up I would add our trailheads and boat launches whenever the the lights go bad now We're replacing them with LEDs which are our much, you know lower energy What's the word I'm looking for here they use a lot less energy that's a simple way of putting it I guess but even on the the pathway on the that we created along the the Union Pacific Rail corridor we used all LED lights on there, and I think at one point and and I guess don't quote me on this But I believe somebody figured out the average cost of that corridor two-mile corridor with those LED lights Would only be about a thousand to fifteen hundred bucks a year to keep the electricity out on those so We've been doing that again on all our boat landings and and trailheads and As I mentioned, we've been able to diversify some of our revenue We've we've applied for and received a number of federal or state grants and again we were fortunate to receive some dollars Private dollars to help with some of our staffing on a on a watershed study grant so Overall, I think we've been able to toll the line quite well probably some of the key savings though that Maybe you don't even think about but we went from two department heads to one. That's true Consolidate two departments. We generally see some streamlining of staff and and it started right at the top with the director So that was a that was a significant savings. Absolutely And what is the status of the once controversial? Recreation fee sure it's funny you ask because today January 16th was the first day that I had somebody come into the office and I don't want to say complain But question why we're doing the boat landing fee and probably over a year. So about three years ago You know, it was pretty controversial this this fee that was implemented to help maintain our boat landings keep the lights on You know keep the the toilets in in proper order and clean by the the firm that we use keep the landings plowed in the winter time so ice for ice fishermen and snowmobillers can use them and And so Again three years ago pretty controversial over the past few years I think it's been less and less and like I said today was the first time and probably a good year that I've had somebody actually physically come into the office and and question and The individual wasn't angry or anything. You just wanted some more information. So I think you know, everybody's used to it They're seeing benefits. We've been able to upgrade or replace some dilapidated structures at the boat landing The the big Elkhart Lake pier was in pretty bad shape. We were able to replace that this year. We've replaced the pier at the marsh Then a lot of regrading Gerber Lake needs constant grading because of the the nature of the soils in that area. So I think Overall people have seen that hey, you know We're using these dollars the way we said we are going to be using them to maintain and improve our landings About how much a year does that fee collect from the users? over the past Two years the first two full years that we've had it in addition to the the the campground We get a little portion of the the fees echo or that three guys in a grill charge at the campground We see about 33 34 thousand dollars is what we typically budget or or what we've been seeing so Yeah, that's that's the at least that's the last two years. That's what we've seen so again not a huge amount But it's it's going a long way and we're able to leverage other dollars with that So and could you please tell us about the plan documents and the ordinance that you're targeting for? 2014 sure Adam mentioned a number of ordinances that we have There's a couple that need updates our subdivision ordinance could use use a refresher I think that was last updated in 2001 and in over the years. We've been keeping a list of you know, the next time we go through this process You know, these are the things that we need to update Will involve a stakeholders group similar to when we did our shoreland ordinance rewrite a few years ago We got all the stakeholders involved. So with the subdivision ordinance, you know, we'll probably be inviting the Realtors Association Developers things like that To sit down and hash through the language of the ordinance our land and water resource management plan Needs to be updated. So we're going to be updating that this year and that keeps us eligible for some state funding I mentioned diversifying our funding and that helps Keep us eligible for some staffing Grant funding for that and then we're also Due to all the different infrastructure projects that we've had move forward here Our bike and pedestrian comprehensive plan is is out of date for the county. So we're working on that currently to update that as well I know another program that you're actively involved in is the county hazardous waste collection Would you explain a little bit how that's important and why we're doing it? Sure, absolutely that's another program that our our department administers and and I Think out of all the things we do. That's probably one of the most popular things That's that runs that's run through our department. We have very good feedback on that program As you know to help offset our costs. We have implemented a fee I believe last year to help cover the costs of that program So it's not strictly dependent on the levy and when we took our survey of everybody coming through the line the year prior 97% of the people coming through said yes, we'd be willing we were very fortunate to have this Other counties in the area typically do a one time Shot in the year if they don't have a permanent facility and so we were able to do for And I again, I think people are very appreciative of that We started collecting electronics at the last year. So that I think is an added benefit So not only household hazardous waste, but you can bring your waste electronics Which there's a dire need for that people don't know don't know where to go with their old TVs computers things like that There's hazard hazardous substances in those and and that's why that's why we don't want them going to landfills mercury you name it so And a prescription drugs and abuses another problem of what is your department doing to help along with that? Sure along the lines of the household hazardous wastes Program we have some funding that goes towards waste pharmaceutical disposal and all the local police stations in the county We have drop boxes where people can get rid of their Waste pharmaceuticals from an environmental standpoint. You don't want those going into the water stream They're starting to have studies all the fish out in Lake Michigan. They're starting to pick up and and in their tissue samples detect Human use drugs So we and and from a reproductive standpoint, you know, that's not good for our wildlife populations And then you mentioned abuse, you know keeping those kinds of items out of the the hands of You know wandering fingers of teenagers and whatnot is is is definitely important. So easy way It's anonymous An anonymous way to get rid of waste pharmaceuticals Well, thank you rare and I'll turn it back to Adam So to get rid of the waste just to make sure I fully appreciate our people understand, you know, anonymously How can they what opportunities do they have to get rid of these pharmaceuticals that they're no longer needing or maybe a parent or loved One had sitting around and they just want to safely get rid of you don't want to flush them because that may get in our water Yeah, even if you put them in the landfill that ultimately could get into the water table. So where do they go? I Elkhart Lake sheboygan falls Plymouth city of sheboygan all have Dropboxes in their front door the front vestibules or whatever you want to call it, okay Where you can drop your right in the main building the right in the municipal building. Yep. Yep So all the all the five Police departments in the county have these drop boxes, okay, and anyone can go there at any point drop And again, it's anonymous So very good. All right Earlier when you were talking about the breadth of roles and responsibilities different programs I know an initiative that the three of us have been talking a little bit more about as a wetland mitigation Initiative and some viewers might be saying well, what's wetland mitigation? How would you describe it? Sure? Any project whether you be a whether you're a public entity or a private entity if you want to develop a Project and it affects a wetland Nature sponge, you know, and the wetlands are very important from a floodplain aspect Absorbing pollutants. They're good at taking up pollutants and filtering those out before it enters the water stream so, you know very important ecosystem in our in a in any area and So if you want to fill it though for a development project a road project a new building what have you? The the rules on the books state that you have to mitigate So what that means is that if you disturb an acre of wetland? You typically have to replace one and a half times somewhere else or by credits in a bank Somewhere where one of these wetland mitigation banks has been created You know you mentioned that we're looking at it From that respect to buy it in a different bank somewhere else The the price is about going anywhere from 30 to $50,000 an acre right now So quite significant in cost and there are none really on the eastern half of the state of Wisconsin especially in the Lake Michigan basin So last year when our highway department was reconstructing Jay We had to go buy some mitigation credits Somewhere else and it ended up being Douglas County where superior is so really what good does that? Benefit the the residents of Sheboygan and we're paying through the nose and we're paying through the nose So we've been looking as you mentioned at establishing one here in the county Benefits both public and private entities in the county and and it ultimately make it more cost-effective for us And I want to give credit where credit stew chairman Roger distruity sits on the Sheboygan County Economic Development Board of Directors as Do I but obviously the the chair has a lot of influence on supporting that organization and supporting initiatives and as the three of us have discussed in the past we want to Enhance economic development opportunities in this community So if a business an existing business wants to expand whether it's a Kohler or a Sargento or you name it If they are looking to expand and it happens to be in a wetland area They're surrounded by wetland or that's the practical direction to go They too have that same barrier where they would need to either create a wetland or Purchase a bank or credits in order to be able to do so and that can be cost prohibitive or it might slow their thoughts on Hmm rather than expanding here Maybe we should expand somewhere else or go somewhere else there too as Roger well knows We've heard from companies that might want to locate here But if that prime piece of property along the interstate happens to have some wetland and it's going to take Them two three years to get through the process versus they can go to some other county or community and do it in a year or less Guess what we may lose out on that So I want to give Roger credit for his support for allowing Aaron and I to explore this No decisions have been made, but certainly we're exploring it gathering information. We've bounced it off some people like the SCE DC Sheboygan County Economic Development Corporation Board of Directors and some other business leaders There's been a lot of support for it and in fact to Aaron and Greg Schnell's credit and Greg Schnell is our highway commissioner We're right now looking at a wetland mitigation opportunity with an existing highway shed in the southern part of the county Now why don't you just touch on you know where you're at with that? That's a that's a that's an opportunity It isn't the grander one we may do in the future, but it's one that you're working on right now Yeah, currently we have a 10 acre parcel behind the south side Sheboygan shed that from every indication from the soil types and air photos and whatnot was Once a wetland until it was tiled and drained as farmland Which is a lot of the area where these banks are established is in areas that were once or that are currently being farmed They were once wetlands. They were drained tiled But the soils there support a wetland type of habitat So and it probably was never the most ideal farming opportunity either but not typically all right yep So and it's directly adjacent to 340 acres of wooded wetland in that area. So it's a prime spot to make something happen We've been working with our highway commissioner. He's got some projects moving forward here the county highway LS projects were Where he's gonna need some of these credits. So we're working with the two regulatory agencies that oversee Wetlands and in waters are obviously at the state level the DNR and then at the federal level. It's the Army Corps of Engineers So we've submitted a Preliminary plan of that area and and so we're working with them to try to make it happen And we have a key company already interested in working with us on that site So we're hopeful that we can do something grander in the future So yeah, we'll see to be continued We only have a couple minutes remaining and wanted to give you a minute on at least the the Friends of the Marsh and the proposal for a new environmental center there in a minute or less What's what's envisioned and how can people help sure you can go to? www.friendsofthemarsh.com.net.org.info any of them will work you can donate right on the website Or you can call the number or send a check to the address that's listed on the website But as you mentioned grand vision is a is a multi-purpose educational facility And that would also contain updated showers and and bathroom amenities The old building was built in the 30s. So they're pretty tired and need replacement So that's the grand vision get Camp Waikota out there and out of the donated trailer and get them into facility And also have meeting space on the western edge of the county for the county one of the jewels of Sheboygan County The Sheboygan County Marsh if you haven't been out there go grab a Really nice meal from three guys in a grill at the Marsh bar and restaurant walk up the 80-foot tower The tallest wooden observation tower in the state of Wisconsin and as Aaron mentioned now We're looking at this environmental center that thanks to the Friends of the Marsh and a lot of generous people in this community I think we're gonna see happen Aaron you covered a lot of ground in 30 minutes But we sure appreciate you being here and we appreciate your good work. Yep. Thank you very much Thank you, and thank you for joining us next month again We're gonna have another program focusing on some roles and responsibilities, and I'm pleased to share that Rachelle Valesky I had to look there almost forgot Rachelle Valesky is gonna be with us from Rocky. No She's our Rocky. No administrator doing good work at Rocky. No, and you'll be able to hear about Opportunities there and what's what's new. So thanks for joining us on behalf of Roger Distruty and myself take care