Minutes

NOTICE TO RESIDENTS TOWN OF CRESCENT MINUTES FOR MONTHLY TOWN BOARD MEETING WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 17, 2022 6:00 P.M., CRESCENT TOWN HALL Board Members Present: Joel Knutson, Chair; Kyla Waksmonski, Supervisor; Mike Pazdernik, Supervisor; Tracy Hartman, Clerk; Carla Fletcher, Treasurer. Call to Order: Chairman Knutson called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. at the Crescent Town Hall. The meeting has been properly posted and distributed in accordance with the Wisconsin Open Meeting law and the facility is handicap accessible. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. Approval of Agenda Motion by Pazdernik to approve the agenda as amended. Seconded by Waksmonski. All aye. Motion carried. Approval of Minutes Motion by Waksmonski to approve the minutes from the Monthly Town Board Meeting of July 13, 2022 and July 21, 2022. Seconded by Pazdernik. All aye. Motion carried. Fifteen Minutes of Public Discussion – - Russ Tennessen – Requested that the Town remove the remainder of the tree that feel onto the boat launch. - Robb Jensen – Questioned the rules of order that are followed by the Town Board. Jensen thanked Chair Knutson for putting the pledge of allegiance back on the agenda and asked for clarification as to why it was removed. Joe ? thanked Chair Knutson for returning the pledge to the agenda. - Kay Schmidt expressed concern with the Pledge of Allegiance having been removed from the agenda in July. Town Chair Report – Knutson expressed condolences to the Houg Family and to all of the friends of Jared and Jake Houg. Knutson also expressed gratitude to the first responders that assisted in this tragedy. Knutson reported that as part of his Facebook birthday he had a fundraiser for the inclusive playground at the town park with 50% raised going to the All Abilities Center in Milwaukee to assist with the town park planning. Knutson reported that they have hit the goal of $3000 with a $500 match from a nearby resident. Knutson gave an overview of the projects that Crescent is working towards. Knutson informed residents that the Oneida County Traffic Safety Commission is giving out free reflective vests and these will be available at various locations throughout the county. Treasurer’s R eport - A written report was given by Treasurer, Carla Fletcher. Library Report - Update on the library board meeting and upcoming programs being offered at the library – Whidden reported that the Oneida County Health Department is supplying COVID test kits and larger print instructions at the library. Whidden also reported that the Hodag Food Wagon is supplying food weekly to children in need at the library. Waksmonski stated that the School Board has approved continued free lunch’s at some of the elementary schools. Whidden gave an overview of programs happening at the library and reported that the library is going forward with the library addition. County Board Supervisor’s Report - Review of County Board meeting, Administration Committee meeting, Public Works Committee meeting, Conservation and UW-EX Education Committee, Technology Committee meeting and Open Meetings Complaint – Thome presented a written report to the board. Thome reported that the CIP committee has begun meeting and reviewing the over 30 projects being proposed this year. Thome reported that Social Services is returning $400,000 to the general fund and that the Human Service Center is returning $200,000 to the general fund. Knutson thanked Thome for his work on collaborating with the Planning and Zoning Department and the School District of Rhinelander on a concern of runoff water from the Crescent School District parking lot. Thome gave on overview on the concerns and the impact it is having on Lake Julia. Fire D epartment Report and Approval of Purchases - • Monthly Call update, purchases update, training update, fundraiser update – No report First Responder’s Report and Approval of Purchases - None Town Road Crew Report • Road Projects update, update on vehicle repairs and shop repairs – Gerdes gave an overview of projects that are being worked on and reported that they have been using the new brusher to clean up higher hanging branches. Gerdes informed the board that they will be repairing Sterling Drive next week. Gerdes stated that road signs keep getting stolen in the town. Discussion regarding the missing signs and how to eliminate the thefts. Knutson reported that he will have an estimate for repairing the salt shed at the September meeting. Town Plan Commission Report – - Appoint Jim Altenburg to the Town Planning Commission – Knutson made a motion to appoint Jim Altenburg to the Town Plan Commission. Seconded by Waskmonski. All aye; motion carried. This will be to fill out the remainder of a two year term filling the vacancy created by Rod Bosjnak. Altenburg was sworn in. - Pazdernik reported that the plan commission continues to work on the Comprehensive Plan and will be meeting next Wednesday. They will be meeting with the North Central Wisconsin Regional Plan Commission to get guidance. Uniform Dwelling Inspector’s Report - None Squash Lake District Report – Dan Butkus reported that the annual meeting was on Saturday the 13th and the 2023 budget was approved. There was a slight increase in the levy amount for 2023. Crescent Lake District Report – Thome reported that there was a meeting to discuss the annual meeting which is scheduled for this Saturday at the Crescent Town Hall. Town Planning Commission Tourist Rooming House Recommendations to Oneida County Planning and Zoning (see TPC June minutes for recommendations) – Knutson presented the following recommendations made by the TPC (Town Planning Commission). Pazdernik explained the history behind the recommendations. Robb Jensen expressed concern with the restrictions. Discussion regarding the intentions behind the recommendations. Thome gave an overview of the process within the county for enforcing Tourist Rooming Houses. Thome reported that there is a public hearing scheduled for August 24, 2022 at 2:00 p.m. to look at an ordinance amendment for Chapter 9, article 5, Section 9.58 Tourist Rooming House. Knutson stated that the board will review the recommendations and come up with a consensus of what should be presented to Oneida County. What follows are the “TRH Recommendations” from the Town Plan Commission. Crescent Board Comments and additions will be in red. (NOTE: exiting TRH units/properties will be grandfathered in): 1) Zero (0) TRH units on all DNR-rated Class 1 Waterways (less than or equal to 50 acres). 50 acres was chosen as the reference point since most of the DNR lakes classified as high sensitivity to degradation with “most protective” development standards) were noted to be 50 acres or less. a. Protection of natural environment of small, sensitive bodies of water b. Preserve natural fishery. There is significant concern about overfishing given consistent turnover of TRH occupants, lack of resources to enforce fishing limits on these small lakes. c. Reduce shoreline erosion d. Prevent ecosystem disruption e. Preserve character and sense of community by residents anchored to the greater Rhinelander area Discussion regarding the proposed recommendations on the allowable TRH Units on class I waterways. Concerns expressed on the limits on smaller lakes. Discussion regarding the intentions of the recommendations above. Knutson endorsed the recommendation above and #2 below. 2) One (1) TRH unit on all DNR-rated Class 2 Waterways (>50 acres) with an additional TRH unit allowed for each additional 50 acres of lake. a. E x of allowed acreage Lake Acreage Allowable TRH Units 0-50 0 51-100 1 101-150 2 151-200 3 Pattern Continues - Protection of natural environment - Reduce shoreline erosion - Prevent ecosystem disruption - Limit concentration of TRH units - Provides baseline for equitable distribution of TRH units across all shoreline properties in the Town - Limited to the amount of waterway acreage residing within the Town regardless of how much waterway acreage is attributed to neighboring townships. This is mentioned because some of our lakes are shared with other towns. - Preserve character and sense of community by residents anchored to the greater Rhinelander area 3) One (1) off-water TRH unit access per individual/private shoreline property. - Mitigate risk of multiple off-water TRH units accessing the same private shoreline property o There is a concern of non-buildable lots being turned into lake access lots that could be used for offshore TRH units (single or multiple) - Prevent overcrowding and overuse on shoreline properties - Protection of natural environment - Preserve natural fishery - Reduce shoreline erosion - Prevent ecosystem disruption Discussion regarding the above recommendation. Discussion regarding the size of the lot and if that should be regulated. Knutson and Waskmonski endorsed item #3 and recommended moving the recommendation to the County. 4) Twenty-Nine (29) total number of TRH units in Town. - Based on the number of TRH units proposed for Class 2 waterways (Recommendation #2), this equates to a potential twenty-four (24) TRH units on Town shorelines - Limit of five (5) additional off-water TRH units. o We don’t believe the potential off-water threat is as great but do believe there should be some guidance and base wording in the Recommendations on a total number of units for the Town should off-water TRH units become a challenge long-term and an amendment be required. Discussion r egarding the total number of 29 on-lake TRH units and a limit of five additional off-water TRH units. Suggestion that this item is moved to under #2. 5) Beginning September 1, 2022, potential TRH property owners primary residence within the state of Wisconsin - Limits out-of-state interests - Potentially protects area economy and Town property values by mitigating rapid economic shifts - Rewards parties with vested interest in Wisconsin economy Discussion on whether this will be legal and allowed. Discussion as to what this is attempting to help limit. 6) Beginning September 1, 2022, TRH applicants with a primary residence outside of the state of Wisconsin must own the proposed TRH property for a period of five (5) years from time of closing before submitting application for a TRH. - Reduces risk of corporate “flipping” of properties directly into income-generating TRH units that could lead to rapid economic imbalance regionally (and for Town properties) - Allows for “cooling off” period for new owners to understand appreciate the character of the Town - Encourages more investment from Wisconsin residents and entities Discussion. K nutson expressed that the basis of this recommendation is good, however, there is concern about the way that this is worded. Knutson recommended that #5 be removed and #6 is the one that is high- lighted. Waksmonski would like to see individual ownership incentivized. 7) Minimum distance between TRH units/structures to be 600’ measured from closest property line of both properties - Reduce concentrations and density of TRH units in particular area Discussion that the intent is to avoid “cluster buying” by a corporation. Discussion regarding what 600’ looks like. Altenburg reported that the intention is to have to skip a parcel in between TRH Properties. 8) “Resident Agent” to reside in the Town or a township or City abutting Crescent including: Rhinelander, Woodboro, Cassian, Newbold, Pine Lake, Pelican, Enterprise, and the two Townships of Harrison and King located in Lincoln County. Discussion regarding what is currently required by the county for property management. Thome reported that the County has contracted with a company that will have a 24 hotline that will have access to the resident agent and will be able to contact them. Motion by Knutson that the TPC recommendations to Planning and Zoning be forwarded to the planning and development committee with the proviso that item # 5 is struck. Seconded by Pazdernik. All aye; motion carried. Transportation Alternatives Program Grant Update – Knutson gave an update to the board on the TAP grants. Knutson stated that the town received authorization of $80,000 of which $64,000 is from federal grant money with a local cost share of $16,000. The purpose is to establish how and where future routes are able to go. Knutson informed the board that the state included that this is for Crescent and surrounding areas with the hopes that Crescent is able to work with neighboring communities on these routes. Knutson gave an overview of grants received from other entities. Americorps Job Posting Update – Waksmonski reported that she has received 27 applications via Indeed, however, only two were local and eligible. Waksmonski has connected with them and given them the link to the formal application. Waksmonski has received an email from the administrator sharing a well-qualified candidate in Iowa that is willing to relocate. Waksmonski connected with her and gave her some information about what Crescent will be doing. Waksmonski reported that if we don’t have anyone in place by September the Town can continue to recruit until approximately January, however, the service term will still end in August of 2023. DNR Recreation Grant Update – Knutson stated that he has not received any estimates for this grant for docks in the town. Knutson is looking to get estimates first to bring back to the board to make a decision on how to proceed. Knutson also reported that he met with the Board of the Lake Julia Association to discuss the parking concerns. Knutson reported that the board did not settle on a firm plan for how they would like to proceed. There will be some painting of parking stripes on the road and a sign will be created to post at the point where Timber Lodge splits that will call attention to the parking rules and limitations. Review Correspondence – - Notice of public hearing for Planning and Development on Tourist Rooming Houses. - Letter from Crescent Lake District regarding the annual meeting. - L etter from Planning and Zoning to the School District of Rhinelander regarding a complaint received. - Letter from Planning and Zoning to Keziah Williams regarding the property at 3046 Boyce Drive. - Letter from Planning and Zoning to Denis Koshak regarding his property at 7012 Wildwood Lane. Approval of Vouchers/Adjourn - Motion by Knutson to approve vouchers as submitted and adjourn at 8:27 p.m. Seconded by Pazdernik. All aye. Motion carried. Respectfully submitted, Tracy Hartman Municipal Clerk