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All right, we're going to move on to public comment. And first of all, I'd like to thank everyone from the public that is here tonight.

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We do really appreciate your interest. We appreciate your participation in this process.

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And we value your feedback. So thank you. And thank you to all of those who have sent us messages and emails and phone calls.

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So we do appreciate your feedback.

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back. We will be limiting, we have quite a few people that want to speak, so we will

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be limiting you to two minutes. I'm also limiting to make sure that you are a resident, a current

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resident of St. Croix County. And please remember to speak your name and your address

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and be as specific and concise as you possibly can. I will also let the next

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person know who's up next so we can keep the process moving along. Okay we're

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going to start out with Scott Miller and then Scott he will be followed by

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is Celeste Corboral.

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Thanks everybody for your time. Stand before you to bring the, in

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regards to the solar farm that's being pushed upon the people from our bad policies both

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in our state and our federal government. It is your guys' jobs as a county board. If

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anybody's in this room that's from municipalities, we need to stand in front of this. We need

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to send a message to our state and federal government that we have to stop all these

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poor policies where we are basically paying these companies to go around and there was

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a policy that was going to go in this area that was under 100 meg that they obviously

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couldn't get through the local government so then they brought it through XL who's

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now going to ram it through because they're going to use the state.

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So, I gave you guys a document and there's a bunch of areas in there that we need to

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research, you know, who's funding this and the stuff.

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Ask questions of Excel today.

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All the kickbacks are getting from state, local government, tax benefits.

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That's what we, the people, want to know.

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They bragged on their crap meeting about being the cheapest energy, but I bet if

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we put all of our costs together as a taxpayer, it wouldn't be that cheapest.

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Okay.

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Celeste, the next will be Christy Rora.

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Good evening. My name is Celeste Cobrell. I live on like Malalu in the town of Hudson,

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Wisconsin. We've been there for 31 years. I did send in written public comments regarding the

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manure storage facilities ordinance and also dropped off some highlights of our photos

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regarding water quality in St. Croix County. I am speaking to you tonight because you're

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to be making decisions about the proposed minority storage facilities ordinance and

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I hope that you will carefully listen and consider with both your heads and your hearts.

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The public comments that people are making about the need to better protect our water

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quality in St. Croix County.

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As we have presented facts, we have shown you that already 13% of the private water

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wells in St. Croix County or about 2,000 water wells are drawing from groundwater

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water that already exceeds the safe drinking water standard for nitrate

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contamination.

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And unfortunately both the number of contaminated wells and the

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contamination level with nitrates is increasing annually in St. Craig County.

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It is not decreasing. Please remember that drinking water with excessive

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nitrates is a serious health hazard. It affects our blood pressure, our heart

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rates, our digestive systems and it causes blue baby syndrome which can

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sick and and kill infants. It also reduces the values of homes by about 15% and it is

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very expensive to remedy through the installation of private reverse osmosis systems or replacing

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your private drinking well. One of the causes of high nitrate contamination is when manure

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and or biosolids are spread into farm fields at a rate higher than what the crops grown

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on those fields need. In addition, already our St. Croix County surface waters are impaired.

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Reduced water quality in algae blooms hurts St. Croix County's visitors economy, which is already

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about $219 million of total economic impact in 2023. It reduces the values of homes along

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water bodies by about 11%. Again, a source of the impairments in our surface waters is runoff

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from fields where manure is improperly applied or too much is applied because that carries

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sediments, phosphorus, and nitrogen into our lakes, our rivers, it clouds the water,

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it feeds the algae blooms.

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The manure storage facilities ordinance is a very reasonable ask.

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It doesn't ban anything.

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It doesn't say you can't have a manure storage facility.

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It doesn't say you can't have a CAFO.

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It doesn't say you can't have a manure digester.

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It just says, if you put in a new one or expand an existing one, please don't make our water

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quality worse.

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Please support it.

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Thank you.

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A Christy in following her will be Elizabeth Wood.

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Christy Raritt of 1657 150th Avenue in Hammond, and I'm here to address the proposed solar

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farm in that area.

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Well, there are numerous concerns about Excel's proposed massive industrial solar farms such

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as environmental health, water quality, noise pollution as well and the well-being of surrounding

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residents.

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I would like to speak to Excel's misrepresentation of the impact that the industrial solar farms

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have on property values.

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Excel continues to claim that there is no impact on property values near solar farms.

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This is simply not true.

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numerous scientific studies that I have found have shown that property values

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do decrease by an average of three to nine percent when utility-scaled farms

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are near homes or neighborhoods. For example, a study out of New York found

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property values declined by 8.7 percent within one mile of a solar array. Now

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while there are studies that show no impact, it's important to consider who

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funds these who funds these studies. Many of them are sponsored by solar

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industries who which stand to benefit from skewed results. The board and the

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public need to be aware that Excel is not being fully transparent as they claim

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to be with the information they provide on their website in medium

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statements and their informational meetings like the one they had like the

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one they're gonna have tonight and the one they've had in previous

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on previous occasions.

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For many homeowners, property values represent the future that they are building for their

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families while a large corporation like Excel, 9 to 7 percent might not seem significant,

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but to my family and many of you who are in this room, that's a substantial amount.

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Living this project decreases values, it results in financial loss, mental health

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strain and concerns about long-term invested. It's critical as a county we

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consider these impacts when planning solar installations to work with local

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communities so they are not unfairly burned in. Thank you.

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Okay Elizabeth Wood

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and who will be followed by Thomas Brunchettle.

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Good evening. My name is Beth

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Wood. My husband Warren and I live on Cedar Lake in St. Croix County. The lake

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Lake is located in both Polk and St. Croix counties.

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The water flows into Cedar Lake from Horse Creek in Polk County.

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It flows through the lake and the water does not care about the county line.

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The water flows out into Cedar Creek, into the Apple River and onto the St. Croix River.

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My point is, it matters what protections we take in St. Croix County to the people

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living downriver, and to the people that share our watershed.

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We have a responsibility and an opportunity to do what we can to minimize harm.

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I think that we can all agree that the most valuable natural resource we have in St. Croix

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County is our water.

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Regardless of our proximity to a CAFO, the entire watershed, once it has been compromised,

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can, will, and has contaminated our groundwater. We have taxpayers in this

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county that cannot use their well water safely to great personal expense. We have

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town hall buildings in this county that cannot safely use the water that comes

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out of their faucets. Taxpayers going to vote cannot safely have a drink of

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water. We are barely staying ahead of what could be a serious devastating

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problem. Not only to the safety of our families and communities, but to our

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property values. This St. Croix County Board has an opportunity to take

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preventative action now by adopting the manure storage facilities

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ordinance. We want this ordinance to protect our groundwater and our surface

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waters. This is the water source that we all use. Ultimately we are all

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drinking the same water and let's make sure we do everything we can to keep it

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clean and safe. Thank you very much.

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After Thomas will be Jason Haas. Hello I'm

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Tom Brunch out of 1738 30th Avenue Cam in Wisconsin. I'd like to address the

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solar farm. Good evening to the board and thank you for this

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opportunity to provide comment on the Ten Mile Creek solar project that is

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being proposed in St. Craig County.

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We need to look back at some recent history

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for us to understand what the people that live

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and work in these towns would like to see

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as the towns continue to grow.

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The state of Wisconsin has in place

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comprehensive planning legislation.

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This legislation only project.

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The county used a grant from the state of Wisconsin

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for the planning process to meet the extensive

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requirements of this legislation.

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Five towns worked with county consultants

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on writing the 2006 Heartlink Cooperative Plan.

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I personally was involved in this planning process.

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We had two years of planning committee meetings,

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multiple public surveys, and three public meetings

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where residents could share their opinions,

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not only on the day-to-day business

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of running local government,

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but also the long-range view

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of what they wanted, the place where they live,

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and their children go to school to look like.

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specific sections of the plan called out land use, residential development and

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acceptable commercial uses. All residents came to consensus that they wanted to

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live and raise their children in a rural environment that allowed for controlled

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growth of both residential developments and commercial businesses. This

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philosophy we believe would best serve the people of the towns. In all the

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towns a statement was made that there needs to be a balance between

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residents and the need for incremental development of businesses and the need to preserve farmland

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and farming that should not be impeded by local ordinances.

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We believe that existing and new residential developments and farming operations can coexist.

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One of the main goals of this long-range plan is to keep farming as a lifestyle and

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as an important economic contributor to these towns.

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Ten Mile Creek Solar Project, as you will hear in a few minutes,

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will cover approximately eight sections of farmland,

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with solar panels and industrial infrastructure.

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The cost of the project is between two and two-and-a-half billion dollars.

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It will be given $250 million of taxpayer money

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in the form of subsidies and future tax incentives. These monies will be siphoned through the

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Inflation Reduction Act and other federal and state programs. This is money taken from

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the taxpayers and then a small amount of it is being used as shared revenue to the towns

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and county. It will be very enticing for you as the board to just say, this is

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a matter for the Public Service Commission to decide. The county can take the annual

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shared revenue payment and duck any responsibility for this project. Please do not do that. Please

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do not allow the state to write conflicting legislation that both asks for public input

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on the future development and then disregards that input by moving the decisions to a bureaucratic

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state commission. Thank you.

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Jason. It will be followed by Steve Schaller.

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Hello,

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I'm Jason Haas. I'm from Somerset, Wisconsin. I am a fifth-generation farmer in Somerset.

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I'm here to talk on the Miner Storage Ordinance. You did some great work ahead of time with the

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Community Development Committee there. Had a lot of productive meetings there. The thing that I

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had to talk about tonight was in the ordinance on Section D2, Operating Permit A3, and there

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the Nutrient Management Plan shall be prepared for a landowner in SNAP Plus by a Nutrient

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Management Planner and the plan files submitted electronically and includes the SNAP Plus database.

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So the problem that I or the question I would have or ask you to do is the SNAP Plus database

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is basically my six-year business plan. It doesn't include financials, but it does

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include my farming operations for the next six years. It goes to the county in a

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form that's not protected. The county employees that see this plan have the

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ability to change it.

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Now, I have the original copy, but they can do what they want with it. My concern is we

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know who's in that position now. In the future, we don't know who's going to be there.

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My information

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there is prepared by somebody that I paid that the county requires them to be certified

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to do this, so they're qualified.

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But to have somebody in the county be able to change

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my information is a concern. I don't know any other business that submits six years of plans

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and then can have it changed and then not protected. So I would like to see it amended

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and just have it some form. We can file it electronically yet so they can use it,

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but I would prefer my data be protected. Thank you.

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Okay, Steve, and we'll be followed by Kathy Streets. Hope I'm pronouncing that correctly.

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Hello. My name is Steven Shala. I live in Derry Farm in Pleasant Valley Township. You

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may remember me as the guy who comes in June Derry Month and brings cheese and invites

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you to the county fair and Farm City Day. Tonight I'm here to comment on the Chapter

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11 Ordinance. Our understanding is that the ordinance was selected for review and

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response to a proposed chicken litter digester project. However, it directly impacts resident

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farmers and future farmers in our county. In November, a group of about 50 farmers gathered

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to review the proposal at our farm. We had an excellent representation of active farmers,

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dairy farms, CAFOs, non-CAFOs, beef farmers big and small and grain farmers. We agreed on a list

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of changes we felt were fair, productive, and maintain the spirit of continual improvement.

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We brought these items to the December 12 public hearing and we appreciate that the

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committee incorporated most of these suggestions.

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Tonight I continue to represent the group that met before,

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and we are asking for two more small amendments

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to proposed ordinance and then your support

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of the ordinance for approval.

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The amendment I would highlight is in regards

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to a farm field that appears

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in two nutrient management plans.

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We are asking that the language disallowing this

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to be stricken from the ordinance.

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Fields may appear in two plans for multiple reasons.

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three examples, but not limited to would include farmland preservation,

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economical logistics, and crop rotations.

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In addition, at the public hearing,

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Tom's Wald presented in his handout about nutrient management plans,

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identifying specific sources of the miner,

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and clearly identifies the quantities produced and the quantities applied

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to demonstrate that a farm has adequate acres for all their miner.

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If following the SNAP-plus program or equivalent, you can't double-dip on these acres without

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raising flags that the regulators will easily see.

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So your farmers have been working on continual improvement and sustainability practices for

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generations.

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In closing, I ask that you would help us in that cause by supporting the two more

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updates for the Chapter 11's language, the other being the database file, and support

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its approval.

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Thank you for your time and effort on this.

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As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please contact a farmer and visit a farm.

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Your agriculture community is happy to talk to you.

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Thank you.

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Okay.

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Kathy, and after Kathy will be Dan Wetherly.

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Hi.

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Thanks for the chance to share opinions and feelings.

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00:18:43,960 --> 00:18:45,000
I'm Kathy Streit.

241
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I live in the town of Hudson for five years.

242
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I don't have a big statement prepared, but I do have strong feelings about water.

243
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We have a well that we take our water from.

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And I feel like we have the right to have clean water in our well.

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I think it's 33% to 37% of people in the state have well water that we live on.

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I believe that this chapter 11 proposal is a small way that you all have the

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duty to keep our water clean. I'm aghast that we have giant manure dumping

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facilities already in our county and I would hope that this board would take

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very seriously your duty to keep our water clean from here on out so my

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understanding is that if we support the manure storage facilities ordinance as a

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board and as a community that will do a little bit more to keep our water clean

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thank you

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Dan and after Dan will be Steve Mueller all right good evening I'm

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Dan Weatherly, resident Hammond Township, St. Croix County.

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Earlier today, I emailed to Jason Kay,

256
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I can't pronounce his last name,

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forgive me your community development director,

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00:20:14,960 --> 00:20:16,600
a copy of our petition which contains,

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I think as of this morning, 4,445 signatures

260
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primarily St. Croix County residents,

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all of which are opposed to this XL Energy solar farm

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for multiple reasons.

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You also have a paper copy of this,

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the electronic copy will get you links

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to the studies and articles that we cite in here.

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So I encourage you to get that from Jason if he hasn't already provided it

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But you know this petition has all the details. I can't cover much in the time allotted, but I can cover the high-level issues

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I think you know one of the issues is in the petition. You'll see a a map of

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Hammond Township and

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There's four residential large residential subdivisions and Hammond Township that Excel energy for reasons

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I can't understand and no one can understand is seeking to surround on all four sides

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with this industrial solar farm complex,

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complete with millions of solar arrays,

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service roads, inverter buildings,

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sub-barbed wire, as we understand it.

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There's other places,

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we don't like the solar farm, we want it stopped.

278
00:21:20,060 --> 00:21:21,200
But if it is allowed to proceed,

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there's other places that put this industrial complex,

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there's no reason why they need to be abutting

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these residential subdivisions, zero.

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There's thousands of acres of farmland

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where no one is living,

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that they can lease from farmers and place the solar arrays and accomplish their goals

285
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if they're allowed to proceed. We hope they aren't, but if they are, there's other options.

286
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And so this presents a number of health and safety and economic risks to the residents of this subdivision

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and other places where they're seeking to do this.

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In terms of health and safety, in the petition, we've included studies and articles

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00:21:57,940 --> 00:22:02,640
that outline the enhanced and elevated fire risk that solar farms present.

290
00:22:04,480 --> 00:22:08,240
And the studies, if you go in and read it, they show that it's an elevated risk.

291
00:22:08,540 --> 00:22:10,960
The solar farms have a propensity to start fires.

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Okay.

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This is the 5,000 acre tract of land where it starts here.

294
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This is pretty much where it starts around the subdivision, the four subdivisions.

295
00:22:20,700 --> 00:22:24,680
If there's a fire, there's no municipal fire department around anywhere in the proposed

296
00:22:24,680 --> 00:22:28,560
solar farm area much less near these rural subdivisions in Hammond Township.

297
00:22:28,980 --> 00:22:33,940
There's no municipal water source to put out a fire control of fire. They're

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00:22:33,940 --> 00:22:37,600
gonna have to you know bring water in to control it which is which is not gonna

299
00:22:37,600 --> 00:22:42,640
be a good way to contain a fire of this size. There's also an article from CBS

300
00:22:42,640 --> 00:22:46,580
News that covers an event in New York where the governor of New York had to

301
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order a shelter-in-place order for all residential units within a mile

302
00:22:53,160 --> 00:22:57,920
of the solar farm that caught on fire and burned for days, sent toxic smoke billowing

303
00:22:57,920 --> 00:23:00,140
into these residential subdivisions for days.

304
00:23:00,940 --> 00:23:05,040
And so the families in those subdivisions essentially were prisoners in their own home

305
00:23:05,040 --> 00:23:09,260
because of this fire risk that came to fruition and required the governor to make formal

306
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orders to protect the people.

307
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So that's an example of the fire risk.

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The other issue that you'll see in the petition, there are multiple seven studies

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00:23:19,360 --> 00:23:24,100
in this petition that we hope you'll read that clearly show there's up to a 9% reduction

310
00:23:24,100 --> 00:23:30,040
in property values for homes within one mile of these solar farms. So that's what we don't

311
00:23:30,040 --> 00:23:34,780
want that, okay? Excel will tell you there is no property value reduction. That's nonsense.

312
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There's seven studies in here that clearly show that. And so we're asking St. Croix County

313
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to attempt to regulate this pursuant to 66.0401. We understand there's some limitations,

314
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but the law doesn't say you can't regulate it.

315
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It says you have to satisfy three criteria in there,

316
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and you can't preclude the solar farm,

317
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and you can't inhibit it.

318
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But there's some room to regulate it.

319
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We want a one-mile buffer between the solar farm

320
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and the residential subdivisions.

321
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We want you to formally intervene

322
00:24:00,620 --> 00:24:03,320
at the PSC application review process,

323
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and we want you to appeal any detrimental rulings

324
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that are handed down by the PSC itself.

325
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Thank you for your time.

326
00:24:12,900 --> 00:24:16,220
Okay, Steve will be followed by Linda Carlson.

327
00:24:19,780 --> 00:24:22,460
Good evening. Thank you for the opportunity to speak to the board.

328
00:24:22,560 --> 00:24:26,480
My name is Steve Mueller, resident of Warren Township and president of the St. Card County Farm Bureau.

329
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I'd like to personally thank the Community Development Committee for their willingness to listen to the community these last few months

330
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and modify the amendments to the Chapter 11 Minor Storage Ordinance.

331
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The committee in the agriculture business is affected by this ordinance,

332
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have come to some sensible common ground in several areas.

333
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For example, 11.2.8.2 in regards to rainwater and normal products that enter the storage

334
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area.

335
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There's inherently going to be products like Teat Dip and Foot Bath Solutions that end

336
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up in storage systems with no other practical ending spot.

337
00:25:01,980 --> 00:25:06,540
These are costly value pieces by producers that protect animal health and product quality.

338
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They're not manure but they end up there and we're glad that that was incorporated

339
00:25:11,800 --> 00:25:16,840
Under other revision, it was important to maintain is the daily versus annual recording

340
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of manure components added to pits.

341
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Daily records are not necessary.

342
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They can be highly inaccurate when you consider rainwater and stuff like that.

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And the important numbers at the end of the day are the manure analyzation at time

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of application in terms of nitrate quality and the volume.

345
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And that's where your most accurate numbers come from.

346
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Furthermore, section 11.3.d.2.a.5, in regards to sign agreements between landowners and dairy

347
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farmers, that was just simply, those are proprietary information and that was just unacceptable.

348
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We appreciate that.

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And finally, incorporating, and this also goes along with one of the gentlemen talking

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about acknowledging that land may now come available to producers and that these previous

351
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records from frills may not be available to be provided in an accurate recording in regards

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to previous history. We're glad that that was upheld. The St. Craig County Farm Bureau,

353
00:26:21,260 --> 00:26:25,840
our board of directors, sent an email to supervisors yesterday in support of a couple

354
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of their visions. You've heard about SNAP Plus and utilizing farmland in several plans.

355
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We'd like to consider those potential future amendments that are needed for producers to

356
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efficiently manage farms.

357
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And a couple months ago, I came and asked you guys to listen to the farmers, and I sincerely

358
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appreciate the committee to listen to the agriculture community so that the producers,

359
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the community in our environment would thrive.

360
00:26:52,200 --> 00:26:52,660
Thank you.

361
00:26:56,200 --> 00:26:56,360
Good.

362
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Linda will be followed by Erin Tomsick.

363
00:27:03,380 --> 00:27:05,280
Thank you for listening to our comments.

364
00:27:05,280 --> 00:27:15,840
Linda Carlson in Pleasant Valley and I'm here to speak against the solar, the

365
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solar farm.

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00:27:18,780 --> 00:27:25,480
It took me about 10 minutes on different websites which I don't have

367
00:27:25,480 --> 00:27:29,760
them all written down but I do have them if anybody's interested I can share

368
00:27:29,760 --> 00:27:37,780
them with you. One of them talked about burnt insects and birds wings. This may

369
00:27:37,780 --> 00:27:43,760
need, this may seem insignificant in rural areas when you're driving and an

370
00:27:43,760 --> 00:27:49,360
insect goes on your windshield, but for the large-scale they're talking about

371
00:27:49,360 --> 00:27:58,340
building, it could have a regional and global effect. Secondly, the World

372
00:27:58,340 --> 00:28:08,040
Health Organization, many of you know it as the who, talked about electromagnetic radiation

373
00:28:08,040 --> 00:28:16,720
known as EMF, which I'll refer to. The EMF fields cause headaches, fatigue, skin

374
00:28:16,720 --> 00:28:22,600
rash, and sleep disorders to people who live near them. There has been studies

375
00:28:22,600 --> 00:28:30,380
that it could cause cancer, more research to be determined. A study in Australia

376
00:28:30,380 --> 00:28:37,760
says the same thing. They have had people get the same symptoms and there is

377
00:28:37,760 --> 00:28:44,720
more studies needed to determine if it causes cancer. At the Zoom meeting it was

378
00:28:44,720 --> 00:28:50,160
talked about they were going to do proper disposal so that when they were

379
00:28:50,160 --> 00:28:52,600
disposed of the chemicals would not leak.

380
00:28:54,630 --> 00:28:56,530
I don't believe it was brought up

381
00:28:56,530 --> 00:29:03,050
about batteries possibly leaking to to our harsh weather and the long-term

382
00:29:03,050 --> 00:29:08,770
wear and tear. So what if the batteries leak into the soil with those chemicals?

383
00:29:09,470 --> 00:29:13,310
And there was one more thing the gentleman before me talked about fire

384
00:29:13,310 --> 00:29:19,790
hazards. There aren't that many older homes out in the rural area but

385
00:29:19,790 --> 00:29:25,450
there are some with no AC if you shelter in place with no AC your windows are

386
00:29:25,450 --> 00:29:29,030
going to be open that's it thank you

387
00:29:31,750 --> 00:29:35,910
Aaron and we'll be followed by Nate

388
00:29:35,910 --> 00:29:40,210
Zemtars I got that right Aaron yeah

389
00:29:45,650 --> 00:29:48,790
we are limiting comments to residents of

390
00:29:48,790 --> 00:29:55,660
St. Croix County but thank you for letting us know Nate then I get Nate

391
00:29:55,660 --> 00:29:56,800
Wait, shall I get you?

392
00:29:57,000 --> 00:29:59,330
The same is true for me.

393
00:29:59,570 --> 00:29:59,890
I'm sorry?

394
00:30:00,840 --> 00:30:07,120
Okay. All right. Thank you very much. I appreciate that. Tom's wall, Tom.

395
00:30:14,130 --> 00:30:15,290
Thank you guys for being

396
00:30:15,290 --> 00:30:21,230
with us. Tom's wall, Pleasant Valley Township, 609 County Road, Z. I'd like to talk about

397
00:30:21,230 --> 00:30:26,170
Chapter 11, the Miner storage ordinance. You guys have heard a couple of amendments. I

398
00:30:26,170 --> 00:30:31,370
won't go through the literature again in the section numbers. Keep it brief. But I asked

399
00:30:31,370 --> 00:30:38,390
that you support removing the database file, not only because it should not be edited.

400
00:30:38,610 --> 00:30:44,590
It's our plan that we work off with our agronomist to make a finalized plan and submit it for

401
00:30:44,590 --> 00:30:50,090
approval for compliance checks, not to be, well, it could be better if you do this, that

402
00:30:50,090 --> 00:30:50,850
or the other thing.

403
00:30:51,270 --> 00:30:55,850
But also, the language is going to be outdated in the next year.

404
00:30:55,990 --> 00:31:00,490
I was very disappointed community development department never saw that.

405
00:31:00,490 --> 00:31:07,990
When the new version rolls out, that lingo will be impossible for us to follow because there's going to be no such thing.

406
00:31:08,110 --> 00:31:14,310
They're moving to cloud hosting, and so therefore it won't even be possible because they're changing the language.

407
00:31:14,830 --> 00:31:19,190
So I'd ask you guys to change that as well as two plans.

408
00:31:19,870 --> 00:31:25,690
Our farm, we've had a couple of fields in two plans for the last 13 years.

409
00:31:25,690 --> 00:31:31,690
we own the field or we rent the fields, we harvest the crops, we do the tillage,

410
00:31:31,750 --> 00:31:36,950
we are responsible for the soil loss, but we don't have enough manure at our farm

411
00:31:36,950 --> 00:31:41,610
to apply our own manure on those fields. So we rely on a neighbor who has

412
00:31:41,610 --> 00:31:45,330
enough manure and is willing to sell it to us as our source of commercial

413
00:31:45,330 --> 00:31:50,450
fertilizer. So we're doing this as a benefit to the soil for the health

414
00:31:50,450 --> 00:31:56,190
of the soil for the soil helps fix more carbon and such.

415
00:31:56,910 --> 00:32:01,290
The other thing I would point out on that is that St. Croix County, I was on the Water

416
00:32:01,290 --> 00:32:07,610
Quality Study Committee years ago, I think back in 2018, and we asked for an isotope

417
00:32:07,610 --> 00:32:08,050
study.

418
00:32:08,490 --> 00:32:16,090
I know that Tim Steiber completed that isotope study and did not find animal manure as

419
00:32:16,090 --> 00:32:17,190
the cause of the nitrates.

420
00:32:17,610 --> 00:32:18,110
Thank you.

421
00:32:20,830 --> 00:32:25,750
Okay, I'm also Joshua Weinbein. Joshua,

422
00:32:31,240 --> 00:32:35,720
might be Joshua. Okay, you're up.

423
00:32:36,080 --> 00:32:41,780
Alright, fantastic. Good evening. I'm Joshua Weinbein. I am a resident of the

424
00:32:41,780 --> 00:32:45,280
Hammond of Township. I've been there for 11 years. I've been a resident of St.

425
00:32:45,360 --> 00:32:50,240
Craig County for over 40 years. I'm here to speak my opposition to the

426
00:32:50,240 --> 00:32:57,260
Excel Ten Mile Creek Solar Project, particularly due to its men's size and

427
00:32:57,260 --> 00:32:59,380
also the proximity to individual homes.

428
00:33:01,580 --> 00:33:03,920
In November, Excel presented a map

429
00:33:03,920 --> 00:33:07,360
indicating the location of the project with my home and my neighbor's home

430
00:33:07,360 --> 00:33:10,960
surrounded by the project. There were some studies mentioned earlier and you

431
00:33:10,960 --> 00:33:14,600
can find lots of studies online talking about what the impact this could

432
00:33:14,600 --> 00:33:15,580
have a property value.

433
00:33:17,700 --> 00:33:22,060
However, there's no doubt surrounding a home with a solar power

434
00:33:22,060 --> 00:33:27,180
plant will have a significant impact on property values, my family's financial well-being,

435
00:33:27,580 --> 00:33:34,760
and impacting my children's future. Further, the size of the project. Sorry, I was scrambling

436
00:33:34,760 --> 00:33:40,340
with my notes as I'm staying in the hallway. So, you know, based on my research, so the

437
00:33:40,340 --> 00:33:44,300
the scale of this project. This will be the largest, based on my research, this will be

438
00:33:44,300 --> 00:33:50,540
the largest industrial solar project in the United States. This is not a solar array.

439
00:33:50,840 --> 00:33:55,700
It's called a solar farm. In my opinion, this is a solar power plant, and I really think

440
00:33:55,700 --> 00:34:02,740
it has no business being built around people's homes and in residential areas. Thank you

441
00:34:02,740 --> 00:34:03,400
for those comments.

442
00:34:06,250 --> 00:34:10,990
That concludes the cards that I got. Is there anyone else that would like to address

443
00:34:10,990 --> 00:34:15,310
the board in public comment. Yes, sir, Mr. Wisconsin.

444
00:34:26,140 --> 00:34:27,860
Yes, my name is Everett

445
00:34:27,860 --> 00:34:37,620
Fuchs. Most people call me Bud. I live at 1724 Loyal Avenue in Hudson. I'm here to

446
00:34:37,620 --> 00:34:45,100
speak about, you know, the manure storage facility ordinance. I think that

447
00:34:45,100 --> 00:34:50,900
There's a lot of good things in that, but I also have some concerns.

448
00:34:51,800 --> 00:34:58,180
I worked for a long time as a fisheries and water quality biologist, been to court a number

449
00:34:58,180 --> 00:35:01,300
of times over water quality issues.

450
00:35:02,660 --> 00:35:04,820
We won every court case, I'll say.

451
00:35:06,120 --> 00:35:11,980
When it comes to protecting water quality, especially if you're going to go to court,

452
00:35:11,980 --> 00:35:18,380
nothing is so important as having complete clear and defendable regulations

453
00:35:18,380 --> 00:35:25,660
and ordinances that are not only easily understood but cannot be misunderstood.

454
00:35:27,000 --> 00:35:32,040
Now, while I think some good changes have been made to this ordinance from the

455
00:35:32,040 --> 00:35:37,640
original draft, I'm concerned that some of the changes have also introduced

456
00:35:37,640 --> 00:35:44,820
some clarity problems and some confusion and maybe have gone just a bit too far.

457
00:35:47,760 --> 00:35:55,700
So basically, as I have suggested in an email to all of you with some attachments for areas

458
00:35:55,700 --> 00:36:03,920
where I think maybe they need to be looked at again, maybe especially with the advice

459
00:36:03,920 --> 00:36:11,500
from your staff. You're very competent county staff. So I would ask you to do

460
00:36:11,500 --> 00:36:11,900
that.

461
00:36:15,690 --> 00:36:19,650
Let's remember what this ordinance is all about. This ordinance

462
00:36:19,650 --> 00:36:26,130
basically gives the county the ability to manage in the future any large-scale

463
00:36:26,130 --> 00:36:33,130
manure storage facilities. I think that's really important and it also is

464
00:36:33,130 --> 00:36:38,970
going to be efficient for your county staff and make a couple of other

465
00:36:38,970 --> 00:36:43,690
statements here as I see I'm clicking down on time it's kind of like a shot

466
00:36:43,690 --> 00:36:50,770
clock on a basketball game. Pollution of our water by industrial agriculture

467
00:36:50,770 --> 00:36:55,730
amounts to a de facto tax and those citizens who must buy bottled water

468
00:36:55,730 --> 00:37:02,230
install reverse osmosis water treatment systems in their homes dig far deeper

469
00:37:02,230 --> 00:37:08,270
wells and see their real estate values declined because of increased

470
00:37:08,270 --> 00:37:17,570
pollution caused expenses and health hazards. Thus I pray I pray that you will

471
00:37:17,570 --> 00:37:24,310
adopt the four simple modifications to the manure storage facilities ordinance

472
00:37:24,310 --> 00:37:30,190
in the best interest of our county residents as an important step in the

473
00:37:30,190 --> 00:37:36,390
direction in protecting our water, and as a clear statement that the Board of

474
00:37:36,390 --> 00:37:44,870
Stuprovisers stands tall in support of clean water. I think we all know that our

475
00:37:44,870 --> 00:37:49,610
water quality based on the present practices has been going downhill for a

476
00:37:49,610 --> 00:37:55,950
long, long time. We know that the state of Wisconsin is not going to ride in on

477
00:37:55,950 --> 00:38:03,750
a white horse to save us. This is one instance where the county does have jurisdiction and

478
00:38:03,750 --> 00:38:08,550
you can do something to make a difference. So please consider that carefully. Thank you.

479
00:38:11,180 --> 00:38:16,680
Anyone else care to make public comment? Former Supervisor Berkey.

480
00:38:24,200 --> 00:38:29,500
Thank you, Chair Long, and thank you, County Board members. My name is Jill Berkey.

481
00:38:32,400 --> 00:38:33,040
I

482
00:38:33,040 --> 00:38:37,740
the town of Troy. I wanted to thank you for addressing this important issue of

483
00:38:37,740 --> 00:38:43,020
clean water, groundwater, and drinking water. I also want to thank the Community

484
00:38:43,020 --> 00:38:48,060
Development Committee for listening to a lot of public comment at your last

485
00:38:48,060 --> 00:38:53,780
meeting and also to dedicated staff in the Community Development Department for

486
00:38:53,780 --> 00:38:59,680
talking to citizens and farm groups. It is imperative that we protect clean

487
00:38:59,680 --> 00:39:02,780
drinking water for human and wildlife populations.

488
00:39:03,400 --> 00:39:09,480
Manure and or biosolids spread onto farm fields are a source of nitrates that may leach down

489
00:39:09,480 --> 00:39:16,060
to contaminate our groundwater when greater quantities of nutrients than crops can use

490
00:39:16,060 --> 00:39:17,940
are applied to the fields.

491
00:39:18,820 --> 00:39:26,200
We concern ourselves with those sources of sediments and biosolids that reduce the

492
00:39:26,200 --> 00:39:31,940
clarity in our rivers and lakes and the source of excess phosphorus and nitrogen that feed

493
00:39:31,940 --> 00:39:37,720
the algae blooms in our rivers and lakes. As many of you know, I chair the park board

494
00:39:37,720 --> 00:39:45,620
in the town of Troy for many years. I've been concerned about the algae blooms not

495
00:39:45,620 --> 00:39:53,080
only in the St. Croix River, but also includes Troy Beach, our county operated park, Pembles

496
00:39:53,080 --> 00:40:01,660
access which is operated by my township, Kenneconic State Park, and a lot of other bodies of water

497
00:40:01,660 --> 00:40:04,580
in St. Croix County and into our neighboring county of Pierce.

498
00:40:05,580 --> 00:40:11,600
The manure storage facilities ordinance would require the operation of new expanded manure

499
00:40:11,600 --> 00:40:16,520
storage facilities to not make the water quality in our rivers and lakes worse.

500
00:40:16,520 --> 00:40:21,820
This ordinance is necessary and reasonable measure to protect the water

501
00:40:21,820 --> 00:40:27,060
quality of our groundwater, lakes, rivers, impacting sound health for

502
00:40:27,060 --> 00:40:32,660
residents, visitors, livestock, and wildlife. It does not prohibit newer

503
00:40:32,660 --> 00:40:38,280
expanded manure storage facilities, CAFOs, or manure digesters. It would

504
00:40:38,280 --> 00:40:43,100
apply to a very small subset of St. Croix County farming operations and

505
00:40:43,100 --> 00:40:49,120
would only to apply to new or expanded manure storage facilities.

506
00:40:49,940 --> 00:40:57,260
Again, thank you for looking at all aspects and listening to those comments by citizens

507
00:40:57,260 --> 00:41:03,360
this evening and for adopting a reasonable manure storage facility ordinance.

508
00:41:07,120 --> 00:41:17,140
public comment back in the corner there sorry I don't have a name so I'll just

509
00:41:17,140 --> 00:41:25,990
try to point you out my name is Sherry Walker I live at one on 2051 130th

510
00:41:25,990 --> 00:41:30,690
Avenue and Aaron Prairie I'm here to speak against the 10-mile solar

511
00:41:30,690 --> 00:41:39,210
the project. For decades, Aaron Prairie has chosen to have our township be an ag township.

512
00:41:39,410 --> 00:41:50,010
We have cherished that and this 10-mile project is going to turn 5,000-plus acres into an

513
00:41:50,010 --> 00:41:57,670
industrial parking lot. 5,000-plus acres is a distance that would be from, if they

514
00:41:57,670 --> 00:42:05,950
covered it would be from County Road G down to Baldwin. It would be from Highway

515
00:42:05,950 --> 00:42:14,190
63 all the way to Highway 65. That would be their 5,000 acres and I believe

516
00:42:14,190 --> 00:42:20,810
there's chances for acreage beyond that. I would ask that this County Board

517
00:42:22,590 --> 00:42:29,470
consider those aspects of turning us into just an industrial wasteland. We've

518
00:42:29,470 --> 00:42:36,030
had a lot of comments about water quality. Where I have a cabin, the DNR

519
00:42:36,030 --> 00:42:43,130
regulates whether you even put up a shed because the roof surface and the runoff

520
00:42:43,130 --> 00:42:49,130
off of a roof changes what the flow that goes into the water system. And

521
00:42:49,130 --> 00:42:55,010
And we're going to have 5,000 acres of solid surfaces and say that that's not going to affect

522
00:42:55,010 --> 00:42:55,930
the water quality.

523
00:42:56,470 --> 00:43:00,430
We have the Kinney-Connick water flowage that needs to be considered.

524
00:43:00,950 --> 00:43:05,610
I think that the impact of this solar farm is just horrendous on our community.

525
00:43:06,330 --> 00:43:08,170
And I'd ask you to take that into consideration.

526
00:43:11,570 --> 00:43:12,530
Other comments?

527
00:43:12,970 --> 00:43:14,750
I think I saw a hand over here.

528
00:43:15,030 --> 00:43:15,410
Yes, sir?

529
00:43:21,320 --> 00:43:24,820
Matt Bocklin, 573 Oma Road, town of Troy.

530
00:43:25,660 --> 00:43:30,200
I just couldn't stay quiet any longer. This isn't a new issue to St. Croix County.

531
00:43:30,780 --> 00:43:34,600
Matter of fact this came to us in town of Ceylon. We heard the exact same

532
00:43:34,600 --> 00:43:38,920
conversations in town of Ceylon in regard to the solar panel. I went to the

533
00:43:38,920 --> 00:43:43,200
presentation, basically phoned four or five farmers basically who wanted to sell

534
00:43:43,200 --> 00:43:47,600
and that's what they were going to do. So this isn't new. We've heard a lot of

535
00:43:47,600 --> 00:43:51,980
the same things. The difference that we're seeing today is the IRA. That's

536
00:43:51,980 --> 00:43:52,440
That's why we're here.

537
00:43:53,560 --> 00:43:58,280
It is basically the Northern Prairie Solar Project before.

538
00:43:58,900 --> 00:44:04,600
Today we're talking about the Inflation Reduction Act that was signed in by Joe Biden back in

539
00:44:04,600 --> 00:44:05,080
2022.

540
00:44:05,980 --> 00:44:07,200
That is what this is.

541
00:44:07,600 --> 00:44:13,260
This is a land grab by corporations and they want to change our farmland and they

542
00:44:13,260 --> 00:44:14,740
want to supply the power to Minnesota.

543
00:44:15,660 --> 00:44:18,720
Before they want to send the power to Apple Valley, Minnesota.

544
00:44:19,520 --> 00:44:20,880
That was where all the power was going to go.

545
00:44:20,880 --> 00:44:28,780
The one thing that nobody's talking about today is solar panels, solar farms use a transfer system to move the power from one place to the other.

546
00:44:29,260 --> 00:44:32,680
A lot of those have problems as well and aren't conducive to our area.

547
00:44:33,380 --> 00:44:38,960
But again, my biggest concern is that solar farms typically last for 25 years. That's about it.

548
00:44:39,260 --> 00:44:42,080
It takes about 10 years to recoup your costs. It's about it.

549
00:44:42,080 --> 00:44:50,940
But when the IRA runs out, who is stuck paying for all this waste?

550
00:44:52,540 --> 00:44:56,920
And we also know that Donald Trump, President Trump coming in, said he's going to try to

551
00:44:56,920 --> 00:44:59,500
claw back as much of the IRA money as he possibly can.

552
00:45:00,210 --> 00:45:06,930
Again, this is the federal government basically subsidizing something for short-term gains for

553
00:45:06,930 --> 00:45:12,690
the energy industry to make out with our money and leave us holding the bag. They got it right

554
00:45:12,690 --> 00:45:18,850
in town of Cylon with when they fought there. Let's stop this whole solar farm fiasco because

555
00:45:18,850 --> 00:45:23,830
eventually this is going to become an unfunded mandate. And for those who might be Democrats

556
00:45:23,830 --> 00:45:29,150
on this board the Republicans are really pushing for this as well in certain

557
00:45:29,150 --> 00:45:34,550
areas because they have chosen to pick low-hanging fruit which is Republican

558
00:45:34,550 --> 00:45:40,930
red states the reason being is they have less regulation that is a letter that's

559
00:45:40,930 --> 00:45:46,990
gone to honorable Mike Johnson as well saying please don't kill the IRA so

560
00:45:46,990 --> 00:45:51,880
that's what I have to say about it thank you for listening any other public

561
00:45:51,880 --> 00:45:54,540
comment. Yes, sir.

562
00:45:58,560 --> 00:46:02,960
My name is William Drinken. I live in the town of Hammond. I've been there

563
00:46:02,960 --> 00:46:08,440
for about 30 years. I've got a lot of things that have crossed my mind. A lot of them have been

564
00:46:08,440 --> 00:46:14,980
covered by the people here, you know, EMF. The one thing I haven't heard much about is energy

565
00:46:14,980 --> 00:46:21,880
efficiency. These solar panels decrease in efficiency as time goes on. As we're going

566
00:46:21,880 --> 00:46:27,920
through the process here you know certain parts of the year are not very efficient for solar farms

567
00:46:27,920 --> 00:46:33,060
and that for the solar you know southern california does great i got an ant out there

568
00:46:33,060 --> 00:46:37,380
they've got one on their house and they're doing great i've got relation down in florida

569
00:46:37,380 --> 00:46:42,280
you would think florida does well guess what they aren't even producing enough to cover the

570
00:46:42,280 --> 00:46:48,460
costs of the the equipment that they put on the house and that these are not the greatest

571
00:46:48,460 --> 00:46:52,200
than most sufficient things to be using here in that.

572
00:46:52,460 --> 00:46:56,160
And so we're going to take a large chunk of land.

573
00:46:56,620 --> 00:47:01,380
We're going to remove all the wildlife from it because they can't have wildlife in there

574
00:47:01,380 --> 00:47:03,260
because it's going to damage their equipment.

575
00:47:03,960 --> 00:47:07,440
They've tried that with domesticated animals and had to do things.

576
00:47:07,720 --> 00:47:11,980
And that you're going to take and push all that wildlife out of there in that.

577
00:47:12,400 --> 00:47:16,580
I think that's a major mistake to put this in in that.

578
00:47:16,580 --> 00:47:23,000
It's going to affect all of the homes that are in the vicinity there, and that's a lot

579
00:47:23,000 --> 00:47:23,500
of them there.

580
00:47:23,560 --> 00:47:29,020
I was surprised at how many developments in Hammond Township are close to this facility.

581
00:47:29,680 --> 00:47:38,080
I really think we need to get some hard answers from the XL people to address our concerns

582
00:47:38,080 --> 00:47:38,940
in that.

583
00:47:39,080 --> 00:47:44,680
We can't have them just say, oh yeah, well, that's an important thing to think about

584
00:47:44,680 --> 00:47:48,900
and not answer the questions you know they're not giving us answers they're

585
00:47:48,900 --> 00:47:53,860
just trying to push it through and I would like this board to help the

586
00:47:53,860 --> 00:47:57,940
community out there that supports this board thank you.

587
00:48:00,370 --> 00:48:02,370
I would ask if there's

588
00:48:02,370 --> 00:48:07,570
any other comments if you have anything new to offer or if you can keep your

589
00:48:07,570 --> 00:48:11,750
comments short and specific sir.

590
00:48:17,940 --> 00:48:19,800
Good evening everybody my name is Steve

591
00:48:19,800 --> 00:48:27,460
Brock Pollard. I live in the middle of this solar project if you will in the

592
00:48:27,460 --> 00:48:33,760
center of the county. These people ahead of me have done a great job talking

593
00:48:33,760 --> 00:48:39,580
about all of the other aspects of and the down side of all of this. I as a

594
00:48:39,580 --> 00:48:45,020
farmer have land that can be eligible for this but refuse to put anything on

595
00:48:45,020 --> 00:48:52,480
it, such as this. I was the town chairman of Erinn Prairie from 87 to 97. We were strong

596
00:48:52,480 --> 00:49:00,640
on agland preservation. We were strong on keeping farm preserved and whatnot. And this

597
00:49:01,140 --> 00:49:10,720
is going to be a huge, huge scab in the center of St. Craig County. Just the array itself

598
00:49:10,720 --> 00:49:17,480
and the size of the project, but the implementation of this, there's one going on right now north

599
00:49:17,480 --> 00:49:23,080
of us just south of Highway 8. And if any of you people have ever seen any of the videos

600
00:49:23,080 --> 00:49:29,900
on it, the construction on it, it looks worse than I was in the Army. It looks worse

601
00:49:29,900 --> 00:49:37,540
than a war zone. It is a nasty procedure. It is an unnecessary procedure. I have nothing

602
00:49:37,540 --> 00:49:46,040
against solar energy. I have nothing against new energy. It's got to stand alone. It can't

603
00:49:46,040 --> 00:49:53,720
be the subsidized money thrown out that we're all going to go zero carbon tomorrow and damn

604
00:49:53,720 --> 00:49:56,420
the torpedoes, whatever happens happens.

605
00:49:57,340 --> 00:50:04,400
Erin Prairie is too valuable. St. Craig County is too valuable to do an experiment like this

606
00:50:04,400 --> 00:50:07,700
and leave a huge scab and a lot of hardship

607
00:50:07,700 --> 00:50:11,160
for the residents of Erinn and the county.

608
00:50:11,700 --> 00:50:12,080
Thank you.

609
00:50:14,720 --> 00:50:15,960
Any other comments?

610
00:50:17,080 --> 00:50:19,180
Make them, and I'm just gonna allow

611
00:50:19,180 --> 00:50:20,860
about an extra few minutes here

612
00:50:20,860 --> 00:50:23,820
because we're running a little long.

613
00:50:24,000 --> 00:50:25,280
We have a lot to cover tonight,

614
00:50:25,280 --> 00:50:27,600
so if you do have a couple of comments you wanna make,

615
00:50:27,920 --> 00:50:29,920
please step up to the podium,

616
00:50:29,920 --> 00:50:33,560
but we do wanna try to keep this short and concise, please.

617
00:50:36,070 --> 00:50:39,910
Hello, my name is Diane Barfels and I live in the township of Richmond.

618
00:50:41,410 --> 00:50:45,890
The reason my husband and I moved out of the Twin Cities four years ago

619
00:50:46,430 --> 00:50:48,310
is because we wanted to get back to the country.

620
00:50:49,570 --> 00:50:55,630
Now you're proposing to surround us with solar panels, solar panels that are going to affect

621
00:50:55,630 --> 00:51:02,170
the wildlife. Just a week ago we had thousands of Canadian geese land in the farm field

622
00:51:02,170 --> 00:51:05,910
behind our house so that they could feed for the night.

623
00:51:08,180 --> 00:51:13,180
This affects the water. The panels

624
00:51:13,540 --> 00:51:20,160
are made from plastic. Well, what's in plastic? Pifos. I think we all know well about Pifos

625
00:51:20,160 --> 00:51:28,080
and what they do to the soil, to the water, and to the air. I just hope you understand

626
00:51:28,080 --> 00:51:32,700
And all the people's lives that you're affecting with this possible decision.

627
00:51:33,700 --> 00:51:35,920
People live out in the country for a reason.

628
00:51:37,780 --> 00:51:40,160
They want to see the farm fields.

629
00:51:40,600 --> 00:51:42,020
They want to see the sunsets.

630
00:51:42,360 --> 00:51:47,180
They don't want to be surrounded by solar panels that are not proven that they're really

631
00:51:47,180 --> 00:51:53,160
that effective, especially up here in Minnesota and Wisconsin, who have cloudy weather most

632
00:51:53,160 --> 00:51:53,720
of the time.

633
00:51:53,780 --> 00:51:55,520
It seemed like at least lately it does.

634
00:51:55,520 --> 00:52:02,840
So, I just want you to take into consideration what all the true impact you're going to be.

635
00:52:03,580 --> 00:52:10,200
Really look at the studies at what these things do to the soil, the water, and to the people

636
00:52:10,200 --> 00:52:11,440
that live in those areas.

637
00:52:12,080 --> 00:52:12,480
Thank you.

638
00:52:14,800 --> 00:52:16,280
A final comment.

639
00:52:18,260 --> 00:52:19,020
Go right ahead.

640
00:52:19,260 --> 00:52:19,340
Yes.

641
00:52:25,260 --> 00:52:30,680
Linda, by VOTA, today I'm at 583 Windgate Drive, River Falls.

642
00:52:31,720 --> 00:52:37,140
I'm in favor of the board adopting the manure storage facility ordinance because all of us,

643
00:52:37,620 --> 00:52:43,600
no matter who we are, how much money we make or where we live, we all want and deserve clean

644
00:52:43,600 --> 00:52:50,060
and healthy water. I do have a few concerns. I emailed the board about some of the language

645
00:52:50,060 --> 00:52:55,080
and that that could be restored. And then I just also want to say at our house, we're

646
00:52:55,080 --> 00:53:00,540
fortunate to have clean and healthy water and I really hope it stays that way. But I'm

647
00:53:00,540 --> 00:53:04,520
concerned when I read things like this, the 2024 report of

648
00:53:04,520 --> 00:53:08,040
the St. Croix County citizen groundwater program found that

649
00:53:08,040 --> 00:53:11,280
nitrate nitrogen was a prevalent and increasing

650
00:53:11,280 --> 00:53:15,240
health related contaminant in our groundwater. Approximately

651
00:53:15,240 --> 00:53:19,940
2000 private wells in St. Croix County or 12% of private

652
00:53:19,940 --> 00:53:23,320
wells now exceed the safe drinking water standard for

653
00:53:23,320 --> 00:53:26,400
nitrate nitrogen and the percentage of wells exceeding

654
00:53:26,400 --> 00:53:32,160
that standard is climbing. Another thing is my husband and children liked to fish

655
00:53:32,160 --> 00:53:37,180
and most recently they were ice fishing and so luckily they caught fish and we

656
00:53:37,180 --> 00:53:43,660
had a great dinner but I do wonder sometimes when I hear about the lakes

657
00:53:43,660 --> 00:53:49,600
and rivers being impaired if the fish is safe to eat. I also wonder sometimes

658
00:53:49,600 --> 00:53:55,940
with family members that have some immunocompromised health concerns is it

659
00:53:55,940 --> 00:54:02,360
safe to feed them the fish. And so I think of those things and I'm really appreciative

660
00:54:02,890 --> 00:54:09,420
that you're putting this ordinance in place. I also appreciate the landowner's agreement

661
00:54:09,420 --> 00:54:14,340
for spreading manure. I think of it like a rental agreement and just like any rental

662
00:54:14,340 --> 00:54:19,580
agreement, the renter is responsible and can be held liable if there are any damages.

663
00:54:19,940 --> 00:54:24,900
That makes sense to me and I appreciate that accountability piece. These are my main

664
00:54:24,900 --> 00:54:29,120
concerns overall. I think this is a large improvement and I urge the Board to

665
00:54:29,120 --> 00:54:32,580
adopt the manure storage facility ordinance. Thank you for listening.

666
00:54:34,670 --> 00:54:35,150
Thank

667
00:54:35,150 --> 00:54:39,910
you and again I just want to express our thanks to everyone that's here tonight.

668
00:54:40,190 --> 00:54:44,510
We really do appreciate your interest. We appreciate all your comments and your

669
00:54:44,510 --> 00:54:49,760
feedback. It really is important in the process so thank you. We're going to

670
00:54:49,760 --> 00:54:57,240
on to our consent agenda. Do we have a motion on the consent agenda? That motion to approve

671
00:54:57,240 --> 00:55:06,420
the consent agenda by Supervisor Berning and second by Supervisor Rice. And I believe we

672
00:55:06,420 --> 00:55:09,600
can vote on that shortly.

673
00:56:25,550 --> 00:56:30,170
Okay, that motion passes unanimously. We're still a little

674
00:56:30,170 --> 00:56:31,790
new at this. So hang with us.

675
00:56:34,150 --> 00:56:38,530
Okay, so we're going to move on to two presentations. So the

676
00:56:38,530 --> 00:56:45,110
first will be Cell Energy Presentation on the Solar Power Project by Brian Ellwood, I

677
00:56:45,110 --> 00:56:52,410
believe. And I just want to remind everybody this is an informational presentation. Okay,

678
00:56:52,450 --> 00:56:58,630
there's nothing on our agenda that will really give us any opportunity to discuss this project.

679
00:56:58,630 --> 00:57:01,510
So this is just for us to listen and learn.

680
00:57:01,950 --> 00:57:06,990
I'm hoping we'll have an opportunity for a little Q&A afterwards.

681
00:57:07,370 --> 00:57:07,690
Absolutely.

682
00:57:08,450 --> 00:57:09,510
Okay, that's great.

683
00:57:09,770 --> 00:57:11,310
So I'll turn it over to Brian.

684
00:57:11,550 --> 00:57:12,550
Thank you for joining us.

685
00:57:12,590 --> 00:57:12,750
Great.

686
00:57:12,870 --> 00:57:16,230
Thank you, Chair Long, and thank you, Board, for inviting us this evening.

687
00:57:16,390 --> 00:57:17,330
It's a great opportunity.

688
00:57:17,410 --> 00:57:20,050
We appreciate the opportunity to talk about this project as well.

689
00:57:20,250 --> 00:57:23,630
And clearly, there's a lot of interest, and we certainly understand that.

690
00:57:24,090 --> 00:57:26,670
We understand that you're being in lots of questions from the community as well.

691
00:57:27,170 --> 00:57:30,530
appreciate the opportunity, appreciate the invitation and looking forward to answering

692
00:57:30,530 --> 00:57:33,630
questions as we get through the presentation. Tonight I want to cover

693
00:57:33,630 --> 00:57:37,970
three things. First I want to talk a little bit about our company and the

694
00:57:37,970 --> 00:57:41,430
project and why it's being proposed. Next we want to talk a little bit about

695
00:57:41,430 --> 00:57:44,650
the utility shared revenue program in the state of Wisconsin and the benefits

696
00:57:44,650 --> 00:57:47,890
that brings to communities as well. I know there's a lot of questions

697
00:57:47,890 --> 00:57:50,750
regarding that. And the third thing we'll talk about is the Public Service

698
00:57:50,750 --> 00:57:55,650
Commission of Wisconsin process. So we are a regulated public utility and the

699
00:57:55,650 --> 00:58:00,270
Public Service Commission of Wisconsin regulates everything we do, our rates, our programs,

700
00:58:00,750 --> 00:58:03,590
services we provide, the projects that we build and things like that.

701
00:58:04,110 --> 00:58:07,770
So projects such as this go forward to the Public Service Commission to evaluate them,

702
00:58:07,850 --> 00:58:10,230
to make sure that they're in the public interest and the public need.

703
00:58:10,670 --> 00:58:12,990
And that we'll talk a little bit about that process and how that works.

704
00:58:13,410 --> 00:58:17,270
And certainly key components of that is having public comment and public input.

705
00:58:17,650 --> 00:58:22,450
So I encourage everyone here tonight and everyone watching online and to participate

706
00:58:22,450 --> 00:58:24,730
in that public process, it's critically important.

707
00:58:24,730 --> 00:58:30,190
And State of Wisconsin has one of the most robust commissions in the United States.

708
00:58:30,770 --> 00:58:32,150
They value public input.

709
00:58:32,770 --> 00:58:36,830
Certainly throughout this project and throughout the process, there will be public input sessions

710
00:58:36,830 --> 00:58:40,390
right here in St. Croix County, and we encourage everyone to participate in that as we move

711
00:58:40,390 --> 00:58:40,750
forward.

712
00:58:42,130 --> 00:58:44,470
That first slide, I'll go back real quick, Ken.

713
00:58:45,070 --> 00:58:46,570
We're getting, you got the clicker, right?

714
00:58:47,090 --> 00:58:47,250
Okay.

715
00:58:48,250 --> 00:58:48,910
Next slide.

716
00:58:49,150 --> 00:58:49,450
There you go.

717
00:58:50,910 --> 00:58:55,150
So, since we held our public open house in November, we started getting lots of questions

718
00:58:55,150 --> 00:58:58,870
from our community members, customers regarding the project.

719
00:58:59,490 --> 00:59:02,830
And we understood that we needed to have more information out there about the project.

720
00:59:03,010 --> 00:59:06,490
We had a great open house, a lot of interest at the open house, but we needed to provide

721
00:59:06,490 --> 00:59:07,130
more information.

722
00:59:07,370 --> 00:59:11,530
So, what I'm showing tonight is something we announced a few weeks ago, and that includes

723
00:59:11,530 --> 00:59:14,510
a project, a dedicated project website with frequently asked questions.

724
00:59:14,650 --> 00:59:16,530
I heard other folks mention that tonight.

725
00:59:16,530 --> 00:59:19,550
We're continually updating those frequently asked questions.

726
00:59:20,150 --> 00:59:21,990
Encourage people to go right off our website,

727
00:59:22,150 --> 00:59:24,230
excelenergy.com, forward slash 10 mile.

728
00:59:25,050 --> 00:59:27,110
We've also established for this project

729
00:59:27,110 --> 00:59:28,350
a dedicated phone number.

730
00:59:28,890 --> 00:59:31,570
So I'd encourage anyone to write this phone number down.

731
00:59:31,690 --> 00:59:32,950
If you have a question about the project,

732
00:59:33,070 --> 00:59:34,830
something that comes to mind late at night,

733
00:59:34,890 --> 00:59:35,550
early in the morning,

734
00:59:36,090 --> 00:59:37,350
if you have a question about the project

735
00:59:37,350 --> 00:59:39,130
or impacts it might have,

736
00:59:39,350 --> 00:59:40,530
call that project phone number.

737
00:59:40,630 --> 00:59:42,130
We have a great project team

738
00:59:42,130 --> 00:59:44,870
that represents lots of different aspects

739
00:59:44,870 --> 00:59:49,890
of this project at our company, we'll direct that voicemail to the right person and get you

740
00:59:49,890 --> 00:59:54,870
an answer real quickly. And also we have a dedicated project email, so 10milecreeksolar.com.

741
00:59:55,710 --> 00:59:59,890
Write that down. That also goes to our project management team. We'll route that.

742
01:00:00,000 --> 01:00:03,380
Make sure it gets to the right person. We're answering lots of questions this way.

743
01:00:03,680 --> 01:00:06,920
We found that these tools have been very helpful in answering questions that are out in the

744
01:00:06,920 --> 01:00:12,720
community right now. So let's talk a little bit about Excel. I know there might be some

745
01:00:12,720 --> 01:00:16,740
folks in the room who might be new to St. Croix County. Certainly, we're not. Our

746
01:00:16,740 --> 01:00:20,960
company can actually trace its roots back to the Willow River Power Company back

747
01:00:20,960 --> 01:00:24,720
of the turn of the 20th century. The Willow River Power Company was actually one of

748
01:00:24,720 --> 01:00:29,140
the very first companies in the nation to provide electric power via hydroelectric

749
01:00:29,140 --> 01:00:33,960
power on the Willow River. That company eventually became Northern States power, which eventually

750
01:00:33,960 --> 01:00:40,620
became XL Energy. So we've been serving St. Croix County for over 125 years. I'm very proud

751
01:00:40,620 --> 01:00:45,020
of the service that we have in St. Croix County. XL Energy serves eight states. We'll talk

752
01:00:45,020 --> 01:00:49,040
a little bit about that. But here in Wisconsin, on this slide, you can see in the blue

753
01:00:49,040 --> 01:00:54,100
service area, that's our service territory. So we serve about 271,000 customers in

754
01:00:54,100 --> 01:00:56,840
in Northwestern Wisconsin that represents 26 counties.

755
01:00:57,560 --> 01:01:00,460
So as a utility, we're a large geographic utility,

756
01:01:00,540 --> 01:01:02,960
but we have about 270,000 customers in that area.

757
01:01:03,520 --> 01:01:05,660
We serve over 500 communities in that area.

758
01:01:05,780 --> 01:01:07,900
So all the way from Abbotsford to the East

759
01:01:07,900 --> 01:01:09,020
to Hudson to the West,

760
01:01:09,340 --> 01:01:12,080
Ashland to the North, down to Baroque to the South.

761
01:01:12,180 --> 01:01:14,420
So that's our service area in Northwestern Wisconsin.

762
01:01:14,940 --> 01:01:16,420
We've got a thousand employees

763
01:01:16,420 --> 01:01:18,400
that live in the state of Wisconsin.

764
01:01:18,800 --> 01:01:20,780
So notably in St. Croix County,

765
01:01:20,880 --> 01:01:23,180
it's the third largest county we serve in Wisconsin.

766
01:01:23,180 --> 01:01:26,420
and so behind old Claire and La Crosse, St. Croix County, we have the most customers

767
01:01:26,420 --> 01:01:32,180
in 25,000 customers. Customers for us, of course, are homes and businesses, not people,

768
01:01:32,320 --> 01:01:36,660
but we're talking homes and businesses, so that's the 25,000 customers. 35 communities

769
01:01:36,660 --> 01:01:39,880
we serve in St. Croix County, so we're the biggest utility provider in St. Croix

770
01:01:39,880 --> 01:01:44,320
County. And we have 200 employees who are property tax payers and live in these communities

771
01:01:44,320 --> 01:01:47,920
that we call home in St. Croix County as well. But unique to St. Croix County

772
01:01:47,920 --> 01:01:52,000
is, you know, most of the energy that is served to our customers here in St. Croix

773
01:01:52,000 --> 01:01:56,520
County is imported. At XL Energy, we have less than three megawatts of generation actually

774
01:01:56,520 --> 01:02:01,320
located in St. Croix County. We have two hydroelectric plants on the Apple River that I'm sure folks

775
01:02:01,320 --> 01:02:05,820
are familiar with. But other than that, we don't have any local generation in St. Croix County.

776
01:02:06,660 --> 01:02:10,060
We'll go to the next slide. The reason why that's important is because when you look at

777
01:02:10,060 --> 01:02:14,420
our upper Midwest service area, we really think of this area. We own and operate,

778
01:02:15,300 --> 01:02:19,780
transmit and generate electricity for our upper Midwest system as one system regardless

779
01:02:19,780 --> 01:02:25,880
list of state boundaries. So, we serve 1.8 million customers in five upper Midwest states,

780
01:02:26,080 --> 01:02:31,440
Wisconsin and Michigan, Minnesota, and North and South Dakota. 85% of electricity used

781
01:02:31,440 --> 01:02:35,180
by our customers here in Wisconsin comes from Minnesota and the Dakotas. Only about

782
01:02:35,180 --> 01:02:39,980
15% of it's actually produced in the state of Wisconsin. Why that's important is because

783
01:02:39,980 --> 01:02:44,540
it is a great way to keep our costs low. So, our rates are 16% below the national

784
01:02:44,540 --> 01:02:48,220
average. They're considerably lower than many of our peer utilities in the state

785
01:02:48,220 --> 01:02:52,580
Wisconsin as well. So we're very proud of that fact and we're able to do that because we have a

786
01:02:52,580 --> 01:02:58,020
large generation fleet. So we own and operate over 150 different generators, right? Everything

787
01:02:58,020 --> 01:03:04,420
from nuclear power plants, coal plants, natural gas plants, hydroelectric wind, solar, biomass,

788
01:03:05,040 --> 01:03:09,260
kind of an all the above type of thing is that of energy that we have on our system today.

789
01:03:09,660 --> 01:03:13,980
And our customers across those five states benefit from all that energy on our system

790
01:03:13,980 --> 01:03:19,100
as well. Here in northwestern Wisconsin, we've got 19 hydroelectric plants. We've got the two

791
01:03:19,100 --> 01:03:24,100
in St. Croix County. We have 17 other hydroelectric plants. We have biomass plants up in Ashland,

792
01:03:24,140 --> 01:03:29,340
Wisconsin, and biomass plant down in La Crosse, Wisconsin as well. And we have a natural gas

793
01:03:29,340 --> 01:03:32,840
plant over in the town of Wheaton just outside of Eau Claire. So that's kind of our generation

794
01:03:32,840 --> 01:03:38,760
fleet in Wisconsin as we see it today. So, important to note here again, about 85% of

795
01:03:38,760 --> 01:03:43,100
the electricity used by our customers in Wisconsin actually comes from Minnesota and the

796
01:03:43,100 --> 01:03:44,840
Dakotas is not generated here in Wisconsin.

797
01:03:46,580 --> 01:03:47,600
Okay, gotcha.

798
01:03:47,860 --> 01:03:48,280
Thanks, Ken.

799
01:03:50,000 --> 01:03:51,940
So let's talk a little bit about this project.

800
01:03:52,260 --> 01:03:57,020
So when we plan our system, we really look forward 30 years.

801
01:03:57,780 --> 01:03:59,800
Literally, we look at how are we able

802
01:03:59,800 --> 01:04:02,080
to provide electric service to all of our customers

803
01:04:02,640 --> 01:04:06,720
safely, affordably, reliably, every minute of the day.

804
01:04:06,820 --> 01:04:09,460
We look at every hour of every day for 30 years

805
01:04:09,460 --> 01:04:11,740
and how are we gonna be able to supply electricity?

806
01:04:11,740 --> 01:04:15,120
because the last thing our customers want is to not have the lights come on when they

807
01:04:15,120 --> 01:04:19,240
turn on the switch. And we certainly understand that. And we want to do it safely and affordably

808
01:04:19,240 --> 01:04:24,980
for our customers. In 2019, we announced plans to retire the King Power Plant. So we're

809
01:04:24,980 --> 01:04:28,620
all very familiar with the King Power Plant on the St. Croix River in the town of Oak

810
01:04:28,620 --> 01:04:33,540
Park Heights. It's a wonderful plant. It's been operating since the mid-1960s. It'll

811
01:04:33,540 --> 01:04:39,800
be about 60 years old when we retire it in 2028. It's a great plant for us,

812
01:04:39,800 --> 01:04:45,120
about 80 employees work there, and we're transitioning that plant and doing it responsibly.

813
01:04:45,200 --> 01:04:48,240
So all those employees that work at that plant will have opportunities at the company

814
01:04:48,240 --> 01:04:48,940
going forward.

815
01:04:49,480 --> 01:04:54,660
But as we retire that plant, it's got very important regional energy grid connections

816
01:04:54,660 --> 01:04:55,420
at that plant.

817
01:04:55,620 --> 01:04:58,340
So what that means is it's a large substation at that plant.

818
01:04:59,060 --> 01:05:02,060
That area is used to having about 600 megawatts coming into it.

819
01:05:02,100 --> 01:05:03,980
That's a large plant, it's a 600 megawatt plant.

820
01:05:04,560 --> 01:05:09,060
Those regional grid connections are critically important to our region and critically important

821
01:05:09,060 --> 01:05:14,900
to the upper Midwest. So we have reviewed numerous options of how to best utilize those interconnection

822
01:05:14,900 --> 01:05:21,100
rights. How can we best use that location to reliably and affordably serve our customers?

823
01:05:21,580 --> 01:05:25,260
And we looked at lots of different things. We looked at natural gas, and it's not feasible

824
01:05:25,260 --> 01:05:30,520
there for anything more than 100 megawatts. That solar and wind on that site is not

825
01:05:30,520 --> 01:05:34,480
feasible, and obviously it's now part of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act. So it's

826
01:05:34,480 --> 01:05:37,980
very unlikely that you would build another location on that site.

827
01:05:38,540 --> 01:05:41,400
So we looked in the vicinity what would make sense to

828
01:05:41,400 --> 01:05:45,640
reutilize those interconnection rights that we have in that area.

829
01:05:46,200 --> 01:05:49,260
Installing solar in a close proximity to the King Power plant

830
01:05:49,260 --> 01:05:53,860
was identified as the least cost option to reuse those grid connections.

831
01:05:54,400 --> 01:05:55,260
That's really important.

832
01:05:55,580 --> 01:05:57,140
So we want to make sure that we can safely,

833
01:05:57,260 --> 01:06:00,060
affordably serve our customers at the lowest cost.

834
01:06:00,060 --> 01:06:05,720
and we identified that doing King or solar within close proximity to that King plant

835
01:06:05,720 --> 01:06:06,880
site was the best option.

836
01:06:07,500 --> 01:06:11,240
There is an existing transmission line in place that crosses the same square river that

837
01:06:11,240 --> 01:06:17,440
comes through in the same square county along Highway or County E. So there's already existing

838
01:06:17,440 --> 01:06:21,680
transmission in place which makes it even a more suitable connection for us.

839
01:06:22,220 --> 01:06:23,220
We'll go to the next slide.

840
01:06:25,460 --> 01:06:29,220
So the 10 mile creek solar project, here's an overview of what we're proposing.

841
01:06:29,220 --> 01:06:36,740
So phase one of the project will be up to 350 megawatts, representing about 2,500 acres.

842
01:06:37,420 --> 01:06:43,880
All phases, if proposed, would be up to 650 megawatts, representing about 5,000 acres.

843
01:06:44,800 --> 01:06:52,320
Important to note that the discussions we're having right now are all with private landowners in a very large geographic area.

844
01:06:52,720 --> 01:06:56,840
There was discussions from folks that attended our open house in November at the FIPS.

845
01:06:56,840 --> 01:07:01,120
maps. The map was shown and it kind of showed this general project area. That shows the

846
01:07:01,120 --> 01:07:05,440
general project area that we're talking to private landowners about leasing their private

847
01:07:05,440 --> 01:07:10,680
property for this project. And that's about a 30,000 to 40,000 acre area. The area that

848
01:07:10,680 --> 01:07:16,860
represents the solar farm will be about 5,000 acres of that. As with this project, we've

849
01:07:16,860 --> 01:07:20,660
discussed before, those private landowners are being offered lease payments. And approximately

850
01:07:20,660 --> 01:07:24,000
two-thirds of the land is already under lease with those private landowners.

851
01:07:25,700 --> 01:07:29,760
In talking to those landowners, we know that they're looking at this for different options.

852
01:07:30,020 --> 01:07:34,880
Certainly these are summer farmers that have been farming on this land for many years

853
01:07:34,880 --> 01:07:37,780
and want to find a way to diversify their income.

854
01:07:38,660 --> 01:07:41,100
Some farmers might be leasing it to others as well

855
01:07:41,100 --> 01:07:44,780
and see this as an opportunity, again, to lease it for a different purpose.

856
01:07:45,560 --> 01:07:49,480
In addition to the solar plant, and I mentioned the transmission line,

857
01:07:49,480 --> 01:07:53,800
line. We will also provide two different route options, and that's part of the commission

858
01:07:53,800 --> 01:07:59,020
process to provide two route options for the transmission line that currently exists to

859
01:07:59,020 --> 01:08:06,260
raise that to add a 230 kilovolt line to connect the solar array back to the King power plant

860
01:08:06,260 --> 01:08:06,700
location.

861
01:08:09,830 --> 01:08:15,710
So this slide right here kind of shows the proposed general area on the west of

862
01:08:15,710 --> 01:08:21,010
the slide. You can see the King power plant and the solar location in the central

863
01:08:21,010 --> 01:08:22,970
to the eastern part of St. Croix County.

864
01:08:23,810 --> 01:08:26,010
Important to note with a lot of solar projects,

865
01:08:26,170 --> 01:08:30,290
and certainly with this one, land use will be very important,

866
01:08:30,430 --> 01:08:32,970
and it will include things such as pollinator habitat,

867
01:08:33,710 --> 01:08:35,130
plant or prairie plantings,

868
01:08:35,630 --> 01:08:38,470
and different opportunities to evaluate things

869
01:08:38,470 --> 01:08:40,790
like agrivoltaics and things in the future

870
01:08:40,790 --> 01:08:42,990
will certainly be a part of this project as we move forward.

871
01:08:44,370 --> 01:08:45,230
Go to the next slide.

872
01:08:47,740 --> 01:08:49,100
So I know there's a lot of questions

873
01:08:49,100 --> 01:08:51,100
about the Wisconsin Utility Shared Revenue Program.

874
01:08:51,100 --> 01:08:54,440
It's probably, I'm not sure if it's something that's been addressed by this board in the past.

875
01:08:55,200 --> 01:09:01,700
The Wisconsin shared utility revenue program provides municipalities and counties with

876
01:09:01,700 --> 01:09:03,800
payments from the program.

877
01:09:04,520 --> 01:09:08,560
How that's allocated is the county receives two-thirds of the payment and then municipalities

878
01:09:09,260 --> 01:09:12,460
where these projects are located receive a third of that payment.

879
01:09:13,080 --> 01:09:16,640
Because we don't have the exact locations of this project until we file that with

880
01:09:16,640 --> 01:09:17,520
of the Public Service Commission,

881
01:09:17,980 --> 01:09:20,480
we can't really identify what those municipalities would be.

882
01:09:21,440 --> 01:09:23,200
Excel Energy and other utilities

883
01:09:23,200 --> 01:09:24,480
that have these types of projects

884
01:09:24,480 --> 01:09:26,140
contribute funds to that program.

885
01:09:26,560 --> 01:09:29,140
And those funds are sent back to each counties

886
01:09:29,140 --> 01:09:32,560
or each community's annual operating income to be used.

887
01:09:32,700 --> 01:09:34,980
However, local officials choose to use that.

888
01:09:35,640 --> 01:09:37,920
For this project, we've calculated

889
01:09:37,920 --> 01:09:39,220
for the first phase of the project,

890
01:09:39,300 --> 01:09:41,400
this would represent about a million dollars annually

891
01:09:41,970 --> 01:09:44,020
to the county and the municipalities

892
01:09:44,580 --> 01:09:46,460
where the project would be located in.

893
01:09:46,460 --> 01:09:51,500
So that's about $60 million over the life of the project, and then if all phases are

894
01:09:51,500 --> 01:09:56,640
approved and complete, represents about $3 million annually or about $100 million over

895
01:09:56,640 --> 01:09:57,480
the life of the project.

896
01:09:58,640 --> 01:09:59,240
Next slide.

897
01:10:01,260 --> 01:10:04,500
Next we'll talk on the Public Service Commission's process.

898
01:10:04,880 --> 01:10:10,680
So the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin, a three-member agency, Deliberative Body

899
01:10:10,680 --> 01:10:14,940
in Madison, is the state regulatory agency that has oversight for utility projects.

900
01:10:15,640 --> 01:10:21,820
Large projects like this require a certificate of public convenience and necessity, also known

901
01:10:21,820 --> 01:10:22,960
as a CPCN.

902
01:10:24,600 --> 01:10:28,760
The PSE has a very deliberative process when they're evaluating projects like this.

903
01:10:29,300 --> 01:10:33,120
They identify, look at things like the public need, what are the economics of it?

904
01:10:33,300 --> 01:10:34,960
Will it be safe for the environment?

905
01:10:35,460 --> 01:10:37,400
What's the reliability look like?

906
01:10:37,500 --> 01:10:40,700
Will it impact the reliability of the grid and is it safe?

907
01:10:41,840 --> 01:10:42,960
We'll go to the next slide.

908
01:10:44,200 --> 01:10:46,860
This kind of outlines what that review process looks like.

909
01:10:47,360 --> 01:10:51,100
So what we're planning to do, Excel Energy, is mid-2025.

910
01:10:51,720 --> 01:10:56,140
We will file a very detailed application, hundreds and hundreds of pages along with

911
01:10:56,140 --> 01:11:01,400
maps and locations that will show the design, location, address environmental and economic

912
01:11:01,400 --> 01:11:03,720
issues that have been put forward to us.

913
01:11:04,260 --> 01:11:08,800
And then, as I mentioned earlier, the PSC will host public hearings to gather input.

914
01:11:09,240 --> 01:11:10,600
And they do that in lots of different ways.

915
01:11:10,600 --> 01:11:14,600
I suspect they will hold public hearings here in St. Croix County. They obviously will

916
01:11:14,600 --> 01:11:18,720
have technical hearings in Madison. They provide opportunities for the public to comment

917
01:11:18,720 --> 01:11:22,980
online and in person as well. So there's really a lot of opportunities and important

918
01:11:22,980 --> 01:11:25,360
opportunities for the public to get involved in this process.

919
01:11:26,560 --> 01:11:31,580
And then it goes to the PSC staff. And the PSC has a very deliberative, thoughtful

920
01:11:31,580 --> 01:11:36,820
staff that looks at these very in-depth process. They will conduct their own investigations.

921
01:11:36,820 --> 01:11:42,180
They will engage other state departments such as the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources

922
01:11:42,180 --> 01:11:44,540
for any environmental or wildlife concerns.

923
01:11:44,860 --> 01:11:51,060
They'll talk to DATCAP and other agencies in Madison to provide input into the process

924
01:11:51,060 --> 01:11:51,480
as well.

925
01:11:52,240 --> 01:11:57,040
And then finally at the end of the day, the final decision will go or the final

926
01:11:57,040 --> 01:12:00,460
decision will go to the three commissioners in Madison to make a decision.

927
01:12:01,340 --> 01:12:06,440
If they issue a decision, they can issue that with conditions as well.

928
01:12:06,440 --> 01:12:11,420
So, there might be conditions regarding the environment or setbacks or screening or other

929
01:12:11,420 --> 01:12:14,740
types of things that can be incorporated into the design of these projects.

930
01:12:15,260 --> 01:12:19,640
And again, the Public Service Commission is a very deliberative body, much as yourself.

931
01:12:19,900 --> 01:12:24,200
And they will look at all those characteristics and ensure that the project is in the public

932
01:12:24,200 --> 01:12:24,600
interest.

933
01:12:26,990 --> 01:12:31,350
So, as we're looking forward, as I indicated, we'll file mid-2025.

934
01:12:32,410 --> 01:12:39,070
That PSE process takes about 12 to 18 months, so it's not quick, but it's deliberative,

935
01:12:39,250 --> 01:12:43,610
and it's important, and it's thorough, and it involves input from the community, and

936
01:12:43,610 --> 01:12:46,530
it involves input from all the state agencies as well.

937
01:12:48,750 --> 01:12:53,750
Their environmental analysis to also cover the things such as construction will include

938
01:12:53,750 --> 01:12:58,770
operation that will include post-operation, so when the solar arrays and solar garden

939
01:12:58,770 --> 01:13:02,370
is no longer in use of what the post operation looks like as well.

940
01:13:03,870 --> 01:13:04,870
We'll go to the next slide.

941
01:13:06,010 --> 01:13:11,730
We showed this slide a couple weeks ago during the online meeting with the town of Aaron

942
01:13:11,730 --> 01:13:12,190
Prairie.

943
01:13:12,870 --> 01:13:17,010
This was from a different solar array, lots of different pictures out there.

944
01:13:17,730 --> 01:13:22,110
Important to note this was taken in the spring, trees were just planted, but these

945
01:13:22,110 --> 01:13:26,470
are types of screening, types of things that happen that we work with landowners

946
01:13:26,470 --> 01:13:30,470
are to ensure that they're set back, there can be screening that's put in place.

947
01:13:31,330 --> 01:13:36,350
A typical solar panel, just to give you an idea is about the size of a sheet of plywood,

948
01:13:36,530 --> 01:13:37,350
about four by eight.

949
01:13:38,410 --> 01:13:42,550
When they've got solar panels on the front and back, so they're called bifacial, they

950
01:13:42,550 --> 01:13:45,870
track with the sun, so they tip with the sun as the sun moves through the sky.

951
01:13:46,750 --> 01:13:50,970
And when they're on their total slanted access, they're about 10 feet high off the ground.

952
01:13:50,970 --> 01:13:56,990
So that gives you some sort of visual sense of what they look like from the roadside.

953
01:13:59,340 --> 01:14:03,120
So again, this is the contact information from us, our website, our phone number.

954
01:14:03,360 --> 01:14:07,140
Again, I strongly encourage you to write that phone number down, please share that phone

955
01:14:07,140 --> 01:14:11,180
number with your constituents if you're getting questions from folks in your community

956
01:14:11,180 --> 01:14:13,800
as well or use that email address.

957
01:14:14,020 --> 01:14:18,160
We will get back to folks real quickly with the right person who can answer their questions.

958
01:14:20,630 --> 01:14:23,230
So I think with that, Ken, we did it.

959
01:14:25,760 --> 01:14:29,580
Could you share that presentation with everyone on the board?

960
01:14:29,700 --> 01:14:29,780
Absolutely.

961
01:14:29,780 --> 01:14:31,960
That would be acceptable, so we'd all get a copy.

962
01:14:32,540 --> 01:14:33,240
We have those numbers.

963
01:14:34,460 --> 01:14:36,120
So you're okay with a couple of questions?

964
01:14:36,220 --> 01:14:36,580
Absolutely.

965
01:14:37,140 --> 01:14:38,680
I'm going to go ahead and start out.

966
01:14:39,860 --> 01:14:41,060
Can you talk two things?

967
01:14:41,300 --> 01:14:46,860
Talk a little bit about the ability or lack thereof to recycle solar panels.

968
01:14:46,860 --> 01:14:54,660
And then also, what's your plan B or C or D or whatever, should you have some sort

969
01:14:54,660 --> 01:14:59,880
of an incident where maybe there's a tornado or a hail

970
01:14:59,880 --> 01:14:59,920
Thank you for watching.

971
01:15:00,000 --> 01:15:05,320
Or something that wipes out substantial numbers of these panels.

972
01:15:06,620 --> 01:15:08,300
What happens at that point?

973
01:15:08,700 --> 01:15:09,320
Thanks, Chairman.

974
01:15:10,220 --> 01:15:15,780
So to your first question, about 90% of the solar panel could be recycled.

975
01:15:16,180 --> 01:15:17,980
We want to take all the steps we can.

976
01:15:18,580 --> 01:15:21,960
I think like any business, we try to recycle as many materials as we can.

977
01:15:22,740 --> 01:15:25,160
I think as we think towards the future too,

978
01:15:25,740 --> 01:15:29,600
We're not sure what types of materials can be recycled well into the future when the solar

979
01:15:30,200 --> 01:15:31,620
array is no longer operational.

980
01:15:31,720 --> 01:15:35,920
So we'll take all the steps we can to recycle as much of those materials that we can, and

981
01:15:35,920 --> 01:15:38,960
then safely and responsibly dispose of what's not able to do.

982
01:15:39,600 --> 01:15:43,120
I think all of us in business, we do that every day in our jobs, and we certainly

983
01:15:43,120 --> 01:15:46,680
do that at Excel when we take our impact on the environment very seriously.

984
01:15:48,360 --> 01:15:51,640
Your question about storms, I think, is very pertinent as well, and it's a question

985
01:15:51,640 --> 01:15:52,780
that we get a lot.

986
01:15:54,440 --> 01:15:59,080
I would tell you we're in the utility business. We're used to storms. We're used to the power

987
01:15:59,080 --> 01:16:05,240
going out. We're used to responding late at night, early in the morning. When it's cold

988
01:16:05,240 --> 01:16:09,040
it's out. When it's most treacherous out, our crews are out there making sure that

989
01:16:09,040 --> 01:16:13,580
the power gets back on for people. So we have lots of contingency plans in place.

990
01:16:13,580 --> 01:16:16,960
Not only if the solar is not operating, but if we have another plant that goes down.

991
01:16:17,420 --> 01:16:21,660
If one of our nuclear plants goes down for some unexpected reason. As I indicated,

992
01:16:21,660 --> 01:16:27,740
we have 150 generating units on our system serving those 1.8 million customers across five states.

993
01:16:28,700 --> 01:16:32,380
I can guarantee you there's things that happen probably every day. A lot of things I probably

994
01:16:32,380 --> 01:16:36,740
don't know about. But our job is to make sure that we can have safe, reliable, affordable power

995
01:16:36,740 --> 01:16:40,660
for our customers. And I'm proud of the work that our teams do. And I think we do that very

996
01:16:40,660 --> 01:16:45,580
well. So if a storm came through, I'm confident we'd have power to replace it,

997
01:16:45,960 --> 01:16:48,260
because it's part of what we do each and every day at our company.

998
01:16:49,780 --> 01:16:50,440
Thank you.

999
01:16:51,560 --> 01:16:52,520
Other questions?

1000
01:16:53,100 --> 01:16:53,700
Supervisor Heads.

1001
01:16:55,850 --> 01:16:56,330
How are you?

1002
01:16:56,690 --> 01:16:56,950
Good, Dan.

1003
01:16:57,330 --> 01:16:58,030
It's nice to see you.

1004
01:16:58,130 --> 01:16:58,630
Good to see you.

1005
01:16:58,990 --> 01:16:59,790
It has been a while.

1006
01:17:00,790 --> 01:17:10,310
I'm a strong proponent in county zoning, and I believe that a property owner is right to enjoy their property the way they understood that they could when they purchased the property is something that we need to protect.

1007
01:17:11,670 --> 01:17:18,210
Having said that, and I respect that you're paying a very fair price to the people whose property you're renting.

1008
01:17:19,210 --> 01:17:23,770
Is there any compensation for the people who simply don't want to be near this?

1009
01:17:23,910 --> 01:17:27,830
Is there anything that you're doing for people who'd like to get away from the solar array?

1010
01:17:30,330 --> 01:17:32,010
So I appreciate that question.

1011
01:17:32,830 --> 01:17:35,370
You know, two ways I'd respond to that.

1012
01:17:36,250 --> 01:17:39,790
The Utility Shared Revenue Program that I touched on is a way to, you know,

1013
01:17:39,990 --> 01:17:43,210
provide compensation back to municipalities as well, right?

1014
01:17:43,350 --> 01:17:48,090
So municipalities can choose to use those dollars however they see fit in their communities.

1015
01:17:48,090 --> 01:17:54,810
the county can as well. As it relates to landowners who are adjacent, we try to be good

1016
01:17:54,810 --> 01:17:58,730
neighbors and we've always been good neighbors in the communities that we serve. We want

1017
01:17:58,730 --> 01:18:02,070
to work with those landowners to provide screening opportunities and other types of things,

1018
01:18:02,850 --> 01:18:07,210
but to a specific question, there isn't financial payments to those living near it

1019
01:18:07,210 --> 01:18:11,170
other than the lease payments to those that are leasing their private property for this

1020
01:18:11,830 --> 01:18:12,290
project.

1021
01:18:15,110 --> 01:18:24,750
Supervisor Shirley? Yeah, a couple questions. The first one would be battery storage. What kind of

1022
01:18:24,750 --> 01:18:32,270
battery storage do we expect on a site of this size? And I'm assuming they would be on this site

1023
01:18:32,270 --> 01:18:41,050
rather than on a different site off of where the solar panels are, but if you get interested.

1024
01:18:41,050 --> 01:18:46,230
So the first phase of the project does not involve any battery storage.

1025
01:18:46,750 --> 01:18:50,930
So the first 350 megawatts we talked about does not involve any battery storage.

1026
01:18:51,210 --> 01:18:53,530
Future phases may involve battery storage.

1027
01:18:54,030 --> 01:18:56,730
Don't have any information about what that might look like at this time.

1028
01:18:57,310 --> 01:18:57,390
Okay.

1029
01:18:58,090 --> 01:19:02,410
Second question is additional needs for St. Craig County.

1030
01:19:03,210 --> 01:19:12,150
as we see the the initial application would be 350 megawatts the king power

1031
01:19:12,150 --> 01:19:18,510
plant is 650 so we're we're netting negative on the first go around I know

1032
01:19:18,510 --> 01:19:25,630
that the the event eventually we will get up to the 650 again but as we're

1033
01:19:25,630 --> 01:19:34,610
trending down in a constant on a king power plant versus maybe not a constant

1034
01:19:34,610 --> 01:19:45,270
with solar and how are we going to or how is Excel proposing to the increased

1035
01:19:45,270 --> 01:19:55,610
power needs of St. Craig County as we see the need for more industry or

1036
01:19:55,610 --> 01:20:05,690
commercial, we've even talked about data centers in the area that we're not able to say yes

1037
01:20:05,690 --> 01:20:08,190
to these projects because we don't have enough power in the county.

1038
01:20:08,570 --> 01:20:14,870
So how are we going to, or how does Excel think that they're going to power our county

1039
01:20:14,870 --> 01:20:20,410
long term when we can't get the projects done that we necessarily need to now?

1040
01:20:21,010 --> 01:20:30,010
Yeah. We check our responsibility to provide safe, reliable electricity very seriously and we do a very good job with that.

1041
01:20:30,630 --> 01:20:37,410
As I indicated before, we're looking out, we're making investments today for things that will be used 30 years from now.

1042
01:20:37,810 --> 01:20:41,470
So we're looking at what those power demands will be 30 years from now,

1043
01:20:41,790 --> 01:20:47,230
ensuring that we have all the resources on our system to safely and reliably serve our customers.

1044
01:20:47,710 --> 01:20:49,310
That's something we do each and every day.

1045
01:20:49,390 --> 01:20:52,270
We have a fantastic team in Excel that's looking at all those resources.

1046
01:20:53,170 --> 01:20:53,870
How do we do that?

1047
01:20:54,150 --> 01:20:57,630
Last week, we just received approval from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to extend

1048
01:20:57,630 --> 01:21:00,670
the life of our nuclear power plant in Monticello for another 20 years.

1049
01:21:01,050 --> 01:21:04,310
That's going to be another important, so I'll get us to 2050 for the Monticello nuclear

1050
01:21:04,310 --> 01:21:04,710
plant.

1051
01:21:05,210 --> 01:21:08,870
We're doing that with all the generation in our system, so when we can't think

1052
01:21:08,870 --> 01:21:12,950
of a one or kind of a one-to-one type of thing, we look at our entire system.

1053
01:21:13,070 --> 01:21:16,530
We look at how we're serving all of our customers throughout the upper Midwest

1054
01:21:16,530 --> 01:21:18,610
with all those sources of generation.

1055
01:21:19,490 --> 01:21:21,210
And I'm confident we'll be able to do that.

1056
01:21:21,310 --> 01:21:24,330
St. Croix County is one of, I don't have to tell you guys,

1057
01:21:24,530 --> 01:21:26,090
it's obviously one of the fastest growing counties

1058
01:21:26,090 --> 01:21:26,710
in the state of Wisconsin,

1059
01:21:27,330 --> 01:21:29,530
if not the fastest growing in the state of Wisconsin.

1060
01:21:30,310 --> 01:21:31,930
What some folks might not know

1061
01:21:31,930 --> 01:21:35,130
is that Xcel Energy was the company

1062
01:21:35,130 --> 01:21:37,230
that helped start the St. Croix Business Park

1063
01:21:37,230 --> 01:21:39,610
back in the 1990s, so we provided a loan

1064
01:21:39,610 --> 01:21:41,390
to City of Hudson, which created

1065
01:21:41,390 --> 01:21:42,450
the St. Croix Business Park,

1066
01:21:43,170 --> 01:21:46,070
which is a very important economic resource

1067
01:21:46,070 --> 01:21:51,370
So we're very keen on the economic vitality of this region and ensuring that we have enough

1068
01:21:51,370 --> 01:21:53,470
power to serve the needs into the future.

1069
01:21:53,710 --> 01:21:56,490
So I'm confident we'll be able to get there.

1070
01:21:56,850 --> 01:21:58,310
We're definitely going through transitions.

1071
01:21:58,690 --> 01:22:02,270
We make lots of decisions when it comes to energy infrastructure and how we serve

1072
01:22:02,270 --> 01:22:02,790
our customers.

1073
01:22:03,370 --> 01:22:04,750
We work through the state process.

1074
01:22:04,910 --> 01:22:09,110
We work with stakeholders such as yourself, community members as well.

1075
01:22:09,310 --> 01:22:12,970
So it's a very important process that we work through and I'm confident that

1076
01:22:12,970 --> 01:22:14,490
we'll be able to do that well into the future.

1077
01:22:14,490 --> 01:22:14,590
Sure.

1078
01:22:19,300 --> 01:22:20,460
Supervisor Van Summeren.

1079
01:22:22,160 --> 01:22:23,960
Again, I have a couple of questions.

1080
01:22:24,180 --> 01:22:26,760
The first one, why you're in Prairie?

1081
01:22:27,000 --> 01:22:30,380
Why on the finest farmland we probably have

1082
01:22:30,380 --> 01:22:33,160
in St. Croix County instead of some land

1083
01:22:33,160 --> 01:22:36,840
that is not as fine, not as productive, not as level.

1084
01:22:36,960 --> 01:22:39,100
However, solar arrays don't need level lands.

1085
01:22:39,300 --> 01:22:42,340
So why, first of all, why you're in Prairie?

1086
01:22:43,080 --> 01:22:45,080
So I remind you that we're working

1087
01:22:45,080 --> 01:22:46,860
with private landowners in St. Croix County.

1088
01:22:46,860 --> 01:22:48,580
I mean, we're trying to be within a certain distance

1089
01:22:48,580 --> 01:22:50,480
from that King Power Plant interconnection.

1090
01:22:50,900 --> 01:22:53,760
15 to 20 miles is really a good distance

1091
01:22:53,760 --> 01:22:56,820
to make it cost effective to reuse those grid interconnections

1092
01:22:56,820 --> 01:22:57,160
for us.

1093
01:22:57,640 --> 01:22:59,340
We've got an existing transmission line in place

1094
01:22:59,340 --> 01:23:02,860
across county E. Again, we'll propose two different routes

1095
01:23:03,480 --> 01:23:06,680
for an upgraded transmission line, a 230 kilovolt line.

1096
01:23:08,140 --> 01:23:10,060
When we file the application, we

1097
01:23:10,060 --> 01:23:14,580
will see the scope of what those 350 megawatts will

1098
01:23:14,580 --> 01:23:17,380
look like the 2,500 acres for that first phase of the project.

1099
01:23:17,600 --> 01:23:24,560
So it's proximity, it's location, it's working with those private landowners who are making

1100
01:23:24,560 --> 01:23:27,000
that decision on how they want to use their private property.

1101
01:23:27,680 --> 01:23:28,860
Okay, let me follow up on that.

1102
01:23:29,160 --> 01:23:33,420
You talked about 10 to 15 miles is the finest, but earlier in your presentation

1103
01:23:33,420 --> 01:23:39,020
you said that part of our energy in Wisconsin comes from South Dakota, which is farther

1104
01:23:39,020 --> 01:23:40,240
than 15 miles away.

1105
01:23:40,480 --> 01:23:40,580
Yep.

1106
01:23:40,680 --> 01:23:41,820
Wouldn't the same thing apply?

1107
01:23:41,820 --> 01:23:47,900
I mean, again, the power line that goes along E goes along double D all the way to Highway 128

1108
01:23:47,900 --> 01:23:53,840
and beyond. I think it ends up in going through Eau Claire. So, you know, there's plenty,

1109
01:23:54,120 --> 01:23:58,000
plenty of other space where we don't have housing developments. If you've been in the audience,

1110
01:23:58,200 --> 01:24:04,260
you've heard we don't have to uproot some very productive farmland. It would just make

1111
01:24:04,260 --> 01:24:10,340
sense to me to move that to an area farther east, farther west, where it's rocky and wet

1112
01:24:10,340 --> 01:24:15,540
crummy, because you don't need much good soil to plant i-beams in the ground.

1113
01:24:16,000 --> 01:24:21,540
So a key point of this project is having those regional grid interconnections that are located

1114
01:24:22,220 --> 01:24:23,580
at the King Power Plant site.

1115
01:24:23,780 --> 01:24:29,180
There's a very large substation right there that is used to having a 600 megawatt plant

1116
01:24:29,180 --> 01:24:29,960
right there.

1117
01:24:30,640 --> 01:24:35,380
So being in proximity to that and having generation that could feed into that grid connection

1118
01:24:35,380 --> 01:24:38,860
is critically important to make this project affordable and cost effective.

1119
01:24:38,860 --> 01:24:44,840
It does also have a rather large connection on WD just east of Highway 63 also.

1120
01:24:47,110 --> 01:24:48,170
So I mean, there are other places.

1121
01:24:48,550 --> 01:24:51,430
Question number two, where are the panels made?

1122
01:24:52,890 --> 01:24:57,850
So with our project, we seek the source from domestic providers for this project.

1123
01:24:58,310 --> 01:25:02,390
As we file the application with the commission and go through the supply chain process,

1124
01:25:02,650 --> 01:25:04,470
our goals work with domestic providers.

1125
01:25:04,990 --> 01:25:08,310
Okay, I'm happy to hear that because I'm just thinking that we're facing perhaps

1126
01:25:08,310 --> 01:25:10,970
That's a 25% tariff and suddenly that 350

1127
01:25:10,970 --> 01:25:13,370
would be 100 with the same dollar.

1128
01:25:13,610 --> 01:25:14,110
So thank you.

1129
01:25:14,410 --> 01:25:15,210
Okay, thank you.

1130
01:25:17,330 --> 01:25:18,330
Supervisor Ramberg.

1131
01:25:18,650 --> 01:25:19,130
Thank you, sir.

1132
01:25:19,350 --> 01:25:20,070
Thank you, chair.

1133
01:25:20,290 --> 01:25:20,970
I have two questions.

1134
01:25:22,010 --> 01:25:25,130
One, during the public input process,

1135
01:25:25,750 --> 01:25:29,850
is there opportunity for your plan

1136
01:25:29,850 --> 01:25:32,210
before you submit the application

1137
01:25:32,210 --> 01:25:33,990
to be modified to accommodate?

1138
01:25:34,690 --> 01:25:38,670
Some of these are as many of these concerns as possible.

1139
01:25:39,910 --> 01:25:46,530
You know, with modifications or conditions, i.e., like reflections on cars for traffic

1140
01:25:46,530 --> 01:25:46,950
accidents?

1141
01:25:47,150 --> 01:25:49,150
Yeah, so I'm sorry, Mr. Question.

1142
01:25:49,560 --> 01:25:56,790
Reflections for how, like the safety of reflections onto neighbors and to the cars for traffic

1143
01:25:56,790 --> 01:26:03,210
accidents and dumping more animals on highways and different things like that for safety.

1144
01:26:03,550 --> 01:26:08,830
Yeah, so the Public Service Commission has a very thorough and comprehensive process

1145
01:26:08,830 --> 01:26:13,430
process that involves not only public input but input from the state agencies that oversee

1146
01:26:13,430 --> 01:26:17,190
things like consumer protection, the environment, and other types of things.

1147
01:26:17,510 --> 01:26:21,830
So having been through that process many times, I can tell you it's very thoughtful.

1148
01:26:22,770 --> 01:26:24,450
It's a sound process.

1149
01:26:24,630 --> 01:26:28,470
In fact, the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin was the very first public utilities

1150
01:26:28,470 --> 01:26:30,230
commission in the United States.

1151
01:26:30,430 --> 01:26:33,850
It's got a very long history, very proud history of serving the state of Wisconsin.

1152
01:26:33,850 --> 01:26:38,590
And so, as we file this application, there will be plenty of opportunities for that public

1153
01:26:38,590 --> 01:26:38,930
input.

1154
01:26:39,250 --> 01:26:42,670
And that will be up to the public service commission staff to take all that input through

1155
01:26:42,670 --> 01:26:46,430
their investigations, through their common periods, through their discussions with other

1156
01:26:46,430 --> 01:26:50,650
state agencies, and develop a record that the commissioners can review and vote on.

1157
01:26:51,130 --> 01:26:51,670
Thank you.

1158
01:26:52,090 --> 01:26:59,110
And number two is not knowing the future, of course, and with efficiencies of electricity

1159
01:26:59,110 --> 01:27:04,550
manufacturing in the future that we don't even know about today like hydrogen and

1160
01:27:04,550 --> 01:27:10,670
nuclear and all that if that were to come to us faster or come to you faster

1161
01:27:10,670 --> 01:27:15,910
than your 60-year plan or whatever you have in there could that tip over when

1162
01:27:15,910 --> 01:27:20,050
you're removing the I-beams you know how do you do that and could that tip it

1163
01:27:20,050 --> 01:27:24,390
over and reduce the acreage being consumed while you consume these

1164
01:27:24,390 --> 01:27:28,270
smaller area, energy efficient issues?

1165
01:27:28,710 --> 01:27:30,550
Yeah, no, I think it's a good question.

1166
01:27:31,630 --> 01:27:33,850
There's unquestionably a lot of people

1167
01:27:33,850 --> 01:27:35,950
looking at energy issues right now in our country.

1168
01:27:36,310 --> 01:27:38,710
I mean, energy is a big issue in our country,

1169
01:27:38,730 --> 01:27:41,050
not just electricity, but just energy in general.

1170
01:27:41,530 --> 01:27:44,130
And there's all sorts of advancements always be made.

1171
01:27:44,730 --> 01:27:46,730
Our wheat and power plant is outside of Eau Claire.

1172
01:27:47,830 --> 01:27:49,930
We're actually pre-fitting that for hydrogen.

1173
01:27:50,090 --> 01:27:51,610
We don't know if hydrogen is gonna be a thing,

1174
01:27:51,790 --> 01:27:53,310
but we're pre-fitting it for hydrogen.

1175
01:27:53,310 --> 01:27:55,070
And some day, maybe it's going to be a thing.

1176
01:27:55,190 --> 01:27:56,210
Maybe it'll be cost effective.

1177
01:27:56,410 --> 01:27:57,890
Maybe we can use hydrogen at that plant.

1178
01:27:58,310 --> 01:27:58,890
We don't know.

1179
01:27:59,130 --> 01:28:00,590
But as we're upgrading that plant,

1180
01:28:00,670 --> 01:28:03,410
we're actually doing that work right now, just outside

1181
01:28:03,410 --> 01:28:05,810
the city of Eau Claire, is to be ready for the future

1182
01:28:05,810 --> 01:28:06,430
when it happens.

1183
01:28:11,000 --> 01:28:11,700
Other questions?

1184
01:28:12,400 --> 01:28:13,260
Suburbanist of Barclow.

1185
01:28:14,440 --> 01:28:16,920
Thank you for coming and presenting to us.

1186
01:28:17,200 --> 01:28:20,060
A couple of questions I'm looking at is just

1187
01:28:20,580 --> 01:28:22,320
peak efficiency for a solar farm.

1188
01:28:23,480 --> 01:28:26,840
looking at average days of sunny weather in Wisconsin,

1189
01:28:27,260 --> 01:28:30,720
just a Google search this afternoon is 89 days of clear skies

1190
01:28:32,180 --> 01:28:34,420
and 176 days of cloudy skies.

1191
01:28:34,940 --> 01:28:41,740
So that's a pretty low average of good generation, I would imagine.

1192
01:28:42,600 --> 01:28:49,580
I see solar farms showing up at 24, 25% efficiency.

1193
01:28:49,840 --> 01:28:50,640
Is that accurate?

1194
01:28:51,420 --> 01:28:54,260
I don't know the percentage efficiency.

1195
01:28:54,780 --> 01:28:59,740
What I can tell you is that as we look at providing service to our customers,

1196
01:28:59,740 --> 01:29:02,920
we're looking at all types of energy sources, right?

1197
01:29:03,320 --> 01:29:07,080
So it's not just the solar and the wind that we offer, the hydroelectricity,

1198
01:29:08,180 --> 01:29:10,540
our natural gas plants and our nuclear plants, right?

1199
01:29:10,760 --> 01:29:15,100
They all operate as a system. They all have benefits in different ways, right?

1200
01:29:15,160 --> 01:29:16,280
They're different energy sources.

1201
01:29:16,280 --> 01:29:22,360
We utilize a variety of energy sources in order to be reliable, safe and affordable for our customers.

1202
01:29:22,800 --> 01:29:29,740
So this is a key component of that. The other key component of this is obviously its proximity to that King interconnection site, too,

1203
01:29:30,120 --> 01:29:32,920
and being able to reliably and affordably use that site in the future.

1204
01:29:33,260 --> 01:29:42,000
So my follow-up question is, using 5,000 acres seems like a massive waste on our scenery

1205
01:29:42,000 --> 01:29:50,360
and the use of those public lands for ag and potential homes in a county that is

1206
01:29:50,360 --> 01:29:56,500
continuing to grow. Why not just keep the King Power Plant active? So we made the

1207
01:29:56,500 --> 01:29:59,960
decision in 2019 to retire the King Power Plant in 20

1208
01:30:00,900 --> 01:30:06,780
It's literally at the end of its useful life. It's a 60-year-old plant that it's not cost-effective

1209
01:30:06,780 --> 01:30:11,680
to operate into the future. But we wanted to make that decision a very responsible manner.

1210
01:30:11,980 --> 01:30:16,960
We didn't just shut down the power plant in 2019, decided to shut it down in 2020. We're

1211
01:30:16,960 --> 01:30:20,640
doing that over a period of time to make the most responsible decision we can for our

1212
01:30:20,640 --> 01:30:21,020
customers.

1213
01:30:23,440 --> 01:30:28,380
The 5,000 acres is, again, a note that we're working only with private land

1214
01:30:28,380 --> 01:30:33,280
owners on this. Those private landowners are being provided lease payments to

1215
01:30:33,280 --> 01:30:35,480
provide their land for this project.

1216
01:30:41,780 --> 01:30:45,800
Supervisor Rice. Yes my question Brian has

1217
01:30:45,800 --> 01:30:58,500
to do with plans for the 25 to 30 year lifespan of any solar farm. How you go

1218
01:30:58,500 --> 01:31:05,420
about the retiring process financially to afford making sure

1219
01:31:05,420 --> 01:31:06,680
that it's safely taken down?

1220
01:31:06,940 --> 01:31:08,400
Yeah, that's a really good question.

1221
01:31:08,760 --> 01:31:11,200
So part of starting a project is,

1222
01:31:11,260 --> 01:31:13,700
how are you going to end a project responsibly as well?

1223
01:31:13,780 --> 01:31:16,220
And that certainly will be part of our application process

1224
01:31:16,220 --> 01:31:17,760
that we file with the Public Service Commission.

1225
01:31:18,200 --> 01:31:19,760
How do we decommission that?

1226
01:31:19,920 --> 01:31:21,540
How do we work with landowners in the future?

1227
01:31:22,060 --> 01:31:23,340
I don't have those details right now,

1228
01:31:23,360 --> 01:31:24,580
but that's certainly part of the plan

1229
01:31:24,580 --> 01:31:26,280
that we'll file with the Public Service Commission

1230
01:31:26,280 --> 01:31:27,720
in mid-2025.

1231
01:31:30,270 --> 01:31:33,910
Supervisor Adams, again, we appreciate you coming.

1232
01:31:34,890 --> 01:31:37,430
In St. Paul, they had a coal-fired plant

1233
01:31:37,430 --> 01:31:38,450
along the Mississippi River.

1234
01:31:38,690 --> 01:31:39,070
Typeridge.

1235
01:31:39,330 --> 01:31:41,750
And I worked at St. Paul Public Schools,

1236
01:31:41,890 --> 01:31:44,730
and I watched them decommission it, slice it apart,

1237
01:31:45,250 --> 01:31:46,330
bring it down to ground level,

1238
01:31:46,650 --> 01:31:50,350
and put up a natural gas facility there.

1239
01:31:51,270 --> 01:31:54,030
Why can't we do that at the King location

1240
01:31:54,030 --> 01:31:56,350
and use natural gas, which gives us

1241
01:31:56,350 --> 01:32:03,350
baseload energy and we don't have to worry about trying to wicker solar power

1242
01:32:03,350 --> 01:32:09,250
into the grid that then requires transformers and you know magic dust to

1243
01:32:09,250 --> 01:32:14,870
make it come out of our wall. So you know I'll answer that in a couple

1244
01:32:14,870 --> 01:32:17,610
different ways it's a great question it's a question we've we've gotten a

1245
01:32:17,610 --> 01:32:20,410
lot right if you're not familiar with the energy infrastructure you might not

1246
01:32:20,410 --> 01:32:24,170
be familiar what we can and can't do at other sites so not only in St. Paul

1247
01:32:24,170 --> 01:32:27,590
that we convert that coal plant to natural gas. We also did that in Minneapolis as well.

1248
01:32:28,410 --> 01:32:33,650
We converted a coal plant from at the Riverside plant in Minneapolis to natural gas. We looked

1249
01:32:33,650 --> 01:32:38,550
at all the different options for the King plant. We could only get enough gas to that

1250
01:32:38,550 --> 01:32:42,390
site to power about 100 megawatts. And remember, too, it's part of the Wild and

1251
01:32:42,390 --> 01:32:45,890
Scenic Rivers Act as well. It would be very unlikely that you would be able to

1252
01:32:45,890 --> 01:32:50,610
site a new power plant along the Sinclair River. But we did look at it. So we looked

1253
01:32:50,610 --> 01:32:56,450
at that. We could only get about 100 megawatts of natural gas generation if we were to propose

1254
01:32:56,450 --> 01:33:00,710
a site there. So we looked at other options, right? We looked at wind. We looked at all

1255
01:33:00,710 --> 01:33:05,870
the different options on the table because reusing those interconnection grid location

1256
01:33:05,870 --> 01:33:10,590
is really critically important to us. And doing that within a geographic area that

1257
01:33:10,590 --> 01:33:16,230
makes sense is what makes this project feasible and affordable going forward.

1258
01:33:18,700 --> 01:33:24,500
So, I'm looking at the Apple River plant Hydro, outstanding, everybody loves Hydro.

1259
01:33:25,040 --> 01:33:30,640
Only two megawatts, and the plant was built according to this interactive map here in

1260
01:33:30,640 --> 01:33:31,320
1901.

1261
01:33:31,940 --> 01:33:36,420
So, here we are using that place for a century, but the King plant is too old, it's 60.

1262
01:33:37,160 --> 01:33:40,000
Here, I guess, I don't know, within the last 10 years, we've only been using it

1263
01:33:40,000 --> 01:33:41,240
for six months out of the year.

1264
01:33:41,760 --> 01:33:44,200
So, is it really 60 years old or something less?

1265
01:33:44,200 --> 01:33:52,200
So, you know, I agree that, you know, we're just seemingly ramming this project down our throat.

1266
01:33:52,520 --> 01:33:56,360
I'm looking at the public utilities omission site.

1267
01:33:56,740 --> 01:33:58,600
Please don't, please.

1268
01:33:59,080 --> 01:34:03,980
And they have not, they have not cancelled or turned down any applications.

1269
01:34:04,800 --> 01:34:09,740
I mean, our chances of getting this thing turned down are like a snowball's chance and you know where.

1270
01:34:09,740 --> 01:34:16,180
So anyway, I'm not, I'm not ragging on you, but, you know, this stinks, so.

1271
01:34:17,760 --> 01:34:19,240
Okay, that's pleased.

1272
01:34:19,680 --> 01:34:20,760
Please hold your colleagues.

1273
01:34:21,260 --> 01:34:22,120
Supervisor Berning.

1274
01:34:23,300 --> 01:34:23,740
Hey, Brian.

1275
01:34:23,980 --> 01:34:25,360
Thanks for, thanks for coming tonight, man.

1276
01:34:26,440 --> 01:34:27,820
It's always great to see you.

1277
01:34:28,340 --> 01:34:32,860
So you said something about the King power plant being decommissioned and then putting

1278
01:34:32,860 --> 01:34:36,940
one in its place there that it would be almost impossible to do so, but there's

1279
01:34:36,940 --> 01:34:38,100
one there right now.

1280
01:34:39,140 --> 01:34:42,020
So the King plant was built before the Wild and Seedy

1281
01:34:42,020 --> 01:34:43,200
Careers Act was put in place?

1282
01:34:43,200 --> 01:34:45,520
Yeah, no, no, I realized that because that was late 70s,

1283
01:34:45,600 --> 01:34:46,540
early 80s, somewhere in there.

1284
01:34:48,580 --> 01:34:51,860
But isn't there something like grandfathering that site in?

1285
01:34:52,160 --> 01:34:53,500
I mean, isn't there anything in there

1286
01:34:53,500 --> 01:34:57,360
that you could preserve so that you could rebuild it

1287
01:34:57,360 --> 01:34:59,840
or rebuild something like Supervisor Adams was

1288
01:34:59,840 --> 01:35:01,460
saying regarding natural gas?

1289
01:35:01,740 --> 01:35:05,000
I mean, we're going through all the rigmarole of getting

1290
01:35:05,000 --> 01:35:11,500
something brand new over a very large space approved when you have space already and you

1291
01:35:11,500 --> 01:35:14,820
guys have done a great job of cleaning it up and making it so that we have Paul Deagles

1292
01:35:14,820 --> 01:35:15,620
on the river again.

1293
01:35:15,780 --> 01:35:20,380
That was wonderful, but I mean, could you guys do that?

1294
01:35:20,500 --> 01:35:22,280
Could you guys push to do something there again?

1295
01:35:23,100 --> 01:35:26,640
So Paul, answer the question the same way I did before and sorry if this is redundant.

1296
01:35:26,860 --> 01:35:29,400
We looked at all the options for the key plant site.

1297
01:35:29,660 --> 01:35:31,000
We looked at natural gas.

1298
01:35:31,140 --> 01:35:33,400
We looked at other options for the key plant site.

1299
01:35:33,400 --> 01:35:39,620
The best option to re-utilize those interconnection grid is to build a solar array and central

1300
01:35:39,620 --> 01:35:40,820
in the eastern St. Croix County.

1301
01:35:41,340 --> 01:35:46,960
So if this fails, like if you don't pass the PSE, which there is a chance that it may

1302
01:35:46,960 --> 01:35:51,500
not, although, you know, Supervisor Adams made an indication that there hasn't been

1303
01:35:51,500 --> 01:35:54,440
one that's failed, what is your plan B?

1304
01:35:55,060 --> 01:36:00,220
Because there always is a chance that someone looks at a petition of 4,000, some citizens

1305
01:36:00,220 --> 01:36:02,560
of residents of St. Croix County and goes,

1306
01:36:03,280 --> 01:36:06,420
man, I don't think that this is what this area wants

1307
01:36:06,420 --> 01:36:09,020
to have inside of it.

1308
01:36:09,920 --> 01:36:11,120
What is your guys' plan B?

1309
01:36:11,220 --> 01:36:13,040
Do you guys have a plan B if this doesn't go through?

1310
01:36:13,300 --> 01:36:15,840
So I would say our plan B is always

1311
01:36:15,840 --> 01:36:18,820
to make sure we're providing reliable service

1312
01:36:18,820 --> 01:36:19,420
to our customers.

1313
01:36:20,000 --> 01:36:21,760
And we'll do that.

1314
01:36:22,360 --> 01:36:24,040
Not sure what that might look like,

1315
01:36:24,220 --> 01:36:27,100
but our plan is to make sure that every time our customers

1316
01:36:27,100 --> 01:36:31,480
customers want to turn on the lights, cool their homes, that they have electricity to

1317
01:36:31,480 --> 01:36:31,800
do that.

1318
01:36:32,100 --> 01:36:35,740
So we take planning our system very important.

1319
01:36:36,080 --> 01:36:40,800
As I indicated, we are looking out 30 years into the future on how to safely and responsibly

1320
01:36:40,800 --> 01:36:41,880
serve our customers.

1321
01:36:43,180 --> 01:36:47,100
If the plant or the project doesn't go through, we will have plans in place to make sure

1322
01:36:47,100 --> 01:36:50,220
our customers have uninterrupted service just like they do today.

1323
01:36:50,700 --> 01:36:56,360
And then as regarding nuclear power and expanding that with some of the advances

1324
01:36:56,360 --> 01:37:01,280
that have happened in France and how clean that they, I mean, it's amazing what they've

1325
01:37:01,280 --> 01:37:02,140
done over there.

1326
01:37:02,980 --> 01:37:06,800
Nuclear is pretty much, for the most part, carbon-free.

1327
01:37:07,180 --> 01:37:09,820
It utilizes nuclear energy.

1328
01:37:10,360 --> 01:37:16,100
My friend works there at the one in Monticello and it's very efficient.

1329
01:37:16,680 --> 01:37:24,080
Why have we not looked at doing that adjacent over here instead of 5,000 acres of, you

1330
01:37:24,080 --> 01:37:25,440
know, spread out over 40,000?

1331
01:37:25,440 --> 01:37:31,480
I mean I mean let me ask this so why is nuclear not been pursued so and it has

1332
01:37:31,480 --> 01:37:35,800
been pursued I mentioned that earlier so that we operate three nuclear units on

1333
01:37:35,800 --> 01:37:38,820
the Excel energy system in the upper Midwest we have two units in Red Wing

1334
01:37:38,820 --> 01:37:42,620
Minnesota and we have the one unit up in Monticello those plants have been

1335
01:37:42,620 --> 01:37:47,920
operating since the 1970s I believe and we have plans in place to keep them

1336
01:37:47,920 --> 01:37:52,140
operating like I said Monticello just received approval to operate to 2050

1337
01:37:52,140 --> 01:37:58,040
So reinvesting in those existing nuclear units has been incredibly important to us.

1338
01:37:58,500 --> 01:38:01,440
It's an important base load fuel source for us.

1339
01:38:01,480 --> 01:38:04,920
It keeps our rates really low for our customers, and it's very reliable.

1340
01:38:05,120 --> 01:38:06,820
So we support nuclear.

1341
01:38:07,120 --> 01:38:10,340
We're investing in our nuclear plants where they're an important part of our fleet.

1342
01:38:10,820 --> 01:38:17,060
And those plants, while they're located in Minnesota, provide electricity to our customers here in Wisconsin.

1343
01:38:17,060 --> 01:38:21,920
So that didn't really answer what I was asking.

1344
01:38:22,460 --> 01:38:27,260
I guess what I'm asking is if this board and local municipalities, past resolutions

1345
01:38:27,260 --> 01:38:32,700
and passed it on to our state representatives, asking them to work hand in hand with you

1346
01:38:32,700 --> 01:38:37,120
to provide the funding needed to build a nuclear facility rather than a large,

1347
01:38:37,140 --> 01:38:43,520
sprawled out solar facility, would you guys be willing to consider that again

1348
01:38:43,520 --> 01:38:48,100
and work with the legislature and our local municipalities to make that happen, because

1349
01:38:48,100 --> 01:38:56,240
I think we could lead the effort on that here with our residents and our neighbors from

1350
01:38:56,240 --> 01:38:56,740
this board.

1351
01:38:57,040 --> 01:38:57,700
I think so.

1352
01:38:57,780 --> 01:38:58,600
I know I speak from everyone.

1353
01:38:58,960 --> 01:39:03,220
There's 19 of us total, but I'm saying from my perspective, I think we could lead the

1354
01:39:03,220 --> 01:39:07,700
charge on that and get buy-in for that rather than this particular project being

1355
01:39:07,700 --> 01:39:10,200
sprawled out and only having a lifespan of 20 to 30 years.

1356
01:39:10,480 --> 01:39:11,360
What do you say to that?

1357
01:39:11,360 --> 01:39:15,940
Well, I would say I think nuclear is a really important part of the future of energy in our

1358
01:39:16,320 --> 01:39:16,680
country.

1359
01:39:17,200 --> 01:39:20,980
At Excel Energy, we've made nuclear a very important part of our portfolio in the upper

1360
01:39:20,980 --> 01:39:21,740
Midwest, too.

1361
01:39:22,120 --> 01:39:25,860
So expanding that in the future, not sure what that would look like, but we'd certainly

1362
01:39:25,860 --> 01:39:28,740
be able to any discussions that the board might want to have with state legislators

1363
01:39:28,740 --> 01:39:29,780
and others in the future.

1364
01:39:30,520 --> 01:39:30,820
Okay.

1365
01:39:30,980 --> 01:39:33,400
And then I think you've answered a couple of these other ones.

1366
01:39:33,500 --> 01:39:37,740
Let me just make sure I got Supervisor Rice.

1367
01:39:37,740 --> 01:39:38,920
nice job on the retirement.

1368
01:39:41,340 --> 01:39:44,280
Oh, on the retirement, I did have a follow-up question on that. Retirement

1369
01:39:44,280 --> 01:39:50,320
of the solar facility once it's done. So are there contingencies in place? Do you guys put

1370
01:39:50,320 --> 01:39:55,200
those anything in place like a bond or some sort of insurance? Like if Excel energy happens

1371
01:39:55,200 --> 01:40:01,440
to file bankruptcy or the landowners are default and now of the sudden who's responsible

1372
01:40:01,440 --> 01:40:06,600
for that? Is there a bond? Is there insurance policy or something that's in place? I believe

1373
01:40:06,600 --> 01:40:11,380
One of the supervisors in the admin committee brought that up a couple weeks ago, but can

1374
01:40:11,380 --> 01:40:12,260
you talk about that?

1375
01:40:12,680 --> 01:40:18,720
What the insurance process or what the insurance is for us to have that cleaned up once those

1376
01:40:18,720 --> 01:40:19,240
are retired?

1377
01:40:19,660 --> 01:40:20,140
Yeah.

1378
01:40:20,180 --> 01:40:24,060
I don't know the insurance process, but I can certainly follow up with you and see

1379
01:40:24,060 --> 01:40:24,900
what that looks like.

1380
01:40:25,080 --> 01:40:29,160
As indicated earlier, as part of our applications, the Public Service Commission includes what

1381
01:40:29,160 --> 01:40:32,680
happens with decommissioning and when it's not operating and how we work with

1382
01:40:32,680 --> 01:40:33,900
those landowners going forward.

1383
01:40:33,900 --> 01:40:37,860
So that's that's a critically important part of the process as well. I got one last question

1384
01:40:37,860 --> 01:40:41,700
I appreciate you indulging me mr. Chair on this and thank you Brian for indulging me as well

1385
01:40:41,700 --> 01:40:46,860
My last question is I have not heard of a single solar project

1386
01:40:47,580 --> 01:40:54,860
Anywhere in this country and maybe there are some where it is all completely private funded without any type of federal subsidy

1387
01:40:55,340 --> 01:40:59,220
For the at least the initial construction of it including private residents

1388
01:41:00,000 --> 01:41:00,480
businesses

1389
01:41:01,720 --> 01:41:07,260
What have you guys applied for or what will you apply for any federal subsidies once this

1390
01:41:07,260 --> 01:41:08,940
project is approved if it gets approved?

1391
01:41:09,140 --> 01:41:14,100
So we will take advantage of any tax advantages and subsidies that there are for the project.

1392
01:41:14,580 --> 01:41:19,540
Those cost reductions are then go back to our customers in the cost of a lower cost

1393
01:41:19,540 --> 01:41:20,080
project.

1394
01:41:21,500 --> 01:41:26,900
But as of right now, there's no grant application in or what does that look like?

1395
01:41:27,040 --> 01:41:28,220
No grant application in.

1396
01:41:28,220 --> 01:41:33,800
But once it is approved by the PSC, I'm under the assumption you will look for those subsidies.

1397
01:41:34,240 --> 01:41:38,420
Yeah, I'm not sure what tax benefits there might be out there at the time.

1398
01:41:38,520 --> 01:41:40,000
You know, we're talking well into the future.

1399
01:41:40,240 --> 01:41:45,420
But any of the tax advantages that are for projects like this flow back to lower cost for our customers

1400
01:41:45,420 --> 01:41:47,640
and then a lower cost project for our customers.

1401
01:41:47,860 --> 01:41:48,860
Okay, thanks, Brian.

1402
01:41:50,820 --> 01:41:52,940
Supervisor Leif, I believe you have a question.

1403
01:41:54,020 --> 01:41:55,980
I do, and I'm sorry for my voice.

1404
01:41:56,940 --> 01:42:03,920
I'm wondering if Heather could court counsel could give us some information about what what

1405
01:42:03,920 --> 01:42:10,520
realistically if anything the county can really do in this case I know there probably was an email

1406
01:42:10,520 --> 01:42:15,940
but I haven't gotten to it all but I wonder if she could just give us the what is what

1407
01:42:15,940 --> 01:42:21,380
really if anything the county can do regarding this project. Thank you.

1408
01:42:25,870 --> 01:42:27,450
I and with all due

1409
01:42:27,450 --> 01:42:31,930
respect Supervisor Leaf I think that's another discussion for another meeting.

1410
01:42:32,390 --> 01:42:37,390
It's not really on our agenda to discuss those types of ins and outs of what we

1411
01:42:37,390 --> 01:42:42,230
can or can't. Well I think okay I guess that's fair but I don't it's my

1412
01:42:42,230 --> 01:42:43,230
understanding there's not much.

1413
01:42:46,650 --> 01:42:50,870
Okay Supervisor Carlson.

1414
01:42:54,590 --> 01:42:56,290
Thank you. The biggest

1415
01:42:56,290 --> 01:43:01,010
complaint and worry about people I get from our constituents is the closeness

1416
01:43:01,010 --> 01:43:06,690
to residential areas and covering farmland. Have there been studies done

1417
01:43:06,690 --> 01:43:11,510
to see, because I know you want to stay close to Oak Park, but have there been

1418
01:43:11,510 --> 01:43:15,410
studies to see how much it would cost to put transmission lines and put it in

1419
01:43:15,410 --> 01:43:19,470
the area that's much more rural, because it certainly doesn't fit the

1420
01:43:19,470 --> 01:43:24,230
setting right next to houses. I was horrified when I saw one of

1421
01:43:24,230 --> 01:43:29,870
the pictures where they put yellow where all the solar panels were, and there was a road

1422
01:43:29,870 --> 01:43:34,490
going in, 10 houses, and it completely surrounded it, like forever.

1423
01:43:36,030 --> 01:43:40,650
So has there been a study done to see how much it would cost, and can we see that study

1424
01:43:40,650 --> 01:43:42,430
if it has been done so we know?

1425
01:43:42,730 --> 01:43:46,210
Yeah, I don't know if a particular study has been done.

1426
01:43:46,330 --> 01:43:49,710
I know studies have been done to determine what's the best use of that interconnection

1427
01:43:49,710 --> 01:43:53,790
site and how far you can be away from it to make it, obviously every mile you

1428
01:43:53,790 --> 01:43:58,730
move further away it's another mile of transmission line and obviously there's a cost that goes

1429
01:43:58,730 --> 01:43:59,610
up with that.

1430
01:44:00,450 --> 01:44:04,730
What I will share about the map and I think it's important to note, 60 days before we file

1431
01:44:04,730 --> 01:44:10,170
the application we do file the general area that the project be located and it will show

1432
01:44:10,170 --> 01:44:12,450
the map of that location as well.

1433
01:44:13,230 --> 01:44:15,690
And then when we file the application I have more detailed information.

1434
01:44:15,930 --> 01:44:19,970
So we are looking in a very large 30,000 to 40,000 acre area.

1435
01:44:19,970 --> 01:44:23,850
area. So I think some of the images that have been out there haven't been very detailed

1436
01:44:23,850 --> 01:44:31,310
enough. And I encourage the public and supervisors and elected officials to look at that map when

1437
01:44:31,310 --> 01:44:35,730
it comes out to see where we're proposing for those final arrays. Again, we're talking

1438
01:44:35,730 --> 01:44:40,650
to landowners in a very large area. Just for a little geography, I did my own little

1439
01:44:40,650 --> 01:44:44,910
AI search beforehand, St. Croix County, but just under 500,000 acres in size.

1440
01:44:44,910 --> 01:44:50,770
we're talking 5,000 acres so St. Croix County is a big area as well and so we're

1441
01:44:50,770 --> 01:44:57,550
and we're talking to landowners in about a 40,000 acre of that 500,000 acre area in St. Croix County.

1442
01:45:00,940 --> 01:45:02,420
Uh, Supervisor Coehr.

1443
01:45:06,260 --> 01:45:11,660
And I also would like to thank you for coming and walking through this

1444
01:45:11,660 --> 01:45:19,280
with us. Um, I have two questions for you. One that has been brought up by some is, uh,

1445
01:45:19,400 --> 01:45:26,740
the concern for bleeding of, uh, is there a potential for bleeding for PFAS or other contaminants

1446
01:45:26,740 --> 01:45:32,220
from the amount of array that's out there? Yeah, I appreciate the question. Environmental

1447
01:45:32,220 --> 01:45:36,420
environmental concerns are one of the key things that the Department of Natural Resources

1448
01:45:36,420 --> 01:45:38,340
will look at for any of the solar arrays.

1449
01:45:38,620 --> 01:45:43,860
So that's part of their process to look at what types of environmental impacts there are

1450
01:45:43,860 --> 01:45:48,060
from not only the land use, but the type of project that you're proposing, the type

1451
01:45:48,060 --> 01:45:51,140
of materials that you're proposing, where you're getting them from as well.

1452
01:45:51,240 --> 01:45:54,040
So those will all be a part of that study process.

1453
01:45:54,920 --> 01:45:59,340
And I'm confident that the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and other state agencies

1454
01:45:59,340 --> 01:46:02,520
will look at that to ensure that anything that's approved is safe for the community.

1455
01:46:03,600 --> 01:46:06,720
Thank you for that. Then my second question is,

1456
01:46:11,950 --> 01:46:18,330
does Excel Energy then, do they have any provisions in the contract to be able to

1457
01:46:18,330 --> 01:46:25,470
sell the solar farm to investors? This solar array will be owned by

1458
01:46:28,430 --> 01:46:35,050
We're based out of Eau Claire, my office is in Eau Claire, so that's the operating company that will own this.

1459
01:46:36,230 --> 01:46:41,530
We've been operating there since 1924, which is celebrated 100th anniversary in Eau Claire.

1460
01:46:42,450 --> 01:46:45,790
I don't anticipate that changing in the future.

1461
01:46:46,470 --> 01:46:49,890
So, Excel Energy is the owner, will be the owner and the operator of this plant.

1462
01:46:50,470 --> 01:46:54,130
Okay, so that would be for the entire life of the contract.

1463
01:46:54,310 --> 01:46:54,590
Correct.

1464
01:46:54,590 --> 01:47:01,630
They would have ownership and the contracts themselves are provided that way that Excel

1465
01:47:01,630 --> 01:47:03,030
will continue ownership.

1466
01:47:03,270 --> 01:47:04,310
So I think the question is going to add.

1467
01:47:04,390 --> 01:47:06,770
So some solar arrays are built by third parties, right?

1468
01:47:06,850 --> 01:47:11,210
They might not be a public utility that's building it, and then the ownership of that

1469
01:47:11,210 --> 01:47:14,110
solar array can transfer from owner to owner.

1470
01:47:14,570 --> 01:47:19,630
This is actually being owned by the public utility and it's being used to provide electric

1471
01:47:19,630 --> 01:47:20,770
service to our customers.

1472
01:47:21,930 --> 01:47:22,170
Okay.

1473
01:47:22,490 --> 01:47:22,910
Thank you.

1474
01:47:24,650 --> 01:47:27,470
Supervisor Shirley, a couple other questions for you.

1475
01:47:28,510 --> 01:47:32,550
Do you have an estimated total project, proposed project cost?

1476
01:47:33,230 --> 01:47:33,650
We don't.

1477
01:47:33,770 --> 01:47:34,570
We will when we file.

1478
01:47:34,990 --> 01:47:37,810
So we'll have all that information, the detailed application.

1479
01:47:38,630 --> 01:47:42,450
As we indicated earlier, we're really at the front end of this process, right?

1480
01:47:42,890 --> 01:47:45,190
I keep telling you, we're kind of like at 1B now.

1481
01:47:45,570 --> 01:47:49,710
I think before we were at 1A, we transferred into 2025, we're kind of at 1B now.

1482
01:47:49,710 --> 01:47:55,530
We have a lot of work to do before we file that application including all the financial analyses that will go into that

1483
01:47:55,530 --> 01:47:59,930
So we will have a total project cost when we file it with the public service commission

1484
01:47:59,930 --> 01:48:03,590
Obviously cost is one thing that the public service commission will look at

1485
01:48:04,170 --> 01:48:07,390
Along with all the other considerations that they get for projects like this

1486
01:48:09,260 --> 01:48:11,520
And I know what you said earlier in

1487
01:48:12,080 --> 01:48:18,460
presentation that your your initial application is for the 350 correct and then you'll do a later

1488
01:48:18,460 --> 01:48:26,700
submission. Does that first submission include a future proposed up to 650 so

1489
01:48:26,700 --> 01:48:32,020
the public service knows that you're going to grow this or is it just 350 and

1490
01:48:32,820 --> 01:48:38,340
then when you go for more they could say yes or no. There'll be two different

1491
01:48:38,340 --> 01:48:43,000
there'll be multiple applications perhaps right. The work that we're

1492
01:48:43,000 --> 01:48:47,540
doing with landowners right now is to secure those lease agreements for the

1493
01:48:47,540 --> 01:48:52,940
entire full project, that 5,000 acres. So what that looks like in the future, you know,

1494
01:48:52,960 --> 01:48:57,080
I guess I don't have information on, but it could be multiple applications for different

1495
01:48:57,080 --> 01:49:00,680
sizes of the project. You asked a question about batteries, too. Certainly that's something

1496
01:49:00,680 --> 01:49:04,340
that can be incorporated for future phases of the project. We don't have that for the

1497
01:49:04,340 --> 01:49:08,100
first phase of the project, but that's certainly something that can be evaluated going forward.

1498
01:49:08,440 --> 01:49:13,680
And one quick last thing. In a previous meeting that the two of us were at, you said that

1499
01:49:13,680 --> 01:49:21,840
that there were no new energy plants other than solar that were in the – any proposed

1500
01:49:21,840 --> 01:49:30,340
in this area. Do you think that that is a sustainable thing to do in the future?

1501
01:49:30,920 --> 01:49:35,560
So when we look at providing service to our customers, we look at all those energy sources

1502
01:49:35,560 --> 01:49:39,480
we talked about before. We're investing in our nuclear plants. They might not be

1503
01:49:39,480 --> 01:49:42,940
located here, but they're serving our customers here. Our customers here, everyone

1504
01:49:42,940 --> 01:49:47,300
in this room if you're an Excel customer is paying for those nuclear plants, our hydroelectric

1505
01:49:47,300 --> 01:49:51,660
plants, the 19 hydroelectric plants, we're investing in those to make sure that not only

1506
01:49:51,660 --> 01:49:55,920
they've been operating since 1901, but that they can operate for well into the future. So

1507
01:49:55,920 --> 01:50:00,520
when we look at all of our energy sources, it's important to look at them as a system and not

1508
01:50:00,520 --> 01:50:05,600
as individual pieces. St. Croix County, as I indicated, we've got two hydroelectric plants

1509
01:50:05,600 --> 01:50:10,300
here. They've been operating for a long time. We're proposing solar, there's other solar

1510
01:50:10,300 --> 01:50:16,600
projects being proposed in the area as well. This area doesn't lend itself for us, for

1511
01:50:16,600 --> 01:50:21,660
wind resources, so for Excel Energy, because we serve Western Minnesota and the Dakotas.

1512
01:50:21,700 --> 01:50:26,060
That's a much better wind resource for us, and that's why when we site wind generation,

1513
01:50:26,260 --> 01:50:30,600
we look to site it in areas that we serve in Western Minnesota and the Dakotas. When

1514
01:50:30,600 --> 01:50:34,220
we upgrade our hydroelectric plants, that's right here in Wisconsin. We've got 19 hydroelectric

1515
01:50:34,220 --> 01:50:37,880
plants, and we do that right here. When we invest in our biomass plant up in

1516
01:50:37,880 --> 01:50:41,540
Ashland, that's because there's a huge logging resource up in Ashland with the wood products

1517
01:50:41,540 --> 01:50:42,020
industry.

1518
01:50:42,360 --> 01:50:47,560
It's a great plant for rut and provides about a $5 million economic impact in Ashland in

1519
01:50:47,560 --> 01:50:47,920
that region.

1520
01:50:48,180 --> 01:50:52,720
So when we look at energy sources, it's important to look at it as a system for us.

1521
01:50:53,160 --> 01:50:55,640
And that's why we're proposing this one here.

1522
01:50:56,060 --> 01:50:59,820
But it's difficult to kind of compare and contrast when you look at just one area.

1523
01:51:02,880 --> 01:51:03,320
Okay.

1524
01:51:03,720 --> 01:51:04,280
Thank you, Brian.

1525
01:51:04,420 --> 01:51:06,060
I have one final question for you.

1526
01:51:06,560 --> 01:51:07,380
One more here.

1527
01:51:07,500 --> 01:51:08,000
One more?

1528
01:51:08,000 --> 01:51:13,440
Okay, let me throw this out for you, and then I'll turn it over to Supervisor Rotino.

1529
01:51:14,320 --> 01:51:22,960
I'm aware of this possible agreement called Joint Development Agreements, and that would

1530
01:51:22,960 --> 01:51:26,880
be agreements between Excel and counties or municipalities.

1531
01:51:28,520 --> 01:51:34,200
Addressing a lot of the concerns that a lot have been voiced here tonight, is Excel

1532
01:51:34,200 --> 01:51:41,180
going to be interested or agreeable to possibly get into those types of agreements?

1533
01:51:41,820 --> 01:51:45,800
I think we're always open to having those discussions with our elected officials and

1534
01:51:45,800 --> 01:51:46,300
the community.

1535
01:51:47,340 --> 01:51:51,860
I would say as we move forward, being engaged and involved in that public service commission

1536
01:51:51,860 --> 01:51:53,380
process is really critical.

1537
01:51:55,730 --> 01:51:56,610
Supervisor Rotino.

1538
01:51:58,310 --> 01:51:59,450
Thank you, Mr. Chair.

1539
01:51:59,450 --> 01:52:06,510
here. Something struck me about this, since it's such a large piece of property, there

1540
01:52:06,510 --> 01:52:13,290
has to be an environmental impact. But it sounds like this has all been, it's a done

1541
01:52:13,290 --> 01:52:17,710
deal and you guys are just going to push this through. I have a real problem with the new

1542
01:52:17,710 --> 01:52:24,790
green deal that's going on in the administration and we don't have any say of it. We have

1543
01:52:24,790 --> 01:52:32,550
three guys in Madison, determining the future of that piece of property in this very heart

1544
01:52:32,550 --> 01:52:42,850
of our county. And they're 275 miles away. I just, this is, we have no say. I would like

1545
01:52:42,850 --> 01:52:51,430
to see that the county has a voice in that decision because it, right now we're being

1546
01:52:51,430 --> 01:52:52,090
railroaded.

1547
01:52:54,730 --> 01:53:02,690
I would appreciate if you could see if we could get some local representation in some

1548
01:53:02,690 --> 01:53:03,750
of the decision-making.

1549
01:53:05,280 --> 01:53:11,150
So to answer your question about environmental impact statements, so as we noted earlier,

1550
01:53:11,390 --> 01:53:16,230
the Public Service Commission process is very thorough, includes a review from the Wisconsin

1551
01:53:16,230 --> 01:53:20,370
Department of National Resources, so there is a very detailed environmental analysis

1552
01:53:20,370 --> 01:53:21,810
that's done on projects like this.

1553
01:53:22,950 --> 01:53:23,670
Thank you.

1554
01:53:24,990 --> 01:53:26,370
Any other final questions?

1555
01:53:28,330 --> 01:53:30,190
Okay, Brian, thank you very much.

1556
01:53:30,710 --> 01:53:30,810
Thank you, Chairman.

1557
01:53:30,830 --> 01:53:33,130
Our intent is not to be confrontational.

1558
01:53:33,230 --> 01:53:33,550
Not at all.

1559
01:53:33,750 --> 01:53:35,010
Appreciate your time.

1560
01:53:35,350 --> 01:53:37,230
But we appreciate your presentation.

1561
01:53:37,710 --> 01:53:38,670
We appreciate the information.

1562
01:53:39,670 --> 01:53:44,170
At this point, we're going to take a real quick eight-minute break.

1563
01:53:44,530 --> 01:53:46,670
We'll come back at 7.10, please.

1564
01:54:00,540 --> 01:54:00,720
Of course.

1565
01:54:00,980 --> 01:54:01,200
Okay.

1566
01:54:01,200 --> 01:54:04,700
We're going to have a slight change in the agenda.

1567
01:54:05,960 --> 01:54:13,380
Our cast of presentation from Sean Kinsella is going to wait, hold off until the annual

1568
01:54:13,380 --> 01:54:14,360
department reports.

1569
01:54:14,600 --> 01:54:20,960
Thank you very much, Sean, for your consideration so that we can move on to our county administrators

1570
01:54:20,960 --> 01:54:25,300
report and our business items so we can move ahead with those.

1571
01:54:28,180 --> 01:54:30,440
So county administrator, you are on.

1572
01:54:31,780 --> 01:54:36,620
all right thank you the financial report is in your packet the financials

1573
01:54:36,620 --> 01:54:41,280
are through the month of November I have looked at preliminary year and

1574
01:54:41,280 --> 01:54:44,700
there's a lot of entries that we book back through the first quarter back into

1575
01:54:44,700 --> 01:54:48,480
the prior year really from a financial standpoint it looks very much like all

1576
01:54:48,480 --> 01:54:52,880
the other years which is a good thing because St. Croix County does very well

1577
01:54:54,540 --> 01:54:58,820
sales sales tax were above what we had budgeted for the year so that's

1578
01:54:58,820 --> 01:55:00,960
where our cushion is and I think that'll be fine.

1579
01:55:01,680 --> 01:55:03,280
And then the other update that I had

1580
01:55:03,280 --> 01:55:04,960
was the Department of Corrections.

1581
01:55:05,280 --> 01:55:07,420
We did get the final approval on that.

1582
01:55:07,600 --> 01:55:09,220
So that lease is a done deal

1583
01:55:09,900 --> 01:55:11,980
and the probation and parole offices

1584
01:55:11,980 --> 01:55:13,540
will be moving into our building in July.

1585
01:55:15,880 --> 01:55:16,400
So

1586
01:55:18,480 --> 01:55:20,440
any other questions about anything

1587
01:55:20,440 --> 01:55:21,940
in the financial report?

1588
01:55:22,280 --> 01:55:24,420
Any questions for our County Administrator?

1589
01:55:26,970 --> 01:55:27,990
All right, seeing none,

1590
01:55:28,150 --> 01:55:30,310
we're gonna move on to our first business item,

1591
01:55:30,310 --> 01:55:33,610
which is an ordinance to repeal and recreate Chapter 11

1592
01:55:33,610 --> 01:55:35,810
and the St. Croix County Code of Ordinances.

1593
01:55:36,510 --> 01:55:38,910
Can we start out with a motion, please?

1594
01:55:40,290 --> 01:55:41,170
Supervisor Anderson.

1595
01:55:41,990 --> 01:55:45,850
I move to, what's the language?

1596
01:55:46,270 --> 01:55:48,210
Repeal and recreate Chapter 11,

1597
01:55:48,350 --> 01:55:50,490
we store its facilities in the St. Croix County

1598
01:55:50,490 --> 01:55:51,270
Court of Ordinances.

1599
01:55:52,130 --> 01:55:55,070
Yeah, the motion is to approve the resolution.

1600
01:55:55,290 --> 01:55:56,010
Do we have a second?

1601
01:55:58,200 --> 01:55:59,040
Supervisor Rice.

1602
01:55:59,520 --> 01:55:59,740
Yes.

1603
01:56:01,040 --> 01:56:07,100
Okay, who would like to give us a nice explanation of this resolution and

1604
01:56:08,340 --> 01:56:13,840
Supervisor Anderson? Yeah, so this is to kind of modernize and update our

1605
01:56:13,840 --> 01:56:18,280
chapter 11 we storage facilities ordinance came about with some projects

1606
01:56:18,280 --> 01:56:23,140
that were proposed in some industrial large-scale projects that were

1607
01:56:23,140 --> 01:56:27,320
proposed in the county. I would rather get ahead of it than try to play

1608
01:56:27,320 --> 01:56:35,300
catch-up. We had multiple discussions on this at one in a regular committee

1609
01:56:35,300 --> 01:56:39,820
meeting. We had a special open house with stakeholders of all kinds, farmers and

1610
01:56:39,820 --> 01:56:48,220
residents of the county to go through it and then passed it at our most recent

1611
01:56:48,220 --> 01:56:55,740
committee meeting. It's went over repeatedly with a lot of comment and I

1612
01:56:55,740 --> 01:56:59,480
I think we have a pretty good ordinance.

1613
01:57:03,240 --> 01:57:04,120
Supervisor Shirley.

1614
01:57:06,590 --> 01:57:11,150
Yeah, I will concur that we had a lot of public comment.

1615
01:57:11,690 --> 01:57:17,970
We did a lot of work to recreate this ordinance

1616
01:57:17,970 --> 01:57:19,950
and put a lot of time into this.

1617
01:57:20,250 --> 01:57:22,550
So there are two items.

1618
01:57:23,150 --> 01:57:27,610
And I think I had planned to bring an amendment to this

1619
01:57:27,610 --> 01:57:28,290
motion.

1620
01:57:28,290 --> 01:57:37,770
I think you heard about them earlier, but if we look at my amendment would be for 11.2

1621
01:57:37,770 --> 01:57:45,870
number three, we will strike the remaining paragraph after fields in an NMP plan.

1622
01:57:48,940 --> 01:57:53,080
So three A in

1623
01:57:56,480 --> 01:57:58,780
the A section at the what you have highlighted there.

1624
01:57:58,780 --> 01:58:09,680
So after that strike-through of every four years, that fields from there on strike the rest of that.

1625
01:58:12,270 --> 01:58:22,390
So that will – the public comment you heard earlier with fields in multiple NMP plans that would take care of that issue.

1626
01:58:23,310 --> 01:58:27,710
I think that there – you heard public comment earlier about that.

1627
01:58:27,710 --> 01:58:31,850
But I can't explain it any better than they did earlier, so good job with that.

1628
01:58:32,800 --> 01:58:42,670
Our second item for the amendment would be 11.3 in Permits and Applications, letter D 2.3.

1629
01:58:43,490 --> 01:58:52,150
So we would omit the rest of the sentence that says and include the SNAP plus database.

1630
01:58:52,150 --> 01:58:53,270
So

1631
01:58:59,640 --> 01:59:01,640
it's 11.3d

1632
01:59:09,580 --> 01:59:17,760
to two point, it's an operation permit, so I think it's down further.

1633
01:59:21,660 --> 01:59:22,440
There we go.

1634
01:59:23,320 --> 01:59:24,540
And then number three.

1635
01:59:26,840 --> 01:59:31,640
And that last part of the sentence there, the and includes snap data plus database.

1636
01:59:32,020 --> 01:59:32,740
Let's strike that.

1637
01:59:38,850 --> 01:59:45,610
Keep in the files submitted electronically and then omit the and include the snap data plus database.

1638
01:59:47,010 --> 01:59:48,630
Yes, just like that.

1639
01:59:52,960 --> 01:59:54,880
So there's two amendments being proposed.

1640
01:59:55,100 --> 01:59:55,980
We do need a second.

1641
01:59:57,240 --> 01:59:57,880
Second.

1642
02:00:00,000 --> 02:00:02,740
Sorry, who is that? Oh, Surveysel Lynn, second.

1643
02:00:05,850 --> 02:00:09,750
And could we clarify just quickly to make sure

1644
02:00:09,750 --> 02:00:16,770
that we everybody knows what we're doing? Or what the proposed amendments are?

1645
02:00:19,140 --> 02:00:25,020
Yeah, so it's the words that you see highlighted on the screen striking those words from this

1646
02:00:25,020 --> 02:00:25,380
section.

1647
02:00:30,520 --> 02:00:33,680
Do you have a question specific to this one before I go back to the other one?

1648
02:00:33,680 --> 02:00:42,360
I do. I do. And my question maybe can be directed to Supervisor Shirley. So can you explain to me,

1649
02:00:42,480 --> 02:00:51,060
since I've been deep in this, the SNAP plus database, tell me the why, what changes in this by

1650
02:00:51,060 --> 02:00:58,400
eliminating those words that are highlighted? Supervisor Shirley. So by eliminating the

1651
02:00:58,400 --> 02:01:07,680
database, you heard someone say earlier in public comment, the database is their proprietary

1652
02:01:07,680 --> 02:01:13,820
information that's their company plan for the next, however long the NMP plan is.

1653
02:01:14,420 --> 02:01:16,660
So if we, six years, six-year plan.

1654
02:01:17,600 --> 02:01:25,520
So having all that database that is provided in a format that could be manipulated when

1655
02:01:25,520 --> 02:01:29,500
And they pay for somebody to create that plan and submit it.

1656
02:01:30,160 --> 02:01:34,480
We've heard from, for the people that are not in Community Development Committee, we

1657
02:01:34,480 --> 02:01:41,760
heard from some of our farmers that have said that if this is required, that that database

1658
02:01:41,760 --> 02:01:47,960
is required, then the people that they pay to create their nutrient management plan

1659
02:01:47,960 --> 02:01:53,080
would charge them a significant amount, more money to submit the database as well.

1660
02:01:57,600 --> 02:01:59,080
Go ahead, Supervisor Rice.

1661
02:01:59,340 --> 02:02:04,700
So what I'm trying to understand here, because we have several people here who have commented

1662
02:02:04,700 --> 02:02:11,800
on seeing the connection to this manure storage ordinance and their desire to have clean water.

1663
02:02:12,760 --> 02:02:18,160
And my understanding with the SNAP Plus database is that while county staff could look at

1664
02:02:18,160 --> 02:02:22,120
it, I mean think about all the departments we have here that have access to confidential

1665
02:02:22,120 --> 02:02:24,120
information and it does not come out.

1666
02:02:25,000 --> 02:02:26,340
It does not leak out.

1667
02:02:26,340 --> 02:02:33,100
So, this concern is being expressed by those in the dairy business that somehow their proprietary

1668
02:02:33,100 --> 02:02:37,740
information will somehow be manipulated and shared and used and that that's going to cause

1669
02:02:37,740 --> 02:02:39,220
some hesitation on landowners.

1670
02:02:40,160 --> 02:02:42,140
I frankly just don't buy it.

1671
02:02:43,520 --> 02:02:50,260
It is, I think, an over-response to a small ask to ask for that elimination.

1672
02:02:50,260 --> 02:02:57,320
So my concern is we've worked really hard on this overall chapter.

1673
02:02:57,900 --> 02:03:03,100
I don't know that we'll ever come to 100% agreement between those that are arguing

1674
02:03:03,100 --> 02:03:10,380
to continue to support our dairy business in their desires and those who want clean water.

1675
02:03:10,820 --> 02:03:11,960
We've worked pretty hard on this.

1676
02:03:12,400 --> 02:03:16,240
And we have a good chapter right now.

1677
02:03:17,700 --> 02:03:23,960
Primarily, what all of this does is it stops manure from being transported into the county.

1678
02:03:24,360 --> 02:03:26,000
That's from my vantage point.

1679
02:03:26,160 --> 02:03:30,580
A lot of this is detail, but that's what we're stopping to do, but with this chapter.

1680
02:03:31,440 --> 02:03:38,580
So if we open up this fox and we vote for these amendments, I would say we should go

1681
02:03:38,580 --> 02:03:43,800
back to committee and tweak a few other things that could be clean water protections.

1682
02:03:43,800 --> 02:03:45,580
So that's my view.

1683
02:03:46,440 --> 02:03:49,080
I see Supervisor Leif has her hand up.

1684
02:03:49,200 --> 02:03:56,840
I would like to invite our Community Development Director to address both of these amendments

1685
02:03:56,840 --> 02:03:59,660
to get a little better background if I could.

1686
02:04:01,100 --> 02:04:03,200
Thank you, Mr. Chair and members of the board.

1687
02:04:03,960 --> 02:04:09,300
So to fill in the board members in that that haven't been through the Community Development Committee meetings

1688
02:04:09,300 --> 02:04:13,020
in regards to the database and what that is.

1689
02:04:13,020 --> 02:04:19,440
So currently our staff are getting a large array of different nutrient management plan

1690
02:04:19,440 --> 02:04:19,960
formats.

1691
02:04:20,260 --> 02:04:22,120
Basically everybody does them a little bit different.

1692
02:04:22,780 --> 02:04:31,140
The SNAP Plus program is the state approved program by DATCAP and that for the nutrient

1693
02:04:31,140 --> 02:04:32,640
management planning process.

1694
02:04:33,380 --> 02:04:39,660
And so what the database does is instead of having a checklist on each field it's

1695
02:04:39,660 --> 02:04:42,740
more of an Excel spreadsheet where you can see all the fields

1696
02:04:42,740 --> 02:04:45,420
in that nutrient management plan at a glance.

1697
02:04:46,080 --> 02:04:49,820
It also allows us to get accurate sediment

1698
02:04:49,820 --> 02:04:53,020
and phosphorus losses over those fields

1699
02:04:53,020 --> 02:04:54,700
and that over many years.

1700
02:04:54,860 --> 02:04:58,380
Whereas the checklist just takes an average loss

1701
02:04:59,060 --> 02:05:03,500
of the sediment and phosphorus based on their crop

1702
02:05:04,320 --> 02:05:07,740
and what they've been growing year after year.

1703
02:05:07,740 --> 02:05:15,420
So that crop adjustment in that can make it off and with our county land and water

1704
02:05:15,420 --> 02:05:22,900
dollars that we've done in 2024 we did roughly $400,000 and that can help us

1705
02:05:22,900 --> 02:05:29,880
identify areas or fields that maybe have high phosphorus loss, high you know

1706
02:05:29,880 --> 02:05:34,140
erosion and that to take and do more best management practices on the

1707
02:05:34,140 --> 02:05:37,680
landscape and that will be in that database as it will kind of highlight

1708
02:05:37,680 --> 02:05:45,340
those outliers that are not necessarily the best fields that we want and also in

1709
02:05:45,340 --> 02:05:49,440
that but it what it does show is it does show the calculations that the

1710
02:05:49,440 --> 02:05:53,980
agronomist or whoever is putting together the plan is using for the

1711
02:05:53,980 --> 02:05:58,940
manure application so usually you're able to take and select it's the first

1712
02:05:58,940 --> 02:06:02,060
year that they've applied manure the second year the third year that

1713
02:06:02,060 --> 02:06:03,360
they've applied on those fields.

1714
02:06:04,280 --> 02:06:07,320
And from what staff have seen is all of the time

1715
02:06:07,320 --> 02:06:09,360
the agronomist picked the first year

1716
02:06:09,360 --> 02:06:11,980
because then everything works out and it's approved.

1717
02:06:12,400 --> 02:06:15,860
And that in the checklist and in the SNAP program

1718
02:06:15,860 --> 02:06:18,040
whereas reality it maybe has seen

1719
02:06:18,040 --> 02:06:19,960
minor applications many times.

1720
02:06:20,240 --> 02:06:23,960
And so that helps us to take and get accurate information

1721
02:06:24,460 --> 02:06:26,040
because otherwise in this program

1722
02:06:26,040 --> 02:06:29,720
you can tweak the information and that to make it fit

1723
02:06:30,240 --> 02:06:31,600
and have it checked.

1724
02:06:31,600 --> 02:06:39,160
And I will say that this isn't a green it's go red it stops and that because a lot of these fields may be

1725
02:06:39,160 --> 02:06:42,240
excessively high in one area already

1726
02:06:42,240 --> 02:06:48,800
And so it's really a tool to try to allow our staff to be able to work with the property owners and the producers to bring

1727
02:06:48,800 --> 02:06:50,900
Them closer and that to a check

1728
02:06:51,520 --> 02:06:52,960
point so

1729
02:06:52,960 --> 02:06:54,700
That's that change

1730
02:06:55,360 --> 02:06:58,980
The other change is in regards to

1731
02:07:00,260 --> 02:07:04,560
the field in two different nutrient management plans at the same time.

1732
02:07:05,040 --> 02:07:10,220
With farmland preservation, the property owner maybe is submitting the nutrient management

1733
02:07:10,220 --> 02:07:15,360
plan to get a tax credit, and the producer was submitting the same plan.

1734
02:07:16,120 --> 02:07:22,700
The proposed text said that each one of those plans would then match because really

1735
02:07:22,700 --> 02:07:26,880
our application should be exactly the same because the property owner is renting out

1736
02:07:26,880 --> 02:07:33,820
that property to the producer. The public comment that we heard brought up the farmland preservation

1737
02:07:34,450 --> 02:07:41,020
it also brought up economical concerns and that for transporting the waste and that's generally one

1738
02:07:41,020 --> 02:07:46,660
of the main issues why we see fields getting excessively high in phosphorus is because it

1739
02:07:46,660 --> 02:07:53,320
costs a lot to take and move the manure or there's implications with doing a drag line

1740
02:07:53,320 --> 02:07:59,720
and then the crop change and that which and that they're constantly amending

1741
02:07:59,720 --> 02:08:04,700
the NMPs every year for what the crop actually gets. So let's say we get a

1742
02:08:04,700 --> 02:08:10,140
really wet year and we were going to take and plant corn on those acres and

1743
02:08:10,140 --> 02:08:13,900
that but we couldn't get in there in time to plant corn so that the farmer

1744
02:08:13,900 --> 02:08:17,560
had to switch it to beans they can amend that plant at the end of the

1745
02:08:17,560 --> 02:08:24,220
year and that so that it reflects actual T-WAS over the years. That's the summary

1746
02:08:24,220 --> 02:08:29,240
of the changes. They're really policy changes. Our staff can move forward either

1747
02:08:29,240 --> 02:08:33,060
way but that's the reason why the proposed draft was written the way it was.

1748
02:08:36,070 --> 02:08:37,830
Other discussion. Supervisor Lin.

1749
02:08:39,900 --> 02:08:42,740
I think one of the... Sorry. No, I'm sorry. I

1750
02:08:42,740 --> 02:08:47,920
needed to let Supervisor Lee go first. I'm sorry. I apologize. It's okay. Sorry,

1751
02:08:47,920 --> 02:08:55,000
Lisa. I had a question because there was somebody in public comment that said that even if this

1752
02:08:55,000 --> 02:09:01,940
is passed that it would be outdated and I don't understand what that meant and is what that means

1753
02:09:01,940 --> 02:09:10,660
and if it's related to the cloud or what can you shed light on that Jason? Yeah so the state is

1754
02:09:10,660 --> 02:09:19,400
working through switching SNAP plus this approved software to a cloud-based platform in the next

1755
02:09:19,400 --> 02:09:26,340
year or two. And then we did amend on that the ordinance to say the state approved system or an

1756
02:09:26,340 --> 02:09:32,720
approved system by county staff, I believe. So that would be covered in that if that change

1757
02:09:33,700 --> 02:09:36,180
caused any heartache or hardship.

1758
02:09:42,530 --> 02:09:50,090
I think another one of the concerns that's even bigger with the SNAP Plus is the fact

1759
02:09:50,090 --> 02:09:57,490
that the program is editable and that there's no secure way for them to send in their six

1760
02:09:57,490 --> 02:09:58,410
year business plan.

1761
02:09:58,890 --> 02:10:06,030
It becomes part of a file that people can request and there's ways to manipulate it

1762
02:10:06,030 --> 02:10:10,110
and I think that the farmers want their property

1763
02:10:11,030 --> 02:10:17,230
that they submit protected from the ability to edit it.

1764
02:10:21,100 --> 02:10:22,080
Is there a way to lock it?

1765
02:10:24,120 --> 02:10:25,360
Not that I'm aware of.

1766
02:10:26,220 --> 02:10:29,080
So, and I believe that our staff actually wants

1767
02:10:29,080 --> 02:10:30,440
to be able to get that information

1768
02:10:30,440 --> 02:10:34,340
and be able to use it for calculating our phosphorus

1769
02:10:34,340 --> 02:10:38,220
loss for the St. Croix TMDL.

1770
02:10:38,220 --> 02:10:42,860
And so we want to be able to use that information and help the producers.

1771
02:10:43,380 --> 02:10:50,300
So we're actually considering doing some training for nutrient management planning and how that can be done.

1772
02:10:51,140 --> 02:10:54,040
But that will be something that will be coming after this ordinance.

1773
02:10:54,900 --> 02:11:01,240
Or a subline thrown in that then becomes part of an editable place,

1774
02:11:01,240 --> 02:11:07,120
but that the program itself is not violated the plan.

1775
02:11:08,460 --> 02:11:11,140
Correct. And so that's where we're kind of on that line.

1776
02:11:11,280 --> 02:11:14,200
We're not saying that it's got to be approved by SNAP Plus either.

1777
02:11:14,700 --> 02:11:16,720
We just don't want to check all the boxes.

1778
02:11:16,980 --> 02:11:21,140
We're really trying to consider the water quality impacts of that

1779
02:11:21,140 --> 02:11:22,860
that may be from a field that's high.

1780
02:11:22,940 --> 02:11:25,060
Like I said, it's not a green or a red

1781
02:11:25,060 --> 02:11:28,120
and that we're going to have fields that are excessively high

1782
02:11:28,120 --> 02:11:35,420
that have had bad BMP practices over the last, you know, 10, 20, 30 years, and so can we

1783
02:11:35,420 --> 02:11:40,320
help them in that when funding becomes available to help them cost share some projects and

1784
02:11:40,320 --> 02:11:46,160
that and a checklist doesn't give us that information that we need and that in order

1785
02:11:46,160 --> 02:11:50,040
to be able to help them with T-WAS or the soil loss on the field.

1786
02:11:55,380 --> 02:12:02,760
So there's a fundamental that's that I'm seeing here that I don't think we're covering it's not it

1787
02:12:02,760 --> 02:12:08,680
I think we're getting into the weeds and the fundamental is that it's it's kind of a matter of

1788
02:12:08,680 --> 02:12:15,240
respect that the people who are the business people that have this proprietary property this

1789
02:12:15,240 --> 02:12:18,880
intellectual property have asked that they don't want to turn it over.

1790
02:12:20,120 --> 02:12:26,280
And I think the next and appropriate question is, would be, is there a way that we can

1791
02:12:27,020 --> 02:12:32,980
cooperate to get the information we would like to get to calculate TMDLs in a manner

1792
02:12:32,980 --> 02:12:40,960
that you find more palatable and not do it hamhandedly?

1793
02:12:40,960 --> 02:12:49,940
That would be my preference that we make the – we pass this amendment that we honor and

1794
02:12:49,940 --> 02:12:53,880
respect the people who run the largest industry in the county.

1795
02:12:54,580 --> 02:12:58,440
And then we ask them, would you please help us collect the data?

1796
02:12:58,860 --> 02:13:03,400
They're going to submit their report electronically, presumably a PDF.

1797
02:13:04,280 --> 02:13:07,460
We're going to get data on how they're spreading the manure in the fields.

1798
02:13:10,100 --> 02:13:14,740
Presumably, it's going to be an improvement from what we've been doing for the last period

1799
02:13:14,740 --> 02:13:15,140
of time.

1800
02:13:16,200 --> 02:13:23,460
And then we can say, Steve and Steve and everybody else, what can we do to improve?

1801
02:13:23,660 --> 02:13:27,380
Because we would like to find a better way of doing it than what we just passed.

1802
02:13:27,500 --> 02:13:28,480
And would you help us?

1803
02:13:28,880 --> 02:13:34,500
And I have a feeling that they probably would, because I respect these guys and I know

1804
02:13:34,500 --> 02:13:37,520
that they have their best interest to the community of mine.

1805
02:13:38,060 --> 02:13:40,580
So I say, please, let's pass this and move on.

1806
02:13:50,200 --> 02:13:50,640
Carlson.

1807
02:13:53,360 --> 02:13:53,980
Thank you much.

1808
02:13:55,260 --> 02:13:57,400
I heard you say a couple of times that you wanted to snap

1809
02:13:57,400 --> 02:13:58,360
to plus data.

1810
02:13:59,840 --> 02:14:05,440
Then you said you can help or teach the farmers

1811
02:14:05,440 --> 02:14:07,580
and help them in the future with it.

1812
02:14:08,020 --> 02:14:09,560
Are they asking for that help?

1813
02:14:11,600 --> 02:14:19,900
can they get it otherwise? Also, in a letter that they sent to all of us, they say requiring

1814
02:14:19,900 --> 02:14:24,740
submission of this data not only mandates the use of specific software but transforms

1815
02:14:24,740 --> 02:14:29,540
otherwise confidential information in the public records, this would inadvertently expose

1816
02:14:29,540 --> 02:14:36,360
sensitive information to reputational consequences, competition for resources, and misinterpretation

1817
02:14:36,360 --> 02:14:37,240
by third parties.

1818
02:14:37,740 --> 02:14:43,740
So in other words, they're worried about their business plans and their profits because people

1819
02:14:43,740 --> 02:14:47,100
might be able to compete against them better if they knew what their business plans.

1820
02:14:48,000 --> 02:14:54,240
So is that, do you consider that a valid worry for them or can you guarantee that it doesn't

1821
02:14:54,240 --> 02:14:58,560
become, because it seems to me they should be able to protect that kind of information.

1822
02:14:58,560 --> 02:14:59,920
All there are

1823
02:15:00,000 --> 02:15:06,920
Actually doing the nutrient management plan, the SNAP was done by University of Wisconsin,

1824
02:15:07,460 --> 02:15:14,860
and even they in the confidentiality agreement that they have online express that this is confidential

1825
02:15:14,860 --> 02:15:20,060
information. But it sounds like we're not keeping it confidential. So I would, you can answer

1826
02:15:20,060 --> 02:15:24,440
those questions or rhetorical, but I also suggest that we pass the amendment.

1827
02:15:24,440 --> 02:15:25,500
Okay.

1828
02:15:31,100 --> 02:15:32,140
Supervisor Shirley.

1829
02:15:34,650 --> 02:15:40,790
I forget sometimes that, you know, not everybody, we've gone through this so many times that

1830
02:15:40,790 --> 02:15:48,390
not everybody was there to see it, but, you know, our largest producers, our CAFOs in the county

1831
02:15:50,230 --> 02:16:00,590
have this requirement for the database, and all of this is more rigorous than what they need to go through.

1832
02:16:00,590 --> 02:16:06,890
the best thing that our county could do would be to put more farmers, more farmers would

1833
02:16:06,890 --> 02:16:14,370
choose to turn in nutrient management plans. And by doing this we're making it more expensive

1834
02:16:14,370 --> 02:16:20,750
for them to do it and we're making them making it harder for them to do it. So it's counterproductive

1835
02:16:20,750 --> 02:16:28,270
for us to do this without these amendments in there because our goal is to have more farmers

1836
02:16:28,270 --> 02:16:31,490
or is that want to give us the data that we really need?

1837
02:16:34,320 --> 02:16:35,100
Supervisor Adams.

1838
02:16:35,560 --> 02:16:35,960
Thank you, Chair.

1839
02:16:36,700 --> 02:16:39,460
I'm looking on page 157 of the packet,

1840
02:16:39,480 --> 02:16:43,980
and there's a letter in here from the Dairy Bureau,

1841
02:16:44,940 --> 02:16:50,260
and they talk about section 11.2, point alpha, two delta.

1842
02:16:50,980 --> 02:16:53,680
The owner operator shall maintain daily records

1843
02:16:53,680 --> 02:16:57,120
of manure and non-manure components added

1844
02:16:57,120 --> 02:16:59,040
to the manure storage and processing system.

1845
02:16:59,040 --> 02:17:00,260
Is that still in the program?

1846
02:17:01,180 --> 02:17:07,440
No, it took and was changed in that throughout the meetings that we've had and that to take

1847
02:17:07,440 --> 02:17:12,500
and be an annual maintenance walk, basically a starting point and an ending point for the year

1848
02:17:12,500 --> 02:17:16,920
because if we got bad weather for fall spreading and that we might be going into the winter

1849
02:17:16,920 --> 02:17:21,640
months with much more mineral on hand and that than what we did and so that would just

1850
02:17:21,640 --> 02:17:24,900
impact how many acres we need for nutrient management planning purposes.

1851
02:17:26,600 --> 02:17:31,320
Any other comments or discussion regarding the two amendments to the ordinance?

1852
02:17:33,820 --> 02:17:41,380
Okay, seeing none, I think we're ready to vote on amending the ordinance as proposed with the two changes.

1853
02:17:42,580 --> 02:17:44,080
Yeah, why don't you real quickly?

1854
02:17:44,500 --> 02:17:52,020
Yes, so the motions will be to strike language in section 11.2.A3A to remove the language that says

1855
02:17:52,020 --> 02:17:55,320
as fields in the NMP shall be unique to owner-operator plan

1856
02:17:55,320 --> 02:17:57,080
and not be part of any other NMP

1857
02:17:57,080 --> 02:17:58,600
unless the property owner is applying

1858
02:17:58,600 --> 02:18:00,320
for the Farmland Preservation Tax Credit,

1859
02:18:00,700 --> 02:18:02,580
what Mr. Witt has on the screen.

1860
02:18:03,120 --> 02:18:03,900
Also, in this case,

1861
02:18:03,980 --> 02:18:05,140
the operator and property owner

1862
02:18:05,140 --> 02:18:07,020
shall submit matching plans to avoid confusion.

1863
02:18:07,580 --> 02:18:12,000
And also strike language in section 11.3.D2A3

1864
02:18:12,720 --> 02:18:15,800
to remove and include the SNAP plus database.

1865
02:18:18,910 --> 02:18:21,110
Does anybody have any questions on the amendment?

1866
02:18:22,350 --> 02:18:24,850
Okay we're ready to vote and

1867
02:18:52,880 --> 02:18:57,920
the amendment passes 16 to 2. Okay now we're

1868
02:18:57,920 --> 02:19:02,400
back to the original ordinance as amended.

1869
02:19:05,020 --> 02:19:05,520
Yes sir.

1870
02:19:19,260 --> 02:19:21,960
Okay so now we're back to

1871
02:19:21,960 --> 02:19:28,780
the original resolution for the ordinance to repeal and recreate chapter 11

1872
02:19:28,780 --> 02:19:30,220
as amended.

1873
02:19:31,040 --> 02:19:31,300
Sure.

1874
02:19:31,880 --> 02:19:32,400
Discussion?

1875
02:19:32,940 --> 02:19:33,380
Questions?

1876
02:19:33,840 --> 02:19:34,600
Surprise or Rice?

1877
02:19:34,820 --> 02:19:35,880
I'd like to submit an amendment.

1878
02:19:38,140 --> 02:19:44,640
If we can go to section 11.3, D2A6.

1879
02:19:45,980 --> 02:19:49,080
So, yes, there's a lot of text in this.

1880
02:19:50,060 --> 02:19:50,560
There is.

1881
02:19:51,200 --> 02:19:51,800
Let's see.

1882
02:19:51,820 --> 02:19:52,460
Do we have it here?

1883
02:19:54,770 --> 02:19:56,770
It's the phrase, if possible.

1884
02:19:58,030 --> 02:20:03,950
One of the things we were striving to do is to use consistent clear language that could

1885
02:20:03,950 --> 02:20:06,770
be understood by everyone and not misinterpreted.

1886
02:20:07,350 --> 02:20:11,910
And I see that if possible is subjective.

1887
02:20:13,490 --> 02:20:16,150
So this has to do with an initial permit application.

1888
02:20:16,730 --> 02:20:23,130
And the circumstance that came up was somebody trying to, they bought some land and maybe

1889
02:20:23,130 --> 02:20:24,850
didn't have the past history.

1890
02:20:24,850 --> 02:20:32,750
So I'd like to see it strike the word if possible, and instead, I have to pull it up here.

1891
02:20:35,010 --> 02:20:43,990
Instead, say something along the lines of to be calculated in partnership with county

1892
02:20:43,990 --> 02:20:46,750
staff or other reliable expert.

1893
02:20:49,280 --> 02:20:53,920
It's always possible to come up with a calculation for what the soil quality is.

1894
02:20:53,920 --> 02:20:57,060
So the idea of it being not possible

1895
02:20:57,060 --> 02:20:59,440
doesn't strike me as prudent.

1896
02:21:01,690 --> 02:21:04,230
We're looking for a second on that amendment.

1897
02:21:05,490 --> 02:21:06,010
Second.

1898
02:21:06,790 --> 02:21:08,610
Second by Supervisor Leith.

1899
02:21:11,080 --> 02:21:13,440
Jason, would you like to comment on that?

1900
02:21:13,740 --> 02:21:15,440
Yeah, so if possible,

1901
02:21:15,480 --> 02:21:17,960
that was something that came out of the stakeholder meeting

1902
02:21:17,960 --> 02:21:20,940
that we had with the ag producers, basically,

1903
02:21:21,300 --> 02:21:22,960
in that this would be a new field

1904
02:21:22,960 --> 02:21:24,820
that was in the nutrient management plan

1905
02:21:24,820 --> 02:21:29,100
that we didn't know you know we maybe knew that it was corn last year because

1906
02:21:29,100 --> 02:21:32,880
there's still corn stocks there but what it was two years ago or three years ago

1907
02:21:33,540 --> 02:21:37,160
maybe up in the air we can probably get that information know from the USDA

1908
02:21:37,880 --> 02:21:42,680
however any fertilization practices that would go into this snap plus software

1909
02:21:43,260 --> 02:21:49,320
we would be guessing at and any tillage practices that were used for the past three years

1910
02:21:49,320 --> 02:21:54,800
and that would also be a guess and with, you know, over 100,000 acres in the county our

1911
02:21:54,800 --> 02:21:58,380
staff and that don't know what that is exactly.

1912
02:21:58,900 --> 02:22:04,940
And so that's the reason for the vagueness and that that it was in there, but, you know,

1913
02:22:04,980 --> 02:22:08,700
and that we can try to help and assist in that we're just not going to be able to

1914
02:22:08,700 --> 02:22:11,700
fill it in accurately and that you're probably going to have to go back to an

1915
02:22:11,700 --> 02:22:12,200
old producer.

1916
02:22:12,220 --> 02:22:17,120
Now, if that acreage was in a previous nutrient management plan, it's easy because

1917
02:22:17,120 --> 02:22:20,960
that acreage can just roll over into the new plan it's for the acreage and that

1918
02:22:20,960 --> 02:22:25,460
for the smaller producers and that that may not have been included or maybe came

1919
02:22:25,460 --> 02:22:34,020
out of a soil bank or CRP so and then one is in production so questions

1920
02:22:34,020 --> 02:22:40,940
discussion I'd like to submit additional amendment to no we're gonna just one

1921
02:22:40,940 --> 02:22:44,360
at a time one one at a time one well

1922
02:22:46,890 --> 02:22:49,850
we did two last time okay see no

1923
02:22:49,850 --> 02:22:58,330
No additional discussion will vote on this amendment to the ordinance to strike if possible

1924
02:22:58,330 --> 02:22:59,350
and it went away.

1925
02:22:59,470 --> 02:23:00,010
Oh, there it is.

1926
02:23:01,850 --> 02:23:02,590
Go ahead.

1927
02:23:03,410 --> 02:23:03,850
I'm sorry.

1928
02:23:04,130 --> 02:23:04,170
Okay.

1929
02:23:04,370 --> 02:23:05,070
Supervisor Anderson?

1930
02:23:05,910 --> 02:23:12,010
I think what would be, I understand not wanting the vagueness, but I think, and I

1931
02:23:12,010 --> 02:23:15,190
know this original one would have to get stricken and then we'd have to take it

1932
02:23:15,190 --> 02:23:15,570
up again.

1933
02:23:15,570 --> 02:23:22,310
but something that reads data to represent baseline conditions unless no

1934
02:23:22,310 --> 02:23:25,530
data is available would be more appropriate here.

1935
02:23:30,740 --> 02:23:32,480
First the county board

1936
02:23:32,480 --> 02:23:39,500
should vote on. Yeah I'm just that's just a polite suggestion so. Okay let's let's

1937
02:23:39,500 --> 02:23:48,510
vote on the amendment to strike if possible first and understand what we're

1938
02:23:48,510 --> 02:23:51,730
on. The amendment to strike that phrase.

1939
02:23:54,400 --> 02:23:59,420
Can I just ask for clarification for Supervisor Rice? I think she said to remove the words

1940
02:23:59,420 --> 02:24:04,440
if possible and add the language instead to be calculated in coordination with county

1941
02:24:04,440 --> 02:24:06,360
staff and or necessary professionals.

1942
02:24:07,600 --> 02:24:08,640
Okay, thank you for that clarification.

1943
02:24:08,640 --> 02:24:11,240
Yes, that's correct and I'm endorsing the change here.

1944
02:24:11,360 --> 02:24:13,300
Let's vote on this amendment first.

1945
02:24:13,300 --> 02:24:13,900
I'm going to vote no.

1946
02:24:30,060 --> 02:24:34,480
Okay, that motion fails 2 to 16.

1947
02:24:37,440 --> 02:24:39,200
Supervisor Anderson, would you?

1948
02:24:39,860 --> 02:24:40,120
Yeah.

1949
02:24:40,380 --> 02:24:41,120
I'll make the amendment.

1950
02:24:41,260 --> 02:24:42,120
Can we pull up the text again?

1951
02:24:42,600 --> 02:24:44,640
So we'll read, we'll change 0.6.

1952
02:24:44,760 --> 02:24:45,660
That's highlighted there.

1953
02:24:46,800 --> 02:24:55,220
App to read application data to represent baseline conditions unless no data is available

1954
02:24:56,000 --> 02:24:57,460
period instead of if possible.

1955
02:24:59,890 --> 02:25:01,770
I need a second.

1956
02:25:02,250 --> 02:25:02,650
All second.

1957
02:25:02,810 --> 02:25:03,630
Supervisor Rice.

1958
02:25:05,390 --> 02:25:06,390
Any discussion?

1959
02:25:08,670 --> 02:25:10,990
It's getting easier as we get tired, isn't it?

1960
02:25:11,670 --> 02:25:12,270
Okay.

1961
02:25:12,370 --> 02:25:14,030
We're ready to vote on the amendment.

1962
02:25:50,580 --> 02:25:50,880
All right.

1963
02:25:51,000 --> 02:25:53,520
That amendment passes unanimously.

1964
02:25:54,040 --> 02:25:54,520
Thank you.

1965
02:25:55,140 --> 02:26:03,720
So now we're back to the original resolution to improve the ordinance replacement as amended.

1966
02:26:04,300 --> 02:26:05,240
Supervisor Rice.

1967
02:26:05,240 --> 02:26:09,840
have another amendment. And for those of you who don't know, we rely on some of the county

1968
02:26:09,840 --> 02:26:14,340
staff that were unable to be at our last committee meeting. We were able to ask some of these technical

1969
02:26:14,340 --> 02:26:25,060
questions. This one has to do with 11.3 D2A5. It starts out the owner operator. And what

1970
02:26:25,060 --> 02:26:30,000
I'd like to do at the very end is add the sentence, all land application agreements

1971
02:26:30,000 --> 02:26:31,760
shall be made with the land owner.

1972
02:26:33,560 --> 02:26:40,360
And while this is very much in the weeds, what we were hearing was that producers didn't

1973
02:26:40,360 --> 02:26:41,860
want to have to share those contracts.

1974
02:26:41,980 --> 02:26:45,740
We're not asking for contracts for a manure application on land.

1975
02:26:46,120 --> 02:26:51,640
We want them to just have them because there's often confusion between who owns land, who's

1976
02:26:51,640 --> 02:26:53,020
applying the manure.

1977
02:26:53,500 --> 02:26:54,440
So that's the proposal.

1978
02:27:00,180 --> 02:27:04,320
Okay. We'll need a second on that for discussion. Supervisor Leaf,

1979
02:27:07,160 --> 02:27:09,000
I think we could use a little

1980
02:27:09,000 --> 02:27:15,480
more explanation on this change, please. Jason, would you like to enlighten us?

1981
02:27:15,500 --> 02:27:22,000
I can kind of try to get at what Supervisor Rice is looking for. So the idea behind this

1982
02:27:22,000 --> 02:27:29,340
change or this whole provision is that the manure facility, manure processing

1983
02:27:29,340 --> 02:27:35,060
facility and that a farm if it is and that they would actually have an

1984
02:27:35,060 --> 02:27:39,500
agreement in writing certifying the amount of acres in their nutrient

1985
02:27:39,500 --> 02:27:44,420
management plan and so she is changing it from the owner-operator I believe

1986
02:27:44,420 --> 02:27:49,360
and that the property owner would have that agreement. As these dairies get

1987
02:27:49,360 --> 02:27:54,400
bigger there are some new business models out there and that for how to

1988
02:27:54,400 --> 02:27:59,120
handle their farming operation and so sometimes they don't even crop

1989
02:27:59,120 --> 02:28:05,640
the acreage themselves. They just contract with a grower or another farmer to produce their crops

1990
02:28:05,640 --> 02:28:13,000
and then they use that same acreage base in that to spread the manure on. And so with doing that

1991
02:28:13,000 --> 02:28:18,780
type of business plan, they can get big quick in that. They can have a lot of acres in their

1992
02:28:18,780 --> 02:28:24,480
nutrient management plan. However, is it actually accurate that they've got that acreage approved

1993
02:28:24,480 --> 02:28:30,400
for spreading by the property owner and even by that grower that's farming that particular field.

1994
02:28:31,140 --> 02:28:36,780
And so that was the reason in that for considering having some agreements and of course if it's

1995
02:28:36,780 --> 02:28:41,420
you know not something that our staff is questioning they're probably not going to

1996
02:28:41,420 --> 02:28:46,040
run known every single nutrient management plan field and make sure that we've got that agreement

1997
02:28:46,040 --> 02:28:50,980
but if things just aren't adding up and all of a sudden we're seeing other fields in their

1998
02:28:50,980 --> 02:28:56,340
plan starting to increase in phosphorus and then we'd be asking

1999
02:28:56,340 --> 02:29:00,720
questions why is that phosphorus increasing is it because those fields are

2000
02:29:00,720 --> 02:29:05,820
the closest to the farm will cost areas to spread or is it because we really

2001
02:29:05,820 --> 02:29:09,960
don't have as much acreage as what we think in the plan or as what is being

2002
02:29:09,960 --> 02:29:10,960
claimed in the plan.

2003
02:29:13,420 --> 02:29:14,320
Supervisor Shirley.

2004
02:29:16,960 --> 02:29:19,440
I know that we've talked about this a

2005
02:29:19,440 --> 02:29:26,820
few times in committee my issue is is that as a governmental body we are

2006
02:29:26,820 --> 02:29:33,520
telling a business owner what best practice is and that's not really our

2007
02:29:33,520 --> 02:29:42,900
purview you know it should they have the agreement with the landowner yeah but I

2008
02:29:42,900 --> 02:29:48,380
don't think that we're in a situation that that we need to tell them that what

2009
02:29:48,380 --> 02:29:50,860
about how to do the business that they're doing.

2010
02:29:51,360 --> 02:29:54,580
In number five, it says that we're going to have a table of all the landowners

2011
02:29:54,580 --> 02:29:56,620
and their contact information already.

2012
02:29:56,920 --> 02:29:59,980
So we know who they are and we know what their contact is.

2013
02:30:00,000 --> 02:30:05,700
Public information is, if Jason's staff has an issue, we could always call one of them too.

2014
02:30:06,500 --> 02:30:15,820
So I just have a problem with government dictating something that isn't really in our place to

2015
02:30:15,820 --> 02:30:15,960
do.

2016
02:30:21,260 --> 02:30:22,460
Supervisor Mansome.

2017
02:30:22,800 --> 02:30:31,280
Thank you, Chair. I guess I don't see that as dictating that, you know, if we're interested

2018
02:30:31,280 --> 02:30:33,620
is in clean water, which we are.

2019
02:30:34,180 --> 02:30:37,020
And I think the producers are interested in that too.

2020
02:30:38,680 --> 02:30:40,880
I think we have to, there has to be some accountability.

2021
02:30:41,180 --> 02:30:44,840
The accountability would be that indeed there

2022
02:30:44,840 --> 02:30:47,520
is enough land to spread on, there's enough land

2023
02:30:47,520 --> 02:30:50,340
to put this amount of manure on that amount of manure.

2024
02:30:50,680 --> 02:30:56,600
I think that's why there has to be some way of getting that.

2025
02:30:56,960 --> 02:30:58,240
And maybe you're right.

2026
02:30:58,240 --> 02:31:03,180
Maybe, you know, the supervisor's right when he talks about the government shouldn't tell

2027
02:31:03,180 --> 02:31:10,300
people that except the government at the state level, the town level, municipal area, tells

2028
02:31:10,300 --> 02:31:11,880
us the very same thing all the time.

2029
02:31:12,040 --> 02:31:16,300
That is part of government because the government is concerned about the outcome.

2030
02:31:16,860 --> 02:31:19,260
So I think we should leave that as it is.

2031
02:31:19,840 --> 02:31:20,200
Thank you.

2032
02:31:21,600 --> 02:31:22,500
Supervisor Hansen?

2033
02:31:24,830 --> 02:31:33,450
Perhaps it's important to see these agreements to know not only that the grower has the agreements,

2034
02:31:33,770 --> 02:31:39,870
but that the other landowner has acknowledged them and has agreed to them.

2035
02:31:42,770 --> 02:31:58,740
because you want to see two parties, that somebody isn't just saying, I would like to spread over there,

2036
02:31:58,900 --> 02:32:05,800
but that they've gone out and said, hi, neighbor, do you need nutrients and made an agreement?

2037
02:32:05,800 --> 02:32:11,840
agreement, not what the agreement is, don't need to know what their private business is

2038
02:32:11,840 --> 02:32:13,060
just that there is an agreement.

2039
02:32:18,360 --> 02:32:22,540
Those things are dynamic, but that they have permission

2040
02:32:22,540 --> 02:32:22,980
to spread,

2041
02:32:26,410 --> 02:32:29,870
that there's not going to be a backlog of manure,

2042
02:32:31,950 --> 02:32:33,570
that there's three different

2043
02:32:33,570 --> 02:32:37,070
operators planning on spreading on one small area.

2044
02:32:39,250 --> 02:32:42,850
That's something that when I'm putting

2045
02:32:42,850 --> 02:32:50,970
together the puzzle in my head of how you prevent from having an area of being overspread,

2046
02:32:51,890 --> 02:32:58,170
again, I don't want to be telling people how to do their business. But I want to understand

2047
02:32:58,170 --> 02:33:01,650
on how you keep from overspreading.

2048
02:33:02,330 --> 02:33:05,290
I don't want to know who's, you know, go ahead.

2049
02:33:05,890 --> 02:33:06,090
I don't know.

2050
02:33:09,140 --> 02:33:09,860
Supervisor Carlson.

2051
02:33:10,800 --> 02:33:11,440
Thank you, Chair.

2052
02:33:12,320 --> 02:33:16,500
It occurs to me that you would have to tell them

2053
02:33:16,500 --> 02:33:17,620
how to do it too.

2054
02:33:17,880 --> 02:33:18,780
Do they have to prove it?

2055
02:33:18,880 --> 02:33:19,740
Does it have to be written?

2056
02:33:20,860 --> 02:33:22,820
Or do they just say, yeah, we have a verbal agreement?

2057
02:33:26,940 --> 02:33:28,620
I guess that's my only question about it.

2058
02:33:33,360 --> 02:33:35,500
I think all of that we're looking for,

2059
02:33:35,500 --> 02:33:40,480
and that is to make sure that X number of acres are allowed to be spread on.

2060
02:33:40,920 --> 02:33:45,520
And then in the SNAP program, as part of the nutrient management planning, that would tell

2061
02:33:45,520 --> 02:33:50,620
you you're putting on X number of gallons of manure or X number of pounds of phosphorus

2062
02:33:50,620 --> 02:33:55,020
and that through chemical fertilizer, and then the application type for that.

2063
02:33:55,160 --> 02:33:59,300
So that's all done through the nutrient management planning side of it, and that all this

2064
02:33:59,300 --> 02:34:02,800
would be is just saying yes, and that you've got 20 acres of mine that you can

2065
02:34:02,800 --> 02:34:03,560
spread manure on.

2066
02:34:04,800 --> 02:34:07,240
But how would the county know that actually happened?

2067
02:34:07,940 --> 02:34:10,420
Are they going to have to have a written agreement or?

2068
02:34:12,300 --> 02:34:20,140
Well, I mean, there's a lot of partnerships in that with the producer and that actually know that that is being spread on that field.

2069
02:34:20,800 --> 02:34:26,400
And over time, the soil tests, so that the soil tests are required for the nutrient management plan.

2070
02:34:26,600 --> 02:34:28,720
If it's not happening, we should be seeing change.

2071
02:34:33,000 --> 02:34:35,660
Other discussion on Supervisor Sherup?

2072
02:34:37,980 --> 02:34:45,880
The reality of all of this is that the only time that staff is going to look at this is if it's red flagged.

2073
02:34:46,080 --> 02:34:53,540
We don't have the staff to go out and look at every nutrient management plan and track down every field and look at every single one of these.

2074
02:34:53,860 --> 02:35:00,500
It's only going to come through with a flag from either the nutrient management plan or the soil test.

2075
02:35:00,900 --> 02:35:05,820
If the soil test is failing, then we're going to go back to these things, or staff is going

2076
02:35:05,820 --> 02:35:10,420
to go back to these things and say, hey, we need to look at this more, and then they could

2077
02:35:10,420 --> 02:35:15,040
go with this table of landowners, and they could follow that right now, the way that

2078
02:35:15,040 --> 02:35:15,520
it's written.

2079
02:35:16,860 --> 02:35:23,900
I don't see the need to tell them to have an agreement that, yes, they should have,

2080
02:35:24,160 --> 02:35:30,480
but it's only going to come into contact when there's already a red flag there saying

2081
02:35:30,480 --> 02:35:33,420
that something is not meeting optimal levels.

2082
02:35:35,380 --> 02:35:36,960
Other discussion comments?

2083
02:35:38,540 --> 02:35:41,900
I think we can move ahead and vote on the amendment.

2084
02:35:42,100 --> 02:35:42,940
Suggested amendment.

2085
02:35:43,780 --> 02:35:46,840
Could you read that back, please, Heather?

2086
02:35:47,260 --> 02:35:47,600
Yes.

2087
02:35:49,080 --> 02:35:51,360
I can't forget what section it is.

2088
02:35:52,020 --> 02:36:01,260
But to add the language to, I believe it's 11.3D2A5, that all land application

2089
02:36:01,260 --> 02:36:03,300
agreement shall be made with the landowner.

2090
02:36:06,370 --> 02:36:10,570
Okay, so we're voting on the amendment to that section.

2091
02:36:57,560 --> 02:37:05,940
And that motion fails 15 to 13. All right, we're back to the original resolution to approve the

2092
02:37:05,940 --> 02:37:12,820
ordinance replacement as amended, as we've already agreed on. Is there any other discussion

2093
02:37:12,820 --> 02:37:14,000
of the year of the comments.

2094
02:37:16,450 --> 02:37:21,970
Good. Seeing none, we're ready to vote on the ordinance to repeal

2095
02:37:21,970 --> 02:37:24,450
and recreate Chapter 11 as amended.

2096
02:37:35,310 --> 02:37:37,030
Okay. Thank you.

2097
02:37:37,230 --> 02:37:38,730
That passes unanimously.

2098
02:37:39,250 --> 02:37:40,110
Thank you very much.

2099
02:37:43,500 --> 02:37:48,160
Yes, I will also commend the community development,

2100
02:37:48,640 --> 02:37:51,060
committee and the department and staff.

2101
02:37:52,180 --> 02:37:53,880
They spent a lot of time on this.

2102
02:37:53,880 --> 02:37:59,180
There's been a lot of work, a lot of discussions, and they've done a fabulous job.

2103
02:37:59,600 --> 02:38:02,600
So congratulations, I think you guys did a great job.

2104
02:38:04,120 --> 02:38:05,760
Okay, we're moving on.

2105
02:38:07,220 --> 02:38:12,720
Number two, business item ordinance to repeal and recreate Chapter 30, Parks and St. Croix

2106
02:38:12,720 --> 02:38:14,200
County Code of Ordinances.

2107
02:38:14,480 --> 02:38:15,320
We have a motion.

2108
02:38:17,670 --> 02:38:20,190
We have a motion, Supervisor Counter.

2109
02:38:20,190 --> 02:38:28,310
And second by Supervisor Shirley, I'm assuming that's a motion to approve this ordinance to repeal and replace.

2110
02:38:29,170 --> 02:38:36,650
Okay, that's okay. Who would like to discuss and explain? Supervisor Anderson.

2111
02:38:37,390 --> 02:38:40,230
This is an update to the park's ordinance.

2112
02:38:40,690 --> 02:38:48,990
It allows some seasonal long-term camping, both restrictions for like the quality of

2113
02:38:48,990 --> 02:38:53,290
the campers in there, you know, no one's camping in their van there.

2114
02:38:53,670 --> 02:39:01,030
But just to allow some of our, I guess, emptier areas of camping to be used, it also,

2115
02:39:02,110 --> 02:39:04,190
am I missing something significant here, Jason?

2116
02:39:04,190 --> 02:39:09,700
and please remind that, huh?

2117
02:39:14,190 --> 02:39:15,790
Yeah, Mr. Chair, I can just add,

2118
02:39:16,090 --> 02:39:19,730
there was also some text added in here for e-bikes

2119
02:39:19,730 --> 02:39:22,170
in that because that's kind of a new emerging trend

2120
02:39:22,170 --> 02:39:24,670
on county properties and the county trails.

2121
02:39:25,550 --> 02:39:28,910
And then also there was a lot of just duplicated text

2122
02:39:28,910 --> 02:39:30,310
in that throughout the ordinance.

2123
02:39:30,710 --> 02:39:33,030
And so that was kind of cleaned up and streamlined

2124
02:39:33,030 --> 02:39:35,150
and that into the staff's current practices.

2125
02:39:35,630 --> 02:39:39,050
And that's really the summary of the amendments.

2126
02:39:39,050 --> 02:39:46,730
So, there was some commercial event permits and that that we just standardized and created

2127
02:39:46,730 --> 02:39:51,530
a process for and more of an application like a normal permit would be, whereas it wasn't

2128
02:39:51,530 --> 02:39:53,730
really detailed to that level in the past.

2129
02:39:56,500 --> 02:39:57,300
Any questions?

2130
02:39:57,700 --> 02:39:58,120
Comments?

2131
02:40:00,900 --> 02:40:01,300
Okay.

2132
02:40:01,700 --> 02:40:08,460
Seeing none, we're ready to vote on, I'm sorry, oh, I'm sorry, Supervisor Conner.

2133
02:40:08,640 --> 02:40:09,060
My apologies.

2134
02:40:09,060 --> 02:40:16,510
One of the future things that we're still working on then is the event camping.

2135
02:40:17,350 --> 02:40:17,910
Yeah.

2136
02:40:18,170 --> 02:40:21,330
So that being Chapter 15 would be the special event camping.

2137
02:40:21,630 --> 02:40:21,770
Yep.

2138
02:40:22,310 --> 02:40:22,890
Thank you.

2139
02:40:25,510 --> 02:40:25,970
Okay.

2140
02:40:26,310 --> 02:40:27,390
Any other comments?

2141
02:40:28,690 --> 02:40:29,270
All right.

2142
02:40:29,470 --> 02:40:37,230
Seeing none, we're ready to vote on the resolution to repeal and recreate Chapter 30 of the

2143
02:40:37,230 --> 02:40:39,010
St. Croix County Code of Ordinances.

2144
02:40:48,630 --> 02:40:49,430
Thank you.

2145
02:40:49,430 --> 02:40:55,110
That passes 18 or unanimously. Thank you. All right move on to our third business

2146
02:40:55,110 --> 02:41:00,730
item establishing St. Croix County legislative priorities. Do we have a

2147
02:41:00,730 --> 02:41:01,030
motion?

2148
02:41:04,390 --> 02:41:10,130
Motion to approve. Do we have a second by Supervisor Fiedler? Who would

2149
02:41:10,130 --> 02:41:15,330
like to describe this? Supervisor Burding? Yeah, thank you Mr. Chair. So this is an

2150
02:41:15,330 --> 02:41:21,070
exercise that we did last last meeting to establish the priorities and

2151
02:41:21,070 --> 02:41:23,890
and then we just took them at the admin committee

2152
02:41:23,890 --> 02:41:28,070
and rallied around them and here they are today.

2153
02:41:28,470 --> 02:41:32,590
So we're taking the, was it about an hour above work

2154
02:41:32,590 --> 02:41:34,310
that we did taking the WCA priorities

2155
02:41:34,310 --> 02:41:36,790
and establishing those that we're making a priority

2156
02:41:36,790 --> 02:41:38,370
as a board here at St. Croix County.

2157
02:41:42,780 --> 02:41:43,540
Subraza counter.

2158
02:41:45,490 --> 02:41:47,990
One of the things too, during the admin meeting

2159
02:41:47,990 --> 02:41:50,050
that we also discussed some of the things

2160
02:41:50,050 --> 02:41:53,630
that were pertinent also directly more

2161
02:41:53,630 --> 02:42:02,330
towards St. Croix County versus the state program and Supervisor Bernanke, you may remember

2162
02:42:02,330 --> 02:42:05,450
what the things that we discussed on that, too.

2163
02:42:09,200 --> 02:42:10,220
I mean, I don't.

2164
02:42:10,760 --> 02:42:11,420
So there's that.

2165
02:42:12,860 --> 02:42:16,540
But I don't know if we're just, that's not, yeah, why don't you, if you can fill that

2166
02:42:16,540 --> 02:42:20,180
in because I don't remember what we talked about because I don't think that's on this.

2167
02:42:20,440 --> 02:42:20,960
It is.

2168
02:42:21,240 --> 02:42:22,400
So number six on there.

2169
02:42:22,400 --> 02:42:27,360
So, number six is not one of the WCA legislative items.

2170
02:42:27,680 --> 02:42:29,300
That's how come it's labeled a little bit differently.

2171
02:42:29,660 --> 02:42:31,400
SCC is for St. Croix County.

2172
02:42:31,720 --> 02:42:34,120
Resolution 44 that we passed last year.

2173
02:42:34,420 --> 02:42:37,520
This one was more particular to St. Croix County,

2174
02:42:37,600 --> 02:42:40,180
an issue that we have without a home child placement cost

2175
02:42:40,180 --> 02:42:42,940
that WCA really hasn't picked up on yet.

2176
02:42:43,780 --> 02:42:49,760
So, yeah, so admin had made, yeah, so admin had made the,

2177
02:42:50,700 --> 02:43:03,300
to add this one on. And they had pulled one off, and that was related to circuit courts being able to have certain types of cases via video conference.

2178
02:43:03,740 --> 02:43:09,940
When we talk to the judges, it might be an issue more in other counties. It really probably is not in our county.

2179
02:43:09,940 --> 02:43:13,500
So the judges didn't see it as a priority for us.

2180
02:43:13,860 --> 02:43:20,040
So admin based upon additional information that after the last meeting made those two changes.

2181
02:43:23,820 --> 02:43:31,800
Okay, and just a reminder, these are going to be discussed with some of our legislators at a breakfast meeting next Monday

2182
02:43:31,800 --> 02:43:38,360
and also at the WCA legislative conference at the end of February.

2183
02:43:38,360 --> 02:43:42,840
Any other comments, questions?

2184
02:43:45,860 --> 02:43:51,900
Okay, we're ready to vote on the resolution establishing the legislative

2185
02:43:53,920 --> 02:43:54,500
priorities.

2186
02:44:01,320 --> 02:44:02,060
Thank you.

2187
02:44:02,300 --> 02:44:03,300
That passes unanimously.

2188
02:44:04,680 --> 02:44:05,400
All right.

2189
02:44:05,460 --> 02:44:10,660
We'll get our last and fourth business item, resolution amending personnel policies.

2190
02:44:11,740 --> 02:44:12,620
Surprised or burning?

2191
02:44:13,300 --> 02:44:16,320
Make a motion to approve the resolution amending personnel policies.

2192
02:44:17,120 --> 02:44:19,280
And the second, Surveyser counter.

2193
02:44:21,840 --> 02:44:22,560
Surveyser burning?

2194
02:44:23,140 --> 02:44:23,980
Yeah, thank you, Mr. Chair.

2195
02:44:24,200 --> 02:44:36,160
So this is just part of the standard operating procedure that Audrey's been working on cleaning up our policy handbook and some of the other items inside of HR.

2196
02:44:36,540 --> 02:44:44,600
So it includes IT's acceptable use policy, some proposed changes there, jury and witness leave, and then the benefits policy.

2197
02:44:44,600 --> 02:44:50,380
And if anyone has any questions, I hope Audrey's still here after a long meeting.

2198
02:44:50,540 --> 02:44:51,500
She hasn't gotten Chipotle yet.

2199
02:44:52,800 --> 02:44:55,980
So yeah, if there's any questions, we can address them to her.

2200
02:44:56,140 --> 02:44:59,020
But otherwise, this is just standard cleanup that we've been doing throughout the last

2201
02:44:59,020 --> 02:44:59,440
couple of years.

2202
02:45:00,910 --> 02:45:12,210
Any questions, comments? Alright, we'll vote on the resolution to accept the resolution of

2203
02:45:12,210 --> 02:45:13,510
Mending Personnel Policies.

2204
02:45:20,520 --> 02:45:23,760
Thank you, that passes unanimously. We're getting good at this now.

2205
02:45:25,520 --> 02:45:31,840
Alright, that takes care of our business items. We're going to back up now. We kind of delayed

2206
02:45:32,760 --> 02:45:41,620
the report of CASA and Saycroy County Annual Report. Thank you, Sean, for waiting

2207
02:45:41,620 --> 02:45:46,340
until we were needed to get a few of a couple items. So thank you very much.

2208
02:45:47,400 --> 02:45:51,480
Good evening and happy New Year. If you haven't heard it before, you guys are

2209
02:45:51,480 --> 02:45:57,660
all angels for what you do. So I'm the Executive Director for the

2210
02:45:57,660 --> 02:46:03,080
the Quarter Pointed Special Advocate Program, and I'm just here to give you our annual report.

2211
02:46:04,460 --> 02:46:07,880
I also sent out our published one, which is a little bit different.

2212
02:46:08,100 --> 02:46:15,220
So I did a deeper dive, but I also pulled out various items that I thought would give

2213
02:46:15,220 --> 02:46:16,160
a greater insight.

2214
02:46:16,620 --> 02:46:17,900
So if we can go to the next slide.

2215
02:46:19,340 --> 02:46:24,300
So every year, of course, we have strategic plan, and we look at key performance indicators.

2216
02:46:24,300 --> 02:46:31,080
and one of ours is about advocate retention. How long are we able to retain

2217
02:46:31,080 --> 02:46:35,620
our advocates? We asked the advocates to commit to about two hours a week for an

2218
02:46:35,620 --> 02:46:41,620
entire year working with children and we have about an 80% retention rate.

2219
02:46:42,120 --> 02:46:46,880
Really what we're finding is the biggest cause are family issues with

2220
02:46:46,880 --> 02:46:53,460
the advocates. A lot of our advocates are retirees and they're struggling

2221
02:46:53,460 --> 02:46:58,880
with parents who have cognitive issues and that's really pulling them out. So that's quite

2222
02:46:58,880 --> 02:47:05,600
honestly or we have a lot of knee replacements as well. So those are really the issues that

2223
02:47:05,600 --> 02:47:12,040
where we lose people on, they are staying on past their year and they're often taking

2224
02:47:12,040 --> 02:47:19,360
on multiple cases too. So we're just doing a great job with that recruitment and retention.

2225
02:47:20,160 --> 02:47:25,620
Our total special advocates were 31, and we served 50 children last year.

2226
02:47:26,300 --> 02:47:31,600
And out of that, 10 children were also placed in what we'd call a safe, stable home.

2227
02:47:31,800 --> 02:47:35,200
That could be with a family member, it could be returning to the parents.

2228
02:47:36,000 --> 02:47:41,540
And then our board had a goal to recruit two new board members, and they accomplished

2229
02:47:41,540 --> 02:47:42,080
that as well.

2230
02:47:43,200 --> 02:47:44,200
Next slide.

2231
02:47:45,480 --> 02:47:54,340
So, if you haven't heard, we did get approved for the Victims of Crime Act funding, and

2232
02:47:54,340 --> 02:47:55,800
we have already started that.

2233
02:47:56,180 --> 02:48:01,360
We have about 10 individuals right now that are identified, and our data is actually due

2234
02:48:01,360 --> 02:48:03,660
to the state next week.

2235
02:48:04,970 --> 02:48:10,620
We will be providing those services that are outlined there, and we're really targeting

2236
02:48:11,960 --> 02:48:17,780
the families and the children that are within juvenile court, we're not trying to duplicate

2237
02:48:17,780 --> 02:48:22,320
what exists with the county. So if there's any question that I'm just going to keep going

2238
02:48:22,320 --> 02:48:28,360
because I know it's been a long day for you. So I do want to show you what our budget

2239
02:48:28,360 --> 02:48:32,500
look like for actual and performance. I'm going to just draw your attention right

2240
02:48:32,500 --> 02:48:43,280
down to that bottom line. Our goal this year was $236,000 and we came in at $266,000. Our

2241
02:48:43,280 --> 02:48:49,380
revenue is pretty solid. I don't think there was anything in there that hasn't been accounted

2242
02:48:49,380 --> 02:48:53,800
for yet. It is our expenses that are really more fluid yet. We have not closed the

2243
02:48:53,800 --> 02:49:00,460
year out. So if we can move forward, then I wanted to, we'll go one more slide. Thank

2244
02:49:00,460 --> 02:49:00,620
Thank you.

2245
02:49:00,920 --> 02:49:03,440
I want to draw your attention down to total expenditures.

2246
02:49:04,480 --> 02:49:10,240
So our targeted total expenditures were $222, and we actually came in at $169.

2247
02:49:10,700 --> 02:49:15,060
Part of that was some staffing changes, and then part of that is I'm just really frugal.

2248
02:49:15,380 --> 02:49:18,320
So I don't like to give up money very easily.

2249
02:49:19,640 --> 02:49:21,660
I had a joke about it, but I'm going to keep going.

2250
02:49:24,000 --> 02:49:25,580
These are bullet points.

2251
02:49:25,760 --> 02:49:28,260
This is not an actual tabulation here.

2252
02:49:28,260 --> 02:49:31,380
So, when I presented it earlier, they called me out on that.

2253
02:49:31,760 --> 02:49:35,200
So, what I wanted to really direct you to are the first two.

2254
02:49:35,920 --> 02:49:39,680
Direct contributions and then organ is organizational contributions.

2255
02:49:40,480 --> 02:49:46,220
What we saw was this year we were budgeted for more direct contributions.

2256
02:49:46,940 --> 02:49:52,460
We actually received less direct contributions, but we received more organizational contributions.

2257
02:49:52,460 --> 02:49:57,720
So, at our gala, stand up for kids, which is scheduled for May, it happens in May.

2258
02:49:58,400 --> 02:50:03,960
What we saw is more organizations came in and bought tables, but then there was less contributions

2259
02:50:03,960 --> 02:50:04,620
individually.

2260
02:50:04,940 --> 02:50:08,220
So, we ended kind of netting out where we thought we would be.

2261
02:50:09,160 --> 02:50:15,940
Grants, this is probably one of our, what would you say, crystal ball things that's

2262
02:50:15,940 --> 02:50:16,860
really hard to look into.

2263
02:50:16,860 --> 02:50:23,420
to. One of the things that I would say, though, is we did get two grantors through the bit.

2264
02:50:23,560 --> 02:50:28,880
There's about four big grantors that really serve St. Croix County area. So two of them

2265
02:50:28,880 --> 02:50:35,700
have stepped forward and said that we're on their continuation list. So we'll just

2266
02:50:35,700 --> 02:50:39,280
have to submit and we'll come up with a growth plan. They said, give us two years

2267
02:50:39,280 --> 02:50:43,500
and we'll establish your growth plan. So that's exactly what we wanted to happen.

2268
02:50:43,500 --> 02:50:51,480
And if you're not aware, the next, the other organization is Burma Bank is currently merging

2269
02:50:51,480 --> 02:50:53,220
with Old National Bank.

2270
02:50:53,880 --> 02:50:58,480
So what will happen with this is at the end, when it's all said and done, some of the money

2271
02:50:58,480 --> 02:51:01,900
from that merger will go into the Otto Burma Trust.

2272
02:51:02,720 --> 02:51:08,180
Otto Burma is really one of those great trusts that give money out to Wisconsin,

2273
02:51:08,180 --> 02:51:14,300
Wisconsin, Minnesota, North South Dakota. And we're all extremely nervous about what that

2274
02:51:14,300 --> 02:51:19,780
will mean. They're not taking grants right now. So we would have applied in October. We're

2275
02:51:19,780 --> 02:51:24,780
still in a holding pattern waiting to hear what those trustees decide to do with that.

2276
02:51:26,620 --> 02:51:31,000
And we just don't know. We know at this point that one of the big issues will be,

2277
02:51:32,180 --> 02:51:35,700
and they've stated that on the web page, is that they're not going to fund young

2278
02:51:35,700 --> 02:51:42,340
organizations moving forward. So we are moving into our fourth year here, but they're going

2279
02:51:42,340 --> 02:51:47,060
to start with year five. However, we've been funded, so maybe we'll be grandfathered in,

2280
02:51:47,640 --> 02:51:53,520
but that's the big thing that I don't know yet. And so that's also partly why our grants

2281
02:51:53,520 --> 02:51:59,430
are lower, is that we were not able to apply and we're still waiting to see what will

2282
02:51:59,430 --> 02:52:10,230
of that. So as you can see, we came in 30,000 above target and my margin was around 97,000.

2283
02:52:10,590 --> 02:52:13,850
And again, that was some staffing. We were going to hire full-time staff at the beginning

2284
02:52:13,850 --> 02:52:20,610
of the year and we didn't do that until October. So we keep things fluid and we watch

2285
02:52:20,610 --> 02:52:24,670
what's happening and we make sure that we're responsible. So that's that big margin.

2286
02:52:24,670 --> 02:52:30,790
As I said, the two foundations have accepted us. We are going to continue to focus on the

2287
02:52:30,790 --> 02:52:36,810
victim compensation. This will be a big program for us, and that will create stability. So

2288
02:52:36,810 --> 02:52:42,890
this grant that we got from Wisconsin is a three-year grant. So every year we have

2289
02:52:42,890 --> 02:52:47,730
to reapply, but in that sense, once you get it, the next three years are funded at that

2290
02:52:47,730 --> 02:52:56,430
first grant amount. So we receive 38,541, I believe. So that will carry us forward for

2291
02:52:56,430 --> 02:53:01,750
the next three years. We're going to continue to work on serving children. A lot is changing

2292
02:53:01,750 --> 02:53:08,450
in child protection. So we didn't want to put a growth factor on at this point. Also, as

2293
02:53:08,450 --> 02:53:14,290
we are aging and we've been around now going into our fourth year. So I assume we're

2294
02:53:14,290 --> 02:53:20,890
start losing some of our advocates. We lost a very good one with Carrie, but she's also

2295
02:53:20,890 --> 02:53:29,390
doing a great job here. So, and then our volunteer recruitment to continue to target the CHIPS

2296
02:53:29,390 --> 02:53:35,710
program. We did have a change there in that we're getting involved a little bit earlier

2297
02:53:35,710 --> 02:53:40,930
and it's giving me more control over those numbers so that I'm able to flex. Before

2298
02:53:40,930 --> 02:53:45,610
I didn't really know who was coming in and I just was very kind of nebulous how that

2299
02:53:45,610 --> 02:53:52,890
came through. So that is the change that occurred. That's it in a nutshell. I went through that

2300
02:53:52,890 --> 02:53:58,630
super-flat-fast because I'm sure everyone's hungry and ready to go. But I will field

2301
02:53:58,630 --> 02:53:59,610
questions if you have any.

2302
02:54:00,810 --> 02:54:02,430
Any questions for Sean?

2303
02:54:04,920 --> 02:54:06,400
Yes. Supervisor Feudler.

2304
02:54:06,540 --> 02:54:10,760
Just a 20-second observation. We hear from Sean quarterly at the Public Protection

2305
02:54:10,760 --> 02:54:14,900
Judiciary Committee meeting, and he gives us updates very, say, quarterly, and they're

2306
02:54:14,900 --> 02:54:15,560
always very helpful.

2307
02:54:16,020 --> 02:54:21,040
In our last meeting, since it was the end of year, meeting of the year, Judge Waterman

2308
02:54:21,040 --> 02:54:25,320
came down from the circuit court, and I think the members of the committee all agreed he

2309
02:54:25,320 --> 02:54:29,960
gave Sean an A-plus for what he and his volunteers have done with COSIS.

2310
02:54:30,080 --> 02:54:33,680
It's invaluable to the judges in understanding what's happening to these young people

2311
02:54:33,680 --> 02:54:34,860
in very trouble situations.

2312
02:54:35,620 --> 02:54:37,160
So you get an A-plus from the judges.

2313
02:54:37,400 --> 02:54:37,800
Thanks, Sean.

2314
02:54:38,220 --> 02:54:38,580
Thank you.

2315
02:54:38,580 --> 02:54:39,880
So everyone have a great night.

2316
02:54:40,640 --> 02:54:41,300
Thank you, Sean.

2317
02:54:44,840 --> 02:54:48,020
Yes, I want to say thank you for the update on that.

2318
02:54:48,400 --> 02:54:51,280
And I would appreciate it if the committee, when

2319
02:54:51,280 --> 02:54:54,180
they get that presentation, would do a quick synopsis

2320
02:54:54,180 --> 02:54:57,040
to the board members, because that was another one

2321
02:54:57,040 --> 02:54:59,700
that we hadn't heard about in quite some time.

2322
02:55:00,260 --> 02:55:00,640
Thank you.

2323
02:55:04,090 --> 02:55:07,550
All right, we're going to move on to annual reports.

2324
02:55:08,190 --> 02:55:09,810
Justice Support Services.

2325
02:55:11,490 --> 02:55:13,270
Dr. Galli, you're on.

2326
02:55:15,390 --> 02:55:15,970
Thank you.

2327
02:55:16,310 --> 02:55:16,650
Good evening.

2328
02:55:16,830 --> 02:55:18,950
I'll keep my remarks fairly brief here.

2329
02:55:20,070 --> 02:55:22,610
Just quick overview of justice support.

2330
02:55:22,810 --> 02:55:26,930
So again, justice support services oversees the pre-trial division in the county, the

2331
02:55:26,930 --> 02:55:31,030
Adult Treatment Court, and then the CJCC, which is the Community Justice Collaborating

2332
02:55:31,030 --> 02:55:31,470
Council.

2333
02:55:32,110 --> 02:55:34,090
Another really successful year.

2334
02:55:34,850 --> 02:55:37,110
I want to start by talking about the Adult Treatment Court.

2335
02:55:37,110 --> 02:55:41,650
report. You all get emails from me probably every couple of months about a graduation.

2336
02:55:42,450 --> 02:55:49,810
We had seven of those in 2024. You'll continue to receive those emails from me. Please make

2337
02:55:49,810 --> 02:55:55,690
your way up, not necessarily just for a graduation, but a Wednesday morning at 8.30 in Judge

2338
02:55:55,690 --> 02:55:59,590
Nordstrom's Court in Branch 1. We would love to have you.

2339
02:55:59,590 --> 02:56:04,810
I would point your attention to the end of the report.

2340
02:56:05,410 --> 02:56:08,610
There are four different sets of pie charts.

2341
02:56:09,530 --> 02:56:11,110
And I just want to outline these.

2342
02:56:11,530 --> 02:56:13,770
These are all specific to our pre-trial program.

2343
02:56:14,810 --> 02:56:16,470
Again, just a little bit of brief history.

2344
02:56:16,710 --> 02:56:19,530
Pre-trial in St. Croix County, as it's currently run

2345
02:56:19,530 --> 02:56:22,490
in what we call a civilian model by case managers,

2346
02:56:22,750 --> 02:56:23,470
is fairly new.

2347
02:56:24,430 --> 02:56:26,590
We're not quite three years into it,

2348
02:56:26,610 --> 02:56:27,530
about two and a half years.

2349
02:56:27,530 --> 02:56:32,370
years. Before that, it was run by our Sheriff's Department for about four years. It was more

2350
02:56:32,370 --> 02:56:37,030
of a law enforcement model. But what I would like to, again, kind of just make a comment

2351
02:56:37,030 --> 02:56:41,730
about each of these and then take maybe some general questions. But the first pie chart

2352
02:56:41,730 --> 02:56:45,470
there is broken down into branches. So, again, we have four branches, four judges

2353
02:56:45,470 --> 02:56:52,150
here in St. Croix County. What that first kind of pie chart looks at is what I would

2354
02:56:52,150 --> 02:56:54,750
say it's a pretty even split for the most part.

2355
02:56:55,310 --> 02:56:57,790
Our judges are all using pretrial services.

2356
02:56:59,050 --> 02:57:01,290
There's some variation there, certainly Branch 3,

2357
02:57:01,370 --> 02:57:04,370
which is Judge Needham, has more cases with us

2358
02:57:04,370 --> 02:57:06,470
than maybe the other three, but for the most part,

2359
02:57:06,490 --> 02:57:09,390
all judges are assigning cases to us.

2360
02:57:10,030 --> 02:57:11,970
If we go to that next one there,

2361
02:57:12,810 --> 02:57:16,150
what we're looking at there are levels of monitoring.

2362
02:57:16,350 --> 02:57:19,410
So we have levels one, two, three, and four

2363
02:57:19,410 --> 02:57:22,170
as far as when people are assigned to us pre-trial,

2364
02:57:22,590 --> 02:57:24,190
how we monitor them, how closely

2365
02:57:24,190 --> 02:57:26,390
and how actively we monitor them.

2366
02:57:26,950 --> 02:57:29,670
Level one really isn't a level at snow monitoring

2367
02:57:29,670 --> 02:57:31,210
so we can kind of just remove that.

2368
02:57:31,390 --> 02:57:33,270
Level four is gonna then be individuals

2369
02:57:33,270 --> 02:57:35,830
who are at the highest risk to public safety

2370
02:57:35,830 --> 02:57:38,030
as well as to not return to court.

2371
02:57:38,770 --> 02:57:42,030
So 40% of the individuals that we monitor on pre-trial

2372
02:57:42,030 --> 02:57:44,470
fall into that higher risk category,

2373
02:57:44,670 --> 02:57:47,230
which is again determined by our public safety

2374
02:57:47,230 --> 02:57:48,950
assessment, it's a risk assessment tool

2375
02:57:48,950 --> 02:57:54,270
validated nationally that we use. That's really good. That means we're monitoring

2376
02:57:54,270 --> 02:57:59,290
the correct people per the tool and then the judges then take that into

2377
02:57:59,290 --> 02:58:03,670
consideration. Ultimately the discretion is left up to each judge to make that

2378
02:58:03,670 --> 02:58:09,750
decision. Stop me if you do have questions. That next group of pie chart

2379
02:58:09,750 --> 02:58:13,530
pie charts there is broken up into those four different branches again. This

2380
02:58:13,530 --> 02:58:17,810
This looks at the individuals that are assigned to each branch.

2381
02:58:18,030 --> 02:58:18,730
Are they active?

2382
02:58:19,210 --> 02:58:20,370
Are we monitoring them?

2383
02:58:20,630 --> 02:58:23,050
Do they have an active warrant, meaning they're not in compliance?

2384
02:58:23,570 --> 02:58:26,430
Or are they incarcerated oftentimes in the jail?

2385
02:58:27,730 --> 02:58:33,770
The majority of clients, we call them clients defendants in each branch assigned to us

2386
02:58:33,770 --> 02:58:37,310
are actively being monitored by our staff, which is a really good thing.

2387
02:58:37,410 --> 02:58:41,970
That means they are presumably returning to court, presumably being compliant

2388
02:58:41,970 --> 02:58:42,730
in the community.

2389
02:58:42,730 --> 02:58:46,810
And so we're meeting those two standards of public safety and return to court, which are

2390
02:58:46,810 --> 02:58:49,330
again kind of the gold standards in pretrial.

2391
02:58:50,510 --> 02:58:56,090
And then the last group of pie charts there, there's actually four of them, those are broken

2392
02:58:56,090 --> 02:58:59,370
down into those three different levels of monitoring, two, three, and four.

2393
02:58:59,830 --> 02:59:01,630
If you look at level four,

2394
02:59:04,010 --> 02:59:06,110
again, those are a higher risk individuals.

2395
02:59:06,110 --> 02:59:13,090
we see that 65% again so a majority of those individuals at that level are

2396
02:59:13,090 --> 02:59:17,450
actually out of custody meaning even at a higher assessed risk level to public

2397
02:59:17,450 --> 02:59:22,130
safety there's still maintaining compliance in the community coming back

2398
02:59:22,130 --> 02:59:26,450
to court which is really important I mean that really is the biggest part of

2399
02:59:26,450 --> 02:59:31,790
pre-trial is maintaining that return to court and they don't have active

2400
02:59:31,790 --> 02:59:35,330
warrants and that's really important too because that creates obviously other

2401
02:59:35,330 --> 02:59:41,210
issues. So I'm happy to answer any questions on those charts or other questions in the

2402
02:59:41,210 --> 02:59:41,610
reports.

2403
02:59:42,870 --> 02:59:44,150
Supervisor Berninger.

2404
02:59:45,650 --> 02:59:52,450
Yeah, thanks, Phil. So we made that switch from the Sheriff's Department to private,

2405
02:59:52,730 --> 02:59:57,630
you know, more of a private approach and not so law enforcement-y, I think. How's

2406
02:59:57,630 --> 02:59:59,730
that, how's that impact?

2407
03:00:00,000 --> 03:00:06,520
I did the people that were helping, I guess, in their compliance. Like, have you seen a drastic

2408
03:00:06,520 --> 03:00:10,920
shift from them feeling like there's no more room? Like, it's not a pressure thing, so there's

2409
03:00:10,920 --> 03:00:15,100
less stress, so there's less. I don't know. Tell me how that transition has gone, because

2410
03:00:15,100 --> 03:00:18,780
that was a while ago that we did that. Sure. Yeah, it's a really, really great question.

2411
03:00:19,320 --> 03:00:24,660
I would say, and again, I can't speak to prior to my time here in the last couple

2412
03:00:24,660 --> 03:00:28,900
years. However, I would say case management, what we do now really helps to build some

2413
03:00:28,900 --> 03:00:34,640
rapport with clients and help them return to court, you know, our staff do a great job

2414
03:00:34,640 --> 03:00:38,960
of reaching out, asking them if they want services, if they're struggling with anything.

2415
03:00:39,100 --> 03:00:44,260
So I think that rapport building is something we can spend a lot of time on now, that maybe

2416
03:00:44,260 --> 03:00:47,840
the prior model, they just didn't have time to, it wasn't set up for that.

2417
03:00:47,920 --> 03:00:51,800
That was no offense to the Sheriff's Department whatsoever, it was just how the model

2418
03:00:51,800 --> 03:00:52,440
was set up.

2419
03:00:52,820 --> 03:00:54,860
So I think rapport building has been huge.

2420
03:00:58,380 --> 03:00:59,520
Any other questions?

2421
03:01:01,040 --> 03:01:02,600
I'll just make a quick comment.

2422
03:01:02,820 --> 03:01:09,220
You didn't mention the CJCC, and I've been lucky enough to participate in that group

2423
03:01:09,220 --> 03:01:15,000
for the last couple of years, and I just have to say I'm amazed at the amount of programs

2424
03:01:15,000 --> 03:01:19,540
that we have that are helping people in this county.

2425
03:01:20,460 --> 03:01:25,320
I was also shocked to find out the number of people that need help.

2426
03:01:25,320 --> 03:01:32,320
So, I think there are so many programs that are going on that I think we should be very

2427
03:01:32,320 --> 03:01:37,000
proud of because there's a lot of people that need help and we're doing the best we can.

2428
03:01:38,120 --> 03:01:38,960
Thank you, Phil.

2429
03:01:39,480 --> 03:01:40,040
Thank you.

2430
03:01:40,640 --> 03:01:40,900
Thank you.

2431
03:01:41,020 --> 03:01:46,300
And really, right along the same lines, we're going to hear from our district attorney

2432
03:01:48,200 --> 03:01:49,700
regarding victim witness.

2433
03:01:51,220 --> 03:01:52,340
Good evening.

2434
03:01:55,540 --> 03:01:58,080
So, I'll be pretty brief. It's been a long meeting.

2435
03:02:01,080 --> 03:02:02,840
One good thing that happened was

2436
03:02:02,840 --> 03:02:08,720
TAD increased their funding. So we used to have a part-time data entry specialist split

2437
03:02:08,720 --> 03:02:14,560
between our office and Justice Support Services. Now we each have a part-time position funded

2438
03:02:14,560 --> 03:02:18,220
by TAD, which is great because there's a ton of reporting requirements for that grant.

2439
03:02:21,890 --> 03:02:24,170
Nothing unexpected really in the budget.

2440
03:02:24,590 --> 03:02:32,870
We did lose a federal crimes victim grant which allowed or it was a grant for our victim

2441
03:02:32,870 --> 03:02:38,910
witness to assist non-victims like just met general members of the public get restraining

2442
03:02:38,910 --> 03:02:39,190
orders.

2443
03:02:39,370 --> 03:02:41,790
We lost that grant so we no longer do that for non-victims.

2444
03:02:41,850 --> 03:02:46,050
We still help victims of crime get restraining orders.

2445
03:02:47,210 --> 03:02:55,230
The last year, we had a little over 1,400 adult criminal cases about an even split between

2446
03:02:55,230 --> 03:02:56,450
misdemeanors and felonies.

2447
03:02:59,080 --> 03:03:04,670
For our diversion program, we had 72 people complete it successfully, which means they

2448
03:03:04,670 --> 03:03:09,470
had either a felony or misdemeanor dismissed or reduced.

2449
03:03:10,130 --> 03:03:15,010
We had 20 people revoked, meaning they went to sentencing because they violated the

2450
03:03:15,010 --> 03:03:15,490
conditions.

2451
03:03:15,490 --> 03:03:20,170
so about 7 out of 9 success rate. We had more people enter, but a lot of our

2452
03:03:20,170 --> 03:03:29,310
agreements are over a year. So diversion, it's going to continue to be an ask our

2453
03:03:29,310 --> 03:03:33,530
office for an additional diversion position. Like right now we have one of

2454
03:03:33,530 --> 03:03:38,150
our two and a half people going on maternity leave, so then we have one

2455
03:03:38,150 --> 03:03:42,290
and a half people in diversion to supervise a couple hundred defendants

2456
03:03:42,290 --> 03:03:45,350
which is a huge task.

2457
03:03:49,840 --> 03:03:56,020
The one thing that we're big, we're doing right now that I'm excited about for 2025

2458
03:03:57,240 --> 03:04:05,340
is looking into digital evidence receipt as well as forwarding that to defense digitally.

2459
03:04:05,820 --> 03:04:10,380
Right now we get body camera footage, reports in every way you can imagine.

2460
03:04:10,560 --> 03:04:13,700
We get personal deliveries of flash drives, DVDs.

2461
03:04:13,700 --> 03:04:16,380
we get them in the mail, we get things emailed to us.

2462
03:04:17,080 --> 03:04:20,420
So we're kinda trying to come up with a third party provider

2463
03:04:20,420 --> 03:04:23,260
for software essentially in cloud-based services

2464
03:04:23,260 --> 03:04:25,360
that all the agencies in the county

2465
03:04:25,360 --> 03:04:27,980
can send us everything in one mode

2466
03:04:27,980 --> 03:04:32,140
and we can share that with defense in one mode digitally.

2467
03:04:32,940 --> 03:04:34,900
That would be a huge time saving for us.

2468
03:04:34,960 --> 03:04:36,060
We've had a couple presentations

2469
03:04:36,060 --> 03:04:38,760
from the most promising is evidence.com

2470
03:04:38,760 --> 03:04:40,400
which some of our neighboring counties use.

2471
03:04:41,380 --> 03:04:43,460
They just have to figure out how to link it

2472
03:04:43,460 --> 03:04:45,380
to the body cam system that everyone uses

2473
03:04:45,380 --> 03:04:48,440
and all our agencies use, but that's extremely promising.

2474
03:04:53,060 --> 03:04:56,320
I think that's about it as the big overall summary

2475
03:04:56,320 --> 03:04:57,620
unless anyone has any questions.

2476
03:04:58,980 --> 03:04:59,060
Yeah.

2477
03:04:59,680 --> 03:05:00,600
Any questions?

2478
03:05:01,020 --> 03:05:01,500
Supervisor Bernie.

2479
03:05:02,880 --> 03:05:04,240
Yeah, thanks Carl.

2480
03:05:04,540 --> 03:05:09,840
So since COVID we saw a big dip in people jailed,

2481
03:05:09,860 --> 03:05:12,360
we saw a big dip in people actually committing crimes

2482
03:05:12,360 --> 03:05:14,420
because people weren't wanting to go out.

2483
03:05:15,060 --> 03:05:20,800
how is our like everything like what's what's happened with that is there an

2484
03:05:20,800 --> 03:05:24,600
increase in crime are you seeing more I mean I know we have like the Apple

2485
03:05:24,600 --> 03:05:30,960
River ordeal there was a bunch of other incidents like tell us what the state of

2486
03:05:30,960 --> 03:05:35,180
the county is in that and what's your like outlook on the trend for like 25

2487
03:05:35,180 --> 03:05:41,120
and 26 the the weird trend we had from during COVID was our overall numbers of

2488
03:05:41,120 --> 03:05:47,540
crimes stayed the same, but we used to have a lot more misdemeanors than felonies and then we

2489
03:05:47,540 --> 03:05:54,680
suddenly had more of an even split. So we're having more felonies. And that's pretty much

2490
03:05:54,680 --> 03:06:00,940
stayed the same. We haven't seen like a drastic increase in crime. It's pretty much stayed consistent

2491
03:06:00,940 --> 03:06:08,480
since COVID. Fortunately, we haven't had a homicide in a while. We currently have no

2492
03:06:09,200 --> 03:06:16,680
pending intentional or, you know, gun knife homicides, all of them have either gone to trial or resulted in a plea.

2493
03:06:17,360 --> 03:06:18,060
So that's good.

2494
03:06:19,580 --> 03:06:27,220
Yeah, it's been pretty steady, the crime since that weird change we had during COVID, which I still have no idea what caused it.

2495
03:06:29,760 --> 03:06:33,220
Yeah, nothing significant as far as fluctuation.

2496
03:06:36,650 --> 03:06:44,210
Surveyor Hansen. Mr. District Attorney, you say there's an increase in felonies, but that's

2497
03:06:44,210 --> 03:06:51,850
a pretty broad category. Are we seeing what we got, moonshineers, or is there people? What are we

2498
03:06:51,850 --> 03:06:57,470
seeing? Violent crimes or are there white collar crimes? What kind of things are we seeing in the

2499
03:06:57,470 --> 03:07:03,430
category? I think a lot of it was just a lot more felony level drug offenses. And honestly,

2500
03:07:03,430 --> 03:07:10,070
my best theory at the time during COVID was a lot of people were out of work or you know giving

2501
03:07:10,070 --> 03:07:15,470
getting the COVID relief money and suddenly had a bunch of cash to buy drugs but it's kind of stayed

2502
03:07:15,470 --> 03:07:20,590
the same so I don't I don't really know what the yeah when people hear that though they

2503
03:07:21,090 --> 03:07:26,350
truthfully and instead of trying to be funny people worry about violent crime and are we

2504
03:07:26,350 --> 03:07:31,450
seeing an increase in violent crime or is it mostly static? No we haven't had a big increase

2505
03:07:31,450 --> 03:07:37,270
in violent crime. We did have several homicides in a relatively short time frame.

2506
03:07:40,170 --> 03:07:40,730
There's

2507
03:07:40,730 --> 03:07:45,710
no real pattern to them. They're just random. They're all situational.

2508
03:07:47,990 --> 03:07:49,030
I'm not seeing any

2509
03:07:49,030 --> 03:07:55,850
sort of pattern on increase of violent crime. We're not seeing some of the things you

2510
03:07:55,850 --> 03:08:01,770
in bigger cities suddenly start to happen here a lot. So, no, there hasn't been any sort

2511
03:08:01,770 --> 03:08:03,030
of dramatic increase.

2512
03:08:04,630 --> 03:08:11,170
And hard, and I hate to ask this, but with the drug problems, are we seeing more domestic?

2513
03:08:16,130 --> 03:08:22,930
I haven't ran the numbers, but I can tell you anecdotally, domestic seems pretty, I

2514
03:08:22,930 --> 03:08:25,190
I mean, kind of our bread and butter, the cases

2515
03:08:25,190 --> 03:08:27,330
we see on an everyday basis are drunk driving,

2516
03:08:27,970 --> 03:08:28,810
domestics, and meth.

2517
03:08:29,470 --> 03:08:30,370
And that hasn't changed.

2518
03:08:31,670 --> 03:08:33,910
That's probably 80% of our caseload

2519
03:08:33,910 --> 03:08:35,370
or 90% of our caseload.

2520
03:08:37,190 --> 03:08:40,150
And usually, domestics are alcohol related, actually,

2521
03:08:40,250 --> 03:08:41,130
versus drugs.

2522
03:08:43,610 --> 03:08:45,890
Probably, there might be a lot of reasons for that.

2523
03:08:46,050 --> 03:08:48,910
One probably is meth users aren't probably

2524
03:08:48,910 --> 03:08:50,730
going to call the cops if they have a bunch of meth

2525
03:08:50,730 --> 03:08:51,110
there.

2526
03:08:51,110 --> 03:08:56,090
You know, so they probably just don't report it, but yeah, thanks

2527
03:08:56,090 --> 03:08:57,890
Any other questions?

2528
03:08:58,530 --> 03:08:59,650
Any other questions?

2529
03:09:00,630 --> 03:09:02,930
Thank you Carl, thanks for hanging in there.

2530
03:09:04,470 --> 03:09:06,950
Any request for future agenda items?

2531
03:09:10,130 --> 03:09:10,950
Supervisor Burning.

2532
03:09:11,230 --> 03:09:17,110
I think we need to have a discussion on what the presentation that we just had today from Excel Energy.

2533
03:09:17,390 --> 03:09:19,410
I think we should have a discussion item on the agenda.

2534
03:09:20,150 --> 03:09:22,290
If not for this board, for the Committee of the Whole.

2535
03:09:28,600 --> 03:09:34,080
I think we need a lot more information, quite frankly, too, on what we may or may not, what

2536
03:09:34,080 --> 03:09:36,980
we can or can't do, what are our options.

2537
03:09:38,440 --> 03:09:43,000
So I think that would be a good discussion item, even from an educational standpoint.

2538
03:09:45,360 --> 03:09:46,340
Any other requests?

2539
03:09:49,340 --> 03:09:53,680
County clerk correspondence announcements.

2540
03:09:57,920 --> 03:10:03,320
I sent out an email earlier today reminding you about the St. Croix County Economic Development

2541
03:10:03,320 --> 03:10:09,220
Corporation Banquet that's coming up September 27, or September, February 27.

2542
03:10:11,020 --> 03:10:14,820
Just coordinate with me if you want one of the tickets, I'll make sure to register

2543
03:10:14,820 --> 03:10:15,300
you then.

2544
03:10:15,640 --> 03:10:18,600
So we have a certain number of tickets that are available to us for free.

2545
03:10:18,760 --> 03:10:21,900
So please email me if that's something of interest for you.

2546
03:10:23,310 --> 03:10:28,950
I also want to mention just to remind everybody that last month, we were very fortunate, our

2547
03:10:29,780 --> 03:10:34,790
very own sheriff was the 2024 Wisconsin Badger State Sheriff of the Year.

2548
03:10:35,570 --> 03:10:37,210
It was quite an accomplishment.

2549
03:10:39,620 --> 03:10:47,440
And I'm sure he will attribute that to his staff, but we're very lucky to have him and

2550
03:10:47,440 --> 03:10:49,980
all of the deputies and all the staff in that department.

2551
03:10:51,460 --> 03:10:51,900
Okay.

2552
03:10:52,300 --> 03:10:54,360
With that, thanks for hanging in there.

2553
03:10:54,360 --> 03:11:00,000
everybody's still awake it's 8.33 we are adjourned