Jefferson Agrees to Crawfish River Solar and Courthouse Renovations

By Danielle Kronau / The Capstone

     The Jefferson County Board passed resolutions for the Crawfish River Solar generating facility and Courthouse renovations assessment on March 9.

     According to Corporation Counsel J. Blair Ward, in trying to receive final approval in the Joint Development Agreement for Crawfish River Solar, the Jefferson County Board has entered further negotiations with them, finalizing recent requests.

     “Just on the motion, I know all of you have read this very carefully and compared it to the first version that you saw in December,” says County Board Supervisor Amy Rinard, “But it has changed a little bit and…this version differs from even the one that the Executive Committee saw.”

     As Corporation Counsel Ward said on Tuesday, the Crawfish River Joint Development Agreement is similar to a previous Joint Development Agreement passed on Badger Solar across the road.

     According to the Crawfish River Solar Web site, the generating facility will be around for 30 years, using about 500 acres of land. It will be implemented in the Town of Jefferson south of Wisconsin Highway 18. The substation itself is located by the intersection of Wisconsin Highway 89 and County Road Q.     

     According to the Web site, landowners volunteered to participate in the project, without using eminent domain. According to the Web site, the growth of solar panels will not likely have a meaningful impact on the overall amount of County or state agricultural land.

     Also, local farmers will be provided income diversification from the leased land payments which will simultaneously protect and preserve agricultural land for generations.

     According to the Web site, the project will be a big source of tax revenue with $125,000 per year. This is expected in new shared revenue for the Town of Jefferson and $175,000 per year for Jefferson County. The purpose of Crawfish River Solar is to generate clean power for Wisconsin for 30 years or longer.

     All facilities will be removed once the project is finished, and the land will be used for agriculture once again.

     The Courthouse renovations resolution was the other big topic of the night. The County Board majority agreed to continue providing authorized funding by amending the existing contract with Potter Lawson so additional services did not exceed $150,000. According to the agenda, this funding was designated in the 2021 budget.

    According to the agenda, last year in October, a report presented to the County Board included an analysis of the mechanical, plumbing, and electrical systems.

     It also included three primary Courthouse additions. During that time, the cost of the total project was estimated at $33 million with $17 million to replace the three systems. The County Board was presented financing options which included discussion that interest rates were historically low. 

     “I’ve been in all of these meetings and I am completely in favor of the renovations but I’m not in favor of the final cost,” says County Board Supervisor James Braughler, “And I am certain that we need to trim that. So if the cost remains at the condition it is right now, I will be voting against it in the long term. There’s just too much going on right now. We need to trim.”

Finance Report

     County Board Supervisor Richard Jones discussed the Wisconsin Municipal Mutual Insurance Company’s denied claims and year-end requests for carrying over unspent funds from fiscal year 2020 to fiscal year 2021.

     The County Board followed up on a damage claim from a homeowner regarding a Jefferson County plow and alleged damage to a mailbox. Corporation Counsel Ward met with their insurance company and decided to disallow the payment for the damage, but the constituent can still negotiate the County through other avenues.

     The County Board also discussed the possibility of adding when amendments are added to the budget. According to the County Board, because there is approximately $50 million left over from fiscal year 2020, the finance committee recommended bringing the money to fiscal year 2021.

     According to the agenda, of the amount, the approximate $2.2 million would restore employee compensated package steps and increase the cost of mid-year living of 1%. It would restore the Water Resource Manager position to full-time status with the remainder salary and benefits to meet full-time status. The sales tax revenue budget increase would fund the position.

     “Based on the discussion here…I think our present system is pretty civilized and I think we do a pretty decent job,” says County Board Supervisor Richard Jones, “And it gives everyone a chance to have that opportunity to speak.”

Also on Tuesday:

  • The County Board congratulated the Lake Mills High School Girls Basketball Team on their Division three State Basketball Championship.
  • The Jefferson County Board accepted the proclamation for the month of April 2021 being Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Month.

Whitewater Considers Request for Smoking Ordinance

By Danielle Kronau / The Capstone

On Feb. 2, the Whitewater Common Council discussed placing a smoking ordinance in the upcoming future to create a safer environment in parks.

Council member Matthew Schulgit requested a smoking ordinance be implemented in city parks to ensure the health and safety of those most vulnerable. The common council was concerned over the ordinance’s enforceability and impact on the citizens.

“To say it’s not enforceable is not necessarily a hundred percent accurate just because we have other ordinances in there that we can and do enforce as well,” said Council member Patrick Singer.

The council viewed the ordinance as another “government overreach,” declaring this as not the best time for such an ordinance due to climate and government. Additionally, there is concern over grabbing the public’s attention without losing the welcoming atmosphere. 

Whitewater Student Government’s director of intergovernmental affairs, Will Hinz, called attention to how important inclusivity to smoking is as it is veterans’ way of coping. This is one of the reasons they do not have a no-smoking rule on campus.

“…To really be inclusive of their experience is the reason why student government has really been against this. So I just wanted to give that a context. But I appreciate the discussion on this,” said Hinz.

According to Council member James Allen, Starin Park is the only park that allows alcohol. Council member Lynn Binnie said Treyton’s Field of Dreams is the only park where smoking is prohibited.

According to Schulgit, smoking affects other people’s health when children breathe in smoke residues that are blown onto surfaces such as playground equipment.

“I would echo many of the comments that have been made. I particularly understand the concern regarding children’s playgrounds,” said Binnie, “That, to me, would be the primary area that we would consider addressing.”

City Manager Cameron Clapper briefly mentioned on Tuesday that Bird Rides Inc. was authorizing city of Whitewater electric scooter rentals. However, he requested the item be pulled from the meeting because internal discussion is much needed before the topic is brought forth to the public.

Bird Scooters Report:

“So, I did not convene with the council president prior to request that it be pulled, but at this point there’s an established requesting no action or discussion tonight and we’ll bring it back at a future meeting,” said Clapper.

According to the agenda, a Bird Scooter representative approached the city staff members regarding Bird’s interest in providing stand-up electric scooters.

The city of Whitewater is the only place where the scooters would be used. Bird would provide at least 100 scooters for the public’s use but existing state and local regulations would have to govern them.

Bird’s business model draws revenue from users’ paid rental fees. Bird would not charge the city of Whitewater for the program or give the city revenues for allowing the company to operate in Whitewater.

In addition, Bird will provide at least one employee to regularly collect and redistribute scooters daily at specific, approved locations. If the common council agrees to the stand-up electric scooters, this could mean another commuting option for University of Wisconsin-Whitewater students and other citizens.

  • Finance Director Steve Hatton said Tax Incremental District (TID) four’s 2010 bond, will have enough fund balance and current year revenue for early maturity. By doing so, the city will have over $60,000 in interest, allowing the city to make other changes with their TIDs. Early maturity of this bond will be the last of the outstanding debt related to TIDs in Whitewater.
  • President of the whitewater area chamber of commerce board of directors, Kristen Burton, said COVID increased accessibility through Whitewater Arts Alliance YouTube channel and links to their website, despite visitor and hours limits. Though workshops were cancelled, they are being rescheduled for this summer in hopes to make them livestream as well for more accessibility.
  • Clapper thanked streets crews for their hard work and said salt brine keeps the snow down, reduces amount of shoveling and salt usage.

Whitewater Considers Request for Smoking Ordinance

On Feb. 2, the Whitewater Common Council discussed placing a smoking ordinance in the upcoming future to create a safer environment in parks.

Council member Matthew Schulgit requested a smoking ordinance be implemented in city parks to ensure the health and safety of those most vulnerable. The common council was concerned over the ordinance’s enforceability and impact on the citizens.

“To say it’s not enforceable is not necessarily a hundred percent accurate just because we have other ordinances in there that we can and do enforce as well,” said Council member Patrick Singer.

The council viewed the ordinance as another “government overreach,” declaring this as not the best time for such an ordinance due to climate and government. Additionally, there is concern over grabbing the public’s attention without losing the welcoming atmosphere. 

Whitewater Student Government’s director of intergovernmental affairs, Will Hinz, called attention to how important inclusivity to smoking is as it is veterans’ way of coping. This is one of the reasons they do not have a no-smoking rule on campus.

“…To really be inclusive of their experience is the reason why student government has really been against this. So I just wanted to give that a context. But I appreciate the discussion on this,” said Hinz.

According to Council member James Allen, Starin Park is the only park that allows alcohol. Council member Lynn Binnie said Treyton’s Field of Dreams is the only park where smoking is prohibited.

According to Schulgit, smoking affects other people’s health when children breathe in smoke residues that are blown onto surfaces such as playground equipment.

“I would echo many of the comments that have been made. I particularly understand the concern regarding children’s playgrounds,” said Binnie, “That, to me, would be the primary area that we would consider addressing.”

Bird Scooters Report:

City Manager Cameron Clapper briefly mentioned on Tuesday that Bird Rides Inc. was authorizing city of Whitewater electric scooter rentals. However, he requested the item be pulled from the meeting because internal discussion is much needed before the topic is brought forth to the public.

“So, I did not convene with the council president prior to request that it be pulled, but at this point there’s an established requesting no action or discussion tonight and we’ll bring it back at a future meeting,” said Clapper.

According to the agenda, a Bird Scooter representative approached the city staff members regarding Bird’s interest in providing stand-up electric scooters.

The city of Whitewater is the only place where the scooters would be used. Bird would provide at least 100 scooters for the public’s use but existing state and local regulations would have to govern them.

Bird’s business model draws revenue from users’ paid rental fees. Bird would not charge the city of Whitewater for the program or give the city revenues for allowing the company to operate in Whitewater.

In addition, Bird will provide at least one employee to regularly collect and redistribute scooters daily at specific, approved locations. If the common council agrees to the stand-up electric scooters, this could mean another commuting option for University of Wisconsin-Whitewater students and other citizens.

  • Finance Director Steve Hatton said Tax Incremental District (TID) four’s 2010 bond, will have enough fund balance and current year revenue for early maturity. By doing so, the city will have over $60,000 in interest, allowing the city to make other changes with their TIDs. Early maturity of this bond will be the last of the outstanding debt related to TIDs in Whitewater.
  • President of the whitewater area chamber of commerce board of directors, Kristen Burton, said COVID increased accessibility through Whitewater Arts Alliance You Tube channel and links to their website, despite visitor and hours limits. Though workshops were cancelled, they are being rescheduled for this summer in hopes to make them livestream as well for more accessibility.
  • Clapper thanked streets crews for their hard work and said salt brine keeps the snow down, reduces amount of shoveling and salt usage.