Zoning Question

Daniel Olson answers the question.

Wisconsin cities and villages have exercised zoning authority for nearly one hundred years. With notable exceptions like state mandated shoreland-wetland zoning and floodplain zoning, zoning authority in Wisconsin is exercised entirely through the policy judgment of local officials. Moreover, zoning regulations are widespread with zoning regulations on the books in small, medium and large cities and villages throughout Wisconsin. Unquestionably, zoning authority may be one of the most important powers Wisconsin cities and villages may exercise.

Dam Repair

The City retained Mead and Hunt to perform a dam safety inspection. The Lake Mills dam is classified as a high hazard dam and is subject to compliance with Chapter 31 of the Wisconsin State Statutes and Wisconsin Administrative Code. Subsection 31.19(2) of Chapter 31 requires the owner of the dam to engage a professional engineer to inspect the dam at a frequency specified for high hazard dams. An inspection was performed by Warren Hayden, PE and Nick Reis. Their report was provided to the Council in the last packet.
The report provides some recommendations for rehabilitation and maintenance of the dam. The DNR has reviewed the inspection report provided by Mead and Hunt and they have established a directive for us to bring the dam into compliance with administrative code. The directive is included in the packet.

Damn Dam

DIRECTIVES:
The following deficiencies must be corrected by the dates given:
1. Benchmarks September 1, 2013
2. Make Concrete Repairs December 1, 2014
3. Perform and submit for review a Dam Failure Analysis September 1, 2013
4. Prepare and submit for review an Emergency Action Plan March 1, 2013
5. Prepare and submit for review an Inspection, Operation and Maintenance Plan September 1, 2013
In order for us to consider a schedule other than this, you must submit your alternative schedule by December 1, 2012.

Compliance Maintenance Annual Report

The DNR requires the City review the CMAR report annually. The DNR has evaluated the performance of the Wastewater Treatment plant and the sanitary sewer system and tried to determine maintenance requirements. The DNR then produces the CMAR and requires the City Council to review the report and consider approving all the required actions within the report by resolution. If the Council passes the resolution it commits to any actions requested of them in the report.