HomeMy WebLinkAboutForestry & Parks Committee - Minutes - 7/11/2011BAYFIELD COUNTY FORESTRY AND PARKS DEPARTMENT
COMMITTEE MEETING
July 11, 2011
County Board Room
Members Present: Shawn Miller, Chairperson; Bucky Jardine, Vice-Chairperson; Marco Bichanich, Bill
Kacvinsky, and John Bennett
Staff in Attendance: Jason Bodine, Administrator; Steve Probst, Asst. Administrator; Pat Bruno, Office
Manager
Others in Attendance: Joseph LeBouton, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WI DNR); Ned
Zuelsdorff, American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation; Chuck Campbell and Rolland Kiel, Trout Unlimited – Wild
Rivers Chapter; Scott Williams, Trails North ATV Club; Randy Erickson, C & W Trucking ; Ron Bergin, Matt
Hudson, Randy Lehr, Jillian Cadotte, Nick Robertson, Dennis Liphart, Scott Nesvold, Steven Vizanko, Mike
and Calvin Weispfenning, Curt Cline, and Paul Belknap all of CAMBA; Mike Jackson and Pete Kirlenkamp,
AOEF/Ashwabay.
Call to Order: The meeting was called to order by Chairperson S. Miller at 5:15 PM.
Approve Minutes:
MOTION: (Jardine, Bennett) to approve the June 20, 2011 meeting minutes. Carried.
Monthly Financial Report:
Bodine reported that approximately 80% of the projected timber sale revenues have been received to date. Park
revenues are at about 60%. Expenses are on target.
MOTION: (Jardine, Bichanich) to approve the July 2011 Financial Report. Carried.
Land Use Request: Ned Zuelsdorff, American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation, appeared before the committee to
request a rezone of approximately five acres in the Town of Cable for the purpose of constructing a
warming/storage building. After discussion of the possible zoning restrictions, the committee recommended the
item be added to the Zoning meeting as a general discussion item. No motion made.
Trout Unlimited – Wild Rivers Chapter: Chuck Campbell and Rolland Kiel described the proposed stream
habitat improvement project on the Little Sioux River in the Town of Bayview. This project is expected to take
several years to clean debris and expose rocks. Bayfield County forest land is adjacent to the stream.
MOTION: (Bichanich, Kacvinsky) to approve the Trout Unlimited – Wild Rivers Chapter proposed stream
habitat improvement project on the Little Sioux River in the Town of Bayview. Carried.
MOTION: (Kacvinsky, Jardine) to suspend Agenda Item #5 until Ron Bergin, CAMBA arrives. Carried.
Land Use Request: Scott Williams, representing Trails North ATV Club, requests to build a privy and
trailhead parking area at the junction of Battleaxe and Flag Road in the Town of Port Wing. The committee’s
concerns are the construction of a parking lot on county forest land and also maintenance and fees of the privy.
A Special Use permit must be obtained from the Zoning Department.
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July 11, 2011 Meeting Minutes
MOTION: (Kacvinsky, Bichanich) to approve the construction of a parking lot and privy at the junction of
Battleaxe and Flag Road in the Town of Port Wing; Trails North ATV Club pays for recording and ongoing
privy pumping fees; and the request be sent to Zoning for final approval of the Special Use permit. Vote: Yes
(3), No (2). Carried.
Recreational Use Request: Ron Bergin, CAMBA, appeared before the committee requesting permission to
construct new single track mountain bike (multi-purpose but non-motorized) trail (approximately 20-30 miles)
on county forest land near Mt. Ashwabay. Letters of support from a variety of organizations were provided.
No negative impact on timber sale harvesting is expected.
MOTION: (Jardine) to approve the request to construct new, single track, multi-purpose, non-motorized
mountain bike trails on county forest land near Mt. Ashwabay. No second. Motion died on the floor.
R. Bergin further explained the history and plans for constructing low maintenance, 10%(+/-) grade change
trails with signage and gates where necessary. J. Bodine recommended approval.
MOTION: (Jardine, Bichanich) to approve the request to construct new, single track, multi-purpose, non-
motorized mountain bike trails on county forest land near Mt. Ashwabay as proposed by CAMBA. Carried.
Sand River Pit Material Request: Randy Erickson of C & W Trucking explained the request to use
approximately 1,200 yards of cover sand for a Red Cliff septic mount project. W. Kacvinsky abstained from
discussion and participation on this item.
The concerns of the committee include the intent that the county’s pit remains for governmental use only, an
established price is set, and procedures are established for making a request in the future.
MOTION: (Bichanich, Jardine) to approve the request at the rate established at the June 2011 meeting
($0.75/yard); and to establish a request procedure. Abstaining: (1), Motion Carried.
Barnes Barrens Management Plan: The proposed CY 2012-2082 plan, as presented by J. Bodine, will
manage 12,000 acres of land south of Iron River.
MOTION: (Kacvinsky, Bichanich) to approve the Barnes Barrens Management Plan as proposed. Carried.
Forestry and Parks Department 2010 Accomplishment Report: J. Bodine requested the report be reviewed
at the August meeting to allow for more preparation time.
MOTION: (Kacvinsky, Bichanich) to approve postponing discussion of the Bayfield County Forestry and
Parks Department 2010 Accomplishment Report until the August meeting. Carried.
Sustainable Forestry Grant: J. Bodine explained that committee approval is needed specifying the county’s
intent to apply for the grant. The grant dollars will be used to regenerate 460 acres of jack pine via seeding and
aerial herbicide.
MOTION: (Bichanich, Kacvinsky) to approve the proposed Sustainable Forestry Grant application for
purposes of jack pine regeneration. Carried.
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July 11, 2011 Meeting Minutes
General Discussion Items:
a) DNR Strategic Direction:
A $276,000 state aid shortfall to counties is projected for budget year 2012 of which Bayfield County
will lose $11,000. J. Bodine is recommending the reduction be applied to the Sustainable Forestry Grant
dollars. This is informational only and no decision is needed by the committee at this time.
b) Other Updates:
S. Miller, on behalf of the committee, recognizes and appreciates Steve Probst’s diligent, hard work.
c) Joseph LeBouton, DNR Representative, Comments:
J. LeBouton shared that Bayfield County is giving up the 4th largest amount of state-wide funding cuts
due to Bayfield County is the 4th largest county forest land holder. S. Coffin will be meeting with the
county to discuss the funding cuts.
Joseph LeBouton left the meeting at 6:35 PM.
MOTION: (Kacvinsky, Bichanich) to move into Executive Session pursuant to Wisconsin Statutes 19.85(1)(c)
for the purpose of considering employment, promotion, compensation or performance evaluation and
19.85(1)(g) for the purpose of conferring with legal counsel concerning strategy to be adopted by the body with
respect to litigation in which it is or is likely to become involved; and on a roll call vote entered into Executive
Session at 6:36 PM. Carried.
Adjourned at 6:52 PM.
Next meeting: Monday, August 15, 2011 at 5:15 P.M.
Submitted by,
Pat Bruno