Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutForestry & Parks Committee - Minutes - 8/15/2011BAYFIELD COUNTY FORESTRY AND PARKS DEPARTMENT COMMITTEE MEETING August 15, 2011 County Board Room Members Present: Shawn Miller, Chairperson; John Bennett; and Bill Kacvinsky (arrived 5:44 P.M.) Members Absent: Bucky Jardine; Marco Bichanich, Vice-Chairperson 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; Ron Bergin, of CAMBA and North End Ski Club; Chad Abel, citizen. Call to Order: The meeting was called to order by Chairperson S. Miller at 5:15 P.M. Due to no quorum, the committee began with agenda Item #12, General Discussion Items. 1. General Discussion Items. Action as needed: a. Parks Report. The hand pump at Big Rock Park was cleaned due to a report of contamination. J. Bodine reported he met with and toured Twin Bear Campground with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) staff. A few changes need to be made to meet ADA requirements and J. Bodine said some of the projects will begin this fall. J. Bodine, with Land Conservation staff, took part in the shoreline management grant audit. Changes to maintain the length of the shoreline and other items outlined in the grant need to be addressed. There was a discussion regarding the need for the grant if the restrictions imposed are potentially detrimental to public use/access. Overall, many kudos from the public have been received for Twin Bear and Delta management. b. DNR Strategic Direction. All counties will share in the DNR $276,201 funding cut of which Bayfield County’s portion is approximately $11,000. J. Bodine, S. Coffin and J. LeBouton together completed the draft reduction list which includes reduction of two grants and an increase in DNR staff field hours. c. DNR Audit Report. The final report showed that overall the audit was good. The county’s way of accounting for the state grants has to be changed. d. Bradfield Road Access Issue. J. Bodine reported that litigation is anticipated by Bayfield County’s Corporation Counsel in the next step to resolve the issue. e. Red Cliff Tribe Memorandum of Agreement. J. Bodine shared that he will be offering the MOA to address all future sales planned within Reservation boundaries. On one particular timber sale, the Tribe has requested to maintain a buffer along Blueberry Road. The MOA will address this. The contractor has verbally agreed to the reduction of potential volume and a Bayfield County Forestry and Parks Committee Page 2 of 3 August 15, 2011 Meeting Minutes contract amendment will be sent. This is informational only and no decision is required by the committee. f. Joseph LeBouton, DNR Representative, Comments: No comments at this time. William Kacvinsky arrived at 5:44 PM. 2. Approve Minutes: MOTION: (Kacvinsky, Bennett) to approve the July 11, 2011 meeting minutes. Carried. 3. Monthly Financial Report: a. Forestry July revenues were down but August and the overall year are on track. The recent timber blowdown is expected to affect markets. Expenses are normal. b. Parks Revenues and expenses are on pace. There was a discussion on whether the county should continue paying the optional room tax imposed by Iron River. J. Bodine has received many compliments from the public regarding the contracted managers and overall improvements at the parks. MOTION: (Kacvinsky, Bennett) to approve the July 2011 Financial Report. Carried. 4. Land Use Agreement Renewal: Ron Bergin, North End Ski Club, appeared before the committee to request a renewal of the one year land use agreement for the purpose of storing trail grooming equipment on county forest land in Cable. MOTION: (Kacvinsky, Bennett) to approve the use agreement and incorporate it into the existing 10 year agreement with North End Ski Club. Carried. 5. Land Use Agreement Renewal: Ron Bergin, CAMBA, requests of the committee approval of a 10 year recreational use agreement between Bayfield County Forestry and Parks Department and CAMBA. The agreement would be similar to other agreements Bayfield County has with other organizations. J. Bodine recommends approval. MOTION: (Kacvinsky, Bennett) to approve the 10 year recreational use agreement with CAMBA. Carried. 6. Land Use Request: Ned Zuelsdorff, American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation requests a rezone of approximately five acres in the Town of Cable for the purpose of constructing a warming/storage building on county forest land. After discussion of considerations relating to public access, other similar requests and zoning laws relating to municipalities, it was decided that S. Miller will discuss further with the Zoning Department. MOTION: (Kacvinsky, Bennett) to postpone a decision on the land use request made by the American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation regarding construction of a warming/storage building until the September Forestry and Parks Committee meeting. Carried. 7. Reciprocal Easement Request by Joe Naylor: J. Bodine brought the request to the committee that could potentially improve Bayfield County’s access to county forest land if the reciprocal easement is approved. Bayfield County Forestry and Parks Committee Page 3 of 3 August 15, 2011 Meeting Minutes Mr. Naylor is considering purchasing acreage in the Town of Barnes if there is approval of access to the property. Also, Plum Creek is expected to propose a request list of other easements through Bayfield County forest land. MOTION: (Kacvinsky, Bennett) upon ownership by Joe Naylor, grant permanent easement to the proposed acreage in the Town of Barnes contingent upon Bayfield County obtaining a reciprocal agreement with Mr. Naylor and Plum Creek that would provide access to county forest land. Carried. 8. Non-Metallic Mining Agreement Amendment: Red Cliff Tribe. J. Bodine received a request from the Towns of Bayfield and Russell to amend the current 15,000 tons of gravel agreement to include the Red Cliff Tribe. The request also included an additional 7,500 tons of gravel. MOTION: (Kacvinsky, Bennett) to approve the request to amend the current agreement by adding the Red Cliff Tribe and granting them 7,500 tons at the established dollar amount of $0.75/ton. 9. Sand River and Tulip Lane Pit Material Request: J. Bodine received a request from the Town of Russell to use approximately 400 yards of sand from each pit for a culvert replacement project at Raspberry River. MOTION: (Kacvinsky, Bennett) to approve the request for 400 yards of sand from each pit at the established rate of $0.75/yard. Carried. 10. 2012 Budget. J. Bodine discussed the proposed draft budget which shows a projected increase in revenues over 2011 and a 40 hour employee work week proposal. 11. Forestry and Parks Department 2010 Accomplishment Report: J. Bodine discussed the highlights of the report. MOTION: (Kacvinsky, Bennett) to receive and place on file the Forestry and Parks 2010 Accomplishment Report. Carried. 12. Potential Land Purchase: J. Bodine received information regarding 120 acres of timber in the Town of Orienta which is available for purchase. No committee decision required at this time; informational only. Adjourned at 7:06 P.M. Next meeting: Monday, September 12, 2011 at 6:00 P.M. Submitted by, Pat Bruno