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HomeMy WebLinkAboutForestry & Parks Committee - Minutes - 5/7/2012BAYFIELD COUNTY FORESTRY AND PARKS DEPARTMENT COMMITTEE MEETING May 7, 2012 County Board Room Members Present: Shawn Miller, Chairperson; John Bennett; Bucky Jardine and Harold Maki Members Absent: Marco Bichanich, Vice-Chairperson Staff in Attendance: Jason Bodine, Administrator; Steve Probst, Asst. Administrator; Pat Bruno, Office Manager; Mike Amman, Forester; Andrew O’Krueg, Forester; and Jason Holmes, Forester Others in Attendance: Steve Coffin, Joseph LeBouton and Joanna Bietka, WI DNR; Bob Lang, Town of Barnes 1. Call To Order of Forestry and Parks Committee Meeting The meeting of the Forestry and Parks Committee was called to order by S. Miller at 5:00 P.M. 2. Election of Forestry and Parks Committee Chairperson Jardine moved to nominate Shawn Miller as the Committee Chairperson. S. Miller announced three calls for further nomination; none were submitted. MOTION: (Jardine, Bennett) to appoint Shawn Miller as the Committee Chairperson. Carried. 3. Election of Forestry and Parks Committee Vice-Chairperson Jardine moved to nominate Marco Bichanich as the Committee Vice-Chairperson. S. Miller announced three calls for further nomination; none were submitted. MOTION: (Bennett, Maki) to appoint Marco Bichanich as the Committee Vice-Chairperson. Carried. 4. Approval of April 9, 2012 Meeting Minutes MOTION: (Jardine, Bennett) to approve the April 9, 2012 meeting minutes. Carried. 5. Public Comment: None. 6. Spring Timber Sale Bid Opening J. Bodine opened and read the bids of the 2012 Spring Timber Sales (31 Tracts). The unofficial winning bids were announced. MOTION: (Jardine, Bennett) to accept the 2012 Spring Timber Sale unofficial bids. Carried. 7. Land Use Request: Bob Lang, Town of Barnes B. Lang described the situation and options for stump removal. The Town of Barnes is requesting to temporarily store the stumps on county forest land until they can be permanently disposed of. A discussion of potential impacts and alternatives followed. MOTION: (Maki, Jardine) to approve the request of the Town of Barnes to temporarily store stumps on county forest land. Carried. Bayfield County Forestry and Parks Committee Page 2 of 3 May 7, 2012 Meeting Minutes 8. Monthly Financial Report Forestry: J. Bodine reports the timber sale revenues received in April were the highest on record; however, the expectation is a more normal market at this time next year. Parks: All seasonal revenues are received and the parks are open. Expenses are on track. MOTION: (Jardine, Bennett) to approve the April 2012 Financial Report. Carried. 9. Recreational Use Permit Request: Central Cross Country Ski Association (CXC) J. Bodine received a recreational use permit request from CXC to host the Telemark Forest mountain bike race, which will cross county forest land in the Town of Cable. MOTION: (Jardine, Maki) to approve the recreational use permit as requested by CXC for the scheduled event on July 14, 2012 in the Town of Cable. Carried. 10. Recreational Use Request: Cable Area Chamber of Commerce J. Bodine has received a request from the Cable Area Chamber of Commerce for permission to use Bayfield County forest land for the Cable Area Off-Road Classic mountain bike event on May 19, 2012. MOTION: (Bennett, Jardine) to approve the recreational use permit requested by Cable Area Chamber of Commerce for their proposed event on May 19, 2012 in the Town of Cable. Carried. 11. Land Use Request – Cable Area ATV Association J. Bodine has received a request from the ATV Association to add approximately ½ mile of new ATV trail to Trail 57 in the Town of Cable. The goal is to move the trail off of Randysek Road. The area of concern is the point where the potential new trail meets Randysek Road. The Association would need to stabilize the road with rock and also provide water runoff measures. The Department will monitor this section to confirm its sustainability. MOTION: (Bennett, Jardine) to approve the land use request by Cable Area ATV Association for the addition of ½ mile of new ATV trail to Trail 57 in the Town of Cable and to include rock fortification of the hill and to provide proper water runoff measures. Carried. 12. Land Use Request: Cable Area ATV Association J. Bodine has received a request from the ATV Association for an extension (approximately ¼ mi on an existing logging road) of ATV Trail 55 (Island Lake Loop). The area of concern is a small segment of the road that crosses into Plum Creek owned land from whom the Association is waiting for permission to cross. MOTION: (Bennett, Jardine) to approve the request from the Cable Area ATV Association to add approximately ¼ mile of existing logging road to Trail 55 in the Town of Cable. Carried. 13. Sand and Gravel Policy There was a discussion of the current policy and recommended changes as proposed by J. Bodine. The current understanding is if the project benefits the general public, then selling to a private vendor is allowable per state statute. Corporation Counsel is researching the legality of governmental units selling the product to private vendors. This is provided as information only and no action was taken. Bayfield County Forestry and Parks Committee Page 3 of 3 May 7, 2012 Meeting Minutes 14. Bayfield County Ordinance Amendment. Bayfield County Ordinance Section 12-2-3 need to be amended for the purposes of addressing the responsibilities and duties of the Forestry and Parks Committee in the administration of sand and gravel pits located on county forest land. Per J. Bodine, he will continue to work the Corporation Counsel and County Administrator to develop a draft amendment. This is provided as information only and no action was taken. 15. Parks a. Update on Outbuilding Repair and Electric Projects The outbuilding repair project has been completed by Wade Spears and a small amount of electrical work is yet to be completed by Keith Jolma Electric. Bayfield County Highway Department has provided exceptional assistance with the completion of the parks’ projects. b. Update on ADA Access at Twin Bear The County Administrator’s office recently received an inquiry on the progress of the ADA approved accessibility to the beach and fishing pier. J. Bodine listed improvements yet to be completed to meet those standards, which he expects to be completed in the near future. 16. General Discussion Items. a. Gypsy Moth Quarantine Training Two representatives from the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection provided 45 minutes of training to approximately 16 timber industry attendees in the EOC Room. Spraying south of Iron River is expected this summer. It’s anticipated that the Bayfield peninsula will likely see defoliation in 2012. b. Access Management For the benefit of new committee member, H. Maki, J. Bodine summarized the goals for the year including the need to update the trails database, develop a stakeholder list, solicit trail information from other entities, incorporate Town ATV routes, etc. Stakeholder working groups and public hearings will also be part of the process. c. Spring Planting Update The 9 day, 450,000 tree planting project was completed on May 2. Staff members Andrew O’Krueg and John Mesko did an excellent job in facilitating the project. Express Forestry was the new contractor who had 14 planters. The planters did an excellent job and exceeded expectations. d. Joseph LeBouton, DNR Representatives, Comments. Joanna Bietka is the new hire DNR forester who had sales in Bayfield County’s spring offering. Adjourned at 7:26 P.M. Next meeting: Monday, June 25, 2012 at 5:30 P.M., Bayfield County Courthouse, Washburn, WI. Submitted by, Pat Bruno