HomeMy WebLinkAboutForestry & Parks Committee - Minutes - 6/25/2012BAYFIELD COUNTY FORESTRY AND PARKS DEPARTMENT
COMMITTEE MEETING
June 25, 2012
County Board Room
Members Present: Shawn Miller, Chairperson; Marco Bichanich, Vice-Chairperson; Bucky Jardine and
Harold Maki
Members Absent: John Bennett
Staff in Attendance: Jason Bodine, Administrator; Mark Abeles-Allison, County Administrator; Pat Bruno,
Office Manager; Mike Amman, Forester
Others in Attendance: Joseph LeBouton, DNR Liaison; Dan Turner, Windustry; Todd Norwood, Red Cliff
Band of Lake Superior Chippewa
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 5:30 P.M.
2. Approval of May 7, 2012 Meeting Minutes
MOTION: (Bichanich, Jardine) to approve the May 7, 2012 meeting minutes. Carried.
3. Public Comment:
H. Maki proposed, on behalf of other industry stakeholders, the Department arrange an informal public
meeting between industry professionals in the area and the Department. The meeting would provide an
opportunity for idea sharing and comments.
M. Bichanich, on behalf of a Bayfield County contracted logging company, questioned the firewood
cordwood calculations policy and subsequent billing (additional 4” to length). J. Bodine will research.
No further comments made.
4. Monthly Financial Report
Forestry: Timber sale revenues received are over average for the year (approximately $1.5 million to date)
and a record year is expected.
Parks: Revenues are approximately $53,000 to date. Boat launch day passes are up from 2011. Expenses
are normal; however, parks utilities fees are higher than normal; partly due to a rate increase and more
pedestals were added.
MOTION: (Bichanich, Maki) to approve the May 2012 Financial Report. Carried.
5. Presentation: Mark Abeles-Allison. Review of County Wind Collection Data and Future Direction.
M. Abeles-Allison presented information gathered on the past four years of wind data collection testing at
Mt. Ashwabay. The current data shows the location to be a viable source of wind generated power. The
MET (testing) tower is expected to remain in place for a minimum of one year. Dan Turner from Windustry
also made a brief presentation.
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June 25, 2012 Meeting Minutes
6. Recreational Use Request: Cable Area Resources in Emergencies (C.A.R.E.)
J. Bodine received a request from C.A.R.E. to host a Run and Walk event on July 4, 2012 in the Town of
Cable. The impact on county forest land is expected to be minimal.
MOTION: (Bichanich, Jardine) to approve the recreational use permit requested by C.A.R.E. for the
proposed event on July 4, 2012 in the Town of Cable. Carried.
7. Memorandum of Agreement – Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Land Acquisition Grant Program
J. Bodine explained the purpose of signing the MOA would be to ensure consideration if grant monies were
applied for in the future. Bayfield County has never applied for nor received this funding in the past.
Conservancy concerns were raised.
MOTION: (Maki, Jardine) to opt out from signing the proposed Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Land
Acquisition Grant Program Memorandum of Understanding. Carried.
M. Bichanich left the meeting at 6:38 P.M.
8. Sand and Gravel Policy.
Per J. Bodine, Corporation Counsel has reviewed the draft policy distributed to the committee members.
MOTION: (Jardine, Maki) to approve the proposed sand and gravel policy. Carried.
9. Bayfield County Ordinance Amendment.
The proposed amendment to Bayfield County Ordinance Section 12-2-3 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 was discussed. Because the ordinance amendment also potentially affects the
Highway and Tourism Departments, the ordinance should be re-written to replace “Forestry and Parks
Department” with “Bayfield County.”
MOTION: (Jardine, Maki) to approve the proposed sand and gravel ordinance amendment. Carried.
10. Parks
a. Update on ADA Access at Twin Bear
J. Bodine distributed photos of the beach area and explained that the ADA access requirements are
satisfied. Also, a grant appeal has been sent to the state.
11. General Discussion Items.
a. Access Management
The foresters are in the process of collecting trail information. Meetings with stakeholders will
ultimately address problem areas and trail accessibility. A draft plan will be brought to the committee
for their consideration; hopefully this fall.
b. Cable Access Plan Listening Session
A summary table was distributed at the meeting showing the results of the June 21, 2012 Cable Block
Listening Session. The meeting was well attended and the overall consensus to date was to keep the
trail designations the way they currently are.
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June 25, 2012 Meeting Minutes
c. Joseph LeBouton, DNR Representatives, Comments.
No comments.
d. Other:
J.Bodine informed the committee that a wash out on Flag Road due to the strong June storms is
currently being addressed by the Department.
Adjourned at 7:14 P.M.
Next meeting: Monday, August 6, 2012 at 5:30 P.M., Bayfield County Courthouse, Washburn, WI.
Submitted by,
Pat Bruno