HomeMy WebLinkAboutForestry & Parks Committee - Minutes - 12/11/2013BAYFIELD COUNTY FORESTRY AND PARKS DEPARTMENT
COMMITTEE MEETING
December 11, 2013
County Board Room
Members Present: Shawn Miller; Chairperson; Marco Bichanich, Vice-Chairperson; Bucky Jardine, Harold
Maki and John Bennett
Members Absent: None
Staff in Attendance: Jason Bodine, Administrator; Steve Probst, Assistant Administrator; and Pat Bruno,
Office Manager
Others in Attendance: Matt Blaylock, WI DNR Supervisor; Wayne Stricker; Rick Carpenter, Louis/Mt.
Telemark Properties; and Brett Rondeau
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 November 13, 2013 Meeting Minutes.
MOTION: (Maki, Bennett) to receive and place on file the November 13, 2013 meeting minutes. Carried.
3. Public Comment.
S. Miller called for public comments. None were received.
4. Logger Comments.
S. Miller called for logger comments. None were received.
5. Timber Sale Bid Opening.
The re-offer of the fall timber sale bids were opened and read. The unofficial total value of the sales sold (2
of the 3 offered) was $10,021.37.
MOTION: (Bennett, Maki) to accept the Fall 2013 re-offer timber sale bids. Carried.
6. Monthly Financial Report.
A. Forestry: J. Bodine reported that revenues are at $3.82 million and expenses are on target. The 10%
portion of timber sale revenue payments going to the Towns in early 2014 is expected to be
approximately $395,000.
B. Parks: Revenues are slightly under budgeted levels and expenses less than anticipated.
C. Trails: J. Bodine reported that trails are opened but grooming will start on December 16 on the private
land connecting trails. Leigh attended the local Trails Alliance meeting where concerns were expressed
over the Trail #63 repair of which the FEMA funding is in jeopardy and the overall lack of trail system
maintenance funds and interest. It’s anticipated that future conversations will occur with chambers of
commerce and businesses who benefit from the sport.
MOTION: (Maki, Bichanich) to receive and place on file the November 2013 financial report. Carried.
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December 11, 2013 Meeting Minutes
7. Recreational Use Request: American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation
J. Bodine has received a request from the American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation to use trails located in the
Town of Cable for the 41st annual American Birkebeiner, Kortelopet and Prince Haakon cross country ski
events on February 22, 2014.
MOTION: (Jardine, Bichanich) to approve the request from the American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation to
use trails located in the Town of Cable for American Birkebeiner, Kortelopet and Prince Haakon cross
country ski events on February 22, 2014. Carried.
8. Recreational Use Request: American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation.
J. Bodine has received a request from the American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation to use trails located in the
Town of Cable for the 5th annual BirkieTour cross country ski event. The event would take place on
January 18, 2014.
MOTION: (Bennett, Bichanich) to approve the request from the American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation to
use trails located in the Town of Cable for 5th annual BirkieTour cross country ski event on January 18,
2014. Carried.
9. Recreational Use Request: American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation.
J. Bodine has received a request from the American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation to utilize trails located in
the Town of Cable for the 12th annual Birkie Trail Run & Trek events. The events would take place on
September 27, 2014.
MOTION: (Bichanich, Bennett) to approve the request from the American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation to
use trails located in the Town of Cable for 12th annual Birkie Trail Run & Trek events on September 27,
2014. Carried.
10. Recreational Use Request: American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation.
J. Bodine has received a request from the American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation to use trails located in the
Town of Cable for the Fat Bike Birkie mountain bike event. The event would take place on March 8, 2014.
MOTION: (Bichanich, Bennett) to approve the request from the American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation to
use trails located in the Town of Cable for Fat Bike Birkie mountain bike event on March 8, 2014. Carried.
11. Secure Rural Schools.
The revised federal statutes have changed the way the federal funds are distributed for 2014. The schools
districts will receive the funds directly. Due to the formula change within the statutes, the Towns are
expected to receive slightly less than the SRS/PILT fund combination in the past.
For this payment, Bayfield County must decide how the funds come to the County for distribution. In the
past, Bayfield County decided to allocate 85% Title 1 and 15% to Title II. Bodine recommended keeping
with the same allotment.
MOTION: (Bennett, Maki) to approve request for Secure Rural Schools payment be dispersed as Title 1 at
85% and Title 2 at 15% for CY 2014. Carried.
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December 11, 2013 Meeting Minutes
12. 2014 Annual Work Plan.
J. Bodine reviewed the highlights of the plan a few of which are: an inventory will be completed of the
status of the mature red oak and jack pine stands; red oak regeneration program will be intensified; and
ironwood is becoming more prevalent. H. Maki suggested a group tour of a few sites in the future.
MOTION: (Bennett, Bichanich) to approve the CY 2014 Annual Work Plan. Carried.
13. General Discussion Items.
a. Forestry Garage.
The city of Washburn has approved the landscaping plan as submitted. A check for $1.00 will be paid
to the city to complete the permit process. Conversations with the WI DNR are taking place to secure a
shared space agreement.
b. Meeting with the Towns.
The meeting scheduled for December 3 was canceled due to the snow storm. J. Bodine used the
opportunity to speak by phone with each town chairperson to explain how the timber sale revenue funds
are dispersed. The meeting could be scheduled in early February.
c. Telemark Land Exchange.
The Louis family, who recently purchased the Telemark Lodge and surrounding properties, is
interested in a block land exchange with Bayfield County. The Louis family intends to secure the trail
west of the lodge for public access. A few different scenarios were discussed. No action taken.
14. Joseph LeBouton, DNR Representative.
Matt Blaylock reported that the forestry shop building lease agreement is in the hands of the State’s legal
staff and a reply is expected soon.
15. Supervisors’ Comments:
None.
Meeting was adjourned at 6:51 P.M.
The next Forestry and Parks Committee meeting will be held Monday, January 13, 2014 at 5:30 P.M.,
Bayfield County Courthouse, Washburn, WI.
Submitted by,
Pat Bruno