HomeMy WebLinkAboutForestry & Parks Committee - Minutes - 1/12/2015BAYFIELD COUNTY FORESTRY AND PARKS DEPARTMENT
COMMITTEE MEETING
January 12, 2015
County Board Room
Members Present: Shawn Miller; Chairperson; Marco Bichanich, Vice-Chairperson; John Bennett, Harold
Maki and Fred Strand
Members Absent: None
Staff in Attendance: Jason Bodine, Administrator; Steve Probst, Asst. Administrator and Pat Bruno, Office
Manager
Others in Attendance: Joseph LeBouton, WI DNR Liaison
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 6:00 P.M.
2. Approval of the December 15, 2014 Meeting Minutes.
MOTION: (Bichanich, Bennett) to receive and place on file the December 15, 2014 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. Monthly Financial Report.
A. Forestry: County forest land timber sale revenues are $4.53 million+ at year’s end; an added $20,000+
of non-county forest land stumpage was also received. The final large expense for the year will be 10%
payment to the towns; expected to be $453,000+. Approximately $91,000 will be available to the towns
for identified road repair projects in 2015. After expenses for the year, the budget ended with a positive
outcome.
Garage Update: Excess scrap that remains on the old site will be moved to the new site after a suitable
and esthetically pleasing area is prepared. The building is being outfitted with storage racks and
cabinets, some furniture, lockers, workbench, etc.
B. Parks: Final net Parks revenues for 2014 were $77,546.91. Expenses are under budget.
C. Trails: J. Bodine reported trail grooming is starting to pick up with improving conditions but remain
marginal.
A Mason area land access issue between private land owners and the Department is not yet resolved but
moving forward.
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January 12, 2015 Meeting Minutes
The Department is working with clubs and organizations to resolve internal disputes and working to
identify reasons for the lack of interest in trail maintenance participation.
MOTION: (Bichanich, Maki) to receive and place on file the December 2014 financial report. Carried.
6. Land Exchange: Edith Merila.
To resolve a trespass issue, discussed at the December meeting, the Department has been working with the
Zoning Department and Ms. Merila. Bodine referred to the map which identifies the potential land
exchange. All costs will be the responsibility of Ms. Merila.
MOTION: (Bichanich, Maki) to approve the land exchange option as proposed. Carried.
7. County Forest Law Withdrawal Request.
J. Bodine proposed withdrawing 0.09 acres of County Forest Land from County Forest Law as part of a 0.09
acres land exchange with Edith Merila.
MOTION: (Bichanich, Bennett) to approve the withdrawal of approximately 0.09 acres of County Forest
land from County Forest Law in the Town of Bayview as proposed. Carried.
8. Access Permit Renewal Request. Paul Becker, Victory Buck Camp.
A request has been received from Paul Becker to renew an existing 10 year access permit for another 10
years. J. Bodine recommends approval as the trail re-route implemented in 2012 was sustainable.
MOTION: (Maki, Bichanich) to approve the 10 year access permit renewal as requested by Paul Becker and
Victory Buck Camp for property located in the Town of Barnes. Carried.
9. Access Permit Renewal Request. Alyce Daggett, Mar-Bay Lands, Inc.
A request has been received from Alyce Daggett/Mar-Bay Lands, Inc. to extend an existing 10 year access
permit to property located in the Town of Russell. J. Bodine recommends approval.
MOTION: (Bichanich, Bennett) to approve the 10 year access permit renewal as requested by Alyce
Daggett, Mar-Bay Lands, for property located in the Town of Russell. Carried.
10. 2015 Work Plan.
J. Bodine presented the draft 2015 Work Plan which sets the goals for the year.
MOTION: (Bichanich, Maki) to approve the 2015 Work Plan as presented. Carried.
11. Bayfield Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan Update.
Due to the Plan’s expiration date of 12/31/2014, the needed preparation has not been completed and a new
plan for 2015 - 2020 is not ready. J. Bodine is requesting the 2010-2015 Plan be reapproved, without
changes, for now. Bayfield County businesses use the document for grant applications and a valid
document is required.
J. Bodine, with the assistance of the Tourism Department, will use the year to update and revise this plan for
2015 – 2020 (to expire 12/31/2019). When completed, the revised plan will be presented to the Committee
for consideration.
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January 12, 2015 Meeting Minutes
MOTION: (Bennett, Bichanich) to approve the existing 2010-2015 Bayfield County Comprehensive
Outdoor Recreation Plan and forward to the full County Board for consideration. Carried.
12. Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Grant.
J. Bodine reported that preliminary grant approval has been received from the DNR. As part of the multi-
step process, the appraisals have been ordered.
Informational only. No action taken.
13. Joseph LeBouton, DNR Representative. Comments.
None.
14. Adjourn.
Meeting adjourned at 6:26 P.M.
The next Forestry and Parks Committee meeting will be held Monday, February 9, 2015 at 6:00 P.M.,
Bayfield County Courthouse, Washburn, WI.
Submitted by,
Pat Bruno