HomeMy WebLinkAboutForestry & Parks Committee - Minutes - 10/12/2015BAYFIELD COUNTY FORESTRY AND PARKS DEPARTMENT
COMMITTEE MEETING
October 12, 2015
County Board Room
Members Present: Shawn Miller, Chairperson; Marco Bichanich, Vice-Chairperson; John Bennett; Harold
Maki, and Fred Strand
Other County Board Members Present: Kathy Wendling
Staff in Attendance: Jason Bodine, Administrator and Pat Bruno, Office Manager
Others in Attendance: Joseph LeBouton, WI DNR and other members of the public
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 September 14, 2015 Meeting Minutes.
MOTION: (Strand, Bennett) to receive and place on file the September 14, 2015 meeting minutes. Carried.
3. Public Comment.
S. Miller called for public comment. None were received.
4. Monthly Financial Report.
A. Forestry
1) Department Budget Update.
Timber Sale Revenues: September’s revenues were slightly below average; with the year to date at
approximately $3,820,000. Expenses are very close to the current budget with an expected 2015
budget adjustment to the 10% to the Towns line item to come at the end of the year.
2) Stewardship Grants.
An example of the signage required to be posted on all parcels purchased is included with the
agenda. Once the invoice is paid and the 18 signs are in place, those expenses can also be claimed
and the grant process for this project will be complete.
J. Bodine also advised the Committee that inquiries have been received from the potential family
heirs of the acquired Duck Lake property. The inquiries made were of the process the County took
to obtain this tax forfeited land. The land in question is now being managed by the Department.
This property was used for a portion of the match to obtain the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Grant.
3) USFS Good Neighbor Authority.
J. Bodine referenced the documents included with the agenda that explains the Agreement. J.
Bodine advised the DNR that the County will consider involvement when there are projects located
within the Washburn Ranger District. Some counties are considering paying over-time to existing
staff or hiring additional staff or are not interested in being involved in the project. There will be
more information to come.
4) County/DNR Partnership Meeting.
J. Bodine participated in an annual meeting with DNR staff to review the past year’s partnership
Bayfield County Forestry and Parks Committee Page 2 of 2
October 12, 2015 Meeting Minutes
progress. The year has been a great success, especially when considering the number of DNR
vacancies over the past few years. The DNR has filled the vacant positions with seasoned foresters
so it is anticipated that the transition will also be smooth.
5) Milt Reinke Award
Bayfield County was this year’s recipient of this traveling trophy for averaging .73 cords per acre;
maximizing the sustainable harvest goals. The award traditionally goes to the smaller counties
where spreading the volume from a few timber sales covers a little more ground. Bayfield County is
the largest county to date to win this recognition.
F. Strand congratulated J. Bodine and staff on the achievement.
B. Parks
This year’s season has been the best in terms of use with an uptick in transient (non-seasonal campers) at
Twin Bear. Big Rock campground use has been phenomenal. J. Bodine will work with the Tourism
Department for 2016 promotion of Delta Lake campground where the transient usage has declined.
There was a discussion of the potential for adding a picnic pavilion at Twin Bear Campground.
C. Trails
J. Bodine referred to the project report submitted by L. Neitzel.
MOTION: (Bichanich, Bennett) to receive and place on file the September 2015 financial report. Carried.
5. Fall Timber Sale Offering.
J. Bodine presented the 2015 Fall Timber Sale Offering. The 30 tract offering has a minimum bid value of
$1.8 million; the largest to date.
MOTION: (Bichanich, Maki) to approve the fall timber sale offering as presented. Carried.
13. Joseph LeBouton, DNR Representative.
Nothing to report at this time.
14. Adjourn.
Meeting adjourned at 6:31 P.M.
The next Forestry and Parks Committee meeting and timber sale bid opening will be held Monday, November
9, 2015 at 6:00 P.M. at Bayfield County Courthouse, County Board Room, 2nd Floor, 117 E. 5th Street,
Washburn, WI.
Submitted by,
Pat Bruno