HomeMy WebLinkAboutForestry & Parks Committee - Minutes - 12/14/2015BAYFIELD COUNTY FORESTRY AND PARKS DEPARTMENT
COMMITTEE MEETING
December 14, 2015
County Board Room
Members Present: Shawn Miller, Chairperson; Marco Bichanich, Vice-Chairperson; Harold Maki, John
Bennett and Fred Strand
Members Absent: None
Staff in Attendance: Jason Bodine, Administrator; Steve Probst, Assistant 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 6:02 P.M.
2. Approval of the November 9, 2015 Meeting Minutes.
MOTION: (Bichanich, Strand) to receive and place on file the November 9, 2015 meeting minutes. Carried.
3. Public Comment.
S. Miller called for public comment.
Gilbert Rasmussen expressed concern about the railroad grade trail issue in the southern part of the County
where he owns property.
4. Monthly Financial Report.
A. Forestry
1) Department Budget Update.
Timber sale revenues for November are $318,000+ with a total for the year to date at $4.82 million+.
A draft budget amendment resolution addresses the adjustment amending the 10% net timber sale
receipts due to Towns to be finalized at the end of 2015. All other expenses are on target.
2) Staff Update.
Leigh Neitzel’s last day was December 11, 2015. Jenifer Bratsch has been hired and her start date is
set for January 4, 2016.
3) Access Management Update.
Telephone inquiries and meetings regarding motorized access to trails ramped up during the fall deer
hunting season. As it stands now 75% of the 1,200 miles of trails in the Bayfield County Forest are
open to ATV’s and nearly all (90%) trails are open to snowmobiles; when conditions allow.
B. Parks
The parks had a very good year and the properties are now buttoned up for the off season.
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C. Trails
1) Snowmobile Trail Update
J. Bodine referred to Leigh Neitzel’s November trails projects report. Included are the 80 foot
bridge relocated to the Flag River area, of which the expenses came in under budget. Lost Creek
Falls trail project is still in progress. Due to recent rains, more wet areas were discovered and repairs
will need to be addressed. Work is progressing on the parking area/trailhead. No snowmobiling yet
due to the lack of snow.
Due to railroad grade trail closures, a new Mason area map was created. If the railroad grade trail
remains closed, there are two bridges that would need to be removed as they were purchased with
state trail aid funding.
MOTION: (Maki, Bennett) to receive and place on file the November 2015 financial report. Carried.
5. Access Permit Request. Angela Dougherty.
Angela Dougherty has requested an access permit to property in the Town of Barnes off of 8 Mile Lake
purchased from Michael O’Neil.
MOTION: (Bichanich, Bennett) to approve a temporary 10-year access permit as requested by Angela
Dougherty to property located in the Town of Barnes. Carried.
6. Access Permit Request. Neil Fishbaugher.
Neil Fishbaugher has requested an access permit to gain access to property via an existing road in the Town
of Bayview.
MOTION: (Maki, Bichanich) to approve a temporary 10-year access permit request by Neil Fishbaugher to
property located in the Town of Bayview. Carried.
7. Recreational Use Request: American Birkebeiner Association.
A. American Birkebeiner, Kortelopet and Prince Haakon: February 20, 2016.
B. Fat Tire Birkie: March 5, 2016
C. Birkie Trail Run and Trek: October 1, 2016.
MOTION: (Bichanich, Strand) to approve the request made by the American Birkebeiner Association to use
existing trails on county owned land in the Town of Cable for the listed events. Carried.
8. Recreational Use Request: North End Ski Club.
MOTION: (Bennett, Bichanich) to approve the request made by the North End Ski Club to use existing
trails on Bayfield County forest land in the Town of Cable for the North end Classic cross country ski race
on February 7, 2016. Carried.
9. Recreational Use Request: Bayfield Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Bureau.
MOTION: (Maki, Bennett) to approve the request made by the Bayfield Chamber of Commerce and Visitor
Bureau to use the existing trail on Bayfield County forest land in the Towns of Bayfield and Russell for the
annual Apostle Island Sled Dog Race on February 6 and 7, 2016. Carried.
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10. 2015 Year End Budget Resolution.
J. Bodine presented a draft 2015 year end budget resolution for consideration. The draft includes
adjustments to the revenue and expenses of the Sustainable Forestry Grant and also approximate numbers
for the 10% Town Road Aid Fund.
MOTION: (Bennett, Bichanich) to approve the draft 2015 year end budget amendment and forward to the
full county board of commissioners for consideration. Roll Call Vote: Yes: Maki, Bichanich, Miller,
Bennett, and Strand. No: None. Carried.
11. 2016 Work Plan.
The final plan is not yet complete. J. Bodine noted that adjustments to jack pine harvest goals will be made.
12. Joseph LeBouton, DNR Representative.
The second round of interviews was completed for the supervisor position openings. It is expected the
decision will be made in a day or two.
13. Executive Session.
A. Approval of the November 9, 2015 Executive Session Minutes.
B. Railroad Grade Issue in the Town of Cable.
C. Duck Lake Land Acquisition.
MOTION: (Bichanich, Maki) to enter into Executive Session pursuant to Wisconsin Statutes 19.85(1)(g),
for the purpose of considering legal advice regarding strategy to be adopted by the body with respect to
litigation in which it is or is likely to become involved. Roll call vote: Yes: Strand, Maki, Miller, Bennett,
Bichanich. No: None. Carried.
Entered into closed session at 6:23 PM.
Reconvened in open session at 6:49 PM.
14. Discussion and Possible Action regarding the Railroad Grade Issue in the Town of Cable.
MOTION: (Miller, Bichanich) to suspend the rules to allow the public to speak in regard to the railroad
grade issue. Carried.
Doug Wegener, property owner in the Town of Cable who is affected by the railroad grade issue, stated he
can provide deeds proving ownership to the property. He would like the issue to be resolved and to avoid a
court battle.
Gill Rasmussen contends that the railroad did not have rights to sell the land to the County after 1980/1981.
The landowners do not want the trail closed to snowmobiling.
J. Bodine read a prepared statement in which the County’s intention is to not pursue ownership of the
railroad right of way located in the Town of Cable. H. Maki recommended that the property owners to
receive an official letter stating the County’s intent.
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15. Adjourn.
Meeting adjourned at 7:16 P.M.
The next Forestry and Parks Committee meeting and timber sale bid opening will be held Monday, January
11, 2016 at 6:00 P.M. at Bayfield County Courthouse, County Board Room, 2nd Floor, 117 E. 5th Street,
Washburn, Wisconsin.
Submitted by,
Pat Bruno