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HomeMy WebLinkAboutForestry & Parks Committee - Minutes - 1/11/2016BAYFIELD COUNTY FORESTRY AND PARKS DEPARTMENT COMMITTEE MEETING January 11, 2016 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, Tim Kane, UW-Extension 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 December 14, 2015 Meeting Minutes. MOTION: (Bichanich, Strand) to receive and place on file the December 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. This year’s timber sale revenues are one for the record books. Revenues for 2015 are $5 million plus; including both county forest land and non-county forest land revenues. The budget projections were exceeded by 60%. A budget resolution will be prepared to present to the full county board to adjust the Town Road Aid 10% expense to the towns accordingly. B. Parks There is nothing of note to report at this time. C. Trails 1) Snowmobile Trail Update The fresh end of the year snowfall was minimal and trails were wet. Traffic caused some damage. After the clean up was completed, trail groomers have been out but the swamps are not yet frozen and one groomer in the Cable area sank. Water crossings are not frozen and that issue interrupts the trail. 2) Railroad Grade Update Doug Wegener has reopened the gate on the property in the southern part of the county and has signed long term agreements with the local snowmobile club to keep the trail open. The trail needs repairs. Bayfield County Forestry and Parks Committee Page 2 of 3 January 11, 2016 Meeting Minutes The ownership issue is not fully resolved. The County Administrator has proposed a revision to the statement read at the last Committee meeting addressing the intent of the County would be to cover the entire County versus only this situation. Once reviewed, J. Bodine will bring the statement back to the Forestry & Parks Committee prior to going to the full County Board for consideration. MOTION: (Bichanich, Bennett) to receive and place on file the December 2015 financial report. Carried. 5. Pigeon Lake Field Station. The State of Wisconsin Board of Commissioners of Public Land (BCPL) has asked Bayfield County to consider purchasing the field station property. The BCPL prefers the land be sold to a public entity and cannot, by law, sell it below the appraised value of $1,325,000. J. Bodine described the property and displayed a map of the compound. At this point in time, the Department has no plans for a specific use. MOTION: (Strand, Bichanich) to suspend the rules to allow members of the public to speak. Roll call vote: All Yes. Carried. Lester Watters, a long time Pigeon Lake resident, spoke to the many activities and classes the station has provided to the public over the years. He spoke to the excellent care given the facility and the employment provided to area residents. He has zoning/use concerns if a private party were to purchase the property. Tim Kane, UW-Extension Agent said Bayfield County 4-H held summer camps on the property. He has a thorough knowledge of the camp and its buildings. He offered a few suggestions: to purchase and hire a concessionaire, add to the County’s park system, and manage the surrounding timber. It is prime property and would be unfortunate to lose it. J. Bodine has requested the maintenance budget from UW-River Falls for consideration. No action taken. 6. Recreational Use Request: Mt. Borah Foundation, LLC. MOTION: (Bichanich, Bennett) to approve request from the Mt. Borah Foundation to utilize trails in the Town of Cable for their Epic mountain bike race on June 4, 2016. Carried. 7. 2016 Work Plan. J. Bodine reviewed the goal highlights set for 2016 of which include an increase in the sustainable harvest goals, an increased aggressive approach to over mature jack pine stands and reforestation program; also, addressing a knotted knapweed problem in the Barnes area. Bodine anticipates future requests for special access to trails that have had recent access changes. J. Bodine anticipates the Washburn Ranger District will offer the first Good Neighbor Authority designated timber sale in the fall of 2016. The parks program may include two new camping sites at Twin Bear and possibly an island campsite added as part of Delta Lake Park. A trail development project at Big Rock Park is under consideration. Bayfield County Forestry and Parks Committee Page 3 of 3 January 11, 2016 Meeting Minutes The trails and recreation portion is to complete existing grant projects and take part in the development of the county’s recreation strategy plan. MOTION: (Bichanich, Bennett) to approve the 2016 Work Plan as submitted. Roll call vote: All yes. Carried. 8. Joseph LeBouton, DNR Representative. Matt Blaylock, former team leader, has been promoted to DNR Area Leader; leaving the team leader position open. 9. Executive Session. A. Approval of the December 14, 2015 Executive Session Minutes. B. 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 6:34 PM. 10. Adjourn. Meeting adjourned at 6:45 P.M. The next Forestry and Parks Committee meeting and timber sale bid opening will be held Monday, February 8, 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