HomeMy WebLinkAboutForestry & Parks Committee - Minutes - 4/11/2016BAYFIELD COUNTY FORESTRY AND PARKS DEPARTMENT
COMMITTEE MEETING
April 11, 2016
County Board Room
Members Present: Shawn Miller, Chairperson; Marco Bichanich, Vice-Chairperson; Fred Strand
Members Absent: John Bennett, Harold Maki
Staff in Attendance: Jason Bodine, Administrator, Steve Probst; Assistant Administrator and Pat Bruno,
Office Manager
Others in Attendance: Joseph LeBouton, WI DNR
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 March 14, 2016 Meeting Minutes.
MOTION: (Strand, Bichanich) to receive and place on file the March 14, 2016 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.
March timber sale revenues are at $330,000 with the year’s revenues at about $910,000. Expenses
are normal. Parks seasonal revenues are coming in. Overall, the budget is looking good.
2) Good Neighbor Authority.
The Memorandum of Agreement between the County, the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest
Service and the WI DNR is in the signatures process. The next step is the budget finalization.
3) Potential Stewardship Projects.
Recently, many properties in Bayfield County are changing ownership between forest land groups.
There is a potential for fragmentation which could result in the potential for land to purchase under
the stewardship program. This is for informational purposes at this point.
B. Parks
The recent winter’s weather was kind and the cleanup and repairs to the parks are minor. There will be
some pathway and camping pad repairs to be addressed.
C. Trails and Recreation
1) ATV Trails Update
Trails will open in a month or so. The Department is currently working on a contract with the
Trails North ATV group.
2) Yurt Update.
All permits will be finalized soon. The Conditional Use Permit is being addressed by the
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Bayview Township Board tonight. Also, once tests are completed, it is expected the Health
Department will issue the pit toilet permits.
MOTION: (Strand, Bichanich) to receive and place on file the March 2016 financial report. Carried.
5. Recognizing Marco Bichanich Upon His Retirement from the Bayfield County Board of Supervisors.
The members and guests were served cake and coffee in honor of Marco Bichanich and John Bennett for
their many years of service on the Forestry and Parks Committee.
6. Spring Timber Sale Offering.
Thirty-six timber tracts are offered which include three tracts that were not sold in the fall.
MOTION: (Bichanich, Strand) to accept and approve the spring timber sale bid offering as presented.
Carried.
7. Recreational Use Permit: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services, Iron River National Fish Hatchery.
A request has been received from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to expand their existing trails into
County Forest Land. J. Bodine recommends approval.
MOTION: (Bichanich, Strand) to approve granting a recreational use permit to U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Services, Iron River National Fish Hatchery. Carried.
8. Joseph LeBouton, DNR Representative.
No comments.
MOTION: (Strand, Bichanich) to enter in and out of Executive Session pursuant to Wisconsin Statute
19.85(1)(g)(e), 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 and deliberating or negotiating the
purchasing of public properties, the investing of public funds, or conducting other specified business,
whenever competitive or bargaining reasons require a closed session . Carried.
Entered into closed session at 6:35 PM.
9. Executive Session.
A. Approval of the March 14, 2016 Executive Session Minutes.
B. Purchase of Land.
C. Duck Lake Update. 19.85 (1)(g).
MOTION: (Bichanich, Strand) to reconvene in open session. Carried.
Entered into open session at 6:50 PM.
10. Discussion and possible Action Regarding the Purchase of Land in the Town of Bayfield.
No action taken in open session.
11. Adjourn
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April 11, 2016 Meeting Minutes
Meeting adjourned at 6:50 PM.
The next Forestry and Parks Committee meeting and timber sale bid opening will be held Monday, May 9,
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