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HomeMy WebLinkAboutForestry & Parks Committee - Minutes - 9/11/2017BAYFIELD COUNTY FORESTRY AND PARKS DEPARTMENT COMMITTEE MEETING September 11, 2017 County Board Room Members Present: Shawn Miller, Chairperson; Fred Strand, Vice-Chairperson; Larry Fickbohm; and Jeffrey Silbert Members Absent: Harold Maki Staff in Attendance: Jason Bodine, 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. S. Miller called for a moment of silence to remember the those who died on September 11, 2001. 2. Public Comment. S. Miller called for public comment. No public members present. 3. Approval of the August 14, 2017 Meeting Minutes. MOTION: (Strand, Silbert) to approve the minutes as presented. Carried. 4. Monthly Reports. a. Forestry 1) Department 2017 Budget Update. The timber sale revenues are a bit below average for the month mostly due to wet conditions; however, revenues are above average $3.77 million for the last three years. Expenses are on target. An expense budget amendment will be coming for the 10% to Towns and Summer Tour. The WI DNR has notified J. Bodine they (DNR) are not interested in being part of the shooting range lease and would like all references to the DNR removed from the lease. 2) Red Cliff Land Sale Update. The purchase agreement has been signed. The title work has begun and the process is expected to be completed within 30 days. The Tribe has also been awarded wetland grant funds for another purchase. J. Bodine is researching another property to sell and is anticipating a presentation to the Committee at the October meeting. 3) DNR – County Forest Program Review/Audit WI DNR Auditors conducted the three-year (2014-2016) program audit. J. Bodine expects some changes to come regarding the current amendment requirements of the 15-year plan. Today’s technology could negate the requirement because the plan is fluid and is proactively updated on the Bayfield County website. Another item flagged is the requirement of the Wildlife Habitat funds (nickel-an-acre) where a maximum of three years of funds is allowable carryover; however, most than allowable has been exceeded. The Department will work with DNR staff to find the best projects to apply these funds. Bayfield County Forestry and Parks Committee Page 2 of 4 September 11, 2017 Meeting Minutes 4) Duck Lake Timber Sales Update. The contract with RM. Bay was re-negotiated to a level within the range approved last month. It is expected that this timber sale will become active again this winter. Also, a contract with Doyle Blakeman of Country Trucking and Logging (CTL) which was affected by this lawsuit has been agreed upon. This contract was not signed prior to the lawsuit but was won by CTL when originally offered prior to the lawsuit. The contract was on hold until the lawsuit was recently settled; thus, allowing the re-offer to CTL, who accepted the terms. b. Parks J. Bodine anticipates a new net revenue record of around $102,000 for 2017. Prior to the parks’ oversight coming to the Forestry Department, the previous Twin Bear campground manager collected all fees, retaining 70% of the camping fees and 25% of the boat launch. Also, there were three different contractors for each of the three campgrounds. J. Bodine explained all the improvements made to the campgrounds in recent years. The current campgrounds manager’s contract expires at the end of this year but it is anticipated that a newly negotiated contract with the current manager will come to fruition; possibly re-structed and based upon net revenues. J. Silbert appreciates the good fit that parks’ land management has made with this department. J. Bodine explained that recreation was not a significant part of the department’s focus in the past; but since the migration, many improvements have been completed. c. Trails and Recreation 1) Motorized Trail Updates. It was a good ATV season this year with very few incidents or issues. The clubs are doing a great job. A few snowmobile trail re-routes are in process near Valhalla to resolve the private property trail access closure issues. This is an on-going challenge statewide. S. Miller suggests a property tax decrease incentive to help to keep the trails on private land. 2) Non-Motorized Trail Updates. Along with 200 feet of new boardwalk in process on the Lost Creek Falls trail, a new trail to access the Bayfield yurt will be completed this fall. This trail will cut over lower on the trail and approach on the south side rather than the north side of the yurt. The new trail will be maintained by Mt. Ashwabay. after having hiked the LCF Trail, J. Silbert shared some vandalism observations and suggestions (handrails in a couple of locations and a primitive camping spot). 3) Yurt Updates. The average combined occupancy in 2017 for the two yurts is at 55%; Bayfield 70% and Cable 40% with 1,300 people having stayed at the yurts. A future goal is to install educational signage. MOTION: (Silbert, Fickbohm) to receive and place on file the monthly reports. Carried. 5. Access Permit Renewal Request: Richard Wiitala. Discussion and possible action regarding a request to renew a temporary 10-year access permit in the Town of Iron River. J. Bodine recommends approval of this reciprocal renewal access permit. The Wiitala’s maintain the road very well. Bayfield County Forestry and Parks Committee Page 3 of 4 September 11, 2017 Meeting Minutes MOTION: (Silbert, Fickbohm) to renew the access permit to Richard Wiitala. Carried. 6. Recreational Use Permit: Dave Barningham. Discussion and possible action regarding a request to maintain approximately 400 feet of existing trail for cross country ski use in the Town of Bayfield. D. Barningham is requesting to maintain 400 feet of existing non-motorized trail that connects his property to an existing non-motorized trail that is maintained by Mt. Ashwabay. MOTION: (Strand, Silbert) to approve for a 10-year period for non-motorized use and it is to remain open for public use. Carried. 7. 2018 Budget. Added to the budget for 2018 is a $76,000 WI DNR sustainable forestry grant award to establish the CFI plots project for years 2018-2019. The project grant would be applied to costs for an additional staff person’s wages and fringe benefits and equipment (required to install the CFI plots). Another budget adjustment is a Big Rock capitol request. With other County Administrator adjustments, total net returns to the general fund were nearly doubled, from about 1.6% to 4.0%. J. Silbert supports the new position as it signals an increase in attention to managing the inventory; not a revenue focused improvement. No action taken. 8. Land Purchase. Discussion and possible action regarding the purchase of approximately five acres of land in the Town of Barnes for the purpose of securing a section of state funded ATV and snowmobile trail. The Department was recently awarded $12,500 for the county to purchase land in the Town of Barnes to re- route an existing trail that crosses private land. The current land owners have denied access to that portion of the trail and by purchasing this five-acre lot it would secure the connectivity on the trail. The Town of Barnes considers maintaining motorized trail connectivity a high priority and has earmarked $5,000 in town funds to help with the purchase, if needed. The trail connects to downtown Barnes. J. Bodine is pursuing appraisals. It has not been determined what the options could be if the scenario after the purchase is a complete trail closure. J. Bodine is confident that the other land owners on this trail will continue to allow access on a long-term basis. If the future scenario is the trail is dissolved, J. Bodine believes the grant money would need to be returned to the state and the county could then sell the property. MOTION: (Strand, Silbert) to approve and move forward to the full county board with the understanding that the divestment information is presented on the 19th at the full county board meeting. Carried. 9. Joseph LeBouton, DNR Representative. No comments were made. 10. Adjourn Meeting adjourned at 6:50 PM. The next Forestry and Parks Committee meeting will be held Monday, October 9, 2017 at 6:00 P.M. at Bayfield County Courthouse, County Board Room, Second Floor, 117 E. 5th Street, Washburn, Wisconsin. Bayfield County Forestry and Parks Committee Page 4 of 4 September 11, 2017 Meeting Minutes Submitted by, Pat Bruno