HomeMy WebLinkAboutForestry & Parks Committee - Minutes - 8/12/2019
BAYFIELD COUNTY FORESTRY AND PARKS DEPARTMENT
COMMITTEE MEETING
August 12, 2019
County Board Room
Members Present: Fred Strand, Chairperson; Jeffrey Silbert, Vice-Chairperson; Larry Fickbohm, David
Zepczyk and Harold Maki
Staff in Attendance: Jason Bodine, Administrator; Lindley Mattson, Office Manager; Steve Probst,
1. Call to Order of Forestry and Parks Committee Meeting.
The meeting of the Forestry and Parks Committee was called to order by Chairman F. Strand at 6:01 P.M.
2. Public Comment.
Chairperson Strand called for public comment. After repeating the call no one came forward. Closed
public comment.
3. Approval of the June 10, 2019 Meeting Minutes.
MOTION: (Fickbohm, Zepczyk) to approve the minutes as presented. All: Yes. Carried.
4. Land Use Agreement/Lease
Xcel has made a request to store approximately 100 power utility poles in the Sand River Pit for their
scheduled work up north this fall. There is a possibility of 20-40 poles staying over the winter months. JB
provided a lease agreement sent over by Xcel, we added a caveat at the end that addresses the Apostle
island sled dog race as well as some of the spring wood that gets staged in the pit. Xcel agreed to work with
us on the staging area for the race, if any poles are in the way they would be moved to accommodate for the
race. In exchange they would pay the county $500 a month, with an expectation of it taking 10 months.
MOTION: (Maki, Silbert) accept the storage lease agreement with Northern States Power to put their
poles in Sand River Pit. All: Yes. Carried.
5. Monthly Reports. Discussion of general activities, events, issues and accomplishments. Possible
action on report(s) only.
A. Forestry (all updates)
a. 2019 Budget
Ahead of the pace. Currently 2.67 million in revenue compared to 2.5 million at this time
last year. Expenses are on track. Budget is looking good for 2019.
b. Comprehensive Land Use Plan
Will be a topic on the agenda for the next year and a half. Templates have been created
and distributed to county forest administrators. Between now and the next few months we
will be opening the chapters and revising the plan. Much more to come.
c. Certification Audit
This was a full re-certification audit for FSC and SFI. Included in the distribution
material for the committee members were the maps of the tours as well as the
descriptions for each stop. Each tour made it about halfway through the scheduled tour.
Timber sales, recreation stakeholders, Barnes Barrens, and the Cable rec area were
among the stops. The audit went extremely well, there were no corrective actions nor
observations for improvements. This is rare for an audit in general and extremely rare for
a full certification audit. The full report will be forwarded to the committee once received
by administrator. Some committee discussion on what the auditors were looking for.
d. Oak Wilt
J. Holmes has been flying the drone looking for new signs of Oak Wilt. There are some
new spots we will be sampling. The DNR is going up next week in a plane to look at our
current problem areas, Cable and south Barnes. Hoping for no new outbreaks but
wouldn’t be surprised to see more. Side note: no new positives on EAB, traps remain
empty.
e. Trespass in Iron River
Still in withdraw phase, should have a final decision shortly. They did have some
questions regarding withdraw, which were answered promptly. After withdrawing, we
will move quickly on closing the property.
B. Parks (all updates)
Parks are extremely popular this season. As of this week over $90,000 in revenue. Parks have
been growing for three or four years. Expecting to level out. Few requests for the 2020 budget,
will be covered later in the meeting.
C. Trails and Recreation (all updates)
a. Motorized Trials
Not a lot to update regarding trails. We managed to escape any major trail damage
in these last few storms. Committee discussion on county roads opening up to
ATVs.
b. Non-Motorized Trails
i. Siskiwit Falls
Met with representatives from the Town of Bell to update the new chairperson on
plans for Siskiwit Falls. They were all supportive of the plans. Next week we will
be working with highway to start some of the first infrastructure improvements,
focusing on the main access route on the eastern lot. We did receive the $30,000
WI Coastal Management grant for the primary hiking trail on the east side of the
river. We applied for Knowles Nelson Stewardship for the other half, hoping to
have a positive announcement soon. Side note: For Lost Creek Falls, we applied
for a RTA grant from the state which would take care of the last remaining work
on the Lost Creek Trail. That is a 50/50 grant for $11,000, our match is part of the
proposed 2020 budget. Committee discussion on development of surrounding area
(field).
ii. Fire Hill
The Stewardship grant was approved. We are waiting to hear back form WI
Coastal on the other matching half. If the Coastal grant is awarded, there is a
chance to close on the property still this year.
c. Yurts
Yurts, very active this summer. Bayfield yurts are pushing the 100% occupancy. Cable is
around 40-50%. Great reviews all around. There is some maintenance over the next year
or so; new stain on floors/deck, update tables etc.
d. Events
No previously approved events were addressed during the past month. Most recurring
events are being addressed around the first of every year. In general, once all of the
Birke, CAMBA and North End events have come through, we only get a few new
events, which will then be brought to the committee.
e. FEMA Grant/Projects
i. Motorized Trails
Both motorized grants are closed out and FEMA reimbursement received.
ii. Delta Landfill
The landfill portion is still open. DATCP is still committed to assisting us with
the project, hoping to meet with them this month. This is budgeted as a Capital
project in the 2020 budget. FEMA has committed the 87.5% of the estimated
$350,000. The state did say they would look into some additional grant options
for the remaining 12.5% Also, looking at reaching out to the town in contributing
to this 12.5%
MOTION: (Maki, Zepczyk) Receive the monthly report and place on file. All: Yes. Carried.
6. 2020 Budget
J. Bodine provided a draft of the 2020 operating budget. Bottom line is a .64% decrease in net return to the
general fund. Net return in the 2019 budget was 2.018 million, proposed return for the 2020 budget is 2.005
million. Difference of about 13,000. This is after incorporating the 3% increase in wages, 10% increase in
health insurance but the biggest change in budget items is the town road aid increase from 2% to 3%. The
2019 budget for town road aide was $75,000, for 2020 it is $115,000. J. Bodine was able to balance the
budget with this increase but is squeezing where we can.
Committee discussion on how beneficial this project is to the county. By maintaining the roads better, it will
increase the value of future timber sales. Also discussed increase in Good Neighbor Authority (GNA). Staff
will continue for 2020. State is now hiring staff to focus on GNA, county is at its max for assistance.
J. Bodine will look over the budget once more before sending off to Administrator
MOTION: (Maki, Silbert) Recommend sending this proposed budget on to the Administrator. All: Yes.
Carried.
Joseph LeBouton, DNR Liason –Not in attendance.
Meeting adjourned at 6:55 P.M
The next Forestry and Parks Committee meeting will be held Monday, September 9, 2019 at 6:00 P.M. at
Bayfield County Courthouse, County Board Room, Second Floor, 117 E. 5th Street, Washburn, Wisconsin.
Submitted by,
Lindley Mattson