HomeMy WebLinkAboutForestry & Parks Committee - Minutes - 3/9/2020
BAYFIELD COUNTY FORESTRY AND PARKS DEPARTMENT
COMMITTEE MEETING
March 9, 2020
County Board Room
Members Present: Fred Strand, Chairperson; David Zepczyk and Jeffrey Silbert, Larry Fickbohm and Harold
Maki
Staff in Attendance: Jason Bodine, Administrator; Lindley Mattson, Office Manager; Steve Probst, Assistant
Administrator
Others in Attendance: Joseph LeBouton, DNR Liaison
1. Call to Order of Forestry and Parks Committee Meeting.
This meeting was called to order at 6:01 pm
2. Public Comment.
Chairperson Strand called for public comment. After repeating the call no one came forward. Closed
public comment.
3. Approval of the February 17, 2020 Meeting Minutes.
MOTION: (Maki, Fickbohm) to approve the minutes as presented. All: Yes. Carried.
4. Monthly Reports. Discussion of general activities, events, issues and accomplishments. Possible
action on report(s) only.
a. Forestry (all updates):
a) 2020 Budget. Revenues were roughly $250k for February, to date 520k, a little behind the pace
from last year. Expenses are on target.
b) Sap Collection Permit The committee approved a pilot program last year but without much
participation, we are doing another pilot year. Attached is an example of the permit we have
been working off. Right now we have county designated areas but there are opportunities for
other locations.
Committee discussion on department time spent, impact to the forest, etc.
Maki is against going forward with the Sap Collection Permitting. Would like it as an action item
next month.
More committee discussion on terms of the permit.
c) Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Grant – Potential Project. Two various landowners are interested
in working with us. We are looking at matching funds at this time. Not much to present at this
time.
d) WCFA Board of Directors Vacancy. Wisconsin County forest Association has a vacancy in
Area III. J. Bodine included the by-laws. Fickbohm showing interest. Bodine will send over
more information.
MOTION: (Fickbohm, Maki) to suspend the rules for public comment. All: Yes. Carried.
Public Comment:
Scogin Zimmermann – Attending the meeting today to learn more about the county’s tapping
permit process. Would like to see the draft permit. J. Bodine will send that to Scogin.
Sara Mihalick – Is also interested in tapping trees. Also would like to give feedback on the
permit.
Close public comment.
e) Wildlife Monitoring Project(s) – Barnes Barrens. Over the past few years the department has
been interested in getting a better understanding of how wildlife is using the county forest. We
are collaborating with the Forest Service and the DNR on a sharp-tailed grouse project in the
Barnes Barrens. Accumulated wildlife dollars would be applied towards any such project.
Committee discussion on sharp-tailed grouse and the Moquah Barrens. Possibility of having
someone present a summary at the next meeting about how the Forest Service’s project has
evolved.
f.) Timber Sale Advertising Policy Change. We were recently notified by the DNR that there is a
change in the number of times a timber sale has to be advertised before it can be sold direct. Old
statute stated that it had to be offered twice before being sold as direct, now it is just once. J. Bodine
recommends keeping the county policy as two offerings before being sold as direct.
Side note: The department is having some discussion with private entities on the potential for
carbon marketing on the county forest. Still in the beginning discussions and how it would work for
us.
b. Parks:
Credit card payments are still being discussed by the department. Square and GovPay are the two
options we are weighing. Update: BBC America (National Geographic) will be in the area in the
next few weeks. They are planning on staying at our yurt as well as checking out Big Rock
Campground.
c. Trails and Recreation:
a) Motorized Trail Updates: Snowmobile season is coming to an end. Great season overall.
b) Non-Motorized Trail Updates: RFP’s will go out this spring for work on some trails.
c) Yurt Updates: February occupancy rates: 62% for Evergreen, 38% for Terra Cotta, 41% for
Cable.
d) Events. Two recurring events approved. The South Shore Enduro event and Ladies Mountain
Bike clinic, both held at Ashwaybay.
e) Delta Landfill Update: Working with land conservation on developing the repair. The initial
plans have come back higher than expected. Approved $350k, the preferred alternative from land
conservation is estimated at 500k.
MOTION: (Maki, Fickbohm) Receive and place on file. All: Yes. Carried.
5. 2020 Town Road Aid Projects
J. Bodine presented a summary for the committee. Amount requested for 2020 was 134k, awarded
amount will be 90k. Cable did not submit a town road aid project for 2020. They still have $8,000 from
2019 to request reimbursement for.
MOTION: (Maki, Silbert) Approve option one for 2020 town road aids. All: Yes. Carried.
6. Bayfield County Comprehensive Land Use Plan Revision: Chapters 100-600
Very little changes to the last version brought to the committee. Chapter 200 included changes to update
wording pertaining to Knowles-Nelson Stewardship grants. Chapter 500 now includes the change in
timber sale advertising from two years to one year and as well as including the county administrator on
any land transactions.
MOTION: (Fickbohm, Zepczyk) Approve Chap. All: Yes. Carried.
7. Bayfield County Comprehensive Land Use Plan
J. Bodine goes over plan for the upcoming meetings in regard to the 15 year comp plan. Chapter 700 to
committee in April, 800 in May and appendices in June. Some discussion on topics within these
chapters. All agreed to go ahead as presented.
8. Bayfield County Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan 2020-2024
Tourism (Motiff) did have a few comments and suggestions. Those have been incorporated. Updated
draft was given to committee members.
MOTION: (Silbert,Fickbohm) Approve the plan and recommend to the full county board. 4:1.
Carried.
Comments from Maki, he does not believe we should give away or sell county property.
9. Joseph LeBouton, DNR Liaison – Again brings up the position within WCFA and how important the
position is.
The next Forestry and Parks Committee meeting has been rescheduled for Monday, April 13, at 6:00 P.M.
at Bayfield County Annex Building, Emergency Operations Center, 117 E. 6th Street, Washburn,
Wisconsin.
Meeting adjourned at 7:14 PM
Submitted by,
Lindley Mattson