HomeMy WebLinkAboutAquatic Invasive Species Committee - Minutes - 4/28/2021MINUTES
April 28th, 2021 (to be reviewed)
Present: Nan Olson-Chair, David Zepczyk-Board of Supervisor District #11; Andrew Teal-AIS Coordinator, &
Melissa Kraft-LWCD Assistant. VIA telephone: Karen Austin-CBCW Coordinator for Pike Chain of
Lakes and Delta Lake, Jodi Dahlgren-HR Director at NorthLakes Community Clinic, Mark Witmer-
Financial Director at NorthLakes Community Clinic
Absent: Sally Pease-Friends of the Eau Claire Lakes Association/Town of Barnes AIS Committee (provided
report, on file); Ramona Shackleford-NCWMA Coordinator; Reed Saam-Red Cliff Treaty Natural
Resources Division; Steve Sandstrom-Board of Supervisor District #1
No quorum present to call the meeting to order.
Introductions: Introductions roundtable.
No quorum to appoint new Vice chair.
Public Comment: None.
No quorum to approve minutes from February 26th, 2020.
Discussion on Clean Boats Clean Waters-Iron River program and payroll: Many logistical issues were discussed
regarding the Clean Boats Clean Waters/Iron River program and payroll process for the hires. Jodi Dahlgren, HR
Director at NorthLakes Community Clinic, will compile fifteen (15) blank hire packets and mail them to Nan Olson. Nan
will forward the completed hire packets to Jodi at the Hayward office unless Beth or Brianna in the Iron River office will
be able to scan the information to Jodi once the completed I-9 forms are delivered to Nicole Lester at the NorthLakes
Iron River office for Citizenship verification. Jodi will confirm this step in the process after discussion with Reba Rice
and will then pass it on to Nan and Karen Austin what the process will be.
Jodi will take care of getting the background checks done on the hires. Nan Olson asks that the fees for the
background checks be sent to her and she will see that the money gets reimbursed to NorthLakes. It was noted a
background check runs about $30.00 each.
Karen Austin was asked to forward the job description for the position, via email, to Jodi following today’s meeting.
Andy Teal was asked to look into the liability issue and what process would be followed and who would be the
responsible payor if one of the hires were hurt on the job and a worker’s comp claim were to be filed, etc.
Payroll dates were discussed so that they are aware of when they need to have the timesheets turned in by for
processing. There will be no direct deposit for the hires; instead, a paper check will be mailed to the addresses on file.
Andy Teal will email all participants contact information including phone numbers and email addresses following this
meeting.
Discussion on upcoming DNR AIS Coordinator program funding shift to Lake Management Partnership Network.
Andy’s position for funding is shifting to a set amount through DNR and unfortunately funding will not be as much. He
will have to apply each year for available funding dollars and pre-proposals are due Sept. 1st; full applications are due
on November 1st. Andy noted that he thinks that our county would be awarded around $22,000 a year through the new
DNR grant. His position is currently half-time working on AIS and the other half of his position is currently funded by
Bayfield County to do surface water conservation work. Andy says there may be a decrease in county AIS program
funding when the new DNR AIS funding model switches over. He said it will be a conversation he will have to have
with Ben about how to make up the difference.
Citizen Committee member -Business Representative search:
Andy updated that he is still unable to find someone to fill the citizen committee member-business representative
position. Nan suggested that she and Andy meet with the Pike Chain of Lakes board members either formally or
informally to discuss finding a representative from the Pikes Chain or business member. Andy will reach out to Jay
Johnson.
Discussion on Climate change stories for Wisconsin Initiative on Climate Change Impacts. Andy sent his personal
2016 flood story to Madeline Magee. He noted that if anyone else wants to share one of their own climate change
stories he will pass on her contact information.
AIS Coordinator Report. Andy discussed his report in detail which is on file. He mentioned he had a lot of virtual
meetings. The conferences were held virtual as well. Andy also discussed a native planting cost-share project that
was also funded through Healthy Lakes he was involved in last year on a lake, and some shoreline mitigations,
stormwater management, and shoreline stabilizations. He also asks that if they know of anyone that needs a well
decommissioning done in Bayfield County to reach out to our office as there are county and DATCP dollars that are
currently available to be either cost-shared or possibly fully funded.
Partner/Department Reports:
Sally Pease forwarded her report prior to meeting as she was unable to attend today. Her report is as follows:
We have the grant for Clean Boats Clean Waters for Upper Middle and Lower Eau Claire lakes, Tomahawk lake and
Robinson lake. Provided we get the grant BAISS boat (Weed Harvesting), we will be going ahead with pulling the Curly
Leaf Pond weed on both Middle and Upper Eau Claire lakes along with the EWM on Tomahawk/Sandbar. There was
some confusion about this grant as the Town of Barnes was not told that they had to apply for it every year. We are
looking at building some sort of boom or containment area around the EWM in Tomahawk lake to do a treatment and
keep the herbicide where we need it. Clean Boats program in the Town of Barnes will start on April 30th. Anyone who
is interested in seeing the weed harvesting boat should let Sally know. We hope to start by mid-May and will be
working Monday-Thursday on the BAISS boat.
Reed Saam-Unable to attend meeting.
Ramona Shackleford was unable to attend the meeting today, however she provided her report, and it is on file and
was distributed to the committee.
Future AIS/Surface Water Activities:
a. WI Lakes & Rivers Convention, April 6-8, 2022 in Stevens Point, WI.
b. Northwest WI Lakes Conference, June 18, 2021 will be held virtual.
c. AIS Snapshot Day, August 14, 2021, statewide-local rendezvous site TBD
Adjournment: Meeting ended at 11:00 a.m.
Next meeting date for regular AIS Committee meetings:
• Aug 18th, 2021 at 9AM