HomeMy WebLinkAboutTourism & Fair Committee - Minutes - 7/14/2010K:\(T&R Committee)\2010\07 14\07 14 10 meeting min.doc
Minutes of the
TOURISM & RECREATION COMMITTEE OF THE BAYFIELD COUNTY BOARD
Wednesday, July 14, 2010, 1:00 p.m.
County Board Room, Bayfield County Courthouse, Washburn, WI
Members Present: Brett Rondeau, Bucky Jardine, Rusty Williams, John Bennett, Patti Rantala
Members Absent: none
Others Present: Mary Motiff, Sue Trepanier, Mark Abeles-Allison, Butch Lobermeier, and members of
the community
I. Call to Order: The meeting was called to order at 1:02 p.m. by Rondeau.
II. Minutes: Motion (Williams, Rantala) to accept minutes from the May 18, 2010 committee
meeting. Motion Carried.
III. Public Comment:
o Michelle Davis read a letter from Karen Garner regarding her disappointment with the beach at
Twin Bear Campground
o John Nousaine stated that the beach is in violation of Title 2 of the ADA and that the County has
an obligation to maintain the accessible features (ramp to the beach). The boardwalks are also not
accessible.
o Bob Blaskowski was asked to be the spokesperson and would like to see 360 feet of fish sticks
removed, the beach restored to it’s original state with the grass mowed, an accessible ramp to the
beach, removal of the fence, and docks put in below former sites 11 & 12. His group requests a
written reply by July 28 indicating the County’s plans sent to Roger Marincel, PO Box 492,
Ashland.
o Jim Derosia (small business owner who uses the boat ramp 4-5 times/day) stated that the Town
Board of Iron River did not and will not support the restoration project.
o Kathy Marincel presented a booklet showing the beach area.
o Jim Nemec wants the Committee’s support for an ATV route on County Hwy E between Hwy 63
and Sutherland Road in the Village of Mason. As this was not on the agenda, the Committee could
not act on it.
IV. Discussion and Possible Action on Twin Bear Park Lakeshore Restoration Complaints:
Suggestions included removing blacktop from the top of the hill to stop the erosion, restoring the beach,
installing an accessible ramp, moving some of the fish sticks, additional boat mooring and 1-2 fishing
piers. A parks planning meeting will be scheduled to discuss the next steps to be taken. Motion
(Williams) to make a decision on what to do with the erosion and the beach to repair it back to
it’s original condition. Committee as a whole engaged in conversation resulting in a defacto second.
After a lengthy discussion the Motion as read by Chairman Rondeau was to give direction to Motiff
to look into possible alternatives of restoring the beach. Motion Carried.
The Committee took a 5 minute break and Jardine left the meeting at this time.
V. North Coast Cycling Association (NCCA) Trail Request: A letter was received asking the
County to study the feasibility of establishing a cycling trail along the abandoned railroad grade
between Ashland and Bayfield. Motion (Bennett, Rantala) to receive the letter and place it on file.
Motion Carried.
VI. Discussion and Possible Action on UTV Resolution Change to Include Trails Not Under the
Jurisdiction of the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest: Bayfield County’s original UTV Pilot
Program Resolution only included road routes. Surrounding counties have included routes and trails in
K:\(T&R Committee)\2010\07 14\07 14 10 meeting min.doc
their resolutions per the guidelines in the pilot program. Motion (Williams, Rantala) to change the
UTV Resolution to include trails not under the jurisdiction of the Chequamegon-Nicolet National
Forest and to draft the US Forest Service a letter asking them to open up their trails to UTV use.
Motion Carried.
VII. 2011 Budget: Motiff was told to come up with basically the same budget for next year including the
parks portion. That portion of the budget would then move to the Forestry Department if they take them
over.
VIII. Discussion and Possible Action on Snowmobile Ordinance Change: The Bayfield County
Snowmobile Alliance requested some snowmobile ordinance changes in accordance with the state
statutes. Motion (Williams, Rantala) to change Section 10-2-4(d) to allow metal sign posts,
Section 12-1-5(d)(6) to change the nighttime speed limit to 55 m.p.h., and Section 12-1-5(d)(7) to
change the noise levels to 88 decibels. Motion Carried.
IX. Report from NORTAC: Nothing to report. Next meeting will be on July 29.
X. Report from Director:
A. Parks: Atkins park has a new lawn company to maintain it, but can’t clean the firepits because he
has nowhere to haul the garbage. Larry Loch picks up the fees.
B. Trails: Motiff went to the last BCSA meeting where the ordinance changes and planning for the
next season were discussed. She doesn’t need to attend the ATV/Snowmobile Council meetings
as the County doesn’t have any new bridges or major projects planned this year.
C. Marketing : The new visitor website is almost ready to go online. Motiff is also working with travel
writers and on group tours and stated that if more time could be spent on marketing, there would
likely be an increase in county sales tax revenue since a large percentage comes from traveler
spending.
XI. Suggestions for Agenda Items for Next Committee Meeting: Next committee meeting will be on
August 11. Beach restoration. Fish sticks – invite someone from Zoning and DNR.
XII. Adjournment: There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 3:45 p.m.
Respectfully submitted by:
Sue Trepanier
Sue Trepanier, Tourism & Recreation Program Assistant