HomeMy WebLinkAboutTourism & Fair Committee - Minutes - 11/9/2011K:\(T&R Committee)\2011\11 09\11 09 11 meeting min.doc
Minutes of the
TOURISM & RECREATION COMMITTEE OF THE BAYFIELD COUNTY BOARD
Wednesday, November 9, 2011, 2:00 p.m.
County Board Room, Bayfield County Courthouse, Washburn, WI
Members Present: Brett Rondeau, Bucky Jardine, Rusty Williams, Patti Rantala
Members Absent: John Bennett
Others Present: Mary Motiff, Sue Trepanier, Jim Nemec
I. Call to Order: The meeting was called to order at 2:04 p.m. by Rondeau.
II. Minutes: Motion (Jardine, Williams) to accept minutes from the September 28, 2011 committee
meeting. Motion Carried.
III. Public Comment: Jim Nemec stated his desire that the County keep working on the Trail #63 issue.
IV. Budget Review: Motiff shared a copy of the Budget Performance YTD Report.
V. Report from NoRTAC: Nemec was at the last NoRTAC meeting. The members went on a UTV ride in
Barron County with a favorable report. Barron County created an ATV park/play area which alleviated
most problems with ATV’s going where they’re not supposed to. Nemec stated that Bayfield County has
more area to ride so doesn’t need it as much. Ford crossings were also discussed.
VI. Report from Director:
A. Trails:
1. Discussion and Possible Action on Letter of Support for the Town of Bayfield Lake Access:
A letter of support for a Grant for public access to Lake Superior from the Town of Bayfield was
discussed. Motion (Rantala, Williams) to approve the letter of support for the Town of
Bayfield lake access. After some discussion, Motion Carried.
2. Discussion and Possible Action on Letter of Support for Permanent UTV Program: Motiff
presented a letter of support for a permanent UTV program from Randy Harden of Wisconsin ATV
Association (WATVA). The resolution passed the State Trails Council and should be coming before
the Legislature within the next couple of weeks. Motion (Williams, Rantala) to approve the letter
that is written to Randy Harden of WATVA in support of a permanent UTV registration
program for the State of Wisconsin. Motion Carried.
3. Discussion and Possible Action on Letter to Landowner to Accompany Snowmobile
Easement: Motiff drafted a letter to John Pennanen, a landowner along trail #63, who wants to
close off his land to snowmobiles over concern about condemnation of his land for a snowmobile
trail. Motion (Jardine, Williams) to approve the letter written to Mr. Pennanen affirming the
County’s commitment to the snowmobile easements and including the resolution passed in
July. Motion Carried.
4. Discussion and Possible Action on Letter of Support for a Bayfield County Coastal
Management Grant: This is for a planning grant through Coastal Management for AIS work in Lake
Superior coastal areas. Motion (Rantala, Williams to approve the letter of support for the
Bayfield County Coastal Management grant. Motion Carried.
5. Review Trail Projects for Upcoming Snowmobile Season:
The White River Bridge project needs an Individual Permit which requires a 30-day public
notice after approval. This project will be done after the snowmobile season is over.
The 18-Mile Creek bridge project was awarded to the lowest bidder, Jay’s Tree Care. The
railings will be completed this fall and the re-decking will be done after the snowmobile
season is over.
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The privy and trailhead on the Battleaxe trail is complete and the maintenance agreement
with Trails North ATV Club will be finished soon.
The Valhalla parking lot has been closed all summer. The project is almost complete but will
be about $6,000.00 over budget. The Forest Service is looking into obtaining the additional
funding.
The agreement with the Snowmobile Alliance will renew automatically. We are working on
getting an updated equipment list and a statement of the groomer training schedule.
The annual snowmobile grooming agreement renewal with the Chequamegon Nicolet
National Forest (CNNF) has been signed and returned.
The use of the groomer building at the fairgrounds was discussed.
Plum Creek is considering giving the County permanent snowmobile easements across their
land where we already have trails in exchange for easements they need.
ALM Holding Company has purchased land from Wausau Paper which has a snowmobile
trail on it. Motiff showed ALM the easement that we currently have with Plum Creek. ALM
asked the Tourism office to draft a new easement using the Plum Creek agreement as a
guideline.
General use of the railroad right-of-way was then discussed. There are approximately 120
landowners from Washburn to the Sawyer County line. Procedures for requesting use of
the trail were also discussed. A landowner has closed off trail #63 in Sawyer County at the
Bayfield County line. The committee suggested talking with the Town about this.
The Birkebeiner’s request to Forestry to move a portion of the trail onto county land was
discussed. There will be a public hearing in Cable next month.
Motiff shared the Tourism Department’s postcard for forest users to share travel
management issues with the CNNF. Through a federal process, the CNNF has closed
many access points that they didn’t feel they could maintain. They may re-open by request
after a review. The postcard is being distributed at area businesses.
B. Marketing:
Sarah Pischer from the Wisconsin Department of Tourism will do a Power of Tourism
presentation at the next County Board meeting.
Motiff was invited to and attended an all day Travel Green meeting in Madison. Our area
has the most Travel Green certified businesses in the state.
Motiff is working on a marketing plan for 2012
C. Administrative Updates: Nothing to report.
VII. Suggestions for Agenda Items for Next Committee Meeting: The Committee set the next meeting
date for 2:00 pm on December 7. Snowmobile trails will be on the agenda.
VIII. Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at 3:18 p.m.
Respectfully submitted by:
Sue Trepanier
Sue Trepanier, Tourism & Recreation Program Assistant