HomeMy WebLinkAboutTourism & Fair Committee - Minutes - 3/12/2012K:\(T&R Committee)\2012\03 12\03 12 12 meeting min.doc
Minutes of the
TOURISM & RECREATION COMMITTEE OF THE BAYFIELD COUNTY BOARD
Monday, March 12, 2012, 3:00 p.m.
County Board Room, Bayfield County Courthouse, Washburn, WI
Members Present: Brett Rondeau, Bucky Jardine, John Bennett, Patti Rantala
Members Absent: Rusty Williams
Others Present: Mary Motiff, Sue Trepanier, Tom Frels, Bill King, Ron Bergin, John Hawksford, & Garfield Brown
I. Call to Order: The meeting was called to order at 3:00 p.m. by Rondeau.
II. Minutes: Motion (Jardine, Bennett) to accept minutes from the November 9, 2011 committee meeting. Motion
Carried.
III. Public Comment: Tom Frels, Great Divide ATV Club, proposed a new ATV route connecting Cable to Drummond &
Barnes using privately owned and county-owned portions of the railroad right-of-way. He has verbal agreements
from property owners and was asked to get written easements.
Ron Bergin, CAMBA, expressed a desire for the committee to take other uses of the railroad right-of-way into
consideration such as bikes. The majority of bike trails in Bayfield County are single path trails, whereas a bike
route would be more family-oriented and on a wider, smoother surface.
IV. Budget Review – Discussion and Possible Action on Budget Amendment: Bayfield County has an opportunity to be
involved in a Discover Wisconsin episode with the South Shore and Bayfield. Motiff presented a resolution to
amend the Tourism & Recreation budget by increasing the revenues & expenditures by $6,000 to accommodate
this. Motion, (Rantala, Jardine) to accept the resolution to increase both the revenue and expenditure portions of
the Tourism & Recreation budget by $6,000.00 and forward it to the Full County Board for approval. Motion
Carried.
V. Discussion and Possible Action on Amendments to the Local Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan: The Town
of Bayfield and the City of Washburn have new projects that are not listed in the Bayfield County Outdoor
Recreation plan. In order to apply for DNR funding, the projects must be included. Motion, (Jardine, Bennett) to
adopt the resolution to amend the Bayfield County Outdoor Recreation Plan and forward it to the Full County
Board. Motion Carried.
VI. Discussion and Possible Action on Resolution Supporting the Scenic Byway Designation for Hwy 13: The 70 mile
Scenic Byway application has been approved by the state and now needs a majority of municipalities and the
County to pass their own resolutions supporting it. A sample resolution to support the Scenic Byway project was
discussed. Motion (Jardine, Bennett) to approve a motion supporting the Scenic Byways resolution, contingent on
a majority of municipalities passing their own resolutions, and forward it to the Full County Board. Motion
Carried.
VII. Discussion and Possible Action on Trail Planning Including Use of Railroad Grade from Sawyer County Line to
Town of Drummond: Motion (Jardine, Bennett) to approve use of the County-owned portions of the railroad
right-of-way from the Sawyer County line to the town of Drummond for a multiple use trail with written
easements on file for any necessary segments of privately owned property. Discussion followed regarding multiple
uses and the Tourism Department being involved in Forestry’s Access Management Plan. Motion Carried.
VIII. Report from NoRTAC: Nothing to report
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IX. Report from Director:
A. Administrative Updates: (moved to end of report)
B. Trails:
Buckley bridge – need to write letter to landowners to let them know that we’d like to remove our bridge
Grant projects – As of now, we are applying for $290,690.25 in 2012-13 grant projects.
The Class I notice for repair of the White River bridge went in the paper today.
BCSA president and treasurer are not seeking re-election leaving the Alliance with a big task of reorganizing.
The date for the next Committee meeting was set for 3:00, April 18. Rantala left the meeting at 3:55 for another
meeting.
The ATV map is currently being updated, and will be finished in time for upcoming season.
Finishing up the final paperwork for Valhalla and preparing for a probable audit.
There is another new acting ranger for the Washburn District of the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest; we
are waiting on the USFS for a decision to open their portion of the Trail #66 connector.
The UTV bill has passed; there will be a new registration program and registration dates will also be changed to
June 30.
C. Marketing:
Motiff asked what the Committee members thought of the Power of Tourism presentation in November with a
favorable response from the Committee.
Visitor Guide had early publication date this year, is being distributed at 53 sporting goods stores through CTM,
at 300+ locations in WI & MN through 5 Star, and WI Welcome Centers.
Attended the Governor’s Conference on Tourism last week. There was good representation from our area.
Washburn just received a $25K JEM grant for a Board Across the Bay event.
The Dept. of Tourism is reorganizing their districts so NW WI will have a new Tourism Development Specialist
Attended Regional Tourism meeting in January - well attended and good opportunity to share information
Working with a group tour operator to bring a Mystery Tour to the area in September
Just received the updated media list from the Dept. of Tourism the 2012 marketing plan can me completed
Will be encouraging WI Dept. of Tourism to focus some marketing dollars on Canadian travelers
IPC World Cup was a big success
Our winter events were able to happen despite the lack of snow & warm weather
A. Administrative Updates: (moved from beginning of report)
Held a staff retreat in December to look at annual calendar and work plan
Attended Superior Days. Highlights include: Tourism agency meeting - Continue to promote all of our national
designations - Booth at Parade of Products - Made contact & followed up w/Duluth Airport Exec. Director
X. Suggestions for Agenda Items for Next Committee Meeting: Jardine would like to see the state’s new economic
impact numbers but they won’t be out until after the next meeting. Rondeau would like to see written easements
from Tom Frels and asked Ron Bergin to bring suggestions for working together for a multi-use trail.
XI. Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at 4:16 p.m.
Respectfully submitted by:
Sue Trepanier
Sue Trepanier, Tourism & Recreation Program Assistant