Loading...
Conservation Commission -Packet - 1/22/2014 CITY OF MUSKEGO CONSERVATION COMMISSION AGENDA January 22, 2014 7:00 PM City Hall , W182 S8200 Racine Avenue PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE ROLL CALL STATEMENT OF PUBLIC NOTICE APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES 1. Approval of the Minutes of the June 12, 2013 meeting. UNFINISHED BUSINESS 1. Emerald Ash Borer Update and Management Recommendations NEW BUSINESS 1. Review Belle Chasse Subdivision Addition #2 Preliminary Plat: Protection of conservation priority areas and retention pond development in adjacent area of Bluhm Park. 2. Discuss nuisance complaints of cottonwood trees and resident's request to ban same. 3. Proposed Restoration Project of ATC Right of Way near Bluhm Park ADJOURNMENT NOTICE IT IS POSSIBLE THAT MEMBERS OF AND POSSIBLY A QUORUM OF MEMBERS OF OTHER GOVERNMENTAL BODIES OF THE MUNICIPALITY MAY BE IN ATTENDANCE AT THE ABOVE-STATED MEETING TO GATHER INFORMATION; NO ACTION WILL BE TAKEN BY ANY GOVERNMENTAL BODY AT THE ABOVE-STATED MEETING OTHER THAN THE GOVERNMENTAL BODY SPECIFICALLY REFERRED TO ABOVE IN THIS NOTICE. ALSO, UPON REASONABLE NOTICE, EFFORTS WILL BE MADE TO ACCOMMODATE THE NEEDS OF DISABLED INDIVIDUALS THROUGH APPROPRIATE AIDS AND SERVICES. FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION OR TO REQUEST THIS SERVICE, MUSKEGO CITY HALL, (262) 679-4100. Conservation Commission City of Muskego Minutes of Meeting Held on Wednesday, June 12, 2013 Chairman Schneider called the meeting to order at 6:02pm and led those in attendance in the Pledge of Allegiance. Roll Call – Commissioners: Alderman Neil Borgman, Ms. Julie Holubowicz, Mr. Bill Miller, Ms. Sharon Roy, Mr. Howard Schneider and Conservation Coordinator Tom Zagar. Guests: Conservation Technician - Jessica Quinlan The meeting was posted in accordance with the open meeting law. APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS MEETING MINUTES: A motion was made by Bill Miller to approve the minutes of the meeting held September 26, 2012. Seconded by Julie Holubowicz; motion carried. PROJECT UPDATES: Badertscher Preserve Developments - Conservation Coordinator Tom Zagar explained that the wetland restoration was completed and seeded this fall. The oak savannah restoration is well on its way with extensive brush removal, a prescribed burn, black walnut removal, herbicide application on areas to be seeded to prairie and a few tree plantings. Bill suggested increasing tree diversity at Badertscher as compared to Engel, to minimize the threat of losing and one species. Tom touched on the burn extending beyond the limits of the oak savannah burn unit. Julie inquired if the prescribed burn was contained within the boundaries of Badertscher Preserve and Tom assured that it was. The kiosk has been put up and WE Energies is going to be contacted to remove the tree line along the roadside in front of the parking lot. Tom also noted that the Little Muskego Lake Association has already given $15,000 of a $50,000 donation commitment. NEW BUSINESS: Proposed drainage swale at Marlan Meadows – Tom explained that there is a drainage concern with a neighbor adjacent to this conservation site. The City engineer has proposed a drainage swale that would affect a rather small area on a strip of land that connects to the roadway and would impact some tre es here. Tom explained that Marlan Meadows has a high quality woods with a good diversity of tree and plant species but the trees in this area are dominated by relatively young basswoods . One mature oak is nearby the proposed swale but the work could avoid the critical root zone. Julie inquired if they are having flooding near this area. Alderman Borgman confirmed citizens are having flooding issues and some have seen actual foundation movement. Bill suggested it would be best to complete any construction in the fall to reduce oak wilt spreading through the high quality woods. A motion was made by Bill Miller to approve the removal of trees needed to complete the installation of a drainage swale. Seconded by Sharon Roy; motion carried. Emerald Ash Borer update and management recommendations – Tom gave a background on the invasive pest and Alderman Borgman inquired as to what happens after the pest is found. Bill explained the city would notify appropriate authorities and commented that the city is inside the quarantined zone and it is not a matter of if but when the pest will arrive. The city would need to decide which trees should be treated to be protected from being affected, proactively removing ash trees, or waiting until affected and taken down. Bill also explained that research is being done to develop a bio control such as predatory wasps, and he is hopeful that it will be available soon. Alderman Borgman asked what the population of ash trees is verses other species in the city. Tom explained that not many city owned ash trees were planted, many have just volunteered. Many of the ash trees in parks were recently treated by drenching the root zone near the trunks with the insecticide imidacloprid. Bill stated this is about 85% effective. Tom stated that there are ash trees within city-owned woodlots that are adjacent to private lands and public rights-of-way. He suggested proactive removal of those that are of bad form or would cause a problem if (when) they die. Alderman Borgman strongly suggested that areas with proposed pedestrian paths should be considered when evaluating and locating critical concern trees. Bill Miller suggested completing a tree survey to find such trees. Julie inquired if there is any state or federal funding to complete a survey based around emerald ash borer concerns and Bill explained there is none. Howard suggested that removed ash trees could be utilized as fire wood, which would diminish concerns raised with cutting down healthy trees. Julie inquired a s to where fund would be derived for ash borer abatement and ash tree removal. Tom said it would take a greater sum of money than is available in the conservation fund and it may be prudent to take proactive measures now so that the workload is not as great when the infestation hits. Recommendation on request to fund a part time summer intern position to assist in development of Badertscher Preserve – Tom referred the commissioners to the June 6th Memo regarding details on a current volunteer to become a part time seasonal employee. Howard asked if the employee would be specific for Badertscher projects and Tom said that he would help out on any conservation projects necessary around the City. A motion was made by Howard to hire the volunteer. Seconded by Alderman Borgmen; motion carried. MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS AS AUTHORIZED BY LAW – Alderman Borgman noted the 50TH Anniversary celebration is going to be a tree planting and time capsule on November 9th that will require Tom’s recommendation of a tree species and location. Commissioner Julie Holubowicz asked if the department planned on receiving any grant money this year, and Tom said there was no grant money coming this year. She also had further questions regarding actual expenditures and projected and the available fund balance. Tom said that final numbers take time to show up on the budget (after auditing) and the conservation fund balance can vary depending on how much is used in a year to pay down debt from purchasing property. Tom referred her to contact Sharon in the finance department for more detailed answers. Alderman Borgman asked if the maintenance of the new street trees on Janseville Road will be under the conservation budget and Tom said it is from a community development department budget. ADJOURNMENT – Commissioner Schneider moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:05pm Respectfully Submitted, Jessica Quinlan Conservation Commission City of Muskego Minutes of Meeting Held on Wednesday, June 12, 2013 Chairman Schneider called the meeting to order at 6:02pm and led those in attendance in the Pledge of Allegiance. Roll Call – Commissioners: Alderman Neil Borgman, Ms. Julie Holubowicz, Mr. Bill Miller, Ms. Sharon Roy, Mr. Howard Schneider and Conservation Coordinator Tom Zagar. Guests: Conservation Technician - Jessica Quinlan The meeting was posted in accordance with the open meeting law. APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS MEETING MINUTES: A motion was made by Bill Miller to approve the minutes of the meeting held September 26, 2012. Seconded by Julie Holubowicz; motion carried. PROJECT UPDATES: Badertscher Preserve Developments - Conservation Coordinator Tom Zagar explained that the wetland restoration was completed and seeded this fall. The oak savannah restoration is well on its way with extensive brush removal, a prescribed burn, black walnut removal, herbicide application on areas to be seeded to prairie and a few tree plantings. Bill suggested increasing tree diversity at Badertscher as compared to Engel, to minimize the threat of losing and one species. Tom touched on the burn extending beyond the limits of the oak savannah burn unit. Julie inquired if the prescribed burn was contained within the boundaries of Badertscher Preserve and Tom assured that it was. The kiosk has been put up and WE Energies is going to be contacted to remove the tree line along the roadside in front of the parking lot. Tom also noted that the Little Muskego Lake Association has already given $15,000 of a $50,000 donation commitment. NEW BUSINESS: Proposed drainage swale at Marlan Meadows – Tom explained that there is a drainage concern with a neighbor adjacent to this conservation site. The City engineer has proposed a drainage swale that would affect a rather small area on a strip of land that connects to the roadway and would impact some tre es here. Tom explained that Marlan Meadows has a high quality woods with a good diversity of tree and plant species but the trees in this area are dominated by relatively young basswoods . One mature oak is nearby the proposed swale but the work could avoid the critical root zone. Julie inquired if they are having flooding near this area. Alderman Borgman confirmed citizens are having flooding issues and some have seen actual foundation movement. Bill suggested it would be best to complete any construction in the fall to reduce oak wilt spreading through the high quality woods. A motion was made by Bill Miller to approve the removal of trees needed to complete the installation of a drainage swale. Seconded by Sharon Roy; motion carried. Emerald Ash Borer update and management recommendations – Tom gave a background on the invasive pest and Alderman Borgman inquired as to what happens after the pest is found. Bill explained the city would notify appropriate authorities and commented that the city is inside the quarantined zone and it is not a matter of if but when the pest will arrive. The city would need to decide which trees should be treated to be protected from being affected, proactively removing ash trees, or waiting until affected and taken down. Bill also explained that research is being done to develop a bio control such as predatory wasps, and he is hopeful that it will be available soon. Alderman Borgman asked what the population of ash trees is verses other species in the city. Tom explained that not many city owned ash trees were planted, many have just volunteered. Many of the ash trees in parks were recently treated by drenching the root zone near the trunks with the insecticide imidacloprid. Bill stated this is about 85% effective. Tom stated that there are ash trees within city-owned woodlots that are adjacent to private lands and public rights-of-way. He suggested proactive removal of those that are of bad form or would cause a problem if (when) they die. Alderman Borgman strongly suggested that areas with proposed pedestrian paths should be considered when evaluating and locating critical concern trees. Bill Miller suggested completing a tree survey to find such trees. Julie inquired if there is any state or federal funding to complete a survey based around emerald ash borer concerns and Bill explained there is none. Howard suggested that removed ash trees could be utilized as fire wood, which would diminish concerns raised with cutting down healthy trees. Julie inquired a s to where fund would be derived for ash borer abatement and ash tree removal. Tom said it would take a greater sum of money than is available in the conservation fund and it may be prudent to take proactive measures now so that the workload is not as great when the infestation hits. Recommendation on request to fund a part time summer intern position to assist in development of Badertscher Preserve – Tom referred the commissioners to the June 6th Memo regarding details on a current volunteer to become a part time seasonal employee. Howard asked if the employee would be specific for Badertscher projects and Tom said that he would help out on any conservation projects necessary around the City. A motion was made by Howard to hire the volunteer. Seconded by Alderman Borgmen; motion carried. MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS AS AUTHORIZED BY LAW – Alderman Borgman noted the 50TH Anniversary celebration is going to be a tree planting and time capsule on November 9th that will require Tom’s recommendation of a tree species and location. Commissioner Julie Holubowicz asked if the department planned on receiving any grant money this year, and Tom said there was no grant money coming this year. She also had further questions regarding actual expenditures and projected and the available fund balance. Tom said that final numbers take time to show up on the budget (after auditing) and the conservation fund balance can vary depending on how much is used in a year to pay down debt from purchasing property. Tom referred her to contact Sharon in the finance department for more detailed answers. Alderman Borgman asked if the maintenance of the new street trees on Janseville Road will be under the conservation budget and Tom said it is from a community development department budget. ADJOURNMENT – Commissioner Schneider moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:05pm Respectfully Submitted, Jessica Quinlan January 15, 2014 City of Muskego Conservation Commission /Planning Dept. W182 S8200 Racine Ave Muskego, WI 53150 RE: Belle Chasse Phase 3 – Conservation Areas Dear Jeff Muenkel, Belle Chasse Partners, LLC is currently completing the development plans of Belle Chasse Addition No. 2 with the intention of finishing the build out by Summer/Fall 2014. Our intention is to have a formal submittal to the City of Muskego by February 2014. There has been discussion during the storm water design planning that a regional storm water facility may provide benefit to our project and the adjacent area surrounding Belle Chasse Addition No. 2. We met with the Parks and Recreation Board on 1/13/14 to discuss the storm water plan at Belle Chasse Addition No. 2. At the meeting the Board made the recommendation to approve a storm water easement for the purposes of constructing a storm water basin at Bluhm Farm Park. In return for the easement Belle Chasse Partners LLC had agreed to review and address the grading of the rugby field for better drainage and to review and address the pathway connection (culvert) issue near the south east section of the park. It was also communicated to the Parks and Recreation Board the willingness to donate approximately 5.6 acres of land to the Muskego Conservation Commission. We felt it important for the conservation of the 5.6 acres of environmental sensitive land in the Belle Chasse Addition No. 2 plat. Other areas outside of the 5.6 acres that are environmentally sensitive will be protected by a conservation easement. These easements would be identical to the easements recorded on the plat in Belle Chasse Addition No. 1. Further protection of the areas identified as wetlands will have the 15’ Wetland Protection Offset Restriction. Split rail fencing could also be installed at the conservation easement location to help identify the location to the residents of Belle Chasse. Enclosed with this letter is an exhibit that delineates the approximate wetland protection area, conservation easement and the lot area to be donated to the Conservancy Board. Please feel free to contact me with any questions. Sincerely, Cory O’Donnell Belle Chasse Partners, LLC TUDOR OAKS RETIREMENT COMMUNITY BLUHM PARK - CITY OF MUSKEGOBELLE CHAASE SUBDIVISION Ü05001,000250 Feet PROPOSED ATC ROW PRAIRIE PLANTING Text Proposed Restoration AreaSW 1/4 Section 12 T5N R20E