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BMLM19931201.~ BIG MUSKEGO LAKE/BASS BAY PROTECTION AND REHABILITATION DISTRICT CITY OF MUSKEGO MINUTES OF SPECIAL MEETING HELD DECEMBER 1, 1993 Meeting was called to order by Mayor De Angelis at 7:04 PM. Also present were Commissioners Dumke, Misko, Sanders and Schneider and City Clerk Marenda. Commissioners Patterson, Taube and Woodard were absent. Deputy Commissioners in attendance were Leonard Pilak, Ed Herda, Jeff Kreiser, Collette Klenz and Sue Sorenson. Commissioner Misko moved for approval of minutes of meeting held October 26, 1993. Commissioner Schneider seconded, carried. Deputy Commissioner Pilak stated the meeting was called to hear all concerns and pass on communications on the possible donation from the Bass Bay Sportsman Club of property to be used for public access on Big Muskego Lake. The Deputies would like the City to take it over after the DNR determines what needs to be done. - Mr. Jack Verburgt, Treasurer of the Bass Bay Sportsman Club, stated there is no current reason to continue on with the club. They think it would be better for the community and the environment to contribute the land to the City for access to Big Muskego Lake. He said the land title is held in the name of the Club, and consists of five (5) or more acres. Mr. Ed Raimann of the Club stated there was nothing he knew of that would stop them from donating the land. It was noted that wetlands would have to be determined on the property. DNR representative Randy Schumacher stated the DNR has no requirements to be met regarding the acceptance of the donation of the property. Once accepted, it could be made serviceable and acceptable as a public access. If any dredging of the channel was necessary, a DNR permit would be required. In response to questions from Comm. Misko regarding an environmental impact statement, Mr. Schumacher stated he thought the only time a public access required an environmental assessment was when a lake has no access at all. Because this lake does have access to it from the people living on it and the private access, he didn't think an environmental assessment would be required for the access. However, if the channel is dredged, wetlands filled in, etc., then the DNR could require an environmental assessment. .- Mr. Schumacher explained that if the City provided the property for the public access and the project was completed totally without financial assistance from the DNR, the DNR would have no say on the requirements or conditions for the access, unless dredging, etc. was involved. The City could establish the ,- - - BML/BB Minutes - 12/1/93 Page 2 number of parking spaces, types of boats, etc.; but with DNR funds, DNR standards would have to be met. The City could go to the DNR with a plan for a cartop access only on the site. It probably wouldn't be considered a priority. An access that meets all the standards probably has a better chance of getting more money. For developments lately, the DNR has been funding some at 100%, but no less than 50%. Acquisition is at 50%. Funding depends on the number of applications submitted, funds available, etc. Deputy Commissioner Jeff Kreiser reported DNR standards for this site included 45 parking spaces for cars with trailers. He felt the size of the property might be a problem because much of the property might be considered wetlands. Mr. Schumacher thought that roads are an allowable use in wetlands, but the DNR would keep the filling to an absolute minimum. Parking lots are not allowed in wetlands. Deputy Comm. Kreiser stated that the parking lot would not be required to be asphalted, but could be gravel. Mr. Schumacher stated revised administrative rules concerning public access are in the works. Current guidelines for a lake this size give a range of required parking spaces, but 45 would be the standard for this lake. All spaces are not required to be at this site - they just require 45 spaces on the entire lake, including Bass's Bay. Deputy Comm. Pilak stated other access points are being pursued to get that number on the lake. Mr. Schumacher stated that in the past the DNR had worked with places such as Sobeks, Hunter's Nest and Rep's to sign an agreement for five years that they would charge reasonable fees. None have signed, even though they all do charge reasonable fees. Jeff Verburgt of Operation Comeback asked if the concerns were in looking at this that if the DNR does not help fund the project the City won't acquire the property for access. Mayor De Angelis stated we want to make sure we'll be eligible for some type of funding. He didn't think all 45 parking spaces would fit on the proposed site. Deputy Comm. Kreiser stated there are options. Parking could be allowed along Durham Drive on the wide shoulder, some street parking which would count towards the parking requirement. Also WEPCO has some land in that area. We definitely need the Bass Bay Sportsman Club property to get the launch site. Deputy Comm. Ed Herda stated that even if parking doesn't work out, we need the access as a starting point. Deputy Comm. Pilak thought that since this lake is in the Priority Lakes Watershed classification, it does have some priority for funding for these types of projects. BML/BB Minutes - 12/1/93 Page 3 ,- Comm. Misko felt there would be safety problems with parking on Durham and problems with the neighbors. Comm. Schneider pointed out some property to the north might be considered to be acquired. Deputy Comm. Pilak thought the property was owned by the Kurers. Deputies Herda and Kreiser estimated the access site development cost at $54-55,000. Jeff Verburgt stated that Operation Comeback has approximately $36,000 on hand now and is interested in assisting in obtaining lake access. Operation Comeback was originally established to obtain funding for a dredging project, but they were in the process of amending their by-laws to allow for the use of the funds for public access. Jeff thought that with their funds and City funds, DNR funds would not be required, and their standards wouldn't have to be met. Mr. Schumacher explained that DNR standards need to be met to get any DNR money for any project - carping, fish stocking, etc. He said that even if there are only 10 spaces on this site, we might still fund it considering you're trying to obtain additional sites for parking. - To determine the type of access, Mr. Schumacher suggested looking at the typical use on the lake now. He has observed a common use was a 16' aluminum boat with 20 h.p. motor. Mr. Schumacher said that dredging would be the highest cost of the project. A site is required for the spoils. A consulting firm would have to be hired to test the spoils. Mr. Schumacher said if the City can come up with estimated projects costs, an application can be submitted. The grant promises a certain amount. If the actual costs are less than the estimate, the DNR's percentage is less. If the costs are more, no additional monies are granted. Mayor De Angelis noted there would be costs associated with the donation of the property - site survey, title search, legal work. He asked if the Board felt the access site should be City Parks property or Lake District property. The concensus was that it should be City property. Mr. Schumacher was questioned if lights, sanitary facilities, etc. are required for the site. He responded the DNR did not require it, but he thought considering the location the City might want some of these amenities. He recommended a metro unit be on the site. He noted that a charge can be made for use of the site. ,- Deputy Comm. Herda noted they would like to have the project completed in 6 months. A discussion followed on whether or not the DNR grant could be applied for prior to the City obtaining BML/BB Minutes - 12/1/93 Page 4 ,- ownership. Deputy Comm. Collette Klenz thought that a letter indicating intent of ownership could be attached to the application. Jack Verburgt and Ed Raimann expressed concern about the continuing costs, such as taxes and insurance on the property. Jeff Verburgt felt that Operation Comeback may be able to assist them. Mayor De Angelis stated that if donated to the City, the City would cover the entire 1994 tax bill even if not in the ownership of the City as of January 1st. Commissioner Sanders moved to send to the Parks Board the Board of Commissioners recommendation that the City accept the donation of land from the Bass Bay Sportsman Club to be improved as a public access site to Big Muskego Lake. Commissioner Schneider seconded, carried. Commissioner Schneider moved to adjourn at 8:14 PM. Commissioner Misko seconded, carried. Respectfully submitted, ~,. /!: Þ71 á/U?f'--cfZ^-- J n K. Marenda, CMC ty Clerk - jm -