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BMLM19951030,-- - -. BIG MUSKEGO LAKE/BASS BAY PROTECTION & REHABILITATION DISTRICT MINUTES OF SPECIAL MEETING HELD MONDAY, OCTOBER 30, 1995 The meeting was called to order at 7:09 P.M. by Chairman De Angelis. Also present were Commissioners Rasmussen, Salentine and Sanders. Deputy Commissioners Leonard Pilak, Larry Schweitzer, Ed Herda and Sue Sorenson were also present. The Secretary reported that the meeting was noticed on Friday, November 20, 1995, in accordance with the Open Meeting Law. Commissioner Salentine moved to approve the minutes of the September 8, 1995, Special Meeting. Seconded by Commissioners Sanders, motion carried. Chairman De Angelis stated that there was no unfinished business, and announced that the new business item to be discussed was the Creation of Islands and Deep Pools. Deputy Commissioner Leonard Pilak advised that the Deputy Commissioners have been approached by the Army Corps of Engineers and Ducks Unlimited for the purpose of their creating islands out on Big Muskego Lake, out of the dredgings on the bottom of Big Muskego Lake, which would provide habitat for ducks and deeper water for fish. They are proposing to start with four (4) to six (6) islands to see how they work. The funding has been tentatively agreed upon which will be one hundred percent funded by duck stamp revenue and Ducks Unlimited; with no cost to the District. Locations and timetables of the construction are yet to be announced. Ducks Unlimited and Army Corps of Engineers need to know that the Big Muskego Lake District is behind this project before they will commit to anything. With this in mind, the Deputy Commissioners arranged for an informational meeting to be held at the High School on October 18, 1995, which was attended by approximately 20 people. Most of the people there were very interested and asked the Deputy Commissioners to proceed forward which resulted in scheduling this meeting. Deputy Commissioner then opened the floor up to any questions advising that Jim Jackley, DNR representative, was also in attendance and available for questions. Mr. Sam Klauser, S80 W14401 Schultz Lane, asked if all the property owners could be assured that there will be absolutely no cost to them, and that if in the event the project is started and them stopped for lack of sufficient funding, that this will not be assessed to the property owners. Deputy Commissioner Pilak stated that the Deputy Commissioners have agreed that the project will not be started unless they have a guarantee of one hundred percent funding. There will be no cost to the property owners for construction of the islands. Deputy Commissioners again stated that they are proposing four Big Muskego Lake/Bass Bay Protection & Rehabilitation District Meeting of 10/30/95 - page 2 - to six islands with one hundred percent financing and if one hundred financing is not received, there will not be a project. Mr. Klauser finished by stating that the Lake definitely needs some improvement and he will assist in anyway that he can, but when projects like these start interfering with the property owners tax structure, he objects. - Mr. Keith Jahns, S94 W14542 Groveway Lane, questioned whether after the project has been completed, there would be any future maintenance costs? Deputy Commissioner Pilak advised that there will also be maintenance of the Lake and its projects in and around the Lake, such as maintenance of the boat islands, etc. These islands will also, in the future, require some maintenance. He stated that the lifetime of these islands is estimated at around 50 years. The Deputy Commissioners are exploring ways to fund maintenance, when needed for these islands in the future. Selling the namesake of these islands is one way of raising some money, much like they are selling the namesake for the County Stadium. Deputy Commissioner Pilak went on to state that there are many companies in the State of Wisconsin that contribute to State public hunting grounds and preserves. He stated that a list has been furnished by the DNR of companies that donate dollars for the namesake of an island. Deputy Commissioner Pilak advised that he had recently appeared at a Muskego Chamber of Commerce meeting where there appeared to be some interest from local companies to finance such an idea. That might help to defray costs for future management of these islands. .- Chairman De Angelis clarified a concern stated by Mr. Klauser as to the public boat launch and overflow parking. He stated that the City's Grant Administrator has been going to certain property owners in the District asking if they would be interested in participating in a program of having their launch available for public use. That idea came forward at a previous meeting on September 8, 1995, where there was interest shown in having some of the private facilities utilized for public launching. The City has available land; enough to fulfill the minimum parking requirement for the DNR. The City is pursuing the availability of outside areas at the request of the District to look at some alternatives, but if those alternatives do not pan out, the City has enough property available today to build those parking stalls that we need to meet the minimum requirement and to guarantee that we will be able to continue to fund this project and future projects. Chairman De Angelis also stated that the District mayor may not recall that part of the funding requirement of the DNR for lake projects is that there is adequate public access. That is why the City is building the boat launch and also looking for overflow parking to meet it's minimum requirements. Whether those requirements are met through private individuals or provided by the City, one way or another that requirement will be met so that the DNR will continue its funding. He mentioned that it also should be noted that the ramp will be owned by the - ,,- .- Big Muskego Lake/Bass Bay Protection & Rehabilitation District Meeting of 10/30/95 - page 3 City of Muskego and be part of the Parks system and the upkeep and maintenance will not be an expense to the District. Mrs. Collette Klenz, W166 88282 Kurtze Lane, asked how the costs of the islands was determined and if there is a cost overrun, who would pay for the overrun? Deputy Commissioner Pilak explained that the Army Corps of Engineers have done extensive testing in the area and they have done this type of project nationwide. As far as the overruns, Deputy Commissioner Pilak stated that this project will be publicly bid and that once the bids have been received, and the monies are committed for awarding the bid, the Contractor is responsible for fulfilling the entire contract at the agreed upon contract amount. Mr. Donald Dougherty, W140 89319 Boxhorn Drive, appeared before the Committee to state that he has been here since 1949 and feels that he would like to see ten or twelve islands instead of just four or six. Deputy Commissioner Pilak answered by stating that originally the DNR had requested that Ducks Unlimited do ten or twelve islands, but some of the District members did not feel comfortable in going to ten or twelve and preferred to do four or six to see how they would work, and possibly in the future add more. Mrs. Klenz also questioned the composition of the islands and the placement. Deputy Commissioner Pilak stated that the placement would depend on how many islands we will be building. At the present time the exact location is not known. Mrs. Klenz voiced concern over one being placed on a property where a property owner was not receptive to it being in front of their home. Deputy Commissioner stated that when the number is finally determined, there will be another meeting called of the District to discuss final placement of the islands. Deputy Commissioner stated that the composition of the island will be basically the dredgings of the lake bottom and suggested that Mr. Jim Jackley, DNR representative, expand on this question. Mr. Jim Jackley explained that after the water has been drawn down and it is frozen, they would stake and probe out clay deposits; probably around the outside perimeters, possibly one per section. They would be one-quarter mile out into the Lake. They can be constructed anywhere as long as they are one-quarter mile out in the Lake and in two to three feet of water. Ducks Unlimited is giving the Department of Natural Resources the money which the DNR will match with 8tate dollars. The DNR will be responsible and will be bidding out the project as is required for any project over $5,000. The DNR requested $195,000 for twelve islands and $15,000 for pumping. Ducks Unlimited have stated that they do not have that much money now and are waiting to see what funds are available at the end of the fiscal year as they try to use up the entire amount of money at the end of each year for Big Muskego Lake/Bass Bay Protection & Rehabilitation District Meeting of 10/30/95 - page 4 ,- projects. Mr. Jackley mentioned that he had spoke with Jim Grunewald, Ducks Unlimited Habitat Coordinator out of Madison, and he stated that for the most part Ducks Unlimited is committed to $65,500. Duck Stamp dollars will match that 50% so it is another $65,500; so it is $131,000 for four to six islands. If Ducks Unlimited funding is not received, the DNR will not do the island project. Mr. Jackley stated that composition is ideally a minimum of 30% clay mixed with larger aggregate for stability. It is topped with six inches of top soil and basically the top soil would be the soft sediment that is out there now. Mrs. Klenz also questioned if private landowners could deposit their spoils on the island. Mr. Jackley stated that he had checked into that after being questioned at a past meeting and has discovered that it cannot be done. Even for the public access channel, none of the material taken out can be put on the island. No dredge spoils can be used that have been taken out of the Lake. ,- Ms. Gregoria Suchy, owner of property addressed W143 S8032 Schultz Lane, questioned how deep would the shallow part of the lake be after installation of deep pools? Mr. Jackley explained that there would be, with four to six islands, around nine acres of deep pools. The rest of the lake will be basically the way it is now; potentially slightly deeper from the compaction and it will be very good fishing. The main emphasis of the islands are for waterfowl nesting, shore bird use, etc.; the deep pools are created to make the islands and will create good summer fishing and diversity for fish, but it is specifically for the wildlife. Mr. John Wiederhold, S94 Wl4452 Groveway Lane, questioned what the island will look like on top; will it be left to grow natural, etc. Mr. Jackley replied that it would be up to the District to determine how they would like it. There are two vegetation types that are recommended; he, personally, would like to do two or three of each to see which ones work better. One is native grass (prairie grass) on top and the sides would probably be bullrush (pencile grass) and cattails to a certain extent. The other option is low shrubs. It has been found that shrubby islands help protect the nests of the gulls and provide great nesting for other wildlife. The low shrub option would be taller than the native grass option. ,- Mrs. Loreen Klauser, S80 W14401 Schultz Lane, questioned that if this project were to go ahead would it prolong the drawdown or will it be done on time to keep the drawdown on schedule? Mr. Jackley responded that the project would be constructed during January and February when the ground is frozen and completed by Spring of 1996. Big Muskego Lake/Bass Bay Protection & Rehabilitation District Meeting of 10/30/95 - page 5 ,- A resident questioned if it is the intention of the DNR to turn this into another Sheboygan or Horicon Marsh. Mr. Jackley responded that the intent is to restore Big Muskego Lake to what it was in the 1930's and 1940's, before contamination. Mr. Eugene Godleski, W136 S8368 Holz Drive, questioned what would be used to stabilize the boat launch. Mr. Jackley stated that with the drawdown next Summer, the floating bogs that are out there now should route to the ground and become more stable. Also, it is permitted to slide slope the access channels. Deputy Commissioner Ed Herda, questioned who would be managing this project. Mr. Jackley was not positive, but felt that it would probably be John Panuska, the DNR Lakes Engineer out of Madison, or Mr. Tim Grunewald out of Madison; but it will be a DNR project. ,- Gary Stewart, W136 S8415 Holz Drive, questioned how the duck stamp monies were managed and, on the east side of the Lake, he stated they have winter problems with large ice erosion and wondered how this will be prevented on the proposed islands. Mr. Jackley responded that the duck stamp dollars are handled through Madison and he wasn't sure the exact protocol, but he knows that it goes through quite an extensive approval process for what the funds will be used for. Mr. Jackley also stated that icing is a strong force and that it would be best to have the islands more on the western side to reduce the wind and the ice, but that is, again, up to the Lake District. As there were no further questions, Deputy Commissioner Pilak turned the project over to Chairman De Angelis who advised that a motion from the floor was needed on what type of action was wished to be taken. Mr. Donald Dougherty moved to construct six or ten islands along with the creation of the deep pools. Seconded by Mr. Leonard Becker, S94 W14470 Groveway Lane. Mr. Keith Jahns moved to amend the motion to state that we construct four to ten islands along with the creation of deep pools and the the creation of the islands and deep pools will have no additional cost to the Lake District. Seconded by Deputy Commissioner Leonard Pilak. A hand-vote indicated that the majority were in favor (approximately 65) with three voting in opposition. Amended motion, by ballot, carried with 52 "yes" votes and 16 "no" votes. - Deputy Commissioner reminded all District members that the Deputy Commissioners meet on the first Wednesday of every month, at City Hall, at 6:30 P.M. and urged that any and all attend these meetings to give their input and have their concerns addressed. He also wanted to advise that you can crush, run over, cut and do anything that you can to control cattails; you just cannot touch the roots by digging them out. Big Muskego Lake/Bass Bay Protection & Rehabilitation District Meeting of 10/30/95 - page 6 - Commissioner Rasmussen voiced concerns from his constituents on Holz Drive as to their canal and the creek on the southeast side of the lake as far as the dredging and where the spoils will go. The figures that he received from his constituents, for example for the canal on Holz Drive, if they can put the material on the banks, it would be approximately $7,000 for dredging and if they have to haul them out, it could run up to $40,000 to $50,000. The Army Corps of Engineers and Liesa Nesta (DNR) have been questioned, but they have indicated that all spoils removed must be hauled away and may not be put back on the bank. Commissioners Rasmussen would like to find some relief for his constituents. Mayor De Angelis responded that this issue has been addressed many times in the past by other people besides the Big Muskego Lake District, to no avail, as the DNR is very rigid in their ruling on the spoils, but we will continue to look for other remedies. Mr. John Wiederhold moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:06 P.M. Seconded by Mr. Sam Klauser, motion carried unanimously. - Respectfully submitted, ~dÚ~ ~økflYV Cathie M. Anderson Recording Secretary /ca .-.-