BMLM20120926
MINUTES
DEPUTY COMMISSIONERS
BIG MUSKEGO LAKE/BASS BAY
PROTECTION & REHABILITATION DISTRICT
DATE: Wednesday September 26, 2012
TIME: 6:30 PM
LOCATION: Aldermen’s Room – Muskego City Hall
CALL TO ORDER
Len Pilak called meeting to order at 6:31 pm.
ROLL CALL
Deputy Commissioners Len Pilak, Larry Schweitzer, and Geg Burmeister present. Tom Kies and
Karl Hoeppner excused. Tom Zagar was also present.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
All recited pledge.
STATEMENT OF PUBLIC NOTICE
Meeting was noticed in accordance to open meeting laws.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF MEETINGS HELD- July 24, 2012
Larry moved to approved, Greg seconds, motion carried.
VOUCHER APPROVAL None.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
1. Status of current lake conditions, rehabilitation management and ongoing projects.
Skipped for lack of time.
NEW BUSINESS
1. Election of Chair and Secretary
Jim Jackley (DNR) joined meeting at 6:35. Len nominated Larry as secretary. Greg nominated
Len as Chair. Larry motioned to close nominations, Greg seconded, and motion carried. Larry
motioned to elect nominees, second by Greg, all agreed, motion carried.
2. Recommendation on Lake District participation in DNR land purchase
Tom Zagar stated that the DNR has a signed option to purchase the 94-acre Rachel Lang parcel
on the west side of Big Muskego Lake. This land is the site of Bald eagle nest and is adjacent
and south of the “John Lang” tract of Big Muskego State Wildlife Area. The eastern half is mostly
wetland while the western is mostly upland. This acquisition would expand the largest contiguous
area of existing state wildlife area land. Jim Jackley, DNR land agent, said that DNR is currently
seeking another appraisal and that there are other steps ahead in getting approvals and
completing the acquisition process: Natural Resources Board approval, Joint Finance review and
approval, and signature from Governor. Jackley is seeking a local level of financial participation
in this land acquisition to enhance the likelihood that the State will fund the project. All Deputy
Commissioners agreed it was an important parcel and worthy of funding. The District has
$105,000 in funds available for conservation acquisitions. It was discussed that this amount
would not purchase much land on its own but could be quite valuable in cost-sharing toward an
acquisition. It was noted that the City of Muskego had financially assisted two other DNR land
purchases for Big Muskego lake State Wildlife Area in recent years and because the City had just
made a major conservancy purchase in 2012 (Badertscher Preserve) that it would be a good time
for the lake district to fill the role of providing local financial participation. Larry moved to
recommend offering $50,000 in Lake District conservancy funds toward this project at this point -
with possible reconsideration of a higher level of participation if needed later in the process. Greg
seconded, and it was carried by all.
3. Discuss Norway Dover Drainage District annexation plans
Tom Zagar informed the group that the Norway/Dover Farm Drainage District plans to annex
lands in the Muskego-Wind Lake watershed. This District was formed in the early 1900’s to
maintain the Wind Lake Canal and several connecting ditches and drain tiles that drain farm
lands in the area. Annexation of lands will allow them to assess a fee (tax) to land owners to
acquire funds to perform their work. At this time they are in the process of annexing only lands in
Wind Lake up to the county line. However they have publicly stated that they intend to annex the
entire watershed which would include most of the City of Muskego and a significant portion of
New Berlin. The city is currently looking into whether its citizens’ lands can be annexed and ways
to avoid future annexation.
COMMUNICATIONS AND ANY OTHER BUSINESS AS AUTHORIZED BY LAW
None.
ADJOURNMENT
Greg moved to adjourn at 6:59 pm.