BMLDA20130326Minutes
MINUTES (unapproved)
DEPUTY COMMISSIONERS
BIG MUSKEGO LAKE/BASS BAY
PROTECTION & REHABILITATION DISTRICT
DATE: March 26, 2013
TIME: 6:15 PM
LOCATION: Muskego Room – Muskego City Hall
CALL TO ORDER
Meeting was called to order by Chairman Len Pilak at 6:19 pm
ROLL CALL
Len Pilak, Greg Burmeister, Karl Heeppner, Tom Kies present, Larry Schweitzer
excused, Tom Zagar also present.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
All said pledge.
STATEMENT OF PUBLIC NOTICE
Meeting was legally noticed.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF MEETINGS HELD- September 26, 2012
nd
Tom Kies moved to approve, Greg 2, & motion carried.
VOUCHER APPROVAL
None.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
1. Status of current lake conditions, rehabilitation management and ongoing
projects. Greg commented on the solid ice that persists due to the cold
weather.
Tom Kies informed the group that a neighbor on the channel of “Sandy Beach
Tributary” has voiced concerns about the navigability of channel due to fallen
trees and a delta of sand and gravel that forms at the mouth. Tom Zagar said
that the waterways are jurisdiction of the state and it is not the responsibility of
the Lake District or the City to keep it clear. He and his assistant helped clear
some trees from this channel last year when they had some extra time to do so.
Len Pilak stated that he previously lived in a house next to that same channel
and that is typical that it becomes blocked. He also noted that this channel was
dredged when the lake was drawn down in the mid 1990’s but it fills in with
sediment over time. Regular boat travel usually keeps the mouth in the bay open
and a big rain event can wash open as well. Regarding trees he said if a tree falls
in or something washes up on his shore or anyone else’ on the lake, the
homeowner has to clean it up. Greg commented that trees that fall into Groveway
Creek channel leading to Big Muskego Lake have historically been cleared by
the adjacent owners. It was also noted that there are many channels leading
from residences through the cattail fringe into Big Muskego Lake that have
navigation issues that must be resolved by the landowner. There was general
agreement that residents need to remedy the situation of obstructions such as
fallen trees themselves and it isn’t necessarily the duty of the City or Lake District
to keep the channels open and the $80/year district fee could not cover this level
of service.
Tom Zagar informed the group that the permit has been applied for and the
contractor has been lined up for aquatic plant nuisance control for this year. He
also spoke of burning the islands this spring to help control invasive phragmites.
He and Greg Burmeister had flattened some areas of phragmites growth this
past winter to facilitate a better burn.
Tom Kies noted that the DNR had purchased the Rachel Lang parcel on the west
side of the lake and this is now part of Big Muskego Lake State Wildlife Area. He
asked whether the DNR had requested or received the District’s contribution to
this purchase. Tom Zagar said he wasn’t aware of a District payment.
NEW BUSINESS
1. Consideration of discontinuing Lake District fee assessment for outlot in
Nature Estates Subdivision
Len Pilak described how Nature Estates Subdivision is part of the District and the
nineteen individual lots are assessed an off-lake fee of $35. There is a
communally-owned outlot which was also being assessed a district fee. It is not
cost effective to collect the pro rata share of this fee from each lot owner and
each lot is already paying in to the District. It was requested by the City
Assessor that consideration be given to discontinuing the fee assessment for this
outlot. Tom Kies moved to recommend discontinuing this fee assessment to the
outlot. Len Pilak seconded and the motion carried by all.
2. Nesting island management: burning, herbicide application for Phragmites.
Discussed earlier.
COMMUNICATIONS AND ANY OTHER BUSINESS AS AUTHORIZED BY LAW
ADJOURNMENT
Greg moved to adjourn. Meeting adjourned at 6:43.
Respectfully Submitted,
Tom Zagar