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Conservation Commission - AGENDA - 6/12/2013CITY OF MUSKEGO CONSERVATION COMMISSION AGENDA Wednesday June 12, 2013 at 6:00 PM - Please note earlier start time Muskego City Hall, W182 S8200 Racine Avenue CALL TO ORDER PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE ROLL CALL STATEMENT OF PUBLIC NOTICE APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF September 26, 2012 PROJECT UPDATES 1. Badertscher Preserve developments. UNFINISHED BUSINESS 1. None. NEW BUSINESS 1. Proposed drainage Swale at Marlan Meadows conservation site. 2. Emerald Ash Borer update and management recommendations. 3. Recommendation on request to fund a part time summer intern position to assist in development of Badertscher Preserve. MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS AS AUTHORIZED BY LAW 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, CONTACT MUSKEGO COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT, (262) 679-4136. unapproved Conservation Commission City of Muskego Minutes of Meeting Held on Wednesday, September 26, 2012 Chairman Pilak called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM and led those in attendance in the Pledge of Allegiance. Roll Call - Commissioners: Ms. Julie Holubowicz, Mr. Bill Miller, Mr. Leonard Pilak, Ms. Sharon Roy, Ms. Barb Schroeder, Ald. Harenda, Mr. Howard Schneider and Conservation Coordinator Tom Zagar. Guests: Jim Jackley and Dave Davis The meeting was posted in accordance with the open meeting law. APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS MEETING MINUTES — Chairman Pilak inquired if Conservation Coordinator Zagar had contacted the Mequon Nature Preserve relative to their hunting permit system. Conservation Coordinator Zager had not yet had the opportunity. In regard to the permit system for hunting, on State lands that permit hunting within the city, he has observed the lands are not being overrun by people. If hunting would become a problem, then they can limit the use. He felt that it would be hard to police and to enforce the hunting rule. Chairman Pilak asked if the weed tipping for the Little Muskego Lake District had been resolved. Conservation Coordinator Zagar has had discussion with Fay Amerson and Larry Lefebvre and they will have to work it out with the WDNR. If they do, they will have to give the cost -share of money back to the WDNR for the area that would be used for weed tipping. A motion was made by Ald. Harenda to approve the minutes of the meeting held May 17, 2012. Seconded by Commissioner Miller; motion carried. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: Land Acquisition Inquiry —Conservation Coordinator Zagar refreshed the Commissioners on what had previous been discussed at the October, 2011 meeting. The city owns 3.69 acres of land, possibly a road right- of-way remnant, on Woods Road, west of Muskego High School. On the Certified Survey Map (CSM) presented, it was Lot 4. Mr. Davis wants to do a land division and the requirement for the zoning is that he needs a minimum amount of road frontage to have these lots divided on his property. He would like to acquire 0.19 acres of from the city to have adequate road frontage to meet the zoning requirement. This parcel was inventoried as a conservation site because it is a parcel of city land that has no other function as far as a lift station, park, etc. Most of it is wetland and not very high quality. He pointed out the planned trail system for the city on the wall map. There was discussion about getting an easement for that trail - depicted on the CSM running a length of 908 feet along the entire west side of lot #3. Mr. Davis has offered to make the easement 40 feet in width. If the CSM is recorded, the city would gain the easement by this transaction. Mr. Davis clarified that the intent of the city years ago back to the `60s was to take Woods Road and straighten it and run straight to Hillendale and also extend it straight down to Henneberry. He had approached the city to abandon the parcel of land if they weren't going to do anything with it. The city had no plans at that time for the parcel. He explained he merely needed the additional land to meet codes and that he planned no changes to this area because the additional parcels would share the existing driveway through a common use easement. If the city is willing to accept the easement, he and the Community Development Department would work out language relative the easement. Commissioner Miller moved to recommend moving forward with the exchange of .19 acres for easement rights through the Davis property for a future trail. Commissioner Schneider seconded. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried. There was further discussion to estimate the value of the 0.19-acre parcel as it relates to the increased value of Mr. Davis' property. Conservation Commissioner Zagar will consult with the city's assessor on values of this land and of the easement. Development of a Site Plan for Badertscher Preserve (Borst Land Acquisition) —Commissioners were in receipt of an updated draft for the site plan. It wasn't very detailed but would serve as a road map of where they Conservation Commission Meeting — September 26, 2012 — Page 2 wanted to go with this site. At this time, the commissioners had no changes for the site plan. Commissioner Schroeder asked if they could look at the site to get a better idea of what can be done with the site. The commissioners will tour the site on Tuesday, October 2, at 4:30 p.m. They will meet on Field Drive in the area of the proposed parking lot for the site. Conservation Coordinator Zagar reviewed briefly the plan as it related to hiking trails, hunting, restoration activities, etc. NEW BUSINESS Approval of Badertscher Preserve Site Plan-- Commissioner Miller moved to approve the plan as presented. Ald. Harenda seconded. Chairman Pilak thought the visit to the site may generate something else they may want in the plan. In that case, Conservation Coordinator Zager indicated the plan could be amended. Action on the plan would have some bearing on the proposed grant for the oak savannah restoration project. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried. Commissioner Schneider inquired about the status of the weed cutting. At this time, Conservation Coordinator Zager said there was discussion on how it is unresolved and how they would resolve it. Further, Commissioner Schneider inquired if there was an area for the weed tipping. Conservation Coordinator Zager stated it would be north of the parking lot, between there and the wet area; one acre right below the prairie plantings. US Fish & Wildlife Agreement to Conduct Oak Savanna Restoration Project at Badertscher Preserve — Conservation Coordinator Zagar reviewed the USFW agreement for the project. In essence, it would be hiring a contractor who will cut and treat the stumps in the area. They quoted $9240 and the USFW will pick up $5700 of that amount, leaving the city to contribute $3540 in actual funds. Then, the other $3000 would be for doing the herbicide, spraying of the grasses, and seeding. They would be treating and cutting all of the buckthorn. The contractor is ready to go; however, the project cannot move forward as approval of matching funds is needed from the city and the USFW is still awaiting budget approval. This could happen within the next few weeks. He would put off hiring the contractor until funding is secured. Commissioner Miller moved to recommend approval of the USFW agreement for the oak savanna restoration project. Commissioner Roy seconded. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried. DNR Big Muskego Wildlife Area Land Acquisition —Conservation Coordinator Zagar reported that the DNR is interested in acquiring the Rachel Lang property. The area is on Parker Drive on the west side of Big Muskego Lake and abuts lands currently owned by the DNR. The DNR is looking for some local cost -sharing on the acquisition and, at this time, are not sure what that level would be. The Big Muskego Lake District's Deputy Commissioners are in favor of the purchase and have recommended that $50,000 of the Lake District's funds be used on this acquisition. The State would own the land and maintain it. Jim Jackley, Land Agent of the DNR was present. Mr. Jackley said it is about 94 acres and if you count the cattails on the fringe, about 124 acres. Actual ownership is 94 acres. The owner is willing to sell and they are currently in negotiations and the State has an option with the land owner. The State needs to obtain another appraisal so they can move forward with the approval process. The DNR has $175,000 from a North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA) grant and the rest would be State Stewardship money and local contributions. Norway/Dover Drainage District Annexation Plans —Conservation Coordinator Tom Zagar shared that there is a farm drainage district in Racine County. It's a governmental body of five with the members appointed by a judge. They are currently trying to annex the rest of the Town of Norway in the Muskego/Wind Lake drainage watershed. They do ditch work for the channel that leads from Wind Lake to Fox River, but they also do a lot of maintenance of ditches that lead to farm lands laterally, east -west from there. They are annexing this large area to do their work as they believe those lands benefit from the drainage that they provide. A large number of people in Wind Lake are upset. He brought this item before the Commissioners because they said publicly that they don't intend to stop; they want to annex the rest of the watershed and that includes 3/4 of Muskego and into New Berlin. The City of Muskego's attorney is seeing what can be done to avoid the annexation. The district Conservation Commission Meeting — September 26, 2012 — Page 3 would be taxing the people in the watershed area to fund the work in Racine County. He plans on attending the public information meeting being held October 4. MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS AS AUTHORIZED BY LAW ADJOURNMENT —Commissioner Miller moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:11 PM. scoff, pazaz,2h00, CPS Recording Secretary Memo To: Conservation Commission From: Tom Zagar CC: Jeff Muenkel, AICP Date: June 6, 2013 RE: Request to fund a summer intern for assisting development at Badertscher Preserve REQUEST: The Community Development Department requests that the Conservation Commission consider making a recommendation to Finance Committee and Common Council to allow the hiring of a part time intern position for the remainder of the summer. BACKGROUND: There are several facilities development and restoration projects that need to be completed at Badertscher Preserve. Facilities developments include the construction of the entrance monument sign, installation of trail signs & boundary signs, installation of a small bridge, and construction of a portable restroom enclosure. Restoration includes tree removals; invasive species management, and herbicide applications in anticipation of seeding in fall. We could use more help to complete this additional workload. recently had a student from UW Stevens Point, Nic Prom, assisting me as a volunteer who I feel would be an ideal candidate. I am impressed with his work ethic and his interest in conservation work. He will be returning to school as a sophomore in September and is eager to gain work experience. Nic is chain saw safety certified and has worked on nature signage at the university's Smeeckle Reserve. FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS: $2,000 funding is requested for the position which will pay $9/hour. Considering FICA, Medicare, and Worker's Compensation Insurance the effective rate becomes $10/hour. Half-time for the remainder of summer calculates as follows: 20 hours/week x 10 weeks @ $10/hour = $2000. The position would have no other benefits so there would be no additional costs. There is adequate funding in the Conservancy management account (215.06.00.00.6008) to fund these hours.