Conservation Commission -Minutes-0020925
Conservation Commission approved
City of Muskego
Minutes of Meeting Held on Wednesday September 25, 2002
Chairman Len Pilak called the meeting to order at 7:02 PM.
Committee members Len Pilak, Howard Schneider, Gary Stewart, Henry Posbrig and
Conservation Coordinator Tom Zagar attended the meeting. Alderman Salentine was
absent.
Those present recited the Pledge of Allegiance.
Len Pilak noted the meeting was posted on September 19, 2002 in accordance with the
Open Meeting law.
APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS MEETING’S MINUTES – A motion was made by Henry Posbrig
to approve the minutes of the August 14, 2002 meeting, seconded by Howard Schneider
carried by all.
OLD BUSINESS – Gary Stewart referenced the letter to Mr. Ron Ford and questioned if
other landowners were notified and would consider selling property to be deeded to the
Muskego Lakes Land Conservancy. Tom Zagar stated Mr. Ron Ford dropped off a packet of
information at the Mayor’s office and item will be placed on the next Conservation
Commission agenda.
Len P. told the Committee that he received clarification from the Mayor that the word “quiet”
in Resolution #153-2002 discussed at the last meeting is the legal term used to protect rights
of citizens and property owners and not forbid certain park activities that may cause noise.
NEW BUSINESS
PRELIMINARY PLAT OF BIG MUSKEGO ESTATES II – Tom Zagar discussed with the
commission a preliminary plat and detailed site analysis of Big Muskego Estates II. Tom
Zagar noted several natural resource areas are delineated on the plat and indicated one is a
woodlot that lies within a Management Priority area from the Conservation Plan. He noted
however that the woodlot was not also listed as a “preservation area” and therefore was not
subject to the preservation area restrictions itemized on the plat. Len P. suggested changing
the language prior to final plat. Tom Zagar said he would bring this concern to the attention
of the Planning Department and Plan Commission.
Len Pilak also had a concern about the wording of the Preservation Restrictions: letter C.
“The removal for destruction of any vegetative cover, i.e., trees, shrubs, grasses, etc., shall
be prohibited, with the exception of the removal of exotic or invasive species, or dead,
diseased or dying vegetation at the discretion of landowner, forester or naturalist, and with
the approval of the Waukesha County Department of Parks and Land Use.“ Len is
concerned about that “at the discretion of the landowner” creates a loophole in which
vegetation could be cut without any oversight from the City. Tom Zagar will check to see if
this is basic language listed on all Waukesha County plats.
Conservation Commission Meeting
September 25, 2002
Page 2
Gary Stewart questioned what the “cultivated land” term meant on the preliminary plat. It
was assumed that this just indicated areas currently under cultivation and not planned for
cultivation. Tom Zagar will check with the developer.
INVASIVE PLANT CONTROL STRATEGIES ON PROPERTIES SUBJECT TO
MANAGEMENT BY THE CONSERVATION COMMISSION – Tom Zagar displayed examples
of buckthorn and honeysuckle to the commission members. Tom Zagar stated the most
effective control of buckthorn is to recognize their appearance early and remove plants
before they begin to produce seed. He explained that these shrubs should be cut near the
soil surface and stumps should be treated immediately afterwards with an herbicide.
MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS
2002 WAPA AWARDS – The Wisconsin Chapter of the American Planning Association has
selected the City of Muskego Conservation Plan to receive their 2002 award for excellence
in planning. The award will be presented at the September 26, 2002 “WAPA: Sustaining
Great Communities” workshop in Madison. Plan Director Brian Turk and Assistant Plan
Director Dustin Wolff will be present to accept the award. The Wisconsin Chapter of the
American Planning Association has selected former Mayor David DeAngelis to receive their
2002 Legislator of the Year award.
NEXT MEETING DATE – At this time the Commission did not set the next meeting but
anticipated it may occur in early November. A meeting to tour Conservation properties would
also be conducted at that time.
ADJOURNMENT
Being no further business to discuss, Howard Schneider moved to adjourn, seconded by
Henry Posbrig and carried by all. Meeting adjourned at 7:55 PM.
Respectfully Submitted,
Kim Chavie
Recording Secretary