Conservation Commission -Minutes-20040520
Conservation Commission approved
City of Muskego
Minutes of Meeting Held on Thursday, May 20, 2004
Chairman Len Pilak called the meeting to order at 6:01 PM.
Present were Commission members Howard Schneider, Gary Stewart, Henry Posbrig and
Conservation Coordinator Tom Zagar. Alderman Madden was absent.
Those present recited the Pledge of Allegiance.
Len Pilak noted the meeting was posted in accordance with the open meeting law on May 12, 2004.
APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS MEETING’S MINUTES – A motion was made by Gary Stewart to
approve the minutes of the January 12, 2004 Parks/Recreation Board/Conservation
Commission Joint Meeting and Conservation Commission Meeting of the February 9, 2004,
seconded by Howard Schneider and carried by all.
NEW BUSINESS
REVIEW HICKORY CREEK ESTATE SUBDIVISION – Tom Zagar reviewed with the Commission
members a preliminary plat of Hickory Creek Estates Subdivision. Tom Zagar displayed an aerial
map of the subdivision area and explained the woods are located in a priority area but consists of
box elders and hickory trees but overall, a very small area. Len Pilak questioned if this subdivision
meets Plan Commission’s approval or requirements for a conservation subdivision? Tom Zagar was
not sure if it was a conservation subdivision. Howard Schneider said Parks/Recreation Board
recommended installing a bike/pedestrian path and an easement to the Muskego High School
property. The Commission members expressed concern that there is only one access into the
subdivision. This preliminary plat is for information only and no action was taken.
Interim Plan Director Jeff Muenkel arrived at 6:25 PM to answer questions regarding the preliminary
plat for Hickory Creek Estate Subdivision. This parcel is a 53-acre including 60 lots, the developer
will be coming before Plan Commission to rezone the parcel to RS2-OPD that would allow the lots to
be smaller (18,000 to 20,000) square feet. Jeff Muenkel stated there is 50% open space but it is not
considered a Conservation Subdivision. He is aware of the one access out of the subdivision and
will ask the developer to pave an access for emergency vehicles between lots 8 and 9.
Interim Plan Director Jeff Muenkel left at 6:35 PM.
RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF FISH & WILDLIFE WETLAND RESTORATION FOR RIDGES
CONSERVATION PROPERTY – Tom Zagar explained the Fish and Wildlife Wetland Service, along
with Ron Ford marked the drain tiles with flags on the Ridges Conservation Property. They are
proposing to break the drain tiles to restore the hydrology and wetlands, which would increase the
water table. There is a grant available that would pay the Public Works Department for their time
and use of equipment to perform this procedure. The Commission members expressed concern
about flooding the adjoining property owners. Gary Stewart motioned to approve the fish &
wildlife wetland restoration for the Ridges Conservation property with concerns that this
procedure may flood the adjoining properties, second by Henry Posbrig and carried by all.
The Commission members were dismissed for the tour of the following areas at 6:40 PM.
TOUR OF THE RIDGES CONSERVATION PROPERTY – The Commissioners toured the 27-acre
Ridges Conservation property located off of Tans Drive. A prescribed burn was conducted on the
property earlier in Spring and recently the area was treated with an herbicide to minimize the
coverage of invasive Reed Canary Grass.
TOUR ENGEL PROPETY - The Commissioners toured the 140-acre Engel city owned property
located off of Henneberry Drive and abuts the Muskego High School athletic fields. The City is
paying for the land with the DNR Stewardship Grant Award of approximately $400.000.00 (roughly
half the purchase price) with the balance coming from the conservation fund. Tom Zagar stated that
there is a vacant house on the property that could be used for classroom space in the future. The
Commissioners expressed concerns that the vacant home be inspected to determine the condition
of the home.
TOUR BLUHM PARK PRAIRIE RESTORATION AND CONTROLLED BURN RESULTS IN
WOODLOT - The Commissioners toured Veteran’s Memorial Park Boardwalk and observed the
controlled burn area instead of Bluhm Park due to the inclement weather.
The Commission members returned at 7:40 PM and Len Pilak called the meeting to order.
Discussion continued regarding the tour. Commissioners raised concerns that rehabilitation of the
structure may not be economically feasible. Howard Schneider made a motion to have city
building inspectors inspect the vacant home located on the Ewald-Engel property to determine
what needs to be repaired/restored to make the structure habitable. Seconded by Henry
Posbrig, carried by all.
MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS
Governor Doyle will be coming to the City of Muskego on May 21, 2004 to announce the City of
Muskego as the recipient of a stewardship grant for $400,000.00 or more for the purchase of the
140-acre Ewald-Engel property. The event will take place at Veteran’s Memorial Park shelter at 9:45
AM.
NEXT MEETING DATE – At this time the Commission did not set the next meeting date, Len Pilak
would prefer not to meet on Thursday evenings.
ADJOURNMENT
Being no further business to discuss, Gary Stewart motioned to adjourn, seconded by
Howard Schneider and carried by all. Meeting adjourned at 7:47 PM.
Respectfully Submitted,
Kim Chavie
Recording Secretary