Conservation Commission -Minutes-20040823
Conservation Commission approved
City of Muskego
Minutes of Meeting Held on Monday, August 23, 2004
Howard Schneider called the meeting to order at 7:01 PM.
Present were Commission members Henry Posbrig, Alderman Madden, Conservation Coordinator
Tom Zagar and those per attached list. Len Pilak and Gary Stewart were absent.
Those present recited the Pledge of Allegiance.
The meeting was posted 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 May 20, 2004, seconded by Alderman Madden and carried by all.
STAFF REPORT
PRAIRIE PLANTING AND INVASIVE SPECIES MANAGEMENT – Tom Zagar displayed pictures of
prairie establishment planted at Denoon and Bluhm Park for members to observe. Tom Zagar noted
that the prairie establishments that were planted in 2002 are looking good this year.
OLD BUSINESS
TOUR OF ENGEL PROPERTY AND BLUHM PARK – This item was deferred to next agenda.
NEW BUSINESS
CONSERVATION CONSIDERATIONS IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF TOM FITZPATRICK
PROPERTY ON TESS CORNERS DRIVE – Mr. Tom Fitzpatrick also attended the meeting. This
property is located on the south side of Tess Corners Drive, southeast of the Woods Road
intersection; the development is 15.89 acres in size. Tom Zagar stated the Conservation Plan has a
portion of this property identified as a high acquisition priority. He described that this was mainly
along the stream corridor and noted that the trees on the property consisted almost exclusively of
cottonwood and box elder (low value trees) and the under-story was weedy vegetation. He further
noted that the stream corridor would be protected through setbacks from the floodplain and
navigable waterway. Tom Zagar recommended that Commissioners not seek acquisition of any of
this property. Alderman Madden made a motion to allow this development to move forward
and the Conservation Commission not seek acquisition on this property; seconded by Henry
Posbrig and carried by all. Tom Fitzpatrick then left the meeting.
RESTORATION OF ENGEL CONSERVATION PROPERTY – RECOMMENDATION TO COMMON
COUNCIL ON POTENTIAL ENROLLMENT IN US FISH & WILDLIFE WETLAND RESERVE
PROGRAM – The Committee discussed two programs that can assist in the restoration of wetlands
and adjacent uplands on the Engel Conservation property. The Wetland Reserve Program (WRP)
would cover all the restoration costs and also pay the City for an easement to keep the enrolled
lands in wetlands. The other program is a habitat development agreement with USFWS that would
pay 75% of restoration costs with restrictions that the wildlife habitat development project remains in
place for at least 10 years. Tom Zagar displayed an aerial map of the property explaining the
potential enrollment areas to the Commissioners. It showed approximately 45 acres for enrollment in
WRP. The balance of the agricultural fields would be planted in upland prairie, funded by the habitat
development agreement. Planting could begin with a dormant seeding this fall: there are 18.5 acres
of beans that could be seeded with prairie this fall for the 2005-growing season. The remaining 13.5
acres would be cultivated in corn and will most likely be rotated to beans next year. These fields
could then be planted with prairie for the 2006-growing season. Alderman Madden made a motion
Conservation Commission Meeting
August 23, 2004
Page 2
to recommend that the Common Council approve enrollment of lands into the Wetland
Reserve Program to restore the 45 acres and to enter into the Cost Share Agreement to
restore 18.5 acres to the upland prairie; seconded by Henry Posbrig and carried by all.
Director of Business Services, Mr. George Haynes of Muskego Educational Center, attended the
meeting to discuss the athletic fields adjacent to the Engel property. The Muskego High School
softball fields cannot be completed until wetland mitigation is performed. Tom Zagar explained that
lands enrolled in federally assisted restoration programs could not also be used as mitigation sites.
To obtain the full benefit of the federal assistance programs it would be better to mitigate the athletic
field wetlands at another site. Tom Zagar will contact Engineering/Building Inspection Director Sean
McMullen to discuss options and offer his assistance in the mitigation process. George Haynes will
be updated throughout the process. This item was deferred to the next agenda.
DISCUSS EROSION ON EASTERN SHORE OF HOLZ ISLAND ON LITTLE MUSKEGO LAKE –
Howard Schneider expressed concerns that the erosion is eroding away on the east side of Holz
Island caused from boat traffic. After further discussion, Tom Zagar will make arrangements with
Howard Schneider to inspect the island.
MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS
NEXT MEETING DATE – At this time the Commission did not set the next meeting date.
ADJOURNMENT
Being no further business to discuss, Henry Posbrig motioned to adjourn; seconded by
Alderman Madden and carried by all. Meeting adjourned at 8:05 PM.
Respectfully Submitted,
Kim Chavie
Recording Secretary