Conservation Commission -Minutes-20050621
Conservation Commission approved
City of Muskego
Minutes of Meeting Held on Tuesday, June 21, 2005
Len Pilak called the meeting to order at 7:01 PM.
Present were Commission members Howard Schneider, William Miller, Ted Decker, Alderman
Patterson and Conservation Coordinator Tom Zagar and those per attached list. Gary Stewart
and Henry Posbrig were absent.
Those present recited the Pledge of Allegiance.
The meeting was posted on June 20, 2005 in accordance with the open meeting law.
APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS MEETING MINUTES – defer until the next meeting. No action
taken.
Len Pilak asked the Commission to discuss new business item #2 and old business #4 to
accommodate petitioners. Commissioners had no objection.
NEW BUSINESS
DISCUSS ESTABLISHMENT OF ARCHERY RANGE AT ENGEL CONSERVATION
PROPERTY – David Taube representing the Kiwanis Club appeared before the
Commissioners to discuss an archery range at the Engel Conservation Property. The Kiwanis
Club would fund the archery range and donate it to the City. Mr. Taube discussed two phases
of the archery range; Phase I would include 3 or 4 targets and 4 by 4 markers that would mark
the distance from the targets and Phase II would include an elevated platform similar to the
one at Minooka Park in Waukesha where you could practice shooting downward. At this time,
the Kiwanis Club has enough funds to establish Phase I of the archery range and Phase II
would be completed at a later date. A donation marker would also be erected. Mr. Taube
explained that pressure treated materials would be used for the targets and possible help from
the Department of Public Work to install them. Len Pilak questioned the parking. Tom Zagar
distributed a draft map of the archery range and discussed parking sites, maybe a possible
berm. Mr. Taube asked if a schedule for the development is in place. Tom Zagar stated tree
planting, prairie establishment, wetland restoration are all moving forward and now trails and
parking need to be completed before an archery range could be started. Bill Miller moved to
pursue establishing an archery range as one of its uses at the Engel Conservation
Property; seconded by Howard Schneider. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried 4-1,
with Ald. Patterson opposed. Ald. Patterson would like more information regarding if this
area is the appropriate site for the archery range. Tom Zagar will contact the Department of
Natural Resources to discuss if this use is allowable on the Engel Conservation Property.
OLD BUSINESS
CONSERVATION EASEMENT FOR THE RIDGES CONSERVATION LANDS
LOCATED IN THE SE ¼ OF SECTION 6 – Len Pilak updated the Commissioners and
questioned why this item is on the agenda and why it has not moved forward since the
Commissioners made their recommendation at the December 2002 meeting. Ron Ford
appeared before the Commissioners in December 2002 and the motion read as follows:
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June 21, 2005
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Nancy Salentine made a motion to recommend that staff and Council consider
placing a Conservation Easement on the 27-acre, city-owned “Ridges” outlot 1 in
Section 6; seconded by Howard Schneider and carried by all. Ron Ford stated he
did not receive a copy of the draft conservation easement. Tom Zagar will get a copy
of the draft conservation easement to Mr. Ford. Mr. Ford requested to be informed
when this item is on any city agenda. Ald. Patterson suggested redirecting Tom Zagar
to address this issue with the current plan staff and add item to the appropriate agenda
for direction or guidance. This item will remain on the agenda until both parties are
satisfied. Tom Zagar will update Commissioners at the next meeting.
TOUR OF ENGEL PROPERTY AND BLUHM PARK – Deferred. Tom Zagar stated if anyone is
interested touring the site, they should contact him.
EROSION CONTROL PROJECT ON HOLZ ISLAND ON LITTLE MUSKEGO LAKE – Tom
Zagar and Faye Amerson visited the site and she will contact a consultant for ideas to fix the
problem. Tom Zagar plans to schedule this project for late August. Ald. Patterson questioned
the cost factors for this project. Tom Zagar said grant money may be available for this project
and the Little Muskego Lake Association has committed some funds as well. Howard
Schneider said volunteers and equipment would also be available for the project. He
mentioned grading will be started at Park Arthur and fieldstone at the site could possibly be
used for this project.
DISCUSS DEVELOPMENT OF ENGEL CONSERVATION PROPERTY – Tom Zagar
discussed the draft site plan and noted the areas enrolled in the Wetland Reserve Program.
Through that program, the USDA will break drain tile, plug ditches, and restore the hydrology
to the area by making the area wetter and then seed with vegetation. The Eagle Scouts and
many volunteers planted hardwood trees and did an excellent job. Bill Miller volunteered to
water the trees that were planted on the property.
NEW BUSINESS
REVIEW PRELIMINARY PLAT OF WOODLAND CREEK ADDITION #1- Tom Zagar discussed
with the Commissioners a preliminary plat of Woodland Creek Addition #1 Subdivision located
adjacent to the Engel Conservation Property. Tom Zagar noted that this is not a conservation
subdivision but is a high acquisition priority on the Conservation Plan. The proposed plat
shows encroachment into a woodlot with some mature oak trees. Tom Zagar stated that he
would request that Towne Realty provide a detailed site analysis and tree survey. Building
pads could be designed to minimize the tree loss. The Parks and Recreation Board has
requested the Developer provide a pedestrian trail extending from Racine Avenue to the Engel
site. The Commissioners discussed the potential dedication of outlot 1 to the City. All agreed
that ownership of outlot was not as much of an issue as providing access to the Engel
Property. Ald. Patterson moved to recommend that this Development give the city
pedestrian access through outlot 1 connecting to Engel Conservation Property;
seconded by Bill Miller and carried by all. This item will remain on the agenda for possible
review of the detailed site analysis and tree survey.
REVIEW AND RECOMMEND ADOPTION OF URBAN FORESTRY MANAGEMENT PLAN
UPDATE – At the July 29, 2004 Urban Forestry Meeting the members reviewed a copy of the
draft document. Tom Zagar has edited this document drafted by Ranger Services. Tom Zagar
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June 21, 2005
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explained the importance of keeping an updated Urban Forestry Management Plan to be
eligible for Department of Natural Resources grants. Howard Schneider moved to approve
adopted plan and recommend Common Council to adopt the Urban Forestry
Management Plan updates; seconded by Len Pilak and carried by all.
DISCUSS IMPLEMENTATION OF MUNICIPAL CODE REGARDING TREE MITIGATION –
Tom Zagar said he wanted to discuss this item because of the problems at Forest Glen
Subdivision where so many trees were taken down. The municipal code states mitigation
reads for every tree cut down, one needs to be planted. The Commissioners were in
agreement that if an adequate number of planting sites were not available, off site mitigation
should be considered. He would like to create a new policy regarding tree mitigation that takes
into account the value of tree species – for example giving more weight to a White Oak over a
Box Elder of the same size. After discussion, Tom Zagar will contact other municipalities and
investigate a more equitable and fair way to implement mitigation. This item will remain on the
agenda.
DISCUSS USES AND SIGNAGE FOR ENGEL CONSERVATION PROPERTY – Tom Zagar
provided the Commissioners with a list of uses for Engel Conservation Property to review. He
talked with the manager of Wehr Nature Center who suggested that if there is doubt, uses
should be restricted in the beginning – as once a use is allowed, it is difficult to take it away in
the future. Votes were not taken but the general reaction of the Commission to allowing the
following activities was as follows:
Hunting- (No hunting, but possibly allow bow hunting by permit)
Archery Range – (most agreed to allow)
Dog walking/running – (Yes, if on leash - Off leash in non-nesting season and in
designated areas only)
Bicycling- (No, but allow connecting trails to other parts of City)
Jogging/running – (may not be an issue)
Snowmobiles/ATV’s- (No)
Horses- (No, but allow connecting trails to other parts of City)
Collection of any materials (e.g. wood, seeds or flowers) - (No)
Camping- (No, but special permit issued if approved by Conservation Commission)
Drinking of alcohol- (No, but special permit issued if approved by Conservation
Commission)
Hours of use – (Len Pilak suggested sunrise to sunset according to the Department of
Natural Resource timetable).
MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS- Nothing new to report.
MEETING DATE- At this time the Commission did not set the next meeting date.
ADJOURNMENT
Being no further business to discuss, Bill Miller moved to adjourn; seconded by Howard
Schneider and carried by all. Meeting adjourned at 8:48 PM.
Respectfully Submitted,
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June 21, 2005
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Kim Chavie
Recording Secretary