Conservation Commission -Minutes-20050926
Conservation Commission Approved 12/7/05
City of Muskego
Minutes of Meeting Held on Monday, September 26, 2005
Gary Stewart called the meeting to order at 7:04 P.M.
Present were Commission members Howard Schneider, Gary Stewart, William Miller,
Alderman Patterson and Conservation Coordinator Tom Zagar and those per the attached list.
Ted Decker, Len Pilak and Henry Posbrig were absent.
Those present recited the Pledge of Allegiance.
The meeting was posted on September 19, 2005 in accordance with the open meeting law.
APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS MEETING MINUTES – The Commissioners did not approve
August 2, 2005 minutes.
Gary Stewart asked the Commissioners to suspend the normal sequence of business to
accommodate other pressing city business since Alderman Patterson also had to return to the
Committee of the Whole Meeting, which was simultaneously taking place at City Hall. None of
the Commissioners objected.
NEW BUSINESS
REVIEW CONCEPT PLAN FOR CONSERVATION SUBDIVISION ON LOUGHNEY
PROPERTY – John Loughney appeared before the Commissioners asking for approval of a
Conservation Subdivision Concept Plan located east of Crowbar Drive just north of Kelsey
Drive. The property is 23.91 acres in size, and includes an area of wooded uplands. A total of
10 parcels are proposed which includes 3 bonus lots. Gary Stewart mentioned that one of the
purposes of the Conservation Commission is to preserve and maintain a rural atmosphere and
woodlands, which Mr. Loughney is proposing on this property. Alderman Patterson said that in
some previous conservation subdivision proposals neighboring citizens objected to the smaller
lots and higher density despite the preservation of environmentally sensitive lands. Tom Zagar
said that a conservation management plan would be drafted by the City and executed by the
homeowners in the subdivision. This plan would include establishment of a prairie by the
Developer and maintenance of the woodlands and prairie by the Homeowners Association.
Howard Schneider motioned to approve the concept plan for a conservation subdivision
on the Loughney property; seconded by Bill Miller and carried by all.
OLD BUSINESS
EROSION CONTROL PROJECT ON HOLZ ISLAND-LITTLE MUSKEGO LAKE – Tom Zagar
stated that this is a one-acre, city-owned wooded island with a natural shoreline. The island
has a definite erosion problem around the shoreline that needs to be restored. Fay Amerson,
a consultant for Little Muskego Lake District, invited Crane Landscape & Design to visit the
island and suggest ways to restore the shoreline. The landscape company provided a quote
for $3,800.00 for engineering and design work to restore the shoreline. Over the years,
various work has been done to the shoreline to help with the erosion problem but has not fixed
the problem. After the engineering and design plan is developed, then it could be advertised
for public bid. Tom Zagar estimated that implementation of the plan may total $100,000.00 and
that DNR grant money would be sought to pay the majority. Alderman Patterson questioned
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September 26, 2005
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what would happen if we did nothing to the island’s shoreline. Ms. Amerson said we would
lose a very unique habitat in an urban setting. The Little Muskego Lake Association has voted
to contribute $1,000.00 and Little Muskego Lake District has a resolution on the docket for
their upcoming annual meeting in which they would contribute 25% of all planning and
implementation costs up to $10,000.00. For this $3,800.00 engineering and design work
proposal it is proposed that the Association will pay $1,000.00 and the District will pay
$950.00, and the City fund the remaining $1,850.00 out of the Conservation Commission
budget. Ms. Amerson read the proposal items that included:
Basemap preparation.
Field establishment of construction reference points.
Detailed site plan showing selected shore treatments, suitable to submit for necessary
permits.
Detailed construction drawings with technical descriptions.
Construction sequence.
List of task to be performed by city departments and/or volunteers.
Construction costs statements.
One meeting to meet with government officials, non-governmental agency
representatives and interested citizens.
Bill Miller questioned if a maintenance plan would be included in the plan to follow after the
work is completed. Tom Zagar and Fay Amerson will ask that this also be addressed in the
Plan. Howard Schneider motioned to contribute up to $1,900.00 towards the engineering
and design on this project; seconded by Gary Stewart and carried by all.
NEW BUSINESS continued
DISCUSS AND MAKE RECOMMENDATION FOR CITY APPROPRIATION/UTILIZATION OF
MONEY RECEIVED FROM THE USDA-NRCS FOR ENGEL PROPERTY WETLANDS
RESERVE PROGRAM EASEMENT – Tom Zagar said that its his understanding that the
$137,000.00 Wetlands Reserve Program easement payment from USDA-NRCS will be
deposited into the Conservation revenue account and the full amount will be applied to debt
service on the Engel Property.
Due to Alderman Patterson leaving the meeting to attend the Committee of the Whole
Meeting (subsequently no quorum of Commissioners), the “business” items listed below
were not discussed and will appear on the next agenda.
OLD BUSINESS continued
TOURS OF ENGEL PROPERTY AND BLUHM PARK (previously deferred) – No discussion.
DISCUSS DEVELOPMENT OF ENGEL CONSERVATION PROPERTY – No discussion.
CONSERVATION EASEMENT FOR THE RIDGES CONSERVATION LANDS LOCATED IN
THE SE ¼ OF SECTION 6 – No discussion.
NEW BUSINESS continued
REVIEW 2006 URBAN FORESTRY GRANT PROJECT – No discussion.
REVIEW AND RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF PROPOSED TRAIL MAP – No discussion.
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September 26, 2005
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MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS- No discussion.
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 7:48 PM.
Kim Chavie
Recording Secretary