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Conservation Commission -Minutes-20051207 Conservation Commission Approved City of Muskego Minutes of Meeting Held on Wednesday, December 7, 2005 Chairman Len Pilak called the meeting to order at 7:05 P.M. Present: Mr. Ted Decker, Alderman Patterson, Mr. Len Pilak, Mr. Howard Schneider and Conservation Coordinator Tom Zagar. Absent: Mr. William Miller (excused), Mr. Henry Posbrig (excused), Mr. Gary Stewart (excused) Guest: Mr. Bill Carity Those present recited the Pledge of Allegiance. The meeting was posted in accordance with the open meeting law. APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS MEETING MINUTES: A motion was made by Ald. Patterson to approve the Conservation Commission minutes of August 2, 2005 and September 26, 2005 en gross. Seconded by Mr. Howard Schneider and carried by all. OLD BUSINESS EROSION CONTROL PROJECT ON HOLZ ISLAND-LITTLE MUSKEGO Conservation Coordinator Zagar reported an agreement has been signed for them to do the engineering work. They need though to wait for the lake to thaw or to freeze to shoot some grades so they know what dimensions to use. Mr. Schneider asked when the money would be due. Conservation Coordinator Zagar felt the city would pay the bill and then get reimbursed. Total cost for the planning and design was $3,800 and discussed at the last meeting. Once the design work is done, a Lake Protection Grant will be sought prior to putting the project out for public bidding. DEVELOPMENT OF ENGEL CONSERVATION PROPERTY Last week, they seeded 12 acres of bean field over to prairie. It’s part of the Fish and Wildlife Service grant partnership and provided funding to supply the seed. Also, some seed was from hand collection. Seed contained 45-50 species of native plants. They will be putting out signs marking the trails. Conservation Coordinator Zagar wanted direction from the group relative to the disposition of the house on the property. Previously had discussed the need for a building and he has had conversation with Dr. Drury of the school district and their curriculum instructor and it was looked on favorably, but the district is not willing to commit money. He will continue to look into getting grants to refurbish the house. He mentioned that Potawatomi Indian Tribe offers grants and may be a possibility considering the historic settlement of the area by the Potawatomi Tribe. Chairman Pilak suggested including information on the Potawatomi involvement with the city to include with the grant application. He also mentioned money from the conservation budget. Ald. Patterson suggested to seek Potawatomi’s involvement from a point of establishing their connection such as a native history aspect and to complement what Conservation Commission Meeting December 7, 2005 Page 2 the commission wants to do. Conservation Coordinator Zagar thought incorporating natural history was a good idea but also cautioned that they may want to take more control of the site. Ald. Patterson mentioned that it would need Council approval. Mr. Schneider thought the building was worth saving. Conservation Coordinator Zagar said it would probably take $130,000 to refurbish the building. He indicated that it had not been heated for the last two years; however, the heating system is intact and can be used; just needed some oil. Mr. Schneider offered heating oil left from when he switched to another form of heat. Conservation Coordinator Zagar can contact Johnny’s to see if the oil is still good and if so, the cost to transfer to the house’s oil tank. Commissioners were in favor of heating the building. Alderman Patterson shared the idea of starting a tree nursery so that the city would have their own trees for replacement or new planting. Conservation Coordinator Zagar commented that some of the trees planted by the Eagle Scout will need to be thinned out. In general, the operation of a nursery is very labor intensive and you have to know what you are doing. He said it was not recommended by Dan Traas. Unless you have the staff, the ability and the equipment, you would not want to get into the nursery business. NEW BUSINESS CONCEPT PLAT FOR BELLE CHASSE SUBDIVISION Mr. Bill Carity presented his concept for the Belle Chasse subdivision. This would be in the area of McShane/Durham Drives. It’s about 110 acres and 37 percent would be preserved in green space. The lots expected to total 147 and would be 1/3 acre in size. He pointed out the areas that were wetland and stands of trees. He will try to preserve as much as possible the trees on some of the lots. He invited the commission members to tour the area on Saturday, December 10, starting at 1:30 p.m. Chairman Pilak pointed out that there are gun clubs in the area and he wanted the prospective owners to be aware of sounds of gunfire from the gun clubs. Mr. Carity stated he could create a deed restriction about the gun clubs in the area so that the residents are aware they have been permitted by the city. Chairman Pilak did not see any real problem with the concept plan. Mr. Schneider did not think it was too bad. Mr. Carity showed that lands in the proposed Durham realignment include areas of environmentally significant lands including a wetland and a stand of oak trees. Conservation Coordinator Zagar then showed how a proposed cul de sac in the concept plan affects a similar cluster of oak trees and suggested revision to save the trees. There was some discussion if the City of Muskego would be interested in purchasing the wooded areas; otherwise, the homeowners association would own the lands. Conservation Coordinator Zagar said there might be interest in the lands adjacent to the Bluhm Park woods. OLD BUSINESS continued CONSERVATION EASEMENT FOR THE RIDGES CONSERVATION LANDS LOCATED IN THE SE ¼ OF SECTION 6 Conservation Coordinator Zagar reported nothing new on this issue. He had talked to Ron Ford and they are still waiting for word from the attorney on the drafting of the easement. MUNICIPAL CODE REGARDING TREE MITIGATION Conservation Coordinator Zagar shared that he had contacted other municipalities and is reviewing the data that they sent him. Conservation Commission Meeting December 7, 2005 Page 3 PROPOSED MUSKEGO RECREATION TRAIL MAP Commissioners were in receipt of the trail map. The map showed existing and proposed trail areas. Mr. Schneider shared that the Parks and Recreation Board had reviewed the map and submitted changes. Conservation Coordinator Zagar informed the commissioners that there is a proposed trail in both the parks master plan and the conservation plan and this combines the two into one map. If the network of the trails is on an approved plan, developers can then be advised. Chairman Pilak moved to approve the proposed Muskego Recreation Trail map. Mr. Schneider seconded. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously. NEW BUSINESS continued POTENTIAL DEVELOPMENT OF WASTE MANAGEMENT LANDFILL SITE Conservation Coordinator Zagar advised the commissioners that Waste Management is looking for ways to return usable functions to landfill sites across the country. They are suggesting leasing the areas to the city of a $1 a year for recreational use. He mentioned that a developer is interested in developing some of the area. A map of the area was reviewed that showed the future residential development, the forested areas, and the Superfund site. He acknowledged the concern about being near a Superfund site and they would want to get a clean bill from the Environmental Protection Agency and Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources to use the site. Ald. Patterson recommended contacting other communities involved in Superfund sites and see what problems they had and what they should have done before they agreed to use the site. MEMORIAL TREE PROGRAM Conservation Coordinator Zagar said they had two simultaneous requests to do something in memorial for someone who has passed on. Trees were planted; one on a lake access and the other at the library. He purchased a marker for each, made out of granite, set in concrete with a simple message and the date when the tree was planted. He continued, this concept could then be used for planting trees in parks such as Park Arthur when it becomes developed and landscaped. Mr. Schneider offered that the program was discussed at Parks and Recreation Board and though members were agreeable, the Parks and Recreation Director had reservations. Commissioners would like other communities contacted for guidelines on this proposal. PARTNERING WITH WDNR ON LAND PURCHASE Conservation Coordinator Zagar stated this was within the project boundaries of the Big Muskego Wildlife Area. A couple of parcels on the western edge that would tie in well with the trail map are being sought by the DNR. Prices have been discussed. If there were some willingness from the city to help with these purchases, it would also further the cause of the Conservation Plan by enabling trail connections. TREE PLANTING FOR FUTURE JANESVILLE ROAD WIDENING Ald. Patterson presented his idea for beautification of the boulevard with trees for the future Janesville Road and to work on a plan now, to put in trees along Janesville Road, to decide on the look and image of the area. He thought the Chamber or businesses would be interested in the plan. He mentioned the developer that cut down too many trees in the area of Janesville Road and now needs to replace them. Conceptually, they could put the trees along the sidewalks, the boulevards, etc. but it needs to be looked at now. Chairman Pilak said near Jackson Park in Milwaukee there is a very impressive canopy of trees. He thought this was an Conservation Commission Meeting December 7, 2005 Page 4 excellent idea. Ald. Patterson said, being a county roadway, the type of tree would have to be considered and they would have to come up with a design. Some discussion on locust trees and that the trees could be pruned to create a high canopy. MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS- No discussion. MEETING DATE- At this time the Commission did not set the next meeting date. Chairman Pilak requested that review of the Rusdahl rustic barn be placed on the next agenda. ADJOURNMENT Being no further business to discuss, Mr. Schneider moved to adjourn; seconded by Mr. Decker and carried by all. Meeting adjourned at 9:01 PM. Stella Dunahee, CPS Recording Secretary