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Conservation Commission -Minutes-20070604 Unapproved Conservation Commission City of Muskego Minutes of Meeting Held on Monday, June 4, 2007 Chairman Leonard Pilak called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM and led those in attendance in the Pledge of Allegiance. Present: Mr. Leonard Pilak, Ms. Sharon Roy, Mr. Howard Schneider, Ms. Karen Hartwell, Mr. Bill Miller and Conservation Coordinator Tom Zagar. Excused/Absent: Mr. Ted Decker The meeting was posted on May 23, 2007, in accordance with the open meeting law. APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS MEETING MINUTES – A motion was made by Mr. Bill Miller to approve the minutes of the meeting held March 12, 2007. Seconded by Mr. Howard Schneider, motion carried. OLD BUSINESS Erosion control project on Holz Island/Little Muskego Lake – Mr. Zagar noted that this project has been delayed due to the amount of Spring projects needing attention. He is hoping to start on the construction plan within the next couple of weeks. Development of Engel Conservation Area – Mr. Zagar outlined the projects being worked on, as follows:  Woodland Creek Development on Racine Avenue has given a Land Dedication of seven (7) acres – working on restoring wetlands. Attempting to find contractor to plug the ditch. Working on spraying field on wetland preservation project.  Preparing to seed. Removal of prairie grass. Treating canary grass.  Chuck Gibson from City of New Berlin offered to spot treat native plants. Discuss recommendations for City of Muskego Conservation Plan Updates/Recommend adoption of Parks and Conservation Plan for the City of Muskego 2007-2011 – Mr. Zagar advised that Ald. Schaefer has been reviewing the plan and pointed out that prioritization of the lands on west side of Lake Denoon (wetlands) is categorized as medium priority while similar areas on Big Muskego Lake are categorized high priority. This carried over from the previous Conservation Plan and Mr. Zagar feels it is an error and feels it should have been scored higher. Mr. Zagar is recommending that this be changed to a high priority. Mr. Bill Miller moved to recommend that the lands on west side of lake Denoon be changed to high priority due to the exceptional diversity of the native plant community. Seconded by Ald. Schaefer, motion carried. Conservation Commission Meeting – June 4, 2007 – Page 2 Mr. Schneider questioned drainage way area on Martin Drive next to Reynolds Machinery. It was agreed that one of the members would review site with Mr. Zagar and determine whether or not this would be earmarked as conservation lands. Ald. Schaefer questioned yellow area on Bass Bay. Mr. Zagar stated that all areas around Big Muskego Lake are categorized as high priority as they are all protected by the DNR. Mr. Zagar distributed three (3) pages with changes. He pointed out the section on page 44 that was moved and on page 45 under storm water management, it recommended that construction plans and land use plans calls for native vegetation. He also pointed out using rain gardens as an additional tool as well as green building technology. The use of the green building technology would give developers more density and also encourage any city buildings to use this type of technology as an example to others. Ms. Hartwell questioned whether we have specifications for use of native Wisconsin plants. Mr. Zagar advised that he developed a list of native plants that would be provided to developers. Mr. Miller moved to recommend approval to the Plan Commission and Common Council of the Parks and Conversation Plan for the City of Muskego 2007-2011. Seconded by Chairman Pilak, motion carried, with Mr. Schneider casting the only dissenting vote. Mr. Schneider moved to amend the previous motion to recommend approval to the Plan Commission and Common Council of the City of Muskego of the City of Muskego Conservation Plan update, with the possible inclusion of the Baas parcel on the northwest corner of Martin Drive and Lannon Drive. Seconded by Ms. Roy. Amended motion carried unanimously. It was clarified that this plan can be amended at any time and forwarded to Plan Commission and Common Council to be added as an amendment to the plan. NEW BUSINESS Recommendation regarding paving Engel Conservation Area driveway and parking lot with asphalt – Mr. Zagar advised that he put this issue on the agendas as a result of problems with kids digging up huge ruts in the gravel parking lot several times. Chairman Pilak thought it would be a good upgrade and good for maintenance reasons. Mr. Zagar advised that an Eagle Scout is putting a fence around the parking lot as well as another Eagle Scout building benches and picnic tables. Mr. Zagar stated the monies would come from the Conservation development line in the budget for improvements and he will look into costs with it being added to the City’s road program. Throwing of debris is noted to be an issue. Currently Mr. Zagar and his assistant have been emptying the garbage can. Chairman Pilak moved to recommend paving the parking lot and looking into cost for installing electricity prior to paving the parking lot. Seconded by Mr. Schneider, motion carried. Conservation Commission Meeting – June 4, 2007 – Page 3 Recommendation regarding razing of house at Engel Conservation Area – Chairman Pilak has looked at the house and realizes that to update and make it building compliant would be very expensive. Mr. Zagar stated he was of the opinion to keep the structure until recently hoping to use as an outdoor education center but it is undersized and would be too costly to get it updated. He now has discovered moisture problems along with intensive mold. Mr. Zagar has met with fire department and they are interested in using it as a practice site. Mr. Zagar is now looking into receiving DNR approval to raze. Ms. Roy moved to recommend the razing of house. Seconded by Mr. Miller, motion carried. MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS AS AUTHORIZED BY LAW – Chairman Pilak advised that he received a letter from the developer of property on “OO” between Boxhorn Reserve Subdivision and Durham Drive (Wildflower Farms), thanking the commission for their support of the development. Chairman Pilak questioned Mr. Zagar on the condition of the sign at Eagle. Mr. Zagar thought it looked good. Mr. Schneider advised that Ron Ford will be submitting new form for conservation easement requested for Ridges Subdivision easement. This will be discussed at the next meeting. Mr. Zagar advised that Boxhorn Reserve Land Dedication, Boxhorn Drive west of “OO” (Blattner Woods), contractors with a tracked machine with a brush-moving head removed buckhorn, etc., saving staff considerable amount of time. Sharon Roy questioned if Mr. Zagar had learned anything further regarding disposal of old computer equipment and Mr. Zagar said he discussed the issue with the City’s Information Systems Department and currently there is no droop-off site in Muskego. ADJOURNMENT – Mr. Miller moved to adjourn at 7:52 PM. Seconded by Chairman Pilak, motion carried. Respectfully submitted, Cathie Anderson Transcribing Secretary