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Conservation Commission -Minutes-20081118 Approved 9/23/09 Conservation Commission City of Muskego Minutes of Meeting Held on Tuesday, November 18, 2008 Commissioner Pilak called the meeting to order at 7:01 PM and led those in attendance in the Pledge of Allegiance. Roll Call - Commissioners: Ald. Neil Borgman, Ms. Karen Hartwell, Mr. Leonard Pilak, Ald. Bill Schneider, Mr. Howard Schneider, Conservation Coordinator Tom Zagar. Mr. Ted Decker (excused), Mr. Bill Miller (excused), Ms. Sharon Roy (excused) Also in attendance: Nancy Borst, Bill Carity The meeting was posted in accordance with the open meeting law. APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS MEETING MINUTES – A motion was made by Howard Schneider to approve the minutes of the meeting held July 15, 2008. Seconded by Ald. Schneider; motion carried. OLD BUSINESS Erosion control project on Holz Island/Little Muskego Lake—Conservation Coordinator Tom Zagar reported that the permit was granted and now they need to get funding. The project involves stopping the erosion that is occurring around the island. There is some money available from the lake district and the lake association may also be able to help. Mr. Schneider asked how much from the lake district. Ald. Borgman thought it was $2500. Conservation Coordinator Zagar mentioned applying for a WDNR Lake Protection grant. Money is also available from the City of Muskego Conservation Commission budget. Looking for the work to be done next spring on the eastern shore. There may be some time to do some of the project if they have a mild December. The western portion will need to be bid out as a separate project. The project could be from late summer into the lake draw down. Development of Engel Conservation Area—Conservation Coordinator shared that Austin Winkler, an Eagle Scout, built a bridge across the stream/wetlands and built six wood duck boxes. The span is about 32 feet across. Austin had received donations from local community entities and businesses for the project. The parking lot was also paved with funding from the conservation funds. He reported that Don Vosquil, a volunteer, has taken an interest in cutting buckthorn and collecting prairie seed in the conservation area. Conservation Coordinator Tom Zagar and Matt Kulinski have also been collecting seed. The Tess Corners Volunteer Fire Department burned the house and the Department of Public Works staff filled the hole with stone. Some prescribed burns on prairies was also done as part of the NRCS program. Discuss conservation easement for Ridges conservation site— This item was deferred until Mr. Ford could be present. Mr. Schneider noted that with the discussion of entering Conservation Commission Meeting – November 18, 2008 – Page 2 into easement agreement and purchasing development rights with Ms. Borst and the Commission was essentially asking to enter into the same with the Muskego Lakes Land Conservancy. Conservation Coordinator Zager said the big distinction was paying for those rights. He could not say realistically how much development potential exists on the Ridges property as largely it is all wetlands. NEW BUSINESS Purchase of development rights for northern portion of Borst property— Conservation Coordinator Zagar shared that Ms. Borst had submitted a letter to the city expressing interest in the idea of selling development rights to the city for the northern portion of the farmstead. Alderman Schneider, Director Muenkel, Conservation Coordinator Zagar and Bill Carity (Ms. Borst’s representative) toured the property with Ms. Borst and discussed the concept. Purchase of Development Rights (PDR) means that the city would pay the owner to grant a conservation easement on the property, which would restrict most development while allowing current (agricultural) uses to continue. The city is interested in pursuing this concept as its conservation plan supports PDR as a way of preserving open spaces. Further, the Conservation Plan shows a lot of this property as a high priority management area. Many details would need to be worked out before an offer could be made. The area of the easement and the specific language (restrictions) would need to be defined. The city also would also seek to establish access to the Ridges Conservation through the easement. After easement language is agreed upon, an appraisal would be made on the value of the development rights that the easement would remove. Finally, if favorable to the city, an offer would be made based on the appraisal. Bill Carity referred to the PDR as proposed in the 2020 plan and pointed out the area on the document showing an aerial view of the property However, they would want to move forward with the development of the front 56 acres. He stated that the back portion has the most character with some nice wooded aspects to it as well as some steeper slopes. Commissioners discussed with Mr. Carity and Ms. Borst the PDR proposal and what it would entail. Mr. Howard Schneider moved that they ask the city to look into the feasibility of entering into a PDR with the owners, defining the area and working on the language of the easement. Ald. Schneider seconded. Motion carried by all. Purchase of seed for Blattner Preserve restoration—Conservation Coordinator Zagar explained that he would like to purchase seed for the Blattner Preserve which is located on Boxhorn Drive. This would be to comply with the plan to restore the area to prairie. The site has oak and hickory trees. It was recommended that they plant native local seed. Matt Kulinski and he have collected seeds from the Luther Parker Cemetery which is just down the road. He also contacted Bob Ahrenhoerster, a local prairie restoration ecologist, who can supply the seed. The cost would be $3,267 to seed approximately 1.5 acres. Ms. Hartwell felt that seed could be purchased from other seed sources for less dollars. Chairman Pilak inquired if the prairie could then be used as a source of seed for other areas. Conservation Coordinator Zagar stated it would create a high quality site where future seed collections can be made for other areas. Commissioners discussed more on the economic basis to obtain the seed. Mr. Schneider asked how the area would be seeded. Conservation Coordinator Zagar explained how he had already prepped over an acre using Round-up on the grasses this fall. The dormant seed will then be seeded on Conservation Commission Meeting – November 18, 2008 – Page 3 to the ground surface. A natural phenomenon of the earth as it freezes, thaws and freezes will pull the seed down into the dirt. Chairman Pilak moved to recommend that they proceed with the process as Tom Zagar has delivered to the Commission. Mr. Schneider seconded. Motion carried with Ms. Hartwell opposed. Restoration plan for city-owned lands in Bass Bay tributary—Conservation Coordinator presented his proposal for the restoration of lands to prairie vegetation in the south portion of Moorland Park and the Candlewood conservation lands. It’s about 25 acres collectively. The members of the Parks and Recreation Board have already allowed for the project to be done on the Moorland Park portion which is essentially wetlands and flood plain with no potential for development in that area or the conservation area. It was recommended by Mr. Kitchen, a biologist with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, to put the area into two years of agricultural use to obtain control of weeds prior to seeding with native plants. Lease the area out to one of the local farmers and it is preferably to have corn or soy bean crops to put the land in a condition where after the two seasons, the prairie seed can be sown in the fall. This is where the seeds collected from Engel will come into play. With help from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the impact on funds in the conservation budget should be minimal. Mr. Schneider moved to initiate the project to restore the vegetation on “Candlewood” conservation site and the Moorland Park land. Chairman Pilak seconded. Carried by all. MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS AS AUTHORIZED BY LAW Mr. Howard Schneider presented to Conservation Coordinator Zagar a book issued in 1995 on trust for public land about buying property. ADJOURNMENT—Ald. Bill Schneider moved to adjourn, seconded by Howard Schneider at 7:58 PM. Carried by all. Stella Dunahee, CPS Recording Secretary