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Conservation Commission -Minutes-20111018 Approved 1/19/12 Conservation Commission (Commission) City of Muskego Minutes of Meeting Held on Tuesday, October 18, 2011 Chairman Pilak called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM and led those in attendance in the Pledge of Allegiance. Roll Call - Commissioners: Mr. Bill Miller, Mr. Leonard Pilak, Ms. Sharon Roy, Ald. Soltysiak, Mr. Howard Schneider and Conservation Coordinator Tom Zagar. Excused: Ms. Karen Hartwell, Ms. Julie Holubowicz Guests: James Ott The meeting was posted in accordance with the open meeting law. APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS MEETING MINUTES – A motion was made by Commissioner Miller to approve the minutes of the meeting held May 9, 2011. Seconded by Ald. Soltysiak; motion carried. PROJECT UPDATES Conservation Coordinator Zagar updated the commissioners on the following projects: Engel Conservation Area— An International Migratory Bird Day celebration was held May 14 and Ms. Roy was one of those in attendance. There were a lot of migrating birds in the area. Mr. John Winze is an experienced birder, a guy who can identify a bird just by a glimpse. He led the group and he had a spotted scope. There were about 50 different species. Other events out there recently were the science club from the high school. They picked some seed that could be used in planting other lands. Restoration of City-owned Lands in Bass Bay Tributary— A slide was presented showing these lands. This is the site just south of Moorland Park that was seeded last year. There is a tributary stream that runs through Moorland Park and other city lands just south of that area and runs into Bass Bay. There were 25 acres that was seeded with native prairie seed. He pointed out the area of Moorland Road that goes south from Kohl’s and then sweeps left and then goes south again before Woods Road. An Eagle Scout project included planting of several trees, seedling trees and some larger trees transplanted from the Engel Conservation Area. Some planting was done in the out lot by the Candlewood subdivision. Conversion of Park Turf to Prairie— He refreshed the commissioners that several years ago some areas in the local parks were planted with native prairie seeds. This is the second growth year for those plantings. The plantings were shown on another slide. Mr. Schneider inquired how many acres were converted to prairie plantings. Mr. Zagar stated about 15 acres. Ald. Soltysiak asked which parks received the most plantings. As they are the larger parks, Mr. Zagar reported Bluhm and Denoon park areas comprised the largest areas. Conservation Commission Meeting – October 18, 2011 – Page 2 Erosion Control Project on Holz Island—Little Muskego Lake—The project concluded this year. Coconut fiber logs were placed in the undercut eroding bank on the east shore and on the west side rip-rap was installed to deal with the wave action. Most of the work was done in 2010 which included seeding the west bank on a 1:1 slope with a matting overlay. It is starting now to green up. Mr. Schneider questioned how many dollars were needed to complete the project. Mr. Zagar reported about $50,000 and there was a grant that covered almost half of the cost. The lake association contributed a couple thousand and the Lake District $10,000 to the project. There were no city dollars spent only Mr. Zagar and Mr. Theis’s time contributed to it. Mr. Schneider asked about the status of the ski jump. Mr. Zagar shared that some residents are upset where the ski jump is now located adjacent to a smaller island. There has been discussion of moving the ski jump area and one of the areas mentioned is Holz Island. He has sent a memorandum to the Public Safety Committee to let them know that Holz Island is a conservation area with an undeveloped shoreline and that there is a deed restriction on it as it was donated by the Holz family to the city. It is a sensitive area as designated by the WDNR and a primary environmental corridor designated by SEWRPC. They should try and locate the ski jump at a different spot. Mr. Schneider was opposed to having the ski jump anywhere near the island. Mr. Miller agreed. It takes away from the aesthetics of the island. Ald. Soltysiak recommended that the members attend the Public Safety Committee and let them know their objections. Native Seeding at Park Arthur—Mr. Zagar shared that Park Arthur is being developed this year. Certain areas, about 8 acres, are being planted upfront with native grasses instead of turf in the non-athletic field areas. This was seeded this past summer. Some discussion on the sledding hill and it was noted it would not be ready for sledding for a year allowing the grass roots to get established. UNFINISHED BUSINESS Acquisition of Borst Property Lands—The city has a verbal accepted offer to purchase the Borst property. The Common Council has extended that offer and it is being worked on by the city’s attorney. The closing should be before the end of the year. The site is 106 acres and portions of the property that are not included are a couple residential lots along Field Drive and around the farm house. The property for the city will have the oak savannah woods, the wetlands and oak woods slope. The city offered approximately 1.24 million dollars for the property; about $400,000 will be recuperated from a WDNR grant. There was $50,000 from the LMLA and whatever future consideration from the LMLD. They would like to move on the development as soon as possible starting with trails and a parking lot. He’ll be bringing forward the development plans to the commission members for their input. Update on Conservation Plan—The Parks & Conservation Plan is being updated - it is a five- year plan. At the previous meeting, he had asked for any ideas and suggestions from the commission members. Mr. Schneider inquired if they should think about acquiring/protecting the land further down along the creek from the Borst area; thus protecting the stream corridor from Field Drive to Tans Drive. He suggested possibly establishing a hiking trail in the area. Mr. Zagar stated that lands just north of the Ridges property are designated as a high conservation priority and subsequently pointed out this area on the map. The proposed trail map also shows a rail through this area. Ald. Soltysiak questioned if there was any value in doing more by Linnie Lac to protect that corridor? Mr. Zagar did not know what opportunity there would be there. Mr. Schneider advised that the Muskego Lakes Conservancy owns lands in that area, the western part behind Linnie Lac and an easement on the eastern part of Linnie Lac. Mr. Zagar mentioned Conservation Commission Meeting – October 18, 2011 – Page 3 that one high priority for the city was a section of woodland between Parker and Henneberry and another one was to work with the DNR to acquire additional lands for the Big Muskego Lake Wildlife Area. There are some existing DNR lands by Muskego Dam Road and Parker Drive and a couple of key acquisitions would protect a large contiguous swath of land along Big Muskego Lake’s southwestern shore. As the updating of the conservation plan moves forward, he’ll bring it before the commissioners for their input. NEW BUSINESS Land Acquisition Inquiry, Davis—Mr. Dave Davis sent a proposal to the city. Mr. Davis lives on Woods Road west of the high school where the road turns north. He has a very small road frontage making, with the current zoning, the divisibility of the land not possible. The city owns 4 acres just east of his property. He would like the city to sell 90 feet less than 1,000 square feet (which would be about 1/40 of an acre) to him to increase his frontage. He is offering the right of first refusal on the southern part of his property which is mostly wetlands and could be annexed to Engel Conservation Area if another parcel (Klumb) was also acquired. Commissioners discussed the merits of this proposal, consideration also being given to the possibility of acquiring the adjacent Klumb property. Mr. Zagar noted that the conservation plan shows these lands lie within a proposed greenway corridor with a proposed trail connection from Engel Conservation Area to Muskego County Park. He stated that while it may not be possible to acquire lands at this time the city should look to secure a trail easement through the Davis property. Chairman Pilak moved to pursue continuing discussion with the property owners keeping in mind that the Commission is looking for an easement for a future trail. Ald. Soltysiak seconded. Mr. Schneider cautioned that they need to make sure if the property is sold to others that the new owners are aware of the easement. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried. MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS AS AUTHORIZED BY LAW Nothing offered. ADJOURNMENT—Ald. Soltysiak moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:50 PM. Stella Dunahee, CPS Recording Secretary