Unofficial Until Approved Forestry & Parks Committee Minutes October 18, 2017; 9:00 a.m. Courthouse Auditorium, Neillsville, WI Call to order 9:01 a.m. Supervisors Present: Tom Wilcox, Al Bower, Joe Waichulis, and Dean Zank Supervisors Absent: Dale Mitte Others present for all or some of the meeting: Rick Dailey Forestry and Parks Administrator; John Wendorski Forestry Manager; Marcus Aumann Parks & Programs Manager; Daryn Horn Facilities Supervisor; Melissa Kono UW-Extension CNRED Agent; Jake Burnette Corporation Counsel; Wayne Hendrickson, County Board Chairman; Randy Meyer Clark County Fair Board; Tiffiney Kleczewski Flambeau Engineering; Todd Schmidt Clark County Press The Administrator presented the September 7, 2017 minutes for committee approval. Motion by Al Bower, seconded by Dean Zank to approve the September 7, 2017 minutes as presented. Voice vote, all ayes, motion carried. The Administrator presented the September 12, 2017 minutes for committee approval. Motion by Joe Waichulis, seconded by Al Bower to approve the September 12, 2017 minutes as presented. Voice vote, all ayes, motion carried. John Wendorski presented a request to release mineral rights and easement across private property in Section 29, Town of Foster. Clark County (Highway) sold the property in section 29 in the 1950 s and retained mineral rights as well as ingress and egress across the property. The current owner of the property is actively trying to sell the land. The title company contacted the County and asked that the mineral rights and easement be released in order to clear the title. John indicated that the County has a very good relationship with Mr. Brecke and he allows the county to access county property through his land regularly for timber management activities. Motion by Dean Zank, seconded by Al Bower to release the mineral rights and easement across private property in Section 29, Town of Foster and negotiate a new easement for forest management activities and removal of minerals from adjacent county owned property and that the new easement not to be for public access. Voice vote, all ayes, motion carried. The Administrator presented the WisDOT s response to the buyout proposal for Black River County Park. According to a letter received by the Administrator the WisDOT does not intend to follow through with a buyout proposal they agreed to several years ago for the closing of the Black River County Park HWY 29 access. Corporation Counsel has reviewed all the correspondence relating to this proposal and agreement and believes there is a written agreement in place that WisDOT is attempting to back out of.
Corporation Counsel suggests sending a letter he drafted to WisDOT demanding that they comply with the written agreement. The Administrator reported that the adjacent landowner who has agreed to buy the property is willing to remain patient while this dispute is being resolved. Motion by Joe Waichulis, seconded by Dean Zank to send the letter drafted by Corporation Counsel to WisDOT demanding that they comply with the written agreement for the buyout proposal for Black River County Park as presented. Voice vote, all ayes, motion carried. The Administrator presented the September 2017 financial report for committee approval. Motion by Joe Waichulis, seconded by Al Bower to accept the September 2017 financial report as presented. Voice vote, all ayes, motion carried. The Administrator reported that the 2018 Forestry and Parks and Fairgrounds budgets received approval from Finance Committee with no changes. The department was granted the $20,000 Ho-Chunk Nation money for improvements at Russell Memorial Park. No action taken. The Administrator presented a request from the Finance committee asking that the Forestry and Parks Committee approve a $20,000.00 draw from the Capital Infrastructure Account in 2018. Motion by Dean Zank, seconded by Joe Waichulis to approve a $20,000.00 draw from the Capital Infrastructure Account to be allocated to Aging for building improvements in 2018. Voice vote, all ayes, motion carried. Daryn Horn presented the inmate labor report for committee review. Inmate crews are working 1-2 days per week. Crews have been splitting firewood, chipping brush from the removal of oak wilt trees at several campgrounds, and started some timber stand improvement projects. No action taken. Marcus Aumann presented the policy for the posting of area businesses and services at forest, park, and trail locations and the list of businesses and services for annual approval. Motion by Joe Waichulis, seconded by Dean Zank to approve the policy for the posting of area businesses and services at forest, park, and trail locations and the list of businesses and services to continue to be reviewed and approved annually. Voice vote, all ayes, motion carried. John Wendorski presented Resolution 35-11-17: To Approve the 2018 Annual Forestry and Parks Work Plan for committee approval. Motion by Al Bower, seconded by Dean Zank to approve Resolution 35-11- 17: To Approve the 2018 Annual Forestry and Parks Work Plan as presented. Voice vote, all ayes, motion carried. Timber Sale Prospectus No report The Administrator presented the department s concerns with the proposed County contract policy. These concerns and recommended changes were submitted to Corporation Counsel as requested. No action taken.
The Administrator presented the current fairgrounds strategic plan for committee approval. As part of the committee review the Administrator also presented the original agreement between Clark County and the Fair Board for annual use of the fairgrounds. This agreement has not been renewed since 1961. The Administrator suggested that as part of implementing the strategic plan the agreement between the Fair Board and the department should be updated. The Committee Chair opened the floor to the public for comment on the strategic plan. Wayne Hendrickson and Randy Meyer submitted comments on behalf of the Fair Board. Daryn Horn presented two options for building construction and remodeling at the Fairgrounds for committee to submit comment and or preference to be included in the strategic plan. The committee asked to see rough cost estimates for both plans. Motion by Joe Waichulis, seconded by Dean Zank to approve the strategic plan as written and continue reviewing and analyzing building options. Tiffany Kleczewski of Flambeau Engineering reported on the Wedges Creek Dam (Snyder Lake) repair project. Tiffany reported that the contractor needs to finish back filling the retaining wall, finish some rip rap on the downstream side of the embankment and pour the new side walk to complete the project. Weather permitting; the remaining work should only take a week. No action taken. The Administrator presented a proposal to sell County Forest lands in section 34, Town of Levis and entry of tax deeded lands in section 32, Town of Hewett into County Forest Law (CFL) for committee approval. A parcel of land in section 32, Town of Hewett was officially tax deeded to Clark County last week. The property is surrounded by County Forest on all sides. The Administrator and John Wendorski suggested that the County consider withdrawing a landlocked, forty acre parcel of land in section 34, Town of Levis from CFL and replace it with the newly acquired property in the Town of Hewett. The withdrawn parcel could then be offered for sale, most likely to the adjacent landowners. The Department feels strongly that the DNR would approve the withdrawal of the land locked parcel in exchange for entering the Town of Hewett parcel. Motion by Al Bower, seconded by Dean Zank to withdrawal and sell landlocked County Forest lands in section 34, Town of Levis and enter into County Forest Law tax deeded lands in section 32, Town of Hewett pending approval by public property. Voice vote, all ayes, motion carried. John Wendorski reported that Ian Remus, Forester, submitted a letter of resignation effective November 10, 2017. John shared a copy of the current Forester position description for committee review. John asked the committee for approval to advertise the Forester vacancy internally for two weeks. Motion by Joe Waichulis, seconded by Dean Zank to advertise for the vacant Forester position internally only for two weeks. Voice vote, all ayes, motion carried. The Administrator reported to the committee that the Mead Lake withdrawal application was approved by the DNR with the following contingencies: Clark County must pay $77.00 to the State as PILT reimbursement for lands not qualified to receive said payments and Clark County must enroll 15 acres of land in the Town of Mentor into County Forest Law as per stated in the withdrawal application. Motion
by Dean Zank, seconded by Joe Waichulis to pay the State $77.00 for PILT reimbursement from the Forestry and Parks budget. Voice vote, all ayes, motion carried. Under General Department Updates, the Administrator reported that the department received the used dozer and boom mower that were authorized for purchase this past summer. Shop employees are back on 8 hour day scheduling. The Administrative Assistant is participating on the implementation team for the new County accounting software program. This project is very time demanding and will likely lead to increased overtime hours to complete day to day department duties. The reclassification proposal for the administrative assistant position was partially approved by the County consultant. Daryn Horn reported that the department boom truck has been taken out of service after a recent inspection found several serious safety concerns. Under Forest Management Update, discussion held on recent WCFA meetings, annual County/DNR partnership meeting and DNR Liaison vacancy. John Wendorski updated the committee on current understory oak scarification project, County Deer Advisory recommendations, Sherwood Park timber sale and possible adverse possession claim against the county. Daryn Horn presented two quotes for a new electronic message board at the fairgrounds. Motion by Dean Zank, seconded by Joe Waichulis to approve option #2 from Stratford Sign to include WiFi capabilities as presented. Voice vote, all ayes, motion carried. Under Parks Management Updates, Marcus Aumann presented a copy of the maps approved by DATCP for Mead Lake Campground and Greenwood County Park. A new Maintenance Technician was hired. The department is in the process of filling a vacant part-time position. The department has received complaints and request for refunds due to the Lake Arbutus draw down. Trees were planted at Snyder Park to replace those removed due to oak wilt. Under Trails Management Update, Marcus Aumann reported that ATV summer trails will close November 1. Recent inspections of trails at Levis Mound found only minor issues. The Levis Mound Chalet is nearly complete with only some concrete work and landscaping left to finish. The department is considering some sort of Grand Opening promotional event for the new chalet. The department is working on a new snowmobile map for next winter. Under Fairgrounds Management Update, Daryn Horn reported that there have been several small swaps/auctions at the fairgrounds in the past few weeks with several more scheduled before the winter storage day. Under Bruce Mound Management Updates, Daryn Horn reported that several oak wilt trees have been removed from the grounds. Marcus Aumann reported that Bruce Mound will be featured in a bridal website to promote its location for weddings. The listing is free for now and would likely cost money to continue once the promotional time period ends. Bruce Mound will again be advertised on a billboard along I-94 and on the radio station WAXX 104.5.
Under Dams Management Updates, The Administrator reported that the department has received full reimbursement from the State for the grant portion of the Sherwood Dam reconstruction project. The dam failure analysis for Mead Lake Dam will have to be redone. The engineering contractor in charge of the analysis used water flow models that were not accepted by the State. Tommy s Hilltop Tavern intends to donate $1,500.00 towards fish stocking at Sherwood Lake. Wage Rate Changes None presented. September 2017 vouchers were presented for committee approval. Motion by Joe Waichulis, seconded by Tom Wilcox to approve vouchers as presented. Voice vote, all ayes, motion carried. The Administrator presented 2018 committee meeting dates for committee review. No action taken. The Committee Chair opened the floor for public comment. No comments received. Next regular meeting date was set for November 14, 2017 at 9:00 a.m. in the Courthouse Auditorium. Motion to adjourn at 2:56 p.m. by Al Bower, seconded by Joe Waichulis. Voice vote, all ayes, motion carried. Rick Dailey, Secretary