DRAFT
Minutes
Sawyer County Forestry Committee
February 8, 2010
Committee Members Present: Jim Bassett Shirley Riedmann Doug Mrotek
Dale Thompson
County Personnel Present: Greg Peterson
DNR Personnel Present: Kim Lemke Kris Mayberry Dale Olson
Others Present: Terrell Boettcher Jan Holmes Don Mrotek
Mike Outcalt Bill Noonan Steve Longtine
Jodi Longtine John Saunders Ned Zuelsdorff
Jim Isaacson Jim Toftness Butch Meyer
Richard Metcalf Tom Frels Duane Amundson
Larry Metcalf
The meeting was called to order at 9:31 a.m. by Chair Bassett. Motion by Riedmann, second by Mrotek to approve the agenda, correcting the spelling of Mr. Isaacsons' name. Motion carried.
Motion by Riedmann, second by Thompson to approve the minutes of the January 7, 2010 meeting. Motion carried.
Audience Recognition
Duwayne Amundson asked to present information regarding new ATV trail (.9 mile in Sawyer County) that would connect to Bayfield County. There is procedure in 15 Year Plan for adding new trails which must be approved by County Board. An Advisory Committee for reviewing trail requests will be on agenda for March meeting.
Event Dates
None requested. Riedmann questioned if the Certificate of Insurance was received for the Pre-Birkie. Dee will check (certificate was received).
James Isaacson gate on county property
Peterson stated that the property in question is located off of Seeley Firelane. Isaacson explained that this is not the only county property with a gate (hunter walking trails). The gate is located on county property with a road going to Isaacson's property about 1/2 mile then a gate on private property. Isaacson's have maintained road (planted grass, gravel, plowed etc.). Permission was given by former Conservation Committee in November 1991 to allow gate on county property (see attached minutes). Motion by Riedmann, second by Mrotek to issue a Low Use Access Permit to Isaacson with a stipulation to allow gate on county land (grandfathered) and that when the land is sold, the gate on the county land will be removed. Motion carried. Discussion was held regarding whether the 15 Year Plan need to be revised. No, exceptions can be made.
American Birkebeiner Trail Pass fees
Copy of letter from Russ Roberts was handed out. Information was brought to the last County Board meeting (January) regarding someone forcing people to purchase the $50 yearly pass. Zuesldorff explained the fee structure as approved by the Forestry Committee and County Board in September 2008. Zuesldorff stated that he has been at different trailheads and has slipped an envelope under the wiper and also talked to people about purchasing a pass. Riedmann stated that as reported to the County Board, it more like harassment. The daily, yearly and bus fees are voluntary.
Riedmann made a motion to leave the fee schedule as is for the rest of the season, seconded by Thompson. Motion carried. Discussion on whether or not fee should be voluntary or mandatory was held, with further discussion to be on agenda in the future.
Timber stumpage account percentage split
The BCPL loan has been paid off as of 2/5/09. Mayberry stated that the County Board is counting on the 20% payment that was going to the state would now be going to the General Fund. A motion was made by Riedmann, second by Mrotek to recommend to the Finance Committee and County Board that the split of stumpage dollars be - 10% to the towns and 90% to the County General Fund. Motion carried.
-Continued-
Page 2 - Sawyer County Forestry Committee Minutes - February 8, 2010
Approval of 2010 Emergency Fire Warden List
Motion by Thompson, second by Riedmann to approve list and send to County Board with recommendation for approval. Motion carried. Bassett abstained.
Snowmobile/ATV trail coordination services - 2009
No invoices or copies of issued/cashed checks were presented. Motion by Riedmann, second by Bassett to pay up to $3000 for 2009 contingent upon receiving documentation. Motion carried.
Sawyer County Forestry Report
Peterson: 1) 14 active sales, wood is moving. 2) Attended WCFA Legislative and Forest Certification Committee meeting. This committee reviews certification standards including "green tree retention" which many counties see as an "over the top" requirement. 3) Meeting of NW Wisconsin Forest Administrators - have issues with new "green tree retention guidelines." 4) Water permit issuance problems, especially on recreation trails; the WCFA will have speakers at spring meeting. 5) Peterson and Oneida County FA are on sub-committee.
Mrotek questioned the grants to be submitted by April 15th; would like to see as many submitted as possible. Peterson stated there is a strategy involved in applying for grants, grant funding will likely be short again this year and it is in Sawyer County’s best interest to have fewer but better quality applications that show the county has prioritized it’s projects - he is looking at applying for 3-4 ATV grants and 1-2 snowmobile grants. Outcalt stated that he would like to see lots of projects submitted.
Don Mrotek stated that Warden Miller has been working with private landowners to move "BB" trail off of Highway 70.
DNR forestry report
None
Monthly expense vouchers
Motion by Riedmann, second by Mrotek to approve the vouchers as presented. Motion carried.
Other matters for discussion only
Monthly reports were passed out.
Bassett - one vehicle has been reserved to go to Land and Water Conservation meeting to be held in Spooner on Tuesday, February 9, 2010.
Dale Olson urged committee members to have lunch with Butch Lobermeier, Bayfield County to hear what problems they have been having with obtaining permits from DNR.
Adjourn
Motion by Riedmann, second by Bassett to adjourn. Motion carried. The meeting was adjourned at 11:10 A.M.
Delores Dobilas, Recorder