Executive & Legislative and Conservation, Planning and Zoning (CPZ) Committee

August 12, 2015 Joint Executive & Legislative Committee and CP&Z Meeting Minutes (171 KB)

Executive and Legislative Committee: Marty Krueger, Joan Fordham, Dennis Polivka, Wally Czuprynko, Joe Fish.

Conservation, Planning, and Zoning Committee:  Dennis Polivka, Judy Ashford, John Dietz, Joe Fish, Nathan Johnson.

Others present:    Brian Simmert, Brentt Michalek, John Pohlman, Paul Zajackowski, Steve Schmelzer, Jeff Prey, Gail Lamberty, Patricia Kelly, Laura Olah, Mary Carol Solum, Bernie Statz, Donna Stehling, Bill Stehling, Bill Wenzel, Don Hammas, Terre Carlson, Rochelle Robkin, Gene Robkin, Tim Lins, J. Eric Allen, Donna Schmitz, Elise Moser, Dave Considine, Doug Gjertson, Orie Eilertson, Andrea Lombard, Tom Kriegl, Peter Vedro, Tut Gramling, Fred Lauing.

Call to order and certify compliance with open meetings law.  At 6:02 p.m. Chair Krueger called the Executive & Legislative Committee meeting to order and certified to be in compliance with the open meetings law.  Vice Chair Ashford called the Conservation, Planning, and Zoning Committee meeting to order and certified compliance with the open meetings law.

Elect joint meeting chairperson.  Nomination by Ashford/Fordham for Krueger to chair the joint meeting.  Motion by Polivka/Ashford to close nominations.  Motion carried, all in favor.  Motion by Polivka/Fish to elect Krueger as chair of the joint meeting. Motion carried, all in favor.

Adopt Agenda:  Motion by Polivka/Johnson to adopt the agenda.  Motion carried, all in favor.

Public comment:

Bernard Statz representing taxpayers.   Spoke about who will pay to develop the SPRA, shooting range, ATV’s and giving land back to farmers/Native Americans.

Laura Olah representing CSWAB.  Spoke about the SPRA master plan executive summary, rocketry and duel sport motorcycles.  Passed around images of rocketry and motor sports.

Mary Carol Solum representing herself.  Stated she will put comments in writing and mail to DNR.

Bill Stehling, private citizen.  Concern with noise factor with rocketry and motor uses and that subsequent noise will affect grassland birds at Badger.  Noted that in special use zone there are a lot of bluebird houses.

John Eric Allen, representing himself.  Main concern regarding trail map and layout and limited amount of hiking trails.  Concerned about horse uses.  Main trail on leased land and what are the specifics of the lease agreement.

Patricia Kelly, representing herself.  Suggestion to put public comment period after report.

Presentation of the Sauk Prairie Recreation Area Master Plan by Wisconsin DNR:

Krueger introduced DNR staff and explained that the purpose of the meeting is to offer the DNR an opportunity to present the draft Sauk Prairie Recreation Area master plan to Sauk County.

John Pohlman presented the SPRA master plan specific to the following: review of opportunities and obstacles, proposed 7 management units, habitat management techniques, recreation goals, proposed infrastructure, culture and historic interpretation, and outcomes of plan implementation, alternatives, and next steps.

Zajackowski stated that the purpose of the meeting today is to provide upfront information and to allow individuals time to review the plan.  Zajackowski spoke specifically about the proposed duel use motorcycle use and that it would take place six days out of the year and only on designated trails and bike trails.  The property manager would work with respective motorcycle clubs to establish which trails can be utilized.  Zajackowski also spoke about the rocketry area being composed of two acres and to be used for 10 days out of the year.  Respective clubs would also work with the property manager.  The property will be open to hunting and trapping.  About 4-million is needed to fully develop facilities.

Fordham asked about staff during special motor related events.  Zajackowski stated that staff would be available as needed.

Polivka asked if dogs can be on hiking trails.  Zajackowski stated they would be allowed.

Fish asked where the main entrance will be.  Zajackowksi stated off of Highway 12 at the main gate of Badger.

Polivka expressed concern that ATV’s are not allowed and in particular for people with disabilities.   Zajackowski stated that there is a permitting process to accommodate people with disabilities.

Supervisor Tut Gramling asked about the magazine area.  Pohlman stated that this is the area where storage of ammunition took place.  This area will be open to the public.

Supervisor Donna Stehling asked about the timing of rocketry events and expressed concern for disturbance to grassland birds during times of nesting and SPRA users going on Dairy Forage Research Center land.   Stehling spoke about dust and contaminants. Zajackowski stated that uses will be restricted to accommodate nesting periods and the property boundaries will be posted.

Supervisor Andrea Lombard asked about old cemeteries and plans to preserve them.   The towns will own and maintain the cemeteries and DNR will provide access to them.

Supervisor Wenzel spoke about BOMC, accommodation of users and keeping uses compatible.  Wenzel stated that there appears to be some incompatible uses.   Zajackowski verified that parts of the property used for motorcycles and rocketry will be off limits to other uses during this these times.

Supervisor Gramling asked if part of the 4 million cost includes increased staffing.  Zajackowski verified that the cost is for facility development.

Supervisor Wenzel spoke about Pewits nest and traffic issues.

Fish left the meeting 6:13.  A quorum of both committees remains.

Johnson liked the idea to include motorcycle and rocketry uses for the short periods.

Fordham noted that future activities should not jeopardize the years of work and restoration that have already taken place.

Krueger asked about how the short term activities would take place.  Zajackowski stated that for the motorcycle use it would be a minimum of three consecutive days with a total of 6 days per year.  Krueger stated that loud uses around nesting seasons or major holidays when there are likely to be many other users may be problematic. 

Supervisor Wenzel stated that Pheasants Forever touted DNR’s pheasants program and suggested the use of natural birds.

Discuss next steps

Zajackowski noted the 45-day comment period and how to view the plan and provide comment via a feedback form and spoke about an upcoming public hearing.

 Motion by Polivka/Johnson to adjourn at 6:25 p.m. Motion carried, all in favor.

Respectfully submitted,

 Brentt Michalek

Interim Administrative Coordinator