Badger Interim Oversight Management Commission

Badger Interim Oversight Management Commission Meeting Recap
DATE: January 21, 2010

The Badger Interim Oversight Management Commission (IOMC) convened at the Badger Army Ammunition Plant Bldg 207 for its regular meeting on Thursday, January 21, 2010.

Chairman Bill Wenzel called the meeting to order at 6:36 pm.  Staff affirmed compliance with Open Meetings Laws.

Attendance:

Others present: Brian Simmert, Sauk County Dept. of Planning and Zoning, Alene Klezeck, Sauk County Corporation Counsel, Frank Olah, David Serafy-Cox, Terre Carlson, Ryan Seibold,  Dave Tremble, Steve Bertjens, Curt Finkelmeyer, Tammy Baldwin’s Office, Kim Kates, Senator Kohl’s Office, Kate Crawley, Senator Feingold’s Office.

Wenzel asked members to review the agenda.  The following corrections was made:  1. Ho-Chuck was moved from Liason Reports to Commissioner Reports.  2. Switch Liaison Reports to occur before Committee Reports. Motion by Ashford to adopt the agenda as amended, seconded by Schmelzer.  Motion carried.

Wenzel asked members to review the minutes.  The following corrections was made: 1. The spelling of Lori Bocher (previously Bucher) was corrected. The spelling of Weigands was corrected. Motion by Hammes, seconded by Ashford to adopt the minutes of the November 2009 meeting.  Motion carried.

Public Comment:

No public comment.

Commissioner Reports:

John Hoist, Ho-Chunk – Handed out written report entitled Ho-Chunk Nation Commissioner Report, Badger Oversight Commission, dated January 21, 2010. Wenzel asked if the sewer was in.  Fordham verified that the sewer was in and added that nothing was found by archeologists on site where the sewer was installed.

Craig Karr, Wisconsin DNR  - Indicated that the DNR is working out deed language for the first transfer of lands (approximately 1800 acres).  Restrictions on the deed will include all restrictions in the FOST, historical preservation language, CIRCLA and a metes and bounds description.  Anticipated transfer to occur in a month.  Karr welcomed BOMC to ceremony to commemorate the transfer. The ceremony will likely occur this spring and may take place at the site of the reservoir. Karr noted that the Army and DNR met to discuss deer hunting.  It is likely that there will be another season next fall where hunting will be allowed at the plant.

Robkin asked for a report of site restrictions associated with the deed.  Karr indicated most restrictions are in the FOST and will be transferred over to the deed.

Kenny- indicated that FOST will show areas of past contamination and remediated sites.  Kenny can provide copies upon request.    Wenzel asked if there will need to be areas with fences.  Kenny indicated fencing will occur around the sewer plant, closed landfills, and buffalo pastures.  Karr noted that existing buildings still standing may need to be fenced.

• Judy Ashford, Town of Merrimac – Nothing to report.
• Town of Sumpter.  Nothing to report.
• Bluffview Sanitary District.  Nothing to report.

Bill Wenzel, Sauk County.   Informed the Group that the County’s Economic Development Committee will hear a presentation of the Merrimac Rail Bridge Report on 1-25-10 at 7:00 p.m. RM 213 WSB.

Liaison Reports:

Army: 

Kenny referred to a printed report for the BAAP update entitled, Badger AAP Update for the Oversight and Management Commission Meeting dated January 20, 2010.

US Dairy Forage Research Center: 

Walgenbach indicated that internship requests were successful.  The Intern program is to be directed by Mike Kessler, research scientist with the DFRC.  The intern project will sample soil and plant material to determine contaminants present and uptake of contaminants by plants.  The project will also study the plants present on lands to be acquired by the Ho-Chunk.  Walgenbach extended an offer to the Ho-Chunk to expand the intern opportunity.  A discussion about having DFRC prepare a land use plan occurred to ascertain DFRC’s future intentions.

Committee Reports:

Executive and Finance

no report

Planning and Land Use:

 Karr handed out the BOMC concept plan for proposed land use development at Badger.  The Committee will be preparing a document to help people who wish to propose a use at Badger to know what is in the Badger Reuse Report.  A draft of the document was handed out. See attached Badger Oversight and Management Commission Guidelines for Land Use at BAAP (marked Draft).  Karr indicated that the Committee will be asking for approval of this document at the next meeting.  It was noted that the document is advisory in nature. 
Karr indicated that the Committee will be approaching planning as it is pertinent to each groups’ plans for the land (DNR, Ho-Chunk, Dairy Forage), to be included in a master plan.  Karr asked for thoughts about what the master plan should include.  Robkin introduced the County’s Comp Plan and that it recognizes Badger’s reuse plan.  Robkin asked that the master plan reference the county’s comp plan.  Karr assured the group that it will incorporate thoughts of all relevant plans (i.e, Merrimac, Sumpter etc).
Education and Outreach: Duff.  Duff indicated that she is certain she will not be able to fulfill role of chair on the Committee.  Duff is either looking for volunteers or if it may be a better use of time to convene the committee when an event is coming up.   It was noted that the DNR transfer and tours are part of education and outreach.   Karr suggested that education continue and noted that the master plan stresses education.  Wenzel reiterated that to chair a committee you don’t need to be a member of the BOMC.  Wenzel indicated that he will contact Sauk Prairie School District to see if there is interest in fulfilling the chair role.

Ad Hoc Committee/Badger History Group Feasibility Study:

Goe.  The goals of the study are to determine if building 200 can be preserved as a museum, visitor center, etc.  The Committee prepared a Request for Proposals and received seven proposals from architect engineers.  The basis of the RFP is to first determine what needs to be done to upgrade/convert the building and to get a cost figure.  The Committee discovered that they did not have the Army’s permission to do this so are now in that process.  It was noted that they can’t let people view the building until permission is granted.  Wenzel received a letter from Badger History Group and will submit it to the Planning & Land Use Committee.  Karr indicated that the Committee would not support the use of bldg 200.  Karr suggested that the Visitor Center ad hoc Committee first determine what is desired and then study building 200 or alternatives.  Goe noted that the only purpose of the study is to assess the condition/potential use of the building.  The study can also be used to apply for future grants.  Building 200 is the oldest and relatively free from contamination, is adaptable, is in the right location (being centralized and at west entrance of badger).  The building itself would also serve for historic preservation.  The future landowner of building 200 would be the DNR.  Groups to have input to the visitor center include DNR, Ho-Chunk, DFRC, BOMC.

New Business:

1. Discussion of the Badger History Group Feasibility Study of Building 200.  Discussed under previous section, see above.
2. Badger Spring Opener.  Michael Goc.   Badger History Group historically has participated in the River Arts Festival.  There is no festival this year.   Asking if there is another group willing to do some of the foot work to coordinate exhibits, tours etc.  It was noted that three days of busses was over $2000.00.  It was suggested to do exhibits and tours in conjunction with the DNR celebration.
3.   Sauk Prairie Conservation Alliance invites ATC & DOT to join as members of the Oversight Commission.No report/progress on subject.
4. Discussion of progress on procuring grant money/funding for full time Oversight Management Commission Coordinator.    Discussion ensued about the possibility for grant money.  It is generally agreed that this effort needs a group coordinator.  There is also a need to allocate a separate meeting to work on this.  Three options to may be explored: Grant, earmark and joint commissioners put forth funding.  It was suggested that Angie Wright, SW Badger Corp grant writer could assist.
5.  Presentation by Alison Duff on the Sauk Prairie Conservation Alliance restoration schedule and list of tours for 2010.  Duff handed out a sheet entitled, TSPCA Restoration and Outreach Plans for 2010 which highlighted the restoration schedule, tour schedule and other events. 
6. Discussion and Action on an earmark request through Tammy Baldwin’s Office. The Commission formally agreed to move forward with the earmark request.  Duff and Gail Lamberty volunteered to work on the project. 

Public Comment:

Laura Olah with regards to letter from Department of the Army.  Joan states this may be premature and clarified some groundwater issues.  Discussion ensued about clean water and standards.   Working with RAB and will be shared with committee.  Hammas will meet with Mr. Kuhling to discuss concerns.  Olah and Wenzel indicated that they would like to be part of that conversation.
Ryan Seibold from the University of Minnesota commented on the visitor center.

Next Meeting Date: 

March 18, 2010 at 6:30

Motion by Ashford to adjourn, seconded by Holst at 9:00 p.m.
Motion carried.

Respectfully submitted by: Judy Ashford for Richard Grant, Acting Secretary, Badger Interim Oversight Management Commission