WAUPACA COUNTY

PARKS & RECREATION COMMITTEE

MEETING MINUTES

August 19, 2013

                                                                                                                                    Courthouse, Waupaca

Chair McClone called the meeting to order at 1:00 p.m.

Present:           Joe McClone, Don Peterson, Dona Gabert, Lee Much, and Gene Sorensen

Also Present:   John Francis, Roger Holman, Kristy Harris, Jack Penney, Milo & Jessie Beuthien, Del Flecge, Steven Storvik, Judy Peterson, Caroline Murphy, Bob & Kay Ellis, Phil Peterson, Tom Zale, Gary Griswold, Don Morgan, Jeff Anderson, Pat Meighan, Jean Minks, Rose Dorow, Phyllis Hunt, Andrew Wendt, Jean and Tom Mahnke, Linda & Chris Klein, Rob & Susan Richardson, Ryan Brown, Nancy Decker, Betty and Jo Wetherbee, Roger Genskow, John & Carolyn Smith, Tom Miller.

McClone gave the open meeting statement.

Motion by Peterson, seconded by Gabert to approve the agenda.  Motion carried.

Motion by Sorensen, seconded by Peterson to approve the August 5 & 6, 2013 minutes.  Motion carried.

McClone opened the meeting for public comment, limiting the time to two minutes.

Penney, Beuthien, Storvik, Bob Ellis, Rob Richardson, Linda Klein, and Chris Klein addressed the Committee on replacing the Little Hope Dam.  Miller addressed the Committee on removing the Little Hope Dam.  Zale, Kay Ellis, and Phil Peterson addressed the Committee on parking at the Chain O’Lakes.

McClone thanked everyone for their input.

McClone asked Holman to review the process for direction on the Little Hope Dam.

Holman provided a history on the process, reviewed the options in the report, and explained the deadlines for making a decision.

Sorensen addressed the Committee stating that the decision on the Little Hope Dam is very difficult, but after reviewing all the information he feels the dam should be removed and is recommending working with the property owners on restoring the river.  Sorensen stated this was his motion.  Peterson stated he would second this. Holman asked for clarification from Sorensen and Peterson on their motion.

Motion by Sorensen, seconded by Peterson to remove the Crystal River/Little Hope Dam and work with the property owners on restoring the river. Discussion followed

 McClone stated this has been a very hard decision but he cannot find anybody outside the dam area that supports replacing the dam.

 McClone called for a roll call vote with Gabert, Much, Peterson, Sorensen, and McClone voting yes. Motion carried 5-0.

Holman reported that the Park Staff has been reviewing options for applying the user fee at boat landings on the Chain O’Lakes and are recommending that all parking on the Chain require a boat launch permit.  The staff is still working on figuring out how an annual launch sticker can be attached to a car.  Discussion followed with Holman recommending action at a future meeting.

Francis reported that the bid opening for the restroom at Kellers and Vic-to-Rae is scheduled for Aug. 19, specifications for a truck have been written and will be issued, Vic-To-Rae steps do not need a permit so they can be repaired, and the Waupaca County Fair is on.

Holman reported the Management Team is working on CIP, Dept. head evaluation process, and 2014 budget.

The next meeting was set for Sept. 3 at 8:30 a.m.

McClone recessed the meeting at 2:00 to complete on-site tours at Marl and Knight Lake boat accesses.

McClone called the meeting back to order at 2:25.  The Committee inspected Knight Lake and Marl Lake boat accesses.

Motion by Peterson, seconded by Much to adjourn.  Motion carried.

Meeting adjourned at 3:10 p.m.

Submitted by

Roger G. Holman

Director