Star Prairie Land Preservation Trust - June Meeting Minutes

June 7th, 2006 – Don Madsen’s on Cedar Lake

 

     The June 7th meeting of the SPLPT was called to order at 7:00 pm by President Stuart Nelson.

     Board members present were Pete Kling, Mike Reiter, Beth Wood, Dave Peterson, Stuart Nelson, Chris Polfus, Jack Hayes and Cheryl Clemens. Guests included Chuck Magoon and Don Madsen. Stuart reported that Marlene Rebeck had submitted her resignation from the Board due to business commitments.

     The Secretary’s and Treasurer’s reports were read and approved as presented.

 

Stuart reported on several items of interest:

  1. The SPLPT has received an invitation to attend the Star Prairie Town Planning Meeting scheduled for June 26th, 2006.
  2. Liability insurance for the Trust has been paid.
  3. Aleisha Miller, from St Croix County, has initiated a Water Activity Volunteer (WAV) program and Jack Hayes and Stuart Nelson will be part of a water monitoring team. A thank you letter from Aleisha was also received.
  4. Ron Eng from Middle Pine Lake has asked for information from the Trust on conservation easements for 39 acres he presently owns.
  5. Aerial photos of Cedar Lake are now available. A photo will be presented to Phyllis Menke from the Trust. Information on the purchase of the photos can be obtained by calling 218-787-2392.
  6. The New Richmond High School Student Service Day was a great success with groups of students rebuilding a fence, eradicating buckthorn and clearing trails at Saratoga Springs Park and helping to restore an oak savannah on the McMurtrie Preserve. Many white oaks were planted as part of the project.
  7. The SPLPT will have to submit an audited tax return for the year 2006 because grant money received pushed our “earnings” over the $100,000.00 mark.
  8. Letters were read from “Gathering Waters” and the “Teaming for Wildlife” Program.
  9. The SPLPT has received a $500.00 grant from the Conservation Warden’s Association. Rick Rosen was responsible for submitting the grant in our name.
  10. The Star Prairie Fish & Game Association has received two recent club conservation awards. One was from the Wisconsin Conservation Congress and the other was from the Wisconsin Wildlife Federation.

 

     There was discussion on setting meeting dates in advance so that members could plan accordingly for their time commitments. It was decided that 4 to 6 meeting a year was desirable and the 1st Monday of the month was preferable. Our next meeting is scheduled for Sunday June 25th starting at 6 pm at Don Madsen’s garage however. Other meeting dates scheduled is our annual meeting on Monday, August 7th, starting at 7 pm with a tentative meeting place at the Star Prairie Community Center and the Cedar Lake District annual meeting set for Saturday, August 5th.

     Discussion of new board members will be tabled until the next meeting. Term limits will be addressed at the annual meeting as a potential by-law change. Job description of officers and directors will also be documented and presented at the annual meeting.

     Property management on the Boche property was discussed. Transfer agreements have been signed as have CRP agreements. Part of the property has been burned while the remaining acreage was cultivated and has been seeded with native forbs and grasses. A workday will be rescheduled for brush and scrap removal. Stuart and Cheryl will work on partnership signage. Thank you cards were signed by the Board and will be sent out to Jim Reimer, Eric Mark and Kevin Hanson with perhaps a more formal presentation to be made later.

     The prairie plantings on the McMurtrie property have been postponed until next year. Stuart will mow the trails soon and also the prairie. Gates and signs will be placed by the committee. Because of a failed perk test on the property the committee will have to decide a course of action.

     Plans for the South Bay Landing are progressing. A grant has been submitted. A Chapter 30 permit has been obtained. The plans are to put in the dock and board walk but keep them in the vegetation. The board walk will end in a “T” and will remain in the lake all year around. This has been a partnership with St Croix County along with several other partners. We should know about the grant by July or August and the project should be completed by September. Thank you notes were signed and will be sent to those involved.

     Stuart reported on a meeting he had with the old “Archery Club” landowners. Things are progressing toward a donation of the land to the Trust.

     A conservation easement is being considered on the 17 acre parcel known as the Nelson Property. This land is a key element in providing a corridor between the County Huntington Property and the McMurtrie Property.

     A land protection strategy is needed to be formalized with the details necessary to set priorities.

     1. Brochures will be available by August 15th.

     2. Decisions must be made on future plans with the McMurtrie Preserve

     3. Once decisions are made to clarify the septic issues for the environmental center

          the Design team can generate a report

     4. Donations for the building will have to be secured

     5. David Allen, our fundraising advisor, needs to be contacted and the fund raising

         project brought back up to speed.

 

     The Star Prairie Fish & Game Association Annual Pontoon Ride is scheduled for June 14th on Cedar Lake. 118 participants have already signed up. Queen candidates from the Heritage Center will help serve the food. It is scheduled to begin at 1:30 pm.

 

 With no further business the meeting was adjourned at 9:30 pm.

 

 

 

                                                                      Respectfully submitted

                                              Mike Reiter (Acting Recorder)