MEMBERS PRESENT: President John Fisher
County Supervisor Don Meyer
Commissioner Jim Bertram
Commissioner Wayne Oliver
Council Member Tom Sweeney
Commissioner Tom Thompson
MEMBERS ABSENT: Vice-President Marc Schultz - excused
Commissioner Dale Wetterling - excused
OTHERS PRESENT: Larry Kirch, City Planner
Karl Green, UW Extension
Jane Brunner, Recording Secretary
The regular meeting of the Port of La Crosse Joint Board of Harbor Commissioners was held on Monday, February 18, 2008 at 4:30 p.m. in the Fifth Floor Conference Room, City Hall, 400 La Crosse Street. President John Fisher called the meeting to order at 4:32 p.m.
1) Approval of the minutes of the January 22, 2008 meeting of the Port of La Crosse Board of Harbor Commissioners.
Tom Sweeney made a motion to approve. Jim Bertram seconded. Tom Sweeney had the following corrections: Page 3, second paragraph, sixth line “e” is a typographical error and should say “be.” The second correction is on Page 4, second paragraph, second line where it states “he and John Fisher joined;” it should say “he and John Fisher accompanied.” Larry Kirch said the first line of this paragraph should say “Ad Hoc Committee” and not simply Ad Hoc, and there should be a period after Main Channel as well. Tom Sweeney made a motion to approve the minutes with noted changes. Jim Bertram seconded. The motion passed unanimously. Don Meyer felt that the minutes should be “Respectfully Submitted” by John Fisher as the President and made a motion that this change is made. Tom Sweeney seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
2) Final approval of bylaws.
Larry Kirch asked if there should be signature lines on the last page. It was agreed that signature lines and the date approved should be included and that a “tally” of dates can be added if/when amendments are made to the bylaws. Tom Sweeney said that Article V, Section D say “office of Recording Secretary,” which suggests that this is an elected office. He suggested that the word “office” be changed to “position.” Tom Sweeney made a motion to approve with the changes. Tom Thompson seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
3) Approval of Three-Year Harbor Development Statement of Intentions.
Both the City and County Three-Year Statement of Intentions were considered. Larry Kirch said that the City’s projects are the North side dock wall repair and the Municipal Harbor improvements at Isle La Plume. The amounts needed were increased by 3% from last year. The County’s project is improvement at the Harold Craig Fleeting Facility. It was agreed that if the project is needed it should be ranked high. John Fisher added that the due date and proposed years need to be changed. Karl Green will speak with Marc Schultz with regard to this. Don Meyer asked if Karl would also discuss the 200 linear feet of rip rap. Tom Sweeney made a motion to approve subject to the County making changes to language in their statement as they see fit and that the City Three-Year Statement is approved. Wayne Oliver seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
4) No Wake Issues (J. Fisher)
John Fisher has made continuing attempts to reach Bill Yearman of the DNR, but has been unable to contact him. Tom Thompson spoke to Russell Wilson at the Boat and Travel Show, and after some discussion, was of the understanding that he would consider a no wake zone on the Main Channel. He added that the majority of those attending the Boat and Travel Show wanted to have the no wake zone. Don Meyer was concerned that Russell Wilson would be making the decision with regard to the legislation. He also said that most of the river cities the size of La Crosse have a no wake zone. Larry Kirch said that we are trying to understand what they’re statutory powers are. John Fisher explained that they need to approve the Waterway Marker Permits. Larry Kirch said that we need to have a meeting with the City and County attorneys, Russell Wilson and Bill Yearman and attempt to finally get an answer. After that meeting, Jennifer Shilling and Dan Kapanke can be contacted. Captain Horstman recommended that if meeting with the WI DNR, that Steve Dewald also be in attendance along with Russ Wilson. Tom Sweeney asked that the attorneys , in preparation for that meeting, work together to find out what the statutes allow for so that we understand if we are in line with those statutes. Larry Kirch will speak with the attorneys concerning this.
John Fisher asked Captain Michael Horstman if the County would enforce the ordinance if it is adopted. Capt. Horstman answered that the City Police Department would enforce the ordinance from land. He added that the City Police have issued some citations based on citizen complaints. A County ordinance would be needed for enforcement by the County.
Larry Kirch said that besides the no wake issue, an Ad Hoc Committee was going to work on the information regarding buoys and permits. He would like to have a meeting with everyone whose name is on a buoy permit before Memorial Day. In addition, he would like to see this Main Channel issue resolved within the next 30 days so that direction can be given to the County. He also said that we might want to make sure the 10 ft. no wake is enforceable in case there are flooding problems this spring. However, the top priority is the Main Channel No Wake and obtaining the needed answers so the County may have an ordinance introduced. Don Meyer said that completion of adoption by the County would involve a Public Hearing and County Board vote. A suspension of rules could accelerate the amount of time needed for adoption.
Larry Kirch said that the City would like to put more funding towards the Sheriff’s Boat Patrol and for salaries for officers manning the boat. There was discussion regarding the possibilities of this happening.
5) Boat and Travel Show report.
Larry Kirch suggested that the Harbor Commission not participate in this show next year as the cost is too high and the funds will instead be used for the WI Commercial Ports meeting. In addition, this money is not necessarily well spent because attendance was very low. Tom Thompson said that entire boat show was slow, but thought that the Harbor Commission should continue to have a booth. Tom Sweeney asked if we could participate in Riverfest instead. Larry Kirch explained that there have been changes for that event, as insurance concerns now prevent the use of the tow boat. The CGA is addressing boating safety issues but our main focus should be educating people about the port. In addition, the video that the Harbor Commission had in their booth might be better served with the type of audience that the CGA receives. We might possibly be able to obtain a booth at the Chamber of Commerce Business Expo and reach more people about the port that way. If participating in any of these events, the presentations needs to be enhanced to draw people to the area and the Commission needs to specifically define its message.
6) Status of Hanke lease at Isle La Plume.
Larry Kirch said that he had included this on the agenda with the hope that Hanke would attend the meeting with information. The City Attorney has not heard back from Hanke as of last week. He will try to get additional information for next month’s meeting.
7) Invitation to State agencies – WI DNR, USF&W, USACOE
John Fisher has talked to Marc Schultz about inviting various State agencies to the Harbor Commission meetings to give presentations regarding their activities on the river.
Capt. Horstman suggested that Randy Lilla of the USF&W as a good local contact from that agency. John Fisher said that he and Marc Schultz thought it would be important to have the WIDNR invited first, possibly having Gretchen Benjamin present, in addition to Russell Wilson and Steve Dewald. Larry Kirch explained that we could allow a representative from each invited agency to give a 20-minute presentation of the projects that they are working on.
John Fisher will call Gretchen Benjamin as well as Steve Dewald at the WI DNR regarding their possible attendance and/or presentation at the meeting. Larry Kirch will speak to the City and County Attorneys. Capt. Horstman suggested Henry Bowman as a good contact with the DNR as he is in charge of the area north of the I-90 Bridge. Larry Kirch thought it would be most efficient to have all entities at the same meeting.
8) Approval of Annual Report 2007.
This will be placed on next month’s agenda for approval, and will start with introduction to the Common Council at the March meeting for consideration in April.
Larry Kirch asked that the planning for the WCPA meeting be included on the next agenda. Tom Sweeney asked that the item “Future Agendas” be included on all agendas. Wayne Oliver made a motion to adjourn. Jim Bertram seconded. The motion passed unanimously. President John Fisher adjourned the meeting at 5:42 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
John Fisher, President
Port of La Crosse
Board of Harbor Commission