HARBOR COMMISSION MINUTES
Monday, April 21, 2008 at 4:30 p.m.
Fifth Floor Conference Room, City Hall
400 La Crosse Street.
MEMBERS PRESENT: President John Fisher
Commissioner Dale Wetterling
Council Member Tom Sweeney
Commissioner Wayne Oliver
Commissioner Tom Thompson
Capt. Mike Horstman – left at 5:30 pm
MEMBERS ABSENT: Vice-President Marc Schultz
County Supervisor Don Meyer
Commissioner Jim Bertram
OTHERS PRESENT: Larry Kirch, City Planner
Karl Green, UW Extension
Jane Brunner, Recording Secretary
Gretchen Benjamin, WI DNR
Jerry Strok, Coast Guard Auxiliary
The regular meeting of the Port of La Crosse Joint Board of Harbor Commissioners was held on Monday, April 21, 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 4:36 p.m.
1) Approval of the minutes of the March 17, 2008 meeting of the Port of La Crosse Joint Board of Harbor Commissioners.
Tom Sweeney made a motion to approve. Wayne Oliver seconded. Jane Brunner reported that Tim Stowasser of Hanke Terminals had called after having seen the draft minutes, to correct his statement that the site is to be surfaced with a layer of clay. It is, in fact, to be covered by a layer of aggregate. The motion passed unanimously.
2) No Wake Zones – buoy and waterway placement permits – mailing to buoy permittees
Tom Thompson and Dale Wetterling were able to find accurate placements for the buoys by using a GPS unit on the river. The placement permit was sent to Bill Yearman at the WI Department of Natural Resources on April 18th and copies of this information was given to each of the Harbor Commissioners.
Larry Kirch explained that the next step is to purchase the buoys. A resolution was introduced which would allocate $5,000 for the purchase of 15 buoys. Wayne Oliver reported that Skipperliner can provide six buoys for a cost of approximately $1,600. The goal is to have the Harbor Commission in charge of placing the buoys in Pools 7 and 8, which is indicated in the resolution. Capt. Mike Horstman said that last year there were a number of buoys that were out of place. Dale Wetterling suggested purchasing different size buoys for the areas such as swimming areas, docks, etc. The committee who volunteered in January to review the permits has not yet met.
3) Signage for the boat launch – Ad Hoc Committee
If signs are not posted then the ordinances are not enforceable. John Noyes, a former Harbor Commissioner has volunteered to assist with the placement of buoys and signs. John Fisher suggested that the Ad Hoc committee meet within a week to address the buoy and permit issues.
4) Discussion on whether to sponsor a Riverfest Safety Program
Jerry Strok of the Coast Guard Auxiliary said that they will have a display at Riverfest which will be manned on the weekends. They are attempting to have the Coast Guard vessel, the Wyaconda, for the event. Tom Romaine of the Coast Guard will be running river patrols during the event. Tom Sweeney made a motion to assist the Coast Guard Auxiliary and not have a separate booth. Dale Wetterling seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
5) Safe Boating Week preparation
Jerry Strok said that the media have been contacted concerning this event. The Mayor will offer a proclamation at the West Copeland Park boat landing on Saturday, May 17th at 10:30 am. This is where the vessel safety checks will be done. There is the possibility that the following Saturday, May 24th, additional vessel checks will be done. Because the Harbor Commission’s assistance last year was so helpful, a sign up sheet will be made available for any Commissioners who want to assist this year. Jim Bertram had thought that the Harbor Commission was going to put up a display along with safe boating materials, with pamphlets in City Hall and the County Administrative building next week. The Board of Public Works must approve as does Jim Speropolous.
6) Discuss and prepare Harbors and Docks Capital Improvement Budget
Larry Kirch said that the Three Year Statement of Intentions is used to determine the Harbor Commission requests to be included in the Capital Improvement Program. With regard to the island stabilization south of the Pettibone gas docks, $50,000 would be requested for this island restoration. At this time $10,000 has been promised by the Stry Foundation, with an additional $10,000 possible. A verbal commitment has been given by Gretchen Benjamin of the WI DNR for $5,000. Jim Nissen of the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service has indicated that $10,000 would be available as this could be considered a habitat project. The City Grant Writer is seeking a grant for $50,000 from the Waterways Commission, as it could be considered a boating safety project, with a $50,000 coming from the City. The Waterways Commission grant will be applied for, but the City will still need the additional $50,000 included within the Capital Budget. John Fisher added that bids need to be updated as the present estimate of $125,000 is approximately 1 ˝ years old.
7) WCPA Update
Larry Kirch said that he needs to speak with Dean Haen regarding the business meeting which needs to take place. He has talked to Jeff Rach at the Upper Midwest Environmental Science Center who has agreed to speak about Mississippi River invasives; and he will talk to Terry Hubert about speaking on Great Lakes invasives. Their involvement would help promote the center, and a tour of the lab has been offered. Gretchen Benjamin has offered to give a talk on the USACOE’s NESP (Navigation and Ecosystem Sustainability) Program. Jim Nissen thought he could give a talk (from 11:30 am – noon) regarding Phase III Environmental Management Habitat Restoration Project. He would meet participants earlier in the day at the Brownsville, MN overlook to talk about the island construction project there.
WI DOC Secretary Fischer was invited by Dean Haen. They have their Waterfront Initiative which would doesn’t affect ports like La Crosse, Green Bay, Milwaukee or Superior because we are entitlement communities for Federal Block Grant money. Marc Schultz had suggested inviting Jerry Rasmussen to give a presentation regarding invasive species. He would be available for $450.
Kent Pehler has offered the Barbara B for an afternoon cruise of the La Crosse harbor. It needs to be determined what would be done between this tour and the game. This will directly relate to the cost of any activity. The cost of the Logger’s game will be $40 and each person will pay their own way. It was thought that either the La Crosse Queen or the Island Girl would stop at the northside dock near the Loggers’ field, and the cost of either boat needs to be determined. Marc Schultz said that both City and County funds could be used for this event. It is expected that the host City will pay for the coffee and rolls, lunch and the Island Girl event. Individuals would have to pay for their own beverages.
With regard to contact and invitations to Minnesota ports, Karl Green of the University Extension office is working on this.
The agenda and registration forms need to be put together, as well as the RSVP forms. John Fisher said that he will contact Barb Narimore, Director of the Navigation and Ecosystem Program of the Upper Mississippi River Conservancy to possibly speak during an afternoon session. Gretchen Benjamin added that there is a meeting to discuss the NESP program on August 7th, and that possibly the Executive Director could also be invited to speak. Jerry Strok suggested that Skipperliner be contacted, as the CGA had held a meeting at their facility and supper was catered. It might be a cost effective option.
8) Invitation to State agencies – WI DNR, USF&W, USACOE
It had been Marc Schultz’s suggestion that the various agencies are invited each year to give a presentation regarding their activities in the La Crosse area. Gretchen Benjamin reported that the WI DNR has done two draw downs in Pools 6 and 8. If there is good flowing water another draw down of about a foot or less will be done in Pool 6. This would be done between June 16th and September 15th.
9) Future agendas.
Updates on no wake
Report of the Waterway Marker Permit Review Ad Hoc committee
Boating safety update
Riverfest update
WCPA update
Bill Sponsorship -Discussion re: life jacket law for children and skiers
Wayne Oliver made a motion to adjourn. Tom Sweeney seconded. The motion passed unanimously. President John Fisher adjourned the meeting at 5:46 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
John Fisher, President
Port of La Crosse Joint Board of Harbor Commissioners