The regular meeting of the La Crosse Joint Board of Harbor Commissioners was held Monday, May 19, 2008 at 4:30 p.m. in the Fifth Floor Conference Room, City Hall, 400 La Crosse Street.
MEMBERS PRESENT: President John Fisher
Commissioner Marc Schultz
Commissioner Don Meyer
Commissioner Tom Thompson
Commissioner Wayne Oliver
Commissioner Dale Wetterling
Commissioner Capt. Mike Horstman
MEMBERS ABSENT: Council Member Tom Sweeney
Commissioner Jim Bertram
OTHERS PRESENT: Larry Kirch, City Planner
Jane Brunner, Recording Secretary
Karl Green, UW Extension
Bud Miyamoto, DMI
President John Fisher called the meeting to order at 4:31 p.m.
1) Approval of the minutes of the April 21, 2008 meeting of the Port of La Crosse Joint Board of Harbor Commissioners.
Dale Wetterling made a motion to approve. Wayne Oliver seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
2) No Wake Zones – buoy and waterway placement permit review update (Field check buoy placements by Memorial Day)
Larry Kirch said that the Waterway Marker permit for the main channel no wake buoys was approved last week and the six slow-no wake buoys should be placed this week. He suggested that there be a press release indicating that the placement of the buoys and the new no wake zone. He added that Goose Island and swimming buoys still need to be GPS’d. With regard to buoy placement, the applicants who have requested buoys and been issued permits by the County (and signed by the DNR), Larry thought that they would need to be contacted via a phone call. Larry would like to eliminate all of the individual buoy permits and reduce the number of permits for Pool 8; and the Joint Commission would be the permittee.
John Noyes had suggested to Larry that the 30 mph be removed. The area between the railroad bridge and Taylor Island is the one area that would still have one. Larry said we might have one permit for the 100 Ft. Buoys, one for Slow No Wake, one for the swim buoys, and one for the water ski course. Marc Schultz thought that those in charge of the water ski course should take care of their own buoys.
In answer to a question by Don Meyer, Larry Kirch said that Jeanette Lenser is responsible for ten buoys, but she only has six placed. He added that there are a number of places where the incorrect number of buoys is placed.
Jerry Strok of the CGA said that next year the Coast Guard will begin an “Aids to Navigation” and he thought that they might be able to give assistance. However, John Fisher wondered if the Coast Guard should be involved, but as it is an aid to navigation, Mr. Strok thought they could be of help. Larry Kirch said that with the locations GPS'd he recommended that someone be hired to place them. He added that the people who have requested the buoys could possibly be charged each year ($30/yr.) for placing and removing buoys.
John Fisher pointed out that there is nothing posted at the landings for the Main Channel. Larry Kirch doesn’t believe we are required to have anything at the boat landing. However, Capt. Mike Horstman said that although it’s not a requirement, it would be good policy to put information at the landings. Additionally, the County Board wants to see further markings so that there would be more awareness of the regulations. They want adequate signage to be in place and further markers possibly. Marc Schultz said that once the brochures are reprinted, it could be covered in plastic and placed at the boat landings. He felt that he could get this done in 1 ½ weeks and volunteered to do so. Larry Kirch had concern that the 30 mile per hour is going to be repealed so brochures would then be done and done again. Marc thought this should be kept out of the brochure. Mike Horstman said that, with the no wake coming into place, he too thought it could be taken out.
Don Meyer informed the Commissioners that, even though the County normally will have an ordinance read in with approval being obtained 30 days later, the rules had been suspended and that the County has adopted the no wake ordinance.
Dale Wetterling said that if the buoys and information are put out early then boaters will get into the habit of following the rules. Mike Horstman said that a Public Service Announcement could be done right away, so that people are informed/warned ahead of placement. Marc Schultz suggested contacting Dick Mial at the Tribune and possibly have a map posted in the paper.
Marc Schultz made a motion to authorize the placement of the buoys by a professional, redo the brochure making it consistent with current laws, issue a press release and media blitz beginning this week regarding the buoy placements, and have the Harbor Commission pursue answers from the WI DOT with regard to signs on the bridge. Larry Kirch said he could have an intern complete graphics to place at the boat landings. Dale Wetterling seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
When Don Meyer suggested initially foregoing the issuance of citations for violations, Capt. Horstman informed him that much of the Sheriff’s Boat Patrol time is spent in educating boaters of the regulations on the area waterways. John Fisher said it would be good to have input from Russ Wilson at this point. Larry Kirch suggested that he could be invited to a Harbor Commission meeting.
Larry Kirch thought that he could work with one qualified person to go over the permits, and asked Marc Schultz if he would assist, to which Marc agreed. Marc doesn’t want the Harbor Commission to put the buoys in for swimming beaches as that is the Park Board jurisdiction. Possibly they will get input from the WI Department of Natural Resources.
Bud Miyamoto thanked the Harbor Commission for taking a bold move and said that DMI has wanted to see this.
3) Update regarding Riverfest Safety Program (sign up sheet for assisting CGA)
Larry Kirch thought that Riverfest would be running through two weekends this year. Bud Miyamoto thought that it would begin on June 30th and end on July 6th. The Harbor Commissioners can assist at the CGA event, and Jerry Strok will inform the Recording Secretary of the times that help will be needed.
4) Safe Boating Week preparation update.
Safety Week began on May 17th when the safety checks took place. Mayor Johnsrud was present and gave a Mayoral Proclamation. Channel 19 and the La Crosse Tribune were also present. John Fisher was present from the Harbor Commission to give assistance to the CGA. Jerry Strok was questioned about boating safety courses and said the CGA will provide these course for groups as small as three people. He added that the CGA wants to have an uncertified safety course for the Hmong community.
5) WCPA Annual Meeting Update.
Larry Kirch said Dean Haen, the President of the WCPA has been e-mailed the brochure. He also said that a speaker must be confirmed (Gretchen Benjamin will be unavailable). The activities listed in the brochure were discussed and an Estimated Cost Spreadsheet was made available to the Commissioners. There may be one addition to the spreadsheet, which is the possible rental of a van for transporting participants to Brownsville, MN on Thursday morning. However, Don Meyer said that we could check with the County regarding the availability of a nine passenger van. Brown County will print the brochure and mail it out. Marc Schultz suggested that the brochure should indicate that there is an active project at the site visit to Brownsville.
With regard to the final costs, these will not be known until there is a count of the number of attendees. The City and the County have both committed to sharing in the costs for the annual meeting, as had the WCPA.
6) Bill Sponsorship -Discussion re: life jacket law for children and skiers.
Jerry Strok had addressed this issue at the last meeting. He said that there was a bill before the State Legislature a year ago. Even though there is presently, as far as was known by those present, no bill being considered in legislative session, Larry Kirch suggested that we obtain a copy of the former bill and get local people to sign on. John Fisher said that Jennifer Shilling could be contacted to see if something is presently in the works during the legislative session. A letter coming from the Port of La Crosse Joint Board of Harbor Commissioners could be sent offering support for this type of legislation.
Marc Schultz suggested that we send a letter to three legislators, Rep. Hibsch, Rep. Shilling and Senator Dan Kapanke to see if such a bill is under consideration this year.
Jerry Strok wondered if the City or County could adopt an ordinance requiring life jackets. Marc Schultz said that this is only a State issue as it involves equipment or the boat; it is not a local issue. Larry Kirch asked Jerry Strok to get a bill number and the author of the bill, and then the Commission can decide what to do. Marc Schultz made a motion to send a letter to our legislators and inquire of Rep. Hibsch, Rep. Shilling and Senator Dan Kapanke whether they are aware of any legislation dealing with lifejackets for children or skiers. Tom Thompson seconded. The motion passed unanimously. Don Meyer will call Jennifer Shilling.
7) Approval of sublease of the Northside Municipal Dock Lease between the La Crosse Loggers and Hanke Terminals.
This is a sublease for the Loggers to use the parking. Larry Kirch said that the Island Girl can’t dock there and the La Crosse Queen said there is a problem as it is not handicapped accessible so they don’t use it. Don Meyer said that he thought that the Harbor Commission is not in charge of land operations; he wondered why the Harbor Commission is considering this. Larry Kirch explained that the City has two municipal docks and riparian land along Isle La Plume and the north side dock land. When the Northside Dock is considered, the land is included with it. We have to approve permission to sublease. Tom Thompson made a motion to approve. Marc Schultz seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
8) Future agendas.
Invite a representative (Jason Gillman) from Onalaska to share with the Harbor Commission their waterfront redevelopment/revitalization plans. Larry Kirch thought that if a speaker backs out at the WCPA annual meeting then possibly Jason Gillman could be a back up speaker and present this waterfront redevelopment/revitalization plan.
Don Meyer made a motion to adjourn. Wayne Oliver seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
President John Fisher adjourned the meeting at 5:55 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
John Fisher, President Port of La Crosse
Joint Board of Harbor Commissioners