Minutes of Regular Monthly Meeting
April 6, 2011
Chairman Ron Heikkinen called the meeting to order at 9:00 A.M.
Also Present: Pete Bartelt and Linda Hertig, Price County Forestry and Parks Department; Kyle Schmidt, DNR; Kathy Reinhard, Tourism Department and Don Preisler.
Public Comment and Correspondence – Forestry and Parks:
Included in the committee’s packet were the following:
Pete passed out the following:
Vouchers: Motion by Palecek/Walasek to approve Forestry and Parks Expenditure Vouchers 07-11 to 10-11 in the amount of $16,619.49; Payroll Vouchers 06-11 and 07-11 in the amount of $16,629.26; Cash Bond Voucher 02-11 in the amount of $14,757.00, and Journal Entry 03-11 in the amount of $1,449.04. Total amount: $49,454.79. Motion carried.
Approval for Timber Sales for Bid Letting: Motion by Palecek/Janssen to approve timber sales 01-11 to 15-11 as presented, to advertise and let out for bidding, to be opened in the Forestry and Parks office at 6:30 a.m. on May 4th and the results to be approved at the meeting. Motion carried. John Walasek voted nay.
Timber Sale Contract Extensions: Motion by Walasek/Palecek to approve the extensions as presented. Motion carried.
Handicapped Access, 6-34-2W: Motion by Palecek/Walasek to approve the permit as presented. Motion carried.
Public Record Notice: Motion by Janssen/Walasek to approve the notice. Motion carried.
15 Year Plan Amendments Resolution: Motion by Janssen/Palecek to approve the resolution and forward to full county board. Motion carried. John Walasek voted nay.
Spring WCFA Meeting Report: Pete gave a report on the meeting.
Administrator’s Report: Chairman Heikkinen accepted the Parks and Forestry March 28, 2011 Administrator’s Report.
Approve minutes of Tourism/Forestry and Parks meeting of March 9, 2011: Motion by Palecek/Walasek to approve the minutes as presented. Motion carried.
Next Meeting Date: Wednesday, May 4, 2011 at 8:00 A.M. in UW Extension Conference Room C, Normal Building, Phillips, WI. Timber Sale Bids will be opened at 6:30 a.m. in the Forestry and Parks office prior to the meeting, with the results being brought to the committee for approval.
Hertig turned over minute taking to Reinhard at 10:15 A.M. Following the break the meeting resumed at 10:22 A.M.
Tourism Public Comments and Correspondence: Correspondence from Stan Taylor was reviewed.
Tourism Vouchers: None
Monthly Tourism Budget Report: The monthly budget report was reviewed.
2011 Tourism Annual Report: Motion made to approve the report and forward copies to each Price County Board Supervisor and the Clerk’s Office (Palecek/Walasek). All ayes. Motion carried.
Public Record Notice: Motion made to approve the notice, forward a copy to the County Clerk and post at the office (Janssen/Walasek). All ayes. Motion carried.
Tourism Directors Report: Chairman Heikkinen accepted the Tourism Director’s Report.
Adjourn: The meeting adjourned at 10:59 A.M.
Respectfully submitted by: Linda Hertig, Forestry & Parks Program Assistant/Bookkeeper and Kathy Reinhard, Tourism Director
Administrator’s Report
March 30, 2011
Revenue and Expenditure Reports for March 2011 reports will be brought to the meeting.
Petty cash fund balance as of March 30, 2011: $59.43
March stumpage being charged interest: $0.00
1. At this time we are approximately $150,000 behind 2010 timber sale revenue.
2. Price County is now in the gypsy moth quarantine area.
3. We are still having problems with firewood cutters cutting live trees; we are going to start some weekend patrols.
4. Friends of Fred Smith, Inc. will be doing short and long range planning as well as working with the Price County Historical Society on a strategic plan.
5. FoFS is participating in a survey of board decision-making in nonprofit organizations.
6. I am having conversations with a graduate student from UW Madison on a wolf research project.
7. Steve is working on his corner documentation project.
8. We cut down a dead elm adjacent to the house at the Concrete Park; the house is in need of a new roof. The tree was casting a lot of shade on the roof.
9. We will be putting together specifications for the shelter roof replacement at Big Falls.
10. LCD is going to be assisting us with the layout of a new emergency spillway at the Lower Squaw Creek Flowage; it will be constructed this summer.
11. We are attempting to get a permit to cross 13-36-2W to access a timber sale.
12. Excel Energy did some work on a power line at Tuscobia Trailhead County Park and have some lawn restoration work to do.
13. The last day for our school to work student (Sam Schwie) is March 31. Sam will be our summer work student.
14. The WCFA summer tour is in Oneida County on June 23rd and 24th. If anyone is interested in attending let me know and I will make reservations.
15. We are providing tree pickup service from the DNR Hayward Nursery on April 27th. We have 3,000 white spruce to plant in Kennan.
AGENDA NOTES & TOURISM DIRECTOR’S REPORT APRIL 6, 2011
Public Comments & Correspondence: Email correspondence from Stan Taylor is enclosed for your review.
Monthly Financial Report: The report is enclosed for your review (buff paper 2011).
Public Record Notice: The proposed notice for our office is enclosed for your review, discussion and approval.
2010 Annual Report: A copy of the report is enclosed for your review, discussion and approval.
International Trade Business and Economics Committee: The minutes from the February 14, 2011 meeting are enclosed for your review (yellow paper).
Paddle the Flambeau Brochure & Rack Card: A copy of the 4th edition of the Paddle the Flambeau brochure and rack card are enclosed for your review. These publications are a cooperative effort and could not be produced without the assistance and financial support of the partners. Partners include Price County, Rusk County, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources/Flambeau River State Forest, Greater Ladysmith Area Chamber of Commerce, Park Falls Area Chamber of Commerce, Phillips Area Chamber of Commerce, Big Bear Lodge, The Crazy Loon, Flambeau Sports, Nine Mile Tavern/Canoe and Kayak Rentals, Flambeau Adventures, Flambeau River Lodge & Campground and Flaters Resort.
Wisconsin Tourism Secretary Stephanie Klett & State Budget: The Wisconsin State Senate has confirmed Stephanie Klett to her position as Secretary of the Department of Tourism. Secretary Klett was the on-air hostess for Discover Wisconsin Television and Radio for two decades.
The proposed State budget includes an increase in tourism expenditures:
Tourism Budget Update
In one of the most challenging fiscal times in Wisconsin's history, Governor
Walker has recommended a stepped up tourism marketing appropriation for the next
two fiscal years with a $1.191 million increase in fiscal 2012 and an additional
$2.344 million increase in fiscal 2013. These numbers are in addition to the
current fiscal 2011 appropriation of $9.9 million. This additional investment
recognizes the power of tourism to grow jobs, add economic impact to all parts
of the state, and "brand" Wisconsin to support recruitment and retention of
businesses in and out of the hospitality and tourism industry.
The Governor's budget recommendation includes transferring the Wisconsin Arts
Board and its proposed $1.563 million budget and the current film tax credit
program to tourism in an effort to create greater synergies and focus on
activities that both support the arts and grow the economy.
There are many states in the U.S. that are proposing increases in tourism budgets to attract more tourism dollars, thus creating jobs and tax revenue. Enclosed you will find articles and information regarding Secretary Klett and state tourism budgets (purple paper).
June through September 2011 Calendar of Events: The newest edition of the calendar of events is being distributed. A copy is enclosed for your review. Events are currently being entered on our website and on the Wisconsin Department of Tourism website.
Inquiry Packets Mailed/Calls Received/Website Access: Enclosed for your review are the statistics for packets mailed, calls received and website access (gray paper). These statistics assist us in planning and timing future marketing and advertising campaigns.