Natural Resources Committee - Administration Center — Minutes

NATURAL RESOURCES COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES REGULAR MEETING JUNE 4, 2026 1. Call to Order A regular meeting of the Natural Resources Committee was held in room A-200 at the Administration Center. Present Supervisor Rob Holyoke, Supervisor Tony Matera, Supervisor Kurt Schoessow, Supervisor Todd Ambs, Supervisor Daniel Vogel Absent None Excused None Staff present: County Administrator Dzwinel, Human Resources Director McDonell (9:02 AM), Land and Water Management Director Vogeler, Planning & Parks Director Struck, Register of Deeds Laurin, GIS Coordinator Lewis, Area Extension Director Carroll, Deputy Clerk Hoff Others present: Dan Benson - Ozaukee Press, Mark Harris and family members 2. Proper Notice Chairperson Holyoke called the meeting to order at 8:30 AM. The clerk noticed the meeting as required. 3. Public Comments, Correspondence, Communications Mark Harris, a resident, mentioned that he lives between Cedar Gorge Nature Preserve and Lion's Den Gorge Nature Preserve. He expressed that all residents believe the existing signs are insufficient and are seeking additional assistance from the County to install signage that would discourage people from entering that area. Resident Ashley Harris supported Mr. Harris's dissatisfaction with the Planning and Parks Department and the County, indicating that she would appreciate more signage and information regarding this on the Ozaukee County website. 4. Approval of Minutes May 7, 2026 Motion: Motion to approve the May 7, 2026 minutes as submitted. Result: Passed Moved by: Kurt Schoessow Seconded by: Tony Matera Ayes: Rob Holyoke, Tony Matera, Kurt Schoessow, Todd Ambs, Daniel Vogel Nays: None Abstain: None 5. University Extension Office a. Management/Financial/Informational Reports Update regarding the Youth Led 4-H program. The UW Extension Department is planning to reassess the pay scale for the Crops and Soil position. Ms. Carroll distributed the Plant Health Advising Program flyer and discussed how this initiative aims to assist citizens with inquiries concerning lawn care, gardening, and soil health. 6. Register of Deeds/Land Information a. Discussion Items 1. GIS Report Ms. Lewis stated that the Land Information Council is seeking a Supervisor to occupy the position which has become vacant following Supervisor Bruce Ross's departure. Chairperson Holyoke and Supervisor Matera showed interest in this role. The Natural Resources Committee extended their thanks to Ms. Lewis as she nears her retirement from the County. b. Management/Financial/Informational Reports There were no questions. 7. Land and Water Management a. Management/Financial/Informational Reports Ms. Vogeler indicated that the Land and Water Management Department issued a Clean Sweep survey to collect feedback on both the site and the process involved. The Pollinator Plant and Seed sale will take place June 8, 2026. 8. Planning and Parks Department a. Action Items 1. Increase of Revenue Budget Amendment for a Wisconsin Coastal Management Program Grant for the Milwaukee River Oxbow Nature Preserve Along County Highway Trunk W and the Milwaukee River in the Village of Saukville for River Oxbow, Floodplain and Wetland Restoration as Part of the County Highway Trunk W Road Reconstruction and Restoration Project Motion: Motion to approve the increase of revenue budget amendment recognizing $90,000 for the Wisconsin Coastal Management Program grant to support reconnection of the Milwaukee River to historic floodplain, wetlands and oxbow as part of the CTH W road reconstruction and restoration project and Milwaukee River Oxbow Nature Preserve (County Park) in the Village of Saukville. This budget amendment will move forward to the Finance Committee for further action. Result: Passed Moved by: Tony Matera Seconded by: Kurt Schoessow Ayes: Rob Holyoke, Tony Matera, Kurt Schoessow, Todd Ambs, Daniel Vogel Nays: None Abstain: None 2. Increase of Revenue Budget Amendment for a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service - North American Wetlands Conservation Act Grant for Habitat Restoration Activities at Clay Bluffs Cedar Gorge Nature Preserve, Milwaukee River Oxbow Nature Preserve, and Sucker Creek Motion: Motion to approve the increase of revenue budget amendment recognizing $500,000 for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service — North American Wetlands Conservation Act Grant Program grant for Habitat Restoration Activities at Clay Bluffs Cedar Gorge Nature Preserve, Milwaukee River Oxbow Nature Preserve, and Sucker Creek. This budget amendment will move forward to the Finance Committee for further action. Result: Passed Moved by: Daniel Vogel Seconded by: Todd Ambs Ayes: Rob Holyoke, Tony Matera, Kurt Schoessow, Todd Ambs, Daniel Vogel Nays: None Abstain: None 3. Parks Division Equipment Purchase – Batwing Mower Mr. Struck discussed the mower's brand and the rationale behind the purchase. Motion: Motion to approve the purchase of the Land Pride AMF4211 Series All-Flex Mower from Lochen Equipment and additional set-up items for a total project cost of $25,000 for the Planning and Parks Department – Parks Division per the approved 2026 Capital Project Fund award. Result: Passed Moved by: Tony Matera Seconded by: Kurt Schoessow Ayes: Rob Holyoke, Tony Matera, Kurt Schoessow, Todd Ambs, Daniel Vogel Nays: None Abstain: None 4. Parks Division Equipment Purchase – Skid Steer Motion: Motion to approve the purchase of the Kubota Compact Track Loader SVL97-3 Skidsteer from Lochen Equipment at a total cost of $100,000 for the Planning and Parks Department – Parks Division per the approved 2026 Capital Project Fund award. Result: Passed Moved by: Kurt Schoessow Seconded by: Tony Matera Ayes: Rob Holyoke, Tony Matera, Kurt Schoessow, Todd Ambs, Daniel Vogel Nays: None Abstain: None 5. Golf Course Division Equipment Purchase – Zero Turn Mowers Motion: Motion to approve the purchase of two TORO Z Master 7500-D Yanmar 44HP 144 inch zero-turn mowers from Spartan Turf Products at a total cost of $152,569 for the Planning and Parks Department - Golf Division per the 2026 budget. Result: Passed Moved by: Tony Matera Seconded by: Kurt Schoessow Ayes: Rob Holyoke, Tony Matera, Kurt Schoessow, Todd Ambs, Daniel Vogel Nays: None Abstain: None 6. Proposal and Contract for Mee-Kwon Park Golf Course Clubhouse Fire Suppression System Repairs Mr. Struck indicated an annual inspection occurs. It is challenging to locate a vendor who does not wish to demolish and completely renovate. Discussion on the timeline of when total repair will be executed. Motion: Motion to approve the contract for the Mee-Kwon Park Golf Course clubhouse fire suppression repairs by Ryan Fire Protection, Inc. for the Planning and Parks Department – Golf Division for $6,555, which includes a 15% contingency. Result: Passed Moved by: Kurt Schoessow Seconded by: Dan Vogel Ayes: Rob Holyoke, Tony Matera, Kurt Schoessow, Todd Ambs, Daniel Vogel Nays: None Abstain: None 7. Change Order for Professional Services for Design and Engineering for the East-West Multi-Use Bicycle Pedestrian Trail Extension of the Ozaukee Interurban Trail Along State Highway 60 Mr. Struck explained the nature of the change. Ongoing collaboration with the Department of Transportation and the state team is necessary to ensure their design aligns with the county's. Revenue will be sourced from the current capital fund. The projected completion date is 2027. The bidding process is yet to take place. Motion: Motion to approve negotiation and signing of a three-party professional services contract change order by the Planning and Parks Department with Baxter & Woodman and WisDOT for a not to exceed sum of $117,552, which includes an approximate 15% contingency, for professional services for the east-west multi- use bicycle pedestrian trail extension of the Ozaukee Interurban Trail along State Highway 60. This contract is contingent upon negotiation of professional services contract terms satisfactory to the Ozaukee County Planning and Parks Department and final WisDOT approval. Result: Passed Moved by: Todd Ambs Seconded by: Dan Vogel Ayes: Rob Holyoke, Tony Matera, Kurt Schoessow, Todd Ambs, Daniel Vogel Nays: None Abstain: None 8. Proposal and Contract for Real Estate Coordination Services for Ozaukee Interurban Trail Realignment in the Village of Belgium Concerns have been raised regarding the areas to the South and North of County Road D, which are being realigned to comply with WE Energies. The Village of Belgium has donated parcels as these areas are being repaved. Since federal funds are involved, this process must be followed. The relocation is necessary due to proximity to the railroad and is also influenced by grant requirements and timelines. Motion: Motion to approve the negotiation and signing of a professional services contract by the Planning and Parks Department with Corre not to exceed sum of $24,810, which includes an approximate 16% contingency to cover any potential change orders, for real estate services for the Ozaukee Interurban Trail realignment in the Village of Belgium as part of the Ozaukee Interurban Trail Resurfacing and Reshouldering Project. This contract is contingent upon negotiation of professional services contract terms satisfactory to the Ozaukee County Planning and Parks Department and Corporation Counsel. Result: Passed Moved by: Tony Matera Seconded by: Todd Ambs Ayes: Rob Holyoke, Tony Matera, Kurt Schoessow, Todd Ambs, Daniel Vogel Nays: None Abstain: None 9. Proposal and Contract for Real Estate Coordination Services for the East-West Multi-Use Bicycle Pedestrian Trail Extension of the Ozaukee Interurban Trail Along State Highway 60 Motion: Approve negotiation and signing of a professional services contract, contingent upon contract terms satisfactory to the Ozaukee County Planning and Parks Department and Corporation Counsel, with Corre not to exceed sum of $36,225, which includes an approximate 15% contingency to cover any potential change orders, for real estate services for the east-west multi-use bicycle pedestrian trail extension of the Ozaukee Interurban Trail along State Highway 60. Result: Passed Moved by: Todd Ambs Seconded by: Tony Matera Ayes: Rob Holyoke, Tony Matera, Kurt Schoessow, Todd Ambs, Daniel Vogel Nays: None Abstain: None 10. Submittal and Acceptance of a Rails to Trails Conservancy Grant for Professional Services for the East-West Multi-Use Bicycle Pedestrian Trail Extension of the Ozaukee Interurban Trail Along Highway 60. Motion: Motion to approve the submittal, acceptance, and implementation of a grant by the Planning and Parks Department to the Rails to Trails Conservancy for professional services for the east-west multi-use bicycle pedestrian trail extension of the Ozaukee Interurban Trail along State Highway 60. Result: Passed Moved by: Kurt Schoessow Seconded by: Todd Ambs Ayes: Rob Holyoke, Tony Matera, Kurt Schoessow, Todd Ambs, Daniel Vogel Nays: None Abstain: None b. Discussion Items 1. Update on Planning and Parks Department Capital Projects and Planning and Parks Department Ecological Division Projects Updates on the Milwaukee River Oxbow Nature Preserve project, creation of a parking area for Clay Bluffs Cedar Gorge Nature Preserve, status of the bathrooms at Vermont Park and the tree planting initiatives at the County parks. It was also noted that the Planning and Parks Department was honored with an award for the Wetland Restoration and Stormwater Management Project and the department is working on rebranding the Ozaukee County Tourism logo and guide. Supervisor Vogel recommended the establishment of a mountain bike park in the County (Ozaukee County Mountain Bike Club) and suggested the topic be included as a discussion item on the next agenda. Chairperson Holyoke congratulated Mr. Struck on receiving the Harold “Bud” Jordahl Lifetime Achievement Award from Gathering Waters: Wisconsin’s Alliance for Land Trusts. c. Management/Financial/Informational Reports Mr. Struck reviewed upcoming projects and grants for the ecological division of the Planning and Parks Department. 9. Next Meeting Date July 2, 2026 10. Adjournment Motion made by Supervisor Matera, seconded by Supervisor Schoessow to adjourn. Motion carried. Meeting declared adjourned 9:59 AM. Deputy County Clerk, Anna Hoff