Shoreline Committee — Minutes

Town of Onalaska Shoreline Committee Meeting Tuesday, April 29, 2025 The Shoreline Committee meeting was called to order at 7:05 pm, Tuesday, April 29, 2025 by Chair Marcou at the Town of Onalaska Town Hall, with a publicly-noticed Zoom teleconference call option. Members attending: Fritz Funk, Frank Fogel, Luke Marcou and Marc Schultz. Also attending in person: Gary Thurk (Coulee Region Services) and Rob Gonzales. Agenda: Motion to approve the agenda by Fritz Funk, seconded by Marc Schultz, as modified to move agenda item 8 (inspection process) to follow public comment, passed unanimously. Minutes: Motion to approve minutes of March 25, 2025 meeting by Frank Fogel, seconded by Marc Schultz passed unanimously. Public Comment: Town resident Rob Gonzales described how beavers have been damming the upper end of Blackdeer’s slough at the “Tubes” walkdown access at the north end of North Shore Drive. Gonzales described how when the beaver dam was breached to allow flow, that water quality in the slough increased. Discussion and possible action making recommendation to Town Board regarding development of inspection process relating to land leased from ACOE as related to Shoreline Structure permitting including but not limited to fee structure including but not limited to contracting for an inspector. The committee discussed whether frequency of inspections should dovetail with the 3-year permit process or be done more frequently. Frank Fogel raised the question of how inspections of the shoreline could be accomplished if the permitting system was based on docks and there was shoreline use without a dock. Marc Schultz related that historically it was actually a permit to use the shoreline and that the “dock” label was historically applied to the permit based on docks being the most frequent use. Frank Fogel suggested that the committee go out and do a trial inspecting run this summer. Fritz Funk offered that Buffalo City, Wisconsin, has a similar lease situation with ACOE, and that their Riverfront Committee performs annual inspections themselves. However, there is a road along the ACOE property line so that inspections can be easily done from a vehicle. Motion by Frank Fogel, seconded by Marc Schultz to open the floor for public comment to receive information from Gary Thurk passed unanimously. Thurk described his work for the La Crosse City/County Joint Harbor board inspecting slow-no-wake buoys and boathouses to ensure compliance with regulations. During those inspections he uses photographs, rangefinder, and gps to document buoy locations and condition. Annual buoy fees range from $10 to $50, mostly to pay for the inspection. Thurk described a challenging process during his inspection tenure of bringing boathouses into compliance with Wisconsin DNR regulations. As inspector, he carries $2 million professional liability insurance to cover all liabilities, including potential errors of professional judgement. Thurk has been charging $43/hour for inspections, but is discontinuing his inspection business. He strongly advised performing annual inspections, at least during the initial period of bringing the inspected properties into compliance. Motion by Fritz Funk to close the floor, seconded by Marc Schultz passed unanimously. No action taken. Review, discussion and possible action of shoreline structure permit process for 2026 cycle including but not limited to application fee, application review prior to issuance and inspections. The committee discussed whether fees might need to be adjusted for varying levels of shoreline use, for example, a property with steps but no dock. For fair market value or comparison with other areas, Fritz Funk related that Buffalo City charges $75 per 20 feet of shoreline annually. For a comparable Lake Onalaska 100 ft section of shore that would be $375 annually, or $1,125 for 3 years. Buffalo City uses their fees to cover the Corps lease and also maintain their municipal docks. Fritz Funk will try to get comparable rates from a similar Corps lease situation in Guttenberg Iowa. Frank Fogel moved to defer further discussion to the next meeting, seconded by Fritz Funk. Motion passed unanimously. Discussion and possible action making recommendation to Town Board regarding the placement of signage at Fred Funk and Mosey Landing. The committee discussed moving two signage kiosks from the southeast side of Mosey Landing to the northwest side of the landing to accommodate easier paddle-craft launching and other uses along the southeast side. Frank Fogel has already consulted with US Fish and Wildlife Service about moving their signage and obtained a bid to estimate the cost. US Fish and Wildlife Service may replace or repair their second kiosk during the move. Frank Fogel moved to recommend that the Board accept the $800 bid from Schafer’s Marine Services to move the signs. Marc Schultz seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously. At Fred Funk landing, the committee discussed signage to make room for a trailer cleanoff area adjacent to the Pirsnell property and also to clearly direct vehicles to overflow parking at Swarthout Park. Frank Fogel moved to recommend to the Board that the following signs be installed: 1. “Cleanoff area only, 15 minutes parking” (two signs, one at each end of the cleanoff parking area). 2. “Overflow parking across the road at Swarthout Park” (to be placed at Fred Funk landing) 3. At Swarthout Park, signage with arrow directing vehicles to “boat landing overflow parking” with arrow, and “shelter and park parking only”. Marc Schultz seconded the motion which passed unanimously. The committee also discussed clearer markings and possible signage to keep the turnaround area at the head of the boat ramps at Fred Funk landing clear of parked vehicles. Discussion and possible action making recommendation to Town Board regarding erosion control issues at Fred Funk and Mosey Landing. The committee discussed bank erosion at the boat beaching area just NW of the launch ramp docks at Fred Funk landing. Schafer Marine Services proposes to remedy the erosion with more aggressive buried material, covered and seeded with grass. Marc Schultz moved to recommend to the Board accepting the Schafer Marine Services’ proposal for $1693.28 for the erosion repair to the beach. Frank Fogel seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. The committee also began discussing the frequent water-filled large puddle in the parking area at Mosey Landing, and how to approach securing longer-term guarantees for sufficient parking to accommodate demand at Mosey Landing. Discussion and possible action to appoint committee representative as liaison to attend Lake District meetings and report back. Marc Schultz moved that the Shoreline Committee Chair be the official liason to the Lake District, seconded by Fritz Funk. Motion passed unanimously. Review of shoreline ordinance. The committee discussed needing to determine the current status of the ordinance passed by the Shoreline Committee to see what modifications came out of the ordinance committee and what was adopted by the Town Board. Discussion regarding draft of revised shoreline operation plan. Fritz Funk distributed copies of the Buffalo City Shoreline Management Plan to the Committee and public, which has been frequently updated as recommended by the ACOE. Funk also described his communications with Buffalo City Mayor Ben Holier about attending their Riverfront Committee meetings and/or inspections. The Committee should also have a copy of the Guttenberg Iowa plan prior to the next meeting as further background to formulating an operational plan for the Town of Onalaska. Update on Lake Onalaska Lake and Rehabilitation District. Marc Schultz described the proceedings at the recent April 24 Lake District meeting, which included a discussion about beaver activity near the “Tubes” walkdown, the North Shore Lane dredging project, searching for a new treasurer, resource agency personnel turnover, and the outlook for vegetation harvesting in the travel corridors on Lake Onalaska. The Lake District will be having a social at Red Pines on May 20. Adjourn. Motion to adjourn by Frank Fogel, seconded by Marc Schultz passed unanimously. Meeting adjourned at 9:14pm Submitted by Fritz Funk, secretary.