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WISCONSIN POINT COMMITTEE – 8/11/26 Meeting (Meets as needed/quarterly.) *Attended the meeting virtually Page 1 of 5 WISCONSIN POINT COMMITTEE Minutes Tuesday, August 11, 2026 Regular Meeting The meeting was called to order by Chair Bridge at 4:30 p.m. on August 11, 2026, in Government Center Room 204 & virtually via Microsoft Teams. 1. ROLL CALL Members Present: Tom Bridge, Lee Sandok Baker, Nick Danz, Matt Steiger, Mike Herrick, Deanna Erickson, Cherie Hagen* City Staff Present: Bridgit Maruska, Kara Czapinski, Cameron Vollbrecht Others Present: Shelley Nelson 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES The committee decided to speak on item 4.1, allowing Fire Chief Vollbrecht sufficient time to provide his update. 2.1 Wisconsin Point Committee (Meeting held May 12, 2026) MOTION by Sandok Baker second by Danz and carried to approve the Wisconsin Point Committee Minutes from May 12, 2026. Cameron Vollbrecht left the meeting at 4:35 p.m. Deanna Erickson joined the meeting at 4:35 p.m. 3. NEW BUSINESS 3.1. Election of Officers 3.1.1 Election of Chair MOTION by Herrick, second by and Danz carried to nominate Tom Bridge as Chair. 3.1.2 Election of Vice-Chair MOTION by Bridge, second by and Sandok Baker carried to nominate Mike Herrick as Vice-Chair. 3.2. Update on Allouez Bay Cherie Hagen detailed the activities of phase one, which includes winter 2024 construction involving channeling, pooling, and the mechanical removal of cattails, followed by native seeding and the establishment of habitat mounds and muskrat den replicas. An evaluation in 2025 will assess site conditions and the regrowth of cattails WISCONSIN POINT COMMITTEE – 8/11/26 Meeting (Meets as needed/quarterly.) *Attended the meeting virtually Page 2 of 5 attributed to low water levels. The team is actively working to manage invasive species such as cattails and purple loosestrife through repeated mechanical cutting and the introduction of beetles for biological control. They are also considering alternative mechanical methods like grinding and mowing, particularly near water edges. Monitoring of vegetation and bird populations will persist into 2026, alongside continued mechanical control of cattails and potential pilot burns, with hand cutting employed in sensitive areas to evaluate the effectiveness of various mechanical strategies. 3.3. Discussion on Allouez Bay Alternative 3 Hagen indicated that while progress on the alternatives has been limited, significant advancements are being made, particularly regarding alternative 3. A collaboration with a team of coastal engineers from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has led to the development of models for existing wave energy and circulation patterns. This partnership includes a specialized team focused on identifying potential features and configurations that could enhance wave protection in the area. The Army Corps is preparing a technical memorandum that will detail the modeling outcomes, various alternatives considered, and the elevations of the proposed features. The analysis includes scenarios where features are submerged under normal water conditions versus those that are above water during average conditions, with the aim of determining the most effective configuration to safeguard the back bay against extreme events and rising water levels. Additionally, the discussion touched on the conditions in the back bays, particularly where Bluff Creek meets other lobes, highlighting the successful manoomin restoration efforts in that region. Matt Steiger indicated that approximately 16 acres were sown with 3,100 pounds of wild rice, yielding favorable outcomes in areas that had previously shown little productivity. Additionally, beetle releases were implemented to manage invasive species. However, it was noted that the active promotion of wild rice harvesting is constrained by the limited size of the restoration sites. Experienced harvesters are familiar with the specific conditions of these sites, leading outreach efforts to concentrate on restoration rather than advocating for extensive harvesting. The discussion also covered the technical elements of rice harvesting, highlighting the advantages of substrate disturbance. Furthermore, the permitting requirements for residents of Wisconsin were outlined, and the potential for a rice camping competition was introduced, although further details are still forthcoming. 3.4. Discussion on Wisconsin Point 50 Project Director Maruska is in the process of evaluating the potential for Wisconsin to either collaborate with or join the MP50 initiative, with upcoming meetings scheduled with representatives from MP50. The focus of these discussions is to assess the advantages and logistical considerations of collaboration compared to pursuing independent efforts. In a related update, Deanna Erickson reported on the progress of the resiliency study for Wisconsin Point, noting that delays have arisen due to issues with data availability, necessitating grant extensions. The study, which is being conducted by AMI, has faced setbacks linked to the late delivery of data from the Army Corps' Section 111 study. A WISCONSIN POINT COMMITTEE – 8/11/26 Meeting (Meets as needed/quarterly.) *Attended the meeting virtually Page 3 of 5 request for a grant extension has been made, along with the allocation of additional funds to support ongoing sediment transport modeling. Once the necessary data is obtained, the project will advance to the development of alternatives, incorporating input from both the core team and the community. While the study will not yield a complete design, it is expected to offer significant recommendations for future management strategies. 4. OLD BUSINESS 4.1. Update on the Fire Management Plan Fire Chief Vollbrecht announced that the team has secured the Fish Wildlife Grant to facilitate planning and burning activities at Wisconsin Point, with formal confirmation anticipated from Fish and Wildlife Services on September 1st. This grant will also supply equipment for the Fond du Lac group, enabling them to continue their work throughout the winter. The team is contemplating a fall burn; however, they are facing challenges due to exceptionally dry conditions that could lead to an early fire season, potentially limiting burning for safety reasons. They are closely monitoring the situation to ensure that any burns are conducted safely within designated patrol zones. The Chief also discussed mechanical thinning in areas too dense for burning, highlighting the removal of a large red pine affected by insects and fire. The salvaged wood from this tree will be utilized for displays and shelving in the public area of the new station. Additionally, the involvement of Rhodes Scholars from UWS in educational tours about the site's history and restoration efforts was noted, with the tours receiving positive feedback, save for one negative comment. Post-burn monitoring indicated minimal tree loss, with birch trees not only surviving but thriving, while the reduction of intermediate brush has allowed more sunlight to reach the ground. Ongoing plant community surveys are expected to yield further valuable insights. 4.2. Update on Schafers Beach Director Maruska stated that the Switchback Trail project is set to commence in late September, with the goal of finishing before winter. This initiative aims to enhance both accessibility and surface conditions for beach access. 4.3. Update on 44th Avenue East Dock Director Maruska has extended an invitation to a community design workshop scheduled for August 24th at 44th Avenue East dock., organized by the Alliance, where preliminary designs will be showcased by Stantec. Accommodations will be available for attendees. WISCONSIN POINT COMMITTEE – 8/11/26 Meeting (Meets as needed/quarterly.) *Attended the meeting virtually Page 4 of 5 4.4. Update on Update on Wisconsin Point Cultural Connection Project Director Maruska announced that an RFQ for the Cultural Connection project is set to be issued within three weeks, accompanied by stakeholder engagement to gather design input. The project will incorporate conceptual designs for the boardwalk, while full designs will be developed for interpretive signage and additional components. 4.5. Discussion on funding and timeline for the Wisconsin Point Management Plan Currently, there are no updates available. 5. RECURRING BUSINESS 5.1 Committee Member/Partner Updates Deanna Erickson – Fond du Lac has submitted a grant to the Army Corps, which, upon approval expected by November, will facilitate restoration activities within the Corps' holdings. The process of transferring Fond du Lac land into federal trust is also approaching completion, pending a final signature following a public comment period. This transition will exempt the tribe from tax obligations and reinforce their claim to the land. Additionally, due to concerns regarding funding and maintenance, the initial design for the Roundhouse has been modified to a simpler sitting area with a fire pit, although there remains potential for future structural enhancements if funding permits. Matt Steiger – Recent findings indicate that wild rice samples collected from the St. Louis River Estuary exhibited no absorption of harmful toxins, with the data currently undergoing evaluation by public health and pollution control authorities. Funding for the analysis of PFAS has been obtained, and the processing of samples is underway. It was also noted that the funding for sample collection and analysis originated from separate grants allocated in different years, and there are ongoing discussions aimed at enhancing coordination and data sharing among the agencies involved. Director Maruska – It was observed that although there is currently no regulation prohibiting the burning of pallets or construction wood, the website has been revised to advise against this practice. The group deliberated on the hazards posed by nails and glass in fire pits and contemplated whether these items could be categorized as waste according to existing regulations. The team reached a consensus to streamline and enhance signage to raise public awareness and discussed the possibility of collaborating with law enforcement to ensure more effective enforcement, while also acknowledging the necessity for policy revisions to specifically address these materials. WISCONSIN POINT COMMITTEE – 8/11/26 Meeting (Meets as needed/quarterly.) *Attended the meeting virtually Page 5 of 5 5.2 Future Agenda Items 5.2.1 Update on Fire Management Plan 5.2.2 Update on Schafers Beach 5.2.3 Update on 44th Avenue East Dock 5.2.4 Update on Cultural Connection Project 5.3 Confirm the next meeting date as November 10, 2026, at 4:30 p.m. in Room 204 of the Government Center. 6. ADJOURNMENT Chair Bridge announced the meeting adjourned at 5:32 p.m. Respectfully submitted by Kara Czapinski