Rail Trail

Price-Taylor Rail Trail Corridor Commission Westboro Community Center Town Hall October 25th, 2022 Minutes 1. Call Meeting to Order Meeting of the Price -Taylor Rail Trail Commission was called to order by Pr esident Dan Roiger on October 25th, 2022, at 7:00 p.m. at the Westboro Community Center Town Hall. Commission Members present: Bob Meyer, Marvin Kuenne , Dan Roiger , Sue Swiantek , Steve Thums, Jeff Hallstrand, Troy Larson, Ron Kendziera, Greg Foltz, and Marjory Brzeskiewicz . Ex- Officio Members: Jake Walcisak and Joe Grapa. Members absent: None. Others present: Buzz Meyer and Luke Dixon. 2. Approve Minutes of the April 26th, 2022 meeting Motion by Sue Swiantek, seconded by Ron Kendziera to appro ve minutes as mailed . Motion carried. 3. Approve the Agenda Motion by Bob Meyer, seconded by Marv Kuenne to approve the agenda as presented. Motion carried. 4. Treasurer’s Report The treasurer’s report was presented by Bob Meyer. April 1st, 2022, report beginning balance of $18,836.14. Revenue included special permit donations and Price County timber sale revenue . Expenses totaled $ 0.00. September 30 th, 2022, ending balance of $20,571.64. Motion by Troy Larson, seconded by Steve Thums to approve treasurer’s report as presented. Motion carried. 5. Trail Condition and Maintenance Walcisak informed the Commission of annual maintenance conducted in Taylor County including: mowed twice (once by county and once by contractor), graded once, sprayed once, weed wacked all signs and bridges in September, nuisance beaver tra pping between Westboro and Gunnar Road. Steve Thums and Matt Roiger recent ly cut brush from around bridges. There is a culvert separating just north of Westboro. Joe Grapa informed the Commission the trail in Price County is in good condition. Grapa inventoried all culverts in Price County. There are 36 in total with 21 in need of replacement. Grapa anticipates applying for Snowmobile, Winter ATV and RTP funding to conduct these replacements. Jeff Hallstrand suggested considering lining culverts rather than replacing. 6. Price County Trail Improvements Price County Forestry Department received a grant award to complete resurfacing on the final 3.75 miles of tr ail closest to the county line. Price County is working with a local logger, Randy Blomberg, to harvest steep slopes along the trail about 1.5 miles north of Ogema. Trailhead signs have been installed at the intersection of State Highway 13 and Morner Road. Final timber sale harvest was 1,713 tons and over $15,000 in revenue. 7. Grant Partner Reimbursement Price County Forestry Department recently partnered with the Prentice Bush Benders snowmobile club in a grant application to conduct work on the trail. Grapa is requesting the Commission to reimburse the Bush Benders $1,000 for their partnership on this project. Motion by Bob Meyer, seconded by Sue Swiantek to reimburse the Prentice Bush Benders $1,000. Motion carried. 8. Utility Crossing Permit Application Walcisak presented a telecommunication boring application by Midway Telephone Company dba TDS Telecommunications. They are requesting a permit to bore under the trail immediately north of Allman Street. Motion by Marv Kuenne, seconded by Steve Thums to approve the permit application, charging $500 for the permit. Motion carried. 9. Westboro Water Drainage Issue Steve Thums presented a water drainage issue on the County owned parcel, with the pavilion adjacent to the trail. The Town of Westboro is proposing to install a French drain and connect it to nearby storm sewer. Motion by Troy Larson, seconded by Sue Swiantek to give permission to the Town of Westboro to conduct the proposed work. Motion carried. Walcisak will provide a letter to the Town of Westboro for proof of the Commission action. 10. Bridge Mile Marker Display Robert Rusch from the Rib Lake Historical Society would like to remove a mile marker from the underside of a Pine Line Bridge to then utilize in a historical railroad display. Walcisak provided information about these markers and their significance when the rail was operational. Motion by Greg Foltz, seconded by Steve Thums to have Walcisak remove a bridge mile marker and provide to Robert Rusch for display. Motion carried. 11. Boy Scout Bench Project Walcisak provided the Commission with a map and project update. The benches have been completed and delivered to the County Park shop. The Parks department is working on installing crushed granite pads and will use earth anchors and steel cable to secure the benches. These four benches will be installed between Center Avenue and County Highway M. 12. Additional Items Needed to be Presented to the Committee • Realtor Luke Dixon was present to address the Commission and request a grandfathered rail crossing easement for the Roland Parker Property. Dixon states the historical access is across Business Highway 13 from Wilson Lane and was in place during rail operations (prior to 1989). Walcisak and Bob Meyer will meet with Dixon on Wednesday November 2nd at 2:00 pm to inspect the crossing. Motion by Jeff Hallstrand, seconded by Troy Larson to authorize Walcisak to resolve this crossing request with either a grandfathered deeded easement at no cost or a new crossing deeded easement for $500, depending on what is found through research and an onsite inspection. Motion carried. • Troy Larson spoke with a Watco Railroad representative at the recent Logging Congress. Watco will not be selling any land for at least 5 years. This is consistent with what Grapa was told by Watco earlier this year. • Ron Kendziera contacted the Rail Trail Conservancy. He spoke with them regarding potential funding and assistance to acquire the portion of rail between Morner Road and County Highway X fee title. The Rail Trail Conservancy is willing to help with both acquisition and possible funding. The request for assistance should come from the Rail Trail Commission. Ron will remain in contact with the Conservancy and provide more information at future meetings. • Ron Kendziera researched informational signage from the Morner Road Trailhead to the Village of Prentice at Buccaneer Park. The Village of Prentice and the County Highway Commission are both on board for this project. The County Highway Commission must install signs on County maintained roads and charges $200 per sign. Seven signs are on County Highway right -of-way. The Village requires a conditional use permit for the 5 signs located along village streets. The cost for signs and posts is $335.55 with an additional $1,400 to the County Highway Commission to install 7 signs. Total project cost, with the Commission installing 5 of the signs along village streets, is $1,735.55. • There was a request to update the Pine Line map/brochure with current pictures that illustrate the new trail tread and rebuil t bridges. Walcisak will contact the Tourism Committee to see when they plan to do another order so that it may be reviewed and updated. 13. Set Next Meeting Date Tuesday April 25th, 2023, 7:00 p.m. Westboro Community Center Town Hall. 14. Adjourn Motion made by Greg Foltz, seconded by Sue Swiantek to adjourn at 8:22 p.m. Motion carried. Submitted by Jake Walcisak, Taylor County Forestry and Recreation Administrator Price-Taylor Rail Trail Corridor Commission Westboro Community Center Town Hall April 26th, 2022 Minutes 1. Call Meeting to Order Meeting of the Price-Taylor Rail Trail Commission was called to order by President Dan Roiger on April 26th, 2022, at 7:00 p.m. at the Westboro Community Center Town Hall. Commission Members present: Bob Meyer, Marvin Kuenne, Dan Roiger, Sue Swiantek, Steve T hums, Jeff Hallstrand, Troy Larson, and Ron Kendziera. Ex-Officio Members: Jake Walcisak a nd J oe Gr apa. Members absent: None. Others present: Dave Roiger, Buzz Meyer, and Greg Foltz. 2. Approve Minutes of the October 19th, 2021 meeting Motion by Steve Thums, seconded by Troy Larson to approve minutes as mailed. Motion carried. 3. Approve the Agenda Motion by Troy Larson, seconded by Ron Kendziera to approve the agenda as presented. Motion carried. 4. Treasurer’s Report The treasurer’s report was presented by Bob Meyer. A correction was made to the ending balance for the October 2021 report. $10,972.45 i nstead of $10,792.45. April 2022 report beginning balance of $10,972.45 and an ending balance of $18,836.14. Revenue included $500 for a utility crossing permit and $7,563.69 for Price County timber sale revenue. Expenses totaled $200 as a donation to the Town of Westboro for use of their meeting facilities. Motion by Troy Larson, seconded by Marv Kuenne to approve treasurer’s report as presented. Motion carried. 5. New Commission Members Price County Commission member J eff Mauch has resigned, citing a work shift change as incompatible with Commission meetings. Jeff enjoyed his time on the Commission but does not want to hold the seat back from being filled by someone who can be more actively engaged. New Taylor County Board of Supervisors representative Sue Swiantek introduced herself to the Commission. Sue is a longtime resident of Taylor County and joined the County Board this month. Troy Larson introduced Greg Foltz as a possible new at-large member for Price County. Greg Foltz would like to serve on the Commission, pending Price County Board approval. 6. Trail Condition and Maintenance Walcisak will grade the trail in preparation for the Pine Line Marathon this weekend. The Pine Line Marathon is held the 4th Saturday in April each year. Walcisak will contact the Chamber of Commerce to obtain a Special Event Use Permit application. Walcisak ordered Chelsea Lake County Park signs for the trail and will have them installed when they arrive. Dan Roiger informed the Commission of a sink hole near mile marker 9 which is likely caused by a separating culvert. Walcisak will conduct a temporary repair before the marathon. Steve Thums informed the Commission of a washout between the two ponds just south of Westboro and a hazard tree on the west side of the trail, just north of Westboro. Thums will level out this area with his tractor and fell the hazard tree in the near future. Joe Grapa informed the Commission the trail in Price County is in good condition and will be graded so on. Ron Kendziera informed the Commission of a hole in the trail between Forsberg Lane and Ogema. Grapa will investigate and repair/close as necessary. 7. Price County Culverts and Gravel Projects Gravel project has been completed as planned. South 3 miles in Price County not graveled at this time. Bush Benders snowmobile club replaced many culverts. T he large washed-out culvert on the north side of Spring Road was also repaired. Gr apa advised the Commission approximately $85,000 have been spent on the trail in Price County in recent years. Contributions were made by the following: Price County, Price County Forestry Department, Pine Line Commission, Bush Benders Snowmobile Club, Town of Ogema, and DNR administered grants. 8. Price County Timber Sale Joe Grapa reported that Brian Kennedy has completed the harvest. All wood has been hauled. Final invoicing is pending. 9. Center Avenue Utility Crossing Walcisak spoke with Spence at Medford Utility. Medford Utility installed two power poles on Pine Line property with an overhead line. They did not receive permission for this crossing from the County and did not know there was a fee for a utility crossing. In October 2021 the Commission directed Walcisak to invoice Medford Utility $500 for this utility crossing. Walcisak sent Medford Utilities a letter and invoice. Medford Utilities paid the $500 invoice and provided detailed drawings of the crossing. 10. Encroachment Update Westboro Walcisak mailed a certified letter to SAE New Beginnings. The owner removed the encroaching vehicle and trailer. These items have been moved to the encroachment easement areas. 11. Price County Trailhead Signing Signs for the intersection of State Highway 13 and Morner Road will be installed this year by the Price County Highway Department when they are replacing all other signs on State Highway 13. 12. Morner Road to County Road X Land Acquisition Grapa contacted Watco regarding the potential sale for this approximate 1-mile se gment of rail. The Watco representative told Grapa they will not be selling the rail at this time, and it is company policy to hold new acquisitions for at least 5 years before considering a sale. Ron Kendziera will work on contacting the Rail to Trail Conservancy for more information and potential assistance. 13. Boy Scout Bench Project Proposal Dan Roiger was contacted by a local Boy Scout leader, Pam Henderson, for an eagle scout project on the Pine Line. The project would be for bench building and installation. Walcisak has been in contact with Taylor County Buildings, Grounds, and Parks Director Joe Svejda and Boy Scout Lea der Pam Henderson. Walcisak and Svejda are going ov er bench designs and locations. 14. Agricultural Use Permits Renewal of Lamberty’s, 3-year, 2019 agriculture use permit was presented by Walcisak. This new permit will expire in 2024. Motion was made by Jeff Hallstrand and seconded by Marv K uenne to approve the Lamberty agricultural use permit request. Motion carried. Chairman Dan Roiger signed the permit. Walcisak will secure Lamberty’s signature, certificate of insurance and payment. 15. Additional Items Needed to be Presented to the Committee • Steve and Wendy Thums would like to donate a picnic table and place it near the State Highway 13 overpass. Approval was granted by the Commission. • There was a request to update the Pine Line map/brochure with current pictures that illustrate the new trail tread and rebuilt bridges. Walcisak will check to see how many copies are on hand currently and provide these recommendations to the Taylor County Clerk. • Ron Kendziera discussed directional signage between the Village of Prentice and the Morner Road trailhead/parking lot. Kendziera will contact the Village of Prentice, Town of Prentice and Price County Highway Commission to request permission to place signs. Kendziera will also gather information on sign design and locations. He will bring this information back to the Commission for consideration. 16. Set Next Meeting Date Tuesday October 25th, 2022 7:00 p.m. Westboro Community Center Town Hall. 17. Adjourn Motion made by Ron Kendziera, seconded by Bob Meyer to adjourn at 8:08 p.m. Motion carried. Submitted by Jake Walcisak, Taylor County Forestry and Recreation Administrator