7-12-2022

SPECIAL TOWN BOARD MEETING, July 12, 2022 – 6:00 P.M. PRESENT: Chair David Pfeiffer, Supervisor Dick Green, Supervisor Dana Stadler, Supervisor Melanie Miller, Supervisor Eric Olson, and Clerk/Treasurer Maria Hougan ABSENT: OTHERS PRESENT: Dale Buske, 1735 Apollo Cir., Emanuel Stern, 2579 Pleasant St., Diana Olson, 2048 Williams Dr., Mike Wylesky, 2048 Williams Dr., Lisa & Steve Jackson, 2697 Rolling View Rd., Mike & Lisa Knieriem, 2106 Williams Dr., Tim Miller, 3092 Sunnyside St., Rex & Sandy Hendrickson, 2691 Rolling View Rd., Jennifer & Mark Wendt, 2714 Yahara Rd., Lila Lemanski, 2189 Rinden Rd., Walt & Judy Olson,1955 Skyline Dr., Rick Kalvafage, 2692 County Highway B., Mark & Linda Hale, 2703 County Rd B., Holly Manson, 3522 Halverson Rd., Rob Kreger, 2076 Yahara Dr., Jim & Marsha Borling, 2037 River Estate Ln., Ralph Erickson, 203 E Prospect St., Roger Mahlkuch, 3105 Sunnyside St., John Keating, 1700 Pauli Ct., Paul & Sherrie Tyler, 1694 Tower Dr., Tom McGinnis, 2945 Tracy Ln., John Bottorff, 2436 County Rd. AB, Mike Bailey, 2106 Yahara Dr., Mike Jacobs, 1311 Heritage Ln., Sun Prairie, William Curtis, 3117 Sunnyside St., Steve Gaffield, Emmons & Olivier Resources CALL TO ORDER Chair Pfeiffer called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. BUSINESS. Discussion and possible action regarding the results of the Engineer’s study from Emmons & Olivier Resources Inc., on the impact of the City of Stoughton Dam and proposed waterpark on the Yahara River within the Town. Chair Pfeiffer opened the meeting with a brief explanation of the study and why the study was conducted. Steve Gaffield of Emmons & Olivier Resources presented the results of the study and answered questions from the attendees. He went over the possible impacts of the proposed dam modifications and how this would affect the water levels and changes to the river channel. He also provided the DNR’s dam operating orders which were issued by the DNR in 1983, which specifies a minimum and maximum upstream water levels of 841.00 ft and 842.00ft. Water levels below 841.00 ft will adversely affect recreational use and aesthetics, drain wetlands, affect river habitat, and the WDNR’s review of the City’s permit application should consider these impacts. The permit process with the WDNR will include a public comment period, where residents should take that opportunity during the 30-day window to provide comments to the WDNR regarding the impacts. There will be a notice and information posted on the WDNR’s website for residents and others to provide comments during the 30-day period. He reviewed the proposed Dane County dredging project and the possible impacts of the dredging, which is proposed to deepen the river channel by approximately 3 ft over a cross section width of approximately 50 ft., and that increasing the conveyance in the river by dredging has potential to lower water levels for any given flow in the reach that is dredged, as presented in the result of the study. This dredging is intended to reduce flood hazards on Yahara chain of lakes, it will remove sediment build up. The screening analysis of Emmons & Olivier Resources is that the dredging and dam modifications will lower water levels further than dam modifications alone, approximately an additional 0.3 ft is widening upstream of CTH B at 150 cfs., the dredging effect is temporary, the sediment will continue. Sedimentation affects local water depth as well as floodwater conveyance. Additional data is needed to define how the river shoreline will change, and there was a discussion on how the additional data could be collected. Some of the questions were asked about the water quality in the late summer in Wisconsin with all the Blue Algae, has the city taken that into consideration? The previous study had been done in Colorado where the water is much cleaner. Has there been an economic study to determine the end result of waterparks after two years of operation? Are there records of the last time the water levels were drawn down? What is the impact during drought periods? It was reported the city’s data has shifted in the last 2.5 years; the data is skewed. The impact on the bay and river area is underrepresented. Several calls to the DNR and Dane County resulted in no response. One response however was that the fish and wildlife will just move someplace else. It was determined the attendees of the meeting unanimously felt there has not been enough information provided to them by the City of Stoughton, and the most obvious solution would be to keep the dam the way it is operating. The Board and individuals need to stay involved and make their voices heard. This will be on the July 19, 2022 Town Board meeting for the members of the Town Board to determine what their next steps will be. There will be a page on the website to add information as it is available, and a listing of agencies with contact information. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 8:05 p.m. Respectively Submitted, Maria “Pili” Hougan Clerk/Treasurer Note: These minutes are not considered official until acted upon at a future meeting, and, therefore, are subject to revision.