August 2026 P & R Minutes

MARQUETTE COUNTY LAND & WATER CONSERVATION DEPARTMENT ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── 438 Industrial Drive ♦ Suite 1 ♦ Westfield, WI 53964 ♦ Phone (608) 296-2815 PARKS AND RURAL PLANNING COMMITTEE Meeting Minutes August 12th, 2026, 9:00am Virtual/WebEx or in Person. County Board Room, Montello WI. Chairman Bornhoeft called the meeting to order at 9:00 am. Members: Chuck Bornhoeft, Mike Raddatz, Karen Wampler, and Gary Doudna Others: Patrick Kilbey, Ron Barger. Raddatz, 2nd by Wampler, motion to approve Agenda. Motion Carried. Raddatz, 2nd by Wampler, motion to approve June 2026 Meeting Minutes. Motion Carried. Kilbey gave monthly reports for June/July. Puckaway Vandalism has been resolved, and $1,336 restitution will be paid to the County for the damage. Invasives Species workday was held at Muir with Staff and Volunteers removing yellow sweet clover after an educational seminar. Wayside painting was done to anything that was wood and brown along with the updated Historical Marker being hung. Discussion was had on wayside projects and traffic. Kilbey helped Christensen cut two large trees off upper trail at Muir in preparation for Bowbenders event. Bowbenders event has been cancelled for the year due to club not having enough help. Annual boat & daily landing passes are both up for 2026. Discussion followed. Puckaway dock needed repairs and Piers Plus took care of it. Kilbey discussed County Strategic Plan and how Parks can adopt some of the deliverables of plan. Recently car counter was installed at Muir Park to get an idea of traffic. This can be compared to 2008 when same thing was done. Radatz thought placing the Counter at Puckaway Boat Landing would be a good place to see traffic. Discussion was had on office walk in traffic and other plan initiatives. Continuing with County Parks Contractor position was discussed after being made an agenda item at June meeting. Kilbey reviewed contractor duties and expectations. Committee agreed Contractor does great work and is an asset to the County. Discussion followed on duties and responsibilities. Wampler, 2nd by Doudna, motion to continue supporting the Parks Contractor Position and recommend County Board fund it in the 2027 annual budget. Motion Carried. Ice Age Trail Alliance (IATA) report/update was given by Kilbey. National Parks week is in last week of August and IATA along with local chapter will hold an all-day event on August 29th. Guided tours, educational and historical stations will be provided. It is expected to be attended well. Montello now being an official “Trail Community” will be busy this fall as the Mammoth hike challenge will be held. The Challenge focuses on Trail Communities and will attract hikers. Discussion followed on positive tourism impact from the ice age trail, birding and other silent sports. Kilbey presented Muir Historical Route App. use that was received from Kathleen McGwin. Numbers for June through July were well over 1,000 users with 527 being new. Committee reviewed June-July 2026 Expenses. Meeting was adjourned by Chairman Bornhoeft.