April 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 April 13th, 2026, 11:30am Virtual/WebEx or in Person. County Board Room, Montello WI. Chairman Borzick called the meeting to order at 11:30 am. Members: Ken Borzick, Mike Raddatz, Kathleen McGwin, Karen Christensen, Karen Wampler, Gary Doudna. Others: Patrick Kilbey, Ron Barger. Raddatz, 2nd by Wampler, motion to approve Agenda. Motion Carried. Wampler, 2nd by Raddatz motion to approve January 2026 Meeting Minutes. Motion Carried. Kilbey gave Monthly Report. Bathrooms have been recharged and some are open to public. Docks are going in one by one and should be all in soon. Destruction from snowplows over winter season has been repaired and recent ice storms knocked down numerous branches and trees which may take awhile to clean up completely. Christensen fixed toilet door closure and other issues at Muir by salvaging parts from the Krakow toilet building that will be razed and replaced with new facility. Using these used parts saved over $500 from annual budget. Discussion carried. Bathroom at Krakow will be replaced with new one when Buffalo Dam Lock Chamber construction (scheduled for late 2026) takes place. Discussion was had on pit toilet vs. flush and running water. Kilbey informed Committee on City of Montello officially receiving Trail Community Designation. Dedication for this will take place during Fish & Fun Weekend. Discussion was had on Ice Age Trail attracting many hikers to Montello Area. Discussion followed. Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Marquette County and Wisconsin DNR for the State Natural Area (SNA)at Muir Park. MOU spells out management responsibilities and DNR conferring with County on management options in the SNA. There are no fiscal requirements with this MOU. Raddatz, 2nd by Christensen, motion to approve Kilbey signing MOU between Marquette County and WDNR for management of the State Natural Area at Muir Park. Motion Carried. Kilbey gave snowmobile trail report and explained upcoming grant deadline and possible stream crossing funding in 2026-27 Season. Resolution for next 5 years of snowmobile funding were discussed. Wampler, 2nd by Christensen, motion to approve snowmobile resolution Authorizing Parks Director to pursue annual snowmobile grant from DNR. Forwarding to county Board approval. Motion Carried. McGwin gave Muir Historical Route App. update. Usage has steadily climbed in past 12 months. Discussion was held on McGwin training someone to manage the app when she decides to stop. Chair & Committee Thanked McGwin and Fraser for years of service to the Committee. Kilbey thanked McGwin for foresight and vision to create things such as Natural Playground and Krakow Walking path/gazebo. Committee reviewed October-December 2026 Expenses. Meeting was adjourned by Chair.