Dane County  
Minutes - Final Unless Amended by  
Committee  
Park Commission  
Consider:  
Who benefits? Who is burdened?  
Who does not have a voice at the table?  
How can policymakers mitigate unintended consequences?  
Wednesday, February 28, 2024  
5:30 PM  
Hybrid Meeting: Attend in person at the Heritage Center  
Upper Level, 3101 Lake Farm Rd, Madison; attend  
virtually via Zoom  
A. Call To Order  
Chair Thoresen called the Park Commission meeting to order at 5:30 PM.  
Staff Present: Joleen Stinson, Chris James, Sharene Smith.  
Youth Governance Member Steve Hoang present.  
Others Present: Ben Kollenbroich, Stephanie Judge, Fil Sanna, Amanda DePagter.  
7 -  
Present:  
NANCY BOGUE, STEFANIE BROUWER, ANALIESE EICHER, DAVE RIPP, TOM  
THORESEN, GRACE MORAN and KRISTIE GOFORTH  
B. Consideration of Minutes  
Minutes of the January 24, 2024 Park Commission  
2023  
MIN-490  
Attachments: 2023_MIN-490_PC_Minutes_1-24-24  
Park Commission 1-24-2024 Registration Report & In Person  
Registration Forms  
Wiegand Comments 1-24-2024  
A motion was made by RIPP, seconded by EICHER, that the Minutes be approved.  
The motion carried by a voice vote 7-0, YGP 1-0.  
C. Referrals (Resolutions & Ordinance Amendments)  
1. 2023  
RES-318  
AWARD OF CONTRACT FOR ELEVATED BOARDWALK FOR THE  
WAUCHEETA TRAIL  
RIPP, MILES, ENGELBERGER, RITT and ROSE  
Sponsors:  
Attachments: 2023 RES-318  
2023 RES-318 FISCAL NOTE  
2023 RES-318 CONTRACT #15342  
A motion was made by RIPP, seconded by EICHER, that the Resolution be  
recommended for approval. The motion carried by a voice vote 7-0, YGP 1-0.  
2. 2023  
RES-323  
ACCEPTANCE OF A STATE OF WI DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL  
RESOURCES BLACK EARTH CREEK RESTORATION GRANT  
CHAWLA, ENGELBERGER, HUELSEMANN, ROSE, DOOLAN, RITT and MILES  
Sponsors:  
Attachments: 2023 RES-323  
2023 RES-323 FISCAL NOTE  
2023 RES-323 CONTRACT #15334  
A motion was made by EICHER, seconded by BROUWER, that the Resolution  
Requiring 2/3rds Vote be recommended for approval. The motion carried by a  
voice vote 7-0, YGP 1-0.  
AUTHORIZING PARC & RIDE GRANT AWARD TO CITY OF MIDDLETON  
3. 2023  
RES-324  
CHAWLA, ENGELBERGER, HATCHER and RITT  
Sponsors:  
Attachments: 2023 RES-324  
2023 RES-324 FISCAL NOTE  
A motion was made by EICHER, seconded by MORAN, that the Resolution be  
recommended for approval. The motion carried by a voice vote 7-0, YGP 1-0.  
4. 2023  
RES-337  
AWARD OF CONTRACT FOR ROBERTSON ROAD BUILDINGS  
ENVELOPE IMPROVEMENTS AT 4212 & 4318 ROBERTSON ROAD,  
MADISON, WI  
RIPP and ENGELBERGER  
Sponsors:  
Attachments: 2023 RES-337  
2023 RES-337 FISCAL NOTE  
2023 RES-337 CONTRACT #15343  
A motion was made by EICHER, seconded by RIPP, that the Resolution Requiring  
2/3rds Vote be recommended for approval. The motion carried by a voice vote  
7-0, YGP 1-0.  
5. 2023  
RES-348  
AUTHORIZING SALE OF LANDS AND EASEMENTS ALONG SYENE  
ROAD AND MCCOY ROAD TO CITY OF FITCHBURG  
RIPP, HUELSEMANN and ENGELBERGER  
Sponsors:  
Attachments: 2023 RES-348  
2023 RES-348 FISCAL NOTE  
2023 RES-348 AREA MAP  
A motion was made by EICHER, seconded by BOGUE, that the Resolution  
Requiring 2/3rds Vote be recommended for approval. The motion carried by a  
voice vote 7-0, YGP 1-0.  
D. Presentations  
1. Conservation Fund Grant Application from the Town of Dunn for the Lower Mud Lake  
NRA  
Town of Dunn Presentation  
2023  
RPT-555  
Attachments: Town of Dunn Powerpoint Presentation.pdf  
Ben Kollenbroich, the Planning and Land Conservation Director for the Town of Dunn,  
gave an overview of the property and the partnership. The Town of Dunn is partnering with  
Groundswell Conservancy on a conservation easement on a 49.7 acre property along the  
Yahara River adjacent to Dane County's Lower Mud Lake Natural Resource Area. The  
Town of Dunn is requesting a Dane County Conservation Fund Grant for $79,971.  
2. Conservation Fund Grant Application from the Driftless Area Land Conservancy for  
the Southwest Grasslands  
Driftless Area Land Conservancy Presentation  
2023  
RPT-554  
Attachments: Driftless Area Land Conservancy Powerpoint Presentation.pdf  
Stephanie Judge, the Conservation Director for the Driftless Area Land Conservancy,  
gave an overview of the Driftless Area Land Conservancy's work and the acquisition. The  
Driftless Area Land Conservancy is working to acquire a 31.4 acre property in the Town of  
Primrose. The woodlands on the property are in the early stages of restoration. If  
acquired, the property will be actively managed for wildlife habitat and public access. The  
Driftless Area Land Conservancy is requesting a Dane County Conservation Fund Grant  
for $243,500.  
Supervisor Ripp requested to move the Friends of Dane County Parks Capital Grant  
Awards up on the agenda. There was unanimous consent by Park Commission  
members.  
F. Items Requiring Committee Action  
1. Friends of Dane County Parks Capital Grant Awards to Capital Off Road Pathfinders  
(CORP) and Friends of McCarthy Park  
Joleen Stinson provided an overview of the Friends of McCarthy Park and Capital Off  
Road Pathfinders' capital grant applications. Dane County Parks staff recommended  
approval of all grant awards as presented. Amanda DePagter, Friends of McCarthy Park  
Board Member, answered questions about their grant application.  
2023  
ACT-304  
Dane County Parks Friends Grant Program Capital Improvement Grant  
Applications  
Attachments: Friends Capital Grant Application Overview 2-23-2024.pdf  
A motion was made by BROUWER, seconded by EICHER, that the grants be  
awarded as presented. The motion carried by a voice vote 7-0, YGP 1-0.  
Presentations (continued)  
3. Overview of the Friends of Dane County Parks Grant Programs and the PARC &  
Ride Grant Program  
Joleen Stinson provided an overview of the PARC Grant Program, which morphed into the  
PARC & Ride Grant Program in 2016, the Friends of Dane County Parks Capital Grant  
Program and the Foundation for Dane County Parks Collaborative Grant Program. The  
overview of each grant program included application requirements, history of the grant  
program and a summary of recent grant awards.  
2023  
RPT-556  
PARC & Ride and Friends Grant Programs Overview and Grant Award  
History  
Attachments: PARC & Ride and Friends Grant Programs.pdf  
E. Reports to Committee  
1. Planning update on the future Walking Iron Trail  
Dane County and Sauk County are currently working on design and engineering to  
construct an approximate 500’ multi use trail bridge over the Wisconsin River and convert  
nearly 3 miles of railroad track into a multi use trail from the Wisconsin River to the  
existing WI DNR parking lot on STH 78. Dane County Parks hosted a public information  
meeting to solicit ideas and input on January 17, 2024 at the Wisconsin Heights High  
School. Dane County Parks will be accepting comments through March 15, 2024. After  
the comment period closes, Chris James will summarize comments and present them to  
Park Commission. After Park Commission review, the Great Sauk Trail stakeholder  
planning team will meet to discuss recommendations on trail surface and recreational  
uses.  
2023  
RPT-557  
Wisconsin River Bridge Crossings and Walking Iron Trail Proposed  
Rail Trail Conversion Concept Map  
Attachments: Walking Iron Trail Concept Map.pdf  
G. Future Meeting Items and Dates  
1. Wednesday, March 13, 2024 - Hybrid Meeting  
Heritage Center upper level  
3101 Lake Farm Rd, Madison  
2. Wednesday, March 27, 2024 - Hybrid Meeting  
Heritage Center upper level  
3101 Lake Farm Rd, Madison  
H. Public Comment on Items not on the Agenda - None  
I. Such Other Business as Allowed by Law - None  
J. Closed Session  
A motion was made by EICHER, seconded by RIPP, that the Meeting enter into  
closed session. The motion carried by the following vote:  
7 -  
Ayes:  
BOGUE, Vice Chair BROUWER, Supervisor EICHER, Supervisor RIPP, Chair  
THORESEN, MORAN and Second Vice Chair GOFORTH  
CLOSED SESSION: The Park Commission entered into closed session per Wis.  
Stat.19.85(1)(e): The Commission may go into closed session for the purposes of  
deliberating or negotiating the purchasing of public properties, the investing of public  
funds, or conducting other specified public business, whenever competitive or  
bargaining reasons require a closed session.  
K. Return to Open Session  
A motion was made by MORAN, seconded by BROUWER, that the Meeting exit  
out of closed session. The motion carried by the following vote:  
7 -  
Ayes:  
BOGUE, Vice Chair BROUWER, Supervisor EICHER, Supervisor RIPP, Chair  
THORESEN, MORAN and Second Vice Chair GOFORTH  
L. Adjourn  
A motion was made by EICHER, seconded by BROUWER, that the Meeting be  
adjourned. The motion carried by a voice vote 7-0, YGP 1-0.  
Meeting adjourned 7:51 PM.  
Minutes respectfully submitted by Joleen Stinson, pending Park Commission approval.