Dane County  
Minutes - Final  
Park Commission  
Consider:  
Who benefits? Who is burdened?  
Who does not have a voice at the table?  
How can policymakers mitigate unintended consequences?  
Wednesday, October 27, 2021  
5:30 PM  
Indian Lake County Park  
8183 State Highway 19  
Cross Plains, WI 53528  
A. Call To Order  
Chair Ripp called the meeting to order at 5:30 PM.  
Youth Governance Member Present: Emily Cai.  
Staff Present: Joleen Stinson, Sharene Smith, Chris James, Lael Pascual, Lars Higdon,  
Peter Jopke.  
Others Present: Peter Witucki, Friends of Indian Lake Trail Run Coordinator.  
5 -  
Present:  
NANCY BOGUE, STEFANIE BROUWER, DAVE RIPP, TOM THORESEN and  
GRACE MORAN  
2 - ANALIESE EICHER and KRISTIE GOFORTH  
Excused:  
B. Consideration of Minutes  
Minutes of the October 13, 2021 Park Commission  
2021  
MIN-396  
Attachments: 2021_MIN-396_PC_MINUTES_10-13-21  
A motion was made by THORESEN, seconded by BROUWER, that the Minutes be  
approved. The motion carried by a voice vote 5-0, YGP 1-0.  
C. Fund Transfers - None  
D. Referrals (Resolutions & Ordinance Amendments)  
2021  
DANE COUNTY CONSERVATION FUND GRANT AWARD TO  
RES-227  
GROUNDSWELL CONSERVANCY (COOPER)  
RIPP and RITT  
Sponsors:  
Attachments: 2021 RES-227  
2021 RES-227_Area Map  
2021 RES-227_Subject Map  
2021 RES-227 Fiscal Note  
A motion was made by BROUWER, seconded by MORAN, that the Resolution be  
recommended for approval. The motion carried by a voice vote 5-0, YGP 1-0.  
2021  
RES-228  
ACCEPTANCE OF A DONATION OF LAND FOR THE JOYCE M. BAER  
AND GEORGE J. SOCHA CONSERVANCY  
RIPP, RITT and JOERS  
Sponsors:  
Attachments: 2021 RES-228  
2021 RES-228_Subject Map  
2021 RES-228_Area Map  
A motion was made by THORESEN, seconded by MORAN, that the Resolution be  
recommended for approval. The motion carried by a voice vote 5-0, YGP 1-0.  
E. Items Requiring Committee Action - None  
F. Presentations  
1. Friends of Indian Lake (FOIL) Overview & Trail Run 10-2-2021 Recap  
Peter Witucki shared a report prepared by FOIL founders, Jeff Durbin and John Strange,  
about their 2021 highlights, including bat monitoring, pollinator garden, scout restoration  
workdays, Halfway Prairie wildlife area restoration, seed collection and Get Kids Outside  
event October 30. This was the 12th year of the run which is the largest fundraiser for the  
Friends. 2020 was virtual, but 2021 was back in person. There were 275 participants this  
year and it raised $4,500 for the Friends.  
2. Indian Lake Carp Removal  
Peter Jopke, Land and Water Resources Department Water Resources Planner, reported  
on the history of Indian Lake's carp removal and the efforts to restore this "recreational  
gem." Carp are removed by baiting with corn and netting in the spring and in the fall.  
Jopke is pleased with the reduction of invasive carp seen over the last two years. Carp  
netting, partnered with restocking of game fish, curly leaf pondweed removal and aeration  
are making this lake 70-acre lake a fishery destination.  
3. Fish Lake Structure Demo Progress  
Peter Jopke reported that the County's contractor has started demolition of the County  
owned submerged houses on Fish Lake. The largest house demolition was just  
completed and the contractor will continue in the coming weeks.  
4. Indian Lake Oak Savanna Restoration  
Lars Higdon, Dane County Parks Botanist/Naturalist, reported that Dane County Parks  
staff and volunteers have worked for several years at Indian Lake County Park to restore  
rare oak savanna habitat that once dominated the area. The county has contracted with a  
logger to remove black locust trees, and other trees that are not part of the oak savanna  
ecosystem, from a 17-acre restoration area. The project area also contains pockets of  
remnant prairie.  
5. Halfway Prairie Wildlife Area Goats for Invasive Brush Control  
Lael Pascual, Lussier Family Heritage Center Manger, lead a trial restoration project at  
the Matz Farmstead historical ruins of the Halfway Prairie Wildlife Area. Invasive brush  
was growing in the fenced in area around the stone farmstead remnants, which was  
challenging for staff to control. Two goats were brought in from a local farmers to eat the  
invasive species within the fence this summer. FOIL donated the funds for this project,  
which was very successful and the goats are likely to return next summer.  
2021  
RPT-633  
Halfway Prairie Wildlife Area Goats for Invasive Brush Control  
Summary 2021  
Attachments:  
Halfway Prairie Wildlife Area Goats for Invasive Brush Control  
Summary 2021  
G. Reports to Committee - None  
H. Announcements  
2022 reservations (camping, shelters) and 2022 permit sales will start November 1st.  
I. Future Meeting Items and Dates  
November 10, 2021  
November 24, 2021 - only held if pressing business  
J. Public Comment on Items not on the Agenda - None  
K. Such Other Business as Allowed by Law - None  
L. Adjourn  
A motion was made by THORESEN, seconded by BOGUE, that the be adjourned.  
The motion carried by a voice vote 5-0, YGP 1-0..  
Meeting adjourned 6:40 PM.  
Minutes respectfully submitted by Joleen Stinson, pending Park Commission approval.