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, November 23, 2022  
5:30 PM  
Virtual Zoom Meeting: See top of agenda for  
instructions on how to join the webinar or call in by  
phone  
A. Call To Order  
Chair Ripp called the Park Commission meeting to order at 5:30 PM.  
Youth Governance Member excused: Emily Cai.  
Staff present: Joleen Stinson, Sharene Smith.  
Groundswell Conservancy staff present: Mike Foy, Tony Abate.  
7 - ANALIESE EICHER, DAVE RIPP, TOM THORESEN, GRACE MORAN, KRISTIE  
GOFORTH, STEFANIE BROUWER and NANCY BOGUE  
Present:  
B. Consideration of Minutes  
Minutes of the November 9, 2022 Park Commission  
2022  
MIN-433  
Attachments:  
2022 MIN-433 PC Minutes 11-9-22  
A motion was made by THORESEN, seconded by BROUWER, that the Minutes be  
approved. The motion carried by a voice vote 7-0.  
C. Fund Transfers - None  
D. Referrals (Resolutions & Ordinance Amendments)  
ACCEPTING DONATIONS FOR PHEASANT BRANCH CONSERVANCY  
RESTORATION  
2022  
RES-240  
Sponsors: RIPP, CHAWLA, JOERS, HATCHER, ENGELBERGER and RITT  
Attachments:  
2022 RES-240  
2022 RES-240 Fiscal Note  
A motion was made by BROUWER, seconded by THORESEN, that the Resolution  
Requiring 2/3rds Vote be recommended for approval. The motion carried by a  
voice vote 7-0.  
AUTHORIZING ACCEPTANCE OF DONATED FUNDS FROM THE FRIENDS  
OF PHEASANT BRANCH CONSERVANCY  
2022  
RES-241  
Sponsors: RIPP, CHAWLA, JOERS, HATCHER, ENGELBERGER and RITT  
Attachments:  
2022 RES-241  
2022 RES-241 Fiscal Note  
A motion was made by BROUWER, seconded by MORAN, that the Resolution  
Requiring 2/3rds Vote be recommended for approval. The motion carried by a  
voice vote 7-0.  
ACCEPTANCE OF DONATED FUNDS FROM THE DANE COUNTY  
CHAPTER OF PHEASANTS FOREVER  
2022  
RES-242  
Sponsors:  
RIPP, CHAWLA, DOOLAN, ENGELBERGER and RITT  
Attachments:  
2022 RES-242  
2022 RES-242 Fiscal Note  
2022 RES-242 CONTRACT #14892  
A motion was made by BROUWER, seconded by THORESEN, that the Resolution  
Requiring 2/3rds Vote be recommended for approval. The motion carried by a  
voice vote 7-0.  
APPROVAL OF 2023 CROP LEASES ON COUNTY LAND  
RIPP, CHAWLA, DOOLAN and ENGELBERGER  
2022  
RES-256  
Sponsors:  
Attachments:  
2022 RES-256  
2022 RES-256 Fiscal Note  
A motion was made by BROUWER, seconded by BOGUE, that the Resolution be  
recommended for approval. The motion carried by a voice vote 7-0.  
E. Items Requiring Committee Action  
1. Amended and Restated “Franklin” Easement, Groundswell and Town of Dunn  
Groundswell Conservancy, the Town of Dunn and Dane County partnered on the  
original conservation easement in 2002. The easement was amended in 2015. Tony  
Abate of Groundswell Conservancy gave an overview of proposed easement changes:  
removing ties to zoning districts, accurately reflecting on the ground improvements and  
further restricting impervious surfaces. The property is owned by Vitruvian Farms, an  
organic vegetable farm supplying residents and restaurants with locally grown food.  
Groundswell Conservancy monitors the easement.  
Franklin Amended and Restated Conservation Easement with Exhibits  
2022  
ACT-215  
Attachments:  
Franklin Amended and Restated Conservation Easement with  
Exhibits  
A motion was made by BOGUE, seconded by BROUWER, that the easement  
amendment be approved. The motion carried by a voice vote 7-0.  
F. Presentations  
1. Proposed DCCF grant: LENA LLC parcel, Town of Westport, North Mendota  
NRA  
Groundswell Conservancy is partnering with the Town of Westport on the acquisition of  
108 acres on County Hwy M in the Town of Westport. The Town of Westport is  
requesting a Dane County Conservation Fund Grant for one million dollars. Mike Foy of  
Groundswell Conservancy gave an overview of the property, the partnership and  
acquisition.  
Groundswell Conservancy presentation on Town of Westport's Lena  
LLC Conservation Fund Grant Application  
2022  
RPT-549  
Attachments:  
Groundswell Conservancy presentation on Lena LLC Conservation  
Fund Grant Application  
G. Reports to Committee - None  
H. Future Meeting Items and Dates  
December 14 - Heritage Center Lower Level Hybrid  
December 28 - only held if pressing business  
I. Public Comment on Items not on the Agenda - None  
J. Such Other Business as Allowed by Law - None  
K. Closed Session  
A motion was made by THORESEN, seconded by BROUWER, that the Meeting  
enter into closed session. The motion carried by the following vote:  
7 - Supervisor EICHER, Chair RIPP, First Vice Chair THORESEN, MORAN,  
GOFORTH, BROUWER and BOGUE  
Ayes:  
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.  
L. Return to Open Session  
A motion was made by THORESEN, seconded by BOGUE, that the Meeting exit  
out of closed session. The motion carried by the following vote:  
7 - Supervisor EICHER, Chair RIPP, First Vice Chair THORESEN, MORAN,  
GOFORTH, BROUWER and BOGUE  
Ayes:  
M. Adjourn  
A motion was made by BROUWER, seconded by BOGUE, that the Meeting be  
adjourned. The motion carried by a voice vote.  
Meeting adjourned 6:50 PM.  
Minutes respectfully submitted by Joleen Stinson, pending Park Commission approval.