Meeting Notice -Amended

Fox River Navigational System Authority Meeting

3:00 P.M. Tuesday, March 28, 2017

FRNSA Office

1008 Augustine Street, Kaukauna, WI 54130

AGENDA:

  1. Introductions
  2. Approval of Minutes of the February 2017 Authority Board Meeting
  3. Review and Accept Planning/Visioning Meeting Report

5. Financial Status Reports, J. Vette

a. Operational Budget

b. Capital Budget

c. Unlock the Fox Fund

6. Capital Projects Committee Report, W. Dorsey

a. Approve McMullen & Pitz De Pere Lock Maintenance Pay Request #4

b. Approve McMullen & Pitz De Pere Lock Maintenance Change Order #3

c. Rapide Croche Boat Transfer and Cleaning Station RFP Status

7. Property Committee Report, K. Curren

a. FOF Property Transfer Kaukauna Lock 5 Status

b. Little Chute ADA Dock Easement Approved by DOA

c. Little Chute Combined Lock Easement Status

d. UWSP FRNSA Land Usage Feasibility Study Status

e. KU Engineering Firm Mead & Hunt Fishing Pier Easement Status

f. FWHP Sub-Lease Request Status

8. Visitor Center Sub-Committee Report, T. Rose

9. Rapide Croche BoatTransfer Sub-Committee Report, B. Enke

a. Menasha Lock Plan Status

10. Operations Report, S. Vanevenhoven

a. Operations

b. Spring Orientation Meeting

11. Communications

a. Federal –

b. State –

c. Local - Buoy Committee Task Force Project Report, T. Rose

12. Other

Closed Session ss19.85 Chair announces Closed Session (requires unanimous Roll Call vote)

  1. Deliberate the Purchase of Property ss19.85(e)
  2. Considering employment, promotion, compensation orperformance ss19.85(c)

Vote to return to Open Session

13. Action on closed session item(s).

Adjourn

1008 Augustine Street
Kaukauna, WI54130
Tele. 920-759-9833
Fax: 920-759-9834
Website: / FOXRIVER NAVIGATIONAL SYSTEM AUTHORITY

Summary of Proceedings

Fox River Navigational System Authority Meeting

3:00 P.M. Tuesday, March 28, 2017

FRNSA Office

1008 Augustine Street, Kaukauna, WI 54130

Authority Members in Attendance:

Tim Rose, Outagamie County

Jean Romback-Bartels Wisconsin DNR

Will Dorsey, Wisconsin Department of Transportation

Bruce Enke, Brown County

Daina Penkiunas, Wisconsin Historical Society

John Vette, Winnebago County

Jeff Feldt, Outagamie County

Authority Members Absent:

Kathryn Curren, Brown County

Bill Raaths, Winnebago County

Guests and Staff in Attendance:

Phil Ramlet, OMNNI Associates

Robert Stark, FRNSA CEO

Jessica Akstulewicz, FRNSA Administrative Assistant

Scott Vanevenhoven, FRNSA Coo Assistant

Mary Schmidt, Schmidt Communications

Randy Stadtmueller, Eagle Flats

Chairman Tim Rose called the meeting to order at 3:02 P.M.

1.Introductions

Chairman Tim Rose asked everyone attending to introduce themselves to the meeting.

2.Approval of Minutes of theFebruary2017 Authority Meeting

Chairman Tim Rose asked if there were any additions or corrections to the Minutes of the February 28, 2017, Board Meeting.

Bruce Enke made a motion to accept the February 28, 2017, Minutes. John Vette seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously.

3.Review and Accept Planning/Visioning Meeting Report

Mary Schmidt updated the Boardon the 2017-18 FRNSA Marketing Plan. Mary listed the goals for 2017 season as follows: Increase lock usage, continue to build awareness that the locks are open for business, build traffic on website and facebook page and to stay ahead of public information issues. Mary will create a unified strong identity for the lock system by writing a mission/vision/values statement. Mary will also continue to work on mass advertising and public relations during the 2017 season for FRNSA.

4.Financial Status Reports, J. Vette

a.Operational Budget

John Vette reviewed the Operations Budget with the Board.

b. Capital Budget

John Vette reviewed the Capital Budget with the Board.

c. Unlock the Fox Fund

John Vette reviewed the Unlock the Fox Fund managed by the Community Foundations and Associated Bank.

John Vette made a motion to approve the Financial Reports. Daina Penkiunasseconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously.

5.Capital Projects Committee Report, W. Dorsey

  1. Approve McMullen & Pitz De Pere Lock Maintenance Pay Request #4

Will Dorsey reported on the McMullen & Pitz De Pere Lock Maintenance Invoice. Phil Ramlet recommends full payment of $ 27,031.88 to be made.

Will Dorsey made a motion to approve the McMullen & Pitz De Pere Lock Maintenance Invoice. Motion seconded by Jeff Feldt. Motion approved unanimously.

  1. Approve McMullen & Pitz De Pere Lock Maintenance Change Order #3

Will Dorsey reported on the McMullen & Pitz De Pere Lock Maintenance Change Order. Phil Ramlet recommends full payment of $ 87,700.00 to be made.

Will Dorsey made a motion to approve the McMullen & Pitz De Pere Lock Maintenance Invoice. Motion seconded by Bruce Enke. Motion approved unanimously.

  1. Rapide Croche Boat Transfer and Cleaning Station RFP Status

Will Dorsey asked Robert Stark to report on the Rapide Croche Boat Transfer and Cleaning Station RFP Status. Robert stated there was 8 contractors and 2 sub contractorsthat attended the walkthroughs on February 21, 2017 out of that, 3 to 4 contractors are interested on bidding that Robert Stark is aware of. Contractors did ask for the proposal bid due dates to be extended from April 3rd to the 12th and Robert Stark granted that to the contractors. All other dates stayed the same. The dates are as follows: Proposals due from contractors 1PM April 12, 2017 at the FRNSA office, Proposals scheduled for review by FRNSA April 12, 2017, Interview contractors (if needed) scheduled for week of April 17, 2017, Committee and Board Select contractor April 25, 2017, Sign contract April 25, 2017, and Project completion May 11, 2018 anda news Conference to the media with regard to the decision is scheduled for April 28, 2017. Robert Stark stated there was a few areas that were discussed during the walkthrough which were electric vs hot water and insurance-contractors vs bidders other then that he felt at this time it is moving along well.

7. Property Committee Report, K. Curren.

Informational and Ongoing.

  1. FOF Property Transfer Kaukauna Lock 5 Status

Robert Stark reported that process continues to move forward and Phase 1 examination has been completed and sent to Steve Krause with no environmental concerns.

  1. Little Chute ADA Dock Easement Approved by DOA

Robert Stark reported that we received the ADA Kayak Dock DOA signed copy and will execute that with Little Chute and we are moving forward. Environmental Part is being started.

  1. Little Chute Combined Lock Easement Status

Robert Stark reported that in the past we talked about not having access to the Combined Lock at Little Chute so wehave requested from the village that access easement which is being handled by Robert and the Village. Ongoing and will bring back to the April Board Meeting.

  1. UWSP FRNSA Land Usage Feasibility Study Status

Robert Stark reported that the study is moving forward. The students will be arranging a field trip to the locks. The locks we requested they look at are Kaukaukna Lock #5, Menasha, Appleton Lock #1 and Cedars. Robert pointed out that the property committee sees these locks having the most opportunity for more immediate public use.

  1. KU Engineering Firm Mead & Hunt Fishing Pier Easement Status

Robert Stark reported that fishing pier is moving forward. Robert has had discussions with Mead and Hunt (Engineering firm for Kaukauna Utilities). Discussions were with regards to the easement for that facility and Mead and Hunt are preparing that for the Boards consideration.

f. FWHP Sub-Lease Request Status

Robert Stark reported a letter was sent to FWHP with regards to the request stating the request will be submitted to the Board for a final decision on April 25, 2017 and a response will be given on or around April 26, 2017 to FWHP.

8. Visitor Center Sub-Committee Report, T. Rose

Dr. Tim Rose reported a notice was received from the DOA attorney with regards to the Deeds-getting ready to come across the Brownsfield at Appleton Lock #3. Once that happens it will move along to Madison for signature and then on to the state after that. Dr. Tim Rose stated the deputy DOA Secretary Cate Zueske requested a letter explaining the Appleton Lock #3 property proposal and a resolution by the FRNSA Board to build the visitor center and from that, questions were asked which led to a phone conference call between the Deputy DOA Secretary Cate Zueske, Robert Stark and Dr. Tim Rose at 2:00pm today, March 28, 2017. The continuing issue is selling state land to a private developer, the DOA does not want to sell or trade property with a developer who would profit. Another meeting is set with Cate for April 7, 2017 9:00am at Dr. Tim Rose’s Office to further discuss more in depth on the continuing issue and why the visitor center is a good idea. Subsequently, Dr. Tim Rose stated a meeting with the Governor’s Office to resolve the issues of land and ownership is likely and a further update will be available at the April Board meeting.

9. Rapide Croche Boat Transfer Sub-Committee Report, B. Enke

  1. Menasha Lock Plan Status

Robert Stark reported on the Menasha Boat Haul-Over Design. Robert Stark stated they continue to work to define the Haul-Over Design Plan. They haverevised some of the drawings to move forward in the plan process. Robert Stark stated more significant was the email we received from one of the crane manufactures and asked Bruce Enke to talk about that email.

Bruce Enke reported that the email stated the manufacture wouldn’t allow passengers to stay on board through the put through process. It was pointed out that Insurance is a major concern if passengers stay on board.

10. Operations Report, S. Vanevenhoven

a. Operations

Scott Vanevenoven reported that everything was moving along well for the 2017 upcoming season. All the equipment is cleaned up, looking sharp and we are ready to go!

  1. Spring Orientation Meeting

Scott Vanevenhoven reported that spring employee orientation meeting is scheduled for April 11, 2017 6:30pm at the FRNSA Office. Jessica Akstulewicz, Robert Stark and Scott Vanevenhoven are putting the final items together for that orientation. Board members are welcome to attend the orientation meeting.

11. Communications

  1. Federal – Corps Quarterly Meeting, Spring Conference Call

Robert Stark reported that he received and forwarded on a notice to the Board members of the open conference call meeting being held at 1pm on April 11, 2017 with regards to the raising and refill of the water levels for anyone interested.

Robert Stark also reported that the core quarterly agency cooperative meeting with the local office and discussed common cooperations. One concern was the water depth and would it be adequate or what needed to be done if bringing more locks on line.

  1. State – Correspondence

Dr. Tim Rose reported that the only correspondence he is aware of with the state is what they are working on with the Deputy DOA Secretary Cate Zueske and sent to her.

c. Local –Buoy Committee Task Force Project Report, T. Rose

Dr. Tim Rose reported on the Buoy Committee Task Force Project Report. Tim stated it is an ongoing project and asked Robert Stark to further report on it.

Robert Stark reported that the committee is moving forward from talk to lets get this done and what and where are the needs, budget issues, creating a budget and looking at requests made through grant process or state and what legislation may be made to create the buoy committee. Moving ahead in a positive fashion with some conclussions. The next buoy meetings are scheduled for April 3, 2017 at 8:00 am and April 10, 2017 at 9:00am.

12. Other

- Economic Study

Dr. Tim Rose stated that Robert Stark and himself had talked about the economic impact of closing the Menasha Lock stating the last study was done in the late 1980’s. Dr. Tim Rose and Robert Stark recommendthat another study be done, that can give us some better understanding of facts and figures economically of the lock system and rivers and what it means for future economic development. Dr. Tim Rose stated a proposal will be made at the April Board Meeting for the recommended economic study.

- Board Resolution

Dr. Tim Rose is requesting a board resolution for Deputy DOA Secretary Cate Zueske. Cate suggested that one of the items FRNSA needs to deal with is that the fact the Board goes on record supporting the idea to build/be involved in a condominium type building at Appleton Lock #3. Dr. Tim Rose recommends a board member make the motion to look at the possibility of moving away from a two story, etc.

Jeff Feldt made the motion for a board resolution of the building concept at Appleton Lock #3. Motion seconded by John Vette. Motion approved unanimously.

- Veterans Memorial Bridge-Kaukauna

Will Dorsey stated their local program coordinator has been talking to Bob Jaekel from the city and was directed by the city council to write a letter to the representative of the increasing costs of that project. Cost is gone from approximately $1MM to $2MM, which bumps the cities cost up from $450k to $1MM, so they have some concerns. They are not asking to drop the project but wanting to know if they could they get additional funding, therefore discussions are being made on this and the funding that may be available for the bridge. Jeff Feldt further commented on the bridge and its structural sound state he stated a letter was sent out on the increasing cost of the project to various parties including Kaukauna Utilities, Coast Guard, etc. Jeff Feldt further stated the lettersent says they are willing to do their share but are looking for help to pay the additional cost. Robert Stark asked Jeff Feldt to send him a copy of that letter. Robert Stark feels it would be very beneficial to have a meeting to further discuss the increasing costs of the project and has asked Jeff Feldt to request and set up that meeting.

Chairman Tim Rose asked for a motion to adjourn the board meeting. Will Dorsey made the motion to adjourn. Motion was seconded by Bruce Enke. Motion passed unanimously. Meeting adjourned at 4:30 p.m.

John Vette made a motion to go to closed session. Jeff Feldt seconded the motion. Roll Call vote was unanimous to approve.

Closed Session ss19.85 Chair announces Closed Session and Unanimous Roll Call Vote

  1. Deliberate the Purchase of Property ss19.85(e)
  2. Considering employment, promotion, compensation or performance ss19.85(c)

Vote to return to open session

Closed Session adjourned 4:44 PM by Chairman Tim Rose.

13. Action on Closed Session item(s)

- No actions taken

Adjourn

Chair Rose adjourned the meeting.