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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCounty Board of Supervisors - Minutes - 10/25/19772--j" 0 9' MEETING OF THE BAYFIELD COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS October 25, 1977 The meeting was called to order at 9:40 A.M. by Walter C. Barningham, County Board Chairman. The following members answered roll call: No. 1 Edwin Erickson, Eric Johnson, William Zamback, Bennie Rude, Larry Seidel, William Rave, Herbert Spears, Wallace Johnson, Ernest Heglund, William Carter, Arthur Hanson, Joseph Berweger, Charles Polich, Karl Ludzack, Edwin Renoos, Walter Barningham Absent - Arthur Meierotto, Ila Bromberg A prayer and pledge of allegiance was led by Larry Seidel, board member. Moved by Seidel, seconded by W. Johnson to dispense with the reading of the minutes of the previous meeting. Motion carried. Art Meierotto arrived at 9:55 A.M. No. 2 Clerk Pajala briefed the board on the progress made to date toward construction of the proposed Bayfield County Rest Home. He reminded the board that the board had at the September meeting authorized the Executive Committee to proceed with the hiring of a financial consultant which the committee has done. The firm of T. G. Evensen & Assoc., Inc. has been hired by the Executive Committee to act as the financial consultant and the firm of Dorsey, Windhorst; Hannaford, Whitney & Halladay will -be the legal consultants in the financing. He advised the board that the D.A. has prepared a resolution which authorizes the Executive Committee to proceed with the hiring of an architect, calling for bids and other matters prior to the actual awarding of the bids. The awarding of the bids would be up to the county board. Present representing the hospital board were Richard Olson, Jim Fleig, John Blahnik, Vince Smith and Don Terry. Representing T. G. Evensen were Dan O'Neill and Don Perlick. A general discussion followed. Olson first spoke to the board and reviewed the past history. He advised the board that the hospital Board of Directors have further studied the proposed size of the home and have agreed that the home should be a 102 bed capacity. The 2 beds actually would be to replace 2 beds in the hospital that will have to be removed in the building process leaving a net rest home capacity of 100 beds. He also told the board that taking into consid- eration the arefftects preliminary cost estimates and adding to that other costs such as architect fees, etc, they have estimated that the cost should not exceed $1,825,000. Olson further added that the hospital boards action was to recommend that an alternate bid be called for a 112 bed capacity rest home with the understanding that l'�_ would only be accepted if the total cost doesn't exceed the $1,,825,000. He also stated that in arriving at the total cost for the home, the hospital board had assumed that the equipment in the present county home would be turned over by the county to the hospital association to aid in equipping the facility. Olson stated that the proposed time schedule would now call for actual construction is begin about May 1, 1978 NU October 25, 1977 with completion by May 1, 1979 and he added that if everything moved along very smoothly, there could even be a possibility of occupancy by February 1, 1979. According to Olson the actual construction cost is estimated to be about $14,000 per bed. Olson stated that they are looking forward to a 90/ occupancy in the 2 years following the completion of the home and he projected that per capita cost at that time would be about $25.61. Leo Lay, Trustee of.the Bayfield County Rest Home, was allowed the floor and he said that he had been advised that.in order to get federal funding for medicare, the facility would have to show an 85/ occupancy rate. $e also questioned the need for building a 100 bed home at a cost of $1,825,000 when the present rest home could be doubled in size making a 64 bed facility for a cost of about $850,000. Mr. Lay also questioned the estimated cost of $14,000 per bed and he stated that Walworth County has built a home and their cost has been estimated at $20,000 to $22,000 per bed. Lay also referred to the association of rest home trustees that he represents and Polich inquired if that association represented only private homes and Lay answered that it represents both private and public. Polich spoke at length on the history of the Bayfield County Rest Home, the alternative use of the home and the -cost of operation. He also stated that the county had made an effort to sell the home to a private party. Polich added that it had been found that municipal homes are not self-supporting. He also touched on the advantages to the Bayffe'ld County hospital if a nursing home was attached to the unit stating that it is of much importance to the county that the hospital survives as the county is still paying on the bond issue. Karl Ludzack questioned whether or not the rest home could be self-supporting and generate enough income to liquidate the bond issue. He pointed out that there is now a difference of about $3.00 per day between the per capita cost and revenue and wondered if this same $3.00 difference might not continue even with a 100 patient home. Wallace Johnson was asked to comment as chairman of the Executive Committee and he stated that he basically agreed with Polich stating that the county had looked for other alternatives and came to the conclusion that building a wing on to the Bayfield County Rest Home might be the solution. Carter stated that he has -had very few comments from his constituents in regard to the pro- posed building. Spears agreed with Carter. Olson asked Mr. Perlick if he could offer anything on the dollar amount that would be re- quired to liquidate the $1,825,000 bond issue in 20 years. Perlick answered that it would be in the vicinity of $150;000 per year. Olson pointed out that even if the worse would happen and the home did not generate any income other than operating costs, the cost to the county would only be $150,000 per year and he compared that to the estimated county cost of $70,OOO.per year to operate the present home. In answer to employment he also stated that when the home would be operating at capacity they would need at least twice as many employees than are presently working at the rest home. Ed Renoos questioned Blahnik of how many nurses stations would be required for a 100 bed home and Blahnik answered 'tone" as it was proposed to build a T shape wing with a nurses station at the center of it. October 25, 1977 Renoos also questioned the need for a 100 bed home and Blahnik stated that this had been arrived at by consulting with the Dept. of Social Services and other state agencies. Renoos also inquired if the kitchen area would be large enough. Olson answered that the kitchen area would be large enough, but it would be necessary to add to the dining area. In reference to the referendum that had been suggested, Polich indicated that he had dis- cussed the matter with many people in his area and he was convinced that his constituents would not ask for a referendum. He was of the opinion that the county did not have much choice other than to build a wing to the Bayfield County Memorial Hospital. Barningham asked the financial consultants to comment and they did point out one important item saying that if the bond issue is sold, the county is obligated to liquidate the bond either by revenues generated by operation of the home or other tax dollars, pointing out that liquidating of the general obligation bond is not dependent on revenues of the facility. Oscar Landrud from Cable was allowed the floor and he raised several questions about the occupancy rate of the present hospital which Mr. Blahnik said was about 65%, stating that he questioned whether or not ,the 100 bed rest home could expect to be 90% .occupied when the hospital only has a 55% occupancy. Mr. Landrud stated that he did have some experience in hospital operation as he had served on the Board of Trustees of a 500 bed hospital in Illinois. Moved by W. Johnson, seconded by Polich to adjourn for lunch. Motion carried. The meeting was called to order at 1:40 P.M. with the following members answering roll call: No. 3 Erickson, Meierotto, E. Johnson, Zamback, Rude, Seidel, Rave, Spears, W. Johnson, Heglund, Carter, Hanson, Berweger, Polich, Ludzack, Renoos, Barninghamc Absent - Bromberg Present 17 Absent 1 Total 18 Clerk Pajala stated that reading of the petition to call a special meeting had.been over- looked in the morning and he felt that probably the petition should now be read before any action is taken. The following petition was read: No. 4 October 17, 1977 TO: Edward A. Pajala Bayfield` County Clerk Washburn, Wisconsin 54891 Dear Mr.. Pajala: You are hereby petitioned to call a Special Meeting of the Bayfield County Board of Super- visors at 9:30 A.M. October 25, 1977, at the Court House, Washburn, Wisconsin, to take action on the following items: October 25, 1977 1) Establishment, construction and financing of a Bayfield County nursing home 2) All other matters which may come before the said Board of Supervisors S igned Date Moved by W. Johnson, seconded by Meierotto to receive the foregoing petition and place it on file. Motion carried. The petition was signed and returned by 14 county board members. The following resolution was read: No. 5 WHEREAS, The Bayfield County Board of Supervisors has determined that it is necessary and in the best interest of the county to sell and issue its general obligation bonds pursuant to statu to finance the acquisition, construction and equipment of a county home for the care of the aged the indigent and has resolved to do the same, and WHEREAS, is deemed in the interest of Bayfield County that this Board of Supervisors, in addition to the broad authority granted to its Executive Committee, direct and authorize said Executive Committee to take certain actions in behalf of said Bayfield County as follows: 1. Retain architect and approve plans for said facility; 2. Advertise, receive and open bids for the acquisition, construction and equipment of said county home for the care of the aged and the indigent, and report to the board on the same; 3. Do such other things as may be necessary for the advancement of said project prior to the awarding of construction bids. NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Bayfield County Board of Supervisors grants the above mentioned authority to its Executive Committee and directs its Executive Committee to report on the status of the county home for the care of the aged and the indigent at the next meeting of the Board of Supervisors. Joseph Berweger, Walter Barningham Charles Polich Wallace Johnson Art Meierotto Larry Se Edwin Renoos Moved by Erickson, seconded by Rave to adopt the foregoing resolution. AMENDMENT NO. 5A Moved by E. Johnson, seconded by Polich that the resolution be amended to limit the number of beds to not to exceed 102. Motion ca.rried.- A roll call vote was.asked for on Resolution No. 5 as amended: No. 5b Ayes - W. Johnson, Carter, Berweger, Polich, Renoos, Barningha.m, Erickson, Meierotto, E.Johnson, Zamback, Seidel, Rave Nayes - Heglund, Hanson, Ludzack, Rude, Spears Absent - Bromberg Ayes - 12 Nayes - 5 Absent - 1 Total 18 Motion carried. October 25, 1977 MOTION NO-6 Moved by Seidel, seconded by E. Johnsonthat an amount not to ,exceed $1,825,000 be inserted into the bond resolution. A roll call vote was taken on the adoption of the foregoing motion with the following results: No. 6a Ayes - Heglund, Carter, Berweger, Polich, Ludza.ek, Renoos, Barningham, Erickson, Meierotto, E. Johnson, Zamback, Rude, Seidel, Rave, W. Johnson Nayes - Hanson, Spears Absent - Bromberg Ayes - 15 Nayes - 2 Absent - 1 Total 18 The following resolution was read: No. 7 Motion carried. Supervisor Charles Polich introduced the following resolution and moved its adoption: INITIAL RESOLUTION FOR THE ISSUANCE OF $1,825,000 dENERAL OBLIGATION NURSING HOME BONDS BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of Supervisors of Bayfield County, Wisconsin, that it is necessary and in the best interests of the County to sell and issue its general obligation bonds pursuant to Wisconsin Statutes, Section 67.05, in an amount not exceeding $1,825,000 to finance the acquisition, construction -and hquipment of a County home for the care of the aged and the indigent, pursuant to Wisconsin Statutes, Section 45.05. Walter C. Barningham chairman Attest: Edward A. Pajala County Clerk The motion for the adoption of the foregoing resolution was duly seconded by Supervisor Zamback and upon vote being taken thereon, the.following voted in favor thereof: Erickson, Meierotto,.E. Johnson, Zamback, Rude, Seidel, Rave, W. Johnson, Heglund, Carter, Hanson, Berweger,:Polich,. Renoos, Barningham : and the.following voted against the .same: Spears, Ludzack whereupon the resolution was declared passed and adopted, and was signed by the Chairman, whose signature was attested by the.County. Clerk. A roll call vote was taken on the adoption of the foregoing resolution with the following results: No. 7a Ayes - Carter, Hanson, Berweger, Polich, Renoos, Barningham, Erickson, Meierotto, E. Johnson, Zamback, Rude, Seidel, Rave, W. Johnson, Heglund Nayes - Ludzack, Spears Absent - Bromberg Ayes - 15 Nayes - 2 Absent - 1 Total 18 Motion carried. 21A 2 Tom Fox, D.A., was called to discuss procedure following adoption of the two foregoing resolutions: Mr. Perlick of the Evensen Firm also discussed procedure. A discussion was held on the possible referendum which could be called by petition of the' people. The D. A. read from the Wisconsin Statutes portions of the law stating that a referendum can be called by 10/ of the people voting at the last gubernatorial election signing a petition requesting such a referendum. The clerk directed a question to the D.A-. asking when the 30 day time�'element;would begin to run. The D.A. after checking the statutes stated that he was of the opinion that the 30 days began to run after the resolution is entered into the bond book. The following resolution was read: No. 8 WHEREAS, the 1977-79 State Budget Bill which was passed by the Legislature significantly affects the distribution of highway aid to counties, cities, towns and villages, and WHEREAS, the new formula for aid distribution is complex, necessitates complicated cost accounting and can penalize counties, cities and towns which do not conform to this new system, and WHEREAS, it was described in the October 10, 1977 Wisconsin County Boards Association infor- mation letter as "a bureaucratic monstrosity" and "unworkable", NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Bayfield County Board of Supervisors assembled in special session this 25th day of October, 1977 go on record protesting this change in the system of distributing' highway aids'to'counties, cities, towns and villages, and officially notify Representative David Kedrowski and Senator Dan Theno requesting that at the -special session of the Legislature in November 1977 that they support action to 'immediately restore the former system of distributing highway aids -to counties, -cities, towns and villages. PRESENTED BY: Joseph Berweger William H. Carter William E. Rave Herbert.G. Spears Edwin Erickson Bayfield County Highway Committee Moved by Carter, seconded by Berweger to adopt the foregoing resolution. Motion carried. The following communication was read: No. 9 DAVID R. OBEY CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES WASHINGTON, D.C. 20515 October 20, 1977 Mr. Ed Pajala County Clerk Courthouse Washburn, WI 54891 Dear Ed: My Wisconsin Office has advised me of your interest in regard to the process through which funds are returned to local communities under Public Law 94-565, Payment in Lieu of Taxes. October 25, J977 I can certainly understand your concern in regard to this matter. The regulations concerning the payment of funds under this law were established by the Secretary of Interior as required by the law. Payments, are made to those units of government which are considered to be the principal provider of services to communities and the unit of government that suffers the greatest loss in tax revenue due to the presence of federal lands. In Wisconsin the county level of government has been determined as the governmental unit that satisfies this criteria. You will be interested to learn that I have introduced legislation to repeal a provision in the Payment in Lieu of Taxes Act that excluded from the payment .program lands that were not on the local tax rolls at the time they were taken over by the federal government. I am enclosing a statement I made in regard to this matter. In addition, as you .may know, I was successful in an effort.to provide towns and municipal governments with additional funds through the anti -recession revenue sharing program. I am enclosing a newsletter which I recently wrote.outlining the process through which these funds will be provided. I trust this information will also be of interest to you. Thanks again for taking the time to contact me on this matter. I hope you will always feel free to do so. Sincerely yours, David R. Obey Your Congressman (statement and newsletter on file in county clerk's office) Moved by Polich, seconded by Seidel to receive the foregoing communication and place it on file. Motion _carried. Several members of the board indicated that they believed -it was unfair.that -all of the monies received under Public Law 94-565 - Payment in Lieu of Taxes, be retained by the county. The clerk did explain that the money received for lands in the Apostle Islands Park area. and the Wild River area is apportioned back to the school district, but according to Obey's letter, all of the monies for other federal forest lands are county monies. Moved by Berweger, seconded by W. Johnson to refer this matter to the D.A. and that he report back his findings to the county board at the next meeting. Motion carried. NO. 10 Pajala brought up a letter from the Dept. of Industry, Labor and Human Relations in re- gard to the Bayfield County Jail. The letter was in reference to deficiencies in the Bayfield County Jail. It was pointed out by Jim Connor, Superior representative of the Dept., that many of the restrictions placed in 1974 could be lifted and the county would only have to make minimal repairs to the jail to qualify it for occupancy. Moved by Renoos, seconded by Berweger that the foregoing letter be referred to the Sheriff's Commission and report back to the county board at the November meeting. Motion carried. NO. 11 Ed Renoos brought up the matter of the excessive heat in the Bayfield County Jail in the winter months. He thought that insulating of the steam pipes should be done immediately as it would save the county a considerable amount in fuel bills even if the jail was not occupied. Moved by Renoos, seconded by Hanson that the steam pipes in the Bayfield County Jail be insulated. Motion carried. 1_""16zi NO. 12 William Zamback brought up the matter of the re -construction being done on C.T.H. 71A" north of Iron River. He stated that he was quite unhappy. with the progress of the construction as it now ha been going on= -for 2 summers and still is not completed. He pointed out that the county has established a detour which follows C.T.H. "B" all the way to the Douglas County line where'it inter sects with Highway'13,'but that due'to the distance involved; most of the traffic is following township roads. This is causing a -serious burden on the townships as maintenance costs become excessively high with the large volume of traffic that is using the township roads. It was moved by Polich, seconded by E. Johnson that the county board go on record voicing thei dis-satisfaction on the progress of the re -construction of Highway "A" and that the Bayfield County Highway Commissioner be requested and directed to use his influence on the -contractor to speed up the completion of the project. Motion carried. Moved by Erickson, seconded by Zamback to.adjourn. Walter C. Barningham, Ch rman Bayfield County -Board- o Supervisors Motion carried. Edward A. Pajala "nerk Bayfield County