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Minutes of the
Bayfield County Board of Supervisors’ Meeting
April 18, 2017 – 5:30 p.m.
Bayfield County Board Room, Courthouse, Washburn, Wisconsin
The Bayfield County Board of Supervisors’ meeting was called to order by Chairman
Pocernich 5:30 pm. A roll call was taken by Scott Fibert, County Clerk, as follows: Miller-
present; Crandall-absent; Rondeau-present; Goodwin-present; Bussey-absent; Fickbohm-
absent; Maki-present; Oswald-absent; Silbert-present; Pocernich-present; Strand-
present; Williams-present; Coughtry-absent. Total 13: 8 present, 5 absent. A quorum
was present to conduct business.
The following were also present for this evening’s meeting: Mark Abeles-Allison,
County Administrator; Dawn M. Bellile, Deputy County Clerk; Kevin Johnson, Veteran’s
Service Officer; Jennifer Augustine, Northern Lights Director, Karen Crowell,
Representing the Northern Lights Board
Supervisor Fickbohm arrived at 5:35 pm.
1. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by all in attendance.
2. Motion Regarding Minutes of March 28, 2017 Bayfield County Board of
Supervisors’ Meetings. The Board dispensed with the reading of the minutes. A motion
was made by Rondeau/Williams to adopt the Minutes of the March 28, 2017 Bayfield
County Board of Supervisors’ Meeting. The motion carried.
3. Public Comment. None.
Bayfield County Resolution No. 2017-28, In Recognition of Memorial Day 2017. Kevin
Johnson, Veteran’s Service Officer, said a few words on the Resolution reminding
everyone that this is a very important day. We come together to honor and recognize our
military who have given their lives to protect our country. County Clerk Fibert read the
Resolution which reads as follows:
WHEREAS, the United States government established Memorial Day for the
remembrance of our men and women that have died while serving in the armed forces; and
WHEREAS, the freedoms all U.S. citizens enjoy have been secured and protected
by our military heroes from the Revolutionary War through today’s ongoing confrontations
around the world; and
WHEREAS, service members from Bayfield County have made this ultimate
sacrifice; and
WHEREAS, May 29th, 2017 is federally recognized as Memorial Day.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Bayfield County Board of
Supervisors assembled this 18th day of April, 2017, recognizes May 29, 2017 as Memorial
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Day in respectful remembrance of those men and women that have given their lives to the
protection of our Nation.
By Action of the
Bayfield County Board of Supervisors
Dennis M. Pocernich, Chairman
Supervisor Coughtry arrived at 5:37 pm.
A motion was made by Silbert/Rondeau to adopt Bayfield County Resolution No.
2017-28 In Recognition of Memorial Day 2017. The motion carried.
4. Bayfield County Resolution No. 2017-27, Honoring Karen Vlasaty upon
her Retirement from the Bayfield County Treasurer’s Office. Vlasaty was not present
this evening to accept her plaque. Chairman Pocernich read the Resolution, which reads as
follows:
WHEREAS, Karen Vlasaty, has served Bayfield County with distinction, honor and
dedication in the Department of Human Service and Treasurer’s Office for over fifteen
(15) years; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Bayfield County Board of
Supervisors assembled this 18th day of April, 2017, honors Karen Vlasaty, for her 15 years
of public service to Bayfield County and expresses gratitude for her efforts, wishing her
well in the years ahead.
By Action of the
Bayfield County Board of Supervisors
Dennis M. Pocernich, Chairman
A motion was made by Rondeau/Maki to adopt Bayfield County Resolution No.
2017-27, Honoring Karen Vlasaty upon her Retirement from the Bayfield County
Treasurer’s Office. The motion carried. Pocernich explained that Jenna Galligan has
been hired and appointed to fill Vlasaty’s position.
5. A motion was made by Rondeau/Maki for the Bayfield County Board of
Supervisors to move in and out of Executive/Closed Session pursuant to §19.85(1)
(e),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; and (g) Conferring with legal counsel for
the governmental body who is rendering oral or written advice concerning strategy to
be adopted by the body with respect to litigation in which it is or is likely to become
involved and to allow Jennifer Augustine and Karen Crowell to remain in closed
session, and to allow Jason Bodine for his topic. The motion carried.
There being no further business to conduct, a motion was made by
Rondeau/Bussey to move out of Executive/Closed Session. The motion carried.
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Now in Open Session, Chairman Pocernich announced that he would be leaving for a
mandatory Town Meeting and Vice-Chairman, Fred Strand, would be taking over the
meeting.
6. Northern Lights. A motion was made by Maki/Williams to approve the
Line of Credit for $150,000 Note, the 6-month extension for the Line of Credit,
continuation of the Note and a Year 2021 payoff in the amount of $30,000.00 and
the Line of Reserve. Discussion took place. A roll call vote was held as follows:
Crandall-absent; Goodwin-yes; Bussey-yes; Fickbohm-yes; Maki-yes; Oswald-yes;
Silbert-yes; Pocernich-absent; Strand-yes; Williams-yes; Coughtry-yes; Miller-yes.
Total: 13; 11 yes, 0 no, 2 absent. The motion carried.
A motion was made by Bussey/Silbert to approve the Presale Report.
Discussion took place regarding refinancing and that this will reappear on the May 30th
agenda. The motion carried.
7. Town of Cable Railroad Grade and Deed. A motion was made by
Miller/Rondeau that the railroad grade Deed be granted as requested. The motion
carried.
8. Bayfield County Resolution No. 2017-26, Support for Bayfield County,
WI for Chequamegon Bay Renewables, Inc. (CBR) to Pursue the Department of
Energy’s (DOE) Solar in Your Community Challenge Grant (Solar Grant) to Study and
Potentially Construct Solar PV on County Property. Abeles-Allison reported that Bill
Bailey from Bailey Greenhouse, along with 3 others, would like to make a presentation to
the Board regarding this topic. A motion was made by Bussey/Goodwin to suspend the
rules to allow for the presentation by Chequamegon Bay Renewables via Bill Bailey.
The motion carried. A powerpoint was given regarding renewable energy, where the solar
panels would be housed, and the anticipated power savings. The Board dispensed with the
reading of the Resolution, which reads as follows:
WHEREAS, the Solar Grant from the DOE’s Sunshot initiative presents Bayfield
County with a unique opportunity to install solar photovoltaic energy (PV) at a cost
otherwise unattainable by the county on its own accord, to reduce its greenhouse gas
emissions and to create a source of local energy; and
WHEREAS, the Bayfield County strives to save tax dollars, create new business and
economic opportunities, assure clean land, air and water, improve working and living
environments; and
WHEREAS, CBR will use the Solar Grant funds to secure a solar developer through
the RFP process, and such developer would determine size, location, and feasibility of
constructing solar PV at county buildings sites, and with county approval would oversee the
construction of said installations to be grid-tied to Xcel Energy’s system as per Xcel’s
established interconnection agreement; and
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WHEREAS, Bayfield County is willing to work with the City of Washburn and the
Washburn School District to advance a larger solar project than any one entity could
achieve on its own, and therefore achieve an economy of scale which will reduce costs for
all; and
WHEREAS, no up-front money is required by the county; and
WHEREAS, the construction of the PV installations would be paid for by investors,
of which local investors would be given preference; and
WHEREAS, the County would benefit by reduced energy charges as a result of
reduced transmission fees; and
WHEREAS, the County would own the PV installation, in its entirety, after a period
contractually specified, and would benefit from this ownership by reduced electric bills
and be able to use it as a hedge against future electric rate increases for the life of the
solar modules which is estimated to be 40 years or longer; and
WHEREAS, by owning the PV installation, the County could reduce future electric
demand charges if battery storage becomes economically viable, which the industry
predicts will happen in 3-5 years.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Bayfield County Board of
Supervisors assembled this 18th day of April, 2017, does hereby support CBR’s efforts to
acquire the Solar Grant and use those funds to develop the solar project; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the President of CBR has the support of
Bayfield County to prepare and submit documents and serve as the contact between the
CBR and the United Stated Department of Energy.
By Action of the
Bayfield County Board of Supervisors,
Dennis M. Pocernich, Chairman
A motion was made by Oswald/Bussey to adopt Bayfield County Resolution No.
2017-26, Support for Bayfield County, WI for Chequamegon Bay Renewables, Inc.
(CBR) to Pursue the Department of Energy’s (DOE) Solar in Your Community Challenge
Grant (Solar Grant) to Study and Potentially Construct Solar PV on County Property.
Discussion took place that Bayfield County isn’t committing to anything, just supporting
the grant application. We need to learn more before we determine whether it is even
right for County. The motion carried.
9. Bayfield County Resolution No. 2017-29, Supporting the Application for
Wisconsin Office of Energy Innovation, Clean Energy Investments in Wisconsin
Communities Grant. Abeles-Allison explained that every couple of years, the Department
of Energy offers grants. Bayfield County is planning to do some retro projects in the
courthouse and jail annex and we should apply for this. The Board dispensed with the
reading of the Resolution, which reads as follows:
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WHEREAS the Wisconsin Office of Energy Innovation has announced a new round
of grants for Clean Energy Investments in Wisconsin Communities; and
WHEREAS the grant supports cost-effective projects that result in energy
savings; and
WHEREAS Bayfield County is a member of both the Energy Independent
Communities and Green Tier Legacy Community; and
WHEREAS Bayfield County has three projects that will improve energy efficiency
and reduce energy costs; and
These projects include improving the operations and efficiency of the courthouse
and annex HVAC Systems, lowering fueling costs for a Bayfield County Sheriff Squad and
adding six panels to the County Solar Photovoltaic program reducing energy and demand.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Bayfield County Board supports
the application for this Energy Grant; and
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Bayfield County Board of Supervisors assembled this
18th day of April, 2017, does hereby support the application for Wisconsin Office of
Energy Innovation, Clean Energy Investments in Wisconsin Communities Grant.
By Action of the
Bayfield County Board of Supervisors,
Dennis M. Pocernich, Chairman
A motion was made by Rondeau/Oswald to adopt Bayfield County Resolution No.
2017-29, Supporting the Application for Wisconsin Office of Energy Innovation, Clean
Energy Investments in Wisconsin Communities Grant. The motion carried.
10. Discussion and Possible Action Regarding Appointment of Two Positions to
the City of Washburn, County of Bayfield Housing Authority. Abeles-Allison reported
that the Housing Authority has two positions they would like to renew. The appointments
would be for Rachel Coughtry and Carol DeMars for a new 5-year term each. The terms
would run from June, 2017 to May, 2022. A motion was made by Rondeau/Bussey to
approve the reappointment of Rachel Coughtry and Carol DeMars to the City of
Washburn, County of Bayfield Housing Authority for an appointment running for 5-
years from June, 201y to May, 2022. The motion carried.
11. Discussion Regarding Highway Department Overtime Policy Change.
Abeles-Allison reported that this item has been added to the full Board agenda because
the question has come up concerning the process of the Personnel Manual Amendment.
County Ordinance 2-3-12, Section 7, describes the Personnel Committee duties to
include: “Develop, review annually and update as necessary a Personnel Policy encompassing
the needs of the County.”
Last month, the Highway Committee recommended a modified overtime policy for
the Highway Department to the Personnel Committee. The policy proposed multiple topics
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including changing the work week, paying overtime after 8 hours worked, paying overtime
on weekends, counting benefit time as time worked, paying overtime on both holidays and
designated holidays and requiring overtime on Friday’s in the summer.
In 2012, the County moved to the Fair Labor Standards Act provision of overtime
(after 40 hours worked). This together with our Personnel Policy changes occurred in 2011
as State laws changed. These topics were addressed by the County formed Transition
Committee.
Last week at the April Personnel Committee meeting, the Personnel Committee
approved paying highway workers overtime on weekends throughout the year.
Supervisor Miller also gave background on what had taken place in 2010 due to Act
10. Miller stated that major decision such as negotiations as this should go to full Board
and as far as he was concerned, the process wasn’t followed properly.
A lengthy discussion took place on original language in the policy and how Union
negotiations can be done by Personnel but the final decisions must be reviewed by full
County Board. A committee doesn’t have the authority to overturn a full board decision.
A lengthy discussion took place on the powers of the Board and Personnel Committee. It
was also stated that the Highway Committee did not have the right to approve such a
request and forward to Personnel. Miller reminded everyone how during Act 10, every
action was scrutinized and went to full Board, and now a new Board and Committees later,
it doesn’t have to? Miller believed that this should have gone to full Board as it is a
controversial matter. He also felt that once other departments see how this was done,
they are going to work on flex schedules as well wages. He further reminded that most
of the motions made at Executive Committee are also forwarded to the full Board.
Supervisor Rondeau spoke up and stated that he had made a motion for this to go to full
Board but for a lack of a second motion, it died.
A lengthy discussion continued on how, if possible, this can be rectified. Language
needs to be changed in the Personnel Policies and supporting Ordinances that would
encompass the needs of the County. This matter, addressing policies, will be referred
back to the Executive Committee and then forwarded back to the full Board.
12. Administrator’s Report:
a) Future County Board Meeting Dates:
* April 25th suggested with Red Cliff has been postponed as date and
times conflicts with each party – still working on
* May 16th at 6:00 p.m. Budget Planning Meeting
* May 30th at 6:00 p.m., regular May Meeting
* June 20th at 6:00 p.m., early meeting date due to County Clerk’s
convention being held here in Bayfield County the following
weekend.
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b) The Bayfield County Veteran’s Office will be hosting a Spring
Conference in Bayfield County May 15-19th; a sunset cruise will also be
part of the conference for attendees.
c) Draft County Survey was passed out for the Supervisors to review,
edit and give to Abeles-Allison if they have any suggestions.
d) Hydro Atlas Update. Coastal funding is going away and Federal
funding has changed. We had a tentative approval, however, will be
coming back with updates.
e) Space & Security Study Report. The consultant needs more time to
make further compilations. We will be making a report to the Board
on May.
13. Supervisors’ Reports.
a) Tribal Relations. There will be 2 meth/heroine presentations at the
Red Cliff Casino at 1 and 6 p.m. The Tribal Relations Committee will
be attending.
b) State Forestry Meeting will be held in Bayfield County for the first
time in 50 years. Everyone will be going around the Apostle Islands,
dinner at Links. There will be no cost to Board members who would
like to attend.
c) Joint Finance Committee. Ben Dufford and Bill Bussey testified at
the Joint Finance Committee Meeting for the Land Conservation
Department. They waited 2½ house to speak. It was well attended
and several different topics came up.
There being no further business to come before the Bayfield County Board of
Supervisors, Vice-Chair Strand adjourned the meeting at 7:43 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Scott S. Fibert,
County Clerk
SSF/dmb