HomeMy WebLinkAboutCounty Board of Supervisors - Minutes - 1/29/20191
Bayfield County Clerk
Scott S. Fibert, County Clerk
Kim Mattson, Accountant Jeran Rekemeyer, Deputy Clerk
Gail M. Reha, Bookkeeper Allison Radke, Clerk III
Ph: 715.373.6100 ● Fx: 715.373.6153 ● Email: sfibert@bayfieldcounty.org ● 117 E. Fifth Street, PO Box 878, Washburn, WI 54891
Minutes of the:
Bayfield County Board of Supervisors’ Meeting
January 29th, 2019 6:00 p.m.
Bayfield County Board Room, Bayfield County Courthouse, Washburn, WI
The Bayfield County Board of Supervisors was called to order at 6:01 p.m. by Bayfield
County Chairman, Dennis Pocernich. A roll call was taken by County Clerk, Scott Fibert, as
follows: George Newago- present; Thomas Gordon- present via phone; Larry Fickbohm- present;
Harold Maki- present; Jeremy Oswald- present; Jeffrey Silbert- present; Dennis Pocernich-
present; Fred Strand- present; Thomas Snilsberg- absent; Marty Milanowski- present; David
Zepczyk- present; James Crandall- present; Brett Rondeau- absent. Total: 11 present, 2 absent. A
quorum was present to conduct business.
The following were also present for today’s meeting: County Clerk- Scott Fibert; County
Administrator- Mark Abeles-Allison; Clerk III- Allison Radke; Highway Commissioner- Paul
Johanik; Retired Bayfield County Coroner- Gary Victorson; Presenting from Bayfield Peninsula
Energy Alternatives (BPEA) group- Roy Settgas and Bob Adams; Emergency Management
Director- Jan Victorson; NWRPC Community Development Planner- Cody Kamrowski; Director
of Forestry and Parks- Jason Bodine; Xcel Representatives- Mike Bebeau and Brendan Cohen;
Jim Miller; Chad Abel; Phil Norgard; and other citizens.
3. Pledge of Allegiance;
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by all in attendance. Additionally, there was a moment
of silence in honor of Michael Faeurbach, former attorney for the Bayfield County Board of
Adjustment.
4. Public Comment –
Cody Kamrowki spoke on behalf of Northwest Regional Planning Commission. He is
working with Bayfield County to update the Hazard Mitigation Plans to be eligible for pre-
disaster mitigation grant funds.
Chad Abel, a Barksdale resident from Bjork Road, spoke in opposition to Resolution No.
2019-03.
Phil Norgard, from Washburn Township, spoke in favor of Resolution 2019-03.
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5. Motion Regarding Minutes of the November 28, 2018 Bayfield County Board of
Supervisors’ Meeting;
Motion by Maki, Fickbohm to approve the minutes of the November 28, 2018 Special
Meeting. No edits or corrections. Motion carried.
6. Bayfield County Resolution No. 2019-01; In Appreciation of Gary Victorson for his
29 years of dedication and service in the Bayfield County Coroner’s Office;
County Administrator Abeles-Allison read Resolution 2019-01 in appreciation of Gary
Victorson. Vice-Chair Strand presented a plaque to Gary Victorson. Victorson gave a
brief speech of appreciation.
WHEREAS, Gary Victorson has served Bayfield County with distinction, honor and
dedication for 29 years.
WHEREAS, Gary has served as Deputy Coroner and Coroner; and,
WHEREAS, the role of coroner is a commitment to the community, requiring response
at all times of the day or night; and,
WHEREAS, Gary has also served his community as an EMT and volunteer fire fighter;
and,
WHEREAS, Gary has been professional, sympathetic, supportive and very respectful in
his interactions with families and emergency response professionals;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Bayfield County Board of
Supervisors assembled this 29th day of January 2019, honors Gary Victorson for his 29
years of public service to Bayfield County and expresses gratitude for his efforts, wishing
him well in the years ahead.
Motion by Milanowski, Crandall to approve Resolution 2019-01 in appreciation of
Gary Victorson. Motion carried.
7. Presentation of Wisconsin Broadband Forward Certificate, Wisconsin State Broadband
Director, Angie Dickison to the Bayfield County Highway Department;
This item will be forwarded to the February agenda due to a scheduling conflict.
8. Appointment of Cole Rabska to Visions Northwest Regional Economic Development
Group;
Cole Rabska, current Bayfield County Economic Development Corporation Director, was
appointed to the Visions Northwest Regional Economic Development Group.
Motion by Newago, Milanowski to approve the appointment of Cole Rabska to the Visions
Northwest Regional Economic Development Group. Motion carried.
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9. Bayfield County Resolution No. 2019-02; Amending the 2018 Highway Budget due to
the June 2018 Floods;
Highway Commissioner Johanik informed that Bayfield County Highway Department
exceeded budget spending by approximately $1,032,000 due to the severe flooding in
June of 2018. County Administrator Abeles-Allison provided additional budgetary
information and timelines. A percentage of this amount will be reimbursed from the State
and Federal governments. Resolution No. 2019-02 modifies the 2018 Highway budget
due to the unforeseen floods.
WHEREAS, County Highway crews responded in full force the weekend of June 16,
2018 as record rains undermined and destroyed state, county, and local road
infrastructure.
WHEREAS, an unprecedented number of state and county highway roads and bridges
were damaged;
WHEREAS, County crews worked around the clock to ensure highway safety and
accessibility.
WHEREAS, County Highway incurred substantial overtime, hauled and placed extra
materials from our pits and purchased materials from private pits and quarries, rented
extra equipment and entered into emergency contracts with contractors and other counties
to open roads as quickly and safely as possible for the public.
WHEREAS, because of the June 2018 flooding the Highway Department incurred over
$1.1 million dollars in damages to the county road system.
WHEREAS, the Bayfield County Highway Department did not budget for the
unexpected damages.
WHEREAS, the Bayfield County Highway Department is asking to utilize available
highway funds to pay operating expenses to the end of 2018.
WHEREAS, the balance of funds needed after utilizing available highway funds will be
shown as a liability in the highway fund and a receivable in the general fund.
WHEREAS, As of December 31, 2018, the Highway Department reported a current
budget overage of $1,032,237.
WHEREAS a total of $1,032,237 is anticipated to cover unexpected expenses through
the end of 2018.
WHEREAS, flood related expenses have been submitted to the state with more to be
submitted.
WHEREAS, payment has not yet been received from the state.
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NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Bayfield County Board of
Supervisors assembled this 29th day of January 2019, does hereby approve a budget
amendment for storm related costs and funding shortfalls that will have to be paid in the
2018 budget.
Increase Highway Fund State Revenues- Other 710-71-47233 by $1,032,237
Increase Repairs and Maintenance expense 710-71-53321-50290 by $719,000
Increase Administrative expense 710-71-53191-50121 by $52,000
Increase Performance Based Maintenance 710-71-53329-50121 by $95,000
Increase Employee Taxes and Benefits 710-71-53210-50121 by $60,000
Increase Shop Operations 710-71-53230-50900 by $106,237
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, to authorize that journal entries be complete to report a
short term borrowing between the General and Highway funds, to be repaid in 2019.
Cash shall be moved between the general fund and highway fund to bring highway up to
$0 cash by recording a “due to the general fund” liability account in highway and a “due
from highway” receivable in the general fund. This will reflect a zero impact on the
general fund’s fund balance.
Increase General Fund Due From Other Funds 100-15000 by $147,971.53
Decrease General Fund Cash Balance 100-11101 by $147,971.53
Increase Highway Cash Balance 720-11101 by $147,971.53
Increase Highway Due to Other Funds 720-25000 by $147,971.53
Motion by Crandall, Maki to approve Resolution No. 2019-02, amending the Highway
budget due to the June 2018 floods. A roll call was taken as follows: Newago-yes, Gordon-
yes, Fickbohm- yes, Oswald-yes, Silbert-yes, Pocernich-yes, Strand-yes, Snilsberg-absent,
Milanowski-yes, Zepczyk-yes, Crandall-yes, Rondeau-absent, Maki-yes. (11-yes, 0-no, 2
absent) Motion carried.
10. Bayfield County Amendatory Ordinance No. 2019-01; Amending Title 10, Chapter
3: All-Terrain Vehicles and Off-Road Motor Vehicle Operation; Adding 1 Section to
Sec. 10-3-10 Designated Routes; 1.1 mile on CTH M between Old Grade Road
(FR191) and East Lake Five Road in the Town of Namakagon; Paul Johanik,
Bayfield County Highway Commissioner;
Johanik gave information regarding Amendatory Ordinance 2019-01. It was noted that
this Amendatory Ordinance was recommended by the Highway Committee and that it
was determined that this additional route would not add any safety hazards. Ordinance
No. 2019-01 adds 1 route in the Town of Namakagon to the All-Terrain Vehicles
designated routes in the Bayfield County Code of Ordinances.
The only change is the addition of the following 1 route to Sec. 10-3-10:
CTH M (Old Grade Road (FR191) and East Lake Five Road) – 1.1 miles
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Motion by Maki, Crandall to approve Amendatory Ordinance No. 2019-01, adding 1 section
to Section 10-3-10 Designated Routes in the Town of Namakagon. Motion carried.
11. Presentations regarding Second Circuit Transmission Project; Xcel Energy
Representatives (Mike BeBeau and Brendan Cohen); Bayfield Peninsula Energy
Alternatives group (Roy Settgas and Bob Adams);
Brendan Cohen, Project Manager of the Bayfield 2nd Circuit Project, gave a slideshow
presentation on behalf of Xcel Energy. Cohen gave specific information about proposed
routes, mileage, and acreage impacted of the Bayfield County Forest. The project is needed
to improve electric reliability in the area. An application will be submitted to the Public
Service Commission (PSC) with both routes presented, without a preference noted.
Roy Settgas and Bob Adams presented on behalf of Bayfield Peninsula Energy Alternatives
(BPEA) Group. Settgas thanked Xcel for working with the community to come to a
compromise. He also thanked the Bayfield County Board for allowing time for the
communication between Xcel and BPEA. BPEA analyzed the advantages and disadvantages
of both the West and East routes. BPEA presented to Town Boards and to the Department of
Forestry and Parks and the consensus has been to adopt the 2nd Circuit East Route. Adams
also informed that all 5 Town Boards (Eileen, Washburn, Bayview, Barksdale, and Bayfield)
and 2 City Boards (Washburn and Bayfield) have unanimously agreed to adopt the 2nd
Circuit East Route.
12. Bayfield County Resolution No. 2019-03; Supporting the East Route Option of Xcel
Energy’s Proposed 2nd Circuit Transmission Line Project;
This Resolution was forwarded from the Department of Forestry and Parks.
WHEREAS, in August of 2017, Xcel Energy announced their plan to install a new
“Second Circuit” to improve quality and reliability of electrical service for their
customers in Bayfield, Washburn and on Madeline Island;
WHEREAS, after receiving input from the Bayfield County community, Xcel Energy
reconsidered the routing of the Second Circuit Project and developed an additional
routing option for the project. Xcel calls this new route option the East Route, and their
original proposal is now the West Route;
WHEREAS, Xcel Energy has stated that both route options meet their objectives for the
Second Circuit Project and that they will not indicate to the Public Service Commission
preference for one route over the other;
WHEREAS, interested local citizens developed a tool for comparing the impacts of
different route options for the project, and the Town Boards of the five affected
Townships all endorsed the use of this tool for deciding which route would be preferred;
WHEREAS, application of this route comparison tool shows the East Route to be the
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preferable option with regard to impacts to the community and local environment;
WHEREAS, Township Boards of Eileen, Barksdale, Washburn, Bayview, and Bayfield,
and the City Councils of Washburn and Bayfield all considered this, and all went on
record in favor of the East Route;
WHEREAS, the East Route will require less new acreage from the Bayfield County
Forest inventory;
WHEREAS, on January 14, 2019, the Forestry and Parks Committee voted to endorse
the East Route option for the Xcel Energy 2nd Circuit Project and recommended
forwarding this resolution to the full Bayfield County Board for their consideration;
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Bayfield County Board of Supervisors,
assembled this 29th day of January 2019, supports and endorses the East Route option of
Xcel Energy’s proposed 2nd Circuit Transmission Line project.
Motion by Silbert, Strand to approve Resolution No. 2019-03, supporting the East Route
Option of Xcel Energy’s Proposed 2nd Circuit Transmission Line Project. Motion carried.
13. Discussion and Possible Action regarding approval of the Forestry and Parks
Department 2019 Work Plan; Jason Bodine, Forestry and Parks Director;
Jason Bodine, Forestry and Parks Director, provided information regarding the Department
of Forestry and Parks 2019 Work Plan. Bodine gave a summary with information from the
Executive summary. The Forestry Committee will add increasing the percentage allocated to
Towns from County timber sales to the next agenda. Currently 12% is allocated to the
Towns.
The full Forestry and Parks Department 2019 Work Plan can be found online at:
https://www.bayfieldcounty.org/245/Annual-Forest-Work-Plans
(Department of Forestry and Parks, Plans, Annual Forest Work Plans, Current Work Plan)
Motion by Silbert, Newago to adopt the Department of Forestry and Parks 2019 Work
Plan. Motion carried.
14. Bayfield County Resolution No. 2019-04; Authorizing the Bayfield County Clerk of
Circuit Court to Enter into Contract with the Wisconsin Department of Revenue for
Unpaid Debt Collection;
County Administrator Abeles-Allison gave information provided from Judge Anderson
and the Clerk of Court, Kay Cederberg. It is expected to save time in the Clerk of Court’s
office, as well as increase revenue to the County. This Resolution was recommended by
the Executive Committee.
WHEREAS, Wisconsin State Statute 59.52(28) allows for the recovery of debt by the
use of a debt collector or to enter into an agreement with the Wisconsin Department of
Revenue under Wisconsin State Statute 71.93(8). This resolution authorizes the Bayfield
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County Clerk of Circuit Court to contract with the Wisconsin Department of Revenue for
the collection of unpaid debt; and
WHEREAS, the members of the Executive Committee for Bayfield County recommend
adoption of this resolution.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Bayfield County Board of
Supervisors assembled this 29th day of January 2019, do hereby authorize the use of the
Wisconsin Department of Revenue to recover unpaid debt as allowed by Wisconsin State
Statute 59.52(28).
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Bayfield County Clerk is
directed to forward a copy of this resolution to the Bayfield County Clerk of Circuit Court.
Motion by Newago, Milanowski to approve Resolution No. 2019-04, authorizing the
Bayfield County Clerk of Circuit Court to enter into contract with the Wisconsin
Department of Revenue for unpaid debt collection. Motion carried.
15. Bayfield County Resolution No. 2019-05; Request to Amend the 2019 UW-Extension
Budget;
Jason Fischbach applied for and received a Nursey Stock Supply Chain grant. This would
increase revenues and expenditures in the budget by the same amount of: $32,141. This
Resolution was recommended for approval by the UW-Extension Committee.
WHEREAS, a contract has been made between the Wisconsin Department of
Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection and the Bayfield County University of
Wisconsin Cooperative Extension Office, for a 2018 Specialty Crop Block Grant-Farm
Bill Contract “Developing A Nursery Stock Supply Chain of Select Germplasm from the
Upper Midwest Hazelnut Development Initiative (UMHDI) Breeding Program.”
WHEREAS, the 2019 Bayfield County UW-Extension budget needs to be amended to
reflect these increases in revenues and expenses:
Revenue Accounts to increase for a total of: $ 32,141.00
# 292-25-43570-13 Hazelnut Nursery in the amount of: $ 32,141.00
Disbursement Accounts to increase for a total of: $ 32,141.00
# 292-25-55653-50290 Contractual Services in the amount of: $ 28,182.00
# 292-25-55653-50332 Mileage in the amount of: $ 2,281.00
# 292-25-55653-50340 Operating Supplies in the amount of: $ 1,678.00
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Bayfield County Board of
Supervisors assembled this 29th day of January 2019, does hereby amend the 2019 UW-
Extension budget to reflect the increase in revenues by $ 32,141 and the increase in
expenditures by $ 32,141.
Motion by Strand, Fickbohm to approve Resolution No. 2019-05, amending the 2019
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UW-Extension Budget. A roll call was taken as follows: Newago-yes, Gordon-yes,
Fickbohm- yes, Oswald-yes, Silbert-yes, Pocernich-yes, Strand-yes, Snilsberg-absent,
Milanowski-yes, Zepczyk-yes, Crandall-yes, Rondeau-absent, Maki-yes. (11-yes, 0-no, 2
absent) Motion carried.
16. Appointment of Susan Smith to the Bayfield County Zoning Board of Appeals;
County Administrator Abeles-Allison and Zoning Director Schierman, recommended Susan
Smith, a resident of the Town of Lincoln, for the Board of Adjustment.
Motion by Newago, Silbert to approve the appointment of Susan Smith to the Bayfield
County Zoning Board of Appeals. Motion carried.
17. Appointment of Jenna Galegher to the Bayfield County Housing Authority;
Jenna Galegher, a resident of the Town of Bayfield, was recommended for the Bayfield
County Housing Authority. It will be for a 3-year term.
Motion by Gordon, Oswald to approve the appointment of Jenna Galegher to the Bayfield
County Housing Authority. Motion carried.
18. Discussion and Possible Action regarding Ad Hoc Committee Presentation and
Recommendation on Northern Lights Services, Inc. Colleen Daly, John Carlson,
Jennifer Augustine, Mark Abeles-Allison;
This item will be reviewed at the Executive Committee and then at the February Bayfield
County Board meeting.
19. Administrator’s Report:
a) Future County Board Meeting Dates:
✓ February 26th, 2019
✓ March 26th, 2019
✓ April 16th, 2019 - This meeting will be held on the 3rd Tuesday in April. This is a
statutory meeting.
b) Hazard Mitigation Plan;
Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) has been working extensively on this
revised plan. A public hearing was held prior to the County Board meeting.
c) EMT Services Report;
A small committee met to discuss supporting local volunteers. They are continuing to
receive feedback on this topic.
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d) Board Room Safety Exercise;
Emergency exits were reviewed for County Board members.
e) Superior Days;
A report was given on the agenda for the Superior Days conference. Local and regional
topics will be discussed. Topics will include: Pigeon Lake and its future, taxes, dairy
farms, State Broadband Office, Department of Transportation, Department of Corrections
recently released rehabilitation program, and more items.
f) County Administrator Evaluation Process;
There will be a live clicker evaluation at February’s County Board meeting, during the
Closed Session. Comments will be received following the meeting in various forms. The
comments will be compiled in a anonymous manner.
20. Supervisors’ Reports;
A report was given regarding the Forestry Committee. 2018 revenue for timber sales was
approximately $4.5 million. There has been a decrease in timber demand and value.
Additionally, 4 items were selected for presentation to legislators by the Wisconsin Counties
Association County Ambassador Program. They include:
1. Children and Family Aids. The group requested a $30 million increase in next year’s
budget.
2. Secured residential facilitates for children and youth. Copper Lake and Lincoln Hills will
close in January of 2021.
3. Court appointed attorney’s compensation rate. This impacts the timeliness of cases.
4. Grants for public safety answering points. 911 telephone fund. The group requested $7
million grant fund from the 911 telephone fund.
A report was given from the Tourism Committee. Bayfield County will be featured on
Discover Wisconsin. Bayfield County’s podcast was also highlighted.
21. Future Agenda Items; None identified.
22. Adjournment;
There being no further business to come before the Bayfield County Board of Supervisors’,
Chairman Pocernich adjourned the meeting at 7:17 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Scott S. Fibert
Scott S. Fibert, Bayfield County Clerk
SSF/alr