HomeMy WebLinkAboutCounty Board of Supervisors - Minutes - 5/26/2020
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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
Draft Minutes of the:
Bayfield County Board of Supervisors’ Meeting
May 26th, 2020 6:00 p.m.
Bayfield County Board Room, Bayfield County Courthouse, Washburn, WI
BAYFIELD COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
Dennis M. Pocernich, Chair, Fred Strand, Vice-Chair
Steve Sandstrom, Mary Dougherty, Larry Fickbohm, Charly Ray,
Jeremy Oswald, Jeffrey Silbert, Thomas Snilsberg, Marty Milanowski,
David Zepczyk, James Crandall, Brett Rondeau
The Bayfield County Board of Supervisors was called to order at 6:01 p.m. by Bayfield County
Chair, Dennis Pocernich. A roll call was taken by County Clerk- Scott Fibert, as follows: Steve Sandstrom-
present; Mary Dougherty- present; Larry Fickbohm- present; Charly Ray- present; Jeremy Oswald-
present; Jeffrey Silbert- present; Dennis Pocernich- present; Fred Strand- present; Thomas Snilsberg-
present; Marty Milanowski- absent; David Zepczyk- present; James Crandall- present; Brett Rondeau-
present. Total: 11 present, 1 absent. A quorum was present to conduct business.
The following were also present for today’s meeting: County Administrator- Mark Abeles-Allison;
County Clerk- Scott Fibert; Corporation Counsel- John Carlson; Clerk III- Allison Radke.
3. Pledge of Allegiance; The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by all in attendance.
4. Moment of Silence for Harold Maki, former County Board Supervisor;
A moment of silence was held for former County Board Supervisor, Harold Maki. Comments
were received in memory of Harold.
5. Motion regarding the Minutes of the March 31st, 2020 Bayfield County Board of
Supervisors’ Meeting;
Motion by Rondeau, Crandall to approve the Minutes of the March 31st, 2020 Bayfield County
Board of Supervisors’ Meeting. No additions or corrections. Motion carried.
6. Public Comment: Limited to 3 minutes per person, 15 minutes maximum.
None received.
7. Presentation: Senator Janet Bewley and Bayfield County Resolution No. 2020-38;
Recognizing Senate Minority Leader, Senator Janet Bewley, 25th Senate District;
Mark Abeles-Allison, County Administrator, read Resolution No. 2020-38.
WHEREAS, Senator Bewley has a long history of service to Northern Wisconsin holding
positions on the Ashland City Council, as Dean of Students at Northland College and as a
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Community Relations Officer for the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority
in addition to being one of the original cast members at Lake Superior Big Top Chautauqua; and
WHEREAS, Senator Janet Bewley has served as the 25th District Senator since 2015, prior to that
she served in the Wisconsin State Assembly serving Iron, Ashland, Bayfield and Price Counties
for four years; and,
WHEREAS, On April 24th, 2020 the Wisconsin Senate Democratic Caucus chose Senator
Bewley as their new leader.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Bayfield County Board of Supervisors
assembled this 26th day of May 2020, do hereby congratulate Senator Janet Bewley for being
elected by her peers to a leadership position within the Wisconsin State Senate.
Motion by Strand, Fickbohm to approve Resolution No. 2020-38, Recognizing Senate Minority
Leader, Senator Janet Bewley of the 25th District. Motion carried.
Senator Minority Leader gave a background about her political positions and her new leadership
position.
8. Bayfield County COVID-19 Report and General Inquiries: Sara Wartman, Health Director;
A COVID-19 update and report were given by Health Director, Sara Wartman. There have been
no new cases. Bayfield County Health Department is working with businesses on a program
called “Ready and Open.” This program is working to help keep customers, businesses safe, and
using best practices. There will be a testing site on June 18th in Iron River. The Health Department
has done proactive testing at Northern Lights and there is another test date scheduled for Iron
River. Red Cliff Tribal Health Center is conducting antibody testing.
9. Discussion and Possible Action: Alternate Plans for the Bayfield County Fair;
Alternate plans for the Bayfield County Fair were presented. Mary Motiff, Tourism Director,
explained that the main concern is the health and safety of a large group. A virtual (remote) Fair
with exhibits is the conclusion the Fair/Tourism Committee came to. Comments were received
from County Board Supervisors.
Motion by Crandall, Fickbohm to approve the recommendation by the Bayfield County
Fair/Tourism Committee, to hold the Bayfield County Fair in a remote capacity.
A roll call was taken as follows: Snilsberg- yes, Milanowski-absent, Zepcyck-no,Crandall-yes
Rondeau-no, Sandstrom-yes, Dougherty-yes, Fickbohm-yes, Ray-yes, Oswald-yes, Silbert-yes
Pocernich-no, Strand-yes. Motion carried.
10. Discussion and Possible Action: National Scenic Byway Designation Support Letter;
Tourism Department;
Tourism Director, Mary Motiff, explained the benefit behind the National Scenic Byway and the
significance of being named as a designation.
Motion by Silbert, Sandstrom to approve a Support Letter for the application of National
Scenic Byway Designation. Motion carried.
11. Discussion and Possible Action: Jail and Courthouse COVID-19 Disinfecting Equipment
Purchase;
The decision has not yet been made and research is still being conducted.
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Motion by Rondeau, Zepczyk to postpone the decision and send it to Executive Committee.
Motion carried.
12. Bayfield County 2020 Health Budget Amendments (Please approve letters a – h as one
motion.)
a) Bayfield County Resolution No. 2020-39; To Accept a Public Health Emergency
Preparedness (PHEP) COVID-19 Grant; WHEREAS, the Bayfield County Health
Department has received a grant in the amount of $38,528.00 from the State of Wisconsin,
Department of Health Services to assist in covering extra Covid-19 expenses. Total award to be
expended by March 31, 2021; and
WHEREAS, the 2020 Budget does not contain any projections to account for any revenue or
expenditures for said grant; and
WHEREAS, it is the desire of the Bayfield County Board of Health to accept and expend said
grant in 2020.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Bayfield County Board of Supervisors
assembled this 26th day of May 2020, hereby authorizes the use of Revenue Account Number
100-20-43555 and Expense Account Number 100-20-54142 for the PHEP-COVID-19 Grant;
and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Bayfield County Board of Supervisors hereby amends
the 2020 budget by $38,528.00 for grant revenue/expenses.
Increase Revenue: 100-20-43555 Public Health Emergency Preparedness $38,528.00
Increase Expenses: 100-20-54142-50121 Full Time $38,528.00
b) Bayfield County Resolution No. 2020-40; To Accept Learn CPR – Save a Life Grant;
WHEREAS, the Bayfield County Health Department has received a Learn CPR – Save a Life
Grant in the amount of $530.00 from Memorial Medical Center to purchase two hundrend fifty
(250) pocket CPR masks with the MMC logo imprinted to be distributed at trainings. Total
award to be expended by August 31, 2020; and
WHEREAS, the 2020 Budget does not contain any projections to account for any revenue or
expenditures for said grant; and
WHEREAS, it is the desire of the Bayfield County Board of Health to accept and expend said
grant in 2020.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Bayfield County Board of Supervisors
assembled this 26th day of May 2020, hereby authorizes the use of Revenue Account Number
100-20-48506 and Expense Account Number 100-20-54101-50390 for the Learn CPR – Save a
Life Grant; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Bayfield County Board of Supervisors hereby amends
the 2020 budget by $530.00 for grant revenue/expenses.
Increase Revenue: 100-20-48506 All other Revenue $530.00
Increase Expenses:100-20-54101-50390 Other Supplies $530.00
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c) Bayfield County Resolution No. 2020-41; To Accept Employer Wellness Program
Support Award;
WHEREAS, the Bayfield County Health Department has received a block grant in the amount
of $1,000.00 from the Wisconsin Department of Employee Trust Funds to purchase water bottles
and promotional information to help promote participation in hydration challenges and to
continue to offer fitness classes at the onsite fitness center. These activities are part of the
Employee Wellness program. Total award to be expended by December 4th, 2020, and
WHEREAS, the 2020 Budget does not contain any projections to account for any revenue or
expenditures for said grant, and
WHEREAS, it is the desire of the Bayfield County Board of Health to accept and expend said
grant, now therefore be it
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Bayfield County Board of
Supervisors assembled this 26th day of May 2020, hereby approve the following budget
amendment for the Employer Wellness Program Support Award:
Increase Revenue: 100-20-48501 Employee Wellness Donation/Grant $1,000.00
Increase Expenses:
100-20-54910-50390 Other Supplies $500.00
100-20-54910-50290 Contractual Services $500.00
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Bayfield County Board of Supervisors hereby
amends the 2020 budget by $1,000.00 for grant revenue/expenses.
d) Bayfield County Resolution No. 2020-42; To Accept Prevention Amendment;
WHEREAS, the Bayfield County Health Department has received an additional amount of
$1,500.00 from the State of Wisconsin, Department of Health Services to assist in covering extra
Covid-19 expenses. Total award to be expended by September 30th, 2020; and
WHEREAS, the 2020 Budget does not contain any projections to account for any revenue or
expenditures for said grant; and
WHEREAS, it is the desire of the Bayfield County Board of Health to accept and expend said
grant in 2020.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Bayfield County Board of Supervisors
assembled this 26th day of May 2020, hereby authorizes the use of Revenue Account Number
100-20-43550-007 and Expense Account Number 100-20-54104 for the Prevention Grant; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Bayfield County Board of Supervisors hereby amends
the 2020 budget by $1,500.00 for grant revenue/expenses.
Increase Revenue:100-20-43550-007 Prevention Grant $1,500.00
Increase Expenses:100-20-54104-50121 Full Time $1,500.00
e) Bayfield County Resolution No. 2020-43; To Accept Title X Services Grant;
WHEREAS, the Bayfield County Health Department has received an additional amount of
$28,000.00 from the Wisconsin Division of Public Health for Family Planning/Reproductive
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Health services, STD testing and contraception services. Funding is received by reimbursement.
Total award to be expended by March 31, 2021; and
WHEREAS, the 2020 Budget does not contain any projections to account for any revenue or
expenditures for said grant; and
WHEREAS, it is the desire of the Bayfield County Board of Health to accept and expend said
grant in 2020.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Bayfield County Board of Supervisors
assembled this 26th day of May 2020, hereby authorizes the use of Revenue Account Number
100-20-54550-030 and Expense Account Number 100-20-54143 for the Title X Grant; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Bayfield County Board of Supervisors hereby amends
the 2020 budget by $28,000.00 for grant revenue/expenses.
Increase Revenue: 100-20-43550-030 Title X Grant $28,000.00
Increase Expenses:100-20-54143-50121 Full Time $24,000.00
100-20-54143-50340 Operating Supplies $2,000.00
100-20-54143-50391 Medical Supplies $2,000.00
f) Bayfield County Resolution No. 2020-44; To Accept Women’s Health-Family Planning
Grant;
WHEREAS, the Bayfield County Health Department has received grant funding in the amount
of $44,070.00 from Wisconsin Division of Public Health to outreach to low-income pregnant
women and provide referral to Medicaid. Funding is received by reimbursement. Total award to
be expended by December 31st, 2020; and
WHEREAS, the 2020 Budget does not contain any projections to account for any revenue or
expenditures for said grant; and
WHEREAS, it is the desire of the Bayfield County Board of Health to accept and expend said
grant in 2020.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Bayfield County Board of Supervisors
assembled this 26th day of May 2020, hereby authorizes the use of Revenue Account Number
100-20-43554 and Expense Account Number 100-20-54109 for the Women’s Health – Family
Planning Program; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Bayfield County Board of Supervisors hereby amends
the 2020 budget by $44,070.00 for grant revenue/expenses.
Increase Revenue:
100-20-43554 Women’s Health-Family Planning Program $44,070.00
Increase Expenses:
100-20-54109-50121 Full Time $35,000.00
100-20-54109-50340 Operating Supplies $3,500.00
100-20-54109-50391 Medical Supplies $3,000.00
100-20-54109-50315 Advertising $2,570.00
g) Bayfield County Resolution No. 2020-45; To Accept Women Infants & Children (WIC)
Infrastructure Grant;
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WHEREAS, the Bayfield County Health Department has received a grant in the amount of
$16,992.00 from the State of Wisconsin, Department of Health Services to make improvements
to our current office/WIC clinic space. Improvements will include new flooring, installation of
sink in Health Screener office, new wall decals, cord free window blinds, and replacement office
chairs. Grant start date is January 1st, 2020; Total award to be expended by September 30th, 2020;
and
WHEREAS, the 2020 Budget does not contain any projections to account for any revenue or
expenditures for said grant; and
WHEREAS, it is the desire of the Bayfield County Board of Health to accept and expend said
grant in 2020.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Bayfield County Board of Supervisors
assembled this 26th day of May 2020, hereby authorizes the use of Revenue Account Number
100-20-43550-011 and Expense Account Number 100-20-54107 for the WIC Grant; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Bayfield County Board of Supervisors hereby amends
the 2020 budget by $16,992.00 for grant revenue/expenses.
Increase Revenue: 100-20-43550-011 WIC Grant $16,992.00
Increase Expenses: 100-20-54107-50290 Contractual Svcs $16,617.00
100-20-54107-50390 Other supplies $375.00
h) Bayfield County Resolution No. 2020-46; To Accept WIC Grant for iPads/tablets;
The above Health Budget Amendment Resolutions were explained by Health Director, Sara
Wartman. The Results were discussed and recommended for approval by the Health Committee.
WHEREAS, the Bayfield County Health Department has received a grant in the amount of
$1,600.00 from the State of Wisconsin, Department of Health Services to purchase two (2) iPads
and/or tablets. The purpose of this purchase is to assist WIC participants with setting up
WIChealth.org accounts and for the required Nutrition Education. Grant start date is January 1st,
2020; Total award to be expended by September 30th, 2020; and
WHEREAS, the 2020 Budget does not contain any projections to account for any revenue or
expenditures for said grant; and
WHEREAS, it is the desire of the Bayfield County Board of Health to accept and expend said
grant in 2020.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Bayfield County Board of Supervisors
assembled this 26th day of May 2020, hereby authorizes the use of Revenue Account Number
100-20-43550-011 and Expense Account Number 100-20-54107 for the WIC Grant; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Bayfield County Board of Supervisors hereby amends
the 2020 budget by $1,600.00 for grant revenue/expenses.
Increase Revenue: 100-20-43550-011 WIC Grant $1,600.00
Increase Expenses:100-20-54107-50810 Capital Equipment $1,600.00
Motion by Rondeau, Crandall to approve Bayfield County Resolutions No. 2020-39; No. 2020-
40; No. 2020-41; No. 2020-42; No 2020-43 with account modification; No. 2020-44; No. 2020-
45; No. 2020-46. A roll call was taken as follows: Sandstrom-yes, Dougherty-yes, Fickbohm-
yes, Oswald-yes, Silbert-yes, Pocernich-yes, Strand-yes, Snilsberg-yes, Milanowski-absent,
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Zepczyk-yes, Crandall-yes, Rondeau-yes, Charly Ray-yes. (12-yes, 0-no, 1-absent) Motion
carried.
13. Bayfield County 2020 Resolutions for the Wisconsin Counties Association (WCA) (Please
approve letters a – i as one motion.)
a) Bayfield County Resolution No. 2020-47; Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation
(CAFO) Policy;
Enacting a Two-Year Moratorium on the New Construction or Expansion of Existing
Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations and the Establishment of a Large-Scale
Livestock Study Committee
Whereas, clean water is essential to the health and wellbeing of all Wisconsin residents, their
families and visitors, and
Whereas, clean water is the foundation of a healthy economy and tourism, and
Whereas, The State of Wisconsin abides by the Public Trust Doctrine which asserts that all
navigable waters in the state shall be held in the public trust, and
Whereas, the number of Concentrated Livestock Feeding Operations (CAFOs) in Wisconsin has
increased dramatically between 2005 and 2020, and the number of CAFOs has more than
doubled - from 146 to 318); and
Whereas, Wisconsin has diverse geologic features from central sands and karst, to red clay,
which are all prone to water and air contamination causing decreased property values from the
siting of CAFOs with dense animal populations [over 1000 animal units] and great volumes of
waste products, and
Whereas, per state statute 93.90(2)(a) which requires the Department of Agriculture, Trade, and
Consumer Protection (DATCP) to appoint a Technical Committee to review ATCP 51 and make
recommendations at least every four years; and convened in 2010, 2014 and 2016 but made no
changes to ATCP 51, and
Whereas, 25 percent of all CAFOs in Wisconsin are operating under expired WPDES
[Wisconsin Pollutant elimination systems] general and/or individual permits and the DNR is
charged with administering the WPDES permitting process but has according to the State of
Wisconsin Legislative Audit Bureau in 2016 not administered this program consistent with the
Clean Water Act and Chapter 283 Wis. State Statute, and
Whereas, the state of Wisconsin is losing traditional smaller farms, including small dairy farms
at an alarming rate which is not sustainable for our rural communities, rural character and
economies and seriously impacts the health of our farm families, and
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Whereas, the siting and operation of industrial agricultural entities may contribute large volumes
of fertilizer, manure, phosphorous, nitrates and bacteria to both surface and ground water that
degrades the water resources even when practicing Best Management Practices, and degrades
human health, property values and local revenues through the externalization of the actual costs
of the siting, infrastructure investment and operation of CAFOs.
Now, therefore, be it resolved, that the Bayfield County Board of Supervisors assembled this
26th day of May 2020 recommends that the Wisconsin Counties Association urge the State
Legislature to enact a two year Statewide Moratorium on the permitting of new construction of
and expansion of existing Industrial Agricultural entities known as Concentrated Animal Feeding
Operations of 1000 animal units or more, and
Be it further resolved, that during this two-year moratorium a Large-Scale Livestock Study
group be authorized and established composed of scientists, farm groups of all sizes, DATCP
and the DNR and members of citizen groups living near CAFOs. The study committee shall
research and analyze all scientific data regarding the impacts of Large Scale Livestock
operations on air quality, ground and surface water quality, human health and local economies,
and who shall also analyze staffing at DATCP and the DNR to determine if it is adequate to
promptly and thoroughly process expired WPDES permits and keep up with renewals in a timely
manner and,
Be it further resolved, that the Large-Scale Livestock Study Committee shall report their
findings to the Legislature and Governor within a year of their establishment but before the two-
year Moratorium timeline has expired.
b) Bayfield County Resolution No. 2020-48; Regulations to Limit the spread of
Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD); WHEREAS, Chronic Wasting disease (CWD) is a fatal
neurological disease of cervids which threatens to cause significant economic, cultural and
ecological damage to Wisconsin’s deer and elk populations, and
WHEREAS, since its discovery in Wisconsin in a deer harvested in 2001 it has now spread to
wild deer in 26 counties and in 25 captive cervid farms, and
WHEREAS, in the most highly infected areas of Dane and Iowa counties the prevalence rate in
adult males is over 35 percent and in adult females is over 15 percent, and
WHEREAS, the Wisconsin Department of Health, the Center for Disease Control, and the
World Health Organization all recommend that cervid meat only be eaten after the animal
harvested has tested negative for CWD, and
WHEREAS, in 2019 over 793,000 gun and archery deer hunting licenses were sold in
Wisconsin, and
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WHEREAS, according to a study, hunters in Wisconsin spent $2.5 billion in 2011. Eighty-eight
percent of the hunters in Wisconsin participated in deer hunting, making it the most popular form
of hunting in the state, and
WHEREAS, with no known cure or preventative vaccine, the only option currently available to
manage CWD is to aggressively limit the transmission and spread of CWD, and
WHEREAS, current regulations do not adequately limit the human assisted transmission of
CWD.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the Bayfield County Board of Supervisors
assembled this 26th Day of May 2020, recommends that the Wisconsin Counties Association
urge the State Legislature to make the following changes to State Statutes and supporting
Administrative Rules:
• Change ATCP 10.56(1) to eliminate the exceptions that allow the transport of live cervids
without a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection.
• Change NR 10.105(7) to prohibit the export of cervid carcasses which have any part of
the spinal column or head attached from CWD affected areas in which wild or captive
cervids have tested positive for CWD within the last 10 years.
• Enact new rules to require the disposal of harvested cervids carcasses in approve
landfills, rendering, or composting facilities.
• Enact new rules to prohibit the export of live cervids from areas within 10 miles of a
known positive CWD detection within the last 5 years.
• Enact new rules to require all captive cervid operation to install either solid perimeter or
double fencing.
• Once a reliable live animal CWD test has been develop, enact rules to prohibit the
transport of live cervids unless the animal tests negative of CWD.
c) Bayfield County Resolution No. 2020-49; Conduct additional Research on Chronic
Wasting Disease (CWD) to Improve Testing, Treatment, and Management Options;
WHEREAS, Chronic Wasting disease (CWD) is a fatal neurological disease of cervids which
threatens to cause significant economic, cultural and ecological damage to Wisconsin’s deer and
elk populations, and
WHEREAS, a better understanding of CWD is needed to develop better management tools, and
WHEREAS, current funding and research levels are not commensurate to the threat posed by
CWD, and
WHEREAS, since the discovery of CWD in Wisconsin in 2001 it is now found in wild deer in
26 counties and in 25 captive cervid farms, and
WHEREAS, in the most highly infected areas of Dane and Iowa counties the prevalence rate in
adult males is over 35 % and in adult females is over 15%, and
WHEREAS, the Wisconsin Department of Health, the Center for Disease Control, and the
World Health Organization all recommend that cervid meat only be eaten after the animal
harvested has tested negative for CWD, and
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WHEREAS, in 2019 over 793,000 gun and archery deer hunting licenses were sold in
Wisconsin, and
WHEREAS, according to a study, hunters in Wisconsin spent $2.5 billion in 2011. Eighty-eight
percent of the hunters in Wisconsin participated in deer hunting, making it the most popular form
of hunting in the state, and
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the Bayfield County Board of Supervisors
assembled this 26th Day of May 2020, recommends that the Wisconsin Counties Association
urge the State Legislature to fund and direct state agencies to conduct the following research and
in order to better manage CWD:
• Develop a reliable, rapid, and easy to administer CWD test that can be conducted on live
cervids.
• Develop a reliable, rapid, and easy to administer CWD test that can be implemented in
the field on harvested cervids that will provide immediate test results.
• Develop a vaccine for CWD.
• Develop a cure for CWD infected cervids.
• Breed inheritable resistance to CWD in captive cervids such that the cervids do not carry
or shed CWD prions.
• Determine CWD prion longevity and virulence in contaminated soil, feed, and crops
under a wide range of environmental conditions.
• Develop a better understanding of CWD prion movement in the environment once
outside of cervids
• Expand monitoring of wild cervids in CWD endemic zones to better understand the effect
of CWD on cervid populations.
• Conduct epidemiological assessment of CWD prions on human health including whether
humans are already carriers of CWD prions, the likelihood of CWD prions infecting humans
and causing disease, and the impact of eating CWD positive cervids.
• Conduct additional research to determine the viability and methodology for composting
CWD infected cervids.
d) Bayfield County Resolution No. 2020-50; Create Financial Incentives for Volunteer
Emergency Responders;
WHEREAS, Bayfield County is a very rural county with less than 10 people per square mile,
and
WHEREAS, a large portion of the Ambulance, Emergency Medical and Fire Response
individuals in the county are volunteers, and
WHEREAS, increasingly, rural areas are having more and more difficulty in recruiting and
retaining volunteer emergency responders, resulting in longer response times, and
WHEREAS, increasingly, neighboring services are called upon to respond to emergency
situations because of the shortage of local volunteers, and
WHEREAS, Bills AB 142 and SB 135 in the 2019-2020 Legislative session would have created
non-refundable tax credits for volunteer emergency responders, and
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WHEREAS, the proposed first tax credit would be $20 for each hour a volunteer spends on
active duty or in training. The second credit for each volunteer would be the amount of their
unreimbursed expenses. The maximum amount a volunteer could claim in a year is $1,000 and
$400 respectively.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the Bayfield County Board of Supervisors
assembled this 26th day of May 2020, requests that the Wisconsin County Association support
legislation making volunteering more attractive and financially affordable for volunteer
emergency responders.
e) Bayfield County Resolution No. 2020-51; Increase Funding for Wisconsin County
Conservation Staff;
WHEREAS, all life is dependent on clean water, and
WHEREAS, all Wisconsin residents and visitors require and deserve access to clean water, and
WHEREAS, Wisconsin’s economy is dependent on water, and
WHEREAS, clean water is required to maintain and grow Wisconsin’s economy, and
WHEREAS, County Conservation Departments are charged with implementing statewide
performance standards, including ATCP 50 and NR 151, runoff reduction efforts like Total
Maximum Daily Loads, farmland preservation programs, producer-led watershed and citizen
watershed groups, stormwater permits and much more, and
WHEREAS, County Conservation Departments are being asked to implement an ever-
increasing set of programs without increased funding and with less staff, and
WHEREAS, County Conservation Departments have 40% fewer state-funded staff than there
were 20 years ago, and
WHEREAS, at almost every public hearing held by the 2019 Speakers Task Force on Water
Quality found overwhelming support to fully fund county conservation staff, and
WHEREAS, the Speakers Task Force on Water Quality recommended that the State fully fund
its cost-share commitment for County Conservation staff, and
WHEREAS, Bills AB790 and SB723 in the 2019-2020 Legislative session provided for
increased funding for County Conservation staff to meet Wisconsin Statutes 92.14 to support an
average of three staff per county at cost share rates of 100/70/50%.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the Bayfield County Board of Supervisors
assembled this 26th Day of May 2020, supports an increase in state funding for County
Conservation staff to meet Wisconsin Statues 92.14, and
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the Bayfield County Board of
Supervisors assembled this 26th Day of May 2020, recommends that the Wisconsin Counties
Association urge the State Legislature to increase funding for County Conservation staff to meet
Wisconsin Statutes 92.14
f) Bayfield County Resolution No. 2020-52; Water Quality Task Force; Land & Water
Conservation Department;
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WHEREAS, all life is dependent on clean water, and
WHEREAS, Wisconsin’s residents and visitors require and deserve access to clean water, and
WHEREAS, Wisconsin’s economy is dependent on water, and
WHEREAS, clean water is required to maintain and grow Wisconsin’s economy,
WHEREAS, County Conservation Departments are charged with implementing statewide
performance standards, including ATCP 50 and NR 151, runoff reduction efforts like Total
Maximum Daily Loads, farmland preservation programs, producer-led watershed and citizen
watershed groups, stormwater permits and much more, and
WHEREAS, County Conservation Departments are being asked to implement an ever-
increasing set of programs without increased funding and with less staff, and
WHEREAS, County Conservation Departments have 40% fewer state-funded staff than there
were 20 years ago, and
WHEREAS, at almost every public hearing held by the 2019 Speakers Task Force on Water
Quality found overwhelming support to fully fund county conservation staff, and
WHEREAS, proposal LRB-4717 provides assistance to Farmers for Conservation by allocating
$64,800 in GPR in FY 2019-20 and $86,400 in FY 2020-21, to fund a managed grazing
initiatives coordinator, and grants for agricultural water stewardship certifications, and $5 / Acre
for cover crops, and
WHEREAS, proposal LRB-4761; Groundwater Testing, Mapping, and Educational Outreach
creates a hydrogeologist position and creates a grant program to support well testing and
educational outreach across Wisconsin, and
WHEREAS, AB-637/SB-252 Appropriates $150,000 in GPR for Ashland County to implement
a Flood Risk Pilot Project for on-the-ground flood mitigation demonstration practices,
WHEREAS, the Speakers Task Force on Water Quality recommended that the State fully fund
its cost-share commitment for County Conservation staff, and
WHEREAS, Bills AB790 and SB723 in the 2019-2020 Legislative session provided for
increased funding for County Conservation staff to meet Wisconsin Statutes 92.14 to support an
average of three staff per county at cost share rates of 100/70/50%. This proposal increases state
funding for county land and water conservation staff by $2,960,000 in FY 2020-21,
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the Bayfield County Board of Supervisors
assembled this 26th Day of May 2020, supports these proposed bills directed to improve
Wisconsin’s surface and ground water quality in Bayfield County, Wisconsin, and state-wide.
g) Bayfield County Resolution No. 2020-53; Action to Address the Mental Health
Epidemic in County Jails; WHEREAS, the number of individuals with mental health issues in
county jails has exploded over the past decade, and
WHEREAS, individuals with mental illness need specialized care and attention, and
WHEREAS, demands on local correctional institutions is greater than can be sustained, and
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WHEREAS, this workload and case types are overwhelming county jail staffs.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the Bayfield County Board of Supervisors
assembled this 26th day of May 2020, requests that the Wisconsin County Association support
legislation addressing mental health issues in county jails including:
• That individuals on psychotropic medicines before incarceration be allowed to continue
using these medicines while in jail, with no interruption to funding of these medications if the
individual is currently enrolled in a state program which provides that resource.
• That increased Department of Corrections funding be made available for crisis
intervention utilizing licensed mental health professionals that hold prescribing licensure.
h) Bayfield County Resolution No. 2020-54; Expansion of the Department of
Corrections Opening Avenues to Re-Entry Success (OARS) to all of Wisconsin;
WHEREAS, the OARS program enhances public safety by supporting the successful transition,
recovery and self-sufficiency of offenders with mental health needs as they reintegrate into the
community, and
WHEREAS, this is a vision and effort that should be available, supported and encouraged in
every county in the state, and
WHEREAS, OARS enhances public safety by reducing recidivism and revocation rates, and
WHEREAS, people released from incarceration often face difficulty finding housing and
employment, those on OARS have opportunities secure both housing and employment upon
release which helps to reduce their chances of relapse into unhealthily lifestyles, and
WHEREAS, OARS is currently available in only 44 counties in Wisconsin.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the Bayfield County Board of Supervisors
assembled this 26th day of May 2020, requests that the Wisconsin County Association support
expansion of the OARS program to the entire state of Wisconsin.
i) Bayfield County Resolution No. 2020-55; Increase the Payments to Towns with
County Forest Land;
WHEREAS, Wisconsin has 29 Counties with 2.4 million acres of County Forest Land, and
WHEREAS, County Forest Lands are entered under Wisconsin Statute 28.11 County Forest
Law, which outlines the framework for County Forest Management, and
WHEREAS, Wisconsin State Statue 28.11 requires compensation and a reasonable revenue to
Towns, and
WHEREAS, the State currently provides a payment in lieu of taxes (PILT) of $0.30 per acre to
local units of government containing County Forest Lands, and
WHEREAS, this amount was established in 1989 and has not been increased in 30 years, and
WHEREAS, PILT payments for National Forest Lands are approximately $2.00 per acre to
local units of government, and
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WHEREAS, these payments help towns to provide emergency services to people using the
county forest and to maintain roads which provide access to the county forest, and
WHEREAS, the Department of Natural Resources is willing to consider a budgetary fix to this
issue,
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the Bayfield County Board of Supervisors
assembled this 26th Day of May 2020, supports an increased PILT payment to Towns with
County Forest Lands to $2.00 acre, and
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the Bayfield County Board of
Supervisors assembled this 26th day of May 2020, recommends that the Wisconsin Counties
Association urge the State Legislature to increase funding for PILT payments to Town with
County Forest Lands to $2.00 per acre.
The above Bayfield County Resolutions will be forwarded to the Wisconsin Counties
Association (WCA) for their consideration. These Resolutions are voted on by the WCA for their
platform. These Resolutions were explained. Many are similar to last year’s Resolutions because
the issues are still present.
Motion by Silbert, Rondeau to approve Bayfield County Resolutions (b-i) No. 2020-48; No.
2020-49; No. 2020-50; No. 2020-51; No 2020-52; No. 2020-53; No. 2020-54; No. 2020-55.
Motion carried with one opposition.
Motion by Silbert, Sandstrom to approve Bayfield County Resolution No. 2020-47 (a). A roll
call was taken as follows: Sandstrom-yes, Dougherty-yes, Fickbohm-yes, Oswald-yes, Silbert-
yes, Pocernich-no, Strand-yes, Snilsberg-yes, Milanowski-absent, Zepczyk-yes, Crandall-yes,
Rondeau-yes, Charly Ray-yes. (11-yes, 1-no, 1-absent) Motion carried.
14. Bayfield County Resolution No. 2020-56; COVID-19 Contribution for Bayfield County
Emergency Medical Services Providers;
WHEREAS, there is a public health emergency in the nation, state and county; and,
WHEREAS, local EMS agencies providing Bayfield County services are challenged in many
ways by this crisis; and,
WHEREAS, additional Personal Protective Equipment is required on each and every call for
service; and,
WHEREAS, additional time and equipment is now required on every call for service; and,
WHEREAS, Bayfield County EMS Providers must take extra precautions to ensure their
patient, their own and their family safety with COVID-19.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Bayfield County Board of Supervisors
assembled this 26th day of May 2020, do hereby authorize the appropriation of $500 for nine
EMS agencies serving Bayfield County to help pay for additional Personal Protective Equipment
or other necessary equipment or labor for emergency response; and,
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that Bayfield County extends sincere and heartfelt
appreciation to EMS in Bayfield County for their commitment during this national emergency.
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Decrease Contingency 100-00-51410-50000 by $4,500
Increase Grants to EMS Services 100-00-52301-50790 by $4,500
Motion by Rondeau, Dougherty to approve Resolution No. 2020-56, COVID-19 Contribution
for Bayfield County Emergency Medical Services Providers. A roll call was taken as follows:
Sandstrom-yes, Dougherty-yes, Fickbohm-yes, Oswald-yes, Silbert-yes, Pocernich-yes, Strand-
yes, Snilsberg-yes, Milanowski-absent, Zepczyk-yes, Crandall-yes, Rondeau-yes, Charly Ray-
yes. (12-yes, 0-no, 1-absent) Motion carried.
15. Discussion and Possible Action: Budget Planning Meeting discussion and Setting Levy for
2021; It was discussed at the last meeting, but no action was taken.
Motion by Sandstrom, Fickbohm to set the levy at the maximum for 2021. A roll call was
taken as follows: Sandstrom-yes, Dougherty-yes, Fickbohm-yes, Oswald-yes, Silbert-yes,
Pocernich-yes, Strand-yes, Snilsberg-yes, Milanowski-absent, Zepczyk-yes, Crandall-yes,
Rondeau-yes, Charly Ray-yes. (12-yes, 0-no, 1-absent) Motion carried.
16. Discussion and Possible Action: Confirming Bayfield County Committee Assignments;
Motion by Rondeau, Snilsberg to confirm the Bayfield County Committee Assignments.
Motion carried.
17. Bayfield County Administrator’s Report:
a) Future County Board Meeting Dates:
The following meetings are all regularly scheduled.
✓ June 30th, 2020
✓ July 28th, 2020
✓ August 25th, 2020
b) Courthouse/Annex COVID-19 Transition;
Bayfield County is the first County in Wisconsin that is holding a jury trial since COVID-19.
Courthouse is opening.
c) COVID-19 Financial Update;
No updates since the last meeting.
d) Census 2020;
The Southern part of Bayfield County has low participation rates.
e) Bayfield County Local Government Youth Scholarship;
The deadline was extended for the Local Government Youth Scholarship. There were three
applicants.
Road work was discussed. Highway 13, County N, etc.
18. Supervisors’ Reports;
Reports were received regarding the BART Committee (in full).
19. Adjournment. 7:22 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
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Scott S. Fibert
Scott S. Fibert, Bayfield County Clerk
SSF/alr