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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCounty Board of Supervisors - Minutes - 1/7/2021 1 Bayfield County Clerk Lynn M. Divine, County Clerk Kim Mattson, Accountant Jeran Delaine, Deputy Clerk Gail M. Reha, Bookkeeper Paige Terry, Clerk III Ph: 715.373.6100 ● Fx: 715.373.6153 ● Email: Lynn.Divine@bayfieldcounty.wi.gov ● 117 E. Fifth Street, PO Box 878, Washburn, WI 54891 Draft Minutes of the: Bayfield County Board of Supervisors’ Meeting January 7th, 2021 6:00 p.m. Meeting Held Remotely 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 6:02 p.m. by Bayfield County Chairman Dennis M. Pocernich. A roll call was taken by County Clerk- Lynn Divine, as follows: Steve Sandstrom- present virtually; Mary Dougherty- present virtually; Larry Fickbohm-arrived late via phone; Charly Ray- present virtually; Jeremy Oswald- present virtually; Jeff Silbert- present virtually; Dennis Pocernich- present virtually; Fred Strand- present virtually; Tom Snilsberg- present virtually; Marty Milanowski- present virtually; David Zepczyk-present via phone; Jim Crandall- present virtually; Brett Rondeau- present virtually. Total: 12 present, 1 absent. A quorum was present to conduct business. The following employees were also present for today’s meeting: County Administrator- Mark Abeles-Allison virtually; County Clerk- Lynn Divine virtually Emergency Management Coordinator- Jan Victorson virtually; Clerk III- Paige Terry virtually 3. Pledge of Allegiance; Due to the virtual nature of the meeting, Chairman Pocernich decided to dispense with the Pledge of Allegiance for the meeting. 4. Discussion and Possible Action, Minutes from November 10th, 2020; Motion by Milanowski seconded by Rondeau to approve the minutes from November 10, 2020. Motion Carried, 12-0, 1 absent. 5. Public Comment; None. 6. Bayfield County Resolution No. 2021-01; Mitigation Resolution, Jan Victorson; 2021-01 Adoption of the Bayfield County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan WHEREAS, Bayfield County recognizes the threat that natural hazards pose to people and property; and, WHEREAS, historically these damages have resulted in loss of property, life, economic hardship and threats to public health and safety; and, 2 WHEREAS, undertaking mitigation actions before hazards occur can reduce the potential for harm to people and property and save tax payer dollars; and, WHEREAS, Bayfield County has developed and received notification from Wisconsin Emergency Management that the Bayfield County Hazard Mitigation Plan update meets the required criteria for a multi-jurisdictional hazard mitigation plan; and, WHEREAS, the Bayfield County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan addresses hazard mitigation strategies and plan maintenance procedures for Bayfield County that includes all jurisdictions within the county; and, WHEREAS, the Plan recommends hazard mitigation actions/projects specific to natural hazards that impact Bayfield County, with the effect of protecting people and property from loss associated with those hazards; and, WHEREAS, adoption of this plan will make the county and all jurisdictions within the county eligible for mitigation grant funding to alleviate the impacts of future hazards; NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Bayfield County Board of Supervisors assembled this 7th day of January 2021, do hereby adopt the presented plan as the official Bayfield County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan; and, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Plan be reviewed annually by the Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) to include documentation related to progress on implementation of mitigation actions/projects. Victorson reported that Bayfield County needs to have an updated mitigation plan in place for any local jurisdictions, including county, to be able to apply for mitigation funding. Victorson informed the board that in 1990 the median age was 37. In 2015 the median age was 51, which has resulted in a huge change in mitigation planning and priorities. Another mitigation planning issue is the existence of 13 wastewater treatment systems in Bayfield County, making clean water a large concern. 3,000 Bayfield County homes are heated by propane, meaning that a possible propane shortage could be a concern. Bayfield County is served by 15 fire departments, 9 ambulance services, and 5 law enforcement agencies. Flash flooding ranked highest for natural disasters in Bayfield County. The highest ranking manmade technological concern is a long-term power outage which may be due to an increased dependence on cell phones and technology. Two hazards have been added; cyber security and global climate change. There has been a major change to the pandemic section of the plan. Bayfield County needs to update the existing hazard mitigation plan in order to maintain local jurisdiction availability for funding. Ray questioned if pipelines were included in the mitigation plan. Victorson verified that the pipelines had been mentioned. Victorson further stated that if the plan is approved, she will inform the state, cities, villages and tribes. Town fall under the county plan already. Motion by Silbert seconded by Snilsberg to adopt Resolution 2021-01. Motion Carried 12-0, 1 absent. 3 7. Discussion Regarding Community Development Block Grant; Abeles-Allison reported that the Business Assistance Grant would be in the amount of $250,000, the Rental Assistance Grant would be in the amount of $200,000, and the Nursing Home Air System Upgrade Grant would be in the amount of $400,000. Applications still need to be submitted and a public hearing must be held. Abeles-Allison informed the board that he is looking for assistance from county board members to assist in advising on the completion of applications for the Business Assistance Program, Rental Assistance Program, and Nursing Home Air System Upgrade. Sandstrom offered to assist with the Business Assistance Grant; Crandall offered to assist with the Rental Assistance Grant and Silbert offered to assist with the Nursing Home Air System Upgrade Grant. Oswald offered his assistance should additional help be needed. Motion by Crandall seconded by Rondeau to proceed with the Community Development Block Grant Application Process. Motion Carried, 12-0, 1 absent. 8. The Board may entertain a motion to move in and out of Closed Session pursuant to §19.85(1)(e), to confer 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. a) Minutes, November 10th, 2020 closed session b) Union Negotiations, WPPA Abeles-Allison suggested that closed session be moved to the next Board meeting and informed the board that Union Negotiations with the WPPA are ongoing, thus the closed session items should be forwarded to the next meeting on January 26, 2021. 9. Bayfield County Administrator’s Report: Abeles-Allison read a report prepared by Health Department Director Sara Wartman. The Bayfield County Health Department has administered 151 COVID-19 vaccines over the past two weeks. Vaccine administration is focused on Tier 1(a) individuals, which include emergency medical professionals along with individuals that work with others in confined spaces on a regular basis. Other individuals include law enforcement and social workers that have to regularly go into private homes. Bayfield County has received two separate shipments of 65 vaccines each, for a total 130 vaccines. Vaccine shipments occur on a weekly basis. Both the Red Cliff Clinic and Memorial Medical Center have begun dispensing the COVID-19 vaccine. The vaccines have been a mix of the Moderna and the Pfizer brands. COVID-19 testing will continue in Iron River every two weeks for the next 10 weeks. Bad River and Red cliff will continue to do periodic testing. The courthouse is continuing to utilize PPE and other prevention methods. The Personnel Committee talked about modifying emergency family leave and emergency medical leave policies as the federal policy expired December 31, 2020. a) Future County Board Meeting Dates: a. January 26 b. February 23 c. March 30 b) 2020 Census and Potential Impact on Bayfield County Supervisory Districts; Abeles-Allison informed the board that Census numbers are used locally to determine supervisory districts. When there is more than a 10% change in a district, such as with the Town of Russell, it 4 could lead to the consideration of a district change. More information will be shared over the next three months. The potential exists to adjust supervisory districts. Approximately 6:20 – Larry Fickbohm joined the meeting via phone. Discussion took place regarding how district lines may change, the possibility of them changing in the future, and district sizes. 10. Supervisors’ Reports; Abeles-Allison informed the board that the County will be experiencing a domain name change from bayfieldcounty.org to bayfieldcounty.wi.gov. The new domain name offers additional security and will be used for both the website and email addresses. Abeles-Allison stated that every effort to communicate the change to agencies and the public will be a priority. Pocernich informed the board that the County Administrator’s evaluation needs to be completed soon. The County Administrator’s contract is up for renewal and will need to be reviewed at an upcoming board meeting. Pocernich reported that the negotiations with Teamsters have been settled and contracts have been signed. Abeles-Allison reported that the Northern Lights Nursing Home recently received two separate COVID-19 related funding checks that they will be able to keep and utilize to keep their doors open. Ray questioned the 5% decreases that had been agreed upon at the previous board meeting as was questioning if there was also an opportunity for a 5% increase. Abeles-Allison explained that a letter went out to all department heads explaining a 2%, 5%, and 7% decrease scenario asking the department to bring to their respective committees. 2020 left the County approximately $600,000 short of the funds the County is accustomed to leaving a fear that the operating expenses would not be covered by revenues. Ray asked for an agenda item put into the next board meeting to reconsider the decision to seek out 2%, 5%, and 7% decreases as it seems unnecessary. Pocernich instructed Divine to add Ray’s request to the January agenda. 11. Adjournment; There being no further business to come before the Bayfield County Board of Supervisors, Chairman Pocernich adjourned the meeting at 6:46 p.m. Sincerely, LYNN M. DIVINE Lynn M. Divine, Bayfield County Clerk LMD/pat