HomeMy WebLinkAboutExecutive Committee - Minutes - 12/10/2002Executive Committee Minutes
December 10, 2002, County Board Room
Members Present: Kenneth Jardine, Brett Rondeau, Dee Kittleson, Harold Maki, Marco
Bichanich
Members Absent: John Blahnik
Others Present: Tom Gordon, Mark Abeles-Allison, Dan Anderson, Kris Kavajecz
Meeting was called to order at 10:00am by chairman Rondeau.
Motion by Jardine, second by Bichanich to approve minutes of the November 12
meeting. Motion carried.
DISCUSSION REGARDING TIRE COLLECTION PROGRAM: Tim Kane
provided information received from towns regarding their participation in a tire collection
program. Options for financing the program were discussed. Tim provided information
on fees for the disposal of the tires after collected as well as transportation costs. A
question was raised regarding where the monies go that are paid for wheel taxes when
new tires are purchased. Discussed collecting waste tires at recycling locations on
designated dates. Towns could be asked to provide staff and labor at the collection sites.
Motion by Bichanich, Second by Maki to send each town a letter indicating that the
County will be sponsoring a tire clean-up program and that the county will pay half of
the cost. The towns will be requested to pay a portion of the expense, based on
population. Motion Carried.
Further discussion pertained to what types of tires to accept and what entities will be
permitted to dispose of tires. Service stations and business that charge a fee for the
disposal of tires will be excluded.
The collection will be scheduled for June of 2003. The notice of the collection will
include the statement that no rims will be accepted. Locations will be determined
through discussions with towns.
JOINT DISPATCH RESOLUTION: Mark Abeles-Allison provided background on
the Resolution authorizing funding to hire a consultant to evaluate the cost and feasibility
of a joint dispatch center. A consultant would be hired to evaluate the radio, tower,
console, and associated dispatch equipment as well as connectivity issues and would
determine if the grant funds will be sufficient to equip the dispatch center.
Motion by Jardine, Second by Kittleson to approve the resolution authorizing up to
$10,000 to hire a consultant to evaluate and provide recommendation of whether or not
the grant from the Department of Commerce will be sufficient to equip a joint dispatch
center and authorized that the resolution be forwarded to the County Board for approval.
A brief discussion was held regarding the sharing of costs to operate the facility,
including utilities. Motion Carried
TRIANGLE PARKING. The Washburn City Council voted to sell the triangle parcel to
the County for a minimal fee and that the parcel be used as a parking area. Green space
requirements will be a stipulation of the sale. The City’s attorney is reviewing statutes
pertaining to the sale.
DISCUSSION REGARDING UNFUNDED LIABILITY. Tom Gordon explained
how unfunded liability works. Abeles-Allison reviewed the current funding liability
schedule that the county now follows. Abeles-Allison reviewed information provided by
Ehler's & Assoc outlining 5 options for refinancing of the unfunded liability. Each option
was reviewed. Discussion was held regarding the options and how it will impact the
county and employees in the future.
Motion by Maki to request Mark, Dan, & Tom to review these options more closely and
make a recommendation to the Executive Committee. Second by Jardine. Jardine
Rescind second, Maki rescind Motion.
Motion by Maki, second by Bichanich to recommend Option 3 to be reviewed by the
Administrator, Treasurer, and County Clerk. The option should be investigated further
and the County Board be provided with this information at the meeting this evening.
Motion Carried.
COMMUNITY SERVICE PROGRAM UPDATE: Abeles-Allison and Kavajecz
provided a brief explanation of the program and provided a handout of the program cycle
and timeline for implementation of the program. Kittleson posed the question of liability.
Abeles-Allison will investigate liability further.
BUDGET AMENDMENT RESOLUTION: A Resolution was presented with the
agenda which outlined budget amendments to reflect the Groomer Purchases and Jail
Project Expenditures for 2002.
Motion by Jardine, Second by Bichanich to approve the resolutions for budget
amendments for the Groomer Purchase and Jail Project. Motion Carried.
FINANCIAL REPORT: Handout was provided regarding YTD (through October
2002) comparisons from 2001 and 2002. Revenues and expenses were provided. There
was no discussion on this information.
Discussion was held regarding the designation of excess revenue dollars to be used to add
a basement under the jail expansion project. Abeles-Allison provided handout of notes
from the Sheriff's Committee meeting. A suggestion was made by Gordon to transfer
monies from excess revenues for the cost of acquiring the property. These monies were
taken from the funds designated for the jail expansion project. The jail project will be re-
bid with the same square footage, but will reflect many cost saving changes. The
basement will be bid as an add-on option, not to be included in the base bid for the jail
project. Discussion was held regarding the sensibility of constructing a basement under
the jail to be used for future office expansion.
Motion by Jardine, Second by Bichanich to inform the County Board that funds are
available through excess revenue to construct a basement under the jail project and a
recommendation that excess revenue be used to pay for the basement if the County Board
approves its construction. Motion Carried.
MEMBERSHIP TO NATIONAL FOREST COUNTIES & SCHOOLS
ASSOCIATION: Neil Paulson is a board member of this organization and he
recommends that the county fund this membership for 2003 and that in 2004 the county
solicit support of the townships to pay for the membership. All monies go directly to the
towns.
Motion by Maki, Second by Kittleson to approve membership to the National Forest
Counties & Schools Association in the amount of $1166. Motion Carried.
MANDATE RELIEF UPDATE: State has developed a form and procedure for relief
from specific mandates. The County Clerk and Administrator will keep an eye open for
potential uses for this program.
GOVERNOR'S FISHING OPENER: The opener will be held in Bayfield County in
2003. The county will be sponsoring one of the meals for the opener.
INSURANCE SURVEY SUMMARY: Survey results were reviewed. A brief
discussion was held regarding the option of offering compensation to employees in lieu
of enrollment in the County Health Insurance Plan. This information will be reviewed
more in depth by the Personnel Committee.
LETTER FROM OTTO RUSCH: Committee members received and reviewed a copy
of correspondence from Otto Rusch regarding the allocation of funds for the Bayfield
County Economic Development Corporation and criteria for funding in 2003.
OTHER ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION: Jardine stated that he is concerned that new
employees are not provided insurance for the first six months of employment and that this
is discouraging promising candidates from accepting employment with the county. He
would like Exec Committee and County Board to review the current policy and consider
offering insurance upon hire rather than after 6 month waiting period.
Motion by Jardine, Second by Bichanich to adjourn. Motion Carried.
Meeting Adjourned at 12:20pm.