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HomeMy WebLinkAboutExecutive Committee - Minutes - 9/21/2004Exec Minutes 092104 Page 1 of 2 Minutes of the BAYFIELD COUNTY EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Tuesday, September 21, 2004 Bayfield County Board Room Washburn, WI Members Present: Brett Rondeau, John Blahnik, Kenneth Jardine, Verne Gilles, Neil Paulson Members Excused: Harold Maki Others Present: Mark Abeles-Allison, Thomas Gordon, David Good, Scott Fibert, Kris Kavajecz Rondeau called the meeting to order at 10:00 am. Rondeau invited Bruce Lindgren and Bill DeVries, with the Bayfield County Economic Development Corporation, to join the meeting at this time. Jardine reviewed two items that were identified by the board as priorities that relate to economic development: Retain existing business and expand manufacturing jobs. Lindgren provided an overview of recent changes in the BCEDC structure and the plan for near future activities. Bruce reviewed the proposed budget and explained each proposed expenditure. Bill DeVries provided a summary of his background and the current activities related to economic development in the southern portion of the county, including, Cable, Drummond, Grandview and Namakagon. Bruce and Bill explained that there are several local resources as well as regional and state resources that can be utilized. Blahnik comment on the various local resources that have not been utilized by BCEDC in the past and that he has a hard time continuing to support this effort when very little results have been shown. Paulson questioned the BCEDC representatives regarding what the first priority would be and what resources are in place to accomplish the goal. Devries respond that the first step was to restructure, which has been completed. Comment from Rondeau regarding the funding level necessary to do the job right. He stated that he would be willing to support higher funding level if tangible results can be shown. Comment from Good that the proposed funding level will only help the organization to exist for the year, but is not sufficient to give the organization an opportunity to do what they need to do. DeVries and Lindgren left the meeting at this time. Rondeau asked each committee member present where they stood on the funding issue. Paulson and Blahnik would support the proposed $45,000 only, and only if specific, measurable results were documented. Gilles, Rondeau, Jardine, and Good supported the proposed $45,000 with an additional $20,000 placed in contingency if needed and warranted. The committee took a two minute break at this time to give Dave Lee time to prepare for his electronic presentation. Lee provided a handout of a memo provided to the County Administrator the previous day and a verbal and electronic presentation which supported his request for funds to update aerial photographic information for the county. Lee stated that he has been in contact with other agencies that may be interested in cooperatively sharing the cost of the new imagery. Tom Thornton addressed the committee by telephone on behalf of the Birkie trail. He requested that the county assist in funding year-round maintenance of the trail in the amount of $3000. He provided information on the funding currently provided by Sawyer County for the portion of the trail located in their county. Clarification that the funding does not go toward the Birkie event, Exec Minutes 092104 Page 2 of 2 but toward the year-round maintenance of the trail. Approximately 6 miles of trail is located in Bayfield County. The concensus of the committee was to not fund this request. Scott Fibert provided a brief background on the HP3000 computer system used by the County Clerk’s Office, Treasurer and Property lister. This system is at the end of its useful life and needs to be replaced. Bill Lewis provided the feedback he has received from current users of both software systems being considered. He stated that one of the main considerations is that the New World System software operates on a server system that is easier to work with from the IT side of things. He also stated that the users he has spoken with ALL endorse the New World system over the IDI system. The concensus of the group was that they endorse the purchase of the New World system. Abeles-Allison recapped the budget modifications discussed over the past two days. Rondeau revisited the compensation issue for County Clerk Gordon. Motion by Blahnik, second by Paulson to compensate the County Clerk for Administrative Coordinator duties retroactive to January 1, 2004. Discussion included how this would impact the salary of the incoming County Clerk. The County Administrator will verify legalities with Corporation Council. Motion Carried. Abeles-Allison stated that over 20% of the county’s budget is dedicated to the Human Services Department. He explained that revenue through this department is unpredictable and that in 2004, $500,000 more than anticipated was brought into the county. The Human Services Department also exceeded budgeted expenditures by $200,000. Paulson urged Abeles-Allison to spend some time with the LCC Department to better understand how their budget is structured and how the Bayfield County budget contribution interacts with the other three participating counties. Paulson suggest that LCC needs to be more interactive with the Zoning Department. Good suggest a joint meeting between the Zoning Committee and LCC Committee. Motion by Blahnik, second by Paulson to approve the proposed budget with the modifications discussed and present the proposed budget to the County Board at the October 30, 2004 meeting. Motion carried. Motion by Blahnik, second by Gilles to adjourn. Motion Carried. Meeting adjourned at 12:30pm.