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HomeMy WebLinkAboutExecutive Committee - Minutes - 12/1/2005L:\COMMITTEES AND BOARDS\EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE\2005\Executive Committee Minutes 120105.doc Page 1 of 3 Minutes of the Bayfield County Executive Committee Meeting Thursday December 1, 2005 10:00am Emergency Operations center (EOC), Bayfield County Annex Building Members present: John Blahnik, Verne Gilles, Brett Rondeau, Harold Maki, Neil Paulson, Kenneth Jardine Others Present: Bill Kacvinsky, David Lee, Jan Victorson, Mark Abeles-Allison, Kris Kavajecz. The meeting was called to order by Chairman Rondeau at 10:00am. Motion by Blahnik , second by Gilles to approve the minutes of the November 8, 2005 Executive Committee meeting. Motion carried. David Lee, Land Records Administrator, made a presentation regarding the recent aerial photography project that was coordinated through the Land Records Department. A proposal was presented regarding a policy to disseminate the data as well as a fee structure for the various methods and amounts of data to be released. Motion by Blahnik, second by Maki to approve the policies and fee structures related to aerial photography as proposed. Motion Carried. Abeles-Allison reviewed the function of NAZCA as a for-profit, information sharing entity. Two other counties in WI have entered into an agreement with NAZCA. The initial participant fee proposed last year was approximately $65,000. The fee being proposed currently has been reduced to $1500. Abeles-Allison explained that if the county submits a non-binding letter of intent to NAZCA, they can guarantee a price of no greater than $1500 if they choose to enter into an agreement with this organization. There was a brief discussion regarding the pros and cons of forwarding a non-binding letter of intent. Motion by Blahnik, second by Paulson to authorize Abeles-Allison to sign and forward a non- binding letter of intent to NAZCA to lock in the rate of $1500 or less if the county chooses to participate in NAZCA in the future. 5-Yes, 1-No, Motion Carried. Blahnik provided an update on the activities and status of the Ag Research Station Stakeholders group. Several ideas are being pursued. Abeles-Allison reported that the university is meeting with their legal advisors today to discuss the legalities surrounding any agreement to allow a private group to operate at the Ag Research Station while owned by the University. He also reported that there is a tenant living in an apartment on the property in exchange for providing some caretaker duties. In addition, the Land Conservation office is working on an Intensive Grazing Initiative that could be based at the station. The group reviewed a draft of a possible contract for a part-time General Manager to oversee the Station for the next six months, while plans are being finalized. Abeles-Allison asked the committee to consider contributing up to $3000 from the 2005 contingency funds to help with the cost of the General Manager. An equal contribution is being requested of Ashland County and the University system. Paulson expressed concern that this could set the stage for future contributions toward operating funds. L:\COMMITTEES AND BOARDS\EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE\2005\Executive Committee Minutes 120105.doc Page 2 of 3 Motion by Blahnik, second by Gilles to recommend to the full County Board that they authorize up to a $3000 contribution toward the contract for a General Manager for the Ag Research Station for the next six months contingent upon Ashland County and the University System also each contributing an equal amount. 5-yes, 1-No, Motion Carried. Abeles-Allison reported that the AFSCME and WPPA unions have approved a side-letter authorizing the implementation of an HRA in 2006, to coincide with increased deductibles on the Health Insurance Plan. He explained that in anticipation of this, RFPs were sent out a month ago soliciting proposals for administrators for this program. Proposals were received from two companies in addition to our current 125 Plan administrator. The proposals were reviewed. Motion by Blahnik, second by Paulson to authorize Abeles-Allison to select a vendor to administer both the Flexible Spending and HRA plans. Motion Carried. Abeles-Allison reported that one proposal was received in response to the county’s request for Health Insurance Plans. The response was not equal to the current plan and was more costly. He reported that additional providers responded that they did not have ample time to prepare a response to the RFP request. Motion by Paulson, second by Maki to renew the plan with the Group Health Trust for 2006 and authorize Abeles-Allison to distribute an RFP in early 2006 for a potential new provider in 2007, giving ample time to providers to develop responses. 5-Yes, 1-No, Motion Carried. Abeles-Allison provided information on Employee Assistance Programs. The goal of these programs is to provide confidential assistance to employees through a third party vendor for various circumstances. The result of this type of program is reduced health insurance claims and lost work time due to personal issues faced by employees. Abeles-Allison explained that if an EAP were implemented, costs could potentially be paid by the savings realized through the implementation of the HRA. This topic will be discussed further at a future meeting. A handout of a letter received from the DNR regarding Bayfield County’s compliance with non- metallic mining regulations was reviewed. This letter was shared for informational purposes. A handout was provided, which identifies the county’s history/trend for general liability claims. At the last Executive Committee meeting, the committee discussed raising the deductible from $2500 per occurrence to $10,000 per occurrence. Based upon past experience and trend, the potential savings to the county is approximately $10,000 annually. Motion by Blahnik, second by Paulson, to approve increasing the General Liability Insurance Deductible from $2500 per occurrence to $10,000 per occurrence. Motion Carried. Abeles-Allison reported that he and Paul Lundberg, Forestry Administrator, will be meeting with the City of Washburn Planning Commission on December 15th at 5:00pm to discuss the current forestry building location and the potential construction and relocation of a new building to the current Highway Department property. This could include the disposal of the current forestry property. L:\COMMITTEES AND BOARDS\EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE\2005\Executive Committee Minutes 120105.doc Page 3 of 3 The County Board Resolution supporting further improvements at the Highway 2 and 13 intersection was forwarded to Senators Feingold and Kohl as well as Congressman Obey. Maki reported on information he obtained from contact with the Department of Transportation. Abeles-Allison reviewed the financial revenue and expense reports through the end of November, 2005. Motion by Jardine, second by Maki to approve the financial reports as presented. Motion Carried. Motion by Gilles, second by Paulson to adjourn. Motion Carried. Meeting adjourned at 12:00 noon.