HomeMy WebLinkAboutExecutive Committee - Minutes - 6/13/2006Minutes of the
Bayfield County Executive Committee
Bayfield County Board Room, Courthouse, Washburn, WI
June 13, 2006 – 4:00 p.m.
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Brett T. Rondeau at 4:05 p.m.
Present were: William D. Kacvinsky, Thomas J. Gordon, Delores Kittleson, Kenneth
Jardine, John J. Blahnik, and Brett T. Rondeau,. Total: 6, 6 present. Others present
were County Administrator, Mark Abeles-Allison; County Clerk, Scott S. Fibert; Deputy
County Clerk, Dawn M. Bellile; and Gene Jordan, Director of Northern Lights Manor
Nursing Home.
A motion was made by Blahnik/Kacvinsky to adopt the minutes of the May 15,
2006 Executive Committee Meeting. The motion carried.
1. Presentation by Steve Hoecker of Northern Great Lakes Visitor’s Center.
Fibert was present to inform the Committee of the unconditional help that Steve and
Rose have given his office as it relates to the use of the Visitor Center’s meeting room.
We needed a room for Voter Registration meetings and rooms were provided, free of
charge, to use the facility. They worked with Bayfield County to facilitate our needs
and it is much appreciated. Fibert commended both Steve and Rose because it helps
out all Bayfield County municipalities and shows how well we can work together.
Steve Hoecker not yet present, the Committee moved on to the next item on the
agenda.
2. Presentation by Gene Jordan, Administrator of Northern Lights Manor
Health Care Facility. Jordan thanked the Committee for allowing him a few minutes of
their time. He explained that he was here to talk about changes and commitment and
to see if municipal bonding for next year is possible. He emphasized that they are not
trying to get out of anything, but father, move forward to bigger and better ways of
providing services that they are currently and hopefully in the future going to provide.
Jordan elaborated on the fact that they have 50% more out and in-patients than
they have had in the past. He stated that there are a few items they would like to
accomplish such as:
a) They want to expand their mission statement recognizing items such as high
quality senior housing and services, to have residents to be able to live in their home as
long as they possibly can;
b) Establish assisted living in the Washburn and Bayfield areas. The other
surrounding areas do not look like they have the numbers for this type of living yet,
pursuant to a recent survey they conducted;
c) Upgrade current the present nursing home facility. He discussed options as
to what would take place, i.e., municipal bonding;
d) New roof;
e) Carpeting, room treatments, etc.;
f) Expand home health care services, including everything from running e
errands to bathing patients at home.
Jordan discussed home health care which would be for the entire county. He
stated he didn’t think they would necessarily want to restrict themselves to Bayfield
County, rather, expanding to Sawyer county for residents which were located in the
southern part of Bayfield County. They want to be able to coordinate services with the
Bayfield County Health Department.
Jordan explained that over the last 30 years, 6 different bonds have been issued.
The nursing home is a tremendous asset, it gives great care, and is one of the largest
employers in Bayfield County. He went on to state that there is a stipulation in the
lease agreement whereby if the Nursing Home could not make payment, Bayfield
County would have to make the payment. This was written in to make sure they could
get the best interest rate possible at the time. The issue at hand is how to calculate what
would be the better interest rate today. He explained that at the end of 2005, the
Nursing Home ended the year with $9,000 to the good out of a 4 million dollar
budget. This is good, but, not good enough. This just acknowledges that they are
running very close to the edge. The County has not yet had to make any payments,
but, the bond is written to provide this, should an emergency arise in any case.
He also stated that the plan is to do have an assisted living in the area. The first
step is to approach the people who own the building next to them. See if it is even
possible to purchase. If it is, whether or not the price is favorable. Presently the facility
only offers 13 apartments which they would like to expand. This issue is a sensitive issue
as the same people own many facilities in both Ashland and Bayfield counties. Further
discussion took place on how this would be addressed to make the bonding and costs
less.
Jordan thanked the Committee for their time and stated that he would get back
to them soon, with more facts and figures.
3. Discussion and Possible Action Regarding B ids for Courthouse
Improvements. Abeles-Allison informed the Committee that 7 bids were received. He
passed out a spreadsheet listing the 7 contractors who submitted bids. (see attached).
He reported that Buckmaster Roofing & Sheet Metal was the lowest bid. This company
has been around for over 25 years, and they also did the roof on the dome earlier.
Discussion took place on the bids. A motion was made by Kacvinsky/Gordon to accept
the bid of Buckmaster Roofing & Sheet Metal with all of the alternatives. A roll call
vote was taken as follows: Blahnik-yes; Jardine-yes; Kacvinsky-yes; Gordon-yes;
Kittleson-yes; Rondeau-yes. Total: 6; 6 yes. The motion carried.
4. Review, Discussion and Possible Action Regarding Sheriff’s Office Basement
Plans. Abeles-Allison passed out documents for the Committee’s review, No action will
be taken today but down the road. The Committee reviewed, but due to their nature,
left the plans with the Administrator for “safe keeping.”
5. Discussion and Possible Action Regarding Budget Planning and Survey Issues.
Abeles-Allison explained the time-line and process. Last year at this time, we were just
finishing the budget priority session – hearing all of the issues from the departments.
Nothing has been schedule yet for this year as to much have been happening. He
reported that he is trying to complete the Strategic Plan as we will need this when we
enter into negotiations with the union groups. It was discussed to have the County
Board meet as soon as possible to make priorities for the Board and to take a stand as
to what the County can afford and where we want to go. The biggest part of the
budget process will be the Union negotiations. A very lengthy discussion took place on
what will be needed, dollar amounts.
The Committee thought it would be appropriate for the County Administrator to
write a letter to the department heads explaining where the County stands as far as the
budget and that cuts have to be made. For discussion purposes, the idea of putting
together the budget and then have the respective oversight committees and then sit
down and look at what each department needs to cut back on, leaving it up to the
oversight committees to do the cutting back. A very lengthy discussion took place on
issues and ways to work out a budget.
There are new revenues, but if we are anticipating a short fall of approximately
$250,000.00. The County Administrator was asking for some direction and guidance
from the Committee as it related to staffing and payroll at the current level. Likewise,
the Committee felt that they were looking for direction from the County Administrator
as to which direction the Committee should take. The Committee can provide certain
information, however, there are policies involved which the County Administrator is
more familiar with. It was decided that a letter would go out from the County
Administrator, explaining that this is a very difficult year and that the departments must
“hold the line.”
The Committee also discussed a hiring freeze – maybe this is the year that we
should think about this. They further discussed having the County Board only to grant
permission to hire new people. They wouldn’t do the interviewing or hiring, just give
the permission to allow for hiring.
6. Reports.
a) Courtroom Renovation Directions. The County Board will be meeting
on Fri., June 16 at 9:00 a.m. regarding courtroom renovations and the direction to
move in.
Supervisor Jardine stated that he put a call in to the Historical Society and it
was stated that the courtroom is on the registry. Discussion that the current County
Board Room is what is on the registry, not the courtroom presently used.
b) County Strategic Plan. The Committee discussed a strategic plan.
c) County Fleet. The County Administrator updated the Committee that
the County Fleet is moving towards purchasing compact card which have better gas
mileage. 3 cars and 1 truck are being replaced and they are outlined on the attached
Bid Tabulation Form. (See attached). The cars are bare bones cars, but have good
ratings. The County Clerk and County Administrator will be looking at the cars prior to
purchasing them.
A motion was made by Gordon/Blahnik to purchase two, 2007 Ford Focus
automobiles, the 2007 Ranger Truck from Zaharia’s, and the 2006 Aveo from Von
Holzen. The motion carried.
d) Health Insurance Update: Utilization. A brief update was given on
health insurance and its utilization.
e) Financial Update. County Treasurer, Dan Anderson, prepared a
report for the Committee’s review as it relates to the accounts the County has.
f) Update on Agricultural Research Station. An update was given on the
Agricultural Research Station. The University voted to give it to Bayfield County. They
have asked that someone from Bayfield County go to Madison to take ownership on
the June 28th, and either Kacvinsky or Abeles-Allison will make the trip. Basically, the
University is washing their hands of the university. A brief discussion took place that
there is a company interested in the station. A joint meeting needs to be held between
the entities to discuss the next steps once ownership takes place. Discussion also took
place on buying out Ashland County.
g) Update on the NACo Prescription Drug Card Program. The NACo
Prescription Drug Card Program card has been received and a press release is being
prepared to be sent out.
A motion was made by Gordon/Kacvinsky to move into Executive Session
pursuant to Wisconsin Statutes §19.85(1)(c),(e), to approve the minutes of the May 15,
2006 Executive Session and discuss personnel issues. A roll call vote was taken as
follows: Blahnik-yes; Jardine-yes; Kacvinsky-yes; Gordon-yes; Kittleson-yes; Rondeau-
yes. Total: 6: 6-yes. The motion carried.
A motion was made by Blahnik/Kacvinsky to move out of Executive Session
pursuant to Wisconsin Statutes §19.85(1)(c),(e) A roll call vote was taken as follows:
Blahnik-yes; Jardine-yes; Kacvinsky-yes; Gordon-yes; Kittleson-yes; Rondeau-yes. Total:
6: 6-yes. The motion carried.
Steve Hoecker had not yet shown up for this evening’s meeting.
A motion was made by Gordon/Kacvinsky to adjourn. The motion carried and
the meeting adjourned at 5:40 p.m. The next meeting date was set for July 18th at
4:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Dawn M. Bellile,
Deputy County Clerk
MAA/dmb