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HomeMy WebLinkAboutExecutive Committee - Minutes - 10/30/2008Minutes of the Bayfield County Executive Committee Meeting 4:00 PM, October 30, 2008 County Board Room, Washburn, WI Members Present: Kenneth Jardine, Brett Rondeau, David Good, Marco Bichanich, Bill Kacvinsky (4:15), Dee Kittleson Others Present: Mark Abeles-Allison-County Administrator; Kris Kavajecz-Confidential Secretary, Elizabeth Skulan, Denise Kontny, Anita Haukaas, Carrie Linder, Jeanine Spuhler, Rick Olivo (Daily Press at 4:20pm) Meeting called to order at 4:00 pm by Rondeau. Motion Jardine, Bichanich to approve minutes of the September 1, 2008 Executive Committee Meeting. Motion Carried. Motion Bichanich, Jardine to approve minutes of the September 15, 2008 Executive Committee Meeting. Motion Carried. Motion Bichanich, Jardine to approve minutes of the September 24, 2008 Executive Committee Meeting. Motion Carried. Item #9 was moved up on the agenda to accommodate the Human Services Department Managers in attendance. Abeles-Allison reported a 2% 1/1/09, 1% 7/1/09 increase is budgeted in the 2009 budget for non-represented employee wages. This is consistent with the Union Contracts. A summary of proposed wage increases in counties throughout the state was shared. Skulan felt that the proposed wage increase appears to be consistent with the unions and comparable counties, however, expressed concern with certain benefits of management employees. She requested the county consider extending the carry-over provisions for vacation, management be given more vacation earlier in their employment and a need to add a section of the personnel policies and procedures manual dedicated to non-union employees. Kontny expressed that managers feel that their benefits, retirement contributions specifically, have been manipulated to persuade unions to make the same contributions. She stated that she felt this was demoralizing. The committee suggested that a group of managers get together to develop a draft section of the Policies and Procedures Manual specific to non-represented employees. JFK Airport Overlay Proposal: Several Bayfield County representatives attended the Public Hearing on this issue. Abeles-Allison explained the impacts of Extraterritorial zoning. The current recommendation is that each governmental entity impacted adopts their own ordinance with the same wording in each government, to allow each entity to maintain its individual oversight. Major discussion topics included wildlife attractants such as ponds, and the proposed restriction zone, originally proposed to be a 3-mile radius, now proposed at 10,000 feet radius. Wind Energy Project: Abeles-Allison provided an update on the status of the Wind Energy Consultant’s report on feasibility for Wind Energy. The focus has been narrowed to two potential locations on county forestry land, with the primary location being just south of Mt Ashwabay in the Town of Barksdale. The next step of the process would be to erect a METS tower to measure the wind energy potential. This will require conditional use zoning permits. Board members K:\Executive Committee\2008 Exec\2008 Exec Minutes\Executive Committee Minutes 103008.doc Page 2 of 3 suggested contacting surrounding property owners and the Town of Barksdale and Town of Bayfield before proceeding further. This study is still in the very preliminary stages. Animal Control Agreement: Committee reviewed the existing and proposed agreement with Callae Hyde for animal shelter activities. Amanda Buss is the county Humane Officer. Existing agreement with Hyde is $600 per month. The committee discussed appropriate stipulations in the agreement for inspections and want to ensure that funding is adequate to provide a safe, clean facility. Motion Kacvinsky, Bichanich to give Abeles-Allison the authority to negotiate a contract with Hyde based on the parameters discussed in this meeting. Motion Carried. Motion Kacvinsky, Jardine to postpone the discussion and demonstration on the Land Records software. Committee Structure Discussion: At the direction of the county board, the committee reviewed the structure of current committees. The committee suggested researching what other counties have for committee structure and per diems paid. They also requested that statutory per diem requirements be reviewed. Comparisons should include information on the size of the county board and # of members per committee. Department Organization: There was not further discussion on this topic. “25 x 25” Energy Independence Resolution: Committee reviewed the draft resolution of support. Abeles-Allison reported on the joint energy assessment grant application being considered by Ashland and Bayfield Counties along with the cities of Washburn, Bayfield and Ashland. Motion Kacvinsky, Good to approve the resolution with the removal of the second whereas and forward to the County Board for consideration. Motion Carried. Budget Amendments: Year-to-date financials were reviewed. The 292 and 235 funds will require budget amendments due to unanticipated revenues and expenses. Motion Jardine, Kittleson to approve the budget amendments and forward to the County Board for consideration. Motion Carried. Family Care Initiative: The initiative is now formally called Northern Bridges. The organization is preparing to hire employees. The committee discussed the proposed wage/benefit package information distributed by Northern Bridges and the impact it may have on our current employees and potential future position vacancies. REPORTS: • HVAC Project is complete. • Solar Water Heating project is fully functional. Focus on Energy will conduct an inspection in the near future. A 6-month savings figure was requested by the committee. • Courtroom renovation project punch list items were completed today. • Pictometry is a 4-county aerial imagery project, with federal funding of $935,000 through the COPS Grant. The grant will also provide for permanent software available to law and K:\Executive Committee\2008 Exec\2008 Exec Minutes\Executive Committee Minutes 103008.doc Page 3 of 3 governmental agencies at no cost. There will be a resolution supporting this grant at the next county board meeting. • Brief update provided on the ADRC. • Financials were previously reviewed. • Health Insurance Claim Utilization was reviewed. Is higher than last year, but is anticipated to be even higher in the next couple of months. • NACo Rx prescription program continues to be utilized consistently. • County-Tribal Law enforcement agreement and grant is due. County and Tribe will be meeting in the near future to discuss the funding formula. • Gene Jordan with Northern Lights has asked for preferred wording on the Bronze Plaque for the new building. Motion Jardine, Bichanich to adjourn. Motion Carried. Meeting adjourned at 6:00 pm.