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HomeMy WebLinkAboutExecutive Committee - Minutes - 3/11/2010Minutes of the Bayfield County Executive Committee Meeting 4:00 PM, March 11, 2010, Emergency Operations Center (EOC), Annex Building, Washburn, WI Members Present: David Good, Brett Rondeau, William Kacvinsky (4:15), Marco Bichanich Kenneth Jardine Excused: Dee Kittleson Others Present: Kelly Randelman-Alliance for Sustainability, Mark Abeles-Allison-County Administrator, Kristine Kavajecz-Confidential Secretary Meeting called to order at 4:00 pm by Chairman Rondeau. Motion Jardine, Bichanich to approve minutes of the February 11, 2010 meeting. Motion Carried. Energy Efficiency Conservation Block Grant: County has received tentative approval of $153,000 grant for 12 projects. A list of projects was reviewed. No action will be taken until official notification has been received. Recovery Zone Designation: Wisconsin Counties Association is encouraging counties to pass resolutions designating the county as a “Recovery Zone”. The designation opens opportunity for low interest bonding of economic development projects. Motion Good, Bichanich to approve the draft resolution and forward to the full County Board for consideration. Motion Carried. Kacvinsky entered the meeting at 4:15pm. GHT Board Representation Funds: Abeles-Allison reported that Burnett County has entered into an agreement with Northwest Regional Planning Commission to represent their county for the GHT. Discussion took place on ethical questions and whether it is necessary for Bayfield County to have an outside representative for the county. The topic to be investigated and discussed further at a later date. ARRA Retrofit Program: Abeles-Allison introduced Kelly Randelman of the Alliance for Sustainability. Randelman provided an overview of the concept. There are four existing pilot programs in other states. The State of Wisconsin is looking at Bayfield County to be a pilot project for the state. The concept includes developing a revolving loan fund for residential energy efficiency projects. The county would develop the criteria for the program. The funds would be loaned with low interest and would be paid back through an assessment to property taxes and would be amortized over the established payback period for the specific efficiency project. The concept will be investigated further. Randelman exited the meeting at this time. Clean Transportation Grant: Bayfield County was awarded $182,839. The committee discussed the components of the grant including: 3 natural gas conversions for automobiles, L:\COMMITTEES AND BOARDS\EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE\2010\Executive Committee Minutes 031110.doc Page 2 of 2 funding for pickup truck conversions, funding toward the purchase of hybrid vehicles and funding for a compressed natural gas fuelling station. Motion Good, Bichanich to authorize Abeles-Allison to accept the grant and to sign the contract agreement. Motion Carried. Historic Preservation Grant: Through Congressman Obey, Bayfield County has been awarded $150,000 toward the brownstone restoration project. This is a 50% match. The plan is to address the entry stairs, pillars and cornice on the courthouse. Motion Bichanich, Jardine to authorize Abeles-Allison to accept the grant and sign the grant agreement documents. Motion Carried. 2009 Budget: Review of the 2009 revenue/expense figures to date. It is anticipated the county will remain within budget. Telephone fees for 2009 were reduced significantly by going to a PRI switch system. Utilities were reduced nearly $20,000 through energy efficiencies, primarily lighting changes. County Treasurer Bank Report: The bank balance and the end of February 2010 was just over $18 million. Abeles-Allison reported that this number is slightly inflated because the county changed their accounts payable processing to bi-weekly rather than weekly. The bank balance is slightly above the balance at the end of February of the prior year. Superior Days: Abeles-Allison reported on 3 issue items: • State jobs in the northern part of the state declined at a much higher rate than the rest of the state. This was brought to the states attention. • Department of Transportation has stated that any significant improvements such as expanding Highway 2 to a 4-lane highway will require legislative support. Discussion regarding Motion Kacvinsky, Bichanich to bring the Highway 2 expansion to a 4-lane topic back to the Executive Committee meeting for discussion. Motion Carried. • Commuter lot on Highway 2 by the Visitor Center. It was discussed that the Visitor Center might be a better location for a commuter lot. Suggestion was made to open a dialogue with the visitor center on the topic. Reports: • Ag Station: Poplar trees have been cut and processed. AERC made several presentation and contacts during Superior Days. The state elections board has requested some minor repair/update to the handicap access ramp. • April 20, 9:00am swearing in ceremony for county board and orientation program. • March 30, 5:00pm party for outgoing county board supervisors. • June 15, 4:00pm County Board Visioning Session • Abeles-Allison will distribute his evaluation form to County Board Supervisors. Please return to the County Board Chairman. • April 1 Personnel Committee Step 2 Grievance Hearing. • May 12 Personnel Committee arbitration hearing. Motion Kacvinsky, Bichanich to adjourn at 5:50pm. Motion Carried.