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HomeMy WebLinkAboutExecutive Committee - Minutes - 7/14/2011Minutes of the Bayfield County Executive Committee Meeting 4:00 PM, July 14, 2011, Emergency Operations Center (EOC), Bayfield County Annex Building, Washburn, WI Members Present: Brett Rondeau, William Kacvinsky, Kenneth Jardine, Beth Meyers, Dee Kittleson, Marco Bichanich Others Present: Mark Abeles-Allison-County Administrator, Kristine Kavajecz, Rick Geisen- Bremer Bank, Scotty Sandstrom-BCEDC, Jason Maolney-NGLVC, Dan Anderson-County Treasurer, Sheriff Paul Susienka, Les Wittaker & Tom Mayfield representing MMC, Kay Cederberg-Clerk of Court Meeting called to order at 4:00 pm by Rondeau. Motion Kacvinsky, Jardine to approve minutes of the June 9, 2011 Executive Committee meeting. Motion Carried. Northern Great Lakes Visitor Center: Jason Maloney provided an overview of partnerships that support the NGLVC. Handouts were provided outlining some of the programs and events sponsored at the center. Maloney requested continued financial support from the county in 2012. Bayfield County Economic Development Corporation: Scotty Sandstrom and Rick Geisen provided a review of recent activities of BCEDC. Funding request for 2012 is the same as was granted in 2011, which was $50,000. Investment Update: Dan Anderson and Rick Geisen provided a handout and summary of the past quarter investment activities. Anderson reviewed the County Treasurer’s report and reported that the Northern Lights financing draws were completed this month. Memorial Medical Center Conduit Bond Inquiry: Les Wittaker and Tom Mayfield reviewed the request from MMC for Bayfield County’s support of $4 million in conduit bond financing. A Public Hearing on the financing request has been scheduled for July 26, 2011. The funds will be used for the construction project, which is renovating private rooms at the hospital. Bayfield County will have no financial responsibility with regard to the funding and will not be involved with any of the financing. It was explained that the county has $10 million dollars of bonding authority annually, so there is no concern with the project placing any constrictions or limitations on the county for future years. A bond attorney will be retained and will be paid by the MMC project, at no cost to Bayfield County. Motion Bichanich, Meyers to approve the request and forward this recommendation to the full county board for consideration following the public hearing. Motion Carried. Brownstone Project: A status update was provided. The steps and wing walls have been removed. Total budget authority for the project is $650,000. Construction contract is $518,638. Engineering contract is $24,000. Change order number 2 is estimated at $24,638, which is for foundation for wing walls and steps. This was an unanticipated cost. Additional $1750 estimated for engineering related to the Change Order. C&S Design was contacted by phone and answered questions related to the change order during the meeting. Additional tuckpointing was discussed. L:\COMMITTEES AND BOARDS\EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE\2011\Executive Committee Minutes 071411.doc Page 2 of 2 Committee members had concern with the cost estimate for the change order and recommended Abeles-Allison meet with the Engineer and Building Restoration Corporation to negotiate the cost. Motion Bichanich, Kittleson to approve Change Order #2 after negotiation by the County Administrator. Approve additional tuckpointing for the East and West walls of the courthouse, not to exceed $50,000. Motion Carried. Xcel Energy Line: Review of map identifying proposed alternative routes for the Xcel Energy line through the Town of Eileen. Town of Eileen is opposed to the proposed re-route and have provided an alternative route, also identified on the map. Motion Jardine, Meyers to recommend the existing Xcel line remain where it is and oppose a reroute of the line going through the middle of County Property (Ag Station). Motion Carried. 2012 Budget Initiatives: Abeles-Allison reviews preliminary budget projections. Areas of concern include: Loss of $100,000 transportation funding, $25,000 revenue sharing, $30,000 youth aids, and significant impact on the Income Maintenance efforts. These revenue reductions are coupled with projected $160,000 increase in wages, unknown increase in Health Insurance premiums, and standard increases for costs of supplies, fuel etc.. Susienka identified that significant costs could be incurred regarding recent legislation having to do with mental health issues/costs. Kittleson identified that the library entities in the county and surrounding areas have requested significant increases over 2011. Abeles-Allison stated that bridge aid requests in 2012 will be down significantly, which will help. HRA will also help with the budget deficit. Health insurance is an unknown at this time. Health insurance experience has been negative the last few years and will have an impact on rates. Budgets are due August 19th. Executive Committee will set budget meetings in September. 2011 Budget: Budget direction will be distributed to Department Heads in the near future and was discussed at the recent Department Head meeting. Reports: • 2010 Year-to-date revenue and expense summary reviewed. No significant concerns. • AERC Tour Review: o Maintenance of the grounds is improving. o A check was received, which included additional % for sub-leases. o Town of Eileen has asked if they should be receiving payment in lieu of taxes. This item will be researched and put on the next agenda. o Need to monitor manure removal and holding areas for large animals in the buildings. o External comments received that the meeting hall is not being kept clean. Motion Kittleson, Jardine to enter Executive Session Pursuant to Wisconsin Statute 19.85(1) (c, e, g) for the purpose of discussing legal correspondence/advice with regard to the Railroad Grade Lawsuit and Howling Wolf Claim. Roll Call Vote: All-Yes, Motion Carried. Entered executive session at 6:32pm. Kavajecz, Abeles-Allison and Susienka remained in the closed session with the committee. Motion Kittleson, Meyers to return to open session. Motion Carried. Returned to open session at 6:50pm. Meeting adjourned at 6:50pm.