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HomeMy WebLinkAboutExecutive Committee - Minutes - 12/12/2011Minutes of the Bayfield County Executive Committee Meeting 4:00 PM, December 12, 2011, Emergency Operations Center (EOC) Bayfield County Annex, Washburn, WI Members Present: Brett Rondeau, William Kacvinsky, Kenneth Jardine, Beth Meyers, Dee Kittleson, Marco Bichanich Others Present: County Administrator Mark Abeles-Allison, Kristine Kavajecz, Rick Geisen- Bremer Bank, Ken Raspotnik-AERC, David Onan-AERC, Scottie Sandstrom-BCEDC Meeting called to order at 4:05pm by Chairman Rondeau Motion Meyers, Bichanich to approve minutes of the November 10, 2011 meeting. Motion Carried. AERC Presentation: Ken Raspotnik and David Onan with AERC provided an update on the activities of the AERC. AERC is 2.5 years into the 5 year contract. Ongoing projects include: Cattle Rotational grazing, Horse Cooperative, Poultry Farm, Oats/Barley trials. Hopps and small grain trials. Trials of 20 dry beans and also hay fields. Maintenance issues included a problem with both septic pumps resulting in the needed replacement. Committee members mentioned that cleanliness of the meeting hall has been brought to their attention. AERC will be adding additional cleaning duties. Raspotnik requested that the fiber optic hut that will be placed on the property between the driveway and US 2 be placed as close to the trees as possible. Raspotnik and Onan exited the meeting at this time. BCEDC Update: Scottie Sandstrom thanked the committee for their continued support of economic development in the county. He reported that BCEDC received $7600 in private donations in 2011. He reviewed conferences attended and significant projects that are being worked on currently. Highlights included: Superior Days, meeting with WHEDA, Customer Service curriculum/training development, Inventors & Entrepreneurs Group, WINS Network, Cell Tower expansion and working with APEX of Duluth. Jardine reported that he received word that the Scenic Byways designation was approved by the state. Norvado Cell Tower Project: Abeles-Allison reported on the status of the cell tower project and provided details of the proposed contracts that Norvado would offer towns. Motion Kacvinksy, Bichanich to encourage Norvado and towns to continue to pursue the cell tower expansion project. Motion Carried. Sandstrom exited the meeting at this time. Bremer Banking Agreement: Rick Geisen reviewed the status of the Bremer Bank agreement which expires the end of December, 2011. All bank accounts are currently with Bremer Bank and earn up to .9% interest. The county also currently has $2million in the Bremer Trust, which has earned a slightly higher interest rate. Due to economic conditions, Bremer is unable to offer the same rate in 2012. Bremer has offered the same structure of the contract, with no fees, including checks and deposit slips, but at a lower interest rate. They are willing to include a stipulation that the rate be renegotiated after one year if the economic climate improves. L:\COMMITTEES AND BOARDS\EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE\2011\Executive Committee Minutes 120811.doc Page 2 of 3 Motion Jardine, Bichanich to authorize Abeles-Allison, Scott Fibert, Dan Anderson and Bill Kacvinsky to negotiate a new agreement with Bremer Bank. Motion Carried. Geisen exited the meeting at this time. Budget Amendments: Motion Kittleson, Kacvinsky to approve the Tourism budget amendment regarding the Valhalla USFS Grant and forward to the full county board for approval. Motion Carried. Abeles-Allison explained the $26,000 budget amendment for board of adjustment legal fees. These fees are primarily related to the CFS lawsuit. Funds are sufficient in the contingency fund to cover the budget amendment. Motion Jardine, Kittleson to approve the Zoning/Board of Adjustment budget amendment for $26,000 with a transfer of budgeted funds from Contingency to the Board of Adjustment legal fees line item. Motion Carried. Motion Kacvinsky, Bichanich to approve the Internal Service Funds budget amendment for the Copier, Squad Car and Motor Pool Funds, and forward to the full county board for approval. Motion Carried. Wisconsin Innovation Scholars Program (WINS): Abeles-Allison has been asked to participate in this program over the next year. Motion Meyers, Kacvinsky to approve participation by Abeles-Allison in the WINS program in 2012. Motion Carried. Worker’s Compensation Insurance: Four proposals for worker’s compensation insurance were received. Handout of the proposals was reviewed, including a summary. Abeles-Allison explained the difference between a flat and sliding dividend. Motion Meyers, Bichanich to accept the proposal from Argent for worker’s compensation insurance in 2012. Motion Carried. Reports: The next time a fleet car is to be retired, the committee will consider whether or not to donate it to the Ashland Airport, per the Airport’s request. Concealed Weapons signs have been posted on County Buildings. Developing a Personnel Policy regarding Concealed weapons to be considered by the County Board. Chequamegon Humane Association has inquired about a future site for a new animal shelter. They have inquired about land at the Ag Station. County Treasurer’s report was reviewed. Funds are up about $650,000 from the same time in 2010. L:\COMMITTEES AND BOARDS\EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE\2011\Executive Committee Minutes 120811.doc Page 3 of 3 Ashland Airport overlay project in under consideration. The Town of Eileen has expressed concern with the proposal. County Supervisors stated that the County needs to take an active role in this project due to the impact on Bayfield County Towns that fall within the overlay district. County Library Board: Impression of County Board members is that county librarians and Northern Water Library Service are not supportive of the idea of revising the county’s library districts to include most or all towns in the county. This topic will continue to be discussed in the future. Wellness Programming: Abeles-Allison and Health Department staff met with representatives of Security Health Plan to work on wellness concepts going forward. Transition Committee: Abeles-Allison reviewed the recommendations presented by the Transition Committee and which will be considered by the County Board on December 13th. Motion Kacvinsky, Meyers to enter executive session pursuant to Wis. Stats 19.85(1)(e,g) for discussion and possible action regarding written or oral advice from legal counsel with regard to ongoing litigation and purchase of public property. Motion Carried. Entered executive session at 6:17pm. Motion Kacvinsky, Jardine to return to open session. Motion Carried. Returned to open session at 6:27pm. Meeting adjourned at 6:27pm.