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HomeMy WebLinkAboutExecutive Committee - Minutes - 2/12/2013Minutes of the Bayfield County Executive Committee Meeting 4:00PM, February 12, 2013 Emergency Operations Center, Bayfield County Annex, Washburn, WI Members Present: Brett Rondeau, Marco Bichanich, Shawn Miller, Beth Meyers, Dee Kittleson, Kenneth Jardine Others Present: Mark Abeles-Allison-Bayfield County Administrator, Myron Schuster- Northwest Regional Planning Commission, Sheldon Johnson-Northwest Regional Plannign Commission, Kay Cederberg-Clerk of Court and Scott Fibert-County Clerk. Rondeau called the meeting to order at 4:00pm Minutes of January 10, 2013: Motion Meyers, Kittleson to approve the minutes of the January 10, 2013 Executive Committee meeting. Motion Carried. Northwest Regional Planning Commission (NWRPC): Schuster opened and discussed recent changes at Northwest Regional Planning. The GIS Specialist at NWRPC has had lots of turnover over the last decade, 3 individuals have held the position. Mr. Clem Lewis is the newest staffer. John Strochine retired after 17 years. Jeff Dietrich is his replacement, he is from Pennsylvania and has previous experience in banking and military. Deputy Director Sheldon Johnson addressed the committee on the topics he heads: planning, environmental and housing programs. Household Hazardous Waste calendar was just set for the region. Four events are on the calendar for Bayfield County as follows: Washburn: AM July 20; Iron River: PM July 20 Bayfield or Corny: AM Aug 29 Barnes or Cable: PM Aug 29 Bayfield County is one of the largest material contributors. There is no charge for residents, but there is a small charged for businesses and government. Bichanich inquired about tire pick-up; Johnson said we could partner with a tire group to set this up. Charge right now is approximately $100/ ton. Grant funds are not available for this. Bayfield County did a tire collection about 6 years ago at a cost of around $40,000. Housing Program: NWRPC administers this and has since early 2000. Bayfield County has nearly $1 million out in zero interest loans. Funds that are paid back are recycled out as part of the revolving loan program. There is currently $20,000 available in this account. Average cost for home repairs is $10,000 each. L:\COMMITTEES AND BOARDS\EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE\2013\Executive Committee Minutes 2013-02- 12.doc Page 2 of 3 A new regional housing authority was recently established on a consortium basis. Douglas County is the lead organization, individual counties have access to funds. This year $2 million is anticipated for appropriation this year. Bayfield County is expected to collect $200k in both 2013 and 2014 for projects. Schuster reported that from and economic development standpoint, over the past 10 years, $2 million has been loaned in Bayfield County. The revolving funds have an average loss ratio of 3.5%. NWRP is a gap lender, on the bottom side of the collateral scale. It is fortunate that the ratio has stayed low even with the current economic situation. Schuster is very pleased write-offs have been held to a minimum. Schuster complimented Scottie Sandstrom, Bayfield County Economic Development Corporation Director, on his efforts. This is a very difficult time for new business development but Scottie has done excellent work. The Iron River Incubator has had 3 inquiries in the past year. None of them were what we really wanted, storage and service with minimum return to community. Right now the Winery and D3 are doing well. D3 expanded to Florida. NWRPC is holding back space for potential expansion in Iron River. Many of these companies do a lot of business with just a few people. Moves to automation to hold costs down also does not spur employment. Schuster reviewed the thermal wood modification technology currently under testing. Goal is to take low species wood and make it into something that can be used in different applications. Will start with window components that don't warp, rot, or move, will have a good return. Success in this area will add value to wood and produce a product for manufactures in our region. Ag Station Rezone: Discussion regarding a rezoning of land at the Agricultural Station was held. The Town of Eileen will be considering a revised land use plan for the property. The current land use plan is 38 acres Commercial, around the houses and out buildings, the rest being Agricultural or conservancy. The entire property is zoned agricultural at present. The committee discussed a current economic development opportunity involving the sale of approimately 10 acres of land along State Farm road, just sound of the current Ag Station entrance. Land would go to an existing county manufacturer. A rezone request to the Planning and Zoning committee begins the rezoning process. Miller suggested that the county consider rezoning the entire length of State Farm road, in the NW and SW quarters of the sections along State Farm Road, comprising approximately 50 acres. Motion Bichanich, Jardine to request a rezone of the 50 acres discussed and to contact the Bayfield County Planning and Zoning Department for the appropriate forms/actions. Motion carried, 6-0. Cable Airport: The committee reviewed the Cable airport budget appropriation, which is over the budgeted amount by $662. Motion Miller, Kittleson to approve the extra $662 for the FAA project as requested. Motion carried 6-0. L:\COMMITTEES AND BOARDS\EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE\2013\Executive Committee Minutes 2013-02- 12.doc Page 3 of 3 County Board Rules: Miller brought up the topic of remote attendance at county board meetings and suggested a formal policy be established. Board members were split on allowing board members to vote via phone in open session. Board members were opposed to allowing members vote in executive session. Fibert urged caution to keep regulations simple as the county's intent should encourage board member attendance and participation. Other topics raised included whether board members should be eligible for per diem when not physically at the meeting. The Clerk and Administrator were directed to submit a draft policy for consideration. Bichanich raised a second topic area as it related to committee operations. The question related to the Highway Committees authority as it relates to personnel related issues. Miller noted that uniform contributions could be considered compensation and that we are required to bargain compensation rates and that the personnel committee addresses bargaining and personnel issues. Motion Miller, Meyers to enter closed session pursuant to Wis. Stats. 19.85(1)(c,e,f,g) for discussion and possible action regarding approval of minutes from the January 10, 2013 Executive Committee Meeting, to discuss wages and Union negotiations, discussion and possible action regarding Howling Wolf Condominium Association legal action, discussion and possible action regarding County Administrator Contract and Performance Evaluation. Motion Carried. Entered closed session at 5:12 pm Motion Meyers, Jardine to return to open session. Motion Carried Returned to open session at 5:34pm. Motion Meyers, Jardine to extend the County Administrator's contract until November, 2016. A 2% wage increase shall be applied as proposed to the full County Board for non-represented employees and if approved by the full board, to be effective at the same time as other non- represented employees. Roll Call Vote: All-Yes, Motion carried 6-0. Meeting adjourned at 5:40pm