HomeMy WebLinkAboutExecutive Committee - Minutes - 4/15/2013Minutes of the
Bayfield County Executive Committee Meeting
3:30PM, April 15, 2013
Emergency Operations Center, Bayfield County Annex, Washburn, WI
Members Present: Brett Rondeau, Marco Bichanich, Shawn Miller, Dee Kittleson, Beth Meyers
(5:30pm)
Members Excused: Kenneth Jardine
Others Present: Mark Abeles-Allison-Bayfield County Administrator, Dennis Pocernich,
Scottie Sandstrom-Economic Development, Tom Cogger-Regional Foods Coop, Fred Bourg-
District Attorney, Tim Kane-UW Extension
Rondeau, Miller, Kittleson, Pocernich toured the Information Technology Department/Server
Room and the Superior Health Fitness Center.
Rondeau called the meeting to order at 4:00pm
Minutes of March 14, 2013: Motion Bichanich, Kittleson to approve the minutes of the March
14, 2013 Executive Committee meeting. Motion Carried
Bayfield Regional Food Cooperative Lease Agreement at the Ag Station: Abeles-Allison
introduced Tom Cogger with the Bayfield Regional Food Cooperative. A draft lease was
presented for review and discussion. The Coop is requesting to lease one building and a small
portion of land for their operations for 5 years. Corporation Counsel has reviewed the lease and
provided some input which was incorporated into the draft document. The committee discussed
modifying section 21 & 22 to provide an option for the county to sell the property with a 12-
month guaranteed continuation of lease. The agreement should also include a clause that in the
event the property is sold prior to the expiration of the lease, the County shall reimburse the coop
on a pro-rated basis for any improvements made to the property by lessee, not to exceed $5000.
Motion Bichanich, Kittleson to approve the Bayfield Food Cooperative lease with modifications
discussed and authorize the County Administrator and County Board Chairman to sign the lease.
Motion Carried.
Cogger exited the meeting at this time.
Presentation by Northern Lights: Written update was provided by Northern Lights. Abeles-
Allison reviewed the report/update from Northern Lights. Jennifer Augustine will be invited to a
future meeting to provide a more in depth update.
Bayfield County Economic Development Presentation-Scottie Sandstrom: Written report
was provided to the committee in advance of the meeting. Kittleson asked about the relationship
with APEX. 2013 is the first year that Bayfield County funds are being budgeted toward the
APEX contract. BCEDC Business Plan will be approved in May at the BCEDC meeting.
Business On Stage events continue to be popular. Regional Business Idea program will be
offered for the second year. Makani Power proposal continues to be pursued. Business Retention
L:\COMMITTEES AND BOARDS\EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE\2013\Executive Committee Minutes 2013-04-
15.doc
Page 2 of 3
visits were made as well as contacts with DNR in preparation to entice aquaculture type
businesses. The committee thanks Sandstrom for the thorough report and his efforts.
Sandstrom exited the meeting at this time. Bourg entered the meeting at this time.
District Attorney Presentation-Fred Bourg: Attorney Bourg reported on 2 issues. 1)
Historical income producing options for the department. 2) Gemini contract employee. Contract
expenses for the last couple of years have exceeded budget by a couple thousand dollars
annually. The contract employee prepares discovery related to cases and distributes to the
defense. Expenses for discovery materials (hard copies) used to be billed to defense. This is
being done electronically now, so the revenue has mostly dried up. Bourg will be requesting an
increase in the budget for contract employee costs of approximately $3000. A budget
amendment for 2013 related to additional contract costs will be presented for consideration at a
future meeting.
Bourg reported that he would like to give first time young drivers (under age 25) the option to
participate in the youth driver diversion education program in lieu of paying a traffic citation,
using an established criteria and best practices identified by the State. More information will be
provided on this initiative as the program is developed. The idea of the program is to educate the
inexperienced driver rather than just imposing a fine.
Bourg is meeting with Indian Child Welfare in Red Cliff on a monthly basis and working toward
more collaboration on funding for offender programs.
Bourg exited the meeting at this time.
2014 Budget Planning: Consensus of the committee is to allow the agenda item to discuss the
2014 budget planning to be moved up on the agenda. Tim Kane addressed the committee about
the planning process. Kane provided a draft survey mechanism that could be used to solicit input
from the general public regarding county programs and budget priorities. Suggestion was made
to survey the county board ahead of the planning meeting to identify the top issues in advance of
the meeting to save time.
Kane exited the meeting at this time.
Remote Attendance Resolution for County Board members: Reviewed the draft resolution
that was provided in the meeting packet.
Motion Kittleson, Bichanich to approve the resolution with the following modifications: Per
diem only be paid if the entire meeting is attended. A member may only vote on an item if they
participate in the entire discussion during the meeting that action is taken at. Motion Carried.
Concrete Sidewalk Repair Projects: Review of the bid summary from November 2012. This
discussion was tabled until May due to time constraints.
Meyers joined the meeting at 5:30pm.
Reports:
L:\COMMITTEES AND BOARDS\EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE\2013\Executive Committee Minutes 2013-04-
15.doc
Page 3 of 3
1. YTD 2013 Budget Performance, end of March: Revenues are significantly down
compared to this time last year primarily due to delayed forestry revenues (timing). Overall
on target for budget in the General Fund. Human Services very similar to 2012. Highway
revenues down from the same time last year. Reports from the state that funding will be
available for county Highway Departments to work on State Highways.
2. County Treasurer Report: Up slightly from March of 2012.
3. County Budget Priority Session: May 7, 2013 4:00pm
4. Superior Sauna’s Update: paperwork being finalized for the sale of property.
Motion Meyers, Kittleson to enter Executive session pursuant to Wis. Stats. 19.85(1)(c,e,f,g) for
discussion and possible action regarding approval of closed session minutes from the February
14, 2013 Executive Committee Meeting and to discuss wages and Union negotiations. Entered
closed session at 5:37pm. Kavajecz exited the meeting at this time. Abeles-Allison assumed
minute-taking duties.
Motion Miller, Bichanich to go out of exec session at 5:50pm. Motion Carried
Meeting Adjourned at 5:55pm.