HomeMy WebLinkAboutExecutive Committee - Minutes - 11/14/2013Minutes of the
Bayfield County Executive Committee Meeting
4:00PM, November 14, 2013
Ag Experiment Station, State Farm Road, Ashland, WI
Members Present: Brett Rondeau, Shawn Miller, Marco Bichanich, Kenneth Jardine, Dee
Kittleson, Beth Meyers
Others Present: Mark Abeles-Allison, Bayfield County Administrator, Richard Kettring-AERC,
John Adams-AERC, Max Karl-AERC, Mike Bailey-AERC, Todd Rothe-AERC, Scottie
Sandstrom-BCEDC
Note: Rondeau, Bichanich, Jardine, Kittleson, Abeles-Allison, Kavajecz joined Kettring for a
tour of the facility prior to the meeting from 3:30-4:00. Improvements that have been made over
the past year were highlighted. Representatives of the Bayfield Regional Food Producers Coop
gave a tour and overview of their operation at the Ag Station.
Rondeau called the meeting to order at 4:00pm
Minutes of October 10, 2013: Motion Kittleson, Bichanich to approve the minutes of the
October 10, 2013 Executive Committee meeting. Motion Carried.
Ag Station Activities: Abeles-Allison reviewed that a 5-year lease was signed with AERC,
which expires in July, 2014. The purpose of this meeting is to discuss what will happen at the
expiration of the lease. A printed report from AERC was provided to the committee. Kettring
reviewed activities of the AERC including: development of the Farm Fresh Atlas, South Shore
Brewery experimental hops project and plan to develop a barley malting facility, and horse
cooperative. Todd Rothe with River Road Farm, a mixed vegetable off season greenhouse
production shared his comments of support regarding AERC and the potential for agricultural
production in the county. Max Karl, organic vegetable farmer, tested organic fertilizers on a corn
crop at the Ag Station this past year. Mike Bailey referenced the need for a feasibility study
specific to agricultural production/distribution in the county. He also discussed the potential of a
meat/vegetable processing facility. John Adams grows a small plot of vegetables on the Ag
Station property, he also rents the farmhouse and provides caretaking for the facility. He
provided his support for further efforts such as those of AERC.
Abeles-Allison reviewed potential direction that the county could take with regard to the Ag
Station property:
1) Renew Lease with AERC
2) County Lease out the property itself, rather than through AERC
3) Sell portions of the land
4) Develop a new RFP similar to what was done in the past.
5) Other options not yet identified.
AERC provided a profit/loss report for the county to review.
Abeles-Allison noted that advance notice should be provided to AERC if the intent of the county
is to not continue the lease. Kettring reminded the board that the report that was provided is
intended to provide a discussion starting point for continued operations.
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Family Court Commissioner Memorandum of Understanding: Outlines parameters for
Family Court Commissioner responsibilities and use of county facilities for this purpose.
Motion Meyers, Jardine to approve the Family Court Commissioner Memorandum Of
Understanding as presented. Motion Carried.
Donation Criteria: No recent response has been received from Corporation Counsel on this
topic. Some donations are covered under the Wisconsin Statutes. Further information will be
provided on this topic in the future as more research is done. No action taken at this time.
Non-Elected Committee Member Appointment Policy: Discussion took place on whether the
County Board should be approving citizen appointments to advisory committees, or just to
County Board standing Committees/Boards. The committee reviewed a draft policy outlining
the process for appointing citizen committee members to standing committees/boards.
Suggestion was made to add the length of term for appointments in the advertisement.
Motion Meyers, Bichanich to approve the citizen committee member appointment policy,
including the modification to add term lengths. Motion Carried.
Highway Commissioner Appointment:
Motion Bichanich, Meyers to re-appoint Tom Toepfer to another 2-year term as Highway
Commissioner.
Motion Miller, Kittleson to table the appointment until clarification is received on whether re-
appointment is necessary. Motion Carried. No action taken on the original motion.
Reports:
Northern Lights Healthcare: Financial reports were reviewed. Abeles-Allison reported that
they will be making their bond payment as scheduled. County will be keeping a close eye on the
status of Northern Lights.
County Treasurer Report: Currently at the highest balance in the past 5 years.
YTD Budget: Revenues are up, expenditures are down. No new dollars being spent in the capital
improvement fund. About $350,000 positive from this same time last year.
Wage Study: Personnel Committee is looking to finalize the wage study and make a
recommendation to the full board in December.
Motion Miller, Bichanich to enter in and out of closed session pursuant to Wis. Stats.
19.85(1)(c,e,f,g) for discussion and possible action regarding approval of closed session minutes
from October 10, 2013. Motion Carried. Entered closed session at 5:15pm All in attendance
were allowed to remain in the closed session.
Motion Miller, Bichanich to return to open session. Motion Carried. Entered open session at
5:16pm.
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Economic Development Corporation Report: Sandstrom reviewed the third quarter status
report for the Bayfield County Economic Development Corporation. $10,925 was secured in
2013 from county businesses in support of economic development efforts. The third quarter
report was included in the meeting packet. Sandstrom reported that the Superior Sauna facility
has begun construction. Sandstrom also reported on other activities that he has been involved
with during the last quarter.
Business Park Sign: Reviewed a diagram/proposal for a sign at the entrance to the Ag Station
(Bayfield County Business Park). Review of an estimate for the cost of the sign. Suggestion from
the committee to get more estimates before awarding the project.
Vehicle Donation for Ashland JFK Airport: Abeles-Allison suggested donating the 2001 Ford
Taurus with 120,000 miles.
Motion Miller, Bichanich to donate a 2001 Ford Taurus to the JFK Airport. Motion Carried.
Meeting Adjourned at 5:40pm