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HomeMy WebLinkAboutExecutive Committee - Minutes - 7/10/2014Minutes of the Bayfield County Executive Committee Meeting 4:00PM, July 10, 2014 Ag research Station, State Farm Road, Ashland, WI Members Present: Brett Rondeau, Shawn Miller, Beth Meyers, Kenneth Jardine, Harold Maki Members Excused: Dee Kittleson Others Present: Mark Abeles-Allison, Bayfield County Administrator, Kristine Kavajecz- Assistant, Cindy Polzin-Governor’s Office, Fred Strand, Dennis Pocernich, Scottie Sandstrom- BCEDC, Brenda Spurlock-Criminal Justice Coordinator, John Adams-AERC, Bo Belanger- South Shore Brewery, John Bennett. Rondeau called the meeting to order at 4:00pm. Consensus of the committee was to move Cindy Polzin up on the agenda prior to the site tour. Polzin introduced herself and provided her bio. Introductions were made around the room. Topics brought up to Polzin: • Transportation funding. • Regulations on Forestry related industries, particularly transportation, are costing companies significantly. • Tourism is highly promoted in Wisconsin, however, all of the waysides were closed on the opening weekend of fishing season. • Suggestion that the state should support keeping crude oil harvested in the USA in the country rather than shipping it out, keeping costs down. • Question on what initiatives the governor is working on to encourage green energy. • Loss of trail easements through state and federal lands was another topic identified as a concern. • Comment that the townships have greatly appreciated that their road aids have not been cut, and in many cases have been increased. • Review of a printed list of items that were identified previous to the meeting. • Criminal Justice Coordinator explained the need for Trauma Informed Care. Requesting a coordinated training for the Northern area of the state on this topic. • BadgerCare Medicare funding was discussed. • Lapse of state funding for the Clerk of Court office was a topic of concern. • Consideration for Land Records Strategic Initiative Grant funding, to include consideration of county geographic size in the funding formula. • Managed Forest Law. 1/10th of Bayfield County is MFL. Polzin was thanked for visiting the county and for listening to the concerns. Ag Station Tour: Abeles-Allison provided a brief summary of the facilities at the Ag Station prior to the group taking a tour. John Adams with AERC provided commentary as the group toured. Items of note: Lawns were not mowed. Adams commented that the mowers were broken and there was not sufficient funds to replace or repair them. Adams commented that both houses have issues with water in the basements. Horse barn seemed well kept and in good condition. L:\COMMITTEES AND BOARDS\EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE\2014\Executive Committee Minutes 2014-07- 10.doc Page 2 of 3 Belanger explained how he will use the pump house and dairy barn for the South Shore Brewery hops and barley processing. The grainery and two machine storage buildings are currently empty, but will be used for hay storage in the near future. Sandstrom explained modifications that will be made to the new business park entrance sign to make it more visible to travelers on US Highway 2. Adams noted that rent on the two houses is month-to-month. Polzin and Meyers exited during the tour due to other commitments. Motion Miller, Jardine to approve minutes of June 26, 2014. Motion Carried. Public Comment: None 2015 Budget Discussions: Criminal Justice: Brenda Spurlock presented a big picture overview of her 2015 budget. It will be 10 years for the program in 2015. Spurlock provided a summary of progression of criminal justice programming. 2009 The county introduced the AIM Program for assessments, 2010 specialized jail programs were introduced, 2011 Treatment Court introduced, 2013 added veteran and domestic violence specific programs. 2014 and 2015 will be adding both women specific and additional dual diagnosis treatment programs in the jail. Recidivism has dropped over the last 8 years. 2015 goal is to fund a researcher/data analyzer for all of the criminal justice programs. 2015 budget request will be very similar to 2014 with regard to funding. County Board expense trends over the last 5 years were reviewed. Explanation was provided of the various expenses included in the County Board budget. Economic Development Quarterly Report: Scott Sandstrom provided a written report of activities/project initiatives. Review of potential expansion or new business development opportunities. Sign construction at the Ag Station will be complete this month. Creating marketing materials to promote business sites in Bayfield County. BCEDC scrutinizing what their relationship with APEX will be next year. They have had good relationship in the past, but need to evaluate the partnership based on available funding. Motion Maki, Jardine to receive and place on file the quarterly report of BCEDC. Motion Carried. Item 8 moved to the end of the meeting. DHS Advisory Referendum: The Human Services Committee has passed a resolution that will be coming to the county board for consideration at the next meeting. The resolution would be to determine whether an advisory referendum should be place on the Fall ballot. The committee discussed the language in the resolution, discussed modifications to the language and offered a clarifying explanation to be included with the referendum. Consensus of the committee was to refer the issue back to the Human Services board with the proposed revised language as presented, followed by presentation to county board. Motion Miller, Maki to enter in and out of closed session pursuant to Wis. Stats. 19.85(1)(e) for discussion and possible action regarding: Approval of closed session minutes from June 26, 2014 and negotiation with Bo Belanger of South Shore Brewery, Inc. Motion Carried. Entered closed session at 6:00pm. All county board supervisors, Abeles-Allison, Kavajecz, Belanger, and Sandstrom were invited to remain in the closed session. L:\COMMITTEES AND BOARDS\EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE\2014\Executive Committee Minutes 2014-07- 10.doc Page 3 of 3 Motion Maki, Jardine to return to open session. Motion Carried. 6:00pm. A master list of initial capital improvement requests from departments for 2015 was reviewed. Financial reports were provided in the meeting packet along with the county treasurer’s report. Superior Days items will be provided at a later date closer to the event. Meeting adjourned at 6:05pm. Respectfully Submitted by Kristine Kavajecz, Assistant to the County Administrator