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HomeMy WebLinkAboutExecutive Committee - Minutes - 10/10/2014Minutes of the Bayfield County Executive Committee Meeting 4:00PM, October 10, 2014 County Board Room, Bayfield County Courthouse, Washburn, WI Members Present: Kenneth Jardine, Harold Maki, Dee Kittleson, Brett Rondeau, Beth Meyers Members Excused: Shawn Miller Others Present: Mark Abeles-Allison (Bayfield County Administrator), Kristine Kavajecz- Assistant, Scottie Sandstrom-Economic Development Director, Dennis Pocernich, Bob Mick- County Surveyor, Ted Kramolis, Neil Schultz, Craig Parks, Cheryl Parks, Matt Johnson-CHA, Ann Riederer-CHA, Tom Ossowski-CHA Rondeau called the meeting to order at 4:00pm. Public Comment: Neil Schultz commented that he read the minutes of the Executive Committee and commends Mr Maki for recommending a10% cut and hopes others will go along with that. He also commented on a recent Daily Press article about some larger companies that are moving some of their employees off of their health insurance plans and onto the Affordable Care Act plans. Ted Kramolis, representing the Chequamegon Humane Association stated that the organization is looking at building a new shelter and would like the county to consider possible location at the Ag Station site. They would be interested in purchasing, renting or some other arrangement with the county. Minutes of September 11, 17, 22, 23, 2014. Motion Kittleson, Maki to approve minutes of the September 11, 2014 Executive Committee meeting. Motion Carried. Motion Maki, Jardine to approve minutes of the September 17, 2014 Executive Committee meeting. Motion Carried. Motion Kittleson, Jardine to approve minutes of the September 22, 2014 Executive Committee meeting. Motion Carried. Motion Jardine, Maki to approve minutes of the September 23, 2014 Executive Committee meeting. Motion Carried. Ag Station: a. Ag Station Ag Land Rental Proposal: Abeles-Allison reviewed a draft RFP for rental of the lands at the Ag Station. The proposal was drafted by Abeles-Allison and Jason Fischbach, UW Extension Agriculture Agent. 6 specific parcels were identified on a map. Several parcels are not identified for availability due to current leases. Any agreement will require the successful leasee to use Best Management Practices for the land. UW Extension Ag Agent will help to ensure that the Nutrient Management Plans are followed. The proposal includes a termination clause. L:\COMMITTEES AND BOARDS\EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE\2014\Executive Committee Minutes 2014-10- 09.doc Page 2 of 3 b. Ag Station Survey Work / update: County Surveyor, Bob Mick explained the topographical map that was developed for the Ag Station site. Handout was provided to committee members. He recommended maintaining the existing access roads on the site. Drainage is controllable on all of the parcels. Motion Maki, Meyers to accept the topographical survey as a guide for future development potential. Motion Carried. Pocernich commented on the proposal in that he would recommend advance payment for the lease, not at the end of the year. Motion Maki, Kittleson to approve the RFP as presented with the modification to require payment at the beginning of the lease. Motion Carried. Suggestion by Pocernich that the county consider donating lands for the Chequamegon Humane Association shelter. CHA will be asked to provide suggestions for location and size of parcel needed. This topic to be added to the next agenda for discussion. c. Update on status of transfer of oversight from AERC: Scottie Sandstrom commended the county for having the topographical survey completed. He presented a handout of a recent article in the Business North newspaper and a flyer promoting economic development in the county. Reminder that Superior Sauna has grand opening Friday, Oct 10 at 2:30pm. d. Infrastructure Update and Site Plan: Jardine inquired about the aquifer under the Ag Station property and suggested that care be taken when farming to not pollute the aquifer. Lease with AERC ends the end of October. Lessees have been notified of the transition and have been provided with rental agreements. Maintenance Department has been out to the site to do some Fall winterization work. Furnaces in the homes have been converted to natural gas. Pocernich exited the meeting at this time. Fairgrounds FEMA Safe Room Grant: Abeles-Allison provided an overview of the FEMA project. The original project came in over budget, so the proposed size of the building was scaled down, but retained all of the amenities. Fair committee has recommended approving the revised plan with a planned construction date in the Spring. Bids for the project will include alternatives on several components. Maintenance Department Planning: Maintenance Supervisor, Kelly Trepanier has submitted his retirement notice effective the end of January, 2015. Abeles-Allison suggested that the county could solicit outside of the county, or could solicit internal candidates first and then go outside if necessary. Consensus of the committee is to seek internal candidates first and then go external if necessary. Youth in Local Government Program: The committee discussed the composition of youth to serve in this program. Motion Meyers, Jardine to continue exploring the Youth Government Initiative program. Motion Carried. L:\COMMITTEES AND BOARDS\EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE\2014\Executive Committee Minutes 2014-10- 09.doc Page 3 of 3 2015 Superior Days Topics: Ideas are needed. There will be a community opportunity to submit ideas for Superior Days Topics. The meeting will be held late in October. Maki suggested the sales tax for highway infrastructure idea. Jardine suggested the topic of 4-lane highway expansion. Reports: End of September financial report: Abeles-Allison reviewed the end of September financial report. 75% is where revenues and expenses should be at this time of year. Revenues are currently at 97%. Expenses are at 68%. Treasurer’s Report: Treasurer report reflects balances up substantially, however, also anticipating several significant bills to be paid, which will reduce the balances. Balances are still expected to be above the levels at this same time last year. Meeting adjourned at 5:20pm. Kittleson reported that she will not be available for the November meeting. Respectfully Submitted by Kristine Kavajecz, Assistant to the County Administrator