HomeMy WebLinkAboutExecutive Committee - Minutes - 4/9/2015Minutes of the
Bayfield County Executive Committee Meeting
4:00PM, April 9, 2015
EOC, Bayfield County Annex, Washburn, WI
Members Present: Kenneth Jardine, Dee Kittleson, Brett Rondeau, Shawn Miller and Harold
Maki, Bill Bussey (appointed during the meeting)
Members Excused:
Others Present: Mark Abeles-Allison (Bayfield County Administrator), Dennis Pocernich,
Craig Parks, Fred Strand, Jim Crandall, Scott Galetka, Scottie Sandstrom, Kristine Kavajecz.
Rondeau called the meeting to order at 4:05pm.
Public Comment: Maki stated that there is no elevator in the Northern Lights Oaks Assisted
Living and he would like someone to address this. There is also no generator for the facility.
Abeles-Allison reported that Beth Meyers has resigned from the County Board. County Board
Chairman Dennis Pocernich has appointed Bill Bussey to fill the Executive Committee vacancy
created by the resignation of Meyers. Bussey was selected as a representative of his Highway
District.
Abeles-Allison explained the process for appointing the replacement of Meyers on the County
Board. Advertisements were put out to the public (in District 1) to solicit interested persons to
fill the vacancy. The County Board will then select/appoint an individual to fill the vacancy
through the end of the current term. The appointment will take place at the April County Board
meeting.
Minutes of March 12, 2015: Motion Jardine, Kittleson to approve minutes of the March 12,
2015 Executive Committee meeting. Motion Carried.
Razing of Ag Station Structures: At the last meeting, the committee suggested that this topic
be placed on the agenda for this meeting. Abeles-Allison reviewed options that the county could
consider with regard to these structures. The intent of the committee is to keep the “campus area”
intact and not parcel the land.
Motion Rondeau, Miller to raze all buildings that are currently vacant and give notice to current
tenants to end their lease at the end of August. BRFPC lease to continue through the end of their
current lease.
Motion Miller, Kittleson to amend the original motion to recommend to the county board that
they authorize the razing of the homes and conference building and leave the remaining
buildings for the time being. The homes would be offered for sale (to be moved) in lieu of
demolishment.
Town of Eileen has expressed possible interest in using the conference building again. Question
was raised if the Executive Committee has the authority to make the decision to raze these
structures. Response is that sale of the property would go through Development & Land Sales
L:\COMMITTEES AND BOARDS\EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE\2015\Executive Committee Minutes 2015-04-
09.doc
Page 2 of 3
Committee and County Board, but oversight of the Ag Station lies with the Executive
Committee.
Amended motion carried (5-1). Original motion as amended carried (5-1).
Ag Station out-building lease through April 2016: Motion Miller, Maki to extend the building
leases that were approved by this committee for Schraufnagel through the end of April 2016.
Motion Carried.
Quarterly Economic Development Report; Scottie Sandstrom: This item will be discussed
later in the meeting.
Pre-Charging Diversion program, Fred Bourg, Bayfield County District Attorney: This
item postponed at the request of the District Attorney.
Lidar mapping grant and aerial imagery: Land Records Administrator, Scott Galetka
explained what LiDAR is and explained a grant opportunity to pay for 50% of the cost of the
proposed project. The proposal is to conduct the flight for LiDAR and Aerial Imagery at the
same time to reduce the total cost. Total cost to Bayfield County for both projects, less the 50%
grant for LiDAR and contributions from Red Cliff and Bad River, the county’s net cost would be
$177,000.
Motion Bussey, Jardine to forward the budget amendment as proposed to the full county board
for consideration. Roll Call Vote: Maki-No, Rondeau-Yes, Miller-Yes, Jardine-Yes, Bussey-Yes,
Kittleson-Yes. Motion Carried (5-1).
Quarterly Economic Development Report: Scottie Sandstrom: Sandstrom provided a
handout of activities over the last quarter. New manufacturer moving into the Iron River
Incubator. Sandstrom announced that the first Bayfield County branded sign has arrived and will
be installed in Cable. Ongoing discussions are taking place with World Class Manufacturing
regarding potential expansion and extended lease at the current facility in Bayfield. Sandstrom
provided an update on several other economic development opportunities that he is pursuing.
Reports:
a. Treasurer: Very strong numbers right now. $22,263,000 balance at the end of March.
b. Financial Report for end of March: Overall, budgets are where they should be at this time
of year. Several large expenditures take place at the beginning of the year, but totals are
comparable to the previous year.
c. Corporation Counsel Agreement: The current 3-year agreement ends in 2015. Abeles-
Allison asked for direction on whether to put out RFPs or extend the current agreement.
Consensus of the committee is to negotiate with the existing provider to extend the
current agreement if possible.
Motion Miller, Jardine to enter in and out of closed session pursuant to Wis. Statutes §19.85
(1)(c, e) for the purpose of approval of closed session minutes of February 12, 2015 and
conducting specific public business with regard to potential economic development projects.
Motion Carried. Entered Closed Session at 5:45 pm. Sandstrom was invited to remain in the
closed session.
L:\COMMITTEES AND BOARDS\EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE\2015\Executive Committee Minutes 2015-04-
09.doc
Page 3 of 3
Motion Jardine, Kittleson to return to open session. Motion Carried. Returned to open session at
6:07pm
Meeting adjourned at 6:07pm.
Respectfully Submitted by Kristine Kavajecz, Assistant to the County Administrator