HomeMy WebLinkAboutExecutive Committee - Minutes - 5/14/2015Minutes of the
Bayfield County Executive Committee Meeting
4:00PM, May 14, 2015
EOC, Bayfield County Annex, Washburn, WI
Members Present: Kenneth Jardine, Dee Kittleson, Brett Rondeau, Shawn Miller and Harold
Maki
Members Excused: Bill Bussey
Others Present: Mark Abeles-Allison (Bayfield County Administrator), Fred Strand, Dennis
Pocernich, Sheriff Paul Susienka, Kristine Kavajecz.
Rondeau called the meeting to order at 4:00pm.
Public Comment: None
Minutes of April 9, 2015: Motion Jardine, Miller to approve minutes of the April 9, 2015
Executive Committee meeting. Motion Carried.
Presentation Regarding Office 365, Paul Houck: Abeles-Allison gave a brief overview of this
proposal. The proposal is to transition from a standard email exchange server located here in
Bayfield County to an online system. $37,500 is budgeted for an upgraded server, software and
labor this year. In lieu of this, the Information Technology Department is proposing moving to
an online version. This will provide easy access wherever employees are in addition to increased
security. Costs the first year will be approximately $25,000, with that going down to around
$20,000 after that. This includes two upgrades, archiving and encryption that we do not have at
present. Discussion on this topic was tabled until the next meeting when Houck can be present.
Incorporating Trans 305 into Bayfield County Ordinances: A proposed ordinance
amendment was provided as a handout. This amendment is supported by the Sheriff’s
Department and District Attorney and adopts the code currently used by the State Police.
Committee members questioned if this amendment eliminates the requirement for “reasonable
cause/suspicion” to pull someone over. Sheriff Susienka joined the meeting at this time and
explained the contents of Trans 305.
Motion Maki, Jardine to deny incorporating Trans 305 into the county ordinance. Comment
from Pocernich that a negative motion is not necessary to disallow the ordinance amendment.
Consensus of the committee is to move forward with the negative motion. Sheriff Susienka
clarified that it is not intended to, and would not change the department’s enforcement strategy.
Motion Carried (5-0) Sheriff Susienka exited the meeting at this time.
Budget Amendment for Large Scale Livestock Study Committee expenses: Abeles-Allison
provided an update that the County Board has already authorized $10,000 from contingency for
expenses associated with the Large Scale Livestock Study Committee. He also reported that this
amount may not be sufficient to cover the cost of per diems and mileage for the committee
members. In addition, the committee is recommending expenses for research. Abeles-Allison
explained that a recommendation would be needed for
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Motion Jardine, Kittleson, to recommend the approval of authorization to spend an additional
$4315 for the 2 studies recommended by the Large Scale Livestock Study Committee and
approximately $10,000 for the per diem and mileage in the County Board Budget. This
recommendation to be forwarded to the full County Board for approval. Motion Carried.
WCA Resolutions, deadline, June 22: Abeles-Allison asked if the County has specific topics
they would like to see submitted to the Wisconsin Counties Association as resolutions. These
resolutions are considered by the WCA as a basis for their legislative efforts in the coming year.
Topics identified included: Highway Funding, Concern with the deterioration of Court Funding,
Statewide trail network.
Local Government Property Insurance Fund: Abeles-Allison reported that the county uses
this fund for property insurance. We have been notified that the fund will be discontinued in 2
years and rates will increase up to 40% this year. The County will be seeking other options for
insurance coverage. This is provided for informational purposes only.
Budget amendment for the County Treasurer’s Office: Budget amendment for additional
wage costs for limited term summer help during the month of June.
Motion Maki, Jardine to approve the resolution as presented and forward to the County Board
for approval. Motion Carried.
Summer County Employee Event: Plan is to have a family picnic event at a county inland lake
with the county to provide the food. Various activities would be planned.
Corporation Counsel Agreement:
Motion Miller, Jardine to approve an agreement with the current Corporation Council at the
existing rates. Motion Carried.
Reports:
1. Treasurer: Balances are up about $1.2 million over this time last year.
2. Financial Report for end of April: Expenses for the General Fund are at 32%, 20% for
DHS, 13% Capital Improvement Fund, and 20% for Highway.
3. Dam Updates: Work on the Middle Eau Claire Lakes Dam will begin in June. An
inquiry was received from Douglas County if Bayfield County would consider assisting
with the Mooney Dam repair project, which is located in Douglas County, but backs up
waters into Bayfield County.
4. Northern Lights: Abeles-Allison reported that he has been in contact with Northern
Lights regarding Supervisor Maki’s concerns.
5. WIN Business & Technology Conference August 14 at WITC: Bayfield County has
provided a contribution of $250 in the past. Consensus of the committee is to allow this
contribution.
6. WCA Annual Conference, Sept, 20-22: Please let the County Administrator’s office
know if you will be attending so that hotel and conference registration can be arranged.
Motion Miller, Kittleson 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 Ag
Station Land Business Inquiries. Motion Carried. Entered closed session at 5:00pm.
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Motion Jardine, Kittleson to return to open session. Motion Carried. Return to open session at
5:40pm
Meeting adjourned at 5:40pm.
Respectfully Submitted by Kristine Kavajecz, Assistant to the County Administrator