HomeMy WebLinkAboutExecutive Committee - Minutes - 7/14/2015Minutes of the
Bayfield County Executive Committee Meeting
3:00PM, July 14, 2015
EOC, Bayfield County Annex, Washburn, WI
Members Present: Brett Rondeau, Harold Maki, Bill Bussey, Dee Kittleson, Kenneth Jardine
Members Excused: Shawn Miller
Others Present: Mark Abeles-Allison (Bayfield County Administrator), Kathy Wendling, Tony
Johanik-Town of Eileen, Craig Parks-Maintenance Supervisor, Paul Houck-Information
Technology Director (via telephone), Kristine Kavajecz, Scott Fibert-County Clerk, Scottie
Sandstrom, Sheriff Paul Susienka, Dave Kositzky (BRFPC), Chris Duke (BRFPC), Greg
Martinsen (Ashland Industries)
Rondeau called the meeting to order at 4:04pm.
Public Comment:
Minutes of June 11, 2015: Motion Jardine, Maki to approve minutes of the June 11, 2015
Executive Committee meeting. Motion Carried 5-0
Northern Lights Debt Waiver Resolution and Facility Update: This topic postponed until
later in the meeting.
Trans305 Ordinance Recommendation: The committee reviewed previous discussions on this
topic and heard comment from Sheriff Susienka regarding the potential impact of this action. He
reiterated that implementation of this ordinance would not change how the Sheriff’s Department
facilitates traffic stops, or why.
Motion Bussey, Jardine to recommend the ordinance amendment adopting Trans305 to the full
County Board for consideration. Motion Carried. 4-1
Office 365: Paul Houck joined the meeting via telephone. He explained two options: to maintain
the email system as is, or to move email out to a cloud environment. He reviewed a spreadsheet
that was provided comparing prices of both options. He proposes that we make this an annual
expenditure rather than a 5-7 year large capital purchase. Abeles-Allison emphasized the
additional security features that come with the cloud solution. If approved, a budget adjustment
will be needed in 2015 to move budgeted funds from capital improvements to a contractual line
in the Information Technology budget.
Motion Bussey, Kittleson to authorize the Information Technology Department to move to a
cloud environment solution for email services and to draft a budget adjustment to move budgeted
funds for capital purchases to the operating budget to cover implementation/maintenance costs
for the current fiscal year. Motion Carried 5-0.
2016 Budget Presentations: County Clerk, Scott Fibert reviewed the 2016 proposed budget for
the County Clerk and Elections budgets. The Election budget is increased significantly due to
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the presidential election in 2016. Fibert reviewed accomplishments of his department over the
past year.
Industrial Development Tax Increment District: Scottie Sandstrom and Abeles-Allison
reviewed information that had previously been provided regarding this topic and reiterated that if
approved, this district would be in place for no longer than 5 years, with funds being used for
infrastructure such as roads, water, sewer. The Town of Eileen has not yet voted on this topic.
Consensus of the committee is to wait for direction from the Town before taking further action.
3-phase Electric at the Ag Station Business Park: Sandstrom reported that 3-phase power
would be utilized by the current tenant at the park and would be infrastructure that would help to
attract new business.
Motion Bussey, Jardine to recommend to the full county board that funds be authorized for
installation of 3-phase power at the Ag Station Business Park. Clarification was made that if the
power is run, there is not a monthly fee unless energy is used. Motion Carried 5-0.
Motion Bussey, Jardine to forward the Northern Lights waiver resolution to the county board for
consideration and request that a representative of Northern Lights be present at the County
Board meeting to explain the waiver request and financial status of the organization. Motion
Carried 5-0.
Bayfield Regional Food Cooperative Presentation: Dave Kositzky, Chris Duke explained their
request to purchase land and structures at the Ag Station Business Park of about 9 acres. Looking
for a shared well and septic agreement. Proposal is for $1000 per acre. BRFPC will tear down
dilapidated buildings, make repairs to others, and tear out deteriorated concrete. Anticipating a
May 2016 closing. Reasonable restrictive covenants and right of first refusal for reversionary
sale clause would be considered.
Town of Eileen Proposal: Tony Johanik explained that the town is interested in acquiring the
parcel with the office building, which would then be used as the Town Hall. The parcel
encompasses about 1.62 acres and contains the mound system. Minimum sale in an Ag Zoning
is 5 acres, so this parcel would need to be rezoned to municipal to facilitate the sale.
Ashland Industries Proposal: Greg Martinsen reviewed a proposal to purchase approximately
40 acres (the northern tier of the ag station). Proposal would be to clean up the property and fix
up the buildings. The farmland would be used as a demo site for customers and training, to better
sell equipment. The office building is proposed to be used for a pre-school and would allow the
Town of Eileen to use the building when the pre-school is not operating. Martinsen also provided
a statement that they would be willing to work with the Regional Food Producers to buy or lease
land for their organization.
Motion, Bussey, Maki to enter closed session pursuant to Wis. Statutes §19.85 (1)(c, e) for the
purpose of Approval of closed session minutes of May 14, 2015; review proposals for the
Bayfield County Business Park by Bayfield Regional Food Cooperative, Town of Eileen, Greg
Martinsen and Ashland Industries. Entered closed session at 4:35pm. Sandstrom was allowed to
remain in the closed session. Motion Carried 5-0
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Motion Bussey, Maki to return to open session. Motion Carried 5-0 Returned to open session at
5:12pm. Bussey exited the meeting at this time.
BRFPC, Greg Martinsen and Town of Eileen returned to the meeting. Abeles-Allison explained
that the committee made a recommendation to the full county board to negotiate agreements with
BRFPC and the Town of Eileen, but also suggested that the 3 organizations could get together
over the next few weeks to work out a mutual agreement that could be considered.
All remaining items are postponed to the next meeting.
Meeting adjourned at 5:15pm.
Respectfully Submitted by Kristine Kavajecz, Assistant to the County Administrator