HomeMy WebLinkAboutExecutive Committee - Minutes - 11/12/2015Minutes of the
Bayfield County Executive Committee Meeting
4:00PM, November 12, 2015
EOC, Bayfield County Annex, Washburn, WI
Members Present: Kenneth Jardine, William Bussey, Brett Rondeau, Harold Maki, Dee
Kittleson,
Members Excused or Absent: Shawn Miller
Others Present: Mark Abeles-Allison-County Administrator, Kristine Kavajecz, James
Crandall, Fred Strand, Kathy Wendling, Jennifer Augustine-Northern Lights Healthcare, Karen
Kozie, Erica Peterson, Patrick Glynn-Carlson Dettman Consulting, Scottie Sandstrom-Bayfield
County Economic Development Corporation.
Meeting called to order at 4:00pm by Chairman Brett Rondeau.
Public Comment: None
Minutes of October 8, 2015: Motion Maki, Bussey to approve minutes of the October 8, 2015
meeting. Motion Carried.
Northern Lights Health Care Report-Jen Augustine: Abeles-Allison explained that Northern
Lights completed their recent audit. The auditors made an innovative suggestion for the county
to consider. The county currently holds bonds for the nursing home, which will mature in 2027.
Northern Lights pays approximately $470,000 annual bond payment. Jen Augustine reported that
Medicaid currently pay $147 per day, a loss of $145 per day to the nursing home for these
patients. If the County were to hold the nursing home license, not the other businesses (assisted
living, home health etc), Northern Lights then becomes a county facility. They would then be
eligible for supplemental payments from the state through the Dept of Health and Human
Services. The intent would be that the county would hold the license only, but not manage it.
The intent today is to determine if this topic is worth further discussion. Consensus of the
committee is to further investigate the advantages and disadvantages of this idea.
Presentation, National Marine Sanctuary, Karen Kozie: Erica Peterson and Karen Kozie are
exploring a designation for a NOAA National Marine Sanctuary designation for the
Chequamegon Bay Region. A full presentation will be made to the County Board. There is a
nomination phase and designation phase. The group is currently in the nomination phase,
determining if there is local stakeholder support to make a nomination. Dec 14 there will be a
public information session at the Northern Great Lakes Visitor Center regarding the possible
nomination of a National Marine Sanctuary.
BCEDC Quarterly Report and Business Park Update and Planning Follow-up, Scottie
Sandstrom: Quarterly report was presented to the committee by Scottie Sandstrom. Handout
was provided.
Motion Jardine, Kittleson to receive and place the BCEDC Quarterly report on file. Motion
Carried.
Wage Study Update: Abeles-Allison introduced Patrick Glynn with Carlson-Dettman
Consulting. The consultant is in the process of collecting county comparable data for the
Northern third of the state. Abeles-Allison distributed a draft of the revised County
Administrator job description for review/input. The committee will discuss the job description in
depth at a future meeting.
Reports:
1. Treasurer Report: Very similar balances to the previous year.
2. Financial Report: General Fund expenditures at the 77% range, overall very good. Human
Services at about 70% overall, very good.
3. Large Scale Livestock Committee: One final presentation to be heard next week. Reports and
recommendations will be made to the County Board. Pursuing an operational ordinance to
address some solutions.
4. Iron River Veteran’s Memorial Park: Review of materials from Ray Kangas
5. Business Park Update: Very close to closing on the parcels at the business park.
Motion Jardine, Kittleson to enter in and out of closed session pursuant to Wis. Statutes 19.85(1)
(e) for the purpose of discussion and possible action regarding minutes of 10-8-2015. Motion
Carried. Entered closed session at 5:37pm.
Motion Jardine, Bussey to approve closed session minutes of the October 8, 2015 Executive
Committee meeting. Motion Carried.
Motion Maki, Kittleson to return to open session. Motion Carried. Returned to open session at
5:38pm
Meeting Adjourned at 5:38 pm.
Respectfully Submitted by Kristine Kavajecz, Assistant to the County Administrator