HomeMy WebLinkAboutExecutive Committee - Minutes - 1/14/2016Minutes of the
Bayfield County Executive Committee Meeting
4:00PM, January 14, 2016
EOC, Bayfield County Annex, Washburn, WI
Members Present: Kenneth Jardine, William Bussey, Brett Rondeau, Harold Maki, , Shawn
Miller
Members Excused or Absent: Dee Kittleson
Others Present: Mark Abeles-Allison-County Administrator, Kristine Kavajecz, Kathy
Wendling, Dennis Pocernich, Scottie Sandstrom-BCEDC, Jason Bodine, Scott Fibert, Dan
Anderson, Kay Cederberg
Meeting called to order at 4:00pm by Chairman Brett Rondeau.
Public Comment: None
Minutes of December 10, 2015: Motion Maki, Miller to approve minutes of the December 10,
2015 meeting. Motion Carried.
Elected Official Wage Discussion: Abeles-Allison explained that wages for elected officials are
set prior to papers being taken out. Elections in 2016 will take place for the County Clerk,
Register of Deeds, and County Treasurer. Fibert explained that WRS for elected officials was
changed in 2016 to be equal to that of General Employees, which results in about a 1% decrease
in contributions. The committee asked for comparable information from other counties to be
provided at the February meeting.
Report from the Bayfield County Economic Development Corporation-Scottie Sandstrom:
Sandstrom reviewed the 4th quarter activities of BCEDC.
Economic Development Initiatives Summary: Abeles-Allison reviewed county investments in
economic development over the recent years. Projects that were reviewed included: Iron River
Incubator, World Class Manufacturing project, Northern Lights Health Care Bonding and
Revolving Loan Funds.
Department and Fund Budget Amendments: Revenues and expenditures exceeded budget in
the Copier Fund and Motor Pool Fund. An amendment will also be needed regarding Human
Services $219,686. All 3 amendments will be reviewed and acted on at the County Board
meeting.
Trails Policy Statement: The committee reviewed a statement that was included in the
Executive meeting packet. Bodine explained the issues that prompted the draft statement.
Wage Study Update: Special County Board meeting on January 19th.
Northern Lights Health Care Licensure Report: Abeles-Allison has met twice with Northern
Lights Representatives. The County’s insurance company has verified that insurance will not be
an issue with regard to this topic. Northern Lights will be providing confirmation that they
would be eligible for additional funding if the county were to take over licensure of the facility.
The committee requested that Jen Augustine attend the February committee meeting.
Snowmobile Groomers: Abeles-Allison explained that the county insures the grooming
equipment operated by the snowmobile alliance.
Pigeon Lake Facility: Bodine reported that the old CCC scout camp in Drummond is being
sold. The county has been asked if they would be interested in purchasing the facility. The
Forestry Committee expressed that they are not interested in purchasing or managing the
property.
Corps of Engineers / Section 154 Funds: County was provided with very short notice on
funding available to municipalities for infrastructure projects. Six projects were submitted for
consideration throughout the county.
Accessibility and Security Assessment: Several departments have recently identified security
considerations. A list of requests is being compiled and will be presented to the Executive
Committee for consideration.
Animal Control: Humane Officer has notified us that the City of Superior is interested in
working with the county as a resource for housing animals.
Financial and Cash Reports: Abeles-Allison reviewed the financial report summary for 2015.
Overall, the county expenses are under budget for 2015. The committee also reviewed the
County Treasurer’s cash report for 2015. The balances are very healthy.
Tuition Reimbursement Policy: Abeles-Allison reported that the Personnel Committee
approved a policy allowing for partial reimbursement of funding for continuing education for
employees. The committee was asked to designate contingency funds in 2016 for this purpose.
Motion Bussey, Rondeau to support the Tuition Reimbursement Policy and to fund $5000 from
contingency for the Tuition Reimbursement Program in 2016. Roll Call: Bussey:Yes,
Rondeau:Yes, Miller: Yes, Maki: No, Jardine: No. Motion Carried (3-2)
Motion Miller, Bussey to enter in and out of closed session pursuant to Wis. Statutes 19.85(1) (c)
to consider employment, promotion, compensation or performance evaluation data of any public
employee over which the governmental body has jurisdiction or exercises responsibility;
19.85(1)(e) for the purpose of Deliberating or negotiating the purchasing of public properties,
the investing of public funds or conducting other specified public business whenever competitive
or bargaining reasons require a closed session and 19.85(1) (g) Conferring with legal counsel
who is rendering oral or written advice concerning strategy to be adopted by the body with
respect to litigation in which it is or is likely to become involved; discussion and possible action
regarding: Minutes of December 10, 2015, Business Park Property Negotiation, and County
Administrator Contract. Motion Carried. Entered closed session at 5:50pm.
Motion Jardine, Bussey to return to open session. Motion Carried. Returned to open session at
5:55pm
Abeles-Allison reported that there will be 3 meetings on January 19th: 3:00 Livestock Study
Committee, 5:00 Development & Land Sales Committee, 6:00 County Board Wage Study
Meeting.
Meeting Adjourned at 5:56 pm.
Respectfully Submitted by Kristine Kavajecz, Assistant to the County Administrator