HomeMy WebLinkAboutExecutive Committee - Minutes - 3/10/2016Minutes of the
Bayfield County Executive Committee Meeting
4:00PM, March 10, 2016
EOC, Bayfield County Annex, Washburn, WI
Members Present: Brett Rondeau, Harold Maki, Dee Kittleson, Shawn Miller, William
Bussey, Kenneth Jardine
Members Excused or Absent:
Others Present: Mark Abeles-Allison-County Administrator, Kristine Kavajecz, Fred Strand,
Kathy Wendling, Dennis Pocernich, Brenda Spurlock, Abby Hill, Jennifer Augustine-Northern
Lights (3:20pm), Doug Ament
Meeting called to order at 4:02pm by Chairman Brett Rondeau.
Public Comment: None
Minutes of February 11, 2016: Motion Maki, Kittleson to approve minutes of the February 11,
2016 meeting. Motion Carried.
Northern Lights Management and Licensure Agreement: This item postponed until later in
the meeting.
National Association of Counties, Stepping Up Initiative: Brenda Spurlock and Abby Hill
made a presentation to the committee regarding this program. This program is designed to assist
counties in addressing mental health issues in the community as an alternative to incarcerating
these individuals. Consensus of the committee is to forward this information to affected
committees for review and recommendation to the County Board.
Northern Lights Management and Licensure Agreement: Jen Augustine joined the meeting
at this time. Carriage Healthcare management contract overview was provided. Evergreen
company is also contracted to support the rehabilitation program at Northern Lights.
Lengthy discussion was held regarding the tasks provided by Carriage Healthcare and whether
Northern Lights could take on some of these tasks, reducing the contract with Carriage
Healthcare. The committee suggested that additional input from the county, possibly in the form
of additional Northern Lights Board members should be considered. The committee expressed a
strong support for the quality of care provided by Northern Lights and the importance of the
facilities in the County.
Bussey reviewed the current lease with Northern Lights and concluded that based on the
document, the county appears to own the land and the structures, which are then leased to
Northern Lights.
The Northern Lights Board will be meeting next week, March 16 at 4:00pm. All committee
members are invited to attend that board meeting to discuss the potential of Bayfield County
taking over the license for the Nursing Home and the pros/cons of this potential arrangement.
Initial estimates project that additional funding of over $400k may be available if the county
were to hold the license. Liability concerns are being investigated. The county is encouraged to
identify other creative ways they could assist Northern Lights, such as facility maintenance.
Augustine exited the meeting at this time.
Establishing an AD HOC committee to prepare a Fraud Prevention Policy for Bayfield
County and to appoint a member of the Executive Committee to this Committee: Abeles-
Allison reviewed a list of possible participants and a request to create a Fraud Prevention Ad Hoc
Committee. The concept is to have this group meet 3-4 times over the next year to establish fraud
prevention policies for the county.
Motion Miller, Rondeau to establish an Ad Hoc Fraud Prevention Committee whose mission
would be to develop a policy and plan to prevent fraud within the county organization. The
County Board Chairman shall appoint a county board member to this committee following the
April election. Motion Carried.
Cable Junior National Olympic Event financial contribution: A summary of the Junior
Nationals competition was reviewed. A request was made for $5000 to assist with covering the
expenses related to this event.
Motion Bussey, Jardine to authorize $5000 from contingency to be forwarded to the Cable
Chamber to be used toward the cost of the Junior National Olympic events. The committee
discussed the publicity received for the county and that this is a national event. Suggestion was
made that the county should establish a criteria for financial support of events. Suggestion was
made that monies for these types of requests should be budgeted through the Tourism
Department. Roll Call: Bussey-Yes, Maki-No, Jardine-yes, Rondeau-Yes, Kittleson-yes,
Rondeau-yes. Motion Carried 5-1
Green Tier Initiative as presented by Wisconsin Counties Association: Abeles-Allison
provided an overview of the Green Tier Program endorsed by the Wisconsin Counties
Association. Strand pointed out that there is no cost to participate in this program, but it would
require a resolution from the County Board.
Motion Bussey, Jardine to authorize and direct the County Administrator to develop a resolution
to participate in the Green Tier Program for the County Board to consider. Strand pointed out
that the county could rescind their participation at any time. Motion Carried. (5-1)
PACE initiative as presented by Wisconsin Counties Association: Abeles-Allison provided
an overview of the PACE program. Private bank makes a loan, secured by the property taxes on
the property, giving a lower interest rate on the loan. This program would require the county to
pass an ordinance with the details of the program. The Wisconsin Counties Association is willing
to make a full presentation on this program to the Executive Committee or the full County Board
if desired.
Motion Maki to not invite the WCA to present on this topic. Motion failed for lack of a second.
Bayfield County Business Park Planning Committee, addition of Alternate Member:
Suggestion was made by Rondeau to add Cody Bohls as an alternate member to the Business
Park Planning Committee. Concern was expressed that Mr Bohls is not a resident of Bayfield
County, but does own property in the county.
Motion Miller, Maki to allow having an alternate member on the Business Park Planning
Committee, to be appointed by the County Board Chairman. Motion Carried.
Reports:
1. Bayfield Electric Solar Share Purchase: The committee reviewed an opportunity to purchase
solar panels to be used for energy that is used by the County through Bayfield Electric. A
county contribution of $12,500 (25 panels) would pay for energy used at the Highway
Garage in Bayfield. The committee suggested that this should be a Highway Department
expense if considered.
2. End of February 2016 Financial and Cash Report: End of February 2016 figures were
reviewed with results showing figures very close to those at the same point last year.
3. 2015 Final Budget: Reviewed.
4. Investment updates: None
5. April 19 Reorganization Meeting Plans: 9:00am
6. Superior Days Meeting Issue Follow-up: None
Miller exited the meeting at this time.
Motion Kittleson, Jardine to enter in and out of closed session pursuant to Wis. Statutes 19.85(1)
(c) to approve Minutes of January 14, 2016 and 19.85(1)(g) to review information from legal
counsel for the governmental body 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.
Motion Carried. Entered closed session at 5:55pm
Motion Kittleson, Bussey to return to open session. Motion Carried. Entered open session at
6:00pm
Meeting Adjourned at 6:00pm.
Respectfully Submitted by Kristine Kavajecz, Assistant to the County Administrator