HomeMy WebLinkAboutExecutive Committee - Minutes - 10/13/2016Minutes of the
Bayfield County Executive Committee Meeting
4:00PM, October 13, 2016
County Board Room, Bayfield County Courthouse, Washburn, WI
Members Present: Brett Rondeau, Jeff Silbert, Fred Strand, Shawn Miller, William Bussey,
Harold Maki
Members Excused:
Others Present: Mark Abeles-Allison-County Administrator, Kristine Kavajecz-Assistant, Seth
Hudson-Cedar Corp, Scottie Sandstrom-BCEDC, Denise Tarasewicz
Meeting called to order at 4:00pm by Chairman Rondeau.
Public Comment: Denise Tarasewicz, Deputy Register of Deeds, shared some information on
the proposed space study. She reported that her office is not in favor of moving their office. She
invited board members to come to their office to discuss this topic.
Minutes of September 22, 2016: Motion Miller, Maki to approve minutes of the September 22,
2016 Executive Committee meeting. Motion Carried.
Business Park Strategic Planning Documents: Abeles-Allison reported that all buildings and
some land have been sold. The planning committee has been working on a strategic plan for the
vacant land and the development of a packet of materials for potential tenants. Scottie
Sandstrom and Seth Hudson reviewed the Development Analysis and discussed highlights of the
document. Wetland delineation was completed (good for 5 years). No more than 3 turns from a
main highway can be conducted by vendors. The proposed road in the business park was
designed so that the curves are not counted as a turn and actually utilizes less land than a
standard road network would require. “T” Grants can be accessed through WisDOT based upon
the amount of jobs generated at a new business site. Sanitary/sewer options were investigated
with individual sanitary systems being recommended as the best solution. A concern has been
identified with the intersection of Hwy 2 and State Farm Road, which does not provide enough
space for large trucks to turn on/off of the Highway safely, and also blocks the current entrance
to the Office area.
Proposed next steps for this development project is to work on zoning with the Town of Eileen,
Design of the main road and stormwater facility, and to perform perk tests throughout the
property to prepare for sanitary systems. The committee discussed that the goal of the site is to
develop jobs.
The second document reviewed was the marketing document, which is a tool that will be used to
attract potential tenants for the business park.
Motion Bussey, Strand to approve both documents and forward to the full county board for
approval. Motion Carried (6-0)
Report from Bayfield County Economic Development-Third Quarter: Scottie Sandstrom
reported that the Business Park has been a big focus over the past quarter. Northern Clearing has
broken ground at the Business Park for an approximately 35,000 sq ft structure to be their
corporate headquarters. Met with other prospective business park tenants. Met with Impact
Seven representatives regarding the status of World Class Manufacturing. Sparky’s Bar and
Grill opened a few weeks ago. Had a FabLab event to encourage technology upgrades in local
schools. In partnership with Norvado, did a video shoot touting the fiber availability in northern
Wisconsin to help promote business interest. 57 company visits.
Abeles-Allison reported that Bayfield Electric has extended 3 phase electric to the business park
property. There is a discrepancy between Xcel Energy and Bayfield Electric regarding the 3-
phase installation.
Motion Maki, Silbert to receive the quarterly report from Bayfield County Economic
Development and place it on file. Motion Carried.
2017 Budget as forwarded to County Board: Abeles-Allison reviewed a list of all
modifications that were approved at the final budget meeting and were incorporated into the
document forwarded to the County Board and was published for public comment. The levy was
adjusted for the Northern Lights bonding. The levy for 2017 proposed to be the same as 2016.
Silbert asked if it is appropriate to make a recommendation to amend the proposed budget to
include a donation to a non-profit. Silbert reviewed a handout regarding a renovation project
involving an economic development initiative in the City of Washburn. Suggestion from the
committee is to make this request at a future date for monies from the contingency fund and for
the committee to consider once the budget is finalized.
Strand asked what happens if Northern Lights pays off their debt before the end of 2016. It is
anticipated that this would have no impact on the budget because the debt was in place at the
time that the budget was adopted.
Motion Miller, Maki to forward the budget to the full county board. Motion Carried.
Committee Meeting Dates and Times: Motion Bussey, Miller to move Executive Committee
meetings to 4:30 pm on the second Thursday of each month. Motion Carried.
Reports:
a. Supreme Court Visit: 5:30pm on Oct 25 reception at Bayfield Pavilion. Will hear 3 cases
on October 26th, with a luncheon that day as well.
b. Health Insurance Update: Personnel Committee heard a presentation from the consultant
with 10 options provided by Security Health Plan. An employee group met today to
review options. This group will make recommendations to the personnel committee.
Motion Miller, Bussey to receive both reports and place them on file. Motion Carried.
Motion Miller, Maki to enter in and out of closed session pursuant to Wisconsin Statutes
§19.85(1)(c,e) to conduct other specified public business, whenever competitive or bargaining
reasons require a closed session, specifically to discuss the status and content of labor
negotiations. Motion Carried. Entered Closed session at 5:22pm.
Motion Miller, Bussey to return to open session. Motion Carried. The committee returned to
open session at 5:35pm
Meeting Adjourned at 5:35pm.