HomeMy WebLinkAboutExecutive Committee - Minutes - 4/6/2017Minutes of the
Bayfield County Executive Committee Meeting
4:30PM, April 6, 2017
Emergency Operations Center (EOC), Bayfield County Annex Building, Washburn, WI
Members Present: Brett Rondeau, Jeff Silbert, William Bussey, Shawn Miller, Fred Strand
Members Excused: Harold Maki
Others Present: Mark Abeles-Allison-County Administrator, Kris Kavajecz-Assistant, Craig
Parks-Maintenance Supervisor, Denise Tarasewicz-Register of Deeds, Henry Pittner-BKV
Group, Bruce Schwartzman-BKV Group, Jeff Lightner-Custodian, Jason Bodine-Forest
Administrator, Kay Cederberg-Clerk of Court, Judge John Anderson, Kim Lawton-District
Attorney, Kevin Johnson-CVSO, Nikki Revak-DHS Financial Manager, Dan Heffner-Deputy
Register of Deeds , Roger Johnson (Veterans Park), Ray Kangas (Veterans Park), Jane Snilsberg
(Veterans Park), Scottie Sandstrom-BCEDC, Bill Bailey
Meeting called to order at 4:30pm by Chairman Rondeau.
Public Comment: None
Minutes of March 9, 2017: Motion Strand, Miller to approve minutes of the March 9
2017 meeting. Motion Carried.
Space and Security Presentation and Discussion, BKV Group: Consultants provided a
presentation to the security and facilities committee and several additional department heads
earlier in the day to gather further input. The consultants reviewed a 2-page preliminary
report of recommendations. The recommendations are based on discussions with
departments as well as information gathered from national security organizations with regard
to safety/security standards. The primary recommendation is to “zone” the courthouse into 2
separate zones: secured and non-secured. Persons entering the secured area (court, DA, Child
Support, Clerk of Court) would go through a security screening area.The list of
recommendations was reviewed.
Committee members asked if costs could also be provided for each of the recommendations.
Committee would also like to see proposed “stages” for implementation.
The current layout of Annex Basement office spaces was clarified.
Recommendation will include additional staffing for courthouse security.
Another workshop meeting will be held on May 11th, with anticipated presentation to the
Executive Committee and County Board in May.
Iron River Veteran’s Memorial Project, Ray Kangas: An initial proposal on this
project was presented to the county about a year ago. A brochure was presented with a
draft schematic of the proposed park. Kangas reported that there are several ideas for
fundraising for the park. A survey needs to be done of the property, soil borings and
elevations obtained. Phase 1 would include the construction of a small building. The
property that is being considered is currently in County Forest.
Jason Bodine reported on the process that needs to be approved by the Forestry
Committee and then the County Board. The State would then need to approve the
property to be “unenrolled” in County Forest Management. Bodine reported that to his
knowledge the 10 acres being considered does not have high value timber on it.
Corporation Counsel has stated that the County could consider donating the property
once approved by the County Forestry Department and State. He would recommend a
reversionary clause in the deed stating the return of the property to the county if it were to
cease to be used as a veterans park in the future.
Bodine stated that with approval of the Forestry Committee, the Veterans Park group
could go forward with soil borings provided there were no safety concerns created by the
borings.
Kangas reported that they have a number of ideas for fundraisers. The group is also in the
process of obtaining 501c3 status.
Motion Bussey, Silbert to add this topic to the Forestry Committee agenda to include the
recommendation of the Executive Committee to authorize the Veterans Park group to
begin soil borings on the proposed site and that they keep the Forestry Committee up to
date on the status. Motion Carried.
Requirements for Zoning of the site will be forwarded to Snilsberg.
Business Park Road Design Proposal: 3 proposals for road design/construction were
received. Abeles-Allison provided a handout summarizing the proposals and the
recommendation of the Business Park Committee. The committee also met with the
Town of Eileen about the proposed new road. The Business Park Committee has
recommended the bid from Cedar Corporation.
Sandstrom joined the meeting at this time.
Motion Bussey, Miller to postpone discussion on this topic until the next meeting to give
members time to review the information. Discussion took place regarding the fact that
the bid includes bidding and construction inspection and a concern that the award of this
would imply that the construction of the road is imminent. Does the road need to be
blacktopped. Sandstrom was invited to provide input before the motion was acted on.
Sandstrom provided several reasons why the Business Park Committee is recommending
that the bid be awarded to Cedar Corporation. The committee suggested having a
representative from Cedar Corporation and C&S Design address the committee at the
next meeting. Motion Carried (5-0) Bussey reported that he will not be here for the next
Executive Committee meeting. Silbert asked if the County Highway Department could
construct the road if it were designed.
Solar Grant Resolution: Bussey reported that Bill Bailey made a presentation to the committee
several months ago regarding a community solar project that would involve a solar photovoltaic
collaboration with the County, City of Washburn and Washburn School District. The proposal
would be for the county to pay for the panels at contracted price over a designated period of
time. Once the panels are paid for, the county continues to receive the power generated by the
panels. UW Madison engineering students have done some work to identify potential locations
for the solar photovoltaic equipment. The resolution being considered expresses support for Bill
Bailey to submit a grant application for the project design. The resolution does not commit the
county to going forward with an actual installation.
Motion Silbert, Strand to recommend approval of the Solar Grant Resolution to the Full County
Board. Motion Carried (5-0)
Motion Bussey, Miller to authorize the County Administrator to have Corporation Counsel
investigate the legal ramifications of this project prior to the recommendation going to the
County Board. Motion Carried (5-0)
County Fund Balance Designation: Abeles-Allison reviewed fund balances as of the
2015 audit. In 2016 there was approximately $10 million in undesignated fund balance.
Considering the 2017 budget, undesignated funds are anticipated to be approximately $5
million.
The reason for designating funds is to more accurately reflect amounts that are and are
not currently committed.
The committee discussed the county’s liability with regard to Northern Lights debt.
Bussey reported that Xcel Energy is considering a solar energy farm in the area that the
county may want to consider buying in to. The cost of the buy-in may also be considered
for funds to be designated.
Future Board Compensation: The county is a year away from County Board elections.
Compensation needs to be set prior to papers being taken out. A summary of
compensation for other counties was reviewed. The consensus of the committee is that
compensation is adequate, although they would like to investigate a way to address the
length of time invested for those board members that have significant travel time in
addition to actual meeting time. Question was also asked if a day of travel, such as to a
conference, is considered a “meeting” for purposes of per diem.
Reports:
A. Overtime Policy Report: Abeles-Allison provided a handout of a proposal
that has been made by the Highway Department to address overtime pay.
The county currently follows the Fair Labor Standards Act with regard to
overtime calculations. This topic will be discussed at the upcoming
Personnel Committee meeting. One topic of discussion that may be
considered is pay for “on call” status.
B. 2016 Financial Report and Treasurer Report for March, 2017: Treasurer
Report was not available due to the meeting date change. The year-end
2016 financial report was reviewed.
C. Northern Lights Update: Currently waiting for the first quarter report from
the organization’s auditor.
D. Superior Day Issues: No reports
E. Pigeon Lake Sale: The committee stated that they are not interested in this
property. It was suggested to forward the information to Scottie Sandstrom
to assist with promotion of the property.
F. Tower Update: Electrical work has begun. Installation of equipment has
begun. Testing of antennaes is underway. Completion on track for June or
July.
G. Budget Survey: Was not reviewed.
Meeting Adjourned at 6:55pm