HomeMy WebLinkAboutExecutive Committee - Minutes - 9/14/2017Minutes of the
Bayfield County Executive Committee Meeting
4:30pm, September 14, 2017
Emergency Operations Center, Bayfield County Annex Building, Washburn, WI
Members Present: Brett Rondeau, Jeff Silbert, Fred Strand, William Bussey, Harold Maki
Members Excused: Shawn Miller
Others Present: Mark Abeles-Allison-County Administrator, Kris Kavajecz-Assistant, Bill
Bailey, Bob Owen, Bob Adams, Larry Fickbohm (4:53), Jeremy Oswald (5:45pm)
Meeting called to order at 4:30 pm by Chairman Rondeau.
Public Comment: Bob Adams spoke regarding alternatives to the Xcel Transmission Line Route.
His request is to ask the County Board to take their time in granting easements through the
County Forest. When asked how much time he would suggest, Mr Adams requested 6 months.
Motion Silbert\Strand to approve the minutes of August 9, 2017. Motion carried.
Chequamegon Renewables Concept Paper, Bill Bailey: Mr Bailey reported that
CheqBay Renewable has received a grant from the Department of Energy. They have
hired an engineer, the study is ongoing, and they have received draft proposal to include
the County, City, School, and Housing Authority. Four County facilities were considered
in the proposal: Jail, Courthouse, Highway Garage, Forestry Building. They are currently
not recommending solar installation for the Courthouse building. The County Garage and
Forestry Building would be very good prospects for solar energy. Potential for the Jail is
being studied. A presentation on solar options for these facilities will be made in October.
Next, Mr Bailey report on the Community Solar Project with Xcel Energy. He reported
that Xcel is willing to move forward if the county is willing to make a commitment to it.
CheqBay Renewables encourages the county to participate in this program. 800KW
would be needed to offset the county’s electric needs for the 4 facilities.
The third topic addressed by Mr Bailey was regarding the proposed new Xcel Energy
transmission line. He stated that electricity is needed and he commends Xcel on being
willing to make the investment in the community. CheqBay Renewables has a proposal
for Xcel as an alternative to the proposed line/route. The proposal includes a submarine
line between Ashland and Washburn and a solar transmission facility in Washburn.
Bailey suggested that the county needs to develop a long range energy plan.
Bob Owen explained the details of the proposal for Xcel Energy and answered questions
from the committee regarding the cost and feasibility of the submarine line and the
battery storage/transmission facility.
Transfer of excess Health Insurance in the 2017 General Fund Budget: Abeles-
Allison explained that a 10% Health Insurance premium increase was budgeted in the
2017 budget. After the budget was approved, actual rates came in with a 0% increase due
to plan design changes that were implemented. This resulted in excess budgeted HRA
and Health Insurance premiums totaling approximately $300,000.
2017 Highway Appropriation Budget Amendment: When the 2017 budget was
prepared, the intent was that Northern Lights would pay the scheduled bond premiums in
2017. The debt service was budgeted for improvements in the Highway Department.
Because of the bond refinance, the county will need to use the debt service to pay the
bond payments. Because the debt service will not be available to be used for Highway
projects as anticipated, the committee discussed how to provide the funds to Highway.
The resolution proposes to use Fund Balance for this purpose.
The committee discussed whether to move the excess Health Insurance/HRA funds to
cover a portion of the Highway Funds, move them to the General Fund, or move them to
the Health Reserve Account.
Motion Bussey, Maki to recommend the resolutions under agenda Items 5 & 7 (Excess
Health Insurance Premiums and Highway Appropriation) to the Full County Board for
consideration. Motion Carried (5-0)
Business park road grant resolution and utility application letters. (USDA, CDBG and
DOT grant applications for funding): Motion Maki, Silbert to seek grant funding for the
business park road. Motion Carried (5-0). The business park committee recommends that letters
be sent to applicable utilities to request build out plans.
Proposed TIF legislation for Cable: Report was made that legislators are working on a special
exception to allow a TIF district for the Telemark property. The committee discussed how TIF
districts work/impact county tax revenue.
2018 Budget Proposal Presentation & set dates for Executive Committee Budget Meetings:
Wed, Sept 27 4:30
Thur, Sept 28 4:30
Mon, Oct 2 4:30
Budget Hearing will be October 31.
Abeles-Allison provided a high-level overview of the proposed 2018 budget, which was
provided to all County Board members. Staffing requests and Capital Improvement requests
were reviewed, along with other recommendations included in the proposed budget. The
proposed budget includes a levy of $9,783,198, and increase of $234,588 over the previous year.
This equates to an average mill rate of 3.83, and increase of .09 mills over the previous year.
Request was made from the committee to hear from several departments including: Human
Services, Highway, Sheriff’s office, and Information Technology.
Rondeau exited at 6:15pm and Bussey assumed running the meeting.
Motion Maki, Silbert to enter into closed session for discussion and possible action on the
following items pursuant to 19.85(1)(g): to confer with 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:
a. Approve closed session minutes of August 9, 2017
b. Discussion and Possible Action Regarding DNR Lawsuit Settlement.
Motion Carried (4-0) Entered closed session at 6:20pm.
Motion Maki, Strand to return to open session. Motion Carried (4-0) Returned to open session at
6:30pm.
Reports:
c. Financial Report August, 2017: General Fund Revenues are up over the previous year.
Expenses are up about $300,000 over the previous year, but are within budget. Human
Services Revenues are very similar to the previous year. Expenses are up significantly
due to out of home placements. This may require the use of Risk Reserve. Highway
Revenues are up about $150,000 over the previous year and expenses are very similar to
the previous year.
d. Treasurer Report August, 2017: Balances are still strong in comparison with previous
years.
e. Dome Project: Done
f. Tower Project: Still need to do landscaping and Verizon is finalizing their operation.
g. Surveyor Report: Having difficulty filling this position. Discussing options with Ashland
County, who will also be recruiting for a Surveyor.
h. Ice Rescue: Request has been received for Bayfield County to be an annual supporter of
the Ice Angel.
Meeting Adjourned at 6:40pm.
Minutes submitted by Kris Kavajecz