HomeMy WebLinkAboutExecutive Committee - Minutes - 12/14/2017Minutes of the
Bayfield County Executive Committee Meeting
4:30pm, December 14, 2017
County Board Room, Bayfield County Courthouse, Washburn, WI
Members Present: Brett Rondeau, Jeff Silbert, William Bussey, Harold Maki, Fred Strand,
Shawn Miller
Others Present: Mark Abeles-Allison-County Administrator, Kris Kavajecz-Assistant, Russ
Fish-C&S Design, Sheldon Johnson-NWRPC, Jeff Klaver-Xcel Energy, Jeremy Oswald, Roy
Settgas, Bob Adams, Jason Fishbach, Dennis Pocernich, Russ Fish-C&S Design
Meeting called to order at 4:30 pm by Chairman Rondeau.
Public Comment: None received
Motion Strand, Miller to approve Minutes of November 9, 2017. Motion Carried (6-0)
Solar Connect presentation, Xcel Energy-Jeff Klaver: Abeles-Allison explained that
Xcel Energy is planning to install a Solar Community Garden in Northern Wisconsin in
2019. Mike Klaver with Xcel Energy was present to explain how the solar garden works
and answer questions on investment/return. A handout was provided. Minimum return
would be 7.4 cents per KW Hour, and would be indexed as other energies are also
indexed. 13.3 years would be the projected break-even point for a $400,000 initial
investment. The county would receive a credit on each energy bill based on the amount of
solar energy generated at the facility. Example: If the county purchased 10% of the 1MW
facility, they would receive credit for 10% of the energy generated each month. Xcel
needs to secure a specific number of subscriptions before they will construct the facility
in the summer of 2019.
Abeles-Allison reviewed an analysis of a 250KW purchase by Bayfield County,
$400,000.
Xcel Transmission Line Update, Bob Adams: Bayfield Peninsula Energy Alternatives
provided a statement. Roy Settgas provided an overview of the tool developed to analyze
the 3 power line alternatives proposed by Xcel Energy. Settgas asked what format the
Board would like the analysis provided in (written report, oral presentation, both). Silbert
stated that he was provided with a copy of a portion of the Bayfield County
comprehensive plan from Bob Adams as it relates to this topic. He stated that reference to
the comprehensive plan should be included on the meeting record.
Revolving Loan Administration Contract for 2018, and general Northwest Regional
Planning Update, Sheldon Johnson: Johnson provided a history of the housing
revolving loan fund, dating back to the 1990’s with Bayfield County. Northwest Regional
Planning is contracted to manage the loans. The 2018-2020 contract reflects slight
increases in some of the services provided related to the housing revolving loan fund.
Motion Miller, Silbert to approve the revolving loan administration contract with
Northwest Regional Planning Commission for 2018-2020 as proposed. Motion Carried
(6-0)
Johnson provided an update on the Iron River Incubator. 3 current tenants, 11 employees.
Rick Rosier is the program manager for this facility.
About $460,000 in regional housing assistance is available for home improvements,
sanitary systems. The loans are deferred and are income qualified. 7 current Bayfield
County loans totaling about $180,000.
PACER reviews are ongoing in several towns in Bayfield County. In 2018 every county
will be required to update their county transportation plans. NWRPC is available to assist
with this project at no cost.
$1,031,200.80 is the accumulation of all loans currently managed by NWRPC for
Bayfield County related projects.
Tim Kane has been a tremendous partner in the Hazardous Waste collection program.
Authorization of Business Park Road Bid Package going out for bid. Russ Fish,
C & S Design Engineer: Committee members were provided with a complete set of
detailed plans for the Business Park Road and bid package. He explained the construction
and location of the proposed road connecting Hwy 137 with State Farm Road and with an
option for a spur off of the business park road. Proposed to be bid out in January. The
proposal is planned to be bid as a full project with an alternate for the spur road.
Discussion took place regarding bidding the projects in phases/portions. Question was
also asked if the County Highway Department would be able to do any of the work
internally.
Motion Bussey, Maki to bring a revised bid package back to the committee in January,
broken into 3 phases. Motion Carried (6-0)
Budget amendments for 2017, Register of Deeds, Child Support, County Treasurer:
Motion Bussey, Miller to recommend the budget amendment to the full county board.
Motion Carried (6-0)
Long Term Strategic Planning Initiative: Abeles-Allison explained a proposed
timeline for a refresh of the Long-Term Strategic Plan.
Motion Strand, Silbert to approve the timeline/proposal for the long-term strategic
planning process. Motion Carried (6-0)
Contingency fund allocation for
a. On-boarding project for Human Resources: Motion Bussey, Strand to approve
the allocation from contingency for this purchase of $5,000. Motion Carried (6-0)
b. Holiday Lunch:
Motion Miller, Silbert to approve a $2,000 expenditure from the County Board
Budget. Motion Carried (6-0)
Land Records Line Item Transfer for Survey Equipment, from contractual line item
to capital purchase for Total Station, data collector and data bridge.
FT Surveyor has not been able to be secured. Working with a local surveyor on a
contractual basis. Request is to transfer funds for the purchase of equipment that would
be used for the county survey tech to assist the contracted surveyor.
Motion Miller, Bussey to approve the line item transfer of $33,615 from the Land
Records, Public land Survey budget to the Operating supplies budget for the purchase of
a replacement total station, data collector and data bridge. Motion Carried. (6-0)
Reports: Abeles-Allison reported that funding is looking fine. A full report to be
provided in January due to meeting time constraints.
No closed session took place
Meeting Adjourned at 6:00 pm.
Minutes submitted by Kristine Kavajecz