HomeMy WebLinkAboutExecutive Committee - Minutes - 3/8/2018Minutes of the
Bayfield County Executive Committee Meeting
4:30pm, March 8, 2018
Emergency Operations Center, Bayfield County Annex, Washburn, WI
Members Present: Jeff Silbert, William Bussey, Fred Strand, Shawn Miller, Brett Rondeau,
Harold Maki
Others Present: Mark Abeles-Allison-County Administrator, Kris Kavajecz-Assistant, Jennifer
Augustine-Northern Lights, Scottie Sandstrom-BCEDC, Dennis Pocernich
Meeting called to order at 4:30 pm by Chairman Rondeau.
Public Comment: None Received
Motion Maki, Miller to approve Minutes of February 14, 2018. Motion Carried (6-0 ). Bussey
noted that the vote regarding the Elected Official wages was recorded correctly, however the
tally should reflect (3-1).
Northern Lights Services, Inc. presentation, Jennifer Augustine: Augustine reported
that Northern Lights is running with a strong census at the end of 2017 and start of 2018.
Percent of clients on Medicaid and Inclusa is increasing. Northern Lights observes a $68
loss per day for each Medicaid resident. Certification Surveys are underway. Union is
dissolved as of March 1, 2018. Staffing of RN’s and LPN’s is an ongoing challenge.
Projected $496,000 loss at end of 2017 on paper. Cash deficiency of $140,000.
Continuing to work on Medicaid rate advocacy. Development staff member has
generated about $26,000 in 2017 and several large donations and grants already in 2018.
Capital needs include: computers/IT structure, moderate repairs and updated furniture for
rooms.
Business Park Road Bids: Abeles-Allison reviewed a design for the business park road
and identified the phases for the bids. A summary of bids was reviewed. Discussion at the
Business Park Planning Committee was to award the Base Bid and a combination of a
portion of Alternate A and the spur road.
Motion Miller, Bussey to recommend the acceptance of the Rittola base bid to the full
county board. Discussion: Will this have any impact on a decision related to Alternates A
and C. Discussion was held regarding whether the bond requirement for the contractors
could be modified, which could increase the funding available for the road construction.
Motion Miller, Maki to not require a performance bond for the project. Discussion
regarding the fairness of making this change now, after the bids were received. Motion
Failed (1-5). Further discussion took place on the original motion. Strand would like the
understanding forwarded to the county board that the project would not proceed until and
unless additional funding is secured. Discussion took place regarding whether the
alternates would need to be re-bid if only the base is awarded now. Suggestion was made
to include the option to lock in the bids for a certain period of time, should the county
secure the funds for additional alternates.
Vote on the initial motion carried (6-0)
T-Mobile Tower Lease: Corporation Counsel has reviewed a proposed lease with T-
Mobile for location on the Port Wing Tower.
Motion Bussey, Maki to recommend to the full county board to approve the lease with T-
Mobile on the Port Wing tower as proposed and reviewed by Corporation Counsel.
Discussion took place regarding the foundation work that needs to be done at this tower
site. Suggestion was made that the lease not be approved until details are worked out
regarding the foundation work.
Motion Bussey, Silbert to amend the original motion and recommend approval of the
lease to the full county board including the contingency that the lessees would be
responsible for the foundation repair work. Motion Carried (6-0)
Kavajecz exited the meeting at this time.
Superior Wellness Shower Project:
A proposal to add a shower in an existing no longer used restroom adjacent to the health
department at a cost of $4650 was discussed by the committee. Funds are available in the
wellness budget as a piece of wellness equipment budgeted will not be purchased.
Motion Silbert, Bussey to approve the Superior Wellness Shower Project at a cost of $4650.
Motion Carried.
Telecommuter Forward Law: Scottie Sandstrom provided an overview of the Telecommuter
Forward law which was passed by the State Assembly. The Law is awaiting consideration by
the Senate. Sandstrom shared that this is an opportunity for the county to be a leader in
Telecommunications as Bayfield County played a leadership role in this legislation. Upon
passage Sandstrom will provide updates on how the county can proceed under this legislation.
Broadband Forward: This ordinance opportunity streamlines county highway permit
requirements for fiber installation and follows the state template. Specifics include timeline to
approve or reject applications and sets a maximum of $100. The Ordinance would designate
the county as a Broadband Forward Community. This will be presented to Highway Committee
for approval then on to the full board.
Mineral Rights: Discussion took place regarding the county’s current/past practice with regard
to mineral rights. The committee discussed the definition of mineral rights. The County passed a
resolution in 2000 regarding mineral rights that specifically excluded sand and gravel from the
mineral rights. Further review with Corporation Counsel will clarify this with a report back to
the Executive Committee at the next meeting.
Budget Amendment, Clerk of Court: A budget amendment addressing additional appointed
attorney costs was reviewed. It was noted that additional revenues, over those estimated,
exceeded these expenditures so no fund balances were required.
Motion Bussey, Strand to recommend approval of the Clerk of Court Budget amendment to the
county board in the amount of $5,047. Motion Carried.
Strategic Planning: This discussion was postponed until the next meeting.
Reports
a. 2017 Financial Report: Reviewed by the Committee
b. Treasurer Report February, 2018: Reviewed by the Committee
c. Financial Report for February, 2018: Reviewed by the Committee.
d. 2019 Budget Survey Question Review: The draft survey was reviewed with
several suggestions made for modifications.
Motion Miller, Maki to enter in and out of closed session pursuant to Wisconsin Stat.
§19.85(1)(c) and (e). The committee will discuss and may take action on the following:
§19.85(1)(c) to consider employment, promotion, compensation or performance
evaluation data of any public employee over which the governmental body has
jurisdiction or exercises responsibility: County Administrator Performance Evaluation
and to Approve closed session minutes of the November 9, 2017
§19.85(1)(e) to deliberate or negotiate the purchase of public properties, the investing of
public funds, or conducting other specified public business, whenever competitive or
bargaining reasons require a closed session: Negotiation related to a prospective
business to be located at the Bayfield County Business Park.
Motion Carried (6-0). Entered closed session at 6:00pm.
Motion Bussey, Maki to return to open session. Motion Carried.
Meeting Adjourned at 6:30pm. Minutes submitted by Kristine Kavajecz and Mark Abeles-
Allison