HomeMy WebLinkAboutExecutive Committee - Minutes - 4/30/2018Minutes of the
Bayfield County Executive Committee Meeting
4:30pm, April 30, 2018
Emergency Operations Center, Bayfield County Annex, Washburn, WI
Members Present: Jeff Silbert, Fred Strand, Tom Gordon, Dennis Pocernich, Jeremy Oswald,
Brett Rondeau (4:44pm)
Members Excused:
Others Present: Mark Abeles-Allison-County Administrator, Kris Kavajecz-Assistant, Craig
Parks-Maintenance Supervisor, Deputy Andy Mika, Sheriff Paul Susienka
Meeting Called to Order at 4:30pm by Abeles-Allison.
Election of Chairman and Vice Chairman:
Motion by Gordon to nominate Rondeau as Chairman.
Motion Pocernich, Strand to close nominations and cast a unanimous ballot for Rondeau
as Chairman.
Motion Carried (5-0)
Motion by Strand to nominate Silbert as Vice-Chairman.
Motion Gordon, Pocernich to close nominations and cast a unanimous ballot for Silbert
as Vice-Chairman.
Motion Carried (5-0)
Silbert assumed running the meeting until the arrival of Rondeau.
Public Comment: None
Approval of Minutes of April 5, 2018:
Motion Strand, Pocernich to approve minutes of the April 5, 2018 Executive Committee
meeting. Motion Carried (5-0)
Bayfield Wireless MOU: Mike Carriveau with the Bayfield Wireless Project was
introduced. Abeles-Allison explained that there is a need for additional broadband
wireless in the Bayfield area. This project could impact up to 900 residents. The
Executive Committee supported the application for this grant, which was awarded
$368,000 in grant funding.
Carriveau with Bayfield Wireless, a dba of Waypoint Wireless LLC addressed the
committee. Bayfield Wireless put together 2 separate grant applications for one large
infrastructure project. First grant is Bayfield Wireless with several townships and
Bayfield County. The second grant is with Bayfield Wireless, Red Cliff Tribe and
Norvado. The project was designed so that if either one of the applications were
awarded, the project could move forward. Fortunately, both applications were awarded.
A map of the proposed coverage area was reviewed/discussed.
Rondeau arrived and assumed the Chairman position at this time.
The committee approved a MOU with Waypoint Experts, LLC earlier this year. Abeles-
Allison reviewed Bayfield County’s commitment in the MOU. Items include:
• Providing a 20-year lease agreement for space on the tower.
• Provide power with future solar potential at the tower site
• Provide Physical security: current locked building with alarm system
• Snow removal: To remain as is.
• 24 hr access to the site.
• In-kind assistance
• Permission to cross County land to construct the project.
• Recognize Importance of Broadband
• Provide administrative support
• Public outreach and education about the project
The MOU also stated that the County would have the ability to negotiate terms of a future
agreement once the grant was awarded.
Ideas for revenue sharing agreements were discussed including: some reimbursement to
the county at a certain point, such as $1 per address; 10% of fees paid by vendors to
Bayfield Wireless; free access point at the Bayfield County Highway Garage in the Town
of Russell.
First phase of the project is developing the marketing and engineering plans.
Suggestion that Agreement with Bayfield Wireless/Waypoint should include a liability
release so the County is not held liable for work done by Bayfield Wireless.
Motion Gordon, Strand to authorize the County Administrator to work with Bayfield
Wireless and Corporation Counsel to develop a working agreement and bring the
agreement back to the Executive Committee for final approval. Motion Carried (6-0).
K-9 Unit Report: This item was moved up on the agenda. Rondeau reported that several
significant drug arrests have been made as a result of the use of K-9 units from
neighboring counties. Rondeau explained that several Bayfield County officials
participated in a K-9 demonstration several weeks ago in Cable.
Sheriff Susienka explained that if a K-9 unit is considered, the preference would be for a
dual-purpose dog that would be both a drug dog as well as an apprehension dog.
Deputy Mika read a statement in support of a possible K-9 unit.
Sheriff Susienka stated that a K-9 unit would not change the priorities of the department
and the officer assigned K-9 duties would fill regular shifts and handle cases just like all
other officers.
Committee suggested that the Sheriff’s Committee review information about a potential
K-9 unit and that a detailed cost analysis be provided for both start-up and ongoing costs
associated with implementation.
Condemnation Committee Reimbursement Rate, Judge Anderson: Judge Anderson
was unable to attend. This item will be discussed at a future meeting.
Public Defender Shortage / Judge Anderson: Judge Anderson was unable to attend.
This item will be discussed at a future meeting.
Supplementary Funding for County Highway Department. Highway N and Motor
Grader: Abeles-Allison reported that the Highway Committee met earlier this week.
County Highway Y is on the Bayfield/Douglas County border. It was determined that 2
miles of this highway are in Bayfield County and the County has been receiving gas tax
for this portion of the highway although it has been maintained by Douglas County.
Douglas County is resurfacing this highway in 2018. The Highway Committee made a
recommendation to appropriate an additional $500,000 for the paving of the 2 miles of
County Highway Y that is located in Bayfield County.
The Highway Department had planned to replace a grader in 2019. The Highway
Committee has recommended that the grader be purchased in 2018 instead. A budget
amendment is needed to authorize this purchase in 2018.
Question was asked if the Highway Department solicited bids for the purchase of this
equipment. Proposals were not solicited as this is a used grader that just became
available.
Motion Pocernich, Gordon to forward the Highway Department Budget Amendment
resolution to the County Board for approval. The resolution will be broken into 2
separate resolutions. Motion Carried (6-0)
DOT Build Grant: Abeles-Allison reported that there is $1.5 billion dollars in funding
available through the US Department of Transportation through the BUILD Grant
program.
The committee reviewed a map identifying County Highway A from Port Wing to State
Highway 27. A proposal is being considered to submit a grant request to make this
Highway into an All Season Road. The University of Madison is willing to assist in the
preparation of a Cost Benefit Analysis required for the grant proposal.
Consensus of the committee is to continue to investigate this funding mechanism and to
gather input from townships along this route relevant to the impact an All Season road
could have.
Ice/Water Rescue Agreement: Abeles-Allison reviewed the terms of the agreement with
the City of Ashland and Ashland County for the Ice/Water Rescue Agreement. The
agreement will be that Bayfield County will contribute $5,000 annually, to a max of
$20,000. Ashland County is authorized to bill any persons for rescue services rendered in
Bayfield County. Suggestion was made to clarify that it should be for rescue/recovery.
Motion Silbert, Oswald to recommend the modified Ice Angel Agreement to the County
Board for approval with the modification of rescue/recovery. Motion Carried (6-0)
Youth Scholarship Applications: Two applications were received. Requirements of the
scholarship were that the student: Attend a local meeting, county board meeting, and
submit a 1-page essay.
Motion Oswald, Gordon to award each of the two applicants a $1,000 scholarship.
Discussion took place on how to handle the scholarships going forward. Funding will be
determined during the budget process. Motion Carried (6-0)
WCA Meeting Resolutions: Abeles-Allison reviewed the request from WCA for issues
that are important to Bayfield County. A list of previous resolutions was reviewed.
Abeles-Allison recommended that the Forestry resolution be submitted again. Two
additional resolutions were provided for consideration: EMS Tax Credit and Mental
Health in Jails. Silbert suggested considering a resolution supporting recruitment of
CNA’s and also something addressing the Public Defender Crisis.
Reports
a. K-9 Unit, presentation report: Addressed earlier in the meeting.
b. HVAC Report: Abeles-Allison reported that the main floor of the courthouse in
the addition uses a blown air system (ventilators). It brings in fresh air only when
the heat is on. Several window and split unit air conditioners were implemented
several years ago. These units are nearing the end of their lives. The county is
exploring implementation of a more formalized air conditioning system.
Central Air for the original portion of the courthouse is estimated at about
$70,000, with the primary cost being insulation of the ductwork. Heat/Air
conditioning concerns between the Court and DHS will be addressed this summer.
c. Strategic Planning Summary: This topic to be discussed at a future meeting.
d. Emergency Medical Services / Ambulance: Meeting was held regarding EMS
services on the South Shore and concerns with the lack of volunteers. Difficulty
in recruiting and retaining volunteers.
e. Treasurer Report April, 2018: Balances are up slightly from the same time last
year.
f. Financial Report for April, 2018: Overall looking very good.
Abeles-Allison requested that the June Executive Committee meeting be changed.
Consensus of the Committee is to skip the June meeting unless an urgent situation comes
up.
Motion Pocernich, Gordon to enter in and out of closed session pursuant to Wisconsin Statutes:
§19.85(1)(e) to approve minutes of the April 5, 2018 Executive Committee meeting and to
receive an update on current legal cases involving the county. Motion Carried (6-0) Entered
closed session at 6:48 pm.
Meeting Adjourned at 6:55pm. Minutes submitted by Kristine Kavajecz