HomeMy WebLinkAboutExecutive Committee - Minutes - 8/8/2018Minutes of the
Bayfield County Executive Committee Meeting
4:00pm, August 8, 2018
Emergency Operations Center, Bayfield County Annex, Washburn, WI
Members Present: Jeff Silbert, Fred Strand, Tom Gordon, Dennis Pocernich, Jeremy Oswald,
Brett Rondeau
Members Excused:
Others Present: Larry Fickbohm, Craig Parks, Kim Lawton-District Attorney, Mark Abeles-
Allison-County Administrator, Kris Kavajecz-Assistant, Kay Cederberg-Clerk of Court, Jennifer
Augustine-Director of Northern Lights, Scottie Sandstrom-BCEDC, Jane Bucy-BCEDC, Mike
Carriveau-Bayfield Wireless.
Meeting Called to Order at 4:00pm by Rondeau.
Public Comment: None Received
Motion Gordon, Strand to approve minutes of July 12, 2018. Motion Carried.
Department’s reporting to the Executive Committee, 2019 Budget Presentations. County
Board Budget, CIP and organization request review.
Abeles-Allison reported that departments are currently working on 2019 budget requests.
Maintenance: Craig Parks reviewed his department’s request to increase the current 50%
employee to just under 70%. The work this employee conducts would reduce the amount of
contracted labor that would be needed for painting etc. Would like to see the summer Energy
Intern position continue next year, which has an offset of revenue from Focus on Energy. Would
like to see about a $4,000 increase in the repair and maintenance expenses. There will be an
anticipated $22,000 decrease in the electric costs due to the purchase in the solar farm. Items to
be included in the Capital Improvement Fund include: $27,000 to complete the Retro-
commissioning project. Clerk of Court air conditioner ($14,000), Repair to leak on entranceway
($4,500), Sidewalk repairs ($14,000), carpet in the EOC ($6,200). IT flooring $(2,800). Vacuum
Cleaner ($900), LED Lights ($5,000 net after rebates), woodwork repairs ($5,000),
miscellaneous HVAC repairs ($14,000). Total request of $82,000.
Clerk of Courts: Cederberg provided a handout. Slight increase in revenues is anticipated.
Decrease in expenses anticipated. Request to increase the ½ time temporary position to
permanent and to increase one part-time position to full-time. Overall budget for the department
would decrease $17,400 from 2018 even with the proposed staff changes. Request to convert 3
doors to the key fob system. Request that several rooms be painted ($8,000).
District Attorney: Lawton reported an anticipated $7,300 increase in expenses, primarily due to
wages and health insurance. In the future a request will be made to have a door installed from the
victim/witness room directly into the District Attorney office area to avoid having to go into the
public. 2015-2016 cases took 67 average days for processing. 2016-2017 was 30 days, 2017-
2018 was 15 days. Lawton also reported that a request has been submitted for an Assistant
District Attorney. If it were to happen, no additional support staff would be needed from the
county.
County Clerk: Overall proposal is $30,000 decrease from 2018 due to a retirement and less
elections in 2019. Requesting a server upgrade and printer in the Capital Improvement fund.
County Board: Items include: Ice Angel Agreement, opioid dialogue, youth scholarship,
computer training,
County Administrator: No significant changes from the previous year.
Interdepartmental Fund: Review of agency requests including: Act 420 and Local Libraries,
Superior Days, Visitor Center, Historical Society, Tri-County Corridor, Northwest Regional
Planning Commission, Airports, Bay Area Rural Transit. Bridge Aid figures have not yet been
finalized.
Pocernich noted that the Register of Deeds put copies of their budget request in the County
Board Supervisor mailboxes. An additional half time person is requested by this department.
Northern Lights Update Report: Augustine reported that no specific actions have been taken
in the last 4 days since the County Board meeting. A request was made for a copy of the
Northern Lights budget once it is developed. The Northern Lights Board will be meeting next
week. Augustine reported on several large pieces of equipment and repairs that are needed.
Northern Lights was asked to provide any recommendations for items to be included in the 2019
budget.
Bayfield County EDC Budget Presentation: Sandstrom provided a copy of the proposed
BCEDC budget for 2019. Increase of office supplies budget to include a computer and printer
for the new director. Transition consulting expenses as a one-time expense. The budget reflects a
4.9% increase over 2018.
Bayfield Wireless Tower Contract Agreement on the Fire Hill Tower and along Star
Route: The committee reviewed and discussed 3 separate documents with Mike Carriveau,
Bayfield Wireless including: Partnership Agreement, Star Route Easement, and Fire Hill Tower
Lease. Request to construct tower on 2.7 acres of County Forest property in the Happy Hollow
valley.
Carriveau explained that 2 grants were received. Detailed engineering of the projects is
underway. There is a need in the west side of the Town of Bayfield along Happy Hollow Rd
where fiber was not installed. Diagrams were provided identifying the specific parcel. Bayfield
Wireless is requesting a 20-year easement to construct the tower. Details of the agreements
included revenues to the county from users of the tower and vendors locating on the tower. The
Partnership Agreement is required in order to allow the project to progress. Corp Counsel has
reviewed all three documents. Minor comments received were whether the easement should
instead be a lease, and a legal clarification if the project were not to proceed. Forestry will
consider removing the 2.7 acres from County Forest Land designation at their meeting next
week.
Motion Pocernich, Gordon to recommend the Fire Hill Tower Lease Agreement, Star Route
Easement, and Partnership Agreement to the county board contingent upon Town Board and
County Forestry Committee support and to include clarifications recommended by Corporation
Counsel. Motion Carried.
Budget amendments, 2017/2018 CIP, Tower Project, Sheriff Budget: This topic was not
discussed.
Statement of Support for the National Guard and Reserve: Certificate recognizing the
importance of the National Guard and Reserve was reviewed.
Motion Gordon, Silbert to authorize the County Administrator to sign the National Guard and
Reserve Support Certificate. Motion Carried.
Autonomous Vehicle Initiative in Wisconsin: The committee reviewed a resolution supporting
the Autonomous Vehicle Initiative in Wisconsin.
Motion Strand, Oswald to approve the resolution supporting the Autonomous Vehicle Initiative
in Wisconsin. Motion Carried.
Reports
a. NorthCentral Technical College letter of Thanks: Paul Houck was recognized for his
participation on the state Cyber Security group’s response to a cyber attack at the
NorthCentral Technical College.
b. Treasurer Report July, 2018: Down slightly from 2017, but similar to previous years.
c. Financial Report for July, 2018: Overall, revenues are up $731,000 over the previous
year and expenses are up $670,000 over the previous year.
d. Budget meeting dates, tentative, Monday, Sept 17 (5:30-7:30pm after Sheriff
meeting), Monday September 24, 4-6pm, Oct. 4 and 11. Sept 17 date will not work.
e. Phone RFP Update: Currently collecting input from departments to formulate an RFP
for the project to occur in 2019
f. Corporation Counsel Agreement Review: Current agreement ends in December. A
new contract is being negotiated with the same firm.
g. Jail Holding Cell Project: Estimate is $238,000 to convert the Huber area to a holding
cell.
Motion Pocernich, Gordon to move into Closed Session pursuant to §19.85(1)(e)(f)(g),
deliberating or negotiating the purchasing of public properties, the investing of public funds, or
conducting other specified public business, whenever competitive or bargaining reasons require
a closed session; or considering financial, medical, social or personal histories or disciplinary
data of specific persons, preliminary consideration of specific personnel problems or the
investigation of charges against specific persons except where par. (b) applies which, if discussed
in public, would be likely to have a substantial adverse effect upon the reputation of any person
referred to in such histories or data or involved in such problems or investigations; or conferring
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. Motion Carried. Entered closed session at 6:00 pm.
Motion Gordon, Silbert to return to open session. Motion Carried. Returned to open session at
6:11pm
Meeting Adjourned at 6:11pm. Minutes submitted by Kristine Kavajecz