HomeMy WebLinkAboutExecutive Committee - Minutes - 3/14/2019Minutes of the
Bayfield County Executive Committee Meeting
4:00pm, March 14, 2019
Emergency Operations Center (EOC), Bayfield County Annex, Washburn, WI
Members Present: Brett Rondeau, Jeff Silbert, Jeremy Oswald, Dennis Pocernich, Fred Strand
Members Excused: Tom Gordon
Others Present: Mark Abeles-Allison-County Administrator, Kris Kavajecz-Assistant, Bill
Bailey, Kim Lawton-District Attorney, Andy Mika-Deputy Sheriff, Kellie Pedersen-UW
Extension Educator, Judge John Anderson, Charles Babineau-Citizen
Meeting Called to Order at 4:00pm by Rondeau.
Public Comment: None
Motion Pocernich, Oswald to approve Minutes of February 14, 2019. Motion Carried
Solar RFP release: This is a three-community solar effort including the County, City and
School. Each entity applied for funding individually. Funding through the RECIP grant was
rejected the first time, but an amended application was re-submitted. If received, the grant will
fund about 1/3 of the project at about $100,000. Award notification is anticipated in about 30
days. Request permission to release request for proposals in conjunction with the City and
School for the anticipated project. Cost to the county would be about $200,000. Proposed return
on investment is about 7%.
Motion Strand, Oswald to authorize release of Request for Proposals for the solar project, but
not award the project unless grant funding is received. Motion Carried (5-0).
Consensus of the committee was to allow opening the public comment session to allow the
District Attorney and Judge to address the committee.
Lawton reported on the Community Safety Funding Act which, in part, provides for 60
additional Assistant District Attorneys, adjusts the wage system and assistance for public
defender costs. Governor Evers budget proposals includes a .6-time Assistant District Attorney
for Bayfield County.
Judge Anderson supported the comments of District Attorney Lawton and explained the
increasing costs of court appointed attorneys due to lack of public defenders.
This topic will be added as a specific County Board agenda item for March.
Housing Planning and CDBG Housing Planning Grant: Kellie Pedersen was introduced as
the UW Extension Community Resource Educator. Pedersen reported that WHEDA spent time
in the Northern part of the state in early 2018 on the topic of housing. Scatter Development is the
concept where several smaller housing developments throughout the county could be combined
to request a single multi-jurisdictional grant. This would require many jurisdictions to work
together on development projects simultaneously. A group has been formed to compile a
Planning Grant to assist in this process.
K9 Program Presentation, Sheriff’s Office: Deputy Andy Mika reported that fundraising will
begin in April. Sheriff is open to creation of a potential foundation to support the K-9 program.
Under a foundation, no future administrator can use the money. It is a 501c-3 non-profit. No
county record-keeping required. One of the cons is that the Sheriff’s office cannot use monies
from the foundation for anything other than the K-9 program. December 2019 is the estimated
date to receive a dog and begin training with the handler. Training on the various aspects would
cover approximately a year with periodic trainings throughout the year. 7-10 years is the average
expectancy for law enforcement usefulness of the dog.
2019 Construction Project RFP: Abeles-Allison reported that the 2019 budget includes funds
for Office-Buildout for Department of Human Services, Paving design for 2 Highway
Department Parking Areas and Jail Renovation to add holding cells. Proposals were received
from 6 firms for design and engineering for these projects. A summary of the proposals was
reviewed.
Motion Strand that upon verification of credentials and ability to do the job, the proposals be
awarded to the lowest bidder for each project. Discussion took place regarding the 2 low bidders
for the jail project and experience of each of the bidders.
Strand withdrew his motion
Motion Strand, Rondeau to authorize the award of the lowest bid for the Highway Department
Parking Lot Design and Human Services Office Build-Out Design projects and to authorize the
County Administrator to evaluate the 2 lowest bidders for the Jail Renovation design and award
the bid to the firm most qualified for the project. Award to C&S Design is contingent upon
confirmation that engineering, and construction inspection costs are included in their bid price.
Motion Carried (3-2) with Pocernich and Silbert opposed.
Social Media Policy: Abeles-Allison explained that the county utilizes several forms of social
media. The Information Technology Department and Tourism Department have endorsed this
policy. Corporation Counsel has not reviewed the policy. The portion of the policy referring to
endorsing businesses, etc. was questioned. Suggestion was made to define the difference
between endorsing and promoting. Discussion was held regarding whether the county should be
able to screen posts before they can be viewed.
Motion Pocernich, Silbert to approve the Social Media policy with a modification allowing
Tourism related social media to promote local businesses. Motion Carried.
Highway 5-Year Financial Plan, 2020 Financing Discussion and recommended directions
for 2020 Budget: The committee reviewed several options to address funding needs for highway
improvement projects going forward. Long and short-term borrowing was discussed as one of
the most attractive options with the lowest impact to taxpayers. Suggestion was made to add the
short term borrowing topic to the annual budget survey.
Bayfield County Passport Program: Abeles-Allison reported that a letter was received from
the Department of State announcing that the Bayfield County Passport Program will be
discontinued. Suggestion was made that this topic should be publicized so that the public knows
they will no longer be able to obtain their passport at the Bayfield County Courthouse.
Reports:
a. Treasurer Report: County bank balance is down approximately $2 million from this
time last year, primarily due to highway funding allocations.
b. Financial Report, end of February: Report was reviewed. Budgets as of the second
month of the year are looking good.
c. Superior Days Thank You was received from Douglas County.
d. UW Madison Intern Program
e. Governor’s Budget: No PILT change. The proposed budget does include some increases
for Medicaid services.
f. CCS program Update: A summary was provided with the meeting packet. Ashland and
Bayfield Counties are working with New Horizons North to try to get services back on
track.
g. Mineral Report: The individual originally interested is no longer interested.
h. Emergency Volunteers / Personnel: The Personnel Committee discussed a possible
policy allowing EMT and Fire Volunteers to use a certain amount of paid time to respond
to calls while at work. The policy will also encourage other entities to implement a
similar policy.
i. Opioid/Methamphetamine Epidemic/Crisis Effort: Continuing to try to raise
awareness of this topic throughout the county. The Take Back campaign allows citizens
to dispose of unused medications at secured locations throughout the county.
Motion Pocernich, Silbert to move into Closed Session pursuant to §19.85(1)(e)(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: Tower Antenna Contract Negotiation. Motion Carried. Entered closed session at
5:46pm.
Motion Oswald, Silbert to return to open session. Motion Carried. Returned to open session at
5:55pm.
Meeting Adjourned at 5:55pm.
Minutes submitted by Kristine Kavajecz