HomeMy WebLinkAboutExecutive Committee - Minutes - 12/12/20191
Minutes of the
Bayfield County Executive Committee Meeting
4:00pm, December 12, 2019
Emergency Operations Center, Bayfield County Annex, Washburn, WI
Members Present: Jeff Silbert, Jeremy Oswald, Dennis Pocernich, Tom Gordon, Brett
Rondeau
Members Excused: Fred Strand
Others Present: Mark Abeles-Allison, County Administrator; Kristine Kavajecz-Assistant,
Tom Germans-State of WI (via telephone), Jan Victorson-Emergency Management Director,
Dan Clark-Chief Deputy and Washburn EMS Director, Kimberly Lawton-District Attorney
Meeting Called to Order at 4:00pm by Chairman Rondeau.
Public Hearing Regarding Pigeon Lake Camp property. Abeles-Allison provided a background
on the parcel that is being discussed. Tom Germans with the Wisconsin Department of Public
Lands, Land Trust. Germans explained how the state came to own the parcel being discussed. The
UW used the property as a camp for many years. The camp is no longer being used. The state is
at the point that they need to dispose of the property. If the County is not interested in it, it will be
put up for public sale.
Les and Karen Waters live on the North side of Pigeon Lake. Mr. Waters shared experiences that
he has had at the facility throughout his lifetime and provided a historical account of the various
organizations that have occupied the property. The sanitary and electric services were updated in
the recent past. Buildings would require some repair.
Trish Bantle, resident on Pigeon Lake and President of Pigeon Lake Association. The
Association’s desire is that the camp continue in a manner that is consistent with the desires of
the association. Association would like to see the County own and run the property. The
Association is concerned that if it were to become privately owned it would be commercialized
and would disrupt the
Carol LeBreck, Barnes resident read a letter from an instructor at Pigeon Lake during the “Science
World” era. LeBreck provided suggestions for continuing the facilities such as: Wedding Venue,
Adopt-A-Cabin Program, Girl Scout Camp, Field Study Classes, Rent cabins during special events
such as Birkie, Applefest, Fat Tire, etc…
Germans addressed the question about the cost of the property if it is sold to the County. Germans
responded that the Trust has a fiduciary duty to sell the property based on the assessment, not at a
reduced price for a governmental entity.
Charlie Bantle shared his experience with the camp and also shared examples of other similar
facilities that are currently operating successfully, such as folk schools.
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LeBreck commented that some cabins could also potentially be sold and relocated.
Dan Clark, parents were caretakers of the camp for many years. The sanitary system at the camp
is a unique, environmentally friendly system. Town of Drummond fashioned their system similarly
as a bog system.
Germans explained that June 30th is the states timeline for offering the property at public auction.
2015 appraisal $1.3 million, which may be less now. Water quality tests have not been conducted
recently since the flooding has occurred, however, no water has been used at the facility in several
years.
Oswald thanked the public members that took the time to attend, comment and shared their
experiences with the facility. He suggested that the citizens continue to work together to find a
solution.
Gordon commented that it is a wonderful facility, however, there would be significant commitment
of time and money to acquire and manage the property. The responsibility of the county is to
provide essential services and the purchase of this property would detract from the essential
services.
Germans reported that the Forest Service is not interested in the property.
Public Comment: None received
Motion Pocernich, Oswald to conclude the public hearing. Motion Carried (5-0) Hearing
concluded at 4:50pm
Motion Gordon, Silbert to approve Minutes of November 12, 2019. Motion Carried (5-0)
Emergency Medical Services in Bayfield County: Abeles-Allison explained that the
county is not responsible for fire and ems services in the county. There is becoming a
critical shortage of fire and ems volunteers in the county. Jan Victorson and Dan Clark
reported that the Township is responsible for providing fire and ems services. Victorson
reported that other area entities are also observing challenges with fire and ems volunteer
recruitment. She shared suggestions that are being used or considered by various entities.
Clark reported that funding for EMS services is difficult because most patients are
Medicare eligible and Medicare rates are very low. He also reported on the cost that a
volunteer pays out of their pocket for trainings, going to meetings, loss of work time to
respond to emergencies, etc..
Clark was asked to put together a scenario for a county-wide EMS service. 1 person on
24-hrs per day at each of 4 stations, rough cost of $70,000 per employee. Victorson
reported that 3,400 ambulance calls were responded to in 2018 in Bayfield County.
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District Attorney Presentation regarding .7 ADA impact on County Office: Lawton
thanked the County Board for their support of the ADA position at the state level. Katie
Posewicz started about 3 months ago and has had a huge impact on preparations for trials
in the District Attorney’s office. Posewicz completes about 90% of her work from home
and lives in Rusk County. The state is looking at using Bayfield County’s model for other
ADA positions throughout the state that are having difficulty being filled. Lawton
reported that she does not see any impact on the District Attorney’s office budget
resulting from the addition of the ADA. Lawton reported that her team is very strong and
the addition of the ADA has only strengthened it further.
Naming of Loon Cove: Diamond Lake Association has made a request to name a cove
“Loon Cove”. The state is asking for the county’s recommendation regarding this topic.
Motion Pocernich, Gordon to approve the geographic name proposal for Loon Cove on
Diamond Lake. Motion Carried (5-0)
County Investment Policy: This item will be discussed at a future meeting.
2019 / 2020 Budget Amendments: Recommendation by County Administrator to approve
these.
a. Register of Deeds
b. Squad Fund 760
c. Motor Pool, 720
d. Parking Lot Projects
Motion Gordon, Silbert to recommend approval of the Register of Deeds and Squad Fund
budget amendments as presented and forward to the full county board for approval.
Motion Carried.
Motor Pool amendment will not be needed.
No action on the parking lot project at this time.
State Broadband Grant and County Financial Support for three town project: This was
approved with Bayfield Wireless through a previous agreement. CenturyTel is also submitting
the same grant covering the same geographic area. Abeles-Allison
Motion Pocernich, Oswald to approve a letter of support and designation of up to $5,000 for the
grant project if awarded to CenturtyTel. Motion Carried.
Business Park Advisory Committee Membership and Committee Update and Road
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Opening Ceremony planned for May: Motion Gordon, Silbert to authorize Bayfield Electric to
have a representative on the Business Park Planning Committee. Motion Carried.
Enhanced 911 Project: Bayfield County is not Next Generation 911 compliant. Bayfield
County will all apply for a grant for Enhanced 911 grant, due February 4th that was just
announced. Next Generation would include text to 911. A request may be made in January to
designate matching funds for the grant application.
Human Services Remodel: $150,000 is budgeted for this project in 2020. Bids will come in
tomorrow. The intent is to award the project as long as they come in under budget.
Approximately 12 contractors attended the project walk-through.
Forestry Fire Hill Land Acquisition Funding Advance: Donation of private land in the Town
of Bayfield to Bayfield County. Property owner desires that the transaction take place prior to the
end of 2019 for tax purposes. NOA and Coastal Management Offices are supportive of making
the happen prior to the end of 2019. No county dollars will be required for this. Consensus of
the committee is to schedule a phone meeting prior to the end of the year related to this
transaction if necessary.
b. Reports:
a. Financial Report, end of November. Included in the meeting packet. Everything looks
good.
b. Treasurer Report/New World Cash Report, November: Lowest balance in 5 years as
anticipated and as planned.
c. Recent Auctions, Land and Vehicles: Sold 7 of 11 parcels. Sold vehicles.
d. Courthouse Snow Day, December 2, 2019: Courthouse was closed due to excessive snow
and challenges with snow removal
e. American Legion Building Washburn: American Legion has vacated the building and is
no longer utilizing it. Departments were asked for input of uses for this building.
Building is zoned lake corridor, which requires public ownership. Lions Club rents some
space at the location.
The committee did not go into closed session.
The Committee may entertain a motion to move in and out of Closed Session pursuant to
§19.85(1)(g), for the purpose of approving closed session minutes of October 7, 2019.
Motion Pocernich, Strand to return to open session. Motion Carried (5-0)Returned to open
session at 5:43pm
Meeting Adjourned at 6:10 p.m.
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Minutes submitted by Kristine Kavajecz