HomeMy WebLinkAboutExecutive Committee - Minutes - 3/12/20201
Minutes of the
Bayfield County Executive Committee Meeting
4:00pm, March 12, 2020
Emergency Operations Center, Bayfield County Annex, Washburn, WI
Members Present: Jeff Silbert, Jeremy Oswald, Dennis Pocernich, Tom Gordon, Brett
Rondeau, Fred Strand.
Members Excused:
Others Present: Jim Crandall, Kay Cederberg, Heidi Zimmer, Annalisa Bermel, Mark Abeles-
Allison, County Administrator;
Meeting Called to Order at 4:00pm by Chairman Rondeau.
Public Comment: None
Approval of Minutes of February 13, 2020: Motion by Gordon, seconded by Silbert to approve
minutes of the February 13, 2020 Executive Committee meeting. Motion Carried (6-0)
Wild Rice Retreat WEDC /Community Development Investment Grant
Application: Heidi Zimmer and Annalisa Bermel presented information on a CDI grant
application in the amount of $250,000 for the Wild Rice Retreat. They requested that the
county be the applicant. Tom Gordon, Town of Bayfield, where the development is
planned, shared his Town’s support for the project. Zimmer noted that the project would
represent over a $10 million dollar infrastructure investment in the town and that it would
continue to attract visitors to the area.
Silbert inquired about whether the County or Wild Rice was the applicant. He noted the
X marked box for lawsuits within the past five years. Strand inquired about county
responsibility as applicant. The County Administrator was directed to further investigate.
Gordon made the motion to approve the resolution and forward to the county board after
addressing the above issues, seconded by Strand. Motion carried (6-0).
Elected official compensation, 2021-2024, Register Of Deeds, Clerk, Treasurer:
The County Administrator noted that this issue was discussed preliminarily at the last
meeting. The County Administrator and Committee Chair were directed to meet with
employees. Two options were shared. 2-2-2.5-2.5 and 2-2-3-3. The Committee
discussed the two options. The County remains in the top 25% in comparison with
surrounding 10 counties. A goal of being in the level 6 range of grades for other
department heads was also achieved with each of these proposals. Discussion regarding
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2.5% versus 3% was heard. Pocernich made the motion to recommend the 2-2-3-3 to the
full board, seconded by Gordon. Motion carried (6-0).
Pigeon Lake Municipal Flood Control Grant Program Application:
An application for a flood control grant for Pigeon Lake was reviewed by the Committee.
The application was put together by Mary Hayes a lake resident who has worked closely
with the DNR and Bayfield County over the past year relating to flooding. To date eight
homes have completely flooded. Several others have invested in raising their homes 6
feet to prevent flood damage. The Town of Drummond approved submitting the
application in the amount of $66,000, requiring a $33,000 match. With $5,000 from the
Association the Town’s responsibility would be $27,000.
Crandall noted that the funding source had not been finalized. He noted that it would be
seven months before a decision was made and that the project could take 3-5 years.
The Committee discussed a county contribution but refrained from taking action at this
time. Gordon made the motion to submit a letter of support for the application to the
DNR, seconded by Pocernich. Motion carried (6-0).
Vacated Washburn VFW Post being Utilized to Support University of Madison-
Extension Superior Adventures Youth Program:
Oswald inquired about zoning of the parcel. Abeles-Allison responded that it was an
acceptable zoning usage. Gordon made the motion to postpone until next month when
Extension can be present, seconded by Pocernich (6-0).
County Investment/Deposit Policy:
County Auditors recommended development of an investment policy. This policy is a
draft GFOA sample that has been edited. It is currently under review by the Treasurer’s
Office. The draft will be refined and brought back to the committee in April.
Supervisors should share additional input.
Covid-19 Recommendations:
The Committee heard updates on the Covid-19 Virus and its spread across the world, the
United States and Wisconsin. The Committee reviewed other county resolutions
providing authorization to the board chair and county administrator to take strategic
actions including courthouse closure.
The Committee also reviewed a series of recommendations aimed at workplace hygiene,
travel and meetings. Oswald made recommendations for two amendments. Silbert made
the motion to approve with amendments, seconded by Gordon. Motion carried (6-0).
Contingency Budget Allocations for
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a. Human Resources Manager
b. Solar Connect
Pocernich made the motion to approve contingency budget allocations in the amounts of
$11,593, $1627 and $5000 for HR Director, Solar Carbon Neutral and Covid work from
home expenses.
Motion by Pocernich, second by Strand to move into Closed Session pursuant to
§19.85(1)(e,g), for the purpose of
a. approving closed session minutes of February 13, 2020.
b. Discussion and Possible Action Regarding BCEDC Business request
c. Red Cliff Zoning Lawsuit Update
Motion Carried. (6-0) Entered closed session at 5:05pm
Motion Pocernich, Silbert to return to open session. Motion Carried (6-0 ) Returned to open
session at 5:30pm
Reports:
d. Financial Report, end of February
e. Treasurer Report, end of February
f. Construction Updates, Jail, HS, HR, DA
g. 2021 Budget Survey
Meeting Adjourned at 5:40 pm
Minutes submitted by Mark Abeles-Allison