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HomeMy WebLinkAboutExecutive Committee - Minutes - 3/11/20211 Minutes of the Bayfield County Executive Committee Meeting 4:00pm, March 11, 2021 Meeting was held Remotely through Microsoft Teams and in person in the Bayfield County Board Room, Washburn, WI Members Present: Brett Rondeau, Jeff Silbert, Dennis Pocernich, Fred Strand, Mary Dougherty, Larry Fickbohm Members Excused: Others Present: Mark Abeles-Allison-County Administrator, Kristine Kavajecz-Human Resources Director, Jan Victorson-Emergency Management Director, Cole Rabska-Economic Development Director, Bill Bailey, Mary Motiff-Tourism Director, Marty Milanowski, Kim Mattson, Jim Crandall, Jeremy Oswald, Barb Flynn-Criminal Justice Coordinator Meeting Called to Order at 4:00pm by Rondeau. Public Comment: None Received Motion Pocernich, Strand to approve minutes of the February 11, 2021 Executive Committee meeting. Motion Carried (6-0). Emergency Management Report: Victorson reported that she has been spending the last 2 weeks providing orientation to Meagan Quaderer. She read a thank you to the committee for all of the accomplishments that have occurred during her 33 years of service. The concept of a county EMS committee was brought to the EMS Association and the association was open to the concept. County Board Chairman Pocernich presented Victorson with a “Key to the County”. 2020 Energy Analysis, Bill Bailey: Bailey reviewed energy utilization in county facilities and transportation. Energy cost savings have reduced by approximately $100,000 in 2020 versus 2017. The average return on investment is approximately 7%. Criminal Justice Annual Report 2020, Barb Flynn: Flynn provided an update on department activities over the past year, which have been impacted by the COVID pandemic. 194 Treatment Court review hearings in 2020. Flynn reviewed statistics of from 2018 and 2019. She also explained changes that occurred in 2020. A data dashboard has been introduced in 2021.The recidivism rate in 2019 was just over 21%. 2 Department 2022 Budget Review, Multiple Department Review: Abeles-Allison reported that departments were asked to provide information for the 2022 budget in the event that revenues fall short. 2021 Contingency Budget Review: Abeles-Allison reviewed an estimate of where the contingency fund currently is projected. $159,806 was budgeted. $80,000 was originally anticipated to be used for wage adjustments. Due to staffing changes, it is currently estimated that will not be needed. Treasurer is estimating that investment returns will be less than anticipated. Fairgrounds Electrical Funding Request: Mary Motiff explained that the fairgrounds is at phase 3 of electrical improvements at the fairgrounds. This was originally planned for 2020, but was postponed due to uncertainty with the budget (COVID). Costs for the project have increased significantly. Motiff reported that there may be some monies available through WEDC for county owned fairs for revenue losses due to the COVID pandemic. If the funding comes through, the funds could be used for the bid overage. $80,000 was budgeted for the project. The revised bid, with proposed reductions/adjustments, would be $122,985, leaving a shortage of $48,375. Motion Pocernich, Dougherty to authorize an amount not to exceed $50,000 from contingency for the Phase 3 electrical project at the fairgrounds. Motion Carried (6-0) Business Park Electrical Utility Extension: Rabska reported that KV Tech has broken ground for their new facility at the business park. There is currently not 3-Phase power available. BCEDC is currently in discussions about how to make the project a reality. 3- Phase is available at the corner of the property owned by Mrnak. Several easements will be necessary to extend that service as well as permitting with the Department of Transportation. The cost to run the line would be approximately $30 per foot with an estimated distance of 1200 feet. The county could consider bringing the power to the edge of the business park and the business would be responsible for bringing the power from that point to the business. Courthouse Stair and Sidewalk Project: Bid was received from Nasi Construction for $35,000 for stair replacement and $19,000 for sidewalk replacements. Request is made for $26,000 from contingency to complete the projects. Pocernich questioned the need for epoxy rebar and suggested an alternative to bolting the handrails (set in PVC instead). Motion Pocernich to transfer up to $26,000 from contingency to be used for the courthouse steps and sidewalk replacement project and a budget adjustment to move $20,000 that was budgeted for highway to remove the steps, to a contractual item. The County Administrator to discuss the epoxy rebar and handrail set with the engineer. Motion Carried (6-0) 3 Resolution, Budget Amendment WEDC Bayfield Wild Rice Retreat, Community Development Investment Grant: Pass through grant from WEDC, through Bayfield County to the Wild Rice Retreat through the Community Development Investment Grant. Motion Silbert, Dougherty to approve the budget amendment resolution regarding the WEDC Bayfield Wild Rice Retreat, Community Development Investment Pass-Through Grant and forward to the full county board for approval. Motion Carried (6-0) 5-Year Capital Planning: Abeles-Allison reported that the American Recovery Act was approved and signed by the president. Bayfield County is expected to receive several million dollars. The funds will be received over a 2 year period. Municipalities will also receive funding. There are no details at this time on what the funds can be used for. This topic is brought up as a consideration for future budget planning. Silbert suggested improvements for the Nursing Home including wireless services, a phone system upgrade, and lift for residents. Budget Survey Discussion: Draft budget survey was reviewed with the committee. Suggestion was made to include a general topic for other items of budget importance and also to include a question on how citizens would like to prioritize use of the anticipated COVID funding. Reports: a. City of Bayfield Property Update: City has indicated that they are not interested in the parcels that were donated to the county. b. Financial Report, end of February 2021: Revenues and expenditures are down from the previous year and are within budget. Overall, revenues down about $400,000 and expenses down about $800,000. c. Treasurer’s Report, end of February 2021: Cash balance is stronger than the previous year. d. Rural EMS: Ashland County considering a county-wide EMS. There are currently 3 towns that are without EMS services. e. Northern Lights Update: Silbert reported that there have been a couple of new board members that will be very good. Census is up. 90% of residents and 75% of employees have been vaccinated, no cased of COVID since December. Emphasis on strategic planning. Report that the there are concerns with the effectiveness of the board. The committee did not go into closed session. Meeting adjourned at 6:20pm. Respectfully submitted by Kris Kavajecz.