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HomeMy WebLinkAboutExecutive Committee - Minutes - 11/18/20211 Minutes of the Bayfield County Executive Committee Meeting 2:30pm, November 18, 2021 Meeting was held Remotely through Microsoft Teams and in person in the Bayfield County Board Room, Washburn, WI Members Present: Jeff Silbert, Dennis Pocernich, Fred Strand, Brett Rondeau, Mary Dougherty (2:35), Larry Fickbohm (remote) Members Excused: Others Present: Mark Abeles-Allison-County Administrator, Kristine Kavajecz-Human Resources , Marty Milanowski, Bill Bailey, Lynn Divine-County Clerk, Kim Mattson- Accountant, Elizabeth Skulan-Human Services Director Called to order at 2:30 by Chairman Rondeau. Public Comment: None Approval of Minutes of September 20, 2021: Motion Strand, Pocernich to approve minutes of the Sept 20, 2021 Executive Committee meeting. Motion Carried (4-0) Dougherty arrived at this time. Electric Vehicle Charging Station Planning: Bill Bailey with Chequamegon Bay Renewables made a presentation on the status of Electric Vehicle charging stations around the state and shared statistics on the trends related to electric vehicles usage. Costs for Level 1, 2, 3 Charging stations were shared. Information about the current federal infrastructure bill was shared, which includes several billion dollars for EV technology, which would fund approximately 250,000 EV charging stations. Bailey shared a map that depicts proposed locations that will be included in a grant application that is being submitted tomorrow. Abeles-Allison shared a copy of a newspaper article recognizing Chequamegon Bay Renewables on an award they received on collaboration. Bayfield County Coroner Report: The coroner has noted a significant increase in suicides over the past year. He wanted the board to be aware of this from an informational/budgetary expense standpoint. There have been over ten in comparison with an annual average of three. Skulan stated that it would be good to know what the causes of death are to know what areas that more education and support could be provided on. For example: mental health, drug overdose, etc. 2 Municipal Dam Grant Resolution: Abeles-Allison reported that Bayfield County owns three different dams. Murray, Drummond, Eau Claire Lakes Loch. The Drummond Dam has some needed repairs as indicated by the county’s dam inspector. There is a municipal dam grant that the county could consider if repairs are anticipated to be greater than $50,000. The grant application is not due until March. Motion Strand, Fickbohm to authorize the municipal dam grant resolution and forward to the full county board for consideration. Motion Carried (6-0) Contingency funds, Jail Body Scanner, Election Machines and IT Wiring. AND Health Infrastructure Grant Preparations and Wage Assessment: Body scanner 5-year warranty through 2026 would be $19,500. $3,375 budgeted in 2022 for wiring clean-up in the server room. Norvado was on site, so the work was completed at a discount. 2022 budget includes $14,000 for election equipment. Request to expend in 2021 instead. $1,000 for engineering design of additional offices in the annex basement. Anticipated that the Health Infrastructure Grant will be used for the actual construction/modifications/renovations. $13,000 for Carlson Dettmann wage study budgeted in 2022. Would like to sign the contract and get the wage analysis started in 2021. If contract is signed in 2021, budget authorization needs to be in place. Positive comments were received regarding the jail body scanner that has been installed. Motion Silbert, Strand to authorize use of contingency funds in 2021 for the five items discussed. Motion Carried (6-0) Infrastructure Investment and Job Act. https://www.naco.org/resources/legislative- analysis-counties-infrastructure-investment-jobs-act: Brief review of the funds included in the Infrastructure Act. County and auditor are looking into various initiatives that are of interest to the county. Transportation, Broadband, CyberSecurity, Resiliency are categories being considered. It is a critical time for the county to be brainstorming projects that should be investigated and considered. Ashland/Bayfield County Regional Data, Wisconsin Department of Revenue: Report related to Bayfield and Ashland Counties was included in the meeting packet. The information is being used in economic development efforts. Reports: • Financial Report, end of October 2021: The report has been expanded to include the ARPA fund in addition to the major funds typically reported. Revenues are strong, partly dues to forestry revenues and sales tax. Expenditures are very similar to last year in the general fund at 77% for the year. Anticipating a very large bill for the completion of County 3 Highway M in the next few weeks. • Treasurer’s Report, end of October 2021: Balances are at an all-time high due to ARPA funds. • Project Review and Update a. Broadband: Norvado and Bayfield Wireless have been very good partners in expanding broadband services in the county. b. CDBG-CV: Funds still available. Keep spreading the word that assistance is available for businesses and homeowners that qualify. c. ARPA Projects: Making progress. d. Micro-grid: Working with Xcel Energy on a January bidding for the project. e. Roof Projects: Will be redoing the west roof of the Annex building. Due to supply chain delays, the project may not be completed until Fall 2022. f. Discussions regarding Land Adjacent to Northern Lights: 10 acre parcel. City has expressed some interest in the parcel. g. Ad Hoc EMS Committee: Will be meeting Nov 29. The last meeting was very productive. h. Brownstone Trail Project: Trail goes from Pikes Bay to Bayfield. A landslide has closed the trail. They are searching for funds to repair/restore the trail. • Budget 2022: Bids and proposals are being distributed and established for the 2022 budgeted items. Discussion that the Infrastructure Act funding will be distributed on a State or Federal Level. The county will likely have to compete for the funds through application for specific projects. Tom Renz joined the meeting and explained that there will likely be increased expenses for the coroner budget as a result of an increase in suicides. All ten so far this year have been Bayfield County residents, there is a wide range of ages. Causations have been medical conditions, financial, relationship related. Meeting adjourned at 3:46 p.m. Respectfully submitted by Kris Kavajecz.