HomeMy WebLinkAboutExecutive Committee - Minutes - 3/10/20221
Minutes of the
Bayfield County Executive Committee Meeting
4:00pm, March 10, 2022
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, Larry Fickbohm
(remote), Mary Dougherty
Members Excused:
Others Present: Mark Abeles-Allison-County Administrator, Kristine Kavajecz-Human
Resources; Marty Milanowski-County Board, Jeremy Oswald, Mike Cariveau-Bayfield
Wireless, Becki Nelles, Tony Williams, Rebecca Lockhart-FCC, Kay Cederberg-Clerk of Court,
Charly Ray, Elizabeth Skulan, Gail Reha, Theresa Foley, Lynn Divine, Paul Houck, Chad
Young, Anne Coy, Andy Runice, Sara Wartman, Tom Snilsberg
Called to order at 4:00 by Chairman Rondeau.
Public Comment: None Received.
Approval of Minutes of February 10, 2022: Motion Strand, Dougherty to approve Executive
Committee minutes of February 10, 2022. Motion Carried (5-0)
Affordable Connectivity Program Presentation, Federal Communications
Commission: Rebecca Lockhart reviewed a presentation. Broadband discount for low
income households up to $30 per month. Tribal lands may be eligible for up to $75 per
month. ACP is the acronym for the program. This program is eligible in addition to
programs offered by the local broadband provider. Must contact the broadband provider
to get enrolled, but can determine eligibility at acpbenefit.org. fcc.gov/acp or by calling
877-384-2575
Elected Officials; Clerk of Court, Sheriff, and Coroner, 2023-2026: A spreadsheet
was reviewed that reflects proposed wages for the new term for these elected positions.
Papers can be take out prior to April 14 and wages must be set by that date. Comparables
from 8 neighboring/regional counties were analyzed as part of this recommendation.
Recommendation is a 3% wage increase each year. The Clerk of Court is recommending
a 3% in the first 2 years and 4% in the last 2 years. Cederberg shared her rationale for her
proposal.
Motion Pocernich, Silbert to set wages for elected officials with terms starting 2023-
2026, at 3%, 3%, 4% 4% . Motion Carried (5-0)
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WEDC Workforce Innovation Child Care Grant with presentation by Carver
Harries.: County was not funded in the first round. A second application is due mid-
April. Carver Harries would like to discuss funding for the EverGrow Center at a future
meeting. Harries provided a review of the content and purpose of the grant application,
to expand child care options in the Chequamegon Bay region. Request was made for a
letter of support for the grant application. 3 components of the application: Community
expansion of available facilities, Health Insurance for childcare workers and housing
costs, partnering with local educational facilities to reimburse tuition in exchange for
work from students in the childcare education track, hiring childcare facilitators to assist
with establishing childcare facilities (home daycares).
Motion Silbert, Dougherty to support the grant application, provide a letter of support
and forward to the full county board for approval.
Motion Strand, Silbert to amend the motion to contribute $10,000 toward the grant if the
application is approved. Motion Carried.
The committee voted on the original motion as amended. Motion Carried (5-0)
Staffing Request in 2023, Information Technology: As committee of record, Paul
Houck presented a request for additional staff in 2023 due to the increasing workload.
Employee turnover has added significant time. The county is missing out on revenue
opportunities because Paul does not have time to adequately research items. Response
time to technology requests are taking longer to address. No action is need at this time.
It is being brought to the committee for consideration in the 2023 budget.
Wage market analysis, comments, and financial review: The Personnel Committee
and County Board have heard presentations regarding the proposal for a revised wage
scale based on the recent market analysis. Implementation options were reviewed and
discussed with the County Board. A recommendation was made to place employees at the
step that represents at least a 1% wage increase and that any employees that has at least 2
years of service be placed at no less than a Step 2. It was also proposed that salaried
employees be increased to 2015 hours per year for the balance of 2022 and then to 2080
hours per year in 2023. Kavajecz reviewed a number of comments received from
management and hourly staff as they relate to implementation of the wage schedule.
Additional comments regarding leave time were received, but will be addressed
separately from the wage schedule.
County Board Election Rules: Rules for election of officers at the committee level as a
result of the upcoming County Board reorganization. Proposed rules were reviewed and
included in the meeting packet. Kay Cederberg has agreed to serve as interim County
Board Chairman at the reorganization meeting until the County Board Chairman is
elected.
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Motion Silbert, Strand to approve the County Board Election Rules and forward to the
County Board with the addition that there be two persons designated to collect and count
votes. Motion Carried (5-0)
CDI Grant Audit Bill for Wild Rice Resort: $250,000 grant was applied for. Bayfield
County agreed to write and submit the grant provided that there was no cost to the
county. There is an audit required due to the grant. Wild Rice has agreed to pay half the
cost of the audit. $1225 is the total cost of the audit. Bayfield County could request Wild
Rice to pay the full cost of the audit, or could pay half as a gesture of appreciation of the
investments Wild Rice has made in the communities.
Motion Silbert, Strand to pay half the cost of the audit as a gesture of appreciation of the
investment that Wild Rice has made in the county. Discussion that Economic
Development Corporation was not willing to contribute to the cost of this audit. Motion
Carried. (5-0)
Letter of Support, Scott Galetka, State Land and Water Conservation Board
Appointment : Scott Galetka has been considered for an appointment by the Governor
to the State Land and Water and Conservation Board. He has requested a letter of
support for this possible appointment.
Motion Dougherty, Strand to approve a letter of recommendation to be signed by the
County Board Chairman, County Administrator and Land Conservation Committee
Chairman. Motion Carried. (5-0)
Updated Highway District Maps Based on New 2020 County Supervisor Districts:
Highway Districts need to be revised based on the current redistricting of the county
board supervisory districts. A map of the proposed Highway Districts was reviewed.
Motion Pocernich, Silbert to forward the revised highway district map to the County
Board for approval. Motion Carried (5-0)
Jail/Courthouse Microgrid Project: Grant approval was received in 2020. Bids are still
be finalized with intention to get the project completed in 2022. Update will be provided
at the County Board meeting. There is a chance that some additional funding may be
needed due to cost of materials.
Reports:
a. Financial Report, end of February 2022: Through the end of February we are slightly ahead
of revenues at this time last year and expenses are slightly lower that this time last year.
Overall, department budgets are on target.
b. Treasurer’s Report, end of February 2022: Looking very strong. Some additional revenues
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from ARPA and land sales have elevated the balances. It was noted that the recent
borrowing/repayment should be reflected on the report.
c. Grant Consultant Report: Baker Tilly is conducting some analysis. Sara Wartman reported
that the department was awarded an infrastructure grant for significant improvements to the
Health Department in the amount of approximately $252,000.
d. WCA Platform Issues: Deadline is June 20. Topics should be submitted to the County
Administrator.
e. Joint Tribal County Meeting Agenda, April 28: County-Tribal relations committee is
working on agenda.
Motion Pocernich, Dougherty to move into Closed Session pursuant to §19.85(1)(c,g), to
consider employment, promotion, compensation or performance evaluation data of any
public employee over which the governmental body has jurisdiction or exercises
responsibility and to confer with legal counsel for the governmental body who is rendering
oral or written advice concerning strategy to be adopted by the body with respect to
litigation in which it is or is likely to become involved. Planning and Zoning Staff, WPPA
Negotiations, Current Litigation Review and closed cases. Motion Carried (5-0). Entered
Closed Session at 5:55pm
Motion Dougherty, Silbert to return to open session. Motion Carried (5-0 )
Meeting Adjourned at 6:35pm