HomeMy WebLinkAboutAd Hoc Business Park Planning Committee - Minutes - 5/11/2022K:\Ag Station Business Park Planning Committee\Minutes\2022 Minutes\MAY 11, 2022
MINUTES Bussines Park.doc
Bayfield County Administrator
117 E 5th Street, PO Box 878, Washburn, WI 54891
Ph: 715-373-6181 Fx: 715-373-6153
Mark Abeles-Allison, County Administrator
Kristine Kavajecz, Assistant
Paige Terry, Clerk III
Minutes of the:
Bayfield County Ad-Hoc Business Park Planning Committee
Wednesday May 11th, 2022 – 1:30 p.m.
Meeting Held Remotely
BAYFIELD COUNTY
AD HOC BUSINESS PARK PLANNING COMMITTEE
Cole Rabska, Chair Mike BeBeau Mark Abeles-Allison,
Marty Milanowski, Vice-Chair Leo Carlson
Preston Mikula Jake Hipsher
1. Call to Order:
The Bayfield County Ad Hoc Business Park Planning County was called to order at 1:30
p.m. by Abeles-Allison.
A roll call was taken by Abeles-Allison, as follows, present: Marty Milanowski, Cole
Rabska, Mark Abeles-Allison, Leo Carlson, Preston Mikula, Jake Hipsher. Absent: Mike
BeBeau. Total: 6 present, 1 absent. A quorum was present to conduct business.
Also present: Clerk III–Paige Terry
2. Elect Chair and Vice Chair:
Committee Member Milanowski nominated Cole Rabska to serve as Ad Hoc Business Park
Planning Committee Chair, Abeles-Allison seconded the motion. Abeles-Allison asked twice
for other nominations. No other nominations were made. Motion carried, 6-0, 1 absent.
Chairman Rabska nominated Marty Milanowski to serve as Ad Hoc Business Park Planning
Committee Vice-Chair, Carlson seconded the motion. Chairman Rabska asked for any other
nominations 3 times. No other nominations were made. Motion carried, 6-0, 1 absent.
3. Public Comment: None
4. Minutes from June 9, 2021:
Motion by Milanowski, seconded by Hipsher to adopt the minutes of the June 9, 2021
Bayfield County Ad-Hoc Business Park meeting as presented. Motion Carried.
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MINUTES Bussines Park.doc
5. Update on Newest Tenant: KV Tech:
Rabska reported that KV Tech is anticipating being done with construction July 2022 and
would like to postpone any ribbon cutting ceremony until August to make sure the project is
completed. KV Tech has experienced delays obtaining parts for the main electrical panel, but
the plumbing, HVAC, and electrical work are all close to being completed. Insulation and
drywall installation is scheduled to begin the upcoming week. Rabska informed the
committee that there is a gas line present near the Town of Eileen town hall that runs along
the edge of the road towards the KV Tech lot and Abeles-Allison shared an aerial map with
the committee to view where the gas line runs.
Abeles-Allison reviewed a map of the business park with the committee and all of the
businesses that currently exist within the park. Rabska reported that Seth Keifer recently
purchased Superior Sauna from Chuck Porter and that the new owners have no current plans
for mass expansion but are planning to expand within the building’s footprint. Abeles-
Allison suggested the potential for a new construction facility to be added to the business
park that would assist with building and transporting modular homes or other workforce
housing.
6. Sign Project Update:
Rabska explained that he has repeatedly tried contacting Jason Ronning with Prime Time
Signs but has not been able to successfully reach him and make progress on the project.
Rabska suggested reaching out to Graphic House to get an updated quote as a secondary plan
in case he is unable to connect with Ronning.
7. Business Park Incentive Offerings:
Rabska informed the committee that multiple business owners have inquired about incentives
for purchasing property to the business park and explained that Washburn County EDC
offers plowing for businesses as an incentive. Rabska asked Abeles-Allison if the permit fees
businesses are required to pay could be waived as an incentive. Abeles-Allison replid that the
fees could potentially be waived. Discussion took place regarding the impact that incentives
may have on new businesses looking to move into the business park. Committee members
agreed that incentives may be more impactful on a case-by-case basis. The committee
discussed financial incentives and financial assistance being offered to new businesses in the
area.
8. Xcel Storage Yard Plan and Timeline:
Abeles-Allison confirmed that Xcel intends to move out of the lot in 2023. Abeles-Allison
informed the committee that Bayfield County is currently in discussion regarding the
requirement that Xcel must remove all of the materials that they have placed on the lot and
stated that leaving the materials may prove beneficial to a business that moves in afterwards.
9. The Committee may entertain a motion to move in and out of Closed Session
pursuant to §19.85(1) (e) Deliberating or negotiating the purchasing of public
properties, the investing of public funds, or conducting other specified public business,
whenever competitive or bargaining reasons require a closed session:
K:\Ag Station Business Park Planning Committee\Minutes\2022 Minutes\MAY 11, 2022
MINUTES Bussines Park.doc
Motion by Milanowski, seconded by Mikula to enter into Executive/Closed Session at 2:08
p.m. Motion carried, 6-0, 1 absent.
The following were allowed to remain in closed session: Paige Terry, Clerk III.
Discussion took place regarding a possible land purchase.
There being no further business to conduct in Executive/Closed Session, a motion was made
by Abeles-Allison, seconded by Milanowski to return to Open Session at 2:26 p.m. Motion
carried, 6-0, 1 absent.
Open Session;
Abeles-Allison reiterated that the county is currently facing difficulties with affordable
housing and employment and asked the committee if the committee should position itself for
changes that may impact the county in the future. The committee discussed the need for
workforce housing/affordable housing throughout the county and how this may impact the
future of the business park. No decisions were made.
10. Adjournment, Next Meeting: July 13, 2022 at 1:30 p.m.
There being no further business to come before the Bayfield County Ad-Hoc Business Park
Planning Committee, a motion was made by Milanowski, seconded by Carlson to adjourn the
meeting at 2:38 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Paige Terry
Paige Terry, Clerk III
Bayfield County Clerk’s & Administrator’s Offices