HomeMy WebLinkAboutExecutive Committee - Agenda - 8/8/2018Minutes of the
Bayfield County Executive Committee Meeting
4:30pm, July 12, 2018
Emergency Operations Center, Bayfield County Annex, Washburn, WI
Members Present: Jeff Silbert, Fred Strand, Tom Gordon, Dennis Pocernich, Jeremy Oswald,
Brett Rondeau
Members Excused:
Others Present: Mark Abeles-Allison-County Administrator, Kris Kavajecz-Assistant, Judge
John Anderson, Kay Cederberg-Clerk of Court, City of Washburn Administrator-Scott Kluver,
Information Technology Director-Paul Houck, Maintenance Director-Craig Parks; Scottie
Sandstrom-BCEDC Director, Richard Avol-City of Washburn Mayor, Jennifer Augustine-
Director of Northern Lights, Colleen Daly representing Northern Lights.
Meeting Called to Order at 4:30pm by Rondeau.
Public Comment: None Received
Motion Gordon, Silbert to approve minutes of May 10, 2018. Motion Carried.
Condemnation Committee Reimbursement Rate, Judge Anderson: Judge Anderson reported
on the requirement of a county to have a condemnation committee and set compensation for the
members. Bob Campbell, Matt Crowell, Rick Dale, Robyn Lulich, Bill McKinney, Kathleen
Russell have been selected for appointment to this committee by Judge Anderson. Judge
Anderson recommends an hourly rate of $20 per hour for their services and access to the
county’s Corporation Counsel for legal advice as necessary. Pocernich recommended that the
group meet to review their responsibilities and elect a chairman for the group.
Motion Pocernich, Gordon to recommend to the full county board to offer $20 per hour, but not
less than $50 per meeting to the condemnation committee members and that an organizational
meeting be set prior to the end of the year and to allow the commission access to County
Corporation Counsel for legal services.. Motion Carried.
Public Defender Shortage / Judge Anderson: Effective January 1, 2020, the hourly rate for
court appointed cases will be $100 per hour (up from $70). In most cases, the county recovers
about 90% of court appointed attorney fees. Public Defenders office is having difficulty finding
attorneys. Judge Anderson may be required to appoint attorneys, however, the public defender’s
office will only be required to reimburse the county $40/hr. It is anticipated that county costs for
defense attorneys will increase significantly over the next couple of years.
Motion Gordon, Pocernich to address item #14 on the agenda. Motion Carried.
City of Washburn Business and Land Issues: Abeles-Allison reviewed the situation related to
a potential business development near the county highway garage in Washburn. Kluver and
Richard Avold, Mayor of Washburn explained that a marine contractor is interested in locating
near the marina in Washburn. The business would employ 6-12 persons. The committee
discussed various options for parcels.
Motion Gordon, Strand to authorize the County Administrator work with the City of Washburn to
identify options to move this business location forward. Discussion included having a
conversation with the Lions Club and VFW regarding potential relocation options. Motion
Carried.
Department’s reporting to the Executive Committee, 2019 Budget Presentations:
Information Technology, Paul Houck: Houck reported that the 2019 budget request is being
compiled. Increased storage capacity for back-ups (imagery, sheriff dept data), Firewall
upgrades, Additional Fob Door controls, Propose to convert the jail camera system to be
consistent with the courthouse camera system. Network switches are 6 years old. Cost for
upgrades is about $160,000. New phone system, VOIP, cannot be operated on the existing switch
network. The committee discussed whether a fund should be created specifically for IT
equipment expenses.
County Phone Assessment: Current phone system is about 17 years old. Can no longer get
parts. Phone system failures are becoming more frequent. IT recommends bringing in a
consultant to do a phone assessment to determine true phone needs. IT has enough money in
their 2018 budget to complete this assessment.
Motion Silbert, Pocernich to approve an agreement with Ehlert and Associates for a phone
assessment, to include the creation of an RFP for a phone system. Motion Carried.
Flood-related activities AND Possible Action on Budget Amendments: Highway is
estimating damages to county roads at $2.7 million. If no FEMA designation, reimbursement
will be about 75%. With FEMA designation, reimbursement will be closer to 83%. Governor
Walker has submitted a request to FEMA for reimbursement. It is anticipated that the state will
repave County Highway G as a result of the detour for US Highway 2.
BCEDC Quarterly Report: Report was provided in the packet. Sandstrom provided an
overview of the second quarter report. Business Park road construction is underway.
Motion Pocernich, Silbert to receive the BCEDC Quarterly report and place it on file. Motion
Carried.
Northern Lights Update: Jennifer Augustine and Colleen Daly with Northern Lights provided a
report on the strategic planning progress. Augustine reported that a meeting was held in May to
identify the major economic concerns of Northern Lights, and to establish a sustainability plan
for the organization. Further information will be available and presented at the July County
Board Meeting. Northern Lights will be identifying approximately 3 specific action items and
associated action plans to ensure the sustainability of the organization.
PILT Class Action Suit: A class action suit has been filed against the federal government by
Cane County Utah. Corporation Counsel has recommended becoming members of the class
action suit.
Motion Gordon, Oswald to authorize the County Administrator to complete the application to
participate in the PILT Class Action Suit. Motion Carried.
Northwest Regional Planning, Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS)
report: The committee reviewed the current items on the CEDS list.
Motion Gordon, Silbert to authorize the County Administrator to revise and submit the CEDS list
to Northwest Regional Planning Commission prior to the August 2, 2018 deadline. Motion
Carried.
Committee Chair Guidance Letter: The committee reviewed a guidance letter for committees
and chairman outlining responsibilities.
Motion Strand, Pocernich to approve the Committee Chair Guidance Letter. Motion Carried.
2018/2019 Budget:
Unreimbursed Expense allowance for flooding: The committee reviewed a letter that
was distributed to municipalities explaining that unreimbursed expenses related to a
designated emergency can be used to exceed the municipalities levy limit.
Benefits / WRS / LTD: County contributions will decrease slightly.
Projects
o Telephone System: discussed previously in the meeting
o Jail Renovation, padded cell, room reconfiguration: estimated at $200,000-
$400,000 range.
Motion Strand, Oswald to authorize the unreimbursed flood expenses to be included in the
preliminary 2019 budget, exceeding the levy limit, for consideration by the county board. Motion
Carried.
Reports
a. Emergency Medical Services / Ambulance, July 31, 4:30 meeting. This meeting is
being planned with Emergency Services Directors in the county to discuss Emergency
Services and the top challenges they are facing. Several topics to be discussed at the
proposed meeting were reviewed.
b. Treasurer Report June, 2018: End of June 2018 report was reviewed. Balances are
down about $600,000 from the same time last year and about $181,000 from the previous
month.
c. Financial Report for June, 2018: First 6 months of the year show that revenues are
down approximately $200,000 from the previous time last year. Expenditures are up
approximately $400,000 over the same time last year.
d. Modified August Meeting Date: Chairman requested that the August meeting date be
changed to Wednesday, August 8 at 4:30pm.
The committee did not go into closed session.
Meeting Adjourned at 6:30pm. Minutes submitted by Kristine Kavajecz