HomeMy WebLinkAboutAd Hoc Business Park Planning Committee - Agenda - 7/19/2023K:\Ag Station Business Park Planning Committee\Agendas\2023 Agendas\04 July 19 2023\JUL
19 2023 BUSINESS PARK AGENDA.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, Human Resources Director
Paige Terry, Clerk
BAYFIELD COUNTY
AD HOC BUSINESS PARK PLANNING COMMITTEE
Cole Rabska Marty Milanowski
Ken Disher Mark Abeles-Allison Leo Carlson
Preston Mikula Jake Hipsher
Dear Committee Members:
This letter is written to inform you of the Bayfield County Ad Hoc Business Park
Planning Committee Meeting scheduled for Wednesday July 19, 2023, 1:30
p.m., This will be an in-person meeting at the Town of Eileen Town Hall,
29130 State Hwy 137, Ashland, WI 54806. Please use the information below
to connect via phone or video. If you have questions or need assistance, please
contact Mark Abeles-Allison at 715 373-6181 or mark.abeles-
allison@bayfieldcounty.wi.gov
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The agenda for this meeting is as follows:
Notice is hereby given that a majority of the Bayfield County Board may be present at the meeting to gather
information about a subject over which they have decision-making responsibility. This constitutes a meeting of
the Bayfield County Board pursuant to State ex rel. Badke v.Greendale Village Bd., 173 Wis. 2d 553, 494
N.W.2d 408(1993), and must be noticed as such, although the County Board will not take any formal action at
this meeting.
K:\Ag Station Business Park Planning Committee\Agendas\2023 Agendas\04 July 19 2023\JUL
19 2023 BUSINESS PARK AGENDA.doc
AGENDA
1. Call to Order
2. Introductions
3. Public Comment
4. Minutes from June 21, 2023
5. Discussion Regarding Cooper Engineering Utility Feasibility Study Update
6. Discussion regarding funding options for utility infrastructure.
7. Discussion regarding Argenbright Road construction project
8. KV Build Welcome
9. Closed Session: 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:
a) Closed Session Minutes, June 21, 2023
b) Discussion and Possible Action Regarding Business Park Land Sale
10. Adjournment, next meeting, 16, 130PM
Should you have any questions in the meantime, please contact Cole, Mark or Paige.
Sincerely,
Mark Abeles-Allison
Bayfield County Administrator
MAA/pt
Any person planning to attend a Bayfield County meeting that has a disability
requiring special accommodations should contact 373-6100, 24-hours before the
scheduled meeting, so appropriate arrangements can be made.
cc: Bayfield County Board of Supervisors
The Daily Press, via email
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, Human Resources Director
Paige Terry, Clerk III
Minutes of the:
Bayfield County Ad-Hoc Business Park Planning Committee
Wednesday, June 21st, 2023 – 1:30 p.m.
Meeting Held at the Town of Eileen Town Hall
Call to Order: The Bayfield County Ad Hoc Business Park Planning County was called to order
at 1:36 p.m. by Committee Chairman Rabska.
Members Present: Leo Carlson, Preston Mikula, Mark Abeles-Allison, Cole Rabska, and
Marty Milanowski
Members Excused: Ken Disher and Jake Hipsher
Others Present: Bruce Markgren- Cooper Engineering President and Paige Terry-Clerk III
Introductions: Introductions of committee members were made.
Public Comment: None
Minutes from February 14, 2023: Motion by Milanowski, seconded by Mikula to adopt the
minutes of the February 14, 2023 Bayfield County Ad-Hoc Business Park meeting as presented.
Motion Carried.
Cooper Engineering Utility Feasibility Study Update: Cooper Engineering President, Bruce
Markgren, reported that the business park currently had space for 21 additional potential
customers and explained that was not a lot of customers compared to the costs of expenditures.
There is a lot of potential for a sanitary district for the town. More than 60 homes are located
around the business park that could make the project more feasible if more interest could be
generated. Abeles-Allison explained that the parcels are currently sized at 10 acres but could be
decreased to two- or three-acre parcels if utilities are included. Markgren stated that the corridor
is a decent location for running a sewer and/or water transmission line. Markgren reviewed the
options for getting utilities to the business park. clarified the property in question.
Options included:
1. Gravity Sewer System
2. Pressure Sewer System
3. Connecting to the Northern Great Lakes Visitor’s Center
4. Sceptic Drainage Field
Mikula suggested talking to the City of Ashland to ask how much water/sewer volume they are
willing to take on before any building is started. Markgren estimated it would cost $500,000 to
get sewer to the starting line and $1.1 million for get water to the starting line for a total of $1.6
million for both. A gravity sewer system with lift collection would cost a total of approximately
$2.5 million. Markgren suggested the next step involve seeing if there is any interest in a town
sanitary district. The committee discussed the option of moving forward with a large sceptic
drainage field system. Markgren stated that he would do more research on cost comparisons.
2:35 p.m. – Bruce Markgren left the meeting.
KV Build Welcome: Rabska reported that he has been attempting to work with KV Build on a
ribbon cutting ceremony, but they have not shown any excitement in such an event and Abeles-
Allison has suggested bringing them a gift basket instead. Abeles-Allison suggested delivering
the welcome basket after the next Business Park Meeting. The committee agreed.
Sign Installation on Hwy 137 and State Farm Road: Rabska informed the committee that the
previous bid from Copy That was approximately $3,800 for header sign design, tenant signs, and
installation. Rabska stated that prices have since increase and a new bid/quote is now needed.
The committee agreed with moving forward with getting a final quote from Copy That and
asking Copy That to install the signs.
Replacing Existing Business Park Banner: Rabska stated the banner on Hwy 137 and State
Farm Road is in disrepair and needs to be replaced. Motion by Abeles-Allison, seconded
Milanowski to authorize the replacement of the banner at State Highway 137 and State Farm
Road. Motion carried.
Xcel Lease Update: Abeles-Allison reported that the lease has been extended for an additional
five years and the extension includes a clause that will require Xcel to cover the costs of
restoring the parcel without having to restore it themselves. Abeles-Allison explained that the
cost of the lease along with the cost to restore the parcel to is original state would give the county
approximately $300,000 in funds that may be put towards the costs of extending the road at the
business park.
Business Park Road Extension: Abeles-Allison reviewed the tabulated bids that were received.
Estimates for the entire road is estimated to have increase 30% from the previously estimated
$510,000.
Closed Session: Motion by Milanowski, seconded by Mikula, to enter Executive/Closed Session
at 2:49 p.m. Motion carried.
Discussion took place regarding Future Land Sale Negotiations.
There being no further business to conduct in Executive/Closed Session, a motion was made by
Milanowski, seconded by Carlson, to return to Open Session at 3:02 p.m. Motion carried.
3:03 p.m. - Mark Abeles-Allison and Paige Terry left the meeting.
SSG Pilot Program: The committee discussed the SSG/WEDC pilot program as well as
associated fees and potential fees for studies/surveys. Other sites in the program have reported
costs of the due diligence items averaging $10,000 per study/survey. The Bayfield County
business park currently has 6 surveys/studies that would need to either be updated or completed
and documents are only valid for 5-10 years with expired documents needing to be redone to stay
in compliance. Rabska informed the committee that, based on information provided, it could cost
the business park $100,000 over a 10-year period to stay in compliance.
Rabska reported that he asked the WEDC about the amount of website traffic to the certified
sites page and the WEDC gave him an estimate of 1,500+ visitors over a 12-month period to
their website. Rabska stated the amount of traffic appears to be very minimal. Five companies
submitted RFIs in the Month of May and received the requested documents regardless of their
standing as a certified site. Further discussion was held about the minimal website traffic, recent
RFI requests, increased local interest, the potential of Fleet Farm creating more interest once
opened, potential costs of the studies, and if the WEDC Certified Site program is worth the costs
associated with the program. The committee decided to move forward with the $7,500 SSG fee,
which was previously approved by the Bayfield County Executive Committee, but to cease any
further activities regarding the certification.
Shipping Warehouse Needs in Wisconsin: Rabska reported he attended a meeting with the
Duluth Port Authority, APEX, and regional partners pertaining to the Port Authority looking for
more warehousing space for manufacturing companies. The Duluth area is running out of space
for warehouses that would hold manufactured goods and the goods are now in a temporary spot
until they can be transported to Duluth. Rabska informed the committee that he received
estimates that explained that warehousing unit employs an average of 1 person per 10,000 sqft of
space but he did not receive information on how much rent income comes with a building or an
explanation on the ownership of the building or land. Private-public partnerships prevent the Port
Authority from accessing that information. Rabska had expressed concerns to the Port Authority
regarding giving up valuable land for a warehouse that created minimal jobs and did not increase
tax revenue. The Port Authority stated that the area would benefit from the increased production
of manufacturers and a decision should not be made based on tax revenue or job creation.
Discussion was had amongst the committee about who would benefit from this type of
warehousing in the area that hires residents of Bayfield County and the immediate counties. It
was noted that the impact would be felt in other regions of the state; however, the Bayfield
County residents and communities would not greatly benefit from a warehouse taking up large
tracts of land. After discussion, the committee decided that the area would experience minimal
beneficial impact and the business park land would be better suited for business moving into or
expanding in the area. While the warehouse could prove beneficial to businesses in the area, the
committee did not feel that the business park was an appropriate location.
Adjournment: Next Meeting: August 16, 2023 at 1:30 PM. There being no further business to
come before the Bayfield County Ad-Hoc Business Park Planning Committee, Committee
Chairman, Rabska adjourned the meeting at 3:10 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Paige Terry, Clerk III