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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAd Hoc Business Park Planning Committee - Minutes - 1/10/2024 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 Kim Mattson, Finance Director Gail Reha, Bookkeeper Paige Terry, Clerk III Minutes of the: Bayfield County Ad-Hoc Business Park Planning Committee Wednesday, January 10th, 2024 – 11:00 a.m. Meeting Held Virtually via Microsoft Teams Call to Order: The Bayfield County Ad Hoc Business Park Planning County was called to order at 11:00 a.m. by Committee Chairman Rabska. Members Present: Cole Rabska, Marty Milanowski, Mark Abeles-Allison, Leo Carlson, and Ken Disher Members Excused: Jake Hipsher and Preston Mikula Others Present: Trevor Provost-C&S Design & Engineering, Tess Komas-C&S Design & Engineering, Jack Dougherty-Windsor Engineering, Travis Tormanen-Windsor Engineering, and Paige Terry-Clerk III Introductions: Introductions of committee members and attendees were made. Public Comment: None Minutes from July 19, 2023: Motion by Milanowski, seconded by Abeles-Allison to adopt the minutes of the July 19, 2023 Bayfield County Ad-Hoc Business Park meeting as presented. Motion Carried. Business Park Utility and Feasibility Study: Abeles-Allison gave a history of the feasibility study process to the committee. The previously contracted engineer stated that they were unable to provide the deliverables and would need to remove themselves from the project. The county reached out to C&S Design & Engineering to ask for assistance in finding a new engineer and C&S chose Windsor Engineers as the engineer for the project. Windsor Engineers has submitted a proposal to the Town of Eileen and the town has approved the proposal to move forward with the feasibility study with the goal of having the study completed prior to the June 30, 2024, grant deadline. Trevor Provost, with C&S Design & Engineering explained that C&S will be the project manager while Windsor Engineers will be the engineer for the project. Abeles-Allison gave a brief review of the proposed road project and how it relates to the feasibility project. Some businesses directly adjacent to the business park have expressed interest in participating and joining the water/sewer project. Rabska reviewed an aerial map of the business park with the committee. Travis Tormanen with Windsor Engineers stated that Windsor intends to deliver the final report by May 2024 while providing the deliverables in stages. All deliverables will also be included in the final report. Tormanen reviewed the sewer options for the business park which included an on-site sub-surface solution, hooking up to the City of Ashland, and a surface treatment option. Windsor did not have many options yet for water service, but Tormanen stated that they hope to have more information soon. Tormanen gave a history of Windsor Engineers to the committee and informed the committee that Jack Dougherty will be the project manager. Abeles-Allison informed the committee that discussions have been had with the City of Ashland and, while the city has not said no to the tie in, it is understood that the city is currently struggling with its own water and sewer issues. There are two alternative routes for sewer tie in that have been explored, one being to run a line down highway 137 or to tie into the line coming from the Northern Great Lakes Visitor’s Center. Milanowski questioned if a full-time employee would need to be present at all times for an on- site station. Abeles-Allison stated that he did not believe there would need to be an individual present at all times but was unsure about the details. The committee discussed the possible options for utilities at the business park. Disher asked if financial discussions have been had with adjacent building owners. Provost stated that he has spoken with neighboring businesses that have expressed interest in participating, but no cost-sharing specifics have been shared. Abeles-Allison asked if Windsor thought the road completion may have any impact on the water/sewer feasibility project and vice versa. Tormanen stated that the road project may impact the feasibility project, but more research will need to be done on the subject. Abeles-Allison reviewed the committee meeting schedule and asked if C&S would like the committee to meet more frequently. Provost stated that it may be best to allow Windsor to get started on the project and determine a meeting schedule at a later date. Tormanen asked if the experimental mound system at the business park appeared to be working. Milanowski stated that not a lot of individuals use the system which makes it hard to tell but the town has had issues getting it pumped in the past. The town resident that owns the two houses hooked onto the mound system may be interested in tying into the system that may be installed at the business park. Business Park Road Construction Process: Provost stated that the project outlines finishing paving the road to State Highway 137. The road will be an all-season road once it is finished. Provost stated that a potential spur road has been added to the sketch that would allow access to another parcel towards the back of the park. C&S should have a clearer idea if the road construction interferes with the water/sewer feasibility study project in about two weeks. Discussion took place regarding the spur road. Bids will be going out for the road construction project by the end of January. Abeles-Allison asked that waste material from the project be spread along the site. Disher asked how wide the proposed spur road would be. Provost stated that it would be the same width as the other road. Signage at Business Park: Rabska informed the committee that Copy That has received payment for the sign creation and installation. Copy That is waiting on the climber/installer to be available as he is on vacation, but the sign is ready to be installed. Abeles-Allison reviewed the location of the sign installation with the committee. Business Park Focus Areas in 2024: Abeles-Allison stated that it is important to listen to committee members and to get ideas regarding prospective new businesses or existing plans/areas that should be investigated in the upcoming year. The committee agreed and Rabska reviewed the possibility of expansion for businesses currently in the park as well as land that is still available at the park. Closed Session: Motion by Milanowski, seconded by Carlson to enter Executive/Closed Session at 11:45 a.m. Motion carried. Discussion took place regarding Closed Session Minutes from the June 21, 2023 Meeting and Business Park Land Sales. 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 12:26. Motion carried. Abeles-Allison shared an image of the new Birkie building in the Town of Cable and the committee discussed the project’s progress. Adjournment: There being no further business to come before the Bayfield County Ad-Hoc Business Park Planning Committee, Committee Chairman, Rabska adjourned the meeting at 12:32 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Paige Terry, Clerk III