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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDevelopment & Land Sales Committee - Minutes - 12/12/2023 Minutes of the Bayfield County Development and Land Sales Committee December 12, 2023 Held in the Bayfield County Board Room & remote via Microsoft Teams 1. The meeting was called to order by Marty Milanowski at 3:30 pm Present were Fred Strand, Marty Milanowski, Larry Fickbohm, and Madelaine Rekemeyer Also present were Mark Ables-Allison, Bayfield County Administrator; Scott Galetka, Bayfield County Land Records Administrator; Brigid Reina Williams, Bayfield County Land Records Specialist; and Charly Ray, County Board Supervisor 2. Motion regarding approving minutes of the May 11 2023, meeting Motion by Fred Strand, seconded by Marty Milanowski to approve the minutes as presented. Motion carried. 3. Public Comment No public comment 4. Discussion and possible action about potential In REM properties that are expected to have back taxes paid by owners. Scott explains that the Treasurers office has taken over In Rem, so the process has changed a little bit. We’re no longer allowing extensions after the court date because this creates issues by making the property tax exempt. Then they wind up paying in the new year when there’s no taxes on it. For these properties John suggested we have them pay the last 2018 taxes and any associated fees by December 20th. That way we can deed it back over to them without being tax exempt. A. Tax ID # 05763 and #05764 – Town of Bayfield Scott explains that the owner spoke up earlier expressing interest in paying back the 2018 taxes and fees. Since originally speaking up, Scott has tried calling and received no answer or call back. There is currently somebody living in the house, possibly the owner’s brother. To get back property, they need to pay $1,474.90 by December 20th this year. If we don’t receive payment, the next steps are eviction next spring. There is a discussion on how the payment due is calculated. It is based on the tax amount from 5 years prior plus interest and fees. B. Tax ID #29886 – Town of Russell Scott explains that this property is in the reservation boundaries and it sounds like the owner will definitely be taking it back. They likely will pay back all the taxes owed. A discussion is held on how the proceeds from a potential sale of property goes back to the old owner, after we take whatever is owed in taxes and any fees. If we keep the parcel for 5 years, that profit from sale may not go back to the old owner. Motion by Fred Strand to give the old property owners until December 20th 2023 to pay back their 2018 taxes plus interest and fees. Seconded by Larry Fickbohm. Motion Carried. 5. Discussion and possible action to accept and then sell the following In Rem property: Scott explains we have some opportunity here with some of these properties. A. Tax ID: 02929 – Town of Barnes Scott explains that we took back this gas station in Barnes on County Rd N. It is near the Town Hall and an airfield. It has been cleaned up, is in good condition, and weas acquired because the owner died. There is some opportunity to use the property for the county, possibly a charging station. A future broader discussion and thought is needed for some of these properties. We aren’t quite ready to sell all of these but setting a minimum bid on them could be appropriate. Scott mentions that there could be opportunities to lease these out instead of selling them right away. B. Tax ID # 10383 and 10384 – Town of Cable Scott explains that this house was being refurbished and has had some construction done on it. There is a new basement. The windows are not installed and some are covered in plastic. We will need to cover the rest so the house is protected. Garage does have a hole in the roof. There’s quite a bit of value in this home, we could easily get $60-80,000 though the profit does go back to the owner. Scott mentions that some ideas are to fix it up or work with Housing Authority to have them fix it up, then rent it out and keep it. There’s a lot of potential with this one given the housing shortage. C. Tax ID # 25728 – Town of Orienta This parcel is right on the Douglas County border. Brigid explains that it may potentially be wetland but seems to have some high and dry areas that could be built on. We will need to work with zoning to determine whether or not it is buildable. Landmark Conservancy manages a public property directly adjacent that has Lake Superior beachfront. D. Tax ID # 27163 – Town of Oulu Brigid explains that this is a high and dry 1 acre square parcel. It has mature oaks and white pine. Could be a good building site for a cabin. A discussion was held about zoning regulations and whether or not parcels are buildable. Land Records needs more time to research these parcels but will work with zoning to determine which ones are buildable. E. Tax ID # 28379 – Town of Port Wing Scott describes this parcel as being nice with a higher area and then sloping down. Parcel lines may be off. F. Tax ID # 31398, 31399, 31400 and 31400 – Village of Mason Scott describes these parcels and an adjacent one that we also own. There is a ravine in the 3 parcels on Northern Lights Rd. The one on Mason Main St has a building with shop in the front and housing unit in the back with attached garage. There’s a hole in the garage. Building is in rough shape but still better than the ones that we sold here in town. Seems to have a skunk problem. G. Tax ID # 03377 – Town of Barnes Scott explains that we usually have a parcel in this subdivision that we take back. There is discussion about the potential of these parcels. It is determined that more research needs to be done to estimate the value of each parcel and determine buildability. Land Records office will speak with Housing Authority and work with contractors as needed to better assess parcels. Fred mentions that he would prefer these parcels be sold as he doesn’t like the idea of the county getting into the leasing business. Marty agrees with Fred as leasing would be another job that needs to be done and there’s always the potential that tenants don’t cooperate requiring the county, as landlords, to evict etc. Scott suggests that we hold another meeting in a couple months after Land Records Department has had more time to research these parcels. Marty agrees. Larry reiterates that we need to consult with zoning and Housing Authority on all of these houses with the exemption of the gas station. It was determined that no action needs to be taken on this issue today. 6. Meeting adjourned Submitted by Brigid Reina Williams