HomeMy WebLinkAboutDevelopment & Land Sales Committee - Agenda - 3/26/2024Bayfield County Land Records
Bayfield County Courthouse
117 E 5th Street, Washburn, WI 54891
715-373-6156 || www.bayfieldcounty.wi.gov
Scott M. Galetka || scott.galetka@bayfieldcounty.wi.gov
Development and Land Sales Committee
Chairmen: Brett Rondeau
Vice Chairmen: Marty Milanowski
Larry Fickbohm
Fred Strand
Madelaine Rekemeyer
Please be advised that the Bayfield County Development and Land Sales Committee will meet
on Tuesday, March 26, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. in the Bayfield County Board Room, Bayfield
County Courthouse, Washburn, WI, or remote via Microsoft Teams
Click here to join the meeting ; Or call in (+1 715-318-2087,,296621937# )
The agenda for the meeting is as follows:
LAND SALES COMMITTEE AGENDA
1. Call to Order
2. Discussion and Possible Action Regarding Minutes of the December 12, 2023, meeting.
3. Public Comment.
4. Discussion about progress at Pine Street houses to fulfill habitable structure requirement.
5. Discussion regarding Pike’s Creek and new Pileated Woodpecker Trail.
6. Discussion and possible action to sell the following In REM properties:
a. Tax ID # 19845 – Town of Iron River
https://novus.bayfieldcounty.wi.gov/access/master.asp?paprpid=19845
https://maps.bayfieldcounty.wi.gov/BayfieldWAB/?query=BayfieldCoBaseMap_3728_14%2CPRPID%2C19845
b. Tax ID # 02929 – Town of Barnes
https://novus.bayfieldcounty.wi.gov/access/master.asp?paprpid=02929
https://maps.bayfieldcounty.wi.gov/BayfieldWAB/?query=BayfieldCoBaseMap_3728_14%2CPRPID%2C2929
c. Tax ID # 10383 and 10384 – Town of Cable
https://novus.bayfieldcounty.wi.gov/access/master.asp?paprpid=10383
https://maps.bayfieldcounty.wi.gov/BayfieldWAB/?query=BayfieldCoBaseMap_3728_14%2CPRPID%2C10383
d. Tax ID # 03377 – Town of Barnes
https://novus.bayfieldcounty.wi.gov/access/master.asp?paprpid=3377
https://maps.bayfieldcounty.wi.gov/BayfieldWAB/?query=BayfieldCoBaseMap_3728_14%2CPRPID%2C3377
e. Tax ID # 28379 – Town of Port Wing
https://novus.bayfieldcounty.wi.gov/access/master.asp?paprpid=28379
https://maps.bayfieldcounty.wi.gov/BayfieldWAB/?query=BayfieldCoBaseMap_3728_14%2CPRPID%2C28379
f. Tax ID # 27163 – Town of Oulu
https://novus.bayfieldcounty.wi.gov/access/master.asp?paprpid=27163
https://maps.bayfieldcounty.wi.gov/BayfieldWAB/?query=BayfieldCoBaseMap_3728_14%2CPRPID%2C27163
7. Adjourn.
Should you have any questions in the meantime, please contact my office.
Sincerely,
Scott Galetka
Land Records Administrator
scott.galetka@bayfieldcounty.wi.gov
715-373-6156
SMG/psc
Any person planning to attend a Bayfield County meeting that has a disability requiring special
accommodations should contact 715-373-6100, 24-hours before the scheduled meeting, so
appropriate arrangements can be made.
Enc.
cc: Lynn Divine, Bayfield County Clerk
Bayfield County Board of Supervisors
Mark Abeles-Allison, County Administrator
The Daily Press, email
Bottom Line News, email
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
NARRATIVE REPORT:
4. Discussion about progress at Pine Street houses to fulfill habitable structure requirement.
We have received updates from both of the Pine Street house owners. 311 W Pine St has had a brand-new roof.
The owner is also working away at interior and will be getting more done as the weather warms up.
319 W Pine St has had significant demolition, sections of the floor leveled and will be drywalling on April 25th.
They also added a new heating system and are working on electric now. Both owners have been made aware
that we will be contacting them for updates every 6 months until the buildings are complete for 24 months
following the sale date.
5. Discussion regarding Pike’s Creek and new Pileated Woodpecker Trail.
A trail was built by Bayfield Area Trails (BATS) called the Pileated Woodpecker trail on the abandoned Saint
Paul Road. It starts at the Pike’s Creek fish hatchery travelling west until connecting with the Mt. Ashwabay
trail system. A section of the trail follows an Angler Access trail. WI DNR allowed BATS to improve the angler
access trail and put in a bridge crossing Pike’s Creek. After BATS built the bridge and made costly
improvements, a private landowner came to the Land Records office with concerns that the trail trespasses on
his land. Land Records did a title search on the property in the 40 acres in question and found we owned some
property in question, we also had our work verified by a local title company. The county surveyor surveyed our
interest, and his research shows that the half the trail is on parcels owned by Bayfield County and the private
landowner. The Bayfield County parcel is an In Rem tax foreclosed parcel. State statutes say we can offer it
directly to the DNR with an appraisal. Second option is we could sell the DNR permanent access and sell the
property, this would allow the private owner to purchase what they thought they owned. Auctioning may cause
more confusion if the adjoining private owner is out bid and would add another private party to the discussion.
Scott recommends selling the property to the DNR to recover all the county expenses.
6. Discussion and Possible Action to sell the following In Rem properties:
a. Tax ID # 19845 – Town of Iron River
https://novus.bayfieldcounty.wi.gov/access/master.asp?paprpid=19845
https://maps.bayfieldcounty.wi.gov/BayfieldWAB/?query=BayfieldCoBaseMap_3728_14%2CPRPID%2C19845
Long thin, waterfront parcel with County Hwy H cutting through it near the northern edge. The
smaller part of the parcel north of Hwy H is right on Buskey Bay and has water access. The larger
part of parcel south of Hwy H is very steep right off the road, but the climb is worth the view. At the
top of the forested hill is a beautiful lake view of Buskey Bay. Due to the topography of this parcel,
adding a driveway right off Hwy H is not possible. However, there is a rough road/driveway coming
from the west off Ruth Lake Rd that goes through the neighboring parcel right up to the western edge
of this one. Access is possible but would likely require an easement from the neighbor. Atop the hill,
the topography is flat enough to build. Because of access issues we are proposing no building
requirement for this one. There is estimated fair market value but we are planning to set the minimum
bid at $75,000.
b. Tax ID # 02929 – Town of Barnes
https://novus.bayfieldcounty.wi.gov/access/master.asp?paprpid=02929
https://maps.bayfieldcounty.wi.gov/BayfieldWAB/?query=BayfieldCoBaseMap_3728_14%2CPRPID%2C2929
.9 acres, reclaimed gas station/store at 3610 County Hwy N in Barnes with building on it. High, flat/dry.
Commercial zoning, right next to airport runway on adjacent property. In great shape, very clean, store seems
equipped to run. Boiler is broken and some pipes have burst. In floor heat piping system is in uncertain
condition. LP tank has been filled by the county and electricity is turned on to for inspections of heating and
water systems. Housing Authority came out to look, but was not interested because it is already setup as
business opportunity and would be a lot of work to turn into a dwelling.
Estimated Fair Market Value: $182,500
c. Tax ID # 10383 and 10384 – Town of Cable
https://novus.bayfieldcounty.wi.gov/access/master.asp?paprpid=10383
https://maps.bayfieldcounty.wi.gov/BayfieldWAB/?query=BayfieldCoBaseMap_3728_14%2CPRPID%2C10383
1.5 acres each in Cable, flat/dry, zoned residential. House on northern parcel Tax ID# 10383 (16985 Old D Rd),
no buildings on southern parcel Tax ID# 10384 (16940 County Hwy M). House build was started and never
finished, but is in great shape. Someone (likely the previous owner) has been in the house since we first visited
it. They removed some items from the house and boarded up the windows. The previous owner may not be
aware that he no longer owns the house. We put up “no trespassing” with Land Records contact info on them
and padlocked the front door. We are working with Kelly Westlund and she is interested in it as a project to fix
and rent by housing authority. Scott recommends selling as two separate parcels if Kelly does not get funding
for the project. If Kelly does not want the vacant parcel we recommend selling with housing contingency, it has
access from the County Hwy.
Estimated Fair Market Value (Tax ID 10383): $96,900
Estimated Fair Market Value (Tax ID 10384): Land $8,600
d. Tax ID # 03377 – Town of Barnes
https://novus.bayfieldcounty.wi.gov/access/master.asp?paprpid=3377
https://maps.bayfieldcounty.wi.gov/BayfieldWAB/?query=BayfieldCoBaseMap_3728_14%2CPRPID%2C3377
.69 acre dry, wooded lot on Little Island Rd in the Potawatomi Estates in Town of Barnes. Small,
buildable lot with good road access. Scott recommends selling with the 24 month housing contingency.
Estimated Fair Market Value: $6,100
e. Tax ID # 28379 – Town of Port Wing
https://novus.bayfieldcounty.wi.gov/access/master.asp?paprpid=28379
https://maps.bayfieldcounty.wi.gov/BayfieldWAB/?query=BayfieldCoBaseMap_3728_14%2CPRPID%2C28379
4 acre sloped, dry, wooded lot on the intersection of Peppermint Drive and Flagg River Rd.
Zoning Dept. said “the slope wouldn’t preclude them from building a driveway. However,
grading work on slopes that exceed 20 degrees would require a Class A Special Use Permit, so
the local township might put conditions on the driveway design and construction. If there are
concerns with soil and topography, this lot appears to be buildable”. Scott recommends selling
without the housing contingency because of the difficulties of the build due to the unknowns of
the topography.
Estimated Fair Market Value: $5,700
f.
g.
h.
i. Tax ID # 27163 – Town of Oulu
https://novus.bayfieldcounty.wi.gov/access/master.asp?paprpid=27163
https://maps.bayfieldcounty.wi.gov/BayfieldWAB/?query=BayfieldCoBaseMap_3728_14%2CPRPID%2C27163
1 acre flat, dry, wooded parcel on County Hwy B in Oulu zoned Ag-1. Buildable right in the middle of the
parcel (to be clear of setbacks). We recommend habitable building stipulation.
Estimated Fair Market Value: Land $1,500