HomeMy WebLinkAboutCounty Board of Supervisors - Minutes - 5/28/2024
Bayfield County Clerk
Lynn M. Divine, County Clerk
Jeran Delaine Deputy Clerk Alannah Belanger Clerk I
Ph: 715.373.6100 ● Fx: 715.373.6153 ● Email: Lynn.Divine@bayfieldcounty.wi.gov ● 117 E. Fifth Street, PO Box 878, Washburn,
WI 54891
Minutes
Monthly Meeting of the Bayfield County Board of Supervisors
May 28, 2024
Meeting Held in the Bayfield County Board Room, Courthouse, Washburn, WI
Call to Order: The monthly meeting of the Bayfield County Board of Supervisors was called to
order at 6:00 p.m. by Chairperson, Dennis Pocernich. Roll Call was taken by County Clerk, Lynn
Divine, as follows: Steve Sandstrom- present; Mary Dougherty- present; Larry Fickbohm- present;
Charly Ray- present; Jeffrey Olsen- present; Jan Lee- present; Fred Strand- present; Sue Rosa-
present; Marty Milanowski- present; Madelaine Rekemeyer- present; Jim Crandall- present; Rich
Nemitz- present; Dennis Pocernich- present. Total: 13-0, 0 absent. A quorum was present to
conduct business.
Others Present: County Administrator- Mark Abeles-Allison; County Clerk- Lynn M. Divine;
Clerk I- Alannah Belanger; Sheanne Hediger of Baker-Tilly; Kelly Westlund; Nicole Solheim;
Curtis H; Gayle Gonsior; Kellie Pederson; Mary Motiff; Jeffrey Silbert; Karen Novachek; D.A.
Kimberly Lawton; Ruth Hulstrom; Tom Galazen; Gene Germano.
Pledge of Allegiance: The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by all in attendance.
Welcome and Opening Remarks: Pocernich gave opening remarks and explained to the new
County Board Supervisors the annual budgeting process. Presentations were made by Sheanne
Hediger of Baker-Tilly. Abeles-Allison, Pedersen, Motiff and Westlund.
5:30 p.m. Short lunch break. Meeting resumed at 6:00 p.m.
Minutes from April 16, 2024: Motion by Milanowski to approve the April 16, 2024, Minutes,
seconded by Fickbohm. Motion carried, 13-0, 0 absent.
Housing Presentation Regarding Washburn Housing Funding Announcement and General
Update: Nicole Solheim from Cinnaire presented a timeline for the future Washburn housing
project now that WHEDA tax credits have been awarded.
Public Comment:
Tom Galazen, owner of lands in Towns of Bayfield and Russell, discussed cell towers. He stated
that they are an important issue for those living in the Town Russell. Tom stated that cell towers
seem to be spreading without prior discussion and is hopeful Bayfield County will reverse this
trend, and really limit the towers. Tom added that the current proposed Tower for the Town of
Russell is about a mile from his property, prompting concerns of lessening property values to the
surrounding neighbors.
Gene Germano, Town of Hughes, commented on the Shipping Containers Moratorium, and
states he is disappointed in the shipping container restriction. His main concern is confusing
language, in section 3, 7(f) where the construction language uses arbitrary and confusing
wording. Gene stated he wanted to reiterate what he said at the last Zoning meeting regarding
shipping containers.
Bayfield County District Attorney, Kim Lawton Department Update: District Attorney Kim Lawton stated that she plans to run for re-election this year. She shared her desire of being more
involved with the County Board in the future. She discussed the positive changes that have
taken place to-date and talked of her concerns and goals for the office, indicating how these
issues will affect her proposed budget requests.
Bayfield County Amendatory Ordinance No. 2024-04 To Add 1 Route to the All-Terrain
Vehicles Designated Routes in the Bayfield County Code of Ordinances, Title 10 – Chapter
3: Motion by Crandall to add 1 route to the All-Terrain Vehicles Designated Routes, seconded
by Milanowski. Pocernich ordered a Roll Call Vote indicating that a Yes vote is to approve the
additional route. Roll Call Vote: Sandstrom – Yes; Dougherty – No; Fickbohm – No; Ray – No;
Lee – No; Olsen – No; Pocernich – No; Strand – Yes; Rosa – No; Milanowski – Yes; Rekemeyer
– No; Crandall – Yes; Nemitz– Yes. Total: Yes-5; No-8; 0 Absent. Motion failed.
Report of the Bayfield County Planning and Zoning Committee No. 2024-03; Petition to
Amend Sections 13-1-4(a)(57m) AND 13-1-62 AND Creating Section 13-1-36, Shipping
Container/Intermodal Container: Explanation was given by Ruth Hulstrom, Planning and
Zoning Director. Report was received and placed on file.
Bayfield County Amendatory Ordinance No. 2024-05 Petition to Amend Sections 13-1-
4(a)(57m) AND 13-1-62 AND Creating Section 13-1-36, Shipping Container/Intermodal
Container: Ray questioned the language used regarding the UDC. Hulstrom explained that the
language choice was to differentiate between a shipping container for storage or a shipping
container as being used for a type of dwelling that must adhere to the Uniform Dwelling Codes.
Motion by Strand to approve Bayfield County Amendatory Ordinance No. 2024-05 Petition to
Amend Sections 13-1-4(a)(57m) AND 13-1-62 AND Creating Section 13-1-36, Shipping
Container/Intermodal Container, seconded by Sandstrom.
Amended Motion by Ray to approve the Bayfield County Amendatory Ordinance No. 2024-05
Petition to Amend Sections 13-1-4(a)(57m) AND 13-1-62 AND Creating Section 13-1-36,
Shipping Container/Intermodal Container, with a modification to remove the last sentence of
section 13-1-36 3(f)-Usage of Shipping Container(s) as a building material for all other
structures is prohibited, seconded by Rekemeyer. Motion carried, 13-0, 0 absent.
1. Consent Agenda:
a) WCA Conference Resolutions:
a. Resolution 2024- 51, Enhanced Wake Regulations
b. Resolution 2024-52, in Support of Local Control Over Concentrated
Animal Feeding Facilities’ Operations
c. Resolution 2024-53, Conduct Additional Research on Chronic
Wasting Disease to Improve Testing, Treatment, and Management
Options
d. Resolution 2024-54, Create New State Funding for Demolition of
Blighted Property for the Purpose of New Housing Construction
e. Resolution 2024-55, Enact Stronger Regulations to Limit the Spread of
Chronic Wasting Disease
f. Resolution 2024-56, Redistribute .5% State Sales Tax to Counties
g. Resolution 2024-57, in Support of the Continued Protection of Water
h. Resolution 2024-58, Advocating for Continued State Support to
Impacted Counties with Loss of Tax Base Due to State and Federal
Legal Decisions
i. Resolution 2024-59, Joint Douglas and Bayfield County Resolution
Per- And Poly-Fluoroalkyl Testing for Biosolids
j. Resolution 2024-60, In Support for the CARE Act and the Ride Act
b) Resolution 2024-61, Coroner’s Office Budget Amendment
c) Resolution 2024-62, Sheriff Office Drug Testing Budget Amendment
d) Resolution 2024-63, US Forest Service Deed Quit Claim
e) Resolution 2024-64 County Board Room Window Replacement Budget
Amendment
f) Action Approving Health Board Reappointment, Dr. Stolp
g) Action Approving Comprehensive Planning Committee Appointments
h) Action approving County Health Insurance / Dental Plan Change to
Conform with Current County Practice
Motion by Sandstrom to approve the Consent Agenda, seconded by Dougherty. Roll Call Vote:
Sandstrom – Yes; Dougherty – Yes; Fickbohm – Yes; Ray – Yes; Lee – Yes; Olsen – Yes;
Pocernich – Yes; Strand – Yes; Rosa – Yes; Milanowski – Yes; Rekemeyer – Yes; Crandall –
Yes; Nemitz– Yes. Total: Yes-13; No-0; 0 Absent. Motion carried.
Land Council Representative Appointments: Motion by Dougherty to approve Land Council
Representative Appointments, seconded by Fickbohm. Motion carried, 13-0, 0 absent.
Resolution 2024-65, In Support of the Digital Connectivity Grant Application for Bayfield
County Libraries and Housing Authority: Motion by Crandall to approve Resolution 2024-
65, In Support of the Digital Connectivity Grant Application for Bayfield County Libraries and
Housing Authority, seconded by Fickbohm. Motion carried, 13-0, 0 absent.
Reports:
a) Future County Board Meeting Dates:
a. June 25, 2024
b. July 30, 2024
c. August 27, 2024
b) September 22-24, Annual Meeting, WCA La Crosse - Contact County Clerk to Register
c) County Picnic, June 11, June 12 rain date- All employees welcome including County Board Members
d) Pigeon Lake Update- County has not proceeded with this. The Red Cliff Tribe is now
interested and we will wait to see the results of their study.
e) Zoning Code Rewrite RFP- June 11 deadline
Supervisors’ Reports:
Nemitz shared that Iron River has seen cases of a tick born disease called Powassan which can
be fatal.
Dougherty stated that Lone Star ticks are now in our area as well.
Closed Session: Motion by Milanowski, at 7:35 p.m., to enter into Executive Session, seconded
by Crandall. Motion carried, 13-0, 0 absent.
Return to Open Session: There being no further business to conduct in Executive/Closed
Session, a motion was made by Sandstrom, seconded by Rosa to return to Open Session at 7:40
p.m. Motion carried, 13-0, 0 absent.
Discussion and Possible Action, Resolution 2024-66, Supporting an Application for
Funding through the Wisconsin Department of Transportation TEA Grant Program for
Completion of Arganbright Road, in the Bayfield County Business Park:
Abeles-Allison stated that this can help us obtain half a million dollars in DOT funds which is
needed to help us proceed with finishing the road.
Motion by Milanowski to approve Resolution 2024-66, Supporting an Application for Funding
through the Wisconsin Department of Transportation TEA Grant Program for Completion of
Arganbright Road, in the Bayfield County Business Park, seconded by Dougherty. Motion
carried, 13-0, 0 absent.
Adjournment: There being no further business to discuss, Pocernich adjourned the meeting at
7:42 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
LYNN M. DIVINE
Bayfield County Clerk
LMD/amb
Copies of Bayfield County Resolutions may be obtained by contacting the Bayfield County
Clerk’s Office at (715) 373-6100. The Bayfield County Code of Ordinances can be found at
https://www.bayfieldcounty.wi.gov/752/County-Ordinances