HomeMy WebLinkAboutExecutive Committee - Minutes - 6/13/20241
Minutes of the
Bayfield County Executive Committee Meeting
4:00pm, June 13, 2024
Meeting was held Remotely through Microsoft Teams and in person in the Bayfield County
Board Room, Washburn, WI
Members Present: Dennis Pocernich, Jan Lee, Mary Dougherty, Madelaine Rekemeyer, Fred
Strand, Marty Milanowski
Others Present: Mark Abeles-Allison-County Administrator, Kim Mattson, Gail Reha, Cole
Rabska-BCEDC, Sue Rosa, Mark Leonard-PSC, Jeff Olsen, Larry Fickbohm
Called to order at 4:00p.m. by Abeles-Allison
Motion Strand, Pocernich to nominate Mary Dougherty for Chairperson.
Motion Pocernich to close nominations and case a unanimous ballot for Dougherty for
Chairperson. Motion Carried (6-0)
Motion Pocernich, Lee to nominate Strand as Vice Chairman.
Motion Pocernich to close nominations and cast a unanimous ballot for Strand for Vice-Chair.
Motion Carried (5-0)
Motion Milanowski, Lee to approve minutes of the March 14, 2024 Executive Committee
Meeting. Motion Carried (5-0 )
Public Comment:
James Patterson: Public/Private Partnership Agreement letter was sent to County Board
Supervisors. Main concern is with the third Whereas, where it refers to broadband and confusion
if that mean Towers.
Josh Pearson: Concern that this gives one cellular wireless broadband company an upper hand.
Broadband Initiative and VEAD Projects: Mark Leonard with the PSC explained Biden’s
Infrastructure Law (BEAD), which allocated $42 billion nationally. The PSC is working out the
details of the process for allocation. Suggestions were made for participants to include in a
Broadband Advisory Committee. Suggestions include: IT, GIS, Schools, Industry
Representatives, Citizen Members, County Board member.
Condemnation Commission and Jury Stipends and Courtroom AV Projects in 2025: Judge
Anderson was unable to attend the meeting. Abeles-Allison provided information on these topics
at the request of the judge. The Judge appoints a condemnation commission that meets as
required to address condemnation issues that arise. This Commission has not met in many years,
but by statute need to be maintained.
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Bayfield County current Jury Stipend is $25 per day. The State minimum is $16. We recommend
moving to $40 (same as Ashland County) in 2025. The Current average across all counties is just
under $30.
The Judge is requesting that we consider updates to courtroom technology. Specific areas of
concern include annotator and printing ability, courtroom cameras, more camera controls on
monitors, another larger monitor, recurring audio issues. Very preliminary 2025 estimated cost is
$75,000.
CAD Intergovernmental Agreement: We are moving to a new software company (Motorola).
This is a three-party agreement (Ashland City, Ashland County and Bayfield County). The new
system purchase will be covered mostly by a grant with the 20% local share to be split by the three
entities. These parties have maintained an intergovernmental agreement for the CAD system for
many years. The equipment/software are maintained by Bayfield County.
Initial cost to each party is approximately $65k with annual maintenance costs of $20k.
Motion Milanowski, Lee to approve the CAD intergovernmental agreement and forward to the full
county board for approval. Motion Carried (6-0)
Business Park Feasibility Study, Town of Eileen, Bayfield County: Study results and
recommendations were received.
Auditor Contract Extension: Motion Pocernich, Milanowski to recommend an extension with
Baker-Tilly, authorize the County Administrator to negotiate a lower cost and forward to the full
county board for approval. Motion Carried (6-0)
Resolution Supporting Corps of Engineer, Environment Impact Statement for Line 5 Reroute:
Motion Strand, Lee to approve the resolution supporting the Bad River Band of Lake Superior
Chippewas Indian’s request that the Corps of Engineers conduct a full Environmental Impact
Statement for the Line 5 Reroute and forward the resolution to the full county board for approval.
Motion Carried (5-1, Milanowski opposed). Statement was made that the resolution does not imply
support or opposition of the Line 5 project, just a thorough due diligence to collect the most
information impacting decision-making.
Northwest Wisconsin Concentrated Employment Program Finances (NWCEP): Letter from
NWCEP was reviewed. Larry Fickbohm explained the financial situation of the organization.
Motion Pocernich, Strand to recommend to the County Board that they consider a loan to NWCEP
in the amount of $5000 to be repaid in the 2025 fiscal year. Motion Carried (6-0)
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Reports:
a. Department of Workforce Development
b. Housing Update
c. Zoning Code Rewrite Proposal Summary
d. Financial Reports end of May 2024: Revenues and Expenses in Large Funds were
reviewed.
e. Treasurer’s Report, end of May 2024: Overall balance is down approximately $1.6
million as grant funds are expended. Abeles-Allison will get a clarification on the NL
Debt Service Fund 380 balance.
f. UDC Report
g. EMS Study Update: Consultant will provide a summary report on the study at the end of
July.
h. Joint Dispatch Update
Motion Pocernich, ? to move into 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.
Discussion and Possible Action Regarding: February 8, 2024 Closed Session Minutes, and
Discussion and Possible Action Business Park Land Sales. Motion Carried (6-0) Rosa, Rabska
and Olsen were permitted to remain in the closed session. Entered Closed session at 5:12pm
Motion Lee, Milanowski to return to open session. Motion Carried (6-0 ). Returned to open
session at 5:20pm.
Meeting adjourned at 5:20pm.
Respectfully submitted by Kristine Kavajecz as transcribed from a recording.