HomeMy WebLinkAboutExecutive Committee - Minutes - 7/11/20241
Minutes of the
Bayfield County Executive Committee Meeting
4:00pm, July 11, 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, Madelaine Rekemeyer, Fred Strand, Marty
Milanowski
Members Excused: Mary Dougherty
Others Present: Mark Abeles-Allison-County Administrator, Kristine Kavajecz-Human
Resources Director
Called to order at 4:00p.m. by Chairman Strand
Minutes of June 13, 2024: Motion Milanowski, Rekemeyer to approve minutes of the June
13, 2024 minutes. Motion Carried (5-0)
Public Comment:
Jerry Aerts: Opposed to the National Park designation. Will bring noise, trash, and too
many people. The National Lakeshore is working fairly well. Personal experience living
near Zion National Park when that designation occurred.
Kristy Jensch: Concerned with hunting rights if National Park designation is approved.
Unnecessary to convert to a National Park.
Dawn Aerts: Stated that the National Park designation topic has not been shared publicly.
Expressed concern with the reasoning behind the proposed designation. Trust the Ojibwa
to protect the lands. Opposed to further federal control.
Tad Paavola: Expressed concern with infrastructure needs if the National Lakeshore were
designated as a National Park. No mention of the historical districts in Sand Bay and
Rocky Island currently managed by volunteers.
Heidi Nelson: Expressed that the intent of the National Lakeshore is intact and there is no
need to change it. Not necessary to have Sand Island as a preserve.
Erica Peterson: Opposed to the National Park designation. There is currently hunting on
the islands and there are very few deer anyway. Bayfield Town Board opposes the
National Park designation.
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Bob Jauch: Questions the motivation for changing the designation to a National Park.
There is no funding accompanying the National Park designation.
Presentation for a National Park in Bayfield County, Jim Miller, US Representative
Tiffany’s Office: July 24th the proposal will be presented for consideration by
Congressman Tiffany. Wisconsin currently has no national parks. Hunting is not
allowed within a national park, but is allowed in the National Lakeshore. Madeline Island
is not part of the National Lakeshore. The congressman proposes to designate Sand Island
as a Preserve to that hunting may continue on that island only. Tribal hunting rights
would remain intact. Fishing would remain the same as it is with the National Lakeshore.
The designation would not extend to the private lands within the park. Difficult to
estimate the impact on the economy. The bill does not appropriate funding. There are 2
pots of money for federal parks and special projects. There could be an impact on Room
tax and sales tax generated. City of Bayfield has a Premier Resort Area tax. Direct visitor
spending may be impacted. Red Cliff Tribe has been consulted.
Questions that were asked: Would a day use pass be required? Yes.
What is the rush? Can this be slowed down and researched more thoroughly?
Emergency Medical Services Report and Presentation, Dana Sechler: Goal is to
develop a living/breathing document that contains an EMS plan. Preliminary data on the
status of the study was reviewed.
Budget 2025 Department Presentations:
Craig Parks presented an overview of the 2025 budget request for the maintenance
department. The committee discussed options for replacement of the existing gasoline
storage/pump system. General consensus was to consider an above-ground tank, smaller
capacity.
Kim Lawton presented an overview of request for the 2025 District Attorney office
budget. Budget request includes moving the current Clerk I position to a Legal Assistant
position and changing the title of the current Legal Secretary to Legal Assistant. DA
supports stronger courthouse security measures.
Broadband and Telecommunications Committee Appointment Confirmations:
The county board authorized a committee of 12. The committee reviewed 6 applications
that have been received to date. An application is also anticipated from Norvado.
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Comment that committee members should represent the entire county and should be
offered virtually as well as in person. Chairperson Dougherty has the authority to appoint
committee members.
Squad and Fleet Enterprise Funds: A $145,000 deficit occurred in the squad fund and
$120,000 deficit in the fleet fund in 2023. There are several squad vehicles that are need
of replacement. Propose a zero interest loan of $150,000 from the general fund to the
squad fund. It is anticipated that it will take through the end of 2025 to get the two funds
back .
Motion Milanowski, Lee to authorize $150,000 loan from the general fund to the squad
fund. Motion Carried (5-0)
2024 Northern Lights Budget Amendment: Motion Pocernich, Milanowski to send the
2024 Northern Lights Budget Amendment resolution to the full county board for
approval. Motion Carried (5-0).
Highway 13 Detour through Washburn.: Abeles-Allison reported that WisDOT has
agreed to eliminate the weight restrictions on the detour unless damage is observed. If
repairs are required, the county may be responsible for 25% of the cost.
Grand View Garage Budget Amendment: Motion Rekemeyer, Lee to approve the
Grand View Garage Budget Amendment as presented and forward to the county board
for approval. Motion Carried (5-0)
Zoning Code Rewrite Funding: Motion Pocernich, Milanowski to approve the Zoning
Code Rewrite Funding resolution and forward to the full county board for approval.
Motion Carried (5-0)
2025 Budget and Wi-Fi Incentives for Towns: Bayfield wireless will provide free
equipment and service to the towns that they service.
Reports:
a. Financial Report: 50% through calendar year
a. General Fund
i. Rev: 64% (Forestry revenues very strong, $1.2 over last year, Treasury
Revenues, double last year.
ii. Exp: 51%
b. Human Services:
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i. Rev: 47%, -$200k from last year
ii. Exp: 38% +$500k from last year
c. Highway:
i. Rev: 48%, -$2million from last year
ii. Exp: 27%, -$2.5million from last year
d. Overall:
i. Exp: 56%
ii. Exp: 40%
iii. NET POSITION, + $3.2 MILLION
b. Treasurer Report:
a. Balance $27.1 million, up from last year $24.4 million
b. Latcf balance adjusted/corrected from last month
c. Debt service, $15k, all payments made except one more interest payment due
d. WCA Chair Seminar Discussion Items, Closed Sessions: Pocernich attended WCA
leadership meeting. Noted that minutes are not required in closed session unless
action is taken. Roll call should be taken when going into closed session. Example
of a negative quorum was shared. Example: 5 person committee. 3 people make a
quorum. If 2 of those persons had a conversation and discussed their position on a
topic, that could be considered a negative quorum.
e. July 15 Housing Open House, Washburn: 2pm-4pm at the Housing Development
location by the nursing home.
f. Sheriff and Human Service, Bid Letting: 2 additional offices for Sheriff’s Office
and development of offices for Human Services was put out for bids. A review of
the proposed office floorplans was reviewed.
g. Mobile Home Park Proposal: This topic will be brought up at the Zoning
Committee level.
• Northern Lights Finances: We are discussing options regarding the Northern
Lights Line of Credit. Currently this is not being used however a $100k balance
remains. As interest rates are high we are discussing options on how to pay this
off and avoid interest payments.
The committee did not go into closed session.
Meeting adjourned at 6:11 pm.
Respectfully submitted by Kristine Kavajecz