HomeMy WebLinkAboutSheriff’s Emergency & Veterans’ Services Committee - Minutes - 10/16/2023
Sheriff’s, Emergency Management, Veterans, Child Support
Committee of the Bayfield County Board of Supervisors
Minutes of the:
Bayfield County Sheriff’s Committee Meeting
October 16, 2023, 4:00 p.m.
Meeting Held in the Bayfield County EOC, Washburn, WI
The meeting of the Bayfield County Sheriff’s Committee was called to order at 4:00 p.m. by
Bayfield County Vice Chair Larry Fickbohm. A roll call was taken by Vice Chair Larry Fickbohm, as
follows: Dennis M. Pocernich - present; Jeff Silbert - present; Chair Jeremey Oswald – present
virtually. Total: 4 present. A quorum was present to conduct business.
The following were also present for today’s meeting: Emergency Management Director- Meagan
Quaderer; Child Support Director- Jennifer Jones; Sheriff- Tony Williams; Chief Deputy- Andy
Runice; Sergeant Jared Jeffres; Jail Administrator- Luke Kleczka; County Administrator – Mark
Abeles-Allison. Virtual - Emergency Management Assistant- Maria Renz; Jail Sergeant – Gwen
Daoust; Patrol Sergeant – Dave Renz; Patrol Sergeant – Christopher Benton.
2.Approval of Minutes of August 21, 2023
Motion by Silbert, seconded by Pocernich to approve the Minutes of the Monthly
Bayfield County Sheriff’s Committee Meeting held on August 21, 2023. Motion carried.
3.Public Comment: None.
4.Child Support Office
a.The Budget Summary was presented by Jennifer Jones, Bayfield County’s Director of
the Child Support Agency.
b.Department Overview: Jones reported that the agency has met all four performance
measures for the first time. Jones’ new position will be with the state, and she hopes
the new director will continue what the department has started. Everyone thanks
Jones for all her service at the county and wishes her the best in her new position.
5. Emergency Management
a.The Budget Summary was presented by Meagan Quaderer, Bayfield County
Emergency Management Director. Everything is on track and EM plans to use the left-
over fair funds for the Halloween event.
Sheriff’s, Emergency Management, Veterans, Child Support
Committee of the Bayfield County Board of Supervisors
b.Department Overview: Quaderer explains that EM has paired with Ashland County
Emergency Management to provide an Escape Room in one trailer and a 9-1-1
activity for younger kids in the other trailer.
c.Quaderer shared that EM and County Administrator have started discussions with
AT&T to rent tower space on Hillside. This would provide better service and more
revenue. Washburn city had a locater from AT&T propose a site and Washburn
turned down where they wanted a tower. Abeles-Allison was able to communicate
with the locator and begin this discussion.
d.Quaderer met with the DNR last week, along with other county employees, to
discuss their incident command center. The DNR has heavy equipment that makes it
difficult for an incident command. They requested to use the safe room at the
fairgrounds if they need an incident command center during a wildfire.
Communications and negotiations with the county will begin soon. There will be an
MOU in place so there could be wording in the agreement to give the county
reassurance if there is any damage to our roads, parking lot, or fairgrounds.
e.Abeles-Allison reports he got a letter this morning from Norvado about a state grant
that they will be applying for. If approved, the grant will give Norvado the ability to
provide 1,150 new premises access in underserved areas. They are requesting
support from the county in the form of writing and finances. A resolution will be
presented at the county board meeting at the end of the month.
6.Sheriff’s Office
a.Budget Summary: Budget Report included. Sheriff Williams reported that the
Sheriff’s Office is starting to see the revenue come in, along with many grants and
donations. Abeles-Allison reports that the leased truck will be purchased. Sheriff
Williams shared that a large K9 donation allowed the Sheriff’s Office to pursue
purchasing a second K9 and Deputy Ryan Miller has been selected after interviews
to be the new handler.
b.Department Overview: Sheriff Williams reported on the incidents of this year
compared to last year. He shares that the body cams and dash cams are working,
though there are still bugs to work out. The Sheriff’s Office participated in Applefest
and in the parade. Williams reported that they are down one dispatcher and
received nine applications. They are also down one part-time jailer. Sergeant Jeffres
presented on all the equipment the deputies carry on them. Sergeants Benton and
Renz are currently attending LPO school and will be graduating this Friday. Vice Chair
Fickbohm requests the sergeants to present on the LPO school at a future meeting.
Sheriff’s, Emergency Management, Veterans, Child Support
Committee of the Bayfield County Board of Supervisors
c. Discussion and Possible Action on fee increase for paper services. Sheriff Williams
presented the official resolution that was voted on at the previous meeting. No
action is needed.
d. Jail Overview: Captain Kleczka shared that they had a busy weekend. The jail is
hovering around 40 inmates, so the population has remained steady. Burnette
County’s renovations may finish earlier than expected. The budget is on track for jail
revenues for the year.
e. Discussion and Possible Action regarding the review of Jail Staffing Agreement. The
county board suggested to have the Sheriff’s Committee board sign this agreement.
Motion by Silbert, seconded by Pocernich to sign the Jail Staffing Agreement. Motion
Carried.
f. Discussion and Possible Action regarding jailer protected retirement status and
possible recommendation to the Personnel or Executive Committees: Captain
Kleczka provided a webinar that could help answer questions. Discussion ensued on
how jailers will be affected by the opt-in/out process and how a raise for those who
opt-in could offset the amount the employee would have to pay. Abeles-Allison
shares on the presentation for employees the county will be hosting. Pocernich
suggests checking with Corp Counsel to see what can be done and look at the
financial aspect of it then make a decision that can be motioned and forwarded to
the Executive Board.
Motion by Silbert, seconded by Rautio, recommending for the personnel committee
to continue discussion to make as equitable solutions for the jailers as possible.
Motion Carried.
7. Other – Oswald inquired how the incident in Ashland County gets handled and if the
Sheriff’s Office participated. Sheriff Williams responded that Bayfield County was not
needed for this incident. Pocernich inquired about the Bayfield Police Department incident.
Sheriff Williams reports that Ashland County is doing all the investigating, and there is no
current update. The involved officer is still on administrative leave until there’s a
conclusion.
8. Next meeting November 16th at 4pm in the EOC
9. Adjournment:
There being no further business to come before the Sheriff’s, Emergency Management,
Veterans, Child Support Committee of the Bayfield County Board of Supervisors, Vice Chairman
Fickbohm adjourned the meeting at 5:52 p.m.
Sheriff’s, Emergency Management, Veterans, Child Support
Committee of the Bayfield County Board of Supervisors
Respectfully submitted,
Maria Renz
Bayfield County Emergency Management