HomeMy WebLinkAboutDevelopment & Land Sales Committee - Minutes - 3/26/2024
Minutes of the Bayfield County
Development and Land Sales Committee
March 26, 2024
Held in the Bayfield County Board Room &
remote via Microsoft Teams
1. The meeting was called to order by Marty Milanowski at 5:25 pm
Present were Fred Strand, Marty Milanowski, 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; Erica
Meulemans, Bayfield County Real Property Lister; Lynn Divine, Bayfield County Clerk; Dennis M.
Pocernich, Bayfield County Board Chair
2. Motion regarding approving minutes of the December 12, 2024, meeting
Motion by Fred Strand, seconded by Madelaine Rekemeyer to approve the minutes as presented. Motion
carried.
3. Public Comment
No public comment
4. Discussion about progress at Pine Street houses to fulfill habitable structure requirement.
Scott explains that 311 W Pine St has a brand new roof and they new owners are making progress on the
interior. They will continue to work more on it as the weather warms up. 319 W Pine St had significant
demolition done, floors leveled, new heating and electrical work done. The new owners plan to have it
ready for someone to live in within 6 months from now.
5. Discussion regarding Pike’s Creek and new Pileated Woodpecker Trail.
Scott explains that a few years ago the DNR put a new trail in. The neighboring private land owner
noticed that the trail was in and thought it was on his property. In our GIS Web Map it shows that he
owns to the DNR buffer. We went back and forth between private owner and DNR, then said we would
take a look at it because something didn’t seem right. We discovered that Bayfield County owns a parcel
between the private individual and the DNR. Erica did some research on the title work and had title
company verify the work that we did. This is a major trail and costly bridge that was put in so we want
to be sure all the title work was done correctly. Once we found that Bayfield County has ownership
interest there, we did a survey which was just finished today. The legal descriptions are based off the old
town road that used to go through there, St. Paul Rd which we think used to be a railroad grade. This is
very new information, we are working with the DNR and the private owner to walk them through the
descriptions. The Casper family did retain a lawyer because they felt they owned to the buffer. We are
continuing to have conversation with the family and just emailed them the survey today. We will be
meeting with them to walk them through the descriptions. Erica mentions that the original deed for the
DNR property and that buffer was written in 1890, give or take a couple years. Scott explains that we
looked at rectified 1938 photos which show that the stream used to be further west and has moved
eastward, starting to encroach on the road that used to go through there. It looks like the DNR would
have about 6 feet of access through our parcel, but it’s not ideal access. Marty asks Scott if he
recommends selling it to the DNR. Scott says we need to wait for now and discuss our findings with the
Casper family. After that we can decide what to do. This is new information to them, we’d like a chance
to explain it to them in person and have a meeting.
6. Discussion and possible action to sell the following In REM properties:
A. Tax ID # 19845 – Town of Iron River
Scott explains that this is an In REM parcel we’ve had for a long time. We needed to do some research
to see who owned it and do a survey on it. Now it’s ready to go to sell. We do not have estimated fair
market value on it, because it was forgotten about over the years. We want to get it on tax roll. We have
a minimum bid of $75,000 for this one. Access is a little tricky on this one. There is about 50 feet of
elevation off the county highway and some possible access through a neighboring parcel but no
guarantee that the new owner would get access. Jason was not interested in the parcel either. Brigid
mentions there are nice lake views from lakefront part of parcel and from the top of the parcel. No
building requirement will be stipulated due to access issues.
Motion by Fred Strand to put this parcel up for auction at $75,000 with no building requirement,
seconded by Madelaine Rekemeyer. Motion carried.
B. Tax ID #02929 – Town of Barnes
Scott explains this was an old gas station. There was a water leak but we caught it quickly and were able
to get it dried out and have been checking on it. There is a pipe that burst because of the cold weather.
We suspect that the heat was on but the tank ran out of gas. The estimated fair market value is $182,500.
Typically the state statutes say that is should be auctioned at estimated fair market value or taxes,
whatever’s higher. Marty asks if Scott wants to make an action on this one or if we want to first see what
Kelly wants to do. Scott says we should just sell this one as Kelly doesn’t want it.
Motion by Madelaine Rekemeyer to put this parcel up for auction at $182,500 with no building
requirement, seconded by Fred Strand. Motion carried.
C. Tax ID # 10383 and 10384 – Town of Cable
Scott explains that there’s a good start at reconstruction of this building. Kelly Westlund is interested in
working with this property and it looks like there are some funding options to get it fixed up and get it
habitable. There is a second parcel that adjoins it. Scott suggests holding off on this for another 6 months
so we can work with Kelly and securing funding. There is a lot of potential with this, but the Housing
Authority is not interested because of the stairs and the basement. They like homes on one level. We are
recommending no action at this time. Fred asks if we should try to sell the other lot with a housing
requirement. Scott mentions that if Kelly has an opportunity to expand, the other lot may be beneficial
for her.
D. Tax ID # 03377 – Town of Barnes
Scott explains that this is a recent In REM parcel that we got back in December. It’s a small, little lot.
We had Robby go out to ribbon up the location. This is something that could be built on, so putting a
building contingency would be ok. It’s a vacant lot in Potawatomi in Barnes. Madelaine asks if there is
some type of homeowners association with it because it’s in Potawatomi Estates. Lynn mentions that
Potawatomi isn’t like that, it’s a subdivision but doesn’t have owners rules and regulations. Scott
mentions there are some benefits possibly including a communal area they can be a part of with some
extra fees which go along with that.
Motion by Fred Strand to put this parcel up for auction at $6,100 with a 24-month housing occupancy
contingency, seconded by Madelaine Rekemeyer. Motion carried.
E. Tax ID # 28379 – Town of Port Wing
Scott explains that this one has challenges for building because of the topography. It’s been on the
delinquency for quite some time. Because of building challenges here he recommends not requiring a
building contingency. Marty asks if Scott recommends just selling it outright and Scott agrees.
Motion by Madelaine Rekemeyer to put this parcel up for auction at estimated fair market value $5,700
with no building requirement, seconded by Fred Strand. Motion carried.
F. Tax ID # 27163 – Town of Oulu
Scott explains that this is a 1 acre parcel in the town of Oulu. Brigid mentions that it’s 1 square acre, dry,
flat, with mature red oaks. Fred asks is it would need to be grandfathered in as a substandard lot because
it’s only 1 acre with Ag-1 zoning. Erica says yes it would be grandfathered in as a substandard lot as
long as there’s no alteration to it since the ordinance was enacted. Brigid mentions that a build would
still fit even with the 75 foot setbacks from each edge. Marty voices concern that the stipulation in this
case could really limit who buys the property. There is a narrow 58 ft area that a house could be built
which could keep a neighbor from wanting to buy the property. Fred mentions that he still supports the
building stipulation because we want housing, but if it isn’t selling for that reason we can offer it for sale
without the housing stipulation.
Motion by Madelaine Rekemeyer to put this parcel up for auction at estimated fair market value $1,500
with building requirement, seconded by Fred Strand. Motion carried.
7. Meeting adjourned
Submitted by
Brigid Reina Williams