HomeMy WebLinkAboutCounty Board of Supervisors - Minutes - 8/27/20241
Bayfield County Clerk
Lynn M. Divine, County Clerk
Jeran Delaine Deputy Clerk
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
August 27, 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; Jan Lee - present; Jeff Olsen; Dennis Pocernich - present; Fred Strand - present; Marty Milanowski
- present; Madelaine Rekemeyer - present; Jim Crandall - present; Sue Rosa – present; 9th District - Vacant.
Present -12, Absent – 0, 1 Vacancy. A quorum was present to conduct business.
Others Present: County Administrator- Mark Abeles-Allison; County Clerk- Lynn M. Divine; Kelly
Westlund; DOA Secretary Kathy Blumenfeld; Kim Lawton; Tom Croteau; Dana Sechler; Bob
Anderson; Nicole Solheim; Kim Mattson; Meagan Quaderer; Maria Renz and members of the public.
Pledge of Allegiance: The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by all in attendance. There was a moment
of silence in remembrance of David Good, a former County Board Supervisor for District 1 and Tom
Toepfer, former Highway Department Superintendent.
Presentation by Department of Administration Secretary, Kathy Blumenfeld: Blumenfeld attended
the ribbon cutting for the Bayfield County Public Health Department Infrastructure Project Completion
held prior to this meeting. The focus of her presentation was regarding collaboration and how that can
accomplish so many things in our area and throughout the State of Wisconsin.
Appointment of County Board Supervisor – District 9: Pocernich gave a brief introduction and
biography of Jeffrey Holte, candidate for County Board Supervisor – District 9. Sandstrom made a
motion to appoint Jeffrey Holte to the County Board of Supervisors – District 9, seconded by Lee.
Motion carried. Divine administered the Oath of Office to Holte.
Bayfield County Resolution 2024-92, In Recognition and Appreciation of Robert “Bob” Anderson
for Four Years of Commitment and Service in the Bayfield County Highway Department:
Crandall made a motion to approve Bayfield County Resolution 2024-92, In Recognition and
Appreciation of Robert “Bob” Anderson for Four Years of Commitment and Service in the Bayfield
County Highway Department, seconded by Ray. Motion carried, Yes - 13; No - 0; Absent – 0.
Public Comment: Pocernich indicated that each individual would be allowed three minutes to speak,
allowing a total of 15 minutes for Public Comment. Speakers and their topics were as follow:
Esme Martinson (Town of Russell) In favor of Opposition to H.R.-9111 and opposition of
Town of Russell Cell Tower
Bob Mackreth (City of Washburn) In favor of Opposition to H.R.-9111
2
Jerry Aerts (Town of Bayfield) In favor of Opposition to H.R.-9111
Carla B (Town of Russell) Oppostion of Town of Russell Cell Tower
Terry Daulton/Susan Hedman (City of Bayfield) Representing WI Green Fire in Opposition to
H.R.-9111
Pocernich indicated that the allotted 15 minutes for Public Comment had ended. Sandstrom made a
motion to continue Public Comment for an additional 15 minutes, seconded by Rekemeyer. Motion
carried, Yes-13, No-0, Absent-0
Kristin Connell (Town of Bayfield) Opposition to H.R.-9111
Susan Mackreth (City of Washburn) Opposition to H.R.-9111
Tom Doolittle (Town of Grand View) Opposition to H.R.-9111
Kristie Yensch (City of Washburn) Opposition to H.R.-9111
Mark Peterson (Town of Bayfield) Opposition to H.R.-9111
Mike Bark (Town of Barksdale) Opposition to H.R.-9111
Tom Galazen (Town of Bayfield) Opposition to H.R.-9111 and Town of Russell Cell Tower
Bayfield County Resolution 2024-100, In Opposition to H.R. 9111: Dougherty made a motion to
approve Bayfield County Resolution 2024-100, in Opposition to H.R. 9111, seconded by Strand.
Motion carried, Yes -12; No -1; Absent – 0.
Approval of July 30, 2024 Minutes: Milanowski made a motion to approve the July 30, 2024, Minutes
as presented, seconded by Fickbohm. Motion carried, Yes – 13; No – 0; Absent – 0.
Second Amendment to the Development Agreement and Second Amendment to the Option to
Purchase Agreement, Authorization for County Administrator to Execute: Nicole Solheim of
Cinnaire, presented the Second Amendment to the Development Agreement and the Second
Amendment to the Purchase Agreement. The Executive Committee approved recommending this onto
the full board, authorizing the County Administrator to execute the documents. Milanowski made a
motion to approve the Second Amendment to the Development Agreement and Second Amendment to
the Option to Purchase Agreement, Authorizing the County Administrator to Execute, seconded by Ray.
Motion carried, Yes – 13; No -0; Absent – 0.
Aurora Neighbor Request for Proposal (RFP) Housing on Approximately 3.9 Acres n City of
Washburn: The approval of Second Amendment to the Option to Purchase Agreement in the item
above created an approximate 3.9 acre parcel next to the current housing project. The Request for
Proposal provides for a senior housing development that will not be subject to income limits. RFP’s will
be due in early October. Milanowski made a motion to approve moving forward with the RFPs for the
Aurora Neighbor housing development project, seconded by Lee. Motion carried, Yes – 13; No – 0;
Absent – 0.
Human Services 2023 Annual Report: This item was skipped as the department Director was not
present to go over it.
Bayfield County District Attorney Update: Kim Lawton was present to give an update. She gave an
update on the benefits of now having two canines. She also gave updates on the Treatment Court, as
well as interactions with other Bayfield County departments.
Bayfield County Resolution 2024-93, Department of Human Services Petition for Increase of
Mental Health Funding in the State 2025-2027 Biennial Budget: Tom Croteau, Behavior Health and
3
Community Programs Manager, was present to introduce the resolution. It is sponsored by the
Wisconsin Counties Association and Wisconsin Department of Health Services. Crandall made a
motion to approve Bayfield County Resolution 2024-93, Department of Human Services Petition for
Increase of Mental Health Funding in the State 2025-2027 Biennial Budget, seconded by Milanowski.
Motion carried, Yes – 13; No – 0; Absent – 0.
Consent Agenda:
a) Bayfield County Resolution No. 2024-94 Proclaiming September as Bayfield County
Preparedness Month
b) Bayfield County Resolution No. 2024-95 Resolution Supporting a Realistic Federal
Definition of “Rural”
c) Budget Amendment Resolutions:
i. Bayfield County Resolution No. 2024-96 2024 Dog License Fund Budget
Amendment
ii. Bayfield County Resolution No. 2024-97 2024 Elevator Project Budget
Amendment, Moving Funds from 2023 to 2024
iii. Bayfield County Resolution No. 2024-98 Request to Amend 2024 Coroner
Budget
d) Bayfield County Resolution No. 2024-99 In Support of DNR Acquisition of White River
Fishery Area in the Town of Delta
Crandall made a motion to approve the Consent Agenda, seconded by Ray. Abeles-Allison noted that
Resolution 2024-96 had been amended to reflect Animal Control versus Dog License funds. Per our
auditors, only dog expenses can be paid with the Dog License fund. A new fund has been created for
these horse related expenses. Roll Call Vote: Pocernich – Yes; Holte – Yes; Sandstrom – Yes;
Fickbohm – Yes; Dougherty – Yes; Olsen – Yes; Ray – Yes; Lee – Yes; Strand – Yes; Milanowski –
Yes; Rosa – Yes; Rekemeyer – Yes; Crandall – Yes. Yes – 13, No - 0, Absent – 0. Motion Carried.
2025 Bonding for Highway and Northern Lights: Abeles-Allison explained the request for 2025
bonding in the amount of $3,170,000. $2,670,000 is requested for highway purposes and $500,000 is
requested for Northern Lights infrastructure. Ray made a motion to proceed with the short-term bonding
as proposed, seconded by Fickbohm. Motion carried, Yes – 13; No – 0; Absent – 0.
EMS Study Report: Dana Sechler of Strategic Management and Consulting gave a presentation on the
results of the EMS Study. It will be reviewed with the EMS Ad Hoc Committee in the near future.
Reports:
Future County Board Meeting Dates:
a. Executive Committee – Additional Budget Meetings in September. All invited.
b. October 1, 2024 – Red Cliff at 5:00 p.m.
c. October 29, 2024 – Regular Meeting
d. November 12, 2024 – Statutory Meeting
Supervisors’ Reports: None.
Closed Session: At 8:55 p.m., Milanowski made a motion to go into Closed Session, seconded by Ray.
Roll Call vote: Sandstrom – Yes, Pocernich – Yes, Rosa – Yes, Dougherty – Yes, Crandall – Yes,
Fickbohm – Yes, Rekemeyer – Yes, Ray – Yes, Milanowski – Yes, Lee – Yes, Holte – Yes, Olsen –
Yes, Strand – Yes. Yes – 13, No – 0, Absent – 0. Motion carried.
Return to Regular Session: The board returned to Open Session at 9:30 p.m.
4
Adjournment: There being no further business to discuss, Pocernich adjourned the meeting at 9:33
p.m.
Respectfully submitted
Lynn M. Divine
Bayfield County Clerk
/lmd
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