HomeMy WebLinkAboutExecutive Committee - Minutes - 1/9/20251
Minutes of the
Bayfield County Executive Committee Meeting
4:00pm, January 9, 2025
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, Mary Dougherty
Excused:
Others Present: Mark Abeles-Allison-County Administrator, Kristine Kavajecz-Human
Resources Director, Steve Sandstrom, Charly Ray, Sue Rosa, Kim Lawton-District Attorney,
Andy Runice-Chief Deputy, Kim Mattson-Finance Director, Gail Reha- Bookkeeper, Kelly
Westlund, Elizabeth Skulan-DHS Director, Jaime Moore-ECC Director, members of the public.
Called to order at 4:00p.m. by Chairperson Dougherty
Motion Milanowski, Lee to approve minutes of the December 12, 2024 Executive
Committee meeting. Motion Carried (6-0 ).
Public Comment:
Gerald Schuette: Asked for clarification on what mechanisms are in place to ensure the
animals are cared for when they are returned and expressed interest from the horse
community to assist as needed.
Esme Martinsen: Stated that the county board members are not well informed on this
topic. Expressed concern that there was no County Board meeting on this topic.
Tom Erickson: Asked if the board would open this topic up for a public question session.
Margaret Koosman: Stated that it is flaky that the horses were being given back on
Saturday, but the investigator on the case retired on Friday. Her expertise as the
veterinarian on the case seems to be being ignored.
Cynthia Samuels: Stated that the elected officials of the county does not seem to know
what is going on with this case. Inexcusable that there is no humane officer at the
moment.
The committee took a 5-minute break to address technical issues.
Motion Pocernich, Lee to extend the public comment by 15 minutes. Motion Carried (6-
0)
2
Vicky Tribovich: Reported that she has attempted to help the horses over the past 7 years
by providing them with food.
Housing Federal Grant Agreement and Right of First Refusal Cinnaire Solutions,
Nicole Solheim:Solheim and Kelly Westlund explained the Housing Federal Grant
stipulations and right of first refusal.
Motion Strand, Milanowski to forward the Housing Federal Grant Agreement and Right
of First Refusal to the County Board with recommendation for approval. Motion Carried
(6-0)
2024 Housing Development Update Recap: Westlund reported on the activities and
accomplishments of the Housing Program Initiatives over the past 2 years. PT Staff has
been extended into 2025.
Broadband and Telecommunications Committee and Mission Statement Discussion:
Mike Carriveau with Bayfield Wireless shared concerns that his representation on the
Broadband Committee has been converted to an advisory position. Dougherty explained
that the goal for tonight is to determine if the work plan of the Broadband and
Telecommunications Committee aligns with the resolution that authorized the creation of
the committee. Appointments to the Broadband and Telecommunications committee were
made by the Chair of the Executive Committee based on the recommendation of the PSC
Commission Bead Grant. Discussion whether the Broadband Committee took formal
action to convert the active appointments of the 2 broadband providers to advisory
members.
Broadband and Telecommunications Committee and New Committee Appointment:
Josh Dodge from Port Wing has expressed interest in participating on the committee.
Consensus that Dougherty has the authority to appoint Dodge to the committee.
Suggestion was made to establish a term for appointments.
Year End 2024 Budget Amendments: Abeles-Allison reviewed budget amendment
resolutions and reasons for the amendments.
Amendments are needed in the Veterans, Copy Fund, Land Conservation, Fleet, Sheriff
and Joint Dispatch: Jaime Moore, Dispatch Director explained that the Ashland and
Bayfield County budgets as well as the consolidation expenses have been combined into
a single budget for 2025. 2024 Expenses have exceeded budget by approximately
$26,000. The amendment reflects this and costs will be split between Ashland and
Bayfield Counties.
3
Motion Milanowski, Lee to approve the budget amendments and forward to the county
board for approval. Discussion
Motion Milanowski, Lee to withdraw motion. Motion Carried (6-0)
Medical Examiner and Coroner in 2026: The current coroner has made the suggestion
to convert the position from elected to appointed position of Medical Examiner.
County Board Compensation in 2026: Resolution must be approved establishing
county board compensation before papers can be taken out for the next term, which starts
in 2026. Suggestion to change the coding requirement on the per diem form.
Search and Rescue and MOU Funding: Worker’s Comp carrier has provided an option
for worker’s comp coverage to provide protections for these volunteers. Cost would be in
the amount of approximately $1100.
Motion Milanowski, Strand to allocate $1100 for liability insurance for Search and
Rescue participants per the Search and Rescue MOU. Motion Carried (6-0)
CDBG Planning Grants and Future Business Park Direction
Site Assessment Grants, Courthouse and Ondossagon School: Motion Pocernich, Lee
to authorize grant applications through the Site Assessment Grant program. Motion
Carried. (6-0)
Northern Lights Capital Project Agreement: Cost Share Agreement was reviewed for
Northern Lights to provide up to $70,000 in funding toward the Northern Lights Capital
Projects.
Motion Pocernich, Milanowski to approve the Northern Lights Capital Project
Agreement as presented. Motion Carried (6-0)
Reports:
Financial Reports end of December 2024: REVENUES
EXPENDITURES
General Fund 88% 90%
Human Services 91% 96%
4
Highway 67% 65%
Capital Improvement 100% 66%
Treasurer’s Report, end of December 2024 was reviewed.
Superior Days Topics: Strand reported on the topics planned for Superior Days
County Administrator Evaluation Form
Horse Update: Abeles-Allison read an update provided by Bayfield County Corporation
Counsel. Suggestion from committee to share this detail with the public through a news
release or some other format. Pocernich commented that the public must understand that
the Sheriff, District Attorney and other elected officials have statutory authority. The
County Board does not oversee day to day operations, nor does it have authority to direct
elected officials on their statutory responsibilities.
Motion Rekemeyer to allow Lawton to speak. Motion fails for lack of a second.
Motion Rekemeyer, Pocernich to allow District Attorney Lawton to speak for up to 5
minutes. Motion Carried (6-0)
Lawton stated that she does not have information needed to proceed with prosecution.
Investigator assigned to the case has retired. She is opposed to distributing the update from
Corporation Counsel to the general public as a press release and having her name associated with
it. Lawton stated that she does not have any control over the Sheriff’s Office. Lawton stated that
the update from Corporation Counsel was not included in the meeting packet.
Statement from Strand that the District Attorney does have the ability to distribute press releases
explaining their position.
Motion Milanowski, Pocernich to adjourn. Motion Carried (6-0)
Meeting adjourned at 6:00pm.
Respectfully submitted by Kristine Kavajecz