HomeMy WebLinkAboutExecutive Committee - Minutes - 2/6/20251
Minutes of the
Bayfield County Executive Committee Meeting
4:00pm, February 6, 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, Mary
Dougherty
Excused: Marty Milanowski
Others Present: Mark Abeles-Allison-County Administrator, Kristine Kavajecz-Human
Resources Director, Steve Sandstrom, Sarah Lawrenz Bertram, Charly Ray, Sue Rosa, District
Attorney Kim Lawton, Gail Reha, Kim Mattson
Called to order at 4:00p.m. by Chairperson Dougherty
Motion Lee, Pocernich to approve minutes of the January 9, 2025 Executive Committee
meeting. Motion Carried (6-0 ).
Public Comment: None Received
Bertram Communications BEAD Grant Presentation: Sarah Lawrenz Bertram
explained that Bayfield County has 87 BSL locations (Broadband Serviceable Locations).
Wisconsin Company. Reviewed monthly fiber plan cost options. Free fiber drop and free
monthly service for Townhall, Fire and EMS services that their services pass by.
Deadline for the BEAD application is Feb 27th. If an applicant for the Bead Program is
endorsed, the applicant receives extra points on their application. No other providers in
the county are pursuing BEAD funding. Both fiber and fixed wireless are available.
Residences that are not eligible for BEAD, but are passed by are eligible to connect to the
service.
BEAD Communications Endorsement: Dougherty reported that the
Telecommunications Committee will be reviewing this request.
Motion Strand, Lee to approve the support letter as presented in the Executive Committee
packet and forward the Bertram Communications Support resolution to the County
Board for approval, also taking into consideration any recommendation forwarded from
the Telecommunications Committee. Motion Carried (6-0)
Broadband Forward Ordinance and Resolution Revisions: 2 proposed modifications
were recommended by Corporation Counsel. Repeal Ordinance 9-3 and designating the
2
County Administrator as the single point of contact for all matters related to a broadband
network project.
Motion Strand, Lee to repeal County Ordinance 9-3 and approve replacement language
as identified in the resolution presented. Motion Carried (6-0)
Deputy County Administrator Job Description: Committee reviewed the job
description and were asked to provide any additional comments or recommendations.
Question was posed whether this is a contracted position or regular employment
arrangement. County Administrator will discuss this with Corporation Counsel.
Reports:
a. Financial Reports end of January 2025: Very early in the year.
b. Treasurer’s Report, end of January 2025: Short term borrow has been satisfied.
c. Human Services / Sheriff’s Office Project update: 10 new offices anticipated to be
completed by the end of March.
d. 2026 Budget Project under review:
i. Northern Lights capital projects list
ii. Brownstone maintenance and chimney pointing
iii. Zoning Office Electronic Records Project
Question from Rekemeyer if any contingency plans are being considered if federal funding
is reduced for specific programs.
Meeting adjourned at 4:41pm.
Respectfully submitted by Kristine Kavajecz