HomeMy WebLinkAboutExecutive Committee - Minutes - 3/13/20251
Minutes of the
Bayfield County Executive Committee Meeting
4:00pm, March 13, 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
Excused: Mary Dougherty
Others Present: Mark Abeles-Allison-County Administrator, Kristine Kavajecz-Human
Resources Director, Kim Mattson, Dawn Keqley, Sue Rosa, Larry Fickbohm, Chelsea
Wunnicke, Ruth Hulstrom, Heidi Ungrodt, Mary Pardee, Brigid Reina-Williams, Scott Galetka
Called to order at 4:00p.m. by Vice-Chairperson Strand
Motion Milanowski, Lee to approve minutes of the February 6, 2025 Executive
Committee meeting. Motion Carried (5-0 ).
Public Comment: None
Child Savings Accounts, Heidi Ungrodt and Chelsea Wunnicke: Ungrodt explained
that there is a nationwide initiative to support implementation of CSA (Child Savings
Account) programs. Wunnicke reviewed data related to the proposed program. Ungrodt
reviewed details of the proposal, which would request that Bayfield County fund a pilot
program for 2 years at an estimated cost of $7,500. That is based on an estimate of 100
babies born in the county annually and a 40% participation rate. The accounts would be
created by the parents and would be in the individual’s name. If funds are not used by the
youth to attend college or related expenses, it can be rolled into a ROTH IRA for the
child if the account has been open for 15 years. The account would be in the individual’s
name and access to the funds would be at the discretion of the individual. The program
would mean that the county would provide a $100 seed to start the EdVest account.
Motion Rekemeyer, to forward the proposal to the full county board for consideration.
Motion fails for lack of a second.
Motion Rekemeyer, Strand to forward the CSA program to the county board contingent
upon no county funding being required. The county’s role would be to promote and
administer the program, but not fund it.
Discussion: Pocernich stated that a letter to the UW supporting the CSA program could
be issued. Pardee stated that this would not be a UW program. She stated that the purpose
of the topic at this meeting is specifically for the initial funding.
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Rekemeyer withdrew her motion. Strand withdrew his second.
Motion Rekemeyer, Pocernich to approve a letter of support for the creation of a CSA
(Child Savings Account) Program. Motion Carried (5-0).
UDC Inspector, R&M Inspecting, Dan & Dawn Kegley, 2024 Year Overview and
State Commercial Electrical Discussion: R&M have been conducting UDC inspections
for the county for the past year. 32 UDC permits issued over the past year in 7
communities.
State is required to provide a UDC inspection service if the county does not. R&M has
been conducting these inspections under the state contract in Bayfield County for the last
2 years. R&M has proposed that the county contract direct with R&M for the required
State Commercial Electrical Inspections. The State bids this out every two years. The
County contract would create stability with inspection services.
The county would need to develop an ordinance in order to transfer the UDC Commercial
Electrical Inspection oversight to the county. It is anticipated that the cost for
inspections/permits for Commercial Electrical Inspections would likely be reduced by a
local contract rather than the service being provided through the state.
Congressional Directed Spending Requests: Kelly Westlund addressed the committee
regarding funding opportunities for various housing initiatives and grants. Congressional
Directed Spending announcements were made last week. Last year the county received
$1 million for housing project assistance. We are considering several projects this year.
Three specific project requests in addition to programmatic requests may be made.
Funding for the County Highways A&N All-Season Road Build Grant will be one of the
requests. Additional potential funding request topics discussed include:
1. Housing
a. Senior Housing
b. Housing Affordability, support for workforce recruitment / down payment
assistance
c. Emerging Developer Funding assistance
d. Housing navigator position
e. Transitional Housing Program for Offenders
f. Ondossagon School Housing Development project
2. Forestry: Value Added
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3. Emergency Services: Lift Assist Volunteer programs
4. Regional Food Security
Motion Milanowski, Lee to support requests related to Highway, Senior Housing and
Emergency Lift Assistance through Congressional directed funding requests. Motion
Carried (5-0)
Minimum Sale Prices on Five Parcels In-Rem Parcels. Parcel IDs: 19395, 20795,
27159, 21221, 28358:
Reina-Williams reviewed parcel details and recommended setting a $25,000 minimum bid
for the parcel near half-moon lake in Iron River. The parcel in about 50% water with no
access.
Small parcel on steep hill near Iron River with no minimum bid recommended. It also has a
neighbor’s shed partially on the parcel.
20 acres abandoned homestead zoned ag, recommend minimum bid of $79,500.
Town of Kelly 1.16 acres land locked odd-shaped parcel. Recommend fair market value as
minimum bid.
Town of Port Wing, not buildable due to steep ravine, walking access only.
Motion Milanowski, Rekemeyer to approve minimum bid prices as presented and authorize
parcels be put out to bid. Motion Carried (5-0)
Resolution No. EXEC-2025-01 for Wisconsin’s Assessment Monies Application: The
committee discussed a parcel that did not sell during a previous sale. The parcel may be a
brownfield site due to improper removal of gas tanks in the past. Request to submit a
brownfield grant application for this site to pay for the remediation if it is determined to be a
brownfield site. Motion Rekemeyer, Milanowski to approve the resolution as presented.
Motion Carried (5-0)
Hiring an Intern to Scan Zoning Documents: Request to hire an intern or two to scan
30 file cabinets worth of records.
Motion Milanowski, Lee to proceed with hiring interns to complete the scanning
project for the Zoning Office. Motion Carried (5-0)
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Contingency Fund Allocations, Human Services Video Conferencing in Lower
Level: Requesting approval for allocation of $400 from Contingency. Abeles-Allison
explained the amount is modified from what was believed to be needed. Consensus of the
committee was to proceed with no motion required.
Resolution Amending the Capital Improvement budget for:
a. Health Department Incubator purchase.
Motion Pocernich, Milanowski to forward the purchase to the full county board will
recommendation for approval. Motion Carried (5-0)
b. Courtroom Audio Visual Project additional equipment:
Motion Pocernich, Lee to approve the resolution as presented and forward to the
county board for approval. Motion Carried (5-0)
County Board Compensation in 2026: A spreadsheet was reviewed that allowed the
committee to analyze the impact of changes to per diem rates.
Motion Pocernich, Lee to recommend $100 per day for conferences, meetings over 4
hours, trainings, $75 for webinars, committee meetings, $100 County Board meetings
and forward to county board for approval to be effective in April 2026. Motion Carried
(5-0)
Reports:
Financial Reports end of February 2025: Slightly ahead of 2024 in revenues.
Expenses at about 14% through February, slightly below the 2024 expenses.
Abeles-Allison reported that with the Federal layoffs, closure of Northland
College and BIA, we may see higher health insurance costs due to employees
coming on to county health insurance due to their spouse losing their insurance.
Health Department provided a summary of programs with funding sources. They
are watching funding closely, as is the Department of Human Services.
Treasurer’s Report, end of February 2025: Net balance of $27.5 million, down
from 2024. Receiving debt service payment from Northern Lights. ARPA and
LATCF funds are being spent down.
WCA Review of Governor’s Budget: WCA summary was included in the
meeting packet.
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2026 Budget Project Planning / Priority Session, May 27, 4pm.
Comprehensive Planning Update
April Executive Committee Meeting: Cancel Personnel and Executive Committee
meetings in April.
Kelly Westlund reported that the Cinnaire deal will close tomorrow morning.
Ribbon cutting being planned for early May.
Meeting adjourned at 6:26 pm.
Respectfully submitted by Kristine Kavajecz