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Home My WebLink AboutCounty Board of Supervisors - Minutes - 5/27/2025 1 Bayfield County Clerk Lynn M. Divine, County Clerk Jeran Delaine Deputy Clerk Jaime Cadotte Clerk II 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 May 27, 2025 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 6:04 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; Jeff Olsen – present; Fred Strand - present; Jeff Holte - present; Marty Milanowski - present; Madelaine Rekemeyer - present; Jim Crandall - present; Sue Rosa - present; Dennis Pocernich - present; Jan Lee - present. Present -13, Absent -0. A quorum was present to conduct business. Others Present: Mark Abeles-Allison, County Administrator; Kelly Westlund, Deputy Administrator; Lynn M. Divine, County Clerk; Jaime Cadotte, Clerk II; Jake Benson, Highway Commissioner; Elizabeth Skulan, Human Services Director; Tom Croteau, Behavioral Health Manager; Heidi Ungrodt, UW Extension Office. Pledge of Allegiance: The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by all in attendance. Moment of Silence: There was a moment of silence for the loss of Madelaine Rekemeyer’s mother who recently passed away. April 15, 2025 Minutes: Milanowski made a motion to approve the minutes from the April 15, 2025, board meeting, seconded by Lee. Yes-13; No-0; Absent-0. Motion carried. Public comment: Pocernich stated that each person would be allowed three minutes to speak, allowing a total of 15 minutes. Speakers spoke for or against ATV/UTV requests on County Highways: 1. Tony Litwinchuk – Town of Namakagon Opposed 2. Matt Erickson – Town of Kelly In Favor 3. David James – Town of Cable Opposed 4. Clay Burditt – Town of Namakagon In Fabor 5. Ray Lahti – Town of Grand View Against 6. John Peterson – Town of Grand View Opposed 7. Dan Zak – Town of Iron River In Favor 2 This ended the allotted 15-minute time period. Rosa made a motion to extend public comment by an additional 15 minutes, seconded by Holte. Yes-12; No-1; Absent-0. Motion carried 8. Wes Brown – Town of Kelly In Favor 9. Cris Lieabhauser – Town of Namakagon In Favor 10. Scott Johnson – Town of Grand View Opposed 11. Deb Kurak – Town of Tripp In Favor 12. Tom Kraker – Town of Grand View Opposed 13. Jerome Malmquist – Town of Namakagon Opposed ATV/UTV Requests on County Highways. Rosa made a motion to postpone opening any new ATV/UTV routes until February, 2026 to allow time to do a study on safety and economic impact, seconded by Strand. Milanowski and Rekemeyer stated that they did not want to delay a decision. Roll Call vote: Sandstrom-No; Dougherty-No; Fickbohm-No; Olsen-No; Lee-No; Ray-No; Strand-Yes; Holte-No; Milanowski-No; Rekemeyer-No; Crandall-No; Rosa-Yes; Pocernich-No. Yes-2, No-11, Absent-0. Motion failed. A. Town of Kelly and Town of Lincoln ATV/UTV Request. Crandall made a motion to open requested ATV/UTV route on County E in the Towns of Kelly and Lincoln, seconded by Milanowski. Roll call vote: Rekemeyer-No; Ray-No; Sandstrom-Yes; Fickbohm-No; Olsen-Yes; Holte-No; Rosa-No; Dougherty-No; Lee-No; Strand-No; Milanowski-Yes; Crandall-Yes; Pocernich-No. Yes-4, No-9, Absent-0. Motion failed. B. Town of Grandview ATV/UTV Request. Milanowski made a motion to open requested ATV/UTV route in Town of Grand View, seconded by Sandstrom. Roll Call Vote: Sandstrom-No; Olsen-Yes; Milanowski-Yes; Rekemeyer-No; Holte-No; Rosa-No; Dougherty-No; Ray-No; Fickbohm-No; Lee-No; Strand-No; Crandall-No; Pocernich-No. Yes-2, No-11, Absent-0. Motion Failed. C. Town of Tripp ATV/UTV Request. Milanowski made a motion to open requested ATV/UTV route in Town of Tripp, seconded by Crandall. Roll Call Vote: Sandstrom- Yes; Dougherty-No; Fickbohm-No; Olsen-No; Lee-No; Ray-No; Strand-Yes; Holte-No; Milanowski-Yes; Rekemeyer-No; Crandall-Yes; Rosa-No; Pocernich-No. Yes-4, No-9, Absent-0. Motion failed. Bayfield County Resolution No. 2025-55 Retirement of Patricia “Tish” Stewart. Fickbohm made a motion to approve Resolution No. 2025-55 Retirement of Patricia “Tish” Stewart, seconded by Ray. Yes-13; No-0; Absent-0. Motion carried. Bayfield County Resolution No. 2025-54 Retirement of Karen Bodin. Ray made a motion to approve Bayfield County Resolution No. 2025-54 Retirement of Karen Bodin, seconded by Holte. Yes-13; No-0; Absent-0. Motion carried. Bayfield County Resolution No. 2025-53 Retirement of Elizabeth Skulan. Crandall made a motion to approve Bayfield County Resolution No. 2025-53 Retirement of Elizabeth Skulan, seconded by Lee. Yes-13; No-0; Absent-0. Motion carried. Pocernich called for a 10-minute break at 7:47pm, meeting re-adjourned at 7:59pm. Bayfield County Resolutions No. 2025-56 Recognizing June as PRIDE Month. Rekemeyer made a motion to approve Resolution No. 2025-56 Recognizing June as PRIDE Month, seconded by Rosa. Lee made a motion to amendment the 2nd Whereas by adding and add “and 3 threats of violence and/or physical harm” after the word “discrimination,” seconded by Crandall to approve as amended. Yes-13; No-0; Absent-0. Motion carried. Bayfield County Resolution No. 2025-57 Bayfield County Child Saving Accounts, Northern State Bank Pilot. Heidi Ungrodt was present to give an overview of the program. Ray made a motion to approve Resolution 2025-57, seconded by Fickbohm. During further discussion, Fickbohm made a motion to amend Resolution 2025-57 adding that Bayfield County will contribute an additional $7,500, if the original $7,500.00 contributed by Northern State Bank, is used in its entirety during the pilot period, seconded by Holte. Roll Call vote: Pocernich-No; Sandstrom-Yes; Dougherty-Yes; Fickbohm-Yes; Lee-Yes; Ray-Yes; Olsen-Yes; Strand-Yes; Holte-Yes; Milanowski-Yes; Rekemeyer-Yes; Crandall-Yes; Rosa-Yes. Yes-12, No-1, Absent-0. Motion carried. Consent Agenda: WCA Resolutions. Lee made a motion to approve all ten WCA Resolutions on the Consent Agenda i-x, seconded by Ray. Yes-13; No-0; Absent-0. Motion carried. Budget Amendment Resolutions: Strand made a motion to approve all seven Budget Amendment Resolutions (i-vii), seconded by Milanowski. Roll Call Vote: Sandstrom-Yes; Dougherty-Yes; Fickbohm-Yes; Olsen-Yes; Lee-Yes; Ray-Yes; Strand-Yes; Holte-Yes; Milanowski-Yes; Rekemeyer-Yes; Crandall-Yes; Rosa-Yes; Pocernich-Yes. Yes-13, No-0, Absent-0. Motion carried. Zoning Resolutions and Ordinances: Crandall moved to approve items ii and iii, Report 2025-05 and Bayfield County Amendatory Ordinance No. 2025-05 of the Bayfield County Planning and Zoning Committee; Petition to Change District Boundaries of parcels owned by Wyatt Rodman and Elizabeth Withington, Town of Cable, from Residential-2 (R-2) to Residential-1 (R-1), seconded by Ray. Yes-13; No- 0; Absent-0. Motion carried. Strand moved to approve item i - Bayfield County Resolution No.2025-69 Authorizing Fee Schedule Update in the Planning and Zoning Department, Option #2, seconded by Sandstrom. Yes-12; No-1; Absent-0. Motion carried. Consent Agenda d-h: Strand moved to approve all Resolutions, No. 2025-70 through 2025-73 and Ordinance No. 2025-06, seconded by Milanowski. Roll Call Vote: Sandstrom-Yes; Dougherty-Yes; Fickbohm-Yes; Olsen-Yes; Lee-Yes; Ray-Yes; Strand-Yes; Holte-Yes; Milanowski-Yes; Rekemeyer-Yes; Crandall-Yes; Rosa-Yes; Pocernich-Yes. Yes-13, No-0, Absent-0. Motion carried. Comprehensive Planning Implementation Update; Kelly Westlund. Westlund gave a summary of the 2023-2043 Comprehensive Plan. She spoke about major accomplishments and ongoing plans across key categories including Utilities and Community Facilities, Land and Water Conservation, Economic Development, Intergovernmental Cooperation, and Transportation. Board of Adjustment Appointments: 4 a.) Fickbohm made a motion to appoint Clyde Clauson to the Board of Adjustment as a Full Member with a Term of July 1, 2025-June 30, 2028, seconded by Milanowski. Yes-13; No-0; Absent-0. Motion carried. b.) Sandstrom made a motion to reappoint Christina Eliason to the Board of Adjustment as a Full Member with a Term of July 1, 2025-June 30, 2028, seconded by Holte. Yes- 13; No-0; Absent-0. Motion carried. c.) No action taken on the Appointment to the Board of Adjustment-Alternate Member. We are still looking for candidates. Reports: A.) Future County Board Meeting Dates: a. June 24, 2025 b. July 29, 2025 c. August 26, 2025 B.) Youth Scholarship Essays: Two applicants, Avana Beeksma and Adele Kalies. Essays in Board packet. Supervisors’ Reports: Rosa has asked Mark to put on the agenda for next month to form an Ad Hoc Committee to study, review, consider, and determine whether to amend our current ordinance regarding ATV’s and UTV’s. Holte spoke about the Digital Navigator Program and how amazing it is. He said they have a lot of people attending in the Iron River Library. Mark Abeles-Allsion states there are still a lot of devices to be loaned out. Sandstrom mentioned that he continues to work with the Tribal Council and attends their quarterly retreats, and it has been going well. He was also invited to attend the Grand Opening of the new Cultural Center. Lee reported that since she has joined the Library Board meetings have been going well. Abeles-Allison reported that Bayfield County kitchen has temporarily become an emergency senior meal provider for Ashland County Senior Meals. Ray reported they received another application for a Tower on the same spot where the controversial tower was before. Pocernich announced the groundbreaking at the Aurora Place Project site on Thursday May 29, 2025. He also announced that the WCA conference in September will be in Wisconsin Dells. Closed Session: At 8:49 p.m., Milanowski made a motion to enter into Closed Session, seconded by Crandall. Roll Call Vote: Sandstrom-Yes; Fickbohm-Yes; Lee-Yes; Strand-Yes; Dougherty-Yes; Ray-Yes; Olsen-Yes; Holte-Yes; Milanowski-Yes; Rekemeyer-Yes; Crandall- Yes; Rosa-Yes; Pocernich-Yes. Yes-13, No-0, Absent-0. At 8:51 p.m., Milanowski made a motion to go out of closed session, seconded by Dougherty. Yes-13; No-0; Absent-0. Motion carried. 5 Human Services Director. Milanowski made a motion to approve the appointment of Tom Croteau to Human Services Director, seconded by Lee. Yes-13; No-0; Absent-0. Motion carried. Adjournment: There being no further business to discuss, Pocernich adjourned the meeting at 8:54 p.m. Respectfully submitted Lynn M. Divine Bayfield County Clerk lmd/jc 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