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Home My WebLink AboutCounty Board of Supervisors - Minutes - 4/15/2025 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 April 15, 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-remote; 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; Lynn M. Divine, County Clerk; Jaime Cadotte, Clerk II; Mary Pardee-UW-EX; Ian Meeker-UW-EX; Brigid Reina-Williams- Land Records; Kelly Westlund-UW-WEX; Mike Brown-CFO-Birkebeiner; Eric Faber- Northwest Wisconsin Workforce Investment Board-Digital Navigator Presenter; Youth in Governance Team-Avana Beeksma, Prescott Bell, Gifty Cook, Brooklyn Benson; Wayne Nelson-Bolder Point LLC; Adele Kalies and Avana Beeksma-Bayfield County Local Government Scholarship Applicants. Pledge of Allegiance: The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by all in attendance. Recognitions: Youth in Governance Participants were introduced by Ian Meeker. Avana Beeksma, Prescott Bell, Raina Ungrodt, Gifty Cook, and Brookly Benson were youth delegates at Superior Days and developed a team to see what happens at the county level. They all spoke about their experiences at Superior Days and were thankful for the experience. Bayfield County Resolution No. 2025-33 Recognition of Service, Steve Hoecker, former Great Lakes Visitor Center Director. Fred Strand recognized Steve as a leader, mentor, and visionary and thanked him for his service. Crandall made a motion to approve Resolution No. 2025-33 Recognition of Service, Steve Hoecker, former Great Lakes Visitor Center Director, seconded by Milanowski. Motion carried, Yes-13; No-0; Absent-0 Bayfield County Resolution No. 2025-34 Retirement of Mike Middleman. Crandall made a motion to approve Resolution No. 2025-34 Retirement of Mike Middleman, seconded by Holte. Motion carried, Yes-13; No-0; Absent-0. 2 Bayfield County Resolution No. 2025-26 In Recognition of the American Birkebeiner Organization for their Tremendous Effort in their 51st Anniversary. Mike Brown, CFO of the Birkebeiner was present and stated that he appreciates the acknowledgement from the County. Crandal made a motion to approve Resolution No. 2025-26 In Recognition of the American Birkebeiner Organization for their Tremendous Effort in their 51st Anniversary, seconded by Rosa. Motion carried, Yes-13; No-0; Absent-0. Bayfield County Resolution No. 2025-35 Recognizing Ken Lindquist, former Ashland County Board Chair. Milanowski made a motion to approve Resolution No. 2025-35 Recognizing Ken Lindquist, former Ashland County Board Chair, seconded by Strand. Motion carried, Yes-13; No-0; Absent-0. Bayfield County Resolution No. 2025-36 In Recognition of Memorial Day 2025. Milanowski made a motion to approve Resolution No. 2025-36 In Recognition of Memorial Day 2025, seconded by Lee. Motion carried, Yes-13; No-0; Absent-0. Introduction of Bayfield County Deputy Administrator, Kelly Westlund. Abeles-Allison introduced Kelly Westlund as the new Bayfield County Deputy Administrator, her first day is April 21, 2025. Bayfield County Resolution No. 2025-37 Appreciation of Town, City, Village, and County Clerk and Election Workers For a Smooth April 1, 2025, Election. Lynn Divine, County Clerk, stated that there was a large voter turnout and everything went smoothly. Abeles-Allison congratulated everyone on their work. Sandstrom made a motion to approve Bayfield County Resolution No. 2025-37 Appreciation of Town, City, Village, and County Clerk and Election Workers for a Smooth April 1, 2025, Election, seconded by Ray. Motin carried, Yes-13; No-0; Absent-0. State of the County Presentation. Abeles-Allison gave the State of the County Presentation with the focus of priorities on Highways, Housing, EMS services, Natural Resources and the Nursing Home. Abeles-Allsion stated that the county is financially stable and that it is focused on those most in need. The County is environmentally conscious and has innovative programming across all departments. Bayfield County is forward-looking in many ways and is responsive to citizens’ concerns, inquiries, and needs. Public Service Commission, Digital Navigator Presentation, Eric Faber. Faber presented an update on the Digital Navigator program. He has been going to community libraries to help people with digital devices. He also stated that there are a fleet of devices (ipads, laptops) to loan out. Faber has partnered with Northlakes to help people who may be interested in video visits. Holte asked if Faber is only available during the times scheduled at the libraries and Faber responded saying anyone can email or call him to set up an appointment. Faber stated that he is willing to go to Northern Lights nursing home to provide residents with iPads if they want them and to do outreach. Rekemeyer suggested putting flyers at Meals on Wheels locations and Ray suggested the County Clerk send info to the townships. Public Comment: Rosa introduced Adele Kalies, an applicant for the Local County Government Scholarship. Kalies plans to attend NE WI Technical College-Green Bay to study Ultrasound. Pocernich thanked her for coming. Ivana Beeksma was also present as an applicant. She stated that she will be attending Northern Michigan University in the fall of 2025 for Nursing. 3 Wayne Nelson was present representing Bolder Point LLC and stated he is available to answer questions if needed for item j on the Consent Agenda. Public comment closed at 7:10pm. Consent Agenda: a) Minutes from March 4, 2025 b) Discussion and Possible Action Regarding HS Board Appointments, Jeremy Oswald and Donna Lundin c) Discussion and Possible Action Regarding Citizen Committee Member Appointment Patrick Daoust to the Tri-County Recreational Corridor Commission for Bayfield County d) Discussion and Possible Action Regarding Bayfield County Resolution No. 2025- 38, 2025 Capital Improvement Project Fund Budget Amendment-Courtroom Audio/Visual Equipment Project e) Discussion and Possible Action Regarding Bayfield County Resolution No. 2025- 39, 2025 Health Department Budget Amendment for the Purchase of a New Incubator f) Discussion and Possible Action Regarding Bayfield County Resolution No. 2025- 40, Authorizing Application to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (“DNR”) Wisconsin Assessment Monies (WAM) Program for the Property at 59600 Mason St. Property by Bayfield County g) Discussion and Possible Action Regarding Bayfield County Resolution No. 2025- 41, Grand View Garage Budget Amendment h) Discussion and Possible Action Regarding Resolution No. 2025-42, A Resolution Authorizing the Sale of Three Parcels of Property Located Near the Bayfield Fish Hatchery to the Wisconsin DNR i) Report 2025-03 of the Bayfield County Planning and Zoning Committee; Petition to Change District Boundaries of parcels owned by Bolder Point LLC, Town of Russell, from Forestry-One to Residential-Recreational Business j) Bayfield County Amendatory Ordinance No. 2025-03 of the Bayfield County Planning and Zoning Committee; Petition to Change District Boundaries of parcels owned by Bolder Point LLC, Town of Russell, from Forestry-One to Residential-Recreational Business k) Report 2025-04 of the Bayfield County Planning and Zoning Committee; Petition to Change District Boundaries of parcels owned by Head Space HQ, LLC, Town of Barksdale, from Agricultural-One to Forestry-One l) Bayfield County Amendatory Ordinance No. 2025-04 of the Bayfield County Planning and Zoning Committee; Petition to Change District Boundaries of parcels owned by Head Space HQ, LLC, Town of Barksdale, from Agricultural- One to Forestry-One m) Discussion and Possible Action Regarding Bayfield County Resolution No. 2025- 43 Compensation for County Board & Committee Meetings Ray made a motion to approve the Consent Agenda items a-m, except for items j and m, seconded by Lee. Roll Call Vote: Fickbohm-Yes; Lee-Yes; Sandstrom-Yes; Strand-Yes; Milanowski-Yes; Crandall-Yes; Pocernich-Yes; Dougherty-Yes; Ray-Yes; Olsen-Yes; Holte- Yes; Rekemeyer-Yes Rosa-Yes. Yes-13, No-0, Absent-0. Motion Carried. 4 Bayfield County Amendatory Ordinance No. 2025-03 of the Bayfield County Planning and Zoning Committee; Petition to Change District Boundaries of parcels owned by Bolder Point LLC, Town of Russell, from Forestry-One to Residential-Recreational Business (Item j on the Consent Agenda): The Planning and Zoning Committee originally recommended approval of the Ordinance with a Modification that the Town of Russell first amend their Future Land Use Map. Milanowski made a motion to approve, without modification, the Bayfield County Amendatory Ordinance No. 2025-03 of the Bayfield County Planning and Zoning Committee; Petition to Change District Boundaries of parcels owned by Bolder Point LLC, Town of Russell, from Forestry-One to Residential-Recreational Business, seconded by Ray. Motion Carried, Yes-10; No-3; Absent-0 Bayfield County Resolution No. 2025-43 Compensation for County Board & Committee Meetings (Item m on the Consent Agenda): Pocernich informed the board that the main change to the policy is that they will now be compensated for each meeting they attend in a day without a cap being in place. Milanowski made a motion to approve Bayfield County Resolution No. 2025-43, Compensation for County Board & Committee Meetings, seconded by Rekemeyer. Motion carried. Yes-13; No-0; Absent-0. Pocernich called for a 3-minute break at 7:33pm, meeting re-adjourned at 7:42pm. Bayfield County Resolutions No. 2025-44 through 49 Regarding WCA Meeting Platform Resolutions. Abeles-Allison stated they will refer all back to committees and then address them again at the May 27, 2025, County Board Meeting. Discussion and Possible Action Regarding the Governor’s LCO vs Evers Budget Funding Proposal Resolution No.2025-50. Abeles-Allison stated that he advocates for this if the Board is okay with doing so. Ray made a motion to approve Resolution No. 2025-50, Regarding the Governor’s LCO vs Evers Budget Funding Proposal, seconded by Sandstrom. Motion carried, Yes-13; No-0; Absent-0. Bayfield County Resolution No. 2025-51 Regarding Apostle Islands National Park. Dougherty made a motion to approve Bayfield County Resolution No.2025-5, Regarding Apostle Islands National Park, seconded by Sandstrom. Motion carried. Yes-11; No-2; Absent-0. Child Savings Account. Reviewed at Executive Committee and they sent a letter of support but did not provide the funding. Fickbohm is asking for the support of the County Board to take to next month’s meeting and put on the agenda as an action item. Discussion and Possible Action Regarding Community Development Block Grant, Economic Development Application at Bayfield County Business Park. Milanowski made a motion to approve the Community Development Block Grant, seconded by Holte. Motion carried. Yes-13; No-0; Absent-0. Bayfield County Resolution No. 2025-52 In Support of Ashland County Windsled CDS Request. Rekemeyer made a motion to approve Bayfield County Resolution No. 2025-52, In Support of Ashland County Windsled CDS Request, seconded by Crandall. Motion carried, Yes- 13; No-0; Absent-0. Reports: 5 A.) Federal Funding Updates: Abeles-Allison gave an update on Federal Funding and stated that $80,000 in Health and Human Services funding will be paused and the Emergency Food and Shelter Program has been paused. Trying to pay close attention to what is being paused and that there may be a reduction in future grant funding which could impact other departments, mainly the Health Department and Human Services. B.) Innovations Grant for Countywide EMS: The City of Washburn submitted an application for a planning study through the State’s application process and was awarded the grant. Trying to take the whole county-wide EMS to the next step but is collaborative with the City of Washburn and will be proceeding with that for the next six months. C.) Future County Board Meeting Dates: a. May 27, 2025 (4pm budget planning, 6pm regular board meeting) b. June 24, 2025 c. July 29, 2025 Supervisors’ Reports: Crandall stated he attended a district meeting with the 10 northern counties and they spoke about how important our county fair is, that a lot of counties don’t have fairs anymore. Bayfield County is recognized for their fair and we want to maintain that. Rosa stated that she often hears about nursing homes being closed throughout cities and the country and she is proud to be part of a County Board that supports its nursing home. Abeles-Allison stated they have two applicants for scholarship money that we try to distribute in early May. There is $1500 for the scholarship but since there are only two applicants, the funds will be split between the two for $750 each. Abeles-Allison also stated that we are working on a road at the business park and received a $150,000 grant for the project, but it won’t be done until the end of the year. Talking about creating a parallel drive so the business can get some heavy equipment in before the end of the year. Closed Session: Motion made by Fickbohm, at 8:37 p.m., to enter into Closed Session, seconded by Lee. 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. Motion carried, Yes-13, No-0, Absent-0. Adjournment: There being no further business to discuss, Pocernich adjourned the meeting at 8:47 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