HomeMy WebLinkAboutCounty Board of Supervisors - Minutes - 7/29/2025
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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
July 29, 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 6:01 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 - absent; Jeff Olsen - present; Fred Strand - present; Jeff Holte – present-
remote; Marty Milanowski - present; Madelaine Rekemeyer – present; Jim Crandall - present; Sue
Rosa - present; Dennis Pocernich - present; Jan Lee - present. Present -12, Absent -1. A quorum
was present to conduct business.
Others Present: Mark Abeles-Allison, County Administrator; Kelly Westlund, Assistant
Administrator; Lynn M. Divine, County Clerk; Jaime Cadotte, Clerk II; Sheldon Johnson,
Northwest Regional Planning Commission; Angela Stroud, State Representative; Nolan
Santikko, Executive Director, Northern Lights; Megan Corcoran-Health Dimensions Group;
Shanon Swaney, Total Rewards Consulting-Remote; Autumn Thome, NWRPC and members of
the public.
Pledge of Allegiance: The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by all in attendance.
Community Development Block Grant, Economic Development, Public Hearing.
Sheldon Johnson of Northwest Regional Planning Commission was present to lead the Public
Hearing. The purpose of the public hearing meeting is to talk about the Community
Development Block Grant that the Department of Administration, Division of Energy, Housing
and Community Resources administers throughout the State of Wisconsin. The pool of funds the
State of Wisconsin annually receives from the U S Department of Housing and Urban
Development averages around 32 million dollars. The funds can be used for items such as
coronavirus impacts, housing funds, economic development funds and public facility funds.
The public hearing was mainly focused on economic development. Two businesses have applied
for funding; one is Superior Sauna, currently located at the Industrial Park, the other is Ritola
Construction, seeking to locate there. Johnson discussed the hierarchy of the program.
Public Hearing ended at 6:25 p.m.
Northern Lights Health Services and Health Dimensions Group Presentation. Nolan
Santikko of Northern Lights Health Services and Megan Corcoran of Health Dimensions Group
were present to give a presentation on highlights of the facility from January through June, 2025.
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They reviewed the overall operational progress, financial status, occupancy, sales and marketing,
short-term and long-term planning, the facility assessment and plans for unused space, as well
the goals and challenges looking ahead in 2025.
Representative Angela Stroud Legislative Update. Representative Stroud was present to give
an update on the state budget. There is an increase in County Conservation staffing, significant
increases in general transportation funding. Unfortunately there will be no change to mental
health funding for the counties, no increase to general aids which means increases in property
taxes. She also talked about the closing of Northland College and the importance of local
government control.
Bayfield County Resolution No. 2025-89 Retirement of John Mesko. Strand made a motion
to approve Resolution No. 2025-89 Retirement of John Meso, seconded by Fickbohm. Motion
carried, Yes-12; No-0; Absent-1.
Bayfield County Resolution No. 2025-90 Retirement of Kevin Johnson. Milanowski made a
motion to approve Resolution No. 2025-90 Retirement of Kevin Johnson, seconded by Lee.
Motion carried, Yes-12; No-0; Absent-1. Fickbohm presented Johnson with a plaque.
Public Comment:
Albany Jacobson Eckert-Town of Washburn. Concern over Ice Arrest at Washburn Iron Works
ICE arrested and detained a man, allegedly, for a DUI. ICE detentions and deportations are
reserved for non-citizens who are violent criminals and pose a threat to public safety but they
have been arresting and detaining people who appear to be non-violent non-citizens because of
skin color or tattoos, placing fear in many communities. Eckert requsted that the county adopt a
resolution to solidify non-cooperation with ICE to ensure all our neighbors know they are
welcome here.
Dana Noteboom, Town of Bayview resident was present to oppose Consent Agenda, item e
Bayfield County Amendatory Ordinance 2025-09 petition to change district boundaries of
parcels owned by Lance and Lisa Alm.
Michael Fitzgibbon-Town of Bayview resident was present to oppose Consent Agenda, item e
Bayfield County Amendatory Ordinance 2025-09 petition to change district boundaries of
parcels owned by Lance and Lisa Alm.
Consent Agenda:
Crandall made a motion to approve the Consent Agenda items listed except for items c, e, and g,
seconded by Rekemeyer. Roll Call Vote: Fickbohm-Yes; Lee-Yes; Sandstrom-Yes; Strand-Yes;
Milanowski-Yes; Crandall-Yes; Pocernich-Yes; Dougherty-Yes; Ray-Absent; Olsen-Yes; Holte-
Yes; Rekemeyer-Yes; Rosa-Yes. Motion carried, Yes-12, No-0, Absent-1.
Bayfield County Amendatory Ordinance No. 2025-08 of the Bayfield County Planning and
Zoning Committee; Petition to change District Boundaries of parcels owned by Kevin and
Amanda Roy, Town of Bayview, from Agricultural-1 (A-1) to Residential-3 (R-3). Strand
made a motion to approve Bayfield County Amendatory Ordinance No. 2025-08, seconded by
Rekemeyer. Motion carried, Yes-12, No-0, Absent-1.
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Bayfield County Amendatory Ordinance No. 2025-09 of the Bayfield County Planning and
Zoning Committee; Petition to change District Boundaries of parcels owned by Lance and
Lisa Alm, Town of Bayview, from Forestry-1 (F-1) to Residential-3 (R-3). Strand made a
motion to disapprove Bayfield County Amendatory Ordinance No. 2025-09, seconded by
Crandall. Motion carried, Yes-12, No-0, Absent-1.
Bayfield County Amendatory Ordinance No. 2025-10 of the Bayfield County Planning and
Zoning Committee; Petition to change District Boundaries of parcels owned by
Futurewood Corp, Town of Barnes, from Forestry-2 (F-2) to Forestry-1 (F-1). Strand moved
to disapprove Bayfield County Amendatory Ordinance No. 2025-10, seconded by Crandall.
Motion carried, Yes-11, No-1, Absent-1.
Compensation Project Kickoff, Total Rewards Consulting, Shanon Swaney. Swaney
discussed the work Total Rewards Consulting will be doing for the compensation study,
including the goals and timeline. Key reasons for the study are to understand positions and
revalidate internal alignment, maintain competitive positions and wages with other organizations
within an identified market, retain employees and attract a qualified workforce when vacancies
occur. They will review current structure and practices to ensure alignment with organizational
objectives moving forward.
Discussion and Possible Action, Human Services Board Appointment. Crandall made a
motion to approve the appointment of Amy Nigbor to the Human Services Board, seconded by
Milanowski. Motion carried, Yes-12, No-0; Absent-1.
Workforce Committee Assignments. Abeles-Allison talked about the six workforce
committees. He indicated that they are in need of a county board supervisor to represent the
hiring incentives group. Pocernich stated that he will be that representative.
Approval of June 24, 2025, Minutes: Milanowski made a motion to approve the June 24, 2025
meeting Minutes, seconded by Lee. Motion carried, Yes-12; No-0; Absent-1.
Reports:
a.) Comprehensive Plan Update, Kelly Westlund- Westlund gave an extensive update
on the Comprehensive Plan Implementation Progress.
b.) Future County Board Meeting Dates:
a. August 26, 2025
b. September 30, 2025
c. October 28, 2025
c.) Budget 2026 Progress. Abeles-Allison gave an update on the 2026, which is due
August 22nd. It will be presented at the September Executive Committee.
d.) Supervisors’ Reports. Pocernich stated that the Bayfield County Fair is coming up
and reminded everyone to sign up to volunteer.
Closed session: At 8:09 p.m., Milanowski made a motion to enter into closed session, seconded
by Dougherty. Roll call vote: Pocernich-Yes; Rosa-Yes; Crandall-Yes; Rekemeyer-Yes;
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Sandstrom-Yes; Dougherty-Yes; Fickbohm-Yes; Lee-Yes; Milanowski-Yes; Holte-Yes; Strand-
Yes; Olsen-Yes; Ray-Absent. Motion carried, Yes-12, No-0, Absent-1.
At 8:34 p.m., Dougherty made a motion to go out of closed session, seconded by Lee. Motion
carried, Yes-12; No-0; Absent-1.
Discussion and Possible Action regarding County Veteran Service Office Confirmation.
Milanowski made a motion to approve the confirmation of the County Administrator’s
appointment of Jeremy Bates to the County Veterans Service Officer position, seconded by
Rosa. Motion carried, Yes-12; No-0; Absent-1.
Discussion and Possible Action Regarding Resolution Delegating Authority to Enter into
Settlement Agreements with Opioid Defendants to the Designated Bayfield County Officer
or Officers. Milanowski made a motion to approve Resolution Delegating Authority to Enter
into Settlement Agreements with Opioid Defendants to the Designated Bayfield County Officer
or Officers, seconded by Rekemeyer. Motion carried, Yes-12; No-0; Absent-1.
Adjournment: There being no further business to discuss, Pocernich adjourned the meeting at
8:36 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