HomeMy WebLinkAboutExecutive Committee - Minutes - 5/8/20251
Minutes of the
Bayfield County Executive Committee Meeting
4:00pm, May 8, 2025
Meeting was held Remotely through Microsoft Teams and in person in the Bayfield County
Board Room, Washburn, WI
Members Present: Dennis Pocernich, Mary Dougherty, Madelaine Rekemeyer (virtual), Fred
Strand, Marty Milanowski
Excused: Jan Lee
Others Present: Mark Abeles-Allison-County Administrator, Kelly Westlund-Deputy County
Administrator, Kristine Kavajecz-Human Resources Director, Kim Mattson-Finance Director,
Daniel Kegley-UDC Inspector, Tony Williams-Sheriff, Gail Reha-Bookkeeper, Sue Rosa,
Jennifer Torbio-Warren-Washburn Housing Authority, Ann Coy-Health Director, Holly Weber-
Public Health Nurse, Charly Ray
Called to order at 4:00p.m. by Chairperson Dougherty
Motion Milanowski, Rekemeyer to approve minutes of the March 13, 2025 Executive
Committee meeting. Motion Carried (5-0).
Public Comment: None
Housing Authority Quarterly Report, Jennifer Toribio-Warren: Provided an update on the
recent activities of the Housing Authority including the Washburn and Cornucopia housing
projects. Kelly Westlund was recognized for her assistance with the housing initiatives.The
Housing Authority is now LITEC certified.
County Humane Officer, Sheriff Williams: Abeles-Allison reported that the county contracted
with a private individual for many years to provide holding shelter and animal control services.
Shelter is now provided through the Chequamegon Humane Association. The county is not
required to have a Humane Officer. Sheriff Williams reported that the Sheriff’s Office is
planning to send two Deputies to Humane Officer Training. The department has been picking up
stray animals for approximately the last six months. Williams is asking for funds to send officers
to training, which is approximately $700 per person. The intent is to send an officer and and
investigator. DATCP Animal Welfare Manager noted that one third of humane officer training
participants are law enforcement officers. Sheriff Williams stated that this would be part of
standard job duties, not requiring additional pay. Dog license revenue does not offset the cost of
animal control expenses.
Motion Strand, Milanowski to authorize two Sheriff’s Office staff (deputy, investigator) to attend
Humane Officer Training. Motion Carried (5-0)
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State Commercial UDC Electrical Inspector Ordinance: REM Inspecting representative, Dan
Kegley, who also serves as the state commercial electrical inspector, addressed the county about
potentially contracting with him directly, ensuring that his services could be retained even if the
state goes with another contractor.
Motion Strand, Milanowksi to forward a recommendation to the county board to consider a
contract with REM Inspecting for Commercial Electrical Inspection meeting UDC requirements.
Motion Carried (5-0)
Opioid Settlement Presentation, Anne Marie Coy and Holly Weber: Coy reported that the
opioid lawsuit settlement funds are being used for opioid and drug education in schools. Funding
is anticipated to last more than 10 years. Some funds are being used as matching funds for harm
reduction efforts such as vending machines. Funds will also be used for Opioid Academy, which
directly impacts legislation related to opioids.
Resolution 2025-xx, Building Homes, Building Community, Bayfield County’s Land for
Housing Pilot Project; Kelly Westlund: Westlund reviewed a resolution that would support
proposals for certain parcels of county land for housing development, within certain parameters.
Terms of the resolution were reviewed. Ray stated that he is supportive of “County Land”,
excluding Forestry and Parks/Recreation land. Strand stated that the parcel near the fairgrounds
should be investigated further as a viable parcel to be considered for development under the
terms of this resolution. Rekemeyer expressed support for workforce housing and economic
development.
Motion Pocernich, Milanowski to forward the resolution to the County Board for approval with
the notation that it should address senior housing. Motion Carried (5-0).
County Childcare Proposal: Abeles-Allison explained that the county has been working with
the School District of Washburn to expand their childcare program, which would also provide a
priority for county employees. School district employees, then siblings of existing participants
would have priority over county employees. Westlund shared some comments from a recent
survey of existing employees that are facing childcare challenges. Contingency Funds could be
used for this program or the County Board could authorize use of Fund Balance.
Motion Pocernich, Rekemeyer to forward the childcare proposal to the county board for
consideration. Motion Carried (5-0)
Artificial Intelligence Policy:
Motion Milanowski, Rekemeyer to approved the draft AI Policy. Motion Carried (5-0)
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Budget Amendments Resolutions: Abeles-Allison reviewed the details of each budget
amendment.
a. Sheriff’s Office and Squad Debt Financing A transfer of funds between the Sheriff’s
Department and Squad Funds. Unused wages for vacant positions will balance borrowing
made to the Squad Fund.
b. DHS Remodel, 2024 Carryover Funds for the Human Services construction project were
approved but not expended in 2024, this resolution moves them to 2025.
c. Planning and Zoning, Budget Amendment and Fee Adjustment; The Planning and
Zoning Committee has proposed a reduction of fees in 2025. This is anticipated to reduce
revenues by $75,000. The Zoning Committee chose options A and C in the attached memo.
The budget was balanced based on these revenues. Here are several options for addressing
this:
a. Budget for this in the new year
b. Use Fund Balance and 2025 budget underages to cover the difference.
d. Jail Kitchen Staffing The Personnel Committee approved hiring an additional staff person
in the county Kitchen as the result of the closure of Northland College and the Chartwells
senior meals program. This will result in the county kitchen increasing senior meals from the
current 40 to 80 meals per day. The Kitchen provides meals seven days a week, 365 days a
year. At present, we have three staff for the kitchen. Total Senior meals in February totaled
1500. Jail meals were approximately 4500 for a total of 6000 meals or an average of 200 a
day. Current staffing levels are stressed when someone is absent.
e. County Child Care: $20,000 contribution for Washburn School District Childcare Program.
f. Register of Deeds: Database Import
Motion Strand, Milanowski to forward all budget resolutions to the full county board for
consideration. Item C regarding Planning & Zoning would be approval of the fee adjustment
only. Motion Carried (5-0)
2025 WCA Platform Resolutions:
a. Resolution in Support of Local Control Over Concentrated Animal Feeding Facilities’
Operations: Suggestion was made to modify the resolution based on the feedback from
WCA’s previous consideration of this resolution.
b. Enact Stronger Regulations to Limit the Spread of Chronic Wasting Disease
c. Conduct Additional Research on Chronic Wasting Disease to Improve Testing,
Treatment, and Management Options
d. Wake Boat Regulations
e. ETF Mandatory Separation Modification
f. Housing Infrastructure Short Term Rental Tax Share
g. Supporting Local Control for Wisconsin Counties.
h. Redistribute .05% State Sales Tax to Counties.
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Motion Strand, Pocernich to forward the resolutions to the full county board for consideration.
Motion Carried (5-0)
Credit Card Policy Modification: Consensus of the committee is to investigate this further
before taking action.
Reports: Reports were included in the meeting packet and were reviewed by the County
Administrator.
a. Financial Reports end of April 2025:
b. Treasurer’s Report, end of April 2025:
c. Human Services Director Update: Interviews will take place next week with a
recommendation anticipated to the County Board at the end of May.
d. Act 235 Update: We are working on a policy and reviewing statutory requirements. to
safeguard judicial officers and their families on a request basis. Rusk County policy is being
used for reference.
e. Tower Updates:
Motion Milanowski, Pocernich to move into Closed Session pursuant to §19.85(1) (e) Deliberating
or negotiating the purchasing of public properties, the investing of public funds, or conducting
other specified public business, whenever competitive or bargaining reasons require a closed
session.
Discussion and Possible Action Regarding: Purchase of Lands Negotiations Motion Carried
(5-0) Entered closed session at 5:35pm.
Motion Milanowski, Pocernich to return to open session. Motion Carried (5-0)
Meeting adjourned at 5:50pm.
Respectfully submitted by Kristine Kavajecz