HomeMy WebLinkAboutExecutive Committee - Minutes - 7/10/20251
Minutes of the
Bayfield County Executive Committee Meeting
4:00pm, July 10, 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, Fred Strand, Jan Lee, Madelaine
Rekemeyer (virtual), Marty Milanowski (virtual 5:00pm)
Excused:
Others Present: Sue Rosa-County Board, Mark Abeles-Allison-County Administrator, Kristine
Kavajecz-Human Resources Director, Kelly Westlund-Deputy County Administrator, Rich Path,
Tom Stankard, Tess Levens, Jessica Waclawski, Alex Nelson-CheqBuilt Land Trust Executive
Director, Jennifer Torvidio-Warren-Housing Authority Director, Kim Mattson-Finance Director,
Scott Galetka-Land Records Administrator, Brigid Reina-Willams, Meagan Quaderer-
Emergency Management Director, Gail Reha, members of the public.
Called to order at 4:00p.m. by Chairperson Dougherty
Motion Lee, Pocernich to approve minutes of the June 12, 2025 Executive Committee meeting.
Motion Carried (5-0)
Public Comment:
Meagan Quaderer: Reported that emergency notification system is in place in Bayfield County.
Mass notification system through Genesis available on the County Web site.
Esme Martinson: Zoning Stakeholders expressed that HKGI is doing a good job getting the
Broadband group up to speed regarding tower ordinances.
Josh Pearson stated that the Town of Iron River is looking at a potential housing development.
This will require a feasibility study. Town is asking if the county would consider sharing 1/3 of
the cost of the feasibility study. As a member of the telecommunication committee, expressed
concern with the Turner Rd tower application. Pearson outlined the specific concerns.
Departments Reporting to the Executive Committee for Budget 2026 Review:
a. County Board
b. Administration
c. Maintenance
d. Constitutional Officers
i. Treasurer
ii. Register of Deeds
Housing Authority Quarterly Presentation and 2026 Priorities, Jennifer Toribio-
Warren: Jennifer Torbidio-Warren reported on achievements and accomplishments of the
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Housing Authority. She reported that the county assisting with funding of the administrative
assistant has been instrumental in these achievements and requested that the funding be
continued in 2026. WEDC Thrive Rural Development Grant program, Cornucopia Senior
Housing Development project update was provided. Kelly Westlund provided further details
related to the Cornucopia Housing Development project, which is moving forward with land
acquisition.
CheqBUILT Community Land Trust Presentation, Alex Nelson: Alex Nelson made a
presentation outlining the purpose of CheqBUILT and the current initiatives.
CheqBUILT Agreement for Budgeted Funds: Two $100,000 allocations. One to support
the operation of CheqBUILT and one to fund the initial affordability gap costs of 2-5 homes.
Corporation Counsel has reviewed the MOU.
Motion Pocernich, Strand to approve the MOU with CheqBUILT as presented. Motion
Carried (5-0)
Broadband and Telecommunications Advisory Committee’s Recommendations:
Dougherty reported that the Committee has formulated five recommendations and a draft
tower ordinance to be forwarded to the Zoning Code rewrite contractor and stakeholder
group. She stated that this is separate from the Turner Road application and has nothing to do
with it. Dougherty wants to ensure that the autonomy and authority of committees and
boards be retained. Pocernich clarified that the Executive Committee does have authority to
forward the information on. He does not recommend that the Executive Committee state
support or opposition to the recommendations.
Motion Lee, Pocernich to forward the recommendations and draft ordinance from the
Telecommunications Committee to all stakeholders including the Zoning Committee and
code re-write group. Motion Carried (5-0)
Setting Minimum Bids on County Land Sales, Report on Habitable Structures: Galetka
reported that minimum bids need to be set on several habitable structures that will be put out
for land sales. Reina-Williams reported that 8 structures have been sold under the new
program. She reported on improvements that owners are making on the parcels. Reina-
Williams read a request from the property owner of TaxID 27163 in the Town of Oulu to
extend the completion deadline to June 11, 2027.
Motion Strand, Pocernich to approve an extension for TaxID 27163 in the Town of Oulu to
June 11, 2027. Motion Carried (5-0)
Reina-Williams reviewed recommended starting minimum bids based on Estimated Fair
Market Value for parcels that will be placed on auction.
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Motion Milanowski, Lee to approve the minimum bids and habitable structure requirements
as presented. Motion Carried (6-0)
Resolution Establishing Bayfield County Policy for Compliance with Wisconsin Act
235: Galetka explained that this Act requires that current and former judges property
information must be kept confidential if requested. This would require redaction in all
publicly accessible property information. Corporation Counsel reports that the legislation is
in the process of being changed. He recommends waiting to take action on this item.
ATV Ad Hoc Committee: Committee had a lengthy discussion about whether the Executive
Committee should take action on this item. Consensus of the committee was to not form a
subcommittee of the Executive Committee.
Financial Support for Iron River Sanitary District: Josh Pearson stated that the county
offered some land near the fairgrounds in Iron River for housing development. The property
lies outside of the sanitary district. Development is being considered. The Town has asked if
the county would consider sharing in the cost of a feasibility study to extend the sanitary and
water to this site. No action taken on this item. The county will provide assistance to the
Sanitary District in identifying additional funding options such as USDA and WHEDA.
Fund Balance Assignments: Abeles-Allison reviewed the existing Fund Balance
Assignments and proposals for modifications to the assignments. Designated balances can be
modified at any time. Designations to be reviewed at a future meeting.
Coroner Position and Medical Examiner: Tabled
Northern Lights Budget Amendment Resolution: Motion Pocernich, Lee to forward the
resolution to the full county board for approval. Motion Carried (6-0)
Reports:
b. Financial Report, end of June 2025: Abeles-Allison reviewed the report included in the
meeting packet.
c. Treasurer’s Report, end of June 2025: Balances went up a bit, second highest balance
since 2019. Several grant and FEMA reimbursements received that contributed to the
increased balance.
Motion Lee, 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 for Discussion and Possible Action Regarding Pigeon
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Lake RFP. Motion Carried ( 6-0) Entered closed session at 5:45 pm. Sara Helgeson-
Hudson was included in the closed session.
Motion Lee, Pocernich to return to open session. Motion Carried (6-0 )
Meeting adjourned at 6:05pm.
Respectfully submitted by Kristine Kavajecz