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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTransportation Committee 09-24-10 NOTICE OF MEETING AND AGENDA ST. CROIX COUNTY TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE September 24, 2010 - 8:00 A.M. The Orchard Banquet Facility 5710 Hwy 63, Baldwin WI 54002 (Amended) CALL TO ORDER ROLL CALL ADOPTION OF AGENDA APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING OLD AND NEW BUSINESS 1. Confirm actions taken at the September 13, 2010 Transportation Committee Meeting *See attached agenda from the September 13, 2010 meeting * *2. Consider 2011 Budget (The Committee may recess and reconvene after the Rail Coalition Meeting) * *3. Consider Filling Positions Vacant as a Result of Retirements ANY OTHER BUSINESS AUTHORIZED BY LAW NOTE: A quorum of the St. Croix County Board of Supervisors (County Board) may be present at this meeting. Therefore, this notice also serves as notice of a meeting of the County Board for the purpose of obtaining information relating to subjects listed above for use at future County Board meetings. ADJOURN (Items may be taken in different order. Action may be taken on any or all items shown.) SUBMITTED BY - Tim Ramberg, Highway Commissioner DATE SUBMITTED — September 22, 2010 ** Additions /Changes /Corrections Items for County Board approval must be submitted to the County Clerk's office by Wednesday morning preceding a County Board meeting. 9/22/2010 12:30 PM i MINUTES OF THE ST. CROIX COUNTY TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE Meeting of September 24, 2010 The meeting was called to order by Chair Rebholz at The Orchard at 8:00 A.M. Roll call was taken with Rebholz, Schrank, Hurtgen and Peavey in attendance. Others { present for all or parts of the meeting included County Board Chair Daryl Standafer, Tim Ramberg and Rich Loney. A motion was made and seconded (Peavey /Hurtgen) to adopt the agenda as published. Motion carried. Regarding the 2011 budget, the members reviewed the discussion of this from the Administration Committee meeting of September 21 Ramberg noted that the agenda from the Transportation Committee meeting of September 13 was apparently posted late. The agenda was published with this meeting to confirm or revisit the actions that occurred at that meeting. A motion was made by Hurtgen, seconded by Schrank, to move to confirm all actions taken by the Transportation Committee at it's meeting of September 13, 2010. Motion carried. Additional measures have been taken to confirm notices and agendas. The 2011 budget was discussed. Ramberg noted that the Highway Department is currently at a 0% levy increase for operations with an actual decrease in that portion of the budget that deals with County Aid Bridges. The Department has agreed to absorb approximately $420,000 in increased health insurance costs along with a reduction of $108,800 from the initial budget request for an increase in the levy. He also referenced the 9 q vY Administration Committee's discussion of a reduction in the workweek to 37.5 hours. Ramberg said that Department staff had discussed this potential, noting in particular the fact that the Department is expected to be able to respond to situations on a 24 hour a day i basis, 365 days per year. Ramberg went on to update the Committee on the work the Department continues to be involved with that relates to the flood of August 10 and 11 to both from the standpoint of repairing damage and working to obtain all possible outside funding for the cost of the repairs, both for the Department and local municipalities as well. Loney noted what he feels to be the very "heavy lifting" the Department has done with the 2011 budged in reducing its initial levy request by $108,800 as well as absorbing the approximate $420,000 increase in health insurance costs. The Committee also discussed the Administration Committee's move in increase the scrutiny of expenses that exceed $750. Chair Standafer commented that it appears this directive is unenforceable. Ramberg reviewed the procedures used at the Highway Department to review expenditures. Regarding possible implementation of a "soft" hiring freeze, Ramberg reviewed his plans to hire up to three people to increase staffing levels in various positions, levels that have been depleted due to five recent retirements from the Department. He noted that his efforts in this regard preceded the Administration Committee's meeting that dealt with this and the directive that came out of that meeting. Ramberg said he had spoken with Administrative Coordinator Chuck Whiting about specifics of the directive. Rebholz related the discussion he had with Administrative Committee Chair Sharon Norton - Bauman about the issue. The recommendation is that the Department brings a formal request for consideration of this to ST. CROIX COUNTY TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE MINUTES Page 2 September 24, 2010 the Administrative Committee. Ramberg said his current plans are to add one non - represented and two union people, all probably by year's end. The eligibility list process was discussed. Chair Standafer inquired as to the possibility of other retirements in the near future, to which Ramberg replied that this is difficult to gauge, as most retirees don't formally announce their intentions more than a few weeks in advance. A motion was made by Schrank, seconded by Peavey, to forward the request to the Administration Committee. Motion carried. The issue of up -front unbudgeted costs incurred by towns for work done by the Highway Department that relate to the flood was discussed. The Department will be sensitive to requests from towns to delay payment to the Department for work done by the Department. Peavey noted potential long -term impacts of this event too, including the possible inability of towns to do planned project work in the coming years because of the costs associated with the flood repairs. Flexibility of Department operations was also discussed. Adiournment: Rebholz called for adjournment at 8:35 A.M. with unanimous consent of the Committee. SECRETARY NOTICE OF MEETING AND AGENDA - -, ST. CROIX COUNTY TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE September 24, 2010 - 9:00 A.M. The Orchard Banquet Facility 571 Hwy 63 Baldwin, WI 54002 Notice is hereby given that a majority of the Transportation Committee may attend this meeting to gather information about items over which the Transportation Committee has decision- making responsibility. This may constitute a meeting of the Transportation Committee even though the Committee will not take formal action at this meeting. OLD AND NEW BUSINESS 1. Participate West Central Wisconsin Rail Coalition Annual Meeting ANY OTHER BUSINESS AUTHORIZED BY LAW SUBMITTED BY - Tim Ramberg, Highway Commissioner DATE SUBMITTED — September 16, 2010 ** Additions /Changes /Corrections Items for County Board approval must be submitted to the County Clerk's office by Wednesday morning preceding a County Board meeting. 9/16/2010 3:42 PM