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HomeMy WebLinkAboutFinance 04-07-95ST. CROIX COUNTY NOTICE OF COMMITTEE MEETING TO: Robert M. Boche, Chair St. Croix County Board FROM: Donald Brown, Chair COMMITTEE TITLE: FINANCE DATE: April 7, 1995 TIME: 9:00 A.M. LOCATION: St. Croix County CALL TO ORDER ROLL CALL ADOPTION OF AGENDA Government Center DATE OF NEXT MEETING: May 9, 1995 ACTION ON PREVIOUS MINUTES UNFINISHED BUSINESS: 1. Review of Vouchers O NEW BUSINESS: 1. Administrative Coordinator' ,s Report 2. Finance Director's Report A. Depositing of Checks B. Credit Card Update C. Investment Policy 3. County Clerk's Report A. Official County Paper 4. Judge's Report 5. Treasurer's Report 6. Maintenance Report 7. Personnel Report 8. Computer Services 9. Clerk of Court's Report 10. Corporation Counsel Report A. Permission for Corporation Claim Counsel to Reject Notice of 11. Waste Management Update 9:30 A 12. Evacuation Plan Bruce Brantner .M. 13. Vending Machines at Tourist Center 14. Claims of Barry Hudnall and Robert Baker 15. Dog Damage Claim - Douglas, Roger and David Goodrich ANNOUNCEMENTS & POSSIBLE AGENDA ADJOURNEMENT CORRESPONDENCE: ITEMS FOR NEXT MEETING: (Agenda )ATE: 03/29/95 COPIES TO: County County County not necessarily presented in this order) Board Office Clerk D epartments *ADDITIONS/CHANGES/CORRECTIONS News Media/Notice Board County Board Waste Mangement Update: Planning Director Dave Fodroczi said the two large outstanding hauler accounts have been requested to submit a payment plan which would include sizable monthly payments. If a payment is missed, legal action will be taken. Waste Management Committee will review these plans on April 13. Contingencv Fund Rec{uest_ for Appraisal of Land on Perch Lake: Planning tt and Development Committee Chair Tom Dorsey, commiee member Supr. Ron Raymond, Planning Director Dave Fodroczi, County Planner Ellen Denier and Parks Director Joe Grant were present for this discussion. Dorsey explained there is a 60 acre undeveloped parcel adjacent to Perch Lake owned by Tom Seim. The Seims are interested in selling this property to the County to be used as a park. An adjacent 70 acres owned by Peter Torgerson is available for purchase also. An appraisal would determine the value of these properties. Denier stated the Seim property is assessed at $200,000 and covers 2/3 of the lake shore. An appraisal must be done by a company approved by DNR in order to follow DNR requirements for appraisals. She said Grant recommended park usage, the water quality is high and camp sites and beaches are available. The steeply rolling parcel would not be conducive for a housing development and the neighbors agree to the park. Raymond noted this is some of the last property available for park use in the county. Grant conveyed this pristine resource supports wildlife and fish species and public opinion favors establishment of a park. This area meets the criteria of the County's outdoor recreation plan. Supr. Dowd said he has sold lake shore property and land for nearly 40 years and this is the most beautiful site in St. Croix County. Oemichen said a park is needed on the western side of the county which is heavily populated and we need to be far sighted on this project. Fodroczi showed a map of the area and present location of home owners. He noted there is plenty of other space for home development which would increase the tax base. Motion by Oemichen, 2nd by O'Connell to allocate up to $3500 for appraisal of the Seim and Torgerson property and to determine cost of building an access road. Roll call vote: Oemichen yes; O'Connell yes, Boche no; Bradley yes. Carried 3 to 1. If the County pursues purchase of this property after the appraisal, the DNR will pay 500 of the appraisal cost. Evacuation Plan: Emergency Government Director Bruce Brantner referred to the Fire Plan previously sent to the Committee. Quesitons were asked regarding the procedure for notifying 2 employees and the public of impending stormy weather. Krizek and County Clerk indicated a central intercom system is needed. Motion by O'Connell, 2nd by Boche to adopt the fire plan. Carried. Finance Director: Rich Loney explained the direct deposit of employee pay checks would offer minimal benefit to St. Croix County. Presently payroll checks take four to five days to clear but in direct deposit the money would come out immediately. There is more benefit to the employee but this subject could be negotiated during contract bargaining. No action taken. In regard to implementation of credit cards, Loney has met with Elanco Financial Serices and the contract and agreements are approved. Master Card, Visa and Discover Card will soon be installed. Oemichen distributed an article which said in a pilot project in Ramsey County, Minnesota, unpaid fines and fees would be collected from State Income Tax refunds. Loney presented Draft #1 of a formal written Investment Policy. After Committee review this will be addressed at the May meeting. Loney also explained the effect of the $95 million loss of the State Investment Board. This loss plus loss of interest will be spread over a six or seven year period and will mean a reduction of 1/4. interest to investors such as St.Croix County. Loney sent a letter to Patricia Lipton, Director of the Investment Board, expressing concern over the loss and seeking answers to several questions. Presently the Wisconsin Retirement Fund stands at $30 billion with $1.2 billion invested in the Investment Board pool. Committee commended Loney on his letter to Lipton. Boche commented the Investment Board has also made many good investments over the years. The 1995 Actual Expenditures vs.Budcret will be distributed and explained at the April County Board session as requested by Supr. Herb Giese. Vending Machines: Loney checked with the State regarding vending machines installed at the Hudson Tourist Center. The WI Statutes call for operation of these machines by the Blind or Physically Handicapped. The Hudson Center is not a viable location for vending machines due to the many nearby fast food establishments. County Clerk: Sue Nelson reported the rotation of county newspapers as the official paper is completed. She recommended continuing this policy. Motion by Oemichen, 2nd by Bradley to approve the alphabetical rotation of county newspapers as the official paper. Carried. 3 Corporation Counsel: Permission for Corporation Counsel to Reject Notice of Claim. Krizek recommended this be approved to help keep within the 120 day time frame of answering a claim. Motion by Oemichen, 2nd by Boche to transfer authority from the Finance Committee to the Corporation Counsel for initial denial of claim and any action reported at the next Finance meeting. Carried. Greg Timmerman reported the rezoning denied to Anderson/Jones in the Town of Warren is being challenged in court and he is preparing the brief. The ARR, owners of the incinerator, are reorganizing under bankruptcy rules. Claims of Barry Hudnall and Robert Baker: Corporation Counsel will take action on these claims as per previous approval. Dog Damage Claim: Clerk Nelson reported a cow owned by David and Roger Goodrich had been killed by dogs. The Rural Insurance Company paid Goodrichs $1050 for the loss. The Goodrichs were seeking the $500 deductible and the insurance company requested payment of $1050. Corporation Counsel advised Rural Insurance has no standing to make this request as the County only reimburses people for losses not covered by insurance. Motion by Boche, 2nd by Oemichen to pay David and Roger Goodrich $250 from the Dog fund. Carried. Motion by Boche, 2nd by O'Connell to deny payment of $1050 to Rural Insurance. Carried. Personnel Report: Bradley commended Ron Kiesler, Coordinator of the Community Support program, for the re -organization plan he presented at the last Personnel Committee meeting. This plan reduces staff for a savings of up to $17,000. The Committee will review the PTO policy at their next meeting. Computer Services: O'Connell noted the Computer Advisory Long Range Plan will be presented at the May Finance meeting. Clerk of Court: Lori Meyer said 129 cases of delinquent fines and fees totaling $16,102 had been given to Transworld. Letters had been sent recently so no report on collections is available. Meyer explained her long counter area located across from the Courtrooms is disruptive to office employees. She is working with maintenance and Swartz office equipment. It was suggested Meyer use temporary measures to shut off half the counter area and to continue to pursue options. The Whites Company from Ohio is working on Clerk of Court files for the State KIDS project. Motion7i.o adjourn by O'Connell Tom O'Connell, Secr tary Meeting adjourned at 11:35 a.m.