HomeMy WebLinkAboutCounty Board 06-16-09 NOTICE OF MEETING AND AGENDA
ST. CROIX COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
TUESDAY, JUNE 16, 2009 — 7:00 P.M.
St. Croix County Government Center —1101 Carmichael Road, Hudson, Wisconsin
CALL TO ORDER
INVOCATION: Pastor Mike Evans, Faith Community Church, New Richmond, Wisconsin
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG
ROLL CALL
ADMINISTRATIVE COORDINATOR REPORT
REVIEW OF AGENDA
CONSENT AGENDA
(Unless separation of an item is requested, all will be adopted in one motion.)
1. Minutes of Previous Session — May 19, 2009
2. Date of Next Meeting — August 18, 2009 — 9: 00 a. m.
3. Rezoning - *none
4. Mileage and Per Diem
PRESENTATION: Recognition of top youth volunteer in Wisconsin for 2009 in the 14 annual
Prudential Spirit of Community Awards — Deena Whitwam, New Richmond; Recognition of Fred and
Toni Chambers recipients of the 2009 Governor's Foster Care Award — introduced by John Bred
APPOINTMENTS: Council on Aging and Disabilities
OLD AND NEW BUSINESS
1. Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College (WITC) Report — Bob Meyer
2. West Central Wisconsin Community Action Agency (WestCAP) Report — Peter Kilde
3. Resolution Appointing County Treasurer
4. Health and Human Services Board Report regarding authority and criteria to determine private pay
resident rates
5. *Review of Health and Human Services Board Consideration of Consultant Services Regarding
Strategic Planning for Health Center
6. *Resolution Supporting Proposed Law and Regulations for Electronics Collection and Recycling
7. *Resolution Supporting Proposed Law Banning Oil Filters and Absorbents from Landfill
COMMITTEE AND DEPARTMENT REPORTS: Planning and Zoning Department; Health and
Human Services (HHS); HHS —Nursing Home
COUNTY CLERK'S REPORT OF CORRESPONDENCE AND REZONING REQUESTS
ANNOUNCEMENTS: 2009 WCA Annual Conference — September 13 — 15, LaCrosse, Wisconsin —
register on or before August 3, 2009 for discounted rate
ADJOURN
(Items may be taken in different order)
* Changes or Additions after the Preliminary Agenda ** Late Changes and Additions
2/11/20118:31:07 AM
Official- approved August 18, 2009
as amended
PROCEEDINGS OF THE
ST.CROIX COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
Regular Meeting June 16, 2009
Invocation given by Pastor Mike Evans, Faith Community Church, New Richmond, Wisconsin. The
Pledge of Allegiance recited. Meeting called to order by Chair Rebholz at 7:00 p.m.
ROLL CALL: 27 present; absent and excused: Supr. Tommerdahl, Supr. Tellijohn, Supr. Raebel,
Supr. Malick
ADMINISTRATIVE COORDINATOR REPORT: Administrative Coordinator Chuck Whiting
reported on State budget status and noted the E911 grant funds are being converted to the State's
general fund. Whiting reviewed the county budget process and building issues. He noted the Building
Facilities Planning Committee has looked at all county buildings aside from Highway Department's
buildings. Whiting reported the LAW union re -voted and approved the contract and now all five union
contracts are settled. The Administration Committee followed up on the goal review session and will
continue discussion on 19- member board and committee organization.
CONSENT AGENDA: Motion by Supr. Borup, 2 nd by Supr. Schrank to adopt the consent agenda
approving the May 19, 2009 County Board proceedings; setting the next County Board meeting for
August 18, 2009; no rezoning ordinances to approve; approving April 2009 mileage and per diem
report in the amount of $9,228.88. Carried unanimously.
PRESENTATION: Chair Rebholz recognized Deena Whitman of New Richmond for her award as
the top youth volunteer in Wisconsin for 2009 in the 14 annual Prudential Spirit of Community
Awards. Applause.
John Bred of St. Croix County's Family and Children's Department introduced Fred and Toni
Chambers, recipients of the 2009 Governor's Foster Care Award. Bretl explained the Chambers
received the Governor's Foster Parent Award on May 18 for outstanding work as foster parents.
Toni Chambers thanked the County Board for its ongoing support in this area. Applause.
APPOINTMENTS: Chair Rebholz announced a change is necessary in the Council on Aging and
Disability Board appointments. No appointments were announced.
OLD AND NEW BUSINESS
1. Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College (WITC) Report — Bob Meyer. Bob Meyer, President
of WITC highlighted WITC campuses and programs offered. Meyer noted WITC has the largest
technical college district in Wisconsin. Enrollment reviewed noting ninety -one percent of WITC students
are employed within six months of graduating. Meyer reviewed credit transfers from the K -12 system and
credit transfers to universities. WITC is engaging in a strategic planning process and is looking for ideas
and ways to serve the community better and Meyer asked for ideas to improve services and programs.
Meyer noted Chair Rebholz currently chairs the WITC board. Applause.
2. West Central Wisconsin Community Action Agency (West CAP) Report — Executive Director
Peter Kilde. Kilde reviewed WestCAP's programs including: Affordable Housing Development,
Food Access & Resources, JumpStart Transportation, Families In Transition, Housing Preservation
(reducing energy costs). The WestCAP mission is to take action against poverty by developing the
June 16, 2009
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social and economic assets of low- income families and their communities and by working to create a
more just and sustainable society. WestCAP provides services in a 7- county area and Supr. Gerald
Peterson serves on the WestCAP board. Kilde highlighted the demand for services due to today's
economic climate and continued challenges with another waive of foreclosures. Applause.
3. Resolution #22(2009) Appointing County Treasurer. Motion by Supr. Standafer, 2nd by Supr. King
to approve the appointment of Laurie Noble of Hudson to fill the unexpired term ending on January 5,
2013. Questions by Supr. Kolbe regarding the current chief deputy and request for information about the
proposed appointee. Chair Rebholz explained the process noting there were 53 applicants and reminded
Supervisors the review and interviews were in open session. Supr. Luckey requested a brief recital of this
individual's credentials. Laurie Noble provided her education and job experience. Roll call vote: Yes -
25; No -1 (Supr. Kolbe); Abstention -1 by Supr. Sather who explained he abstained because a family
member was involved in the process. Carried.
Chair Rebholz called for a break at 8:10 p.m. Suprs. Speer and Wentz left at 8:10 p.m.; Supr. Raebel
arrived at 8:20 p.m.
4. Health and Human Services (HHS) Board Report regarding authority and criteria to determine
private pay resident rates. HHS Director Fred Johnson requested Corporation Counsel Greg
Timmerman to report the authority of counties on the operation of nursing homes and funding.
Timmerman stated there is not one specific statute that will say a county board can run a nursing home
and choose how to charge for the services. He explained his findings after reviewing statutes and court
cases. Timmerman referred back to a Finance Committee meeting where the feeder system concept was
discussed which means the nursing home should be connected to other forms of facilities such as a
residential care apartment complex. These are considerations for the County Board when deciding how to
operate the nursing home in the future. Timmerman confirmed he is not recommending any approach but
wants the County Board to know there is latitude in considering operations of the nursing home.
Johnson explained the criteria to determine private pay resident rates. The HHS Board reviews the rate
structure annually — one rate for all individuals. He stated they look at what the market expenses are for
nursing home costs and do an add -on for private rooms. That fee structure is reviewed by the HHS Board.
He stated their findings are that St. Croix County is in the middle for fees charged to private pay residents.
Supr. Hermsen explained his reasons for asking the questions that generated this HHS report and cited
various statutes under Wisconsin Statutes Chapter 46. He asked why, at the last report to the County
Board it was reported there were roughly sixty open beds in the county and HHS reduced the rate to $58
per day to remain competitive. Supr. Hermsen stated it appears HHS should negotiate with those homes
to make use of those services at a more cost effective manner than to put the burden on the taxpayers and
asked why this isn't being done and why the beds are not being utilized.
Johnson reported he may not have the final statutory review and work HHS will be undertaking with
regard to long range planning and is not prepared to get into that level of detail. The county has the
authority to be in the business, set the rates, and to identify how the levy would be used. In this instance,
$58 per day subsidizing the private pay residents can be done under the premise that the county provides a
public good and service to the community.
Timmerman indicated Wisconsin Statute Chapters 46 and 49 apply to different programs. Chapter 50
focuses on nursing home operations.
June 16, 2009
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Supr. Norton -Bauman requested clarification from Corporation Counsel where the statutory authority is
that we are allowed to do that practice. Timmerman responded the county may compete with the private
sector as long as it's for a public purpose; not that the county has to or should, it has the option just like
any other business.
Johnson stated to some degree Supr. Hermsen's question has not been answered and perhaps at the
August meeting he could come back with more detail and have Timmerman address statutory references.
This would correspond with the timeframe to comeback with long range planning and defer to
Timmerman's opinion that the county has the authority to be in the business as addressed via the Medicaid
report that the County is currently subsidizing private pay residents at approximately $58 per day.
5. Review of Health and Human Services Board Consideration of Consultant Services Regarding
Strategic Planning for Health Center. Johnson introduced Frank Robinson the new Nursing Home
Administrator. Robinson provided his background. Johnson introduced Duncan McDougall founder of
Pathways noting McDougall has been chosen to lead the strategic planning for the nursing home.
McDougall stated the strategic planning process is designed to create a shared vision of the future for the
Health Care Center. McDougall explained the process and noted any plan has to be consistent with the
mission and values of the County. McDougall provided an overview to create a shared vision and to set
targets around county appropriations and to involve folks in HHS and engage other supervisors to
participate in a 2 -day planning session scheduled for July 29 and 30"'. Johnson asked Chair Rebholz to
make specific appointments. Supr. Ostness asked if there will be a plan of attack to bring back to the
County Board after the two -day session.
McDougall explained the contract with Pathways consists of three pieces. 1) strategic planning; 2)
updated study with Larson Allen; and 3) bring performa attached to the plan what we reasonably expect
the plan to be roughly. Costs were estimated at $25,000 to $29,000 for this service.
Supr. Cranmer hopes Pathways will reveal new income streams.
Supr. G. Peterson suggested appointing a nursing home oversight committee to study matters from finance
to number of beds and report back to the County Board. Motion by Supr. G. Peterson, 2 nd by Supr. Horne
that the Chair appoint a Nursing Home Oversight Committee responsible to study the St. Croix County
Nursing Home's needs. Discussion regarding including the need for a strategic plan in the motion.
Motion withdrawn by Suprs. G. Peterson and Horne. Motion by Supr. Norton - Bauman, 2 nd by Supr.
Horne that the Chair appoint a committee that will develop a strategic plan for long term care in St. Croix
County of its aging and disabled citizens to include nursing home assisted living, outpatient care, etc.
Carried unanimously.
6. Resolution #23(2009) Supporting Proposed Law and Regulations for Electronics Collection and
Recycling. Motion by Supr. Ruetz, 2 nd by Supr. Post to approve this resolution and the resolution
supporting proposed law banning oil filters and absorbents from landfill (item 7). Fodroczi explained
this resolution would establish a statewide recycling program of electronics. As a member of the
Planning and Zoning committee, Supr. Hermsen explained why he abstained indicating this resolution
does not meet the intent or the scope of what the senate bill is trying to accomplish and expressed
concerns regarding fee collections and limits and feels the current system works fine. Motion by Supr.
Hermsen, 2 nd by Supr. Mortensen to amend the motion to separate the two resolutions (item 6 and 7).
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June 16, 2009
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Carried unanimously. Fodroczi explained St. Croix County sponsors and promote the collection but
the collection is done by a private contractor. Carried.
7. Resolution #24(2009) Supporting Proposed Law Banning Oil Filters and Absorbents from
Landfill. Motion by Supr. Ruetz, 2nd by Supr. Post to approve. Fodroczi explained the proposed bill.
Discussion regarding defining the violator. Supr. Hermsen explained he is opposed to this because it
tends to limit the homeowner who changes his/her own oil and limits on disposal. Carried.
Committee and Department Reports:
Planning and Zoning Department: David Fodroczi, Director of Planning and Zoning. Fodroczi
highlighted Code Administration, Land Information Program, Planning Program Areas, and the
Recycling Program. Fodroczi remarked on the hazardous waste collection in May and noted the
legislature has added back $750,000 of the budget for clean sweep and hopes it remains. Fodroczi
reviewed the 2009 budget and fee status, staffing and the remodeling of the Planning and Zoning suite.
Health and Human Services: Report to be scheduled for another meeting.
Health and Human Services — Nursing g ome: Report to be scheduled for another meeting.
County Clerk's Report of Correspondence and Rezoning Requests: County Clerk Campbell
reported she had no correspondence or rezoning requests to report.
Announcements: 2009 WCA Annual Conference — September 13 — 15, 2009 in LaCrosse, Wisconsin
— register on or before August 3, 2009 for discounted rate.
Meeting adjourned at 10:35 p.m.
Roger Rebholz, Chair, St. Croix County Board of Supervisors
Cindy Campbell, County Clerk