HomeMy WebLinkAboutCounty Board 08-21-01 ST CROIX COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
August 21, 2001 9:00 A.M.
CALL TO ORDER: Chairman Thomas Dorsey
INVOCATION: Sheriff Dennis Hillstead
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG
ROLL CALL
CONSIDERATION OF MINUTES OF PREVIOUS SESSION
ADOPTION OF AGENDA
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
DATE OF NEXT SESSION: September 18, 2001 9:00 A.M.
SPECIAL MEETING- October 9, 2001 9:00 A.M.
BUDGET SESSION - October 30, 2001 9:00 A.M.
APPOINTMENTS: Denise Bjerstedt to the Indianhead Federated Library
System Board of Trustees
ADMINISTRATIVE COORDINATOR REPORT
OLD AND UNFINISHED BUSINESS
(Consideration and action on matters tabled, postponed or referred to
a committee at a previous meeting)
NEW BUSINESS:
1. Fairest of the Fair Lori Mueller and Fair Board Vice President
Gail Maier 9 :05 A.M.
2. Public Hearing Regarding Final St. Croix County Supervisory
District Plan 9 :15 A.M.
3. Resolution Adopting the Final St. Croix County Supervisory
District Plan
4. Department Reports: Parks, Maintenance,Clerk of Court 10:15 A.M.
Register in Probate (written)
5. Hudson Property Report -Chuck Whiting
*6. Apprze�v*ing New PesA:t -fens €geic 26 0-2
7. Rezoning from Ag. to Commercial for Richard, Fred, Jerry and
James Heebink, Town of Eau Galle (17 acres)
8. Rezoning from Ag. to Ag. Residential for Harvey Hielkema,
Town of Baldwin (5.77 acres)
9. Rezoning from Ag. Residential to Commercial for Steven Lee,
Town of Glenwood (1 acre)
10. Rezoning from Ag. to Ag. II for Randy & Sandra Roquette,
Town of Eau Galle (40 acres)
*11. Restore Zoning Office Septic Position that was Denied by the
Personnel Committee
COMMITTEE AND BOARD REPORTS: Public Protection
APPLICATIONS FILED FOR ZONING ORDINANCE AMENDMENT
MILEAGE & PER DIEM REPORT
CORRESPONDENCE
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
ADJOURNMENT
(The above agenda is not necessarily in order of presentations)
* Changes or Additions after the Preliminary Agenda
** Late Changes and Additions
ST. CROIX COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
Regular Meeting August 21, 2001
Meeting called to order by Chair Dorsey at 9:00 a.m. Chair called
for a moment of silence for Child Support Director Lynn Holmes who
passed away recently. Invocation was given by Sheriff Dennis
Hillstead who also included a special prayer for Ms. Holmes.
Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Roll call: 28 present, 3 absent and excused - Suprs. Julie Speer,
Tom Irwin and Stan Krueger.
Motion by Supr. King, 2 nd by Supr. Berenschot to approve the June
minutes. Carried. Motion by Vice Chair Jacobson, 2 nd by Supr.
O'Connell to adopt the agenda. Carried.
Next regular meeting is September 18, 9:00 a.m. A special meeting
for the Nursing Home report is scheduled for October 9, 9:00 a.m.
and the budget review will be October 30 9:00 a.m.
Appointments: Supr. Denise Bjerstedt to Indianhead Federated
Library System Board of Trustees.
Administrative Coordinator: Chuck Whiting noted the new position
requests approved by Personnel Comm. will be reviewed along with
departmental budgets. The County's equalized value for 2001 is
$4,437,078,600, an increase of over 140. If the same expenses are
levied this year, the mill rate would be 3.16 %. Our County ranks
9 th in the State for growth in valuation. The Finance Comm. will
hold a special preliminary budget meeting on August 30 and
Committee Chairs will be invited to the September 7 th Finance
Committee meeting.
Supr. Horne questioned the article in the AFSCME Union newsletter
regarding the health insurance fund and who is involved from the
union. Whiting replied management is sharing more information with
the union. The insurance team members are Whiting, Personnel
Director Debra Kathan and one member from each union. The goal is
to educate employees on how to best use the health insurance to
keep claims down. Only summary reports are provided and no
confidential information is shared.
County Fair Representatives: Fair Board Vice President Gail Maier
thanked the Board for their support of the County Fair and 4 -H
program. She noted the new track area on land purchased by the
County Board is working well. A five year development plan will be
submitted to the Finance Committee. This year's Fairest of the
Fair Lori Mueller explained the Living Memorial award which is
given each year to people who make significant contributions to the
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4 -H program. Tom and Beverly Dorsey were recipients in 1989, Sue
Nelson in 1990 and Gail Maier received the award this year. Ms.
Mueller also thanked the Board of their support. Applause.
Public Hearing Regarding Final County Supervisory District Plan:
Motion by Supr. Bieraugel, 2 by Supr. Bethke to open the public
hearing at 9:25 a.m. Carried. Chair Dorsey asked for public input.
No one from the public was present to speak and Chair closed the
hearing at 9:27 a.m.
County Planner Ellen Denzer reviewed the redistricting process
which is to be completed by September 22 but can be done earlier.
The changes to the original plan were made due to annexations,
voting problems and aldermanic districts in the Cities of Hudson
and New Richmond. After the plan is adopted, information will be
sent to the State and Supervisory District maps will be provided to
all the municipalities.
Redistricting Chair Bieraugel thanked Chair Dorsey; the
Redistricting Committee members - Suprs. Berenschot, Jensen, Dowd
and Rose; the Towns, Villages and Cities for cooperating and Ellen
Denzer for her good work in the redistricting process. Applause by
Board.
Denzer thanked Supr. Bieraugel, the committee members and
municipalities for their excellent cooperation.
Resolution No. 21 (2001): Adopting the Final St. Croix County
Supervisory District Plan. Motion to adopt by Supr. Bieraugel, 2nd
by Supr. Berenschot. Carried unanimously.
Department Reports: Parks Director Joe Grant and Registrar in
Probate Erica Nelson submitted written reports.
Maintenance: Facilities Manager Ralph Robole reported last winter
natural gas went from $.39 a therm to $1.10 and is back down to
$.39. A dual fuel system will be used at the Health Center which
will save $20,000 per year. Propone has been pre - purchased for
$.75. Andersen Windows will replace 33 more windows in the
Government Center. Andersens wants $3300 for labor charges but
Robole is negotiating this issue. Xcel Energy has asked
Maintenance to run our generators more often this summer. The
Baldwin Ag. Center should be up to code now.
Supr. Swenson thanked Robole and his staff for saving dollars for
the County.
Clerk of Court: Lori Meyer Frascht distributed a statistical
report showing increases in caseloads and a financial overview.
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She thanked the County Clerk's office for taking over Passport
applications. Frascht has included remote video conferencing
equipment in the 2002 budget. This offers off -site courtroom
testimony and saves transportation money. A web site has been
established.
Supr. Horne questioned the Parks report regarding the revised plans
for Homestead Park on Perch Lake. Planning, Zoning and Parks Chair
Raymond said the bids need to be re -bid because the previous ones
submitted were too high. Project Manager Pete Kling will report to
the Board in September.
Hudson Property Report: Whiting said this committee consisting of
Suprs. O'Connell, Swenson and Dowd, Planning Director Dave Fodroczi
and Hudson Mayor Jack Breault was charged with determining future
land needs of the Government Center. The report included a site
plan outline of what Brian Larson from Ayres and Associates had
developed showing forecasted future use by the Government Center.
The plan showed approximately 60 acres of excess property that
could be sold if the County Board so desired.
Supr. O'Connell said there has been interest in a land purchase by
the Hudson School District, YMCA and Bethel Lutheran Church. Most
people he has surveyed want to leave the property as is.
Following a lengthy discussion on the pros and cons of selling
Government Center excess property, motion by Supr. Malick, 2 nd by
Supr. Horne that the County Board directs the Finance Committee to
determine the value of the property sold as a whole unit, net of
the assessments. Roll call vote: 9 yes, 19 no, motion defeated.
Chair Dorsey thanked the Property Committee for its work and in
summary stated the County is not interested in selling any property
at this time.
Ordinance #589 (2001): Rezoning from Ag. to Commerical for
Richard, Fred, Jerry and James Heebink, Town of Eau Galle. Motion
to enact by Supr. Raymond, 2 nd by Supr. Malick. Carried.
Ordinance #590 (2001): Rezoning from Ag. to Ag /Residential for
Harvey Hielkema, Town of Baldwin. Motion to enact by Supr.
Raymond, 2 nd by Supr. Malick. Carried.
Ordinance #591 (2001): Rezoning from Ag /Residential to Commercial
for Steven and Julie Lee, Town of Glenwood. Motion to enact by
Supr. Raymond, 2 nd by Supr. Berenschot. Carried.
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Ordinance #592 (2001): Rezoning from Ag. to Ag -II for Randy and
Sandra Roquette, Town of Eau Galle. Motion to enact by Supr.
Raymond, 2 nd by Supr. Jensen. Carried.
Supr. Bieraugel excused at 11:10 a.m.
Restore Zoning Office Septic Position Denied by Personnel
Conui.ttee: Planning, Zoning and Parks Chair Raymond cautioned the
Board due to the large volume of development and number of septic
systems to inspect, inspections may not be meeting legal
requirements. The PZP committee would like a study made to
determine if this means liability. The lack of staff to complete
inspections could become a public health issue. Motion by Supr.
Raymond, 2 nd by Supr. Rose to include the Zoning office septic
position in the budget process.
Motion by Supr. Malick, 2 nd by Supr. Luckey to amend the motion to
form a study committee under the Administrative Coordinator to
examine and report back on the state of septic systems in our
County.
Motion by Supr. Horne, 2 nd by Supr. Mortensen to table the motion
for a Zoning Office Septic Position and amendment for a study
committee. No debate on a motion to table. Vote was 16 yes, 11
no. Carried.
Supr. Raymond asked if Zoning Administrator Steve Fisher could make
a presentation. Corporation Counsel Timmerman advised the issue
was tabled and the presentation should be placed on next month's
agenda.
Supr. Bjersted and Supr. Malick excused at 11:35 a.m.
Co:mnittee Reports: Public Protection. In the absence of Chair
Speer, committee members shared the reporting. Supr. Mehls noted
the Jail no longer rents to INS prisoners but it was not designed
to be a money maker. The Huber section has paying customers and
more space is needed. The next available opening is October 31.
The District Attorney's office has filed over 300 felonies as of
Aug. 1, 2001 and last year's total was 344. St. Croix is one of
the 3 worst counties for methamphetamine cases. The Victim Witness
Assistant Program makes victims aware of their rights. This office
receives a State reimbursement of 69 %.
Supr. Wentz noted Child Support Director Lynn Holmes was pleasant
to work with, well organized and will be missed. The goal of the
Child Support department is to keep responsibility for support of
children on the parents and off the taxpayers. The Medical
Examiner handles 250 deaths and 130 to 140 cremations per year.
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Supr. Rose said demand for Sheriff's service has increased due to
population growth. Areas of concern are increased traffic and drug
related offenses. There is a need to increase staff to maintain
good services throughout the County.
Supr. Gunderson reported the County Patrol faces a snowball effect
with more service calls for accidents, domestic violence, emergency
detentions, etc., less time is available for patrolling the roads
and less citations are issued. St. Croix County ranks as one of
the highest counties for fatalities. Less enforcement and higher
traffic flow produces more fatalities and injuries.
Applications Filed for Rezoning: County Concrete, Town of Warren,
Ag /Res to Industrial; following are from Ag to Ag /Res - Henry
Lentz, Town of St. Joseph; Springbrook Corp, John and Evelyn
Strese, Irene Hildebrant and Robert Martell, all from Town of
Somerset.
Mileage and Per Diem: Motion by Supr. O'Connell, 2 nd by Supr.
Swenson to approve total of $11,798.57 for June, 2001 and $8,189.38
for July, 2001. Carried.
Correspondence: Clerk Nelson read a thank you from the Hudson High
School girl's hockey team signed by the players; a letter from WI
Ag. Secretary James Harsdorf regarding the resolution adopted by
the County Board concerning challenges to farmers in Wisconsin; and
a letter for Governor Scott McCallum indicating he is initiating an
impartial facilitator to resolve conflicts with the St. Croix
Bridge project near Stillwater.
Announcements: Clerk Nelson reminded Supervisors to return their
budget books (covers and tabs) in the next few weeks.
Chair thanked Supervisors for their cooperation. Motion to adjourn
by Supr. O'Connell, 2 nd by Supr. Hoberg. Meeting adjourned at 11:55
a.m. I
Thomas Dorsey, Chair Sue E. Nelson, Clerk
St. Croix County Board of Supervisors St. Croix County
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