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NOTICE OF MEETING AND AGENDA
ST. CROIX COUNTY ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE
May 31, 2006 9:00 a.m.
St. Croix County Government Center Room 1281
1101 Carmichael Road, Hudson
CALL TO ORDER — Convener: Supervisor Caflisch
ROLL CALL
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
ACTION ON PREVIOUS MEETING MINUTES: May 10, 2006
DATE OF NEXT MEETING — July 5, 2006
OLD AND NEW BUSINESS
1. Elections
a. Chair
b. Vice Chair
c. Secretary
2. County Board Size and Restructuring Discussion
3. Resolutions for WCA Consideration **
ADJOURN
(Items may be taken in different order)
** 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.
5/22/2006 3:02 PM
OFFICIAL MINUTES
ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE
MAY 31, 2006
Meeting called to order by Convener Supervisor Caflisch at 9:OOa.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Roll call. Present: Dick King, Ron Raymond, Tom Caflisch, Don
Jordan and Daryl Standafer. Absent: None.
OTHERS PRESENT: Buck Malick, Administrative Coordinator Chuck Whiting, Corporation
Counsel Greg Timmerman, Ellen Denzer, Bill Cranmer, Julie Speer
and Amy Geurkink.
ADOPTION OF AGENDA: Motion by Raymond, 2nd by Jordan to adopt the agenda. Carried
unanimously.
DATE OF NEXT MEETING: July 5, 2006 at 9:OOam.
ADOPTION OF MINUTES: Motion by King, 2 by Raymond to approve the May 10, 2006
minutes. Motion carried unanimously.
ELECTION OF OFFICERS:
1. Chair — Caflisch asked for nominations for Administration Committee Chair. Nomination by
Jordan, 2 by Raymond to nominate Caflisch for Administration Committee Chair. Nomination by
King to nominate Standafer; Standafer declined. No other nominations were made. Motion by
Standafer, 2 by Raymond to close the nominations and cast a unanimous ballot for Caflisch as
Chair. Carried unanimously.
2. Vice Chair — Nomination by Caflisch, 2 by Raymond to nominate Jordan for Administration
Committee Vice Chair. No other nominations were made. Motion by Standafer, 2n by Raymond to
close the nominations and cast a unanimous ballot for Jordan as Vice Chair. Carried unanimously.
3. Secretary — Nomination by Standafer to nominate Raymond as Administration Committee
Secretary; Raymond declined. Nomination by Jordan to nominate Standafer as Administration
Committee Secretary; Standafer declined. Nomination by Jordan, 2 by Raymond to nominate King
for Administration Committee Secretary. No other nominations were made. Motion by Caflisch, 2nd
by Jordan to close nominations and cast a unanimous ballot for King as Secretary. Carried
unanimously.
DISCUSSION REGARDING COUNTY BOARD SIZE REDUCTION: Caflisch commenced discussion
regarding the study of County Board size reduction and the subsequent report due at the County Board meeting
in August. Standafer requested clarification regarding the Committee's thought process concerning the
reduction/redistricting. Discussion regarding legislation, citizens could call for reduction, etc. Discussion
regarding the current census and the immense population growth since the census. Raymond commenced
discussion concerning the pros and cons regarding reduction and whether there are cost savings, etc. King
echoed those thoughts and also expressed his opinion that with the population growth, why consider reducing
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the board size. Jordan reported multiple debates are occurring across the state and explained it is the
Administration Committee's task to study reduction and bring a recommendation.
Ellen Denzer from the Planning and Zoning Department explained she was present to talk about the mechanics
of redistricting and the tools available to the Committee for the study.
Corporation Counsel Greg Timmerman arrived at 9:18am
Jordan commenced discussion concerning rural vs urban area population, etc. Whiting provided and referred
to handouts regarding redistricting and reported any speculation regarding population growth cannot be a
factor and the 2000 census is what needs to be referred to and examined. Malick explained a possible future
timeline: the census occurring in 2010, the work done in 2011, and the effective date being April 2012.
Denzer explained what transpired for the redistricting after the 1990 and 2000 censuses and how smoothly
things went with redistricting in 2001. Denzer presented a handout regarding redistricting guidelines, citing
the following: fewer subdivisions per municipality as possible, voting districts landmarks need to be
recognizable for voters, equal representation, equal voting power, etc. She also presented a 2001 District Plan
handout. Discussion regarding the percent deviation. Discussion regarding population totals regardless of age
and voting capabilities. Denzer provided the "Legislative Briefs" handout which she described as very
informative and highlighted certain necessary aspects such as having to hold a special County Board session
and having to follow the same wards as the 2000 census, etc. Denzer mapped out an explanation of districts,
aldermanic districts and wards and explained the limitations, etc. Denzer explained all districts have to be
touching.
Denzer touched briefly on the challenges facing the school districts; with fewer districts creating fewer issues
for school districts.
Discussion regarding geographical population shifts; a change does not necessarily j eopardize representation
and it is purely math computation. Discussion regarding the ratio and how a lesser number of County Board
supervisors may affect representation. Discussion regarding the eastern and western districts and the
population differences. Denzer outlined the capabilities of the computer software using various scenarios of
geographical layers and different number of supervisors, etc.
Raymond commented on the created districts based on a false assumption of growth.
Standafer expressed his thoughts concerning representing a population, not an area. Discussion regarding a
pattern created as we reduce by numbers. Discussion regarding the money saved and/or involved with
reducing and the threat of a referendum is not the reason for the study but rather because the County Board
asked for the study. Discussion regarding satisfying the public and the size reduction does not necessarily
mean cost savings and the citizens need to be made aware of all issues involved with reduction.
Denzer asked for clarification as to what information she should input for areas of study. The Committee
determined she should identify scenarios using north/south and east/west splits and show population
percentages of supervisory numbers of thirty-one (31), twenty -five (25), twenty -one (2 1) and fifteen (15).
Caflisch expressed to Denzer, the Committee's appreciation of her efforts for the study of redistricting and
potential downsizing.
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Malick referenced legislation regarding the board may not enact if there is already a citizen petition.
Discussion regarding the process of a counter referendum; Timmerman will study the aspects. Discussion
regarding considering reduction only if it makes the board more efficient.
Discussion regarding individual committee size affected by the reduction and what the proper number of
members should be for each committee. Timmerman reported some committees are mandatory, but very few
are required. Discussion regarding combining committee functions, etc. Timmerman will study the issue and
report back to the Committee.
Malick reported on an editorial in the New Richmond News newspaper regarding board size reduction.
RESOLUTIONS FOR WCA CONSIDERATION: Malick explained that any resolutions need to be sent to
the Wisconsin Counties Association by June 20 and clarified the purpose of sending not being merely
informational but for the purpose of adding to the policy book. Motion by Standafer, 2 " by King that
Resolution No. 1(2006) - Resolution Calling for Department of Revenue Reconciling of Lost Interest Earnings
of Unallocated Sales Tax Proceeds - 2003 -2005 be forwarded to the WCA. Carried unanimously.
Motion by Raymond, 2nd by Jordan to adjourn. Carried unanimously. Meeting adjourned at 10:38am.
Richard King, Secretary
Amy Geurkink, Recording Secretary
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