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NOTICE OF MEETING AND AGENDA
ST. CROIX COUNTY ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE
July 5, 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 31, 2006
DATE OF NEXT MEETING — August 2, 2006
OLD AND NEW BUSINESS
1. County Board Size and Restructuring Discussion
2. County Energy Policy Development
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.
6/23/2006 8:03 AM
OFFICIAL MINUTES
ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE
JULY 5, 2006
Meeting called to order by Chairman Caflisch at 9:00a.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Roll call. Present: Dick King, Ron Raymond, Tom Caflisch, Don
Jordan and Daryl Standafer. Absent: None.
OTHERS PRESENT: County Board Chairman Buck Malick, Administrative Coordinator
Chuck Whiting, County Clerk Cindy Campbell, Corporation Counsel
Greg Timmerman, Ellen Denzer, Julie Speer, Bill Cranmer and Amy
Geurkink.
ADOPTION OF AGENDA: Motion by Raymond, 2 "d by King to adopt the agenda. Carried
unanimously.
DATE OF NEXT MEETING: August 2, 2006 at 9:00am.
ADOPTION OF MINUTES: Motion by Standafer, 2 " by Raymond to approve the May 31, 2006
minutes. Carried unanimously. Raymond commenced discussion
regarding meeting minutes distributed prior to being official.
Discussion regarding current distribution procedure. Whiting
commented the minute style ought to be consistent with all county
committees and commenced discussion regarding proper content. This
item will be inserted on an agenda as a topic for discussion at a future
meeting.
DISCUSSION REGARDING COUNTY BOARD SIZE REDUCTION: Ellen Denzer from the Planning
and Zoning Department presented the Supervisor District Distribution Analysis. She recapped what the
committee requested of her from the previous meeting. Denzer presented a 50150 (51/49) population
representation split. Discussion regarding Denzer's study confirms the numerical split is what was predicted.
Denzer presented various scenarios by shifting the line from east/west to north/south, the conclusion being the
representation ratio is consistent regardless of the number of districts.
Corporation Counsel Greg Timmerman arrived at 9:25am
Discussion regarding community and town splits, representation in urban vs rural areas, larger geographical
districts and ward constraints.
Jordan commenced discussion that Denzer's presentation amplifies the ratio analysis. Discussion regarding
the number of supervisors necessary to effectively represent and protect the interests of the entire population of
the county.
Raymond commenced discussion regarding the population projection for the year 2010. Discussion regarding
the I -94 corridor. Malick commented on the future population of the City of New Richmond and future
annexation to that city being a factor.
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Discussion regarding committee structure and the balance of members on committees and members that bring
certain qualities to the committee structure. Jordan prompted discussion regarding if services currently
provided with a thirty-one (3 1) member board, could be effectively provided with less supervisors.
Caflisch requested Denzer provide hard copies of her presentation to each committee member.
Caflisch indicated there ought to be three key questions: Should we recommend a reduction, what would the
number be and when, what year?
Jordan commenced discussion regarding the state law concerning a citizen petition to reduce the board size
and a possible counter - referendum by the County Board. Discussion regarding if action is taken now to
implement a change after the next census and if/how a citizen petition could affect that action. Discussion
regarding the interpretation of pending petition; Timmerman provided the following clarification: the County
Board cannot place a referendum question on a ballot regarding reduction of its size. The County Board can
consider a resolution to reduce its size but only before a citizen petition for size reduction is filed with the
County Clerk; the County Board cannot consider a resolution to reduce its size once a citizen petition is filed
with the County Clerk. Discussion regarding the County Board would need to take action while the citizen
petition is being circulated; discussion regarding how proactive to be for that remote possibility. Timmerman
reported that a current County Board cannot bind a future board.
Malick reported on a previous study of reducing the committee supervisors to nineteen (19) without radically
changing the structure (the study was done when the Personnel Committee was in existence). Discussion
regarding the statutory number of members on various committees.
King expressed concern the reduction in county board size may mean less representation and doing this to save
money is not the answer and asked why change something that is functioning just fine.
Raymond commenced discussion as well as asked for clarification concerning what the report will contain for
the August County Board session.
Standafer commenced discussion regarding the timing of reducing and the reason to reduce ought not to be
costs savings but because of efficiency. Discussion regarding reviewing committee structure and supervisory
roles.
Malick commenced discussion regarding using the scenario of reducing by ten (10) for purposes of discussion
and feasibility. Discussion regarding if there are fewer supervisors should they receive more compensation.
Discussion regarding how much more study is necessary. Discussion regarding finalizing the report for the
August County Board meeting.
Motion by Raymond, 2 nd by Jordan, to report to the County Board at the August 15th meeting, the feasibility
study of reducing by ten (10), to a twenty -one (2 1) member board and how it affects the various committees.
Motion carried 4 -1 (King opposed).
Campbell and Timmerman left the meeting at 10:41 am
COUNTY ENERGY POLICY DEVELOPMENT: Caflisch commenced discussion regarding the county
energy policy and potential cost savings, etc. Discussion regarding which committees /departments have the
most potential for energy cost savings.
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Jordan commenced discussion regarding the results of the spring goal setting session and the short term vs
long term remedies for energy savings. Discussion regarding concentrating on the immediate remedies
(transportation, gasoline, thermostat settings, etc). Discussion regarding having the individual committees and
departments report where cost savings could potentially be had.
Motion by Raymond, 2 °a by Jordan to request that committees and departments study energy reduction
possibilities and report to the Administration Committee. Carried unanimously.
Meeting adjourned at 10:56am.
Richard King, Secretary
Amy Geurkink, Recording Secretary
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