HomeMy WebLinkAboutCounty Board 06-29-1988AMENDED
AGENDA
ST. CROIX COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
SPECIAL SESSION
June 29, 1988 7:00 P.M.
Cashman Center, WITC New Richmond
Compiled by Chairman Norman E. Anderson
CALL TO ORDER
INVOCATION: Father Al Shepard, St. Thomas & St. John
Episcopal Church
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG
ROLL CALL:
CONSIDERATION OF MINUTES OF PREVIOUS SESSION
Adoption of Agenda
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Reading of Rule 20, Debate; Rule 22, Addressing the Board
Date of next Session: August 9, 1988
APPOINTMENTS:
OLD AND UNFINISHED BUSINESS
(Includes consideration and action on Second Reading Resolutions and
Ordinances)
1. Resolution Regarding Sale of Nursing Home
2. Human Services Board recommendation regarding Sale of
Nursing Home
3. Resolution Regarding County -Wide Enhanced 911
NEW BUSINESS
FIRST READING OF RESOLUTIONS & ORDINANCES
Committee & Board Reports
Farmland Preservation Applications
Mileage & Per Diem Report
Correspondence
Announcements
Adjournment
(THE ABOVE AGENDA IS NOT NECESSARILY IN ORDER OF PRESENTATION)
7 721AL
Special Session 7:00 p.m.
Wednesday June 29, 1988
Cashman Center-WITC New Richmond
County Board of Supervisors, meeting in special session, called
to order by Chairman Anderson.
Invocation by Father Al Shepard, St. Thomas, & St. John EpiSCOPGI
Church, New Richmond. Pledge of Allegiance to the American Flag
by all present.
Roll Call by County Clerk: 30 present, I absent.
Consideration of the minutes of the June 14 Regular Session.
Mot i on by Supr. Wi I I i nk, 2nd by Supr. O'Conne I I to approve the
minutes, with addition under WITC Report, ". - - praised the work
and cooperation of John Spanton, Farm Manager." Motion Carried.
Adoption of agenda as presented. Motion carried.
Chairman announced that the next regular session wi I I be August 9
at 9:00 a.rn at the Courthouse. County Clerk read Rule #20,
regarding debate. Chairman waived Rule #22 regarding addressing
the Board.
OLD & UNFINISHED BUSINESS
RESOLUTION #14(88): regarding authorization for Sale of
Nursing Home. County Clerk read into the record; introduced by
Human Services Board and Finance Committee. Motion by Supr.
Caf I i sch, 2nd by Supr. Bradley to adopt. Discussion.
Chairman Anderson indicated the procedure for the session,
recognizing the Human Services Board, Finance Committee, and
accompanying county staff. Human Services Board Chair O'Connell
introduced HSB member CGflisch. Supr. Caflisch indicated that a
study committee was formed to evaluate the option of sel I ing the
county nursing home. Individuals interested in submitting
questions or concerns regarding the proposed sale were instructed
to contact the County Clerk's office or the Human Services Board.
Material compiled by respective offices for distribution.
Supr. Caf I isch further provided the financial scenario of the
nursing home, noting a projected loss of $678,000 in 1988; and,
projected loss of $1,040,000 in 1989. The Human Services Board
took action during their May 24 meeting, believing that the
taxpayers of St. Croix County would not wish to continue
supporting the nursing home with such a large amount of tax I evy.
Chairman Anderson was provided list of individuals requesting to
speak by Deputy County Clerk Campbell. In addition, all persons
attending were asked to register for the official record. Chair
welcomed comments, as follows:
L. So I um, Woodv i I I e speaking in opposition of the proposed
resolution, noting that Ramsey County continues with county home;
A. Bertelsen, Hudson speaking in favor of the proposed
resolution, referring to the debt service and noting that this is
an unnecessary liability to the county taxpayers. He further
asked that consideration be given to disqualifying any County
Board member from voting on this issue if he or she currently has
a family member in the county home; K. Wur, t i nger , New Richmond
speaking in opposition, questioning the procedure for offering
the resolution; S. Dunn, Hudson speaking in opposition; H. Lowe,
New Richmond speaking in opposition, questioning the number of
employees in relation to the number of patients at the home, as
well as the newly mandated federal guidelines for health care.
M. Roepke, Star Prairie speaking in opposition; M. Schoster, New
Richmond speaking in opposition, noting that relative is
currently recei-ving outstanding cure at the home; J. Ziegweid,
congressional candidate, Arcadia in opposition, asking for delay
on action; B. Blaisdell, Hudson noting excellent care given to a
family member, and that the county cannot do al I things for all
people; L. Kel laher, New Richmond in opposition, noting the need
when the home was built as well GS the current need; R. Brown,
Hudson speaking in opposition.
R. Caruso, Hudson and former administrator of Burkhardt Care
Center, noted that all patients wi I I be taken care of whether in
private of pub I i c home. Supr. CGf I i sh referred to question
regarding number of county residents in the home, indicating that
148 are county residents, with 2 from other counties. Number of
employees in the nursing home is 130.8 fulltime equivalents.
G. Miller, Hudson speaking in favor of the resolution,
emphasizing the $670,000 loss in operating costs th i s year, and
that cost for care wi I I be taxpayers, regard I ess of pr i vate or
county owned. Mi I ler submitted copy of "Concerned Citizens for
Lower Taxes," register to County Clerk, noting that the I ist is
current through September 1987.
M. Burpee, Madison speaking in opposition as representative of
AFSCME union. She encouraged the Board members to also consider
patient and employee input when making decision, also noting
current state and federal plans which may assist county homes; C.
Zajac, Star Prair ie as representative of "We Care for Our Own,"
speaking in opposition.
Questions addressed regarding the state's current emphasis to
encourage patient care in the home, when applicable, rather than
nursing home care.
J. Powel I , M.D., New Richmond speaking in opposition, noting the
excellent quality and care that the county home offers to
patients. State Representative R. Shoemaker referred to problem
areas in former county -owned homes in Manitowoc and Waukesha
Counties, which were sold or leased. At this time, the recent ly
sold Chippewa County home appears to be running well. Further,
he indicated that a study corn-nittee has been designated through
the state to evaluate the current county home reimbursement
formula, and encouraged the board to delay action.
T. Irwin, Hudson speaking in opposition, noting property tax as
the pr imary issue in the county; N. Hi I lerand, River Fa I s and
health care administrator indicated that private and public homes
are evaluated the same, and that he projects no change in the
formula; N. Roetger, speaking in opposition; C. Christenson,
Menomonie, speaking in opposition, noted those situations where
only a public home Can accomodate.
P. Odors, St. Joseph speaking in favor of the resolution; F.
Anding, Troy Town, asking for the meaningful tax relief from the
legislators; Pastor Waznik, Burkhardt speaking in opposition;
S. Thompson, Deer Park speaking in opposition.
Chairman Anderson called for short recess.
Following recess, W. Bol Imeier speaking in opposition, noting
that after an extensive search for nursing home care for
relative, the St. Croix County nursing home has been most
accomodating; T. Koop, New Richmond speaking in favor. As former
labor negotiator for the county, he indicated that a survey of
nursing homes in the area, showed St. Croix County employees
earn i n g compensation of $2-4.00 per hour more than the pr ivate
sector; further asked for unions concessions to resolve deficit.
4
P. Harrmer, Baldwin speaking in favor, noting that there is
comparable care given in other private homes in the county; D.
Baillargeon, Somerset speaking in opposition; R. Mealy, New
Richmond asked Chair's consideration to appoint committee to
study further.
Human Services Board addressed questions from other board
members. Supr. Stephens asked if there would be a guarantee of
qua I i ty care if sold to the private sector. Supr. Caf I i sch
indicated that the private homes must also meet state and federal
guidelines. Brian Schoenick, Financial Director for the
Wisconsin Association and Services for the Aging responded. He
projected that a private home would have to make cuts in salary
and fringes in order to satisfy debt. Response to Supr.
Draxler's question, the county would have the right to reject any
and all bids if not satisfactory. Supr. Caf l i sch indicated that
information regarding the budgetary status of the nursing home
was made available to board members in October 1987 during budget
discussion.
Supr. Bradley called for the question. Motion by Supr. Sinclear
to table. Point of order called, and discussion regarding
proper parliamentary procedure. District Attorney explained that
the call for the question was in order and appropriate. Roll
Ca I I vote: 16 yes, 14 no. Motion car r i ed to adopt reso I ut i on
authorizing sale of county nursing home.
Recess called. Call to order by Chairman Anderson.
Resolution # 1 S(88): regard i ng County-Wi de Enhanced 9- 1 - 1.
�roaosed resoluti on read by County Clerk. Motion by Supr.
Luckey, 2nd by Supr. Menter to adopt. Discussion. Emergency
Communications Director T'Kach presented further information,
noting that following approval of this concept it will be
referred to the Public Utilities Commission. Motion carried.
Special Recognition extended to former User Board member Hop from
the User Board and Communication Center for outstanding service.
Supr. Hop graciously accepted awards. Applause by members.
Committee report from Library Board member O'Brien who noted that
the County Librarian has resigned effective July 8; Highway
Committee member Hop reported progress of the Highway Dept.
Chairman Anderson extended remarks of appreciation to Marilyn
McCarty, Regional W1TC Administrator for use of the Cashman
Center fac i I i ty. Motion by Supr. O'Brien, 2nd by Supr. Speer to
adjourn. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 1 0: SS p.m., and
constitutes a half-day's per diem.
Norman E. Anderson, Chairman
Res�p'eectfplly submitted,
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Jill Ann Berke
St. Croix County Clerk
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