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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCounty Board 12-21-1993AGENDA ST. CROIX COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISOR December 21, 1993 9:00 A.M. Government Center Compiled by Chairman Richard B. Peterson CALL TO ORDER INVOCATION: Pastor Curtis Thomassen, Cornerstone Assembly of God, New Richmond PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG ROLL CALL CONSIDERATION OF MINUTES OF PREVIOUS SESSION Adoption of Agenda ANNOUNCEMENTS: Date of Next Session: January 18, 1994 APPOINTMENTS: Soil and Water Speaking Contest Winner - Kristin Loney 9:15 A.M. REPORT OF ADMINISTRATIVE COORDINATOR LEGISLATIVE REPORT - Representative Al Baldus 11:00 A.M. GOVERNMENT CENTER UPDATE 1. Approval of Any Expenditures Over $50,000 OLD AND UNFINISHED BUSINESS (Consideration and action on matters tabled, postponed or referred to a committee at a previous meeting) NEW BUSINESS (Action on newly introduced motions, ordinances, resolutions, or other matters) 1. Resolution Adopting Government Center Search Policy 2. Resolution Authorizing Jurisdictional Transfer of County Trunk Highway "T" in Town of Cady to State of Wisconsin 3. Resolution Approving Sale of $9,915,00 Obligation Government Center Refunding Bonds, Series 1994A 4. Discussion on Reclassification and Step Increases Within the Hay System *5. Kay Zwald, Fair Board, Permission for Fair Building Fund Raiser 9:30 A.M. *6. Discussion and Possible Reconsideration of County's Position on Court Costs Relief Grant and WCA Litigation *7. Resolution Establishing a Code of Ethics for County Board Supervisors *8. Resolution Requesting Earlier CCAP Computer Upgrade in St. Croix County *9. Resolution Opposing Extension in Submission Deadline for Recycling Grant Application *10. Resolution Requesting Certification of Out -of -State Units by the Department of Natural Resources *11. Ordinance Amending Chapter 17, St. Croix County Land Use Regulations *12. Possible Action on Recommendation(s) from the Personnel Committee Which May Include Any or All of the Following: AFSCME Master Contract; Highway Union Settlement, 1994-1996; Health Center Union Settlement, 1994-1996; General Government Support Services Union Settlement, 1994-1996; Human Services Union Settlement, 1994-1996; Non -Represented Settlement, 1994-1996. Department Reports Dept. on Aging, Personnel, . Committee and Board Reports Farmland Preservation Applications Mileage & Per Diem Report Correspondence Announcements Adjournment (THE ABOVE AGENDA IS NOT NECESSARILY IN ORDER OF PRESENTATION) * Changes or Additions after the Preliminary Agenda ** Late Changes and Additions ST. CROIX COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS Regular Session December 21, 1993 Chair Peterson called the session to order at 9:00 a.m. He welcomed the press and guests and noted the meeting was properly published. Invocation was given by Pastor Curtis Thomassen, Cornerstone Assembly of God, New Richmond. Pledge of Allegiance was recited. Roll call: 31 present, none absent. Motion by Supr. O'Connell, 2nd by Supr. Malick to approve the November 16 minutes. Carried. Motion by Supr. Hop, 2nd by Supr. Bailey to adopt the agenda. Carried. Next meeting is scheduled for January 18, 1994. No session will be held in February unless an emergency arises. Announcements: Clerk Sue Nelson asked Supervisors to have all their 1993 expenses submitted by January 4, 1994. Soil and Water Speaking Contest: County Conservationist Chuck Christenson presented details of the speaking contest and introduced Kristin Loney who was a winner in the elementary division and represented St. Croix County at the District contest. Kristin gave her speech entitled "Cycle, Recycle and Cycle Again." Applause by Supervisors. Administrative Coordinator: John Krizek announced all four AFSCME Unions had ratified the proposed settlement offer. If the County Board approves the agreement, wages will be in place by January 1 and this will save hours of bookkeeping time. Krizek reported the 1900 Courthouse sale has been completed. New owner David Tank has added holiday decorations and lights to this historical building. There is a strong potential for the sale of the 1965 building and consideration is being given to leasing the building in Hammond. Refinancing the Government Center bonds will result in a savings of $815,731.30 starting in ;the year 2000. The tax rate to county property owners will not increase to pay for contruction of the new Government Center. WIMMIC, the county's liability insurance carrier, is financially sound. Possibly in six years, member counties and cities will not have to pay premiums as the surplus will cover the premiums. Bill Husbands, county risk manager, has indicated St. Croix County has the best Worker's Compensation record in 10 years. Last year's total was $105,000 with $86,000 for the Health Care Center. This year is at $72,000 with $62,000 for the Health Center. Employees 1 are to be commended for their cooperating efforts. The Worker's Comp fund has reserve of $500,000 now compared to a zero balance in 1989. Krizek shared a synopsis of the PTO (Personal Time Off) program. A random sampling of 53 employees showed eight less hours used per employee as in the same time frame last year. Sixty five percent used the same amount of time off or less. In the reclassification for the Planning Director/Land Records Officer, the Personnel Committee decided to implement the 5-% increase over a two year period. The Chief Jailer position is being reviewed for an upgrade. Krizek outlined the National Health Care program. If Wisconsin develops their own program, the State will be exempt from the National program. If an employee's present coverage exceeds the price of the core plan, the overage is split 80-20 by employer and employee for taxation purposes. The employee pays 7.9% tax and the employer 7% on their share. Jail prisoners are exempt from the National Health Care program. Best Foods will make lunch available for employees starting January 3 in the employee lunchroom. Moody's Investor Service indicated the county bond rating would have been increased to AA, however the last upgrade to A-1 took place too recently. Moody's was impressed with the operation of St. Croix Courty's governmental services. The Nursing Home has received a $281,000 reimbursement for property tax money used in past years for operations. This will go into the Nursing Home operating fund and this places their fund in the black. Fair Fund Raiser: Kay Zwald, Secretary of the Fair Board, told Supervisors more space is needed for 4-H and youth exhibts at the Fair. The Commerical Building is full and if more room, were available, more spaces could be sold. The Fair Board would like to build a new 225' x 60' foot open sided dairy barn and use the present barns for other exhibit space. Cost of the proposed building is $65,000 plus $4500 for electrical installation, $5500 for gravel and grading and another $25,000 for remodeling present buildings. Ms. Zwald requested permission to conduct a fund raiser for this project. She had consulted with Planning Director Dave Fodroczi and presented a diagram of the Fairgrounds and proposed new dairy barn. Supr. Stephens stated the Planning and Development and Fair Board Committees should develop a 10 year plan and action should be delayed on the fund raising. Chair Peterson referred this matter to the Planning and Development Committee. Krizek said 2 consideration should be given to county liability and use of the building for only four days a year. Supr. Draxler supports this new building and the 4-H program including the County Fair. Supr. Dorsey, also a supporter, said the Planning and Development Committee will work with the Fair Board and move quickly on this matter. Government Center Update: Building Committee Chair Malick had no report at this time. �vvv�-..vyVll 1'luV 1.111 a uvvernmenL center Search Polic : Motion to adopt by Supr. Luckey, 2nd by Supr. Bailey. Public Protection Chair Luckey explained this policy allows for selective or continuous searching of the public by a walk through or hand held metal detector. The resolution contains language to be used on signs posted on entrance doors. Discussion on security at front desk of the Sheriff's department. Chief Jailer Karen Humphrey said no keys are kept outside the jail so an intruder could not demand and receive keys from the Sheriff's department. Supr. Stephens asked who would administer the search policy as to when and who to search. He thought it should not be a single person, but a committee of three or four persons. Corporation Counsel Greg Timmerman said a Judge can order a search anytime. The Resolution should designate who sets the search policy. Motion by Supr. Stephens, 2nd by Supr. Cox to postpone action until the resolution defines who can invoke searchs. Carried. Supr. Luckey commented this resolution 'was sent out for review prior to the Board session and comments should have been made at that time. Krizek suggested a staff team be organized using Quality Improvement techniques to determine solutions to administer the search policy. Motion by Supr. Draxler, 2nd by Supr. Bradley to approve this QI team. Carried. Introduction of Guests: Supr. O'Connell introduced Medical Examiner Marty Shanklin and his assistant Nick Nyseth. Legislative Report: Rep. Al Baldus reported work is being done in Committee regarding regulations on distribution of recycling grant money. Baldus believes even if the Bureau of Indian Affairs approves the casino at the Dog Track it will be difficult for the Governor to give his approval because he opposes any expansion of gambling. Baldus serves on the Insurance Committee and noted health care reform is a complex and diffcult issue. A state health care program is questionable at this time. He indicated the State 3 economy is in good shape and the Legislature will reconvene in late January. Resolution #49 (93): Authorizing jurisdictional Transfer of County Trk Hwy T in Town of Cady to the State of Wisconsin. Motion by Supr. Hop, 2nd by Supr. King to adopt. Highway Commissioner Dan Fedderly explained this is a mile of road that is presently maintained by the State but the County is charged for services. This resolution would transfer jurisdiction of this road to the State of Wisconsin. Motion carried. Oral Reports: Reports were given by Highway Commissioner Dan Fedderly;, Sandy Gehrman and Barb Blaisdell from Department on Aging; David Fodroczi, Planning Director and Debra Kathan, Personnel Director. Following lunch afternoon roll call was taken: 30 present, 1 absent - Larry Bauer (excused) Al Nyhagen was excused at 2:30 and George Sinclear was excused at 2:50 p.m. Personnel Report: Personnel Director Kathan distributed a union wage scale and a Hay System wage scale and explained how the reclassification system works. Supr. Stephens stated it is not right for a department head to receive a $6000 raise and it not be approved by the County Board. Supervisors should ratify these raises as they do elected officials, union agreements and County Board wages. All employee wage increases should be ratified by the Board. Chair Peterson asked the Personnel Committee to review this policy. Kathan explained before the Hay System was fully implemented, 247 employees left St. Croix County in 1989. In part, the Hay System was adopted to help obtain and retain competent and qualified staff. Kathan concluded by noting we are in a unique position this year with pending approval by the Board of four Union contracts ratified and the settlement approved by the Personnel Committee before the end of the year. Resolution #50 (93): Ratifying Union Contracts and Approving Implementation of Wage Increases for Union and Non -Union Employees. Motion by Supr. Bradley, 2nd by Supr. Bailey to approve ratifying of four AFSCME unions contracts and wage increases for non union employees. Bradley noted a joint labor agreement or Master Contract for the four AFSCME unions had been developed through the efforts of the Personnel Committee and Director, Administrative Coordinator Krizek, Steve Weld, County's Labor Attorney and Guido Cecchini, the AFSCME Union representative. Kathan presented a synopsis of the settlements. Basically the settlements average 3% for union and non union employees. A Personal Time Office policy 4 will be implemented for union employees also. Roll call vote: 28 yes, 2 no. Motion carried. Bradley complimented Personnel Director Deb Kathan and Assistant Personnel Director Eileen Graham on their efforts in maintaining the Personnel Office. Resolution #51 (93): Providing the Form of the $9,850,000 General Obligation Government Center Refunding Bonds. Motion by Supr. Stephens, 2nd by Supr. O'Connell to adopt. Motion carried. Reconsideration of Participation in WCA Litigation: Motion by Supr. Stephens, 2nd by Supr. O'Connell to reconsider a previous motion to join in litigation with WCA against State Courts Director Dennis Moran. Motion to reconsider carried. Motion by Supr. Stephens, 2nd by Supr. O'Connell to remove St. Croix County from the litigation and sign the Memorandum of Understanding. Krizek explained Moran agreed to send our payment of $101,000 if we upgrade the part time position to full time and we would no longer be involved in the litigation. Supr. O'Connell said Darla Hium from WCA gave St. Croix County credit for initating this action and this could open the door for other counties involved in the litigation. Motion carried. Discussion on Code of Ethics: Administration Committee Chair Jacobson placed this on the floor for discussion purposes only. Supervisors were concerned about filing a Declaration of Economic Interests, creating an Ethics Board and other stringent requirements. Jacobson asked if the Administration Committee should pursue adopting an Ethics Code. Stephens suggested discussing this next May when the new Board is in place. --- ommi Resolution #52 (93): Requesting Earlier Installation of CCAP Computer Program Addition. Motion by Supr. Stephens, 2nd by Supr. O'Connell to adopt. Stephens explained the State did not plan to install the upgrade until December of 1994 which would not allow automation of Clerk of Court financial functions earlier in the year. Carried. Resolution #53 (93): Opposing Extension in Submission Deadline for Recycling Grant Application. Motion by Supr. Becker, 2nd by Supr. Malick to adopt. Dave Fodroczi said acceptance of recycling grant applications after the September 1st deadline has delayed the notification of grant awards to other responsible units. This delay affects the budgeting process. Motion to adopt carried. Resolution #54 (93): Requesting Certification of Out -of -State Units by the DNR. Motion by Supr. Becker, 2nd by Supr. Radosevich to adopt. Fodroczi explained this resolution requests state level certification of out-of-state units where the respective state has comparable recycling requirements. This is a requirement for the county in order to contract with out-of-state units for solid 5 waste. Carried. Ordinance #336 (93): Amending Chapter 17, St. Croix County Land Use Regulations. The amendment creates a new subsection allowing more than two residences on a farm if certain standards are met. Discussion regarding if residence is established and later the criteria cannot be met. Motion carried. Committee Reports: Personnel: Chair Bradley reported an impasse has been reached with the Law Enforcement Unions and the next step will be mediation. Finance: Chair Stephens referred to a news article regarding an Administration Committee meeting at which statements were made inferring the Finance Committee interferes with other committee's jurisdictions. Stephens stated he does not apologize for himself or the Finance Committee as it is their duty to keep vigilant over budget expenditures. He offered to attend any committee meeting to which he is invited and requested the County Clerk to send Finance Committee agendas to all Supervisors. Farmland Preservaton: None received. Mileage and Per Diem: Total for November, 1993 was $6,222.75. Motion to approve by Supr. Stephens, 2nd by Supr. Bradley. Carried. Correspondence: Clerk Nelson noted U.S. Senator Russ Feingold was also instrumental in solving the mail problem. Letters were received from: Governor Tommy Thompson in regard to the possible transfer of dog track property into a casino, Senator Alice Clausing regarding support for Senate Bills 461 and 462 which deal with cleanup of tax delinquent contaminated land, and copies of letters to Senators Feingold and Kohl from the Racine County Board of Supervisors asking why they had not co -sponsored a federal mandate relief bill. Announcements: Chair announced today was Corporation Counsel Greg Timmerman's birthday. Applause by Board. Clerk Nelson noted the three large pictures of the Government Center were provided by Owen Ayres Associates and a thank you had been sent. Motion by Supr. O'Connell, 2nd by Supr. Giese to adjourn. Meeting adjourned at 3:15 p.m. Richard B. Peterson, Chair St. Croix County Board of Supervisors Sue E. Nelson St. Croix County Clerk 3