Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutCounty Board 01-14-1992ST. CROIX COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS January 14,1992 9:00 A.M. Courthouse Hudson Compiled by Chairman Richard B. Peterson CALL TO ORDER INVOCATION: Reverend Milton Aarsvold, Peace Lutheran Church, Baldwin PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG ROLL CALL: CONSIDERATION OF MINUTES OF PREVIOUS SESSION Adoption of Agenda 9ANNOUNCEMENTS: Proclamation Designating February "Heart Month" Date of Next Session: March 10, 1992 - 9:00 A.M. L.APPOINTMENTS: - St. Croix County Library Board of Trustees - Loretta Cassellius OLD AND UNFINISHED BUSINESS (Includes consideration and action on Second Reading Resolutions and Ordinances) L11: Ordinance Amending Chapter 17 of Land froTa Ag Residential to Residential, Star Prairie Covenant Church Lli. Ordinance Amending Chapter 17 of Land from Agricultural to Ag Residential, James Woodruff, Town of Troy Ordinance Amending Chapter 17 of Land from Agricultural to Ag Residential, Richard Karlson, Town of Troy Resolution Imposing Moratorium on Sale of Human Services and Nursing Home Properties (1982 and 1974 Buildings) 51' Resolution Amending County Board Rules Regarding Out of State Travel Resolution Expanding Assignment of Government Center/ izi- " ,g=Committee and Renaming it Government Center/ Jail Building Committee Resolution to Contract with a Radio Consultant for an Emergency Communication System -11:00 A.M. t-d. Resolution Terminating Insurance in the Local Government Property Insurance Fund A. Ordinance Repealing 6% Tax Delinquent Penalty 'A. Rules and Regulations NEW BUSINESS Administrative Coordinator's Report . Legislative Report 11:00 A.M. (Al Baldus & Sheila Harsdorf 9: 30 A.M.) . Request for Out of State Travel EMERGENCY RESOLUTIONS _J 1. Resolution to Remove Cremation from 1992 County Budget ,, MINklawma Gf FIRST READING OF RESOLUTIONS & ORDINANCES Resolution Authorizing :Amended Petition for Annexation to the City of New Richmond 2. Resolution Requesting Wisconsin Agreements for Discount Lodging Committee & Board Reports Farmland Preservation Applications Mileage & Per Diem Report Correspondence Announcements Adjournment Counties Association to Obtain Rates for Counties (THE ABOVE AGENDA IS NOT NECESSARILY IN ORDER OF PRESENTATION) ST. CROIX COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS Regular Session January 14, 1992 Chair Peterson called the Board of Supervisors to order at 9:00 a.m. The meeting has been properly published and guests and the press were welcomed. Pastor Milton Aarsvold, Peace Lutheran Church, Baldwin gave the invocation. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. Roll call: 27 present, 3 absent - John Bradley, Scott Zahnow, Herb Barker (all excused) 1 vacancy Motion by Supr. O'Connell, 2nd by Supr. Grant to approve minutes of the December meeting as corrected. Correction by George Hop that Highway Committee was not requesting additional funds for snow removal but only reporting funds used for this removal. Carried. Chair recognized former County Clerk Jill Berke. Date of next session is March 10. February Designated as Heart Month: County Clerk read Proclamation proclaiming February as Heart Month as declared and signed by Chair Peterson. Supr. Malick, volunteer for the American Heart Association, commented twice as many persons die in St. Croix County from heart problems than cancer. Progress is being made in making people aware of risks relating to heart disease. Library Board Appointment: Chair Peterson nominated Loretta Cassellius from Glenwood City to the St. Croix County Library Board of Trustees. Motion by Supr. Draxler, 2nd by Vice Chair Bailey to approve appointment of Loretta Cassellius. Carried. Bailey noted it is good to have representation from the Glenwood City area. Adoption of Agenda: Motion by Supr. Jensch, 2nd by Supr. O'Connell to suspend first reading on Resolution regarding Annexation of City of New Richmond. Jensch indicated the Board had previously approved this resolution but a parcel of property had been omitted and since the Board does not meet in February would prefer action on this now. Carried. Motion by Supr. Jacobson, 2nd by Supr. Nelson to remove the Emergency Resolution on Cremation Fees from the agenda. Jacobson stated County Board rules do not permit reconsideration after one month and the budget should not be changed after being executed. Supr. Stephens allowed the Finance Committee had made a mistake in not removing this revenue from the budget but the resolution on establishing cremation viewing fees defeated by the Board in June of 1991 should stand. Corporation Counsel Timmerman advised that if the Board felt they 01 made a mistake in approving this revenue the Statutes allow for correcting an error in the budget by a 2/3 vote. To give reconsideration to the issue would not be permissible in Timmerman's opinion. Roll call vote on removing Cremation Fee Resolution from the agenda: 9 yes, 18 no. Motion defeated. Motion by Supr. Stephens, 2nd by Supr. Rebhan to adopt agenda as amended. Carried. Legislative Report: Representative Al Baldus reported the Legislature will reconvene January 28 and deal with two main issues - realigning the Budget and Reapportionment. Baldus said reports on Tax Exempt property have been previously required in the Statutes but no follow-up was done until this year. Representative Sheila Harsdorf stated part of the budget process would deal with spending limits which would affect the $440 million increase placed in the 1992-93 State budget. The cost overun in Medical Assistance accounts for part of the budget shortfall. Harsdorf said we must do something about welfare reform in order not to lose federal aid. Expansion of gambling (riverboat and video poker) of which Harsdorf is not in favor, will also be a legislative issue. Krizek thanked the Legislators for speaking and asked them why the 1991 Community Aids reimbursement for St. Croix County were the lowest in the State. This formula costs county taxpayers one million dollars more in property taxes for Human Service programs. Krizek also disagreed with Secretary of Revenue Mark Bugher's statement that local government spending was the cause of increased property taxes. Krizek stated St. Croix County has held the same tax levy for four years and can validate that 42% of property taxes are due to State mandates. County Clerk Nelson advised the Tax Exempt property tax reporting was poorly organized causing duplicated paper work and inaccurate in regard to value of tax exempt property. Supr. Stephens said this is clearly an unfunded state mandate. Highwway Commissioner Dan Fedderly explained he had sent a letter to DOT in regard to restoring a weigh scale in St. Croix County. Harsdorf is concerned about privatizing the Information Center and losing direct access from I-94 plus losing the rest area. Ordinance #294 92 : Rezoning from Ag Residential to Residential for Star Prairie Covenant Church. Motion to adopt by Supr. Dorsey, 2nd by Supr. Oemichen. Carried. Ordinance #295 92 : Rezoning from Agriculture to Ag Residential for James Woodruff, Town of Troy. Motion to adopt by Supr. Dorsey, 2nd by Supr. Oemichen. Carried. Ordinance: Rezoning from Agriculture to Ag Residential for Richard and Carol Karlson. Motion by Supr. Dorsey, 2nd by Supr. Dull to place on the floor. Committee recommends denial. Dorsey stated this request violates the Ag. Zoning Ordinance because N dividing into 40 acre parcels allows only two residences per farm and not a sub division of homes. Granting this rezoning would risk decertification of Town of Troy from Exclusive Ag. Land Zoning. Motion to approve the rezoning was defeated. Timmerman explained the new procedure for Rezoning Ordinances. Rather than have approval and denial ordinances, the Board will vote on the Ordinance; yes if they are for rezoning, no if they are not. Resolution #1 92 : Authorizing Amended Petition for Annexation to City of New Richmond. Motion to approve by O'Connell, 2nd by Vice Chair Bailey. Carried. Administrative Coordinator: John Krizek has been appointed to the WCA Shared Revenues Commission and was congratulated by Chair Peterson. Krizek cited a state mandate that requires government agencies to use only recycled paper. However, present office equipment was not designed to use recycled paper and this results in more maintenance and repair. AmeriCorp has appraised the Nursing Home at a fair market value of $3,750,000. Cost of the appraisal was $8,000. In the Highest and Best Use Analysis, potential use of the nursing home and 1974 building would be as a combined nursing home and congregate care facility. It would not be good for retail use or office space. Taking into consideration the call date of the bonds, unemployment benefits, on -going workers' compensation cases, health insurance and severance payments, there would be a potential of $1 million profit in the sale of the home. Human Services Director John Borup said care of our chronically mentally ill and developmentally disabled would cost an extra $30 to $70 per day or $10 to $12 thousand more per year if transferred to another facility. Stahl Construction has begun "moving dirt" on the new Government Center site with a projected 17 month time frame with possible occupancy in June or July of 1993. Supervisor O'Connell was excused at 11:00 a.m. Resolution #2 92 : Contract with a Radio Consultant for an Emergency Communication System.. Motion to adopt by Supr. Luckey, 2nd by Supr. Grant. User Board Chair Luckey referred to material sent to Supervisors on present equipment evaluation and proposals for the new Communication Center. The User Board makes recommendations to the County Board for approval and Luckey feels the county needs to get started on plans for the Comm. Center. Ward Montgomery, Radio Consultant for the county since 1989, indicated the present equipment is outdated and could not be moved to the new facility. The mobile data terminals for individual officer vehicles can be implemented at a later date. Cost of Montgomery's professional services is not to exceed $77,000. Supr. Brown objected to spending this amount of money 3 without checking other options and using a bid process. Luckey replied the bid process had been used previously and Montgomery was selected due to impressive credentials, excellent references and repeated use by his clientele. The User Board is pleased with his performance and being frugal with county money. Montgomery advised four major vendors make up 94 % of the market for purchase of equipment. Supr. Stephens asked if a consultant was necessary and if vendors could do the plans to which Supr. Luckey replied consultants have more experience and objectivity and custom tailor need to design and then determine specs. Suprs. Jensch and Draxler supported hiring a consultant with Draxler commenting we could lose past three years work and spending up to $77,000 to protect $1 1/4 million investment is a good insurance policy. Roll call vote: 17 yes, 9 no. Motion carried. Chair called noon recess. Afternoon roll call: 25 present, 5 absent - Nelson, Zahnow, Barker, O'Connell, Bradley (all excused) and one vacancy. Resolution Imposing Moratorium On Sale of Human Services and Nursing Home Properties: Motion to adopt by Supr. Sinclear, 2nd by Supr. Rebhan. Sinclear asserted it is time to take down the For Sale sign as he believes it is not in the best interest of the county to sell the home. Net profit would be less than $1 million and replacement value is over $5 million. Occupancy is down to 117 due to uncertainty of sale of the home. There is a yearly loss of $25,000 for each empty bed. Sinclear showed a video film of a recent 20-20 program depicting the horrible care given in many nursing homes in Texas. These homes are operated by private companies who cut back on care and staff in order to make a profit from the Medicaid reimbursement. Supr. Brown expressed he does not feel this situation exists in private homes in the county or state. Brown said take the county out of the nursing home business and give the Ad Hoc committee more time since the appraisal was just received recently. Supr. Sinclear replied the cost to the county has already been $8,000 for the appraisal and $40,000 to $50,000 loss in lower patient count. Motion by Supr. Stephens, 2nd by Supr. Brown to postpone action on the moratorium until July, 1992. Stephens said the Ad Hoc Committee needs more time to finish study of appraisal and report. Roll call vote: 14 yes, 11 no. Motion carried. Resolution #3 92 : Amending County Board Rules Regarding Out - of -State Travel. Motion by Supr. Jacobson, 2nd by Supr. Rebholz to adopt. Jacobson stated it is not necessary to approve if travel is allocated in the department's budget. Motion carried. Resolution #4 92 : Expanding Assignment of Government Center/Jail Planning Committee and Renaming It Government Center/Jail Building Committee. Motion to adopt by Supr. Malick, 2nd by Supr. Stephens. Motion by Supr. Malick, 2nd by Supr. 4 Jacobson to call it the Building Committee. Several Supervisors disagreed with that title. Friendly amendment offered by Supr. Malick to call it the Government Center Committee. Carried. Questions to Corporation Counsel: Supr. Dorsey asked if the Board could approve an expenditure of $77,000 for a radio consultant without bids being sought. Corporation Counsel Timmerman replied public works requires bids but professional consultants do not. Supr. Stephens asked from where the funding for $77,000 would come. Supr. Luckey responded financing would be done in July or August. The.$10,000 remaining in the consultant's budget would do for now. Krizek indicated use of some of the furniture fund or contingency fund delegated to the new Government Center. Chair Peterson urged the Committee to consider use of present towers located in the county rather than build new ones. Resolution ,L4 92 : Terminating Insurance in Local Government Property Insurance Fund. Motion to adopt by Supr. Stephens, 2nd by Supr. Rebhan. Wausau Insurance Company provides inspection and consultation services in addition to insurance so it would be of benefit to the County to contract with Wausau. Carried. Ordinance Repealing 6% Tax Delinquent Penalty: Motion to place on the floor by Supr. Kinney, 2nd by Supr. Brown. Kinney cited the penalty was implemented when interest rates were at an all time high and in leiu of this people chose not to pay their taxes. Interest rates have lowered considerably and the penalty should be removed. Supr. Malick suggested a floating rate, adjusted periodically. Motion by Supr. Stephens, 2nd by Supr. Cox to postpone action on this ordinance until August, 1992. Stephens explained revenue from the penalty is included in the 1992 budget and should not be removed. Consideration can be given to droppping the penalty prior to 1993 budget preparation. Carried. Resolution to Remove Cremtion Viewing Fee from 1992 Budget: Motion to adopt by Supr. Stephens, 2nd by Supr. Rebhan. Stephens maintained this is a vote to preserve the sanctity of the board who had in June defeated a resolution establishing a cremation viewing fee. Supr. Luckey stated it is no crime for a Committee to submit revenue in a budget proposal. This proposal was outlined in the Public Protection minutes of August of 1991 and Krizek read the revenue line item on budget day. Luckey listed the counties who charge this fee and she does not feel the taxpayer should subsidize the choice of cremation. It is not good to set a precedent of opening the budget. Chair Peterson asked if the Committee had considered the defeat of the previous resolution. Supr. Jacobson commented the committee had no intention of sneaking this revenue item through the budget. Supr. Oemichen stated Public Protection's subjective intent was to send up a trial balloon and remove this fee from the property tax levy. Corporation Counsel Timmerman explained k, the action of the June Resolution was changed in the 1992 budget. If the Board feels they made a mistake, it can be corrected. If the Supervisors believe they were aware of the revenue from the Cremation Fee, then the revenue can remain in the budget. Supr. Malick added if the $4,000 is removed, who will make up the loss. Roll call vote: 5 yes, 17 no. Motion to remove defeated. (Note: Sinclear, Grant and Hop were absent for this vote.) Rules and Regulations: General Services Chair Art Jacobson gave background information and stated the Committee is interested in the rules the Supervisors want. Jacobson requested both oral and written comments. Comments and questions were made regarding the draft copy of the revised rules and regulations and the new committee structure under consideration. The General Services will meet on January 22 to consider all ideas given. A resolution will be presented at the March Board session in order to have revised rules and regulations and a new committee structure in place prior to the April Board session. Announcements: Chair Peterson expressed he will be in Washington, D.C. March 7-10 and will not be present at the March Board meeting. Corporation Counsel mentioned the User Board should not have County Employees as voting members. Farmland Preservation: Motion by Supr. Dull, 2nd by Supr. Willink to refer the contract for Kevin and Denise Schreiber to the Land Conservation Committee. Carried. Mileage and Per Diem: Total for the month of December, 1991 was $5,364.80. Motion to approve by Supr. Stephens, 2nd by Supr. Rebhan. Carried. Correspondence: Clerk read thank you card from Gerald Wallace who resigned from the Board on January loth. Mr. Wallace thanked the Board, Staff and Employees for all the good wishes and the plant sent by the Supervisors. Motion to adjourn by Supr. Stephens, Meeting adjourned at 4:20 p.m. Richard B. Peterson, Chair St. Croix County Board of Supervisors Sue E. Nelson St. Croix County Clerk 2 2nd by Vice Chair Bailey.