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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCounty Board 03-29-1994SPECIAL SESSION AGENDA ST. CROIX COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS March 29, 1994 7:00 P.M. Government Center Compiled by Chairman Richard B. Peterson CALL TO ORDER INVOCATION: PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG ROLL CALL CONSIDERATION OF MINUTES OF PREVIOUS Adoption of Agenda ANNOUNCEMENTS: Date of Next Session: April 19, 1994 APPOINTMENTS: REPORT OF ADMINISTRATIVE COORDINATOR LEGISLATIVE REPORT GOVERNMENT CENTER UPDATE OLD AND UNFINISHED BUSINESS (Consideration and action on matters referred to a committee at a previous 1. Resolution Approving Agreement Related to Proposed Casino SESSION tabled, postponed or meeting) for Payment for Services NEW BUSINESS (Action on newly introduced motions, ordinances, resolutions, or other matters) *1. Motion to approve naming the Community Room the Norman "Ole" Anderson Room Department Head Reports 11:15 A.M. 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 Special Session March 29, 1994 Chair Peterson called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. The meeting has been properly published. Guests and the press were welcomed. Invocation was given by Supervisor Robert Boche. Pledge of Allegiance was recited. Roll call: 29 present, 1 absent - Al Nyhagen (excused) and 1 vacancy . Motion by Supr. Malick, 2nd by Supr. Giese to approve the March 15 minutes. Carried. Motion by Supr. Bauer, 2nd by Supr. O'Connell to adopt the agenda. Carried. Administrative Coordinator: John Krizek reported the State Legislature concluded their session on Friday, March 25 during which they removed the State Court Grant distribution from the Supreme Court and it will now be administered by the Dept. of Administration. A bill to increase money for counties passed which will increase the per capita payment. The Wisconsin Counties Association has proposed all counties borrow together to pay off prior service owed to the Wisconsin Trust Fund at a lower rate of interest. However, prior service is not a liability on the books, therefore it may not be legal to bond for this purpose. The State may reduce the 7.901 interest rate. Government Center Update: Building Committee Chair Malick indicated the minutes were on the Supervisors' desks and included the latest updates. Resolution # 6 (94): Approving Agreement for Government Services. Motion by Supr. Stephens, 2nd by Supr. Breault to place this on the floor for discussion purposes only and requested Krizek explain the resolution. Carried. Supr. Malick announced he would not participate in the debate, discussion or voting on this resolution because he is the attorney for the School District of Hudson. Corporation Counsel Timmerman suggested Supr. Malick resign at this time due to representing the school board in Tribal negotiations and thus avoid the appearance of conflict of interest. Supr. Malick tendered his resignation and expressed his appreciation for working with the County Supervisors during his tenure on the Board. Chair Peterson accepted Malick's resignation. Krizek outlined the background on the negotiations concerning the Dog Track and the proposed agreement to place this property into 1 trust land for the Indian tribes. The County Board passed a resolution requiring that 1) all delinquent taxes be paid, 2) a sum of money be paid to equal the property taxes, 3) a sum of money be paid to cover the previously paid head tax, 4) all State and Federal laws be followed and 5) liability insurance be provided. This resolution was sent to the Bureau of Indian Affairs in Washington, D.C. and Wisconsin Governor Tommy Thompson along with the stipulation they not approve the trust land for the Indian Tribes if these conditions are not met. The Hudson City Council passed a nearly identical resolution. The Joint Ad Hoc Committee negotiated with the Indian Tribes and Dog Track officials to reach agreement on the items in the resolutions. The Town of Troy was guaranteed their annual $30,000 payment. Later the School District joined the negotiations to request funds for their entity. The agreement at this time calls for a $1,150,000 annual payment collected by the county and dispensed to the City of Hudson and Hudson School District based on a formula. The Tribes also agreed to give up sovereign immunity which means they could be taken to court if the contract is not followed and they also agreed to pay more for new development or further assessments on non trust land. The contract stipulates a 5% increase in payment after four years. Krizek noted there would be 55.8 Acres in trust land. The parking lot is taxable land and any hotels) would be built on taxable land. The Tribes also agreed to follow County and City Zoning Ordinances. Dog racing would be continued. However, the Hudson School District must deal with the State school revenue freeze which is a combination of state aid received and property taxes paid to the school. If the current assessment of $24.5 million for the Dog Track is taken off the tax roll, the current $20 million revenue goes to $19.5 and the school would have to levy $500,000 in property taxes in a one year time frame to restore the $20 million. Or a payment of $1,350,000 would be needed from the Tribes to make the school whole. If the $500,000 was taken from the $1,150,000 payment, this would leave only $650,000 for both the City and County which would not meet the resolution requirement for both the head tax and property tax payments. Motion by Supr. Stephens, 2nd by Supr. Breault to approve the agreement subject to an amendment to the agreement that the payments beginning in 1996 be a number between $1,150,000 to $1,350,000 depending upon a showing by the Hudson School District, through generally accepted accounting principles, that it has suffered additional losses of revenue because of a State revenue cap, up to a maximum of $200,000.00, which reduction was not identified in prior negotiations. 2 Dr. Ron Bernth, Hudson School Administrator, commented that the school issue was presented fairly and accurately and this amendment does not send a good message. School Board member John Schommer said the School Board is trying to protect the tax payers of the district by maintaining present revenues. Suprs. Krueger and Oemichen were concerned if there were any other known situations regarding contracts with Indian tribes and the legality and effectiveness of these contracts. Supr. Oemichen was also concerend the amendment implied $1,150,000 might be acceptable and this would weaken the school's negotiation position. Corporation Counsel agreed the amendment's intent was to obtain the best possible agreement for all governmental parties. Roll call vote on amendment: 27 yes, 1 no. Motion by Supr Stephens, 2nd by Supr. King to adopt the resolution as amended. Supr. Bailey stated as long as the resolution was not an endorsement of gambling, she could support it. Supr. Oemichen said this statement was not a criticism of the Ad Hoc Committee but as a matter of conscience he cannot endorse the expansion of gambling and he is concerned about Government becoming addicted to gambling revenues. Roll call vote on the amended resolution: 23 yes, 5 no. Motion carried. Renaming of Community Room: Motion by Supr. Breault, 2nd by Supr. Dowd to name the Community Room the Norman "Ole" Anderson room. Supr. O'Connell said this action was passed by the Building Committee and he wanted the present Board to adopt this motion because they are more aware of "Ole's" dedication to county government. Supr. Stephens noted "Ole" Anderson was a county and community person and this action is appropriate. Supr. Boche asked consideration for other former good Board chairmen. Motion carried. Chair Peterson requested the Building Committee address the issues of a picture and presentation on making the name change. Comments: Vice Chair Jacobson noted the Administration Committee meets with Legislators at various times and Representative Harvey Stower first informed this committee about the intention of a casino being planned at the Dog Track. Jacobson commended the Joint Ad Hoc Committee - John Breault, Bill Radosevich, Mayor Redner, Bob Stephens, John Krizek, and Legal Counsel Greg Timmerman, for their fine work in negotiations. He also noted the Tribal officials were courteous and good negotiators. Supr. Draxler expressed concern about taking some of the settlement to make the Hudson School District whole. He requested the Ad Hoc Committee consider a compromise situation where all three entities 3 would share in absorbing the loss. Motion to adjourn by Supr. . O'Connell, 2nd by Supr. . Bethke. Meeting adjourned at 8:45 p.m. Richard B. Peterson, Chair St. Croix County (Board of Supervisors - Sue E. Nelson St. Croix County Clerk W