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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCounty Board 06-17-1997ST. CROIX COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS June 17, 1997 7:00 P.M. EVENING MEETING Government Center Compiled by Chairman Robert M. Boche CALL TO ORDER: INVOCATION: Pastor David Miller, Church of Holy Cross, Hudson PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG ROLL CALL CONSIDERATION OF MINUTES OF PREVIOUS SESSION ADOPTION OF AGENDA ANNOUNCEMENTS: DATE OF NEXT SESSION: August 19, 1997 9:00 A.M. ***Note*** No Meeting in July APPOINTMENTS: *Jim VanderWyst, N.R. Fire Department to LEPC REPORT OF ADMINISTRATIVE COORDINATOR OLD AND UNFINISHED BUSINESS (Consideration and action on matters tabled, postponed or referred to a committee at a previous meeting) (.,1. Resolution to Approve the Policies and Procedures Guidelines for Administration of a Revolving Loan Fund Established with Funds from a Department of Commerce Grant NEW BUSINESS (Action on newly introduced motions, ordinances, resolutions, or other matters) L-1.Amendment to Resolution 6(97) Approving Lease Agreement for Land Conservation Department and UW-Extension and Approving Assignment of Project to St. Croix County 2. Presentation and Award of Construction Bid for Ag. Center Building 4-3. Resolution to Assign a Full Time Computer Specialist to the Public Safety Computer Program 4. Rezoning from Ag. Residential to Commercial for James and Linda Rebhan - Town of Richmond *5. Resolution Ratifying AFSCME Joint Council Union Contract *6. Resolution Recognizing DNR Fish Stocking Program for Baldwin Pine Lake **7. Resolution Naming US Submarine to Honor World War II Citizens of Manitowoc **8. Ordinance Extending the Temporary Moratorium on Construction of Telecommunication Towers DEPARTMENT HEAD REPORTS UW-Extension Agents, County Fair Association 8:15 P.M. COMMITTEE AND BOARD REPORTS FARMLAND PRESERVATION APPLICATIONS MILEAGE & PER DIEM REPORT CORRESPONDENCE, ANNOUNCEMENTS ADJOURNMENT (The above agenda is not necessarily in order of presentations) * Changes or Additions after the Preliminary Agenda ** Late Changes and Additions ST. CROIX COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS Regular Meeting June 17, 1997 Meeting called to order by Chair Boche at 7:00 p.m. Invocation was given by Pastor David Miller, Church of the Holy Cross, Hudson. Pledge of Allegiance was recited. Roll call: 28 present, 3 absent - Tom Irwin, George Sinclear (both excused). Nancy Bieraugel arrived at 7:05 p.m. making 29 present and 2 absent. Motion by Supr. Giese, 2nd by Supr. Hense to approve the May 20 minutes. Carried. Motion by Supr. Bradley, 2nd by Supr. Mortensen to adopt the agenda. Carried. Next session is August 19, 9:00 a.m. No meeting scheduled for July. Media and visitors welcomed. Appointments: Chair reported Jim VanderWyst from the New Richmond Fire Dept. was appointed to LEPC. Administrative Coordinator: No report; updates given in the June 9th Finance Committee minutes. Resolution 14 (97): To Approve the Policies and Procedures Guidelines for Administration of a Revolving Loan Fund Established with Funds from a Department of Commerce Grant. Supr. Standafer explained when a grant is given to the County to loan to a new or established business, the repayment establishes a loan fund. He viewed the Finance Committee's previous actions in rejecting this loan fund as appropriate because no procedures were in place. Policies need to be in place should an applicant appear; then the county could deal with it. Standafer stated the Administration Committee has approved the policies and procedures to use in the future if money is received for a grant. The County has to accept responsibility of a grant from the Dept. of Commerce with the terms and interest rate set by the State. As the applicant pays back the loan, a revolving loan fund is in place. Presently 35 counties operate a loan fund. Quoting from the River Falls Journal, Standafer said the Chippewa Valley Technical College's mill rate has been reduced the last three years due to economic development in area counties. The tax base has grown the last two years by 10% annually. Supr. Berenschot said this federal government revolving loan fund is a "gift that keeps on giving" and he encouraged support of the resolution. Supr. Standafer said an Advisory Committee would review the applicants and no additional county employees would be needed. Supr. Bradley said this resolution is without merit and leads to economic welfare, not economic development. He quoted from fiscal impact studies done by Jim Janke, UW-Extension Resource Agent, which said increase in size of tax base revenues to schools is offset by a decrease in State aids. In an article in the Hudson Star Observer, UW-Extension Professor Gary Green advised development corporations to be selective as unemployment rate is low in the county. He suggested thinking first of helping existing 1 businesses and to be aware of hidden costs of development. Supr. Brown commended Supr. Standafer for his work on this issue. St. Croix County is growing at a natural rate and does not need this program. Supr. Giese supports this supplemental loan program and commented other individuals and other counties take advantage of it. Supr. Standafer noted a majority of the loans are to existing businesses for expansion. Motion by Supr. Standafer, 2nd by Supr. Berenschot to adopt the revolving loan fund resolution. Roll call vote: 25 yes, 4 no. Carried. Resolution #15 (97): Amendment to Resolution 6 (97) Approving Lease Agreement for Land Conservation and UW-Extension. Motion to adopt by Vice Chair Dorsey, 2nd by Supr. Jensen. This amendment approves payment of an additional $8, 750 for the 4.34 acres for Ag. Center Building in Baldwin. Original price included 4 acres. Roll call vote: 28 yes, 1 no. Carried. Resolution to Assign a Full Time Computer Specialist to the Public Safety Computer Program: Motion by Supr. Krueger, 2nd by Supr. Mehls to place on the floor. Krueger explained the Sheriff has assigned a deputy one-half time to the computer law enforcement program but full time support is needed to allow for equipment repair, problem solving and to allow other municipalities to hook up to the CLUES program. Chair Boche referred this resolution to the Personnel Committee. Supr. Horne suggested rather than hiring a full time employee to contract with a consultant. Supr. Mehls disagreed; doesn't want a person in the door then out the door and said we need a person for 1997 technology. Supr. Raymond thought. the request should be directed to the Information Services Committee and then go to the parent Finance Committee. Ordinance 432 (97): Rezoning from Ag. Residential to Commercial for James and Linda Rebhan. Motion by Vice Chair Dorsey, 2nd by Supr. Menter to adopt. Carried. Ordinance 433 (97): Amending the Temporary Moratorium on Construction of Telecommunication Towers. Motion to adopt by Vice Chair Dorsey, 2nd by Supr. Raymond. This extends the moratorium for 30 days because County Board is not scheduled to meet in July. Carried. Resolution 16 (97): Recognizing DNR Fish Stocking Program for Baldwin Pine Lake. Motion to adopt by Supr. Dull, 2nd by Supr. Bethke. Chair Boche noted comments had been received on the improved game fishing at Baldwin Pine. Carried. Resolution 17 (97): In Support of Naming a U.S. Submarine to Honor the World War II Service of the Citizens of Manitowoc, WI. Motion by Supr. Standafer, 2nd by Supr. Raymond to adopt. Carried. Oral Reports: Given by UW-Extension 4-H Youth Development Agent Kim Reaman and Fair Board Secretary Sheri Stoddard. 2 Resolution 18 (97): Ratifying Joint Labor Agreement and Appendices Between St. Croix County and AFSCME Unions. Motion by Supr. Krueger, 2nd by Supr. Bethke to adopt. Krueger said a tentative agreement was reached with AFSCME union officers which includes 309 employees in five unions. Administrative Coordinator John Krizek stated this is .a good contract with a 100 increase over three years. He complimented the County's fine employees who are hard working and dedicated. Steve Weld, County's labor attorney, said this is the second time for a joint council union contract. Both sides were unhappy after the mediation sessions which is a good indication of successful mediation. Ordinarily the union would ratify first but since there is no July session of County Board, the ratification would have to wait until August. The economic package consists of a 3 o wage increase each of the three years and a $ . 25 bonus to all units except the Courthouse employees. They will receive $.15 in 1997 and $.10 in 1998 because of restructuring the wage grid. The issue of standard plan health insurance remains unresolved. The Law Enforcement union accepted an additional 1/2o payment in exchange for giving up the standard health plan. Presently the county is paying $350 per month for the HMO plan and up to $566.50 for the standard plan which the county believes to be the cap for the county payment. If the costs increase, the union would have to file a grievance. Supr. Hense objected to a bonus payment and would rather have it figured into the total percentage increase. Roll call vote: 28 yes, 1 no. Carried. Resolution 19 (97): Awarding Contract for Construction of the St. Croix County Farm Services Agencies Building to Landmark Builders. Motion by Supr. O'Connell, 2nd by Supr. Brown to adopt. Krizek complimented Supr. Irwin for his assistance in getting the wage rate changed (lowered) for the Baldwin area. The following bids were received and opened earlier at 11:00 a.m.: Landmark Builders, Rice Lake - $1,067,968; Fulco Construction, Chaska, - $1,070,000; Derrick Construction, New Richmond - $1,091,900; Hoeppner Building, Eau Claire - $1,095,548; Gene Johnson Construction, Frederic - $1,200,000; Dell Construction, Eau Claire - $1,219,500; Vonasek and Shieffer, Rice Lake - $1,220,000; and Wick Buildings, Mazomanie - $1,293,597. Landmark Builders had the low bid. Krizek referred to a letter from Ayres Associates recommending the County award the contract for construction to Landmark Builders. Subcontractors are Hovlands, Eau Claire for plumbing; Hurlburt Heating and Plumbing from Durand for HVAC and J & R Electric, Hudson for the electrical. October 31 is the requested completion date. Supr. Standafer advised there is no relationship between Landmark Bank and Landmark Builders. Supr. Bethke asked why not excavate the whole basement for future use. Krizek replied that fire exits 3 would be a problem and the cost would be $150,000 more. Supr. Filipiak noted there was about $22,000 difference between Landmark Builders and Derrick Construction, a local county company. He asked why not keep this money in the county. Krizek replied the law requires public works to accept the low bid unless a defect can be found. Corporation Counsel Timmerman agreed bid must go to lowest responsible bidder. If County can prove the bidder is not responsible, they can then go to the next lowest bidder. Brown thanked everyone who participated in the process and is proud to bring these bids to the Board. Roll call vote: 28 yes, 1 no. Carried. Committee Reports and Comments• Supr. Horne asked about the 1998 budget process and mill rate projects. Finance Chair Brown said this will be addressed at the July 9 Finance meeting. Vice Chair Dorsey reported the Steering Committee is working hard on the new Zoning Ordinance but it probably will not be done by this Fall. Announcements: Supr. Standafer noted a Public Hearing, 7:00 p.m., July 8 at the Cashman Center in New Richmond where input is requested on changing the membership on the Zoning Board of Adjustment from three supervisors and 2 citizen members to two supervisors and three citizen members. He also appreciated the support on the vote for the revolving loan fund. Supr. Bethke questioned the sale of small parcels of land. Chair Boche indicated many of these have been sold to adjacent landowners. Farmland Preservation: none Mileage and Per Diem: Motion by Supr. Bradley, 2nd by Supr. O'Connell to approve total of $6,703.86 for May, 1997. Carried. Correspondence: Clerk Nelson said letters regarding the Transportation Resolution were received from Senator Alice Clausing and Wisconsin Department of Transportation Secretary Charles Thompson. Governor Thompson's office called to say the Governor would support what the Legislature recommends which at this point is a $.01 gas tax increase and a $5.00 increase in vehicle registration. Motion to adjourn by Supr. O'Connell, 2nd by Supr. Jacobson. Meeting adjourned at 9:00 p.m. Robert M. Boche, Chair St. Croix County Board of Supervisors Sue E. Nelson St. Croix County Clerk 4