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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCounty Board 08-15-2000ST. CROIX COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS August 15, 2000 9:00 A.M. Government Center CALL TO ORDER: Chairman Thomas Dorsey INVOCATION: Pastor Keith Anderson, Zion Lutheran Church, Woodville PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG ROLL CALL CONSIDERATION OF MINUTES OF PREVIOUS SESSION ADOPTION OF AGENDA ANNOUNCEMENTS: DATE OF NEXT SESSION: Thursday, September 21, 2000 ***NOTE DATE CHANGE*** APPOINTMENTS: ADMINISTRATIVE COORDINATOR REPORT 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. Department Reports 9:05 A.M. Circuit Court Judges, Family Court Commissioner, Clerk of Court (Register In Probate - written report) 2. Presentation on Resource Management Plan - Bob Heise 9:30 A.M. 3. Casino Proposal *A. Resolution Adopting Position that the Agreement for Government Services is Null and Void *B. Resolution to Not Negotiate an Agreement for Government Services 4. Resolution to Encourage Complete Mowing of State Right - Of -Ways S. Resolution Endorsing United States Senate Bill S.1706 Titled the Water Regulation Improvement, Act of 1999 6. Ordinance to Extend Glen Hills Moratorium for Six Months 7. te delay Impleffien i-en e€-,So to meewne, =g==- arrte4c n Gemffi -83 8. Rezoning from Ag. to Ag/Residential for Lawrence Martell; Town of Somerset 9. Rezoning from Ag. to Ag/Residential for Dennis Raddatz, Town of Star Prairie 10. Rezoning from Ag. to Ag-II for Ralph & Marguerite Olson, Town of Stanton 11. Rezoning from Ag. to Ag/Residential for Gary & Rondi Feyereisen, Town of Troy 12. RezeninfG- r9 . to Ag II €-ems dehn M. Seh4:1age , m,,,_,n e f 13. Rezoning from Ag. to Ag-II for Robert Harer & Sandra Hoogenakker, Town of Baldwin 14. RL Tewn of *15. Rezoning from Ag. & Industrial to Ag/Residential for Gaylen & Mildred Anderson, Town of Baldwin ¢ *16. Resolution Approving New Position -St. Croix County Highway Department 17. Approval of New Position Requests *18. Resolution Approving Labor Agreement Between St. Croix County and LAW, 2000-2002 *19. Resolution Approving Labor Agreement Between St. Croix County and Highway Union, 2000-2002 *20. Resolution Approving Labor Agreement Between St. Croix County and Nursing Home, 2000-2002 *21. Resolution Approving Non -Union Compensation, 2000-2002 COMMITTEE AND BOARD REPORTS APPLICATIONS FILED FOR ZONING ORDINANCE AMENDMENT 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 August 15, 2000 Meeting called to order by Chair Dorsey at 9:00 a.m. Guests and the press were welcomed. Invocation was given by Pastor Keith Anderson, Zion Lutheran Church, Woodville. Pledge of Allegiance was recited. Roll Call: and Irwin. 29 present, 2 absent and excused - Supervisors Gunderson Motion by Supr. King 2nd by Supr. Mortensen to adopt the June minutes. Motion by Supr. Bethke 2nd by Supr. Malick to adopt the agenda. Next meeting is Thursday, September 21; date is changed due to WCA Convention. Announcements: Clerk Nelson reminded the Supervisors to return the covers and tabs from last year's budget books. Department Reports: Clerk of Court Lori Meyer Frascht pointed out the increase in different court case loads which overall total 25%. Receipts were $1,000,000 which is a 50% increase. Passport applications have increase 50% and are issued on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. Family Court Commissioner Ed Vlack is appointed to conduct divorce hearings and resolve disputes before a final hearing. His primary concern in these cases is the children. A new program was initiated for children ages 6 to 11 called Children in the Middle. Another program known as Adolescents in the Middle is for children ages 12 to 15. Parents are required to attend the educational program Parents in Transition. Vlack thanked his secretary Dory Scherger for her assistance. Judge Lundell, Judge Richards and Judge Needham appeared. Judge Needham thanked the Finance Committee and County Board for their support and Administrative Coordinator Chuck Whiting for his interest in the court system. The electronic security installed on courtroom doors is appreciated but Needham said in the future, more security will be needed due to more hostility in court cases. The Judicial Assistants are in the process of moving to another area that will allow more room for both them and the Family Court Commissioner. The County is seeing additional costs when a client gets a court appointed attorney. This occurs when the client cannot meet the Federal poverty guidelines to obtain a public defender but still cannot afford an attorney with their own finances. Presentation on Resource Management Plan: Land and Water Committee Chair Art Jensen said this plan is presented for information only. He introduced County Conservationist Bob Heise who said the goal of 1 the new plan was to be locally led. If the County has no plan, there is no State funding. County Technician Dave Sander outlined the plan saying it has the public interest in mind. A public opinion survey was completed and a citizen advisory committee helped formulate the plan. The four goals of the plan are (titles abbreviated): 1) Protect and improve groundwater quality, 2) Protect and enhance surface waters and wetlands, 3) Protect and restore fish and wildlife habitats and 4) Preserve agricultural land and soils. Heise concluded saying this is a proactive plan that protects and preserves resources. Casino Proposal: Resolution #19 (2000): Adopting Position that the Agreement for Government Services is Null and Void. Motion to adopt by Supr. O'Connell, 2nd by Supr. Swenson. Chair Dorsey requested the large audience consisting of casino proponents and opponents to keep emotions in check. Clerk Nelson read the resolution. Corporation Counsel Timmerman stated the County Board adopted a resolution in 1994 that was an agreement for government services payment in lieu of taxes. His opinion, and other legal counsel consulted, was the contract was not valid if land had not been placed in trust by the end of 1995. Roll call vote: 25 yes, 4 no. Motion carried. Resolution #20 (2000): Resolution To Not Negotiate an Agreement for Government Services. Motion to adopt by Supr. O'Connell, 2nd by Supr. Mehls. Clerk read the resolution. Supr. Bieraugel asked to submit petitions into the record with 4200 signatures of people opposed to the proposed casino. She asked the findings of the engineering firm of HDR hired by the Hudson City Council also be part of the record. HDR said the casino should either be denied or subject to an Environmental Impact Study. Preliminary findings of the study suggest that the Environmental Assessment submitted by Chippewa Meadows Gaming and Racing is inadequate. Supr. Rose read the Camp YMCA resolution and part of the Town of Troy resolution opposing the casino. Chair Dorsey signed in the negative on this resolution because, if it is adopted, the County cannot do any further negotiations. The County's options should remain open. The district he represents supports the casino. Supr. Standafer said he prefers not to have a casino but if one should occur, the County will need to provide services and have no way to receive payment for them if this resolution is adopted. Supr. 2 Bieraugel stated the tribes claimed a contract for government services is necessary to get Bureau of Indian Affairs approval. Government in the County should be built on mutual respect and vision. Supr. Malick noted the MN/WI Boundary Area Commission passed a resolution stating the negative environmental impacts of a casino. In response to Supr. Speer's request for clarification, Timmerman said if a casino is located in Hudson, the County has to provide services without payment. He is not sure if the County has to provide emergency services and he doesn't know if a contract for government services is needed to approve a casino in Hudson. Comments by Supervisors: O'Connell - resolution only says the County cannot negotiate unless the City of Hudson and Town of Troy decide to support a casino. Rose - County can negotiate if casino is located elsewhere in county. Standafer - if resolution is passed, County cannot negotiate for services. Bieraugel - if three governments (County, City of Hudson and Town of Troy) deny government services contracts, she believes the casino will not be approved. Olson - will Town of Troy and City of Hudson adopt casino support resolutions? Mehls - casino would pay charges for emergency services the same as municipalities do. Berenschot - County should negotiate for all types of services. Dowd - should negotiate first, then consider this resolution. Standafer - this puts the County in a tenuous financial position in the future. Swenson - the Finance agenda did not allow the committee to formulate a resolution opposing placing any land in trust. Timmerman commented the language in this resolution prevents the County from negotiating unless the Town of Troy and City of Hudson adopt resolutions for casino support and they are not likely to do SO. Roll call vote: 22 yes, 7 no. Chair Dorsey asked the Board if they were interested in hearing a proposal from the casino people. Vice Chair Jacobson said information can be gained by listening and believes the County should at least listen. Supr. Malick believes in freedom of speech but a public meeting was held and the opposition didn't stay. This would be wasting our time. Supr. Standafer said decisions are based on information but since we shut off negotiations, why listen. Supr. Bieraugel said it was pointless to continue. Supr. Mortensen did not think further discussions were necessary. Supr. Burri said Town Boards have heard proposals from the tribes. Supr. Olson said we have received enough information and this is "beating a dead horse." No further action taken. 3 Chair Dorsey asked if the Supervisors wished to hold an advisory referendum in reference to the proposed casino. Motion by Malick, 2nd by Swenson not to have a County referendum on transfer of land to trust status. Roll call: 21 yes, 8 no. Motion carried not to have a referendum. Resolution #22 (2000): To Encourage Complete Mowing of State Rights - Of -Way. Motion by Supr. King, 2nd by Supr. Bieraugel to adopt. Highway Commissioner Dan Fedderly explained this resolution calls for more complete mowing of right of ways in a rotational program. Mowing after the effective date of July 31 was added to ensure a reasonable nesting period for song birds. Presently, only 15 feet of the right-of-ways are mowed. Motion by Supr. Horne, 2nd by Supr. Mortensen to amend the sentence structure in the be it resolved section. Carried. Main motion as amended carried. Resolution #23 (2000): Endorsing U.S. Senate Bill s.1706 Titled the Water Regulation Improvement Act of 1999. Motion to adopt by Supr. King, 2nd by Supr. Grant. Fedderly said this resolution deals with storm water regulations promoted by EPA which would require county highway departments to obtain discharge permits for runoff water and cause significant financial costs. This resolution calls for exemption of vegetated highway drainage ditches and would maintain the current five acre construction disturbance for getting a permit instead of the EPA proposal of one acre. County Conservationist Heise said the size of a construction lot is not as important as the location. Small construction sites in the wrong location are detrimental without proper erosion control. Carried. Malick voted no due to his concern about a verbal agreement, rather than written, between Highway Dept. and Land and Water regarding best management practices and stabilizing construction sites. Ordinance #551 (2000): To Extend Glen Hills Moratorium for Six Months. Motion to adopt by Supr. Raymond, 2nd by Supr. Bethke. Raymond said the flood plain paper work on the final flood plain ordinance is not yet completed so an extension is needed on this moratorium. Carried. Ordinance #552 (2000): Rezoning from Ag to Ag/Res for Lawrence Martell, Town of Somerset. Motion to adopt by Supr. Raymond, 2nd by Supr. Jensen. Raymond noted that all the rezoning ordinances on the agenda had been approved by the local Town Boards and the Planning, Zoning and Parks Committee. Carried. Ordinance #553 (2000): Rezoning from Ag to Ag/Res for Dennis Raddatz, Town of Star Prairie. Motion by Supr. Raymond, 2nd by Supr. Jensen to adopt. Carried. M Ordinance #554 (2000): Rezoning from Ag to Ag-II for Ralph and Marguerite Olson, Town of Stanton. Motion by Raymond, 2nd by Jensen to adopt. Carried. Ordinance #555 (2000): Rezoning from Ag to Ag/Res for Gary and Rondi Feyereisen, Town of Troy. Motion by Supr. Raymond, 2nd by Supr. Larson to adopt. Carried. Ordinance #556 (2000): Rezoning from Ag to Ag-II for Robert Harer and Sandra Hoogenakker, Town of Baldwin. Moton by Supr. Raymond, 2nd by Supr. Jensen to adopt. Carried. Ordinance #557 (2000): Rezoning from Ag and Industrial to Ag/Res for Gaylen and Mildred Anderson, Town of Baldwin. Motion to adopt by Supr. Raymond, 2nd by Supr. Wolske. Carried. Resolution #23 (2000): Approving New Position - St. Croix County Highway Department. Motion by Supr. King, 2nd by Supr. Grant to adopt. Supr. O'Connell said the Finance Committee approved this position with a start date of October 1, 2000. Fedderly noted the need for this Assistant Patrol Superintendent that will be funded by State and Project funding. The Patrol Superintendent has been working 12 to 20 hour days and during winter storms, sometimes three days straight so an assistant would be helpful. Carried. Approval of New Position Requests. Supr. O'Connell said the past procedure has been approval of parent committee, Personnel Committee, Finance Committee and then County Board. This year the Finance Committee would prefer to have department heads put new positions in their budget rather than the Board approve at this time. The Board would have final approval at the budget hearing. Resolution No. 24 (2000): Approving Labor Agreement Between St. Croix County and LAW, 2000-2002. Motion by Vice Chair Jacobson, 2nd by Supr. Speer to adopt. Personnel Director Deb Kathan stated the two largest issues in negotiations were wages and health insurance. This agreement calls for an average 6.5% wage increase the first year, 3.5% the second and 3.5% the third. Health Insurance paid will be 10% of any additional cost over $566.50 and co -pays have been added. Cost of this package is $126,000, $129,000 and $96,000. Carried. Resolution No.25 (2000): Approving Labor Agreement Between St. Croix County and Highway Union, 2000-2002. Motion to adopt by Supr. Grant, 2nd by Supr. Speer. Cost of this package for three years is $159,000, $92,000 and $96,000. Carried. Resolution No. 26 (2000): Approving Labor Agreement Between St. Croix County and Nursing Home, 2000-2002. Motion to adopt by Supr. Berenschot, 2nd by Supr. Bethke. Kathan indicated the wage settlement had been approved earlier by the Board and this resolution deals with language only. Carried. Resolution No.27 (2000): Approving Non -Union Compensation, 2000- 2002. Motion to adopt by Supr. Peterson, 2nd by Supr. Speer. Kathan noted this was additional compensation added to the grid approved in December of 1999. Cost of the package for three years is $246,000, $77,000 and $78,000 and is 3.5%, 1% and 1%. Wage increases and grid adjustments were made after a comparison was done with the 17 county pay schedule. Carried. Administrative Coordinator: Chuck Whiting is learning the County's budget process. After several interviews, T.E. Brennan and Co. from Milwaukee has been hired as the County's health insurance consultant. Health and Human Services is considering contracting for Worker's Comp services from the previous risk manager. Chair Dorsey has appointed two committees - County Farm Property and Government Center Property to develop long range plans for use of County land. Committee Reports: Supr. Standfer reported Prism Plastics, who received a community block grant loan, has done well and has prospered to the point of expanding their facility. Zoning Applications Filed: Ken and Ardis Kramer, Ag/Res to Commercial, Town of Somerset. Mileage and Per Diem: Motion by Supr. O'Connell, 2nd by Supr Krueger to approve a total of $9,944.97 for June 2000 and total of $8,669.33 for July 2000. Carried. Correspondence: None received. Comments: Supr. Wolske asked about a recent tornado in the area and why no sirens were blown in Roberts. Supr. Mehls said this will be addressed at the Emergency Management/Communication meeting on August 21. Adjourn: Motion to adjourn by Supr. O'Connell, 2nd by Supr. Wolske. Meeting adjourned at 12:30 pm. Thomas Dorsey, Chair Sue E. Nelson St. Croix County Board of Supervisors St. Croix County Clerk 0