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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCounty Board 09-21-2000ST. CROIX COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS September 21, 2000 9:00 A.M. Government Center CALL TO ORDER: chairman Thomas Dorsey INVOCATION: Pastor Randy Dean, Living Word Chapel, Forest PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG ROLL CALL CONSIDERATION OF MINUTES OF PREVIOUS SESSION ADOPTION OF AGENDA ANNOUNCEMENTS: DATE OF NEXT SESSION: Tuesday, October 31, 2000 Budget Mtg. ***NOTE DATE CHANGE*** APPOINTMENTS: L-AMMINISTRATIVE 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 05,her matters) 1. Department Reports 9:05 A.M. Parks, Maintenance, District Attorney Approval of the St. Croix County Natural Resource Management Plan 3. Resolution Approving Labor Agreement Between St. Croix County and GGSS Union, 2000-2002 4. Ordinance to amend Section 17.70 of the St. Croix County Zoning Ordinance to allow Temporary Occupancy Permits to be issued as a Land Use Permits through the Zoning Office 5. Rezoning from Ag/Residential to Commercial for Kent and Ardis Kramer, Town of Somerset 6. Rezoning from Industrial to Ag/Residential for Ron Bonte, Town of Hammond 7. Rezoning from Ag to Ag/Residential for Gregory Boardman, Town of Somerset 8. Rezoning from Commercial to Ag/Residential for Richard Stout, Town of Somerset 9. Resolution Regarding Campaign Finance Reform *10. Resolution to Transfer Funds to Health and Human Services for Wage, Salary and Fringe Benefits Increases *11. Resolution Approving County Land Information Plan *12. Resolution Adopting County Library Plan *13. Resolution Approving Human Services Non -Professional Union Labor Agreement 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 September 21, 2000 Meeting called to order by Chair Dorsey at 9:00 a.m. Invocation given by Pastor Randy Dean, Living Word Chapel, Forest. Pledge of Allegiance was recited. Guests and press were welcomed. Roll call: Gunderson. 29 present, 2 absent and excused Suprs. Bieraugel and Motion by Supr. Malick, 2nd by Supr. Bethke to adopt the August minutes with the following corrections: Supr. Bieraugel requested the addition on page 3, third paragraph "Additionally she noted that when other tribes have tried to negotiate with counties in Wisconsin and have been turned down, they walked away." Supr. Mehls requested addition of "Supr. Mehls questioned the author of the unsigned letter placed on Supervisors' desks regarding the tribes making a presentation to the Board." Chair Dorsey replied he was asked by a tribal representative to distribute the letter. Motion carried to approve corrected minutes. Motion by Supr. Mortensen, 2nd by Supr. Raymond to adopt the agenda. Carried. Next session on October 31, 2000, 9:00 a.m. will be the annual budget meeting. Administrative Coordinator: Chuck Whiting presented a summary of wages and benefits agreed to over the past few months. The total cost of 2000 settlements is $1,547,152. It was anticipated the increases would be paid from the Contingency Fund and department fund balances. Whiting recommends more dialog between the Personnel and Finance Committes and a more formal plan to know long term impact. Placing dollars in the Contingency Fund doesn't make sense. Money put in the Contingency Fund for 2000 will not equal actual agreements settled. Supr. Horne said the Board was never given actual figures, only generalities and percentages. Supr. Krueger used an overhead to show the dollar effect per year: 2000 - $1,547,152; 2001 - $873,884 and 2002 - $933,064. Krueger said this is a $3.3 million increase that does not include health insurance costs and we have sold out the taxpayers. Personnel Director Deb Kathan said health insurance premiums are increasing but the Personnel Committee negotiated buy backs such as office visit co -pays and higher deductibles. The county is in the process of bidding out a new policy. We need to have the actual bids 1 in hand to determine costs. Whiting said on October 6th there will be an insurance presentation including bids for health insurance. Supr. Wolske commented the Preferred Provider option does not cover some chiropractors in the New Richmond area. In reply to Supr. Horne's question, Kathan said the numbers include FICA, pension payment and life and disability insurance. Supr. Malick thought health insurance costs should stay about the same with the increase in co -pays and deductibles. Supr. Krueger read from the August 1999 minutes that proposed non represented wage increases would be 6% to 9% and grid adjustments would be 1.9%, 1.8% and 1.88%. He then asked why some grids are receiving %24 and 25%. More facts are needed by Supervisors before decisions are made. Supr Irwin also read comments in minutes from Supervisors and believes the County is a rudderless ship going full speed ahead. Financial impacts were not disclosed. If departments budget for wage increases, there is a contingency fund in every department. Irwin asked if the Personnel Committee went to the Finance Committee before recommending the package to the Board. Supr. King said we do not know what the mill rate is and the impact to the taxpayer at this time. The County is a small part of the tax assessment. Supr. O'Connell urged committees to review departments' operating budgets to see if decreases could be made. Finance Director Loney said budget books will be available after Finance Committee review. Kathan further noted the Personnel Committee had projections of 3% to 3.5% for basis of labor negotiations. However, settlements throughout the state have been higher and the State of WI increases were 5% to 6%. The non represented received grid adjustments for the first time in 10 years and across the board increases in both December 1999 and August 2000. The unions also got some significant reclassifications. The impact to the entire grid was 1.8% to 1.9% and the 3% across the board plus the grid 3% total 6% increase. Supr. Krueger asked where is the difference in the numbers? Kathan said figures for August 2000 were not combined with December of 1999. Supr. Irwin asked why there were two agreements with the non represented employees. Kathan said the Personnel Committee, after settling with the Unions, reconsidered the non represented salaries. Supr. Raymond said we should not cut back on services and other departments due to settling the wage problems. Whiting said he appreciates the Supervisors' frustrations. The biggest problem is the budget impacts the next two years and after. There is not a good plan in place and we need one. He also announced a St. Croix Valley Economic Development conference scheduled for October 4th, 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at UW-River Falls. Whiting serves as a board member. Vice Chair Jacobson commented on the good discussion and as a Personnel Committee member, he asked Supervisors to come to this committee with concerns. Resolution #29 (2000): Authorizing Transfer of Funds from the General Fund to the Nursing Home to Cover Increases in the 2000 Wages, Salaries and Fringe Benefits. Motion to adopt on behalf of the Finance Committee by Supr. Swenson, 2nd by Supr. Bethke. At their meeting prior to the Board session, the Finance Committee approved a transfer of $446,004.00 from the Contingency Fund to Health and Human Services for wage and benefit increases. Supr. Irwin asked what happened to the substantial fund balance of $1,000,000. H&HS Board Chair Robert Stephens said this was transferred to the General Fund in 1998 and H&HS was told if ever it is needed, come back to the Board and here we are. Roll call vote: 28 yes, 0 no, 3 absent - O'Connell was excused at 10:00 a.m. Department Reports: Parks Director Joe Grant outlined the activities in the Parks Department including extension of Bass Lake Boat Landing ramp, new dock and shoreline control measures at Glen Hills, overhauling aerators at Pine Lake, further development of Homestead Parklands on Perch Lake, construction of a bridge on the Wildwood Trail, coordination of the County Snowmobile Trail and maintenance tasks on 10 dams in Glen Hills Watershed. Grant said the scheduled opening date of Perch Lake Park is Memorial Day of 2002. Facilities Manager Ralph Robole distributed a written report. District Attorney Eric Johnson used a map to show numbers of methamphetamine cases in the State. Polk, Pierce and St. Croix Counties have more cases than the rest of the State combined due to their proximity to the Twin Cities. He pointed out the increase in felony and misdemeanor cases. Last year 295 felonies and 571 misdemeanors were recorded; this year so far, 250 felony cases and 774 misdemeanors. Aggressive prosecution of child abuse complaints is a high priority and Johnson complimented his staff for their commitment to this goal. Resolution #29 (2000): Approval of the St. Croix County Natural Resource Management Plan. Motion to adopt by Supr. Jensen, 2nd by 3 Supr. Berenschot. Land and Water Comm. Chair Jensen said the plan was explained at the August meeting. County Conservationist Bob Heise noted this plan is a road map calling for protection rather than improvement of natural resources. Approval of the plan is needed in order to get state aid. Citizen members were involved in the planning and Carol Benish and Jim Rusch were introduced. Supr. Rose complimented the plan saying it was easy to read and follow. Motion carried. Resolution #30 (2000): Approving Labor Agreement Between St. Croix County and AFSCME GGSS Union for 2000-2002. Motion to adopt by Supr. Peterson, 2nd by Supr. Speer. Kathan said this settlement is the same as the LAW and Highway Unions settled earlier. Cost per year is $256,090, $118,560 and $142,272. Roll call: 24 yes, 4 no. Carried. Ordinance #558 (2000): Amending St. Croix Zoning Ordinance Subchapter VII (3) Zoning and Septic Tank Permits. Motion to adopt by Supr. Raymond, 2nd by Supr. Bethke. Raymond explained this allows for temporary occupancy permits to be issued from the Zoning Department for a $125 fee for not more than one year. Carried. Ordinance #559 (2000) : Kramer, Town of Supr. Jensen. Rezoning from Ag/Res to Commerical for Kent Somerset. Motion to adopt by Supr. Raymond, 2nd by Carried. Ordinance #560 (2000): Rezoning from Industrial to Ag/Res for Ronald Bonte, Town of Hammond. Motion to adopt by Supr. Raymond, 2nd by Supr. Malick. Carried. Ordinance #561 (2000): Rezoning from Ag to Ag/Res for Gregory Boardman, Town of Somerset. Motion to adopt by Supr. Raymond, 2nd by Supr. Jensen. Carried. Ordinance #562 (2000): Rezoning from Commercial to Ag/Res for Richard Stout, Town of Somerset. Motion to adopt by Supr. Raymond, 2nd by Supr. Malick. Carried. Resolution Encouraging Campaign Finance Reform: Motion to adopt by Supr. Luckey, 2nd by Supr. Peterson. Administration Committee Vice Chair Linda Luckey said Wisconsin Counties Assoc. asked for a resolution from all counties. Supr. Olson, who attended a workshop on this topic at the WCA Convention, questioned parts of the resolution. In the 2nd paragraph special interest groups are not identified and in the 4th paragraph it does not say who the powerful special interests are. Olson questioned the statement "Wisconsin government is at risk." and eliminating all issue ads. She believed this to take away her freedom and urged defeat of the resolution. M Supr. Standafer voted no on the resolution because he opposes public financing and campaign finance reform should be done at the Federal level. All of us are special interests and he urged defeat of the resolution. Supr. Luckey said the 4th Whereas is the guts of the resolution and our voices are drowned out by money. Narrow interest groups are dropping money on the legislature. Whiting noted 56 Wisconsin Counties are placing the campaign finance reform referendum on the November ballot. Roll call: 10 yes, 16 no. Motion to adopt defeated. Resolution #31 (2000): Adopting the St. Croix County Land Information Plan. Motion to adopt by Supr. Raymond, 2nd by Supr. Bethke. Raymond said this plan is self funded. Carried. Resolution #32 (2000): Adopting a County Library Plan. Motion to adopt by Supr. Luckey, 2nd by Supr. Raymond. Luckey said in order for libraries to belong to the Indianhead Federated Library System, a plan must be adopted. The County Librarians wrote the plan. Act 150 passed by the Legislature wiped out the County's library reimbursement plan which paid some libraries more than the new Act 150. Finance Committee is addressing a new hold harmless plan. Corporation Counsel Timmerman stated the plan says libraries will run the county library system. The new law supersedes our County Board funding plan that was in place. Supr. Krueger said no library will be hurt by Act 150; the county will make up the difference. Motion to adopt plan carried. Resolution #33 (2000): Approving Labor Agreement Between St. Croix County and the AFSCME Human Services Non -Professional Union. Motion to adopt by Supr. Peterson, 2nd by Supr. Speer. Kathan said this group consists of economic support, clerical and support staff and St. Croix Industries technical staff. Cost for three years is $82,368; $58,207 and $60,403 which is 6% the first year and a 3% - 1% split the next two. Roll call: 21 yes, 5 no and 5 absent. Committee Reports: Administration: Supr. Standafer said Wisconsin was one of the top three states for collecting census demographics. As previous Chair of Administration, he received a briefcase containing pencils, screwdriver set and cap. Since he does not accept gratuities, he turned it over to the Chair. Supr. Horne said committee reports are getting fewer and farther between. No report has been given by the Personnel Committee. He would like more reports given because he has questions for committees. Chair Dorsey directed the County Clerk to schedule three committee reports per meeting and develop a format. 5 Planning, Zoning and Parks: Chair Raymond said the committee is gearing up on the new County Zoning Ordinance. A Flood Plain Ordinance should be ready to be presented soon. He also noted that Supervisors in the corresponding locations will be asked to present rezoning requests. Zoning Applications: Gloria Basel, Ag to Ag/Res, Town of St Joseph; Wm. and Ann Findlay, Ag to Ag/Res, Town of Rush River and Henry Lentz, Ag to Commercial, Town of St. Joseph. Mileage and PerDiem: Motion by Supr Speer, 2nd by Supr. Wolske to approve total of $10,803.51 for August 2000. Carried. Correspondence: Letter from Michael Cass, Administrator in WI Dept. of Transportation regarding roadside mowing policy was distributed. Clerk said letters from Dean and Connie Jurisch, Baldwin, were received opposing the casino. Announcements: Supr. Mehls encouraged the Finance Committee when reviewing department budgets, not to hold the operating budgets hostage. Finance will meet immediately following adjournment of the Board. Chair Dorsey said the budget is a difficult process and he encouraged cooperation by all involved. Motion to adjourn by Supr. Mehls, 2nd by Supr. Mortensen, Meeting adjourned at 11:50 a.m. Thomas Dorsey, Chair Sue E. Nelson St. Croix County Board of Supervisors St. Croix County Clerk I