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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCounty Board 12-12-200001, C \f- r C C, 4 -e ST. CROIX COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS Regular Meeting December 12, 2000 MINUTES ARE UNOFFICIAL UNTIL APPROVED. Meeting called to order by Chair Dorsey at 9:00 a.m. Invocation was given by Pastor Neil Bonkoski, First Covenant Church, River Falls. Pledge of Allegiance was recited. Roll call: 28 present, 3 absent - Suprs. Rose and Grant excused. Supr. Larson arrived at 9:10 a.m. making 29 present and 2 absent. Motion by Supr. King, 2nd by Supr. Berenschot to adopt the October 31st minutes. Carried. Motion by Supr. Mortensen, 2nd by Supr. Bethke to adopt the agenda. Carried. Next meeting scheduled for January 23 rd . Rescheduled from 3 rd Tuesday. Announcements: Clerk Nelson relayed a thank you from Supr. Charlie Grant for the poinsettia and the cards sent to him. Supr. Berenschot was thanked for providing the moose holiday decoration in the entrance lobby. Appointments: Chair Dorsey announced the following appointments: Jeff Rixman, Gregory Palmer and Hendryk Sowa to LEPC; Jack Dowd to Indianhead Federated Library System and Lisa Delaney to W-2 Steering Committee. Administrative Coordinator: Chuck Whiting reported Finance Committee has approved hiring Kim Burmeister Associates as the Workers' Comp consultant. In a joint meeting with Health and Human Services and Finance, both committees approved a no cost presentation by a Nursing Home consultant. Springsted will begin working on the Capital Outlay Plan starting with Health and Human Services and Public Protection departments. The Scott County, MN, Administrator implemented a plan to improve working relations with employees. Some St. Croix County staff met with this group to see how the plan functions. Whiting announced the Holiday closing hours for County offices: closed December 25 and 26, January 1 and open at noon on January 2. Supr. O'Connell invited Supervisors to attend the Nursing Home presentation. Whiting and John Borup are working on the date of January 10 at 8:30 a.m. Department Reports: Sheriff Hillstead noted the major changes in growth of population, commercial and industrial growth along with the increase in traffic flow in St. Croix County. The Jail has seen an increase of 25 in local population. There has been an 1 reduce four positions leaving 50. If there were 25 Supervisors, each could serve on two committees and one sub committee. Supr. King said he served on the Board in 1992 when the last redistricting was done. He doesn't see why 25 is better than 31. He believes 31 give the County more coverage. It takes a few years for a new Supervisor to learn the process. King said only a very few Supervisors remain after the 1992 redistricting and why eliminate the people who want to serve. Comments by Supervisors: Standafer wanted a bigger reduction but agreed to 25 which is an opportunity to enhance each Board position. Krueger said when the per them was increased to $60, the intent was to reduce the number of Supervisors. Speer said her constituents do not want a resolution at this time. We should follow the timetable for redistricting with the plan in place by October 31, 2001. Horne stated there should be 11 or 7 full time Supervisors. Most Supervisors have jobs and can only work part time on County business. Larson said as business and population grows in the County, we should not reduce the Board. Raymond said the number of Supervisors is not as important as structure of County government. Mehls said the increase in per them was warranted. Dowd noted we are getting the job done; keep the Board as is. Swenson questioned some of the process of the Board. For example when more help was requested in the Judges, office, the request went to Finance, Personnel, back to Finance and then to the full Board. O'Connell said some people are in favor of reducing the Board but not sure to what number. Jacobson agreed the process to get things done is lengthy. Dorsey stated he has run in three different districts since his time on the Board. He believes the Board operates well and fairly. The committee system is good and there is no reason to reduce the number. He does not think the $60 per them is a burden to taxpayers. Gunderson commented the Governor wants Counties to take over more responsibility from the State. If the Board is reduced, this would replace representation with bureaucrats. Olson stated if the size of the Board is reduced, staff does not have to grow. Roll call vote: 13 yes, 16 no. Resolution defeated. Resolution #45 (2000): Amending County Rules and By -Laws (Web Page). Motion to adopt by Supr. Bieraugel, 2 nd by Supr. Raymond. This resolution allows Supervisors to choose what information is released on the County Web Site. A Supervisor may choose to use 3 Resolution #47 (2000): Regarding Cancellation of Checks. Motion to adopt by Supr. Krueger, 2nd by Supr. Speer. This approves canceling uncashed checks over six months old and reissuing them to persons who contact the Treasurer's office. Carried. Supr. O'Connell was excused at 11:15 a.m. Ordinance #564 (2000): Rezoning from Ag. to Ag/Res for Arlen and Judith Luehmann, Town of Star Prairie. Motion to adopt by Supr. Malick, 2nd by Supr. Jensen. Carried. Ordinance #565 (2000): Rezoning from Ag. to Ag/Res for Elaine Boardman, Town of Somerset. Motion to adopt by Supr. Raymond, 2nd by Supr. Jensen. Carried. Ordinance #566 (2000): Rezoning from Ag. to Ag/Res for Jon Trinko, Town of Eau Galle. Motion to adopt by Supr. Raymond, 2nd by Supr. Jensen. Carried. Ordinance #567 (2000): Rezoning from Ag. to Ag/Res for Don Keilen, Town of Stanton. Motion to adopt by Supr. Raymond, 2nd by Supr. Jensen. Carried. Presentation on High Speed Passenger Rail Service: No one appeared from the Eau Claire Chamber of Commerce. Committee and Board Reports: Administration: Chair Bieraugel said the Board knows this committee is working on redistricting and committee restructure. If anyone has ideas on restructuring, please submit them. The committee asked Corporation Counsel Timmerman to draft a resolution to WCA regarding their role in lobbying for an off - reservation casino in Lafayette County. The first 2001 Legislative breakfast will be held jointly with Health and Human Services on January 15, 7:00 a.m. at Suzanna's in New Richmond. Ag. Extension: Chair Bethke outlined the services provided by UW-Extension: 4-H program led by Kim Reaman, Family Living with Mary Lestrud and Nutrition Specialist Martha Mabis, Community Development headed by Jim Janke, Agriculture with Lee Milligan, Horticulture by Diane Alfuth and Planning and Recycling with Planning Director Dave Fodroczi and Recycling Specialist Mary Barney. 5 Bjerstedt, O'Connell, Irwin, Bieraugel, Standafer, Swenson, Malick, Horne, Luckey and Krueger. Voting no were Dorsey,. Berenschot, Speer, Jensen, Jacobson, Burri, King, Mehls, Wentz, Dowd, Mortensen, Bethke, Wolske and Raymond. 7