Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutCounty Board 04-20-1999ST. CROIX COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS April 20, 1999 9:00 A.M. Government Center CALL TO ORDER: Chairman Thomas Dorsey INVOCATION: Pastor John Hanson, Peace Lutheran Church, Baldwin PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG ROLL CALL CONSIDERATION OF MINUTES OF PREVIOUS SESSION ADOPTION OF AGENDA ANNOUNCEMENTS: Proclamation of Soil and Water Stewardship Week April 25 through May 2, 1999 DATE OF NEXT SESSION: May 18, 1999� 7:00 P.M. Evening Session APPOINTMENTS: Suprs. Berenschot, Olson & Horne to Health & Human Services Board SPECIAL SPEAKER: Speaking Contest Winners 9:10 A.M. Bill Oemichen, Dept. of Trade & Consumer Protection 9:30 A.M. Justin Plecko, New Richmond High School Student Received Honorable Mention in Prudential Volunteer Awards 10:20 A.M. REPORT OF ADMINISTRATIVE COORDINATOR 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. Resolution Regarding Dedication of Tobacco Settlement Dollar to Tobacco Control and Prevention Initiatives 2. Report from Administration Committee on Health Insurance for Board Members 3. Correction to Vernon Vandenberg Rezoning Ordinances #504 (99) 4. Rezoning from Agriculture to Ag/Residential for Randy Everson Town of Eau Galle 5. Rezoning from Agriculture to Ag/Residential for Andrew Tollefson, Town of Baldwin 6. Rezoning from Agriculture to Ag/Residential for Garland Fregine, Town of Eau Galle *7. Temporary Investigator Position - Sheriff's Department **8. Rezoning from Agriculture to Ag/Residential for Hobby Farms, Inc., Town of Somerset DEPARTMENT HEAD REPORTS: Health & Human Services and Nursing Home 11:15 A.M. COMMITTEE AND BOARD REPORTS APPLICATIONS FILED FOR ZONING ORDINANCE AMENDMENT 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 April 20, 1999 Meeting called to order by Vice Chair Jacobson at 9:05 am. Chair Dorsey was unable to attend due to surgery on his leg. Invocation given by Pastor John Hanson, Peace Lutheran Church, Baldwin who emphasized the importance of preserving our air, water and soil for future generations. Pledge of Allegiance recited. Jacobson welcomed visitors and the press. Roll call: 24 present, 7 absent -Dorsey, Dowd (arrived 10:00 a.m.), Hanson, Irwin, Bieraugel, Krueger and Gunderson (all excused). Motion by Supr. Boche, 2nd by Supr. Berenschot to approve the March minutes with the following correction: Comment made by Supr. Standafer regarding the zoning fee increases should read "The County should not make a profit from increased fees." Carried. Motion by O'Connell, 2nd by Mehls to adopt the agenda. Carried. Announcements: Clerk Nelson read the Proclamation for Soil and Water Stewardship Week, April 25 - May 2, 1999. Next meeting scheduled for May 18 at 7:00 p.m. Appointments: Chair Dorsey has appointed Suprs. Leon Berenschot, Mary Louise Olson and Einar Horne to Health and Human Services for a three year term. Soil and Water Speakincr Contest Winners: Land and Water Comm. Chair Jensen introduced the speaking contest winners. Sarah Fox from Meyer Middle School, River Falls spoke on "The Past, Present and Future of Mann Valley and Brooke Schneider from Baldwin Woodville High School gave her presentation on "Think Before You Throw." Applause followed and Supr. Jensen and Vice Chair Jacobson thanked the contest winners for their efforts. Supr. O'Connell was excused at 9:15 a.m. Bill Oemichen, Special Speaker: Vice Chair Jacobson introduced former Board member Bill Oemichen who is now administrator of Trade and Consumer Protection. Oemichen outlined the Top 10 consumer complaints: Telecommunications (phone slamming and cramming) tops the list followed by Landlord/Tenant, Home Improvement, Fitness Centers, Motor Vehicle Repair, Mail Order Sales, Travel/Tourism/ Telemarketing, Magazines and Business Opportunities. He asked Board members to be "deputies" and help constituents avoid consumer rip- offs. Applause by Board and thanks from Vice Chair Jacobson. Volunteer Award Winner Justin Plecko from New Richmond: Justin described his work with other Boy Scouts in cleaning up the banks and the Willow River itself. He is an Eagle Scout and received Honorable Mention in the Prudential Volunteer Awards program. 11 Administrative Coordinator: John Krizek highlighted his presentation to the Joint Finance Committee at a hearing in Osceola. Some legislators are considering "freezing out" Counties by decreasing state funding even more. St. Croix County is the fastest growing county in the State and our budget goal is focused on reducing our reliance on the property tax. St. Croix County receives $800,000 in shared revenues while Dunn County gets $2,300,000. The State agreed to fully fund the Court system but has failed to do so. They should keep their promise or allow counties to keep 1000 of State fees, fines and forfeitures. The collection fee for county sales tax should not be increased to 1.750. The charge now is 1.5% and the actual cost to the State is 1.30. Krizek stated currently none of the tobacco settlement money will be shared with counties. It is being used to balance the State Budget. Counties should share these proceeds because they are the front line that deals with people who have smoking related illnesses. The Governor's budget provides for income tax relief when local governments need property tax relief. The Lake Mallalieu dam repairs are $82,811 more than estimated. The bill from DNR included $33,000 to move one Higgins -eye mussel. There is a recall on the sprinkler heads located in the jail. The company does not have replacement heads and is offering $5 per head. This could cost the County about $27,000 to replace. The fire alarm system and fire drill plan were tested when a power supply transformer overheated and burned the condensers on Monday morning. The back hall was filled with smoke but the fire was quickly brought under control by maintenance personnel. Resolution #4 (99): Dedication of Tobacco Settlement Dollars to Tobacco Control and Prevention Initiatives. Motion to adopt by Supr. Horne, 2nd by Supr. Stan Krueger. Carried. Health Insurance for County Board Members: Administration Committee Chair Standafer explained why this insurance is not feasible for County Board members. Supervisors cannot be included in the present plan because they are not employees. In a separate plan stop loss coverage above $50,000 would not be available so maximum benefit to Supervisors would be $50,000. St. Croix County would be liable for all costs associated with Board members' health coverage with no stop loss coverage so the potential exists for some very real funding issues. The Administration Committee recommends it is not practical or prudent to set up a separate plan for Board members. Motion by Supr. Wert, 2nd by Supr. Peterson to drop further investigation of health insurance for County Board members. Supr. Vd Luckey commented this issue was doomed from the beginning. Other Counties do offer health insurance for Supervisors but have been doing so for many years. Motion carried. Krizek amended the average age of Supervisors. The first survey of 18 respondents showed average age to be 71. In a March survey of 30 Board members, the average age of Board members (exclusive of dependents and spouses) was 62. Correction to Vernon Vandenberg Rezoning: Clerk Nelson noted the legal description had been corrected and attached to this Ordinance adopted at the March meeting. Ordinance #509 (99): Rezoning from Ag to Ag/Residential for Randy Everson, Town of Eau Galle. Motion to adopt by Supr. Hense, 2nd by Supr. Jensen. Carried. Supr. Raymond voted no. Ordinance #510 (99): Rezoning from Ag to Ag/Residential for Andrew and Ruth Tollefson, Town of Baldwin. Motion to adopt by Supr. Raymond, 2nd by Supr. Jensen. Carried. Ordinance #511 (99): Rezoning from Ag. to Ag/Residential for Garlend Fregine, Town of Eau Galle. Motion to adopt by Supr. Raymond, 2nd by Supr. Jensen. Carried. Ordinance #512 (99): Rezoning from Ag. to Ag/Residential for Hobby Farms, Inc., Town of Somerset. Motion to adopt by Supr. Raymond, 2nd by Supr. Jensen. Carried. Temporary Investigator Position in Sheriff's Dept: Motion by Supr. Brown, 2nd by Supr. Speer to remove this item from the agenda. Brown commented the Finance Committee did not reach a decision on this position. Motion carried. Oral Report: Health and Human Services Director John Borup highlighted the department's many programs. Nursing Home Administrator Carolyn Krieger was present to answer questions. Discussion on Committee Minutes: Suprs. Speer and Horne said minutes should be received in a more timely manner - marked unofficial and sent so Supervisors are aware of issues that may be coming to the Board. Corporation Counsel Timmerman advised it is not good to send minutes out before approval. Supr. Raymond said Planning, Zoning and Parks Committee minutes need to be factually and legally correct before being sent. Vice Chair Jacobson suggested Committee Chairs review the process and attempt to speed up the availability of minutes. Zoning Applications Filed: (All Ag to Ag/Residential) Leon Orr, Town of Star Prairie, Frederick Anding, Town of Troy and Daniel and Marvin Luckwaldt, Town of Baldwin. 3 Farmland Preservation: None received. Mileage and Per Diem: Motion by Supr. King, 2nd by Supr. Grant to approve total of $7,246.07 for month of March, 1999. Carried. Correspondence: Clerk read thank you from Chair Dorsey for flowers and cards received following his leg surgery. Announcements: Supr. King noted the Planning Steering Committee date changed from April 26th to May 3rd. Supr. Mehls advised this is Tornado Awareness Week and a drill will be held on April 22nd. Clerk Nelson said the Finance Committee had approved the revised IRS rate of $.31 per mile effective April 1, 1999. Supr. Mehls reported on his trip to a seminar (in the line of duty) to a seminar during which his vehicle collided with a 450## bear. Motion to adjourn by Supr. Giese, 2nd by Supr. Mortensen. Meeting adjourned at 11:45 a.m. Arthur Jacobson, Vice Chair Sue E. Nelson, County Clerk St. Croix County Board of Supervisors St. Croix County 4