HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-27-2021 Committee of the Whole Minutes
MEETING MINUTES
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
April 27, 2021 4:00 PM
Room 1284-County Board Room
St. Croix County Government Center - Room 1284 -
Government Center - 1101 Carmichael Road, Hudson,
Wisconsin
CALL TO ORDER
ROLL CALL
Attendee Name Organization Title Status Arrived
Ed Schachtner St. Croix County Supervisor Present
Shawn Anderson St. Croix County Supervisor Present
Bob Long St. Croix County Supervisor Present
Cathy Leaf St. Croix County Supervisor Present
Carah Koch St. Croix County Supervisor Present
Tim Hall St. Croix County Supervisor Late 5:14 PM
Paul Berning St. Croix County Supervisor Present
Richard Ottino St. Croix County Supervisor Present
Bob Feidler St. Croix County Supervisor Present
Dave Ostness St. Croix County Supervisor Present
Scott Counter St. Croix County Supervisor Present
Daniel Hansen St. Croix County Supervisor Present
Scottie Ard St. Croix County Supervisor Late 4:30 PM
Greg Tellijohn St. Croix County Supervisor Present
David Peterson St. Croix County Supervisor Present
Paulette Anderson St. Croix County Supervisor Present
Judy Achterhof St. Croix County Supervisor Present
Shelly Tomtschik St. Croix County Supervisor Present
William Peavey St. Croix County Supervisor Present
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
1. Committee of the Whole Work Session March 19, 2021 8:30 AM
RESULT: ACCEPTED
PUBLIC COMMENT
No public comment.
BUSINESS ITEMS
1. Strategic Planning Working Session Including SWOT Analysis and Breakout Group
Discussions
County Administrator Ken Witt introduced Wisconsin Institute for Public Policy and
Service (WIPPS) Project Manager Yengyee Lor and Executive Director Eric Giordano. Lor
stated this group will begin with a Strength, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats
(SWOT) Analysis. Board members divided into two groups to discuss each category.
Strengths
Location (proximity to Twin Cities); Administration, County Board and staff; Health and
Human Services Department; Highway Department; Workforce and Financial status;
Resources and amenities; Resilience to challenges
Weaknesses
Communication with citizens; Financial upkeep and property tax levy; Broadband and
continuous updating of equipment; Competition with Minnesota workforce; Staffing
levels; Affordable housing; Mental Health; No Night Court; Lack of Public Transportation;
Rate of expansion of budget too high
Opportunities
Broadband; Working remotely; Attracting businesses; Transportation needs; American
Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) dollars; Investment in Mental Health; Property and reserve our
natural resources; More affordable housing options; Operational and cross training
efficiency improvements
Threats
Civil unrest - civil discourse; Increase in population impact on drug and alcohol abuse;
Aging and disability population; Increase in crime rate; Employee stress level; Internal
policies preventing businesses from coming here; "What if we do not have the
anticipated growth? What is Plan B?"; Urban sprawl and keeping up with services; State
and Federal mandates, tax policies, grant funding; Twins Cities lure; Affordable housing;
Environmental solutions (groundwater, noise, pollution)
Lor reported the next steps are meetings with Department Heads and citizens members.
Also, a citizen questionnaire has been posted on the county's website and ask
constituents to respond.
RESULT: DISCUSSED
REQUEST FOR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
Achterhof requested a Committee of the Whole meeting regarding American Rescue Plan
Funding
ANNOUNCEMENTS & CORRESPONDENCE
ADJOURN
6:59 PM