HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-03-2013 County Board Minutes MINUTES
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
September 3, 2013 9:00 AM
County Board Room - Government Center
1101 Carmichael Road, Hudson, Wisconsin
CALL TO ORDER
INVOCATION - PASTOR *RANDY SIMONSON, HARVESTIME OUTREACH CHURCH,
HUDSON, WI
*Pastor Lee Parks (listed on the agenda) was unable to attend.
PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG
ROLL CALL
Attendee Name Title Status Arrived
Travis Schachtner Supervisor Present
Agnes Ring Supervisor Present
Tim Hood Supervisor Present
Daryl Standafer Chair Present
Fred Yoerg Supervisor Absent
Buck Malick Supervisor Absent
Chris Kilber Supervisor Present
Richard Ottino Supervisor Present
Tom Hawksford Supervisor Present
Dave Ostness Supervisor Present
Roger Larson Vice Chair Present
Fred Horne Supervisor Present
Ron Kiesler Supervisor Present
Andy Brinkman Supervisor Present
David Peterson Supervisor Present
Joe Hurtgen Supervisor Present
Brian Hurtgen Supervisor Absent
Duane Russett Supervisor Present
William Peavey Supervisor Present
CONSENT AGENDA
(Unless separation of an item is requested, all will be adopted in one motion.)
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: David Peterson, Supervisor
SECONDER: Travis Schachtner, Supervisor
AYES: Travis Schachtner, Agnes Ring, Tim Hood, Daryl Standafer, Chris
Kilber, Richard Ottino, Tom Hawksford, Dave Ostness, Roger
Larson, Fred Horne, Ron Kiesler, Andy Brinkman, David
Peterson, Joe Hurtgen, Duane Russett, William Peavey
ABSENT: Fred Yoerg, Buck Malick, Brian Hurtgen
1. Date of Next Meeting - October 1, 2013 -- 9:00 a.m.
2. Rezonings
1. Amendments to St. Croix County Code of Ordinances Land Use and
Development Chapter 17 Zoning Section 17.72 Rezoning Amendments - Gjovik,
Town of Cylon
MINUTES APPROVAL
1. August 6, 2013 9:00 AM
Request by Ring to change language in item 5 under Resolution Authorizing the Register of
Deeds to Provide Free Searches and Copies of Vital Records to County Agencies. Ring
reported the word "increase" should be changed to "decrease".
RESULT: APPROVED AS AMENDED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Travis Schachtner, Supervisor
SECONDER: Dave Ostness, Supervisor
AYES: Travis Schachtner, Agnes Ring, Tim Hood, Daryl Standafer, Chris
Kilber, Richard Ottino, Tom Hawksford, Dave Ostness, Roger
Larson, Fred Horne, Ron Kiesler, Andy Brinkman, David
Peterson, Joe Hurtgen, Duane Russett, William Peavey
ABSENT: Fred Yoerg, Buck Malick, Brian Hurtgen
PUBLIC COMMENT FOR ITEMS NOT ON AGENDA
Charlotte Croes of Deer Park requested keeping the Ag-Center operating in Baldwin as it is
centrally located and makes more sense for the farmers and 4-H members. She indicated she is
willing to serve on a committee to review this matter.
PRESENTATIONS OR RECOGNITIONS
1. Dedication of County Board Room in Recognition of Norman "Ole" Anderson
Thompson indicated the Government Center’s Community Room was originally
dedicated to Norman “Ole” Anderson and noted with the remodeling of Emergency
Services Department and the 911 Center this County Board Room is being rededicated to
Ole Anderson. Thompson introduced former County Clerk Jill Berke who served as
County Clerk from 1982 to 1989. Berke expressed her appreciation for the consideration
of rededicating the County Board Room to Ole Anderson. Berke introduced Ole’s family
members present: daughters Peggy Johnson, Jane Meeker and Joan Prescott and nephew
William Johnson. Berke recognized others present for the rededication including former
County Clerk Sue Nelson, former First Deputy to the County Clerk Mary Johnson, and
former County Board members Tom O’Connell and Art Jacobson. O’Connell and
Jacobson highlighted memories of Ole. Berke provided a background of Ole Anderson.
A photo and plaque were unveiled. Berke thanked all those attending and involved in the
rededication. Applause.
2. Presentation by Bob Meyer, WITC President
Meyer reviewed WITC campus sites which encompass eleven counties, 10,500 square
miles, noting they offer over 60 career focused programs and reviewed enrollment and
graduate placement. Meyer highlighted WITC Strategic Planning efforts and reviewed.
Meyer reviewed the operating budget noting 70% funding is by local property tax.
Meyer reported a new ranking was released last week and WITC is now ranked as fourth
best 2-year college in the nation.
3. Storm Readiness National Weather Service Accreditation
Thompson introduced Kristen Sailer, Emergency Management Coordinator for St. Croix
County who achieved a premium level of accreditation from the National Weather
Service. Through her work, St. Croix County received StormReady® designation. Sailer
reviewed the application and evaluation process and noted September is National
Preparedness month. Sailer introduced Todd Krause and Bill Borghoff from the National
Weather Service in Chanhassen, Minnesota who presented Sailer with a plaque.
Applause. Sailer highlighted St. Croix County was approved for Public Assistance from
severe storms and flooding damage in June 2013. Public Assistance is a reimbursement
grant program by FEMA to assist communities to recover costs from public infrastructure
damage.
4. Retirement of Corporation Counsel, Don Gillen
Thompson recognized Corporation Counsel Don Gillen for his 22 years of service to St.
Croix County and expressed his appreciation for work. Applause.
APPOINTMENTS
None.
ANNUAL DEPARTMENT REPORTS
1. 2013 Judicial Circuit Court Judges Annual Department Report
Present: Judge Cameron, Judge Vlack, Judge Lundell, Judge Needham and Family Court
Commissioner Steve Dunlap. Judge Cameron highlighted the recent formation of the St.
Croix County Criminal Justice Coordinating Council (CJCC), and the Drug Court and
Juvenile Treatment Court programs. He noted foreclosures are down but heroin is an
issue in St. Croix County. Judge Cameron thanked all departments involved in the
Schaffhausen trial held in April. He thanked the court staffs including the judicial
assistants, Register in Probate, Court Commissioners and mediators. Judge Cameron
reported Judge Lundell is the presiding judge in St. Croix County and Judge Needham
serves as the Chief Judge of the Tenth Judicial District. Each Judge spoke briefly on
budget concerns, caseload statistics and judicial needs and Drug Court and Juvenile
Treatment Court and thanked the County Board for the additional security measures in
the courts. All Judges thanked Gillen for his work and cooperation in the court system.
2. 2013 Family Court Commissioner Annual Department Report
Steve Dunlap highlighted his duties and the difficult time of year this brings with parents
in determining which school their children are to attend when parents are living apart.
Dunlap thanked the County Board for their support in the Court Commissioners’ office
and increase in security measures. Dunlap thanked Gillen for his assistance over the
years.
3. 2013 Register in Probate Annual Department Report
No questions.
4. 2013 Clerk of Court Annual Department Report
No questions.
COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT
1. Financial Update
Financial Reports
Thompson reviewed the Financial Report through July 2013. Finance Director Hansen
highlighted the new items on the report including Fund 409-2013 Land Sale, Fund 410 -
St. Croix River Crossing Project (SCRCP) Capital Project Fund, Fund 810 - SCRCP
Agency Fund. Hansen indicated she distributed the 2012 audit reports today. Questions
from Ostness regarding bonding for Government Center parking lot repairs in 2010. He
recalls funds were reallocated to the Nursing Home and requested information regarding
the balance of those funds. Thompson indicated he will provide specifics to Ostness.
Ostness questioned Government Center renovations capital projects in the amount of
$12,888. Ziliak indicated she did not have the detail, but most of those costs are
renovations for the Finance Department.
2. Citizen's Survey Report Presentation - James Janke, UWRF and Pete Kling, UW
Extension
Thompson highlighted the work done on the St. Croix County Resident Survey and
introduced Pete Kling, UW Extension Office and Jim Janke, UW River Falls. Kling
reviewed the history of the project. Janke reviewed the survey content and survey
process noting the survey was mailed to 1,149 random households and 388 were
returned. Review of respondent demographics, summary overview, spending matrix and
detailed of importance relating to spending. Ranking highest is the protection of abused
and neglected children. Review of open-ended comments with 36% being about taxes
and 9% were about government assistance programs. Conclusions provide county
programs and services viewed as at least “Somewhat important” by residents. Reluctance
to increase spending or to decrease spending had no popular mandate. The challenge was
how to provide quality services deemed important in difficult fiscal environment.
3. Strategic Plan Update
Thompson provided a strategic plan update and indicated this plan needs to be reviewed
routinely to maintain its relevance. Thompson reviewed the four Strategic Initiatives
which ties in with the Pay for Performance system and priority areas. Thompson
indicated the resident survey results were considered when preparing the strategic
initiatives and he feels they address the survey results. Our challenge at the county-level
is to improve service delivery but responsibly use county tax dollars by making our
operations more efficient. The 2014 budgets will address how those budgets focus on the
strategic initiatives.
4. Capital Projects Report
Thompson reviewed the capital projects status to expand 911 and request for proposals
for this project. Thompson noted a final report of the consolidation of St. Croix and
Pierce County 911 Centers feasibility study will be provided in December 2013. Review
of vacating the Health and Human Services (HHS) building in New Richmond.
Thompson indicated the purchase of the former County Market building is scheduled for
September 6, 2013 noting the purchase price is $1,280,000. This building will be
referred to as the St. Croix County Government Services Center. Thompson reviewed
interior build out cost considerations and targeted June 2014 as the tentative staff
relocation date.
Thompson reported the Administration Committee authorized the County Administrator
to begin marketing Baldwin Ag-Center building. Review of 2014 bonding noting auction
proceeds were $3.3 million. 2014 bonding will include 911 infrastructure upgrades and
any other capital costs which exceed auction proceeds noting the sale of the Ag-Center
could offset bonding totals depending on timing. Discussion regarding moving staff from
the Ag-Center to Hudson. Thompson indicated staff in Baldwin are Community
Development Department (CDD) members and it would be more efficient for CDD staff
to be in the same building. Thompson pledges to reach out to address citizen concerns in
moving the services from Baldwin. Russett requested the Village of Baldwin president
and administrator be involved in the meetings. Thompson reported on expenditures as of
September 3, 2013 for capital projects for 911 expansion, vacating HHS and clean-up for
the New Richmond site total $246,547.
Thompson reported the Nursing Home property incentive application was approved with
conditions. The conditions will be reviewed by the HHS Board at its next meeting.
OLD AND NEW BUSINESS
1. Resolution Supporting Wisconsin Counties Collaborative Statutory Language for Health
and Human Services Programs (Umbrella Human Service Statute)
No discussion.
RESULT: ADOPTED [14 TO 1]
MOVER: Dave Ostness, Supervisor
SECONDER: Travis Schachtner, Supervisor
AYES: Travis Schachtner, Agnes Ring, Tim Hood, Daryl Standafer,
Richard Ottino, Tom Hawksford, Dave Ostness, Roger Larson,
Ron Kiesler, Andy Brinkman, David Peterson, Joe Hurtgen, Duane
Russett, William Peavey
NAYS: Chris Kilber
ABSENT: Fred Yoerg, Buck Malick, Fred Horne, Brian Hurtgen
COUNTY CLERK'S REPORT OF CORRESPONDENCE AND REZONING REQUESTS
None
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Refreshments will be served immediately after the meeting in celebration of Don Gillen's
retirement.
ADJOURNMENT - 11:45 AM