HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-04-2015 County Board Minutes
MINUTES
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
August 4, 2015 5:00 PM
County Board Room-Government Center
1101 Carmichael Road, Hudson, Wisconsin
CALL TO ORDER
INVOCATION OR MOMENT OF SILENCE - TIM SACKETT, TRANSPORT FOR CHRIST
PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG
ROLL CALL
Attendee Name Organization Title Status Arrived
Travis Schachtner St. Croix County Supervisor Present
Agnes Ring St. Croix County Supervisor Present
Christopher Babbitt St. Croix County Supervisor Absent
Howard Novotny St. Croix County Supervisor Present
Roy Sjoberg St. Croix County Supervisor Present
Carah Koch St. Croix County Supervisor Present
Chris Kilber St. Croix County Supervisor Present
Scott Nelson St. Croix County Supervisor Present
Jill Ann Berke St. Croix County Supervisor Present
Dave Ostness St. Croix County Vice Chair Present
Roger Larson St. Croix County Chair Present
Daniel Hansen St. Croix County Supervisor Present
Ron Kiesler St. Croix County Supervisor Present
Andy Brinkman St. Croix County Supervisor Present 5:09 PM
David Peterson St. Croix County Supervisor Present 5:09 PM
Paulette Anderson St. Croix County Supervisor Present
Judy Achterhof St. Croix County Supervisor Present
Shaela Leibfried St. Croix County Supervisor Present
William Peavey St. Croix County Supervisor Present
PUBLIC COMMENT
None
CONSENT AGENDA
(Unless separation of an item is requested, all will be adopted in one motion.)
RESULT: APPROVED \[UNANIMOUS\]
MOVER: William Peavey, Supervisor
SECONDER: Howard Novotny, Supervisor
AYES: Travis Schachtner, Agnes Ring, Howard Novotny, Roy Sjoberg,
Carah Koch, Chris Kilber, Scott Nelson, Jill Ann Berke, Dave
Ostness, Roger Larson, Daniel Hansen, Ron Kiesler, Andy
Brinkman, David Peterson, Paulette Anderson, Judy Achterhof,
Shaela Leibfried, William Peavey
ABSENT: Christopher Babbitt
1. Minutes of Previous Meeting
July 7, 2015 5:00 PM
2. Date of Next Meeting - September 1, 2015 - 5:00 PM
3. Rezonings
Amendment to the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance - Town of Eau Galle -
Mellgren Property.
PRESENTATIONS OR RECOGNITIONS
1. Employee Recognition- Deputy Josh Stenseth and K9 Dex
County Administrator Thompson reported Deputy Stenseth and Dex are unable to attend the
meeting and will reschedule the presentation for next month.
RESULT: NO ACTION Next: 9/1/2015 5:00 PM
APPOINTMENTS
None
ANNUAL DEPARTMENT REPORTS
1. 2014 Highway Dept Annual Report - Tim Ramberg
Highway Department report by Highway Commissioner Tim Ramberg.
RESULT: DISCUSSED
2. 2014 Surveyor Annual Report - Brian Halling
Surveyor Department report by County Surveyor Brian Halling.
RESULT: DISCUSSED
3. 2014 Register of Deeds Annual Report - Beth Pabst
Register of Deeds annual report summarized by Register of Deeds Beth Pabst.
RESULT: DISCUSSED
COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT
1. Financial Reports
Thompson highlighted the financial report through June 2015 indicating overall the budget
is on track. Thompson noted the bonding resolution will be addressed later in the meeting
and reported on the Aa1 Moody rating received.
RESULT: DISCUSSED
BUSINESS
1. Resolution Approving Alteration of Supervisory District Boundary Due to Detachment of
Property by the Village of Somerset
RESULT: ADOPTED \[UNANIMOUS\]
MOVER: Dave Ostness, Vice Chair
SECONDER: Travis Schachtner, Supervisor
AYES: Travis Schachtner, Agnes Ring, Howard Novotny, Roy Sjoberg,
Carah Koch, Chris Kilber, Scott Nelson, Jill Ann Berke, Dave
Ostness, Roger Larson, Daniel Hansen, Ron Kiesler, Andy
Brinkman, David Peterson, Paulette Anderson, Judy Achterhof,
Shaela Leibfried, William Peavey
ABSENT: Christopher Babbitt
2. Resolution Authorizing Submission of the Application for Community Development
Block Grant Funds on Behalf of the West Central Wisconsin Community Development
Block Grant Housing Region
Supr. Ring explained St. Croix County is one of ten counties part of the West Central
Wisconsin Community Block Grant Housing Region and an application for federal funding
through Wisconsin Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) is necessary by all ten
counties to receive funds for owner occupied rehabilitation assistance and home buyer
assistance programs. Supr. Ring reported Health and Human Services Director Fred
Johnson is the county's spokesperson for this program.
RESULT: ADOPTED \[UNANIMOUS\]
MOVER: Agnes Ring, Supervisor
SECONDER: Jill Ann Berke, Supervisor
AYES: Travis Schachtner, Agnes Ring, Howard Novotny, Roy Sjoberg,
Carah Koch, Chris Kilber, Scott Nelson, Jill Ann Berke, Dave
Ostness, Roger Larson, Daniel Hansen, Ron Kiesler, Andy
Brinkman, David Peterson, Paulette Anderson, Judy Achterhof,
Shaela Leibfried, William Peavey
ABSENT: Christopher Babbitt
3. Resolution to Purchase Real Property, along the St. Croix River for a County Park and
Approve Budget Amendment for the Purchase
Supr. Ring explained the Community Development Committee recommends the acquisition
of 53.29 acres in the Town of St. Joseph from C.A. Richards, which is adjacent to the St.
Croix River. Supr. Kilber expressed concerns regarding premium property not on the tax
roll, the real estate tax amount for this property, and if this falls under the Stewardship Plan.
Community Development Department Director Ellen Denzer explained the funding of this
purchase is part of the $2 million of the St. Croix River Crossing mitigation project to
purchase land or conservation easements for replacement lands that will mitigate and impact
the St. Croix River bluff from the new River Crossing. Denzer indicated this is not part of
the Stewardship Plan and the taxes are approximately $7,000 to $8,000 per year. Supr.
Schachtner supported the purchase noting the land is locked and it's best use is for park land
and will be the largest park for St. Croix County on the St. Croix River. Discussion
regarding costs to develop. Denzer confirmed no cost estimates have been determined but a
management plan will be done for this site. Denzer explained land layout and potential
uses. Discussion regarding the availability of federal money to develop this property.
Denzer stated levy money may be used to develop noting potential grant opportunities.
RESULT: ADOPTED \[17 TO 1\]
MOVER: Agnes Ring, Supervisor
SECONDER: Travis Schachtner, Supervisor
AYES: Travis Schachtner, Agnes Ring, Howard Novotny, Roy Sjoberg,
Carah Koch, Scott Nelson, Jill Ann Berke, Dave Ostness, Roger
Larson, Daniel Hansen, Ron Kiesler, Andy Brinkman, David
Peterson, Paulette Anderson, Judy Achterhof, Shaela Leibfried,
William Peavey
NAYS: Chris Kilber
ABSENT: Christopher Babbitt
4. Resolution Awarding the Sale of $10,000,000 General Obligation Health Center Bonds,
Series 2015a; Providing the Form of the Bonds; and Levying a Tax in Connection
Therewith
Thompson reported on notification from Moody's Investors Service that St. Croix County's
bond rating of Aa1 was affirmed. This places St. Croix County in a favorable financial
position with potential investors.
Thompson introduced Financial Advisor Joe Murray of Springsted. Murray explained this
is the first part of financing the Health Center. Financing was split into two issues to
maintain bank qualification. St. Croix County received a Moody's credit rating of Aa1
which is the second highest rating. Murray explained the bid process and noted seven bids
were received with FTN Financial Capital Markets being the lowest bidder at 2.6495
percent. Murray reported the bad news is the estimates in May came in with a lower interest
cost than projected at 2.643 percent less than a basis point higher or $70,390 higher than
reported in May. The additional cost based on a $100,000 equalized value house, based on
the 2014 tax base is $.93 over the twenty years of the issue. This resolution recommends the
award to FTN Financial Capital Markets. Murray confirmed there is a ten-year call
provision.
RESULT: ADOPTED \[17 TO 1\]
MOVER: Travis Schachtner, Supervisor
SECONDER: Howard Novotny, Supervisor
AYES: Travis Schachtner, Agnes Ring, Howard Novotny, Roy Sjoberg,
Carah Koch, Scott Nelson, Jill Ann Berke, Dave Ostness, Roger
Larson, Daniel Hansen, Ron Kiesler, Andy Brinkman, David
Peterson, Paulette Anderson, Judy Achterhof, Shaela Leibfried,
William Peavey
NAYS: Chris Kilber
ABSENT: Christopher Babbitt
5. Resolution Adopting Unified Compensation Plan
Motion by Schachtner, 2nd by Sjoberg to approve. Chair Larson reminded supervisors to
keep discussions relating to positions and not individuals. Review of study by Victoria
McGrath of McGrath Human Resources Group. McGrath recommended implementation of
the wage study as is, and to review it annually. McGrath recommended suspending the
merit system for the next year and to simplify the performance evaluation process, update
job descriptions and have more supervisor training. McGrath emphasized performance
evaluations are still necessary. The Human Resources Department needs to be reviewing the
scores from a county standpoint and for accountability purposes. She also recommended
review of the benefit analysis.
McGrath summarized the employee compensation is starting to fall behind market; there
were inconsistencies among salary schedules; she developed a schedule with internal equity;
positions placed on the schedule due to market/internal; reduce compression; and have
consistency among the County. She added the health insurance is comparable and
recommended adding the employer contribution for dental insurance. Discussion regarding
job descriptions and where they are located. Supr. Nelson questioned the County
Administrator's position on the wage grid as this position is under contract, suggested
eliminating the Pay for Performance system and questioned the new position of Assistant
County Administrator. McGrath responded some counties include the County
Administrator on the grid and some do not. This is a decision by the County Board and may
use the market data. McGrath indicated the Assistant County Administrator replaces the
title of Senior Management Analyst as this cleans up the title.
Motion by Supr. Berke, 2nd by Supr. Hansen to amend the compensation study as
part of the resolution by removing the position of Assistant County Administrator and
accompanying wage and retain the position of Senior Management Analyst with a fair
wage to be considered and determined by the Administration Committee at the August
2015 meeting. Suprs. Hansen, Berke and Kiesler expressed concerns regarding
increased duties. Supr. Achterhof noted there is an appeal process.
Thompson stated the Employee Handbook contemplates this type of process speaks to the
market study. Thompson indicated he has been upfront and factual and provides
information in an open way and suggested the Board focus on the county administrator
position rather than the assistant. Thompson asked board members to look at what has been
accomplished by the County Administrator directing the workforce. He realized early on he
needed a go to assistant and the incumbent in the Risk Management position took on duties
ion is based on job duties as assigned by the County
Administrator. Thompson confirmed there is no one assigned to take on his duties in his
Amendment failed: Yes - 6; No - 12 (Yes: Nelson, Berke, Ostness, Larson, Hansen,
Anderson)
Discussion regarding the appeal process. McGrath suggested setting a start and end date to
appeal but have it done before the January 2016 implementation.
Discussion regarding Pay for Performance (P4P). Thompson indicated P4P is not being
eliminated but will be modified. Discussion regarding merit pay concerns. Thompson
indicated merits will be eliminated.
Supr. Brinkman requested the numbers to implement this plan. McGrath reported $525,000
based on amounts received from Management Analyst Kristen Ziliak. Thompson confirmed
$416,000 in merit pay was paid out in July.
Thompson confirmed the adoption of this study, with implementation in 2016, contemplates
this is our reclassification process for 2
Board has the final say.
Supr. Schachtner requested clarification of the County Administrator position in which this
is not a vote to put the County Administrator position on the wage grid as that would require
a change in the contract. The position is listed on the wage grid for information purposes
only. Corporation Counsel Cox confirmed the County Administrator is under contract and it
is up to the County Board when the contract is renegotiated or ends if the scale is
implemented.
Supr. Ostness asked if this plan is implemented will P4P go away. Corporation Counsel
Cox indicated the County Administrator is directed to submit amendments to the
compensation plan which includes suspending P4P for at least a year. The resolution
comments Corporation Counsel Cox will be forwarding a recommendation to the County
Board to eliminate P4P such that it is Progression for Pay rather than a merit based system.
RESULT: ADOPTED \[UNANIMOUS\]
MOVER: Travis Schachtner, Supervisor
SECONDER: Roy Sjoberg, Supervisor
AYES: Travis Schachtner, Agnes Ring, Howard Novotny, Roy Sjoberg,
Carah Koch, Chris Kilber, Scott Nelson, Jill Ann Berke, Dave
Ostness, Roger Larson, Daniel Hansen, Ron Kiesler, Andy
Brinkman, David Peterson, Paulette Anderson, Judy Achterhof,
Shaela Leibfried, William Peavey
ABSENT: Christopher Babbitt
REQUEST FOR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
None
COUNTY CLERK'S REPORT OF CORRESPONDENCE AND REZONING REQUESTS
County Clerk Campbell read rezoning requests, reminded Supervisors to return the orientation
survey and to contact her if they wish to attend the WCA annual conference.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Supr. Ostness informed the Supervisors of the death of a Lincoln County Highway Department
employee working as a flagger. He was hit and killed in July. Supr. Ostness requested drivers slow
down in work zones and put their cells phones down.
ADJOURNMENT
7:54 p.m.