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Home My WebLink About02-07-2017 County Board Minutes MINUTES BOARD OF SUPERVISORS February 7, 2017 9:00 AM County Board Room-Government Center 1101 Carmichael Road, Hudson, Wisconsin CALL TO ORDER INVOCATION OR MOMENT OF SILENCE-PASTOR MIKE EVANS, FAITH COMMUNITY CHURCH, NEW RICHMOND PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG ROLL CALL Attendee Name Organization Title Status Arrived Departed Ryan S. Sicard St. Croix County Supervisor Present Agnes Ring St. Croix County Supervisor Present Christopher Babbitt St. Croix County Supervisor Present 10:30 AM Tom Coulter St. Croix County Supervisor Present Roy Sjoberg St. Croix County Supervisor Present Bob Long St. Croix County Supervisor Present Laurie Bergren 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 Absent 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 David Peterson St. Croix County Supervisor Absent Paulette Anderson St. Croix County Supervisor Absent Judy Achterhof St. Croix County Supervisor Present Shaela Leibfried St. Croix County Supervisor Present William Peavey St. Croix County Supervisor Present PUBLIC COMMENT Ms. Diane Joachim of New Richmond spoke about the health concerns of refugees. Darla Meyers raised several questions about naming St. Croix County a sanctuary county for refugees. CONSENT AGENDA (Unless separation of an item is requested, all will be adopted in one motion.) RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Christopher Babbitt, Supervisor SECONDER: Tom Coulter, Supervisor AYES: Ryan S. Sicard, Agnes Ring, Christopher Babbitt, Tom Coulter, Roy Sjoberg, Bob Long, Laurie Bergren, Scott Nelson, Jill Ann Berke, Roger Larson, Daniel Hansen, Ron Kiesler, Andy Brinkman, Judy Achterhof, Shaela Leibfried, William Peavey ABSENT: Dave Ostness, David Peterson, Paulette Anderson 1. Minutes of Previous Meeting January 3, 2017 9:00 AM 2. Date of Next Meeting - March 7, 2017 - 5:00 PM 3. Rezonings - none PRESENTATIONS OR RECOGNITIONS 1. St. Croix River Crossing Bridge and Bike/Pedestrian Loop Trail Update - Beth Cunningham, PE - WisDOT Presentation by Beth Cunningham from Wisconsin Department of Transportation and Community Development Director Ellen Denzer. RESULT: DISCUSSED APPOINTMENTS 1. County Veteran Service Officer Appointment County Administrator Pat Thompson recommended the appointment of Phil Landgraf as St. Croix County Veteran Service Officer and briefly summarized Mr. Landgraf's background. Thompson thanked Dale Cotch for his service and sends his condolences to the Cotch family in Dale's passing. Thompson thanked Merlin Blaisdell for his assistance in the office during the transition. Phil Landgraf thanked the County Board for their service and looks forward to working with the County Board. Comments by Blaisdell. RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Ryan S. Sicard, Supervisor SECONDER: Tom Coulter, Supervisor AYES: Ryan S. Sicard, Agnes Ring, Christopher Babbitt, Tom Coulter, Roy Sjoberg, Bob Long, Laurie Bergren, Scott Nelson, Jill Ann Berke, Roger Larson, Daniel Hansen, Ron Kiesler, Andy Brinkman, Judy Achterhof, Shaela Leibfried, William Peavey ABSENT: Dave Ostness, David Peterson, Paulette Anderson ANNUAL DEPARTMENT REPORTS 1. Child Support Dept Annual Report - Chad Wolske Summary by Child Support Administrator Chad Wolske. Supr. Berke commended Wolske for his service on the Board of Wisconsin Child Support Enforcement Association. RESULT: DISCUSSED 2. District Attorney and Victim Witness Annual Report - Michael Nieskes District Attorney Michael Nieske summarized the District Attorney and Victim Witness annual report. RESULT: DISCUSSED 3. Medical Examiner's Annual Report - Patty Schachtner Medical Examiner Patty Schachtner highlighted the Medical Examiner's annual report. RESULT: DISCUSSED 4. County Treasurer Annual Department Report Written report submitted. RESULT: NO ACTION 5. County Clerk Annual Department Report - Cindy Campbell County Clerk Cindy Campbell highlighted 2016 elections. RESULT: DISCUSSED COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT Financial Reports Review of Financial Reports by County Administrator Patrick Thompson. CIP expenditures reviewed. Supr. Hansen requested report on designated funds separate from the general fund. RESULT: DISCUSSED BUSINESS 1. Resolution Appointing County Treasurer Supr. Berke reported on the recruitment and interview process. RESULT: ADOPTED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Jill Ann Berke, Supervisor SECONDER: Laurie Bergren, Supervisor AYES: Ryan S. Sicard, Agnes Ring, Tom Coulter, Roy Sjoberg, Bob Long, Laurie Bergren, Scott Nelson, Jill Ann Berke, Roger Larson, Daniel Hansen, Ron Kiesler, Andy Brinkman, Judy Achterhof, Shaela Leibfried, William Peavey ABSENT: Christopher Babbitt, Dave Ostness, David Peterson, Paulette Anderson 2. Resolution Adjusting Pay in the Highway Department for Specific Employees Due to Wage Compression Supr. Peavey explained the compression impacts in the Highway Department in which staff supervising other staff salaries were equal to or less than those they are supervising. Supr. Berke spoke in support of the resolution and asked all other positions in the county be reviewed for compression adjustments. RESULT: ADOPTED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Laurie Bergren, Supervisor SECONDER: Ryan S. Sicard, Supervisor AYES: Ryan S. Sicard, Agnes Ring, Tom Coulter, Roy Sjoberg, Bob Long, Laurie Bergren, Scott Nelson, Jill Ann Berke, Roger Larson, Daniel Hansen, Ron Kiesler, Andy Brinkman, Judy Achterhof, Shaela Leibfried, William Peavey ABSENT: Christopher Babbitt, Dave Ostness, David Peterson, Paulette Anderson 3. Resolution Approving $4,900,000 Application for State Trust Fund Loan Motion by Supr. Bergren, 2nd by Supr. Sjoberg to approve. Motion by Supr. Sjoberg, 2nd by Supr. Berke to postpone action on this matter until the March 7, 2017 County Board meeting. RESULT: POSTPONED [UNANIMOUS] Next: 3/7/2017 5:00 PM MOVER: Roy Sjoberg, Supervisor SECONDER: Jill Ann Berke, Supervisor AYES: Ryan S. Sicard, Agnes Ring, Tom Coulter, Roy Sjoberg, Bob Long, Laurie Bergren, Scott Nelson, Jill Ann Berke, Roger Larson, Daniel Hansen, Ron Kiesler, Andy Brinkman, Judy Achterhof, Shaela Leibfried, William Peavey ABSENT: Christopher Babbitt, Dave Ostness, David Peterson, Paulette Anderson 4. Ordinance Repealing and Recreating St. Croix County Code of Ethics Motion by Supr. Sjoberg, 2nd by Supr. Kiesler to approve. Discussion regarding changes, the reason for the changes and membership of the Ethics Inquiry Board. Corporation Counsel Scott Cox explained the State of Wisconsin has its own code of ethics and St. Croix County's code was contrary to state statutes. Cox stated the new code has a two-step process. One, the complaint is filed and a determination is made if there is probable cause or not, then a hearing is held. Review of the changes by Cox including the elimination of the nepotism clause. Motion by Supr. Long, 2nd by Supr. Coulter to refer this matter back to the Administration Committee to consider adding back the nepotism clause to the Code of Ethics. Tie vote, motion failed: Yes - 7; No - 7; Abstention - 1 (Ayes: Sicard, Ring, Coulter, Long, Larson, Brinkman, Achterhof; Abstained: Sjoberg) Motion by Supr. Peavey, 2nd by Supr. Achterhof to postpone this matter until the March 7, 2017 County Board meeting for action to allow board members to review the old Code of Ethics which was not included in the packet. Tie vote, motion failed: Yes - 7; No - 7; Abstention - 1 (Ayes: Sicard, Ring, Coulter, Long, Brinkman, Achterhof, Peavey; Abstained: Larson) Motion by Supr. Brinkman, 2nd by Supr. Sicard to eliminate the last sentence in Section 90.11(2) and replace with, "The Ethics Inquiry Board will continue to meet until resolution is made or dismissal." Discussion on amendment. Supr. Peavey recommended a five minute break to finalize amendment language. Cox recommended the amendment to read: If no action on the verified complaint is taken by the Ethics Inquiry Board within 60 days, the complaint shall be referred to the County Board for determination of probable cause. If there is a finding of probable cause by the County Board, the matter shall be referred back to the Ethics Inquiry Board for an evidentiary hearing under 90.11(5)(c). Suprs. Brinkman and Sicard agreed to the language. Amendment passed unanimously. Motion as amended passed: Yes - 12; No - 2: Abstained - 1 (Nays: Long, Brinkman; Abstained: Achterhof) RESULT: ENACTED AS AMENDED [12 TO 2] MOVER: Roy Sjoberg, Supervisor SECONDER: Ron Kiesler, Supervisor AYES: Ryan S. Sicard, Agnes Ring, Tom Coulter, Roy Sjoberg, Laurie Bergren, Scott Nelson, Jill Ann Berke, Roger Larson, Daniel Hansen, Ron Kiesler, Shaela Leibfried, William Peavey NAYS: Bob Long, Andy Brinkman ABSTAIN: Judy Achterhof ABSENT: Christopher Babbitt, Dave Ostness, David Peterson, Paulette Anderson REQUEST FOR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Supr. Sjoberg reported at the February 15, 2017 Administration Committee there will be a final review of changes to the bylaws and review the County Administrator goals for the period of March 1, 2017 through February 28, 2018. Drafts of the bylaws and goals will be distributed to board members on Friday for review over the weekend and asked comments be submitted on Monday, February 13th to Operations Manager Ken Witt. The Administration Committee will review the comments. Supr. Sjoberg stated with respect to what this public institution should do or say about out documented and undocumented population and potential refugees that may reside in the county the matter remains under study. Presently there is no organized group of county officials or staff examining this issue. Any movement on this issue will be done in compliance with our state's open meeting laws and the subject matter be one for Health and Human Services or for public protection or for the Administration Committee to consider. Supr. Sjoberg stated on the matter relating to the living wage ordinance, that will be placed on the agenda for the Administration Committee if and when it comes up. Supr. Sjoberg reported he would like to see improvement of our communication with the outside community. Sjoberg requested the media provide that service because otherwise the public is being under served. It's incumbent upon county staff and the County Administrator to see that some communication other than televising the meetings occurs. Supr. Berke asked if there will be a recommendation of a new Human Resources Director replacement? Thompson responded the application deadline is mid-February and the Administration Committee will have an update at its next meeting. Supr. Coulter stated he does not think the Dementia Care Unit has a license from the State of Wisconsin and potential snag and overruns on the remodeling costs of the old Health Center building. Supr. Coulter would request a thorough report on the Health Center and all other matters on the progress at the next County Board meeting. COUNTY CLERK'S REPORT OF CORRESPONDENCE AND REZONING REQUESTS WCA Legislative District Meeting - March 23, 2017 in Eau Claire The Spring Primary Election is February 21, 2017 John Reed, the meeting videographer has announced his resignation. ANNOUNCEMENTS ADJOURNMENT 12:17PM