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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-07-2017 County Board Minutes MINUTES BOARD OF SUPERVISORS November 7, 2017 9:00 AM County Board Room-Government Center 1101 Carmichael Road, Hudson, Wisconsin CALL TO ORDER INVOCATION OR MOMENT OF SILENCE Moment of silence. PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG ROLL CALL Attendee Name Organization Title Status Arrived Ryan S. Sicard St. Croix County Supervisor Present Christopher Babbitt St. Croix County Supervisor Present Tom Coulter St. Croix County Supervisor Present Roy Sjoberg St. Croix County Supervisor Present Bob Long St. Croix County Supervisor Present Tammy Moothedan 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 Scottie Ard St. Croix County Supervisor Present Andy Brinkman 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 Shaela Leibfried St. Croix County Supervisor Present William Peavey St. Croix County Supervisor Present Chris Matter St. Croix County Supervisor Present 10:30 AM PUBLIC COMMENT Public comments regarding Wisconsin United to Amend: Linda Hendrix, New Richmond, Kay Brooks, New Richmond, Mike Brandt, Menomonie, Lorene Vedder, Menomonie, Wendy Dadez, New Richmond, Deborah Monicken, North Hudson, Rita Vetter, Hudson, Susan Bosley, Jacqueline Niccum, River Falls (and budget), Jane Hansen, New Richmond Chris Marshall, Houlton - District 2 Vacancy John Kraft, Town of Warren - Groundwater quality Tom Spaniol, Town of St. Joseph - AB479 and SB387 CONSENT AGENDA (Unless separation of an item is requested, all will be adopted in one motion.) RESULT: APPROVED \[18 TO 0\] MOVER: Tom Coulter, Supervisor SECONDER: Christopher Babbitt, Supervisor AYES: Ryan S. Sicard, Christopher Babbitt, Tom Coulter, Roy Sjoberg, Bob Long, Tammy Moothedan, Scott Nelson, Jill Ann Berke, Dave Ostness, Roger Larson, Daniel Hansen, Scottie Ard, Andy Brinkman, David Peterson, Paulette Anderson, Judy Achterhof, Shaela Leibfried, William Peavey AWAY: Chris Matter 1. Minutes of Previous Meeting October 3, 2017 5:00 PM 2. Date of Next Meeting - December 5, 2017 - 9:00 AM 3. Rezonings 1. Ordinance Amending the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance, Chapter 17 Section 28, T29N, R16W, Town of Baldwin PRESENTATIONS OR RECOGNITIONS 1. Presentation on St. Croix County's New Website County Administrator Patrick Thompson introduced Information Technology staff Director John Allegro, Annette Massie and Dawn Jacobson. Massie reported on implementation process of the new website. RESULT: DISCUSSED APPOINTMENTS 1. Appointment of County Board Supervisor District 2 Candidates Jessica Lee, Chris Matter, Jeri Koester, and Scott Nordstrand introduced themselves. Ballots were distributed. Result: Matter-11; Nordstrand-5; Koester-2; Lee-0. Matter signed the oath of office. RESULT: DISCUSSED 2. County Administrator Appointments to Council on Aging and Disabilities Thompson recommended the appointment of Maureen Brunner to the Council on Aging and Disabilities Board to fill the unexpired term of Esther Wentz. RESULT: APPROVED \[UNANIMOUS\] MOVER: Dave Ostness, Vice Chair SECONDER: Daniel Hansen, Supervisor AYES: Ryan S. Sicard, Christopher Babbitt, Tom Coulter, Roy Sjoberg, Bob Long, Tammy Moothedan, Scott Nelson, Jill Ann Berke, Dave Ostness, Roger Larson, Daniel Hansen, Scottie Ard, Andy Brinkman, David Peterson, Paulette Anderson, Judy Achterhof, Shaela Leibfried, William Peavey, Chris Matter ANNUAL DEPARTMENT REPORTS - NONE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT 1. Financial Reports Thompson reviewed the financial reports. RESULT: DISCUSSED 2. Summary of 2018 County Administrator's Recommended Budget Brief review of the proposed 2018 budget by Administrator Thompson. Thompson addressed denied budget requests regarding new positions specifically in Emergency Support Services (ESS). Thompson summarized staffing vacancies in dispatch and stated a plan to hirer part-time reserve dispatchers beginning in 2017 and into 2018. Reserves will be used when needed and also become part of a hiring pool for permanent vacancies in dispatch. Thompson stated he is making a commitment for the 2019 budget to hire one additional fulltime dispatcher and asked board members to consider the plan going forward to staff the 911 dispatch center. Supr. Nelson requested a written plan of what the county will do to fix the problem in staffing in ESS for the next Public Protection and Judiciary committee meeting. Supr. Brinkman asked what funding is in place for the part-time reserve dispatchers. Operations Manager Ken Witt explained there is funding for fulltime and part-time dispatchers in the budget. Supr. Berke asked board members to trust the Administrator's plan for staffing in ESS. RESULT: DISCUSSED BUSINESS 1. Public Hearing on 2018 Proposed Budget per Wis. Stats. 65.90(3) Chair Larson opened the public hearing at 10:37 a.m. There were no comments and the public hearing was closed. RESULT: DISCUSSED 2. Resolution Establishing Extra Step Increases for Employees over 15 Years of Service and Below Market Rate Administrator Thompson explained this resolution provides one additional step increase for employees with more than 15 years of services and below market rate and two steps for employees with more than 20 years of services and below market rate to a maximum of market rate step 6. Human Resources determined 16 employees fell within these parameters for a total cost of $36,329.74. Thompson added if approved and in order to fit in the 2018 budget, there would be a reduction to the contingency fund from $130,000 less $36,329.74. RESULT: ADOPTED \[17 TO 1\] MOVER: Scott Nelson, Supervisor SECONDER: Christopher Babbitt, Supervisor AYES: Ryan S. Sicard, Christopher Babbitt, Roy Sjoberg, Bob Long, Tammy Moothedan, Scott Nelson, Jill Ann Berke, Dave Ostness, Roger Larson, Scottie Ard, Andy Brinkman, David Peterson, Paulette Anderson, Judy Achterhof, Shaela Leibfried, William Peavey, Chris Matter NAYS: Tom Coulter ABSTAIN: Daniel Hansen 3. Resolution Approving Library Exemptions from Tax Levy No discussion. RESULT: ADOPTED \[UNANIMOUS\] MOVER: Roy Sjoberg, Supervisor SECONDER: Jill Ann Berke, Supervisor AYES: Ryan S. Sicard, Christopher Babbitt, Tom Coulter, Roy Sjoberg, Bob Long, Tammy Moothedan, Scott Nelson, Jill Ann Berke, Dave Ostness, Roger Larson, Daniel Hansen, Scottie Ard, Andy Brinkman, David Peterson, Paulette Anderson, Judy Achterhof, Shaela Leibfried, William Peavey, Chris Matter 4. Resolution Adopting 2018 Budget and Setting Tax Levy Rate Supr. Long expressed concerns regarding increases in spending noting a 13% increase in the last two years. Supr. Ard agreed the spending is cumulative but former boards failed to make necessary expenditures on assets. Ard agreed the board needs to be fiscally conservative and urged everyone to leverage assets and put cash aside. Suprs. Nelson and Hansen highlighted necessary upgrades regarding the transportation building, 911 and ERP financial and human resources software. Supr. Coulter stated St. Croix County is raising taxes noting the county's evaluation is up 7%, most of which is on existing homes and businesses with only 1.45% proportion attributed to new construction. Supr. Berke stated this board has discretion as we go forward with capital improvements to make changes to projects to be more fiscally responsible. Administrator Thompson acknowledged a 7% increase with debt service being a large part of that increase adding the overall tax rate is decreasing. Thompson added expenditures for the St. Croix River Crossing mitigation projects show up as expenditures and offsetting revenue from state and federal funds. RESULT: ADOPTED \[15 TO 4\] MOVER: Scott Nelson, Supervisor SECONDER: Jill Ann Berke, Supervisor AYES: Christopher Babbitt, Roy Sjoberg, Tammy Moothedan, Scott Nelson, Jill Ann Berke, Dave Ostness, Roger Larson, Daniel Hansen, Scottie Ard, David Peterson, Paulette Anderson, Judy Achterhof, Shaela Leibfried, William Peavey, Chris Matter NAYS: Ryan S. Sicard, Tom Coulter, Bob Long, Andy Brinkman 5. Resolution to Allow "United to Amend" Referendum Question on April 2018 Ballot for St. Croix County Voters Supr. Long expressed concerns regarding lack of information in the meeting packet to make an objective decision and the need to see documentation on both sides of the issue. He added he was not provided with sufficient information and felt it was not appropriate to vote on this until there is enough information to make a decision. Supr. Babbitt commented on the amount of time candidates spend on fundraising rather than governing and recommended putting the question to the voters. Supr. Sjoberg indicated large contributions come in and influence government. Supr. Coulter stated this matter is not county business and we should be focused on running county government. RESULT: ADOPTED \[15 TO 3\] MOVER: Daniel Hansen, Supervisor SECONDER: Dave Ostness, Vice Chair AYES: Christopher Babbitt, Roy Sjoberg, Tammy Moothedan, Scott Nelson, Jill Ann Berke, Dave Ostness, Roger Larson, Daniel Hansen, Scottie Ard, David Peterson, Paulette Anderson, Judy Achterhof, Shaela Leibfried, William Peavey, Chris Matter NAYS: Ryan S. Sicard, Tom Coulter, Bob Long ABSTAIN: Andy Brinkman 6. Resolution Approving Amendment to Personnel Policies and Procedures Handbook Updating Workers Compensation Section 2.20 Administrator Thompson explained this is a revision to Human Resources Personnel Policies and Procedures Handbook regarding how the county administers workers compensation insurance and revises the policy to mirror the same language in the collective bargaining for law enforcement. The new policy creates two stages. The first six months of work comp injury, the County would continue to pay the employee 100% of their normal pay. No payment would come from the work comp provider. After six months, the work comp provider would start paying tow-third the normal pay to the injured worker and the County will make no payments. The County will allow deduction from Paid Time Off in a dollar amount needed to cover employee portion of payroll deductions. RESULT: ADOPTED \[UNANIMOUS\] MOVER: Roy Sjoberg, Supervisor SECONDER: Dave Ostness, Vice Chair AYES: Ryan S. Sicard, Christopher Babbitt, Tom Coulter, Roy Sjoberg, Bob Long, Tammy Moothedan, Scott Nelson, Jill Ann Berke, Dave Ostness, Roger Larson, Daniel Hansen, Scottie Ard, Andy Brinkman, David Peterson, Paulette Anderson, Judy Achterhof, Shaela Leibfried, William Peavey, Chris Matter 7. Resolution Authorizing Engagement Letter with von Briesen & Roper, s.c., Crueger Dickinson LLC, Together with Simmons Hanly Conroy LLC, as Counsel in Relation to Claims Against Opioid Manufacturers Supr. Coulter stated Wisconsin has a prescription drug monitoring program which was implemented over a year ago and became mandatory April 1, 2017 for all those who prescribe certain prescriptions including opioids. Coulter reported in the first year there has been a decrease in opioid prescriptions. Coulter pointed out the customers for opioids will need to pay the judgment for the litigants if they are victorious. Coulter suggesting adding an excise tax on the opioid manufacturers noting the money could be spent on treatment facilities which was recently proposed by the state. Supr. Hansen indicated his understanding is the costs associated would be borne by the law firms initiating the lawsuit. Supr. Sjoberg commented on doctors receiving bad information from Pharma, who indicated certain drugs were not addicting, but actually were. The lawsuit would attack the profits of Pharma. Supr. Babbitt commented on pharmaceutical manufacturers taking advantage of this country and need for something to be done to address the issue to work with pharmaceutical companies rather than against them. Supr. Ard indicated the Wisconsin drug monitoring program has blocks which does not allow hospitals and law enforcement to share information. The resolution draws attention to a growing epidemic. RESULT: ADOPTED \[16 TO 1\] MOVER: Jill Ann Berke, Supervisor SECONDER: Daniel Hansen, Supervisor AYES: Christopher Babbitt, Roy Sjoberg, Tammy Moothedan, Scott Nelson, Jill Ann Berke, Dave Ostness, Roger Larson, Daniel Hansen, Scottie Ard, Andy Brinkman, David Peterson, Paulette Anderson, Judy Achterhof, Shaela Leibfried, William Peavey, Chris Matter NAYS: Tom Coulter ABSTAIN: Ryan S. Sicard, Bob Long 8. Resolution in Opposition to AB479 and SB387 Supr. Sjoberg requested action on this matter at 10:38 a.m. AB479 and SB387 proposes to limit the authority of local government to regulate development on substandard lots. Supr. Sjoberg stated some of our state representatives are continuing to attempt to take away county control of our environment and natural resources. Sjoberg noted other local municipalities have passed or will be acting on a similar resolution. Supr. Coulter stated he is opposed to the resolution adding property rights are under assault in many ways. After the motion passed, Supr. Sjoberg requested immediate notification to our state representatives. Corporation Counsel Cox volunteered his staff to notify state representatives. RESULT: ADOPTED \[15 TO 4\] MOVER: Roy Sjoberg, Supervisor SECONDER: Jill Ann Berke, Supervisor AYES: Christopher Babbitt, Roy Sjoberg, Tammy Moothedan, Scott Nelson, Jill Ann Berke, Dave Ostness, Roger Larson, Daniel Hansen, Scottie Ard, David Peterson, Paulette Anderson, Judy Achterhof, Shaela Leibfried, William Peavey, Chris Matter NAYS: Ryan S. Sicard, Tom Coulter, Bob Long, Andy Brinkman REQUEST FOR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS COUNTY CLERK'S REPORT OF CORRESPONDENCE AND REZONING REQUESTS No correspondence or rezoning requests. ANNOUNCEMENTS County Clerk Cindy Campbell announced the notice for the 2018 Spring Election will be published soon and indicated she has candidate packets in her office or candidates may obtain the forms online. Administrator Thompson reported updates to the budget books will be distributed and thanked Ken Witt and Bob Mittet for their work on the budget. Supr. Berke indicated Community Development Department is accepting tree sales orders now until February 25, 2018. ADJOURNMENT 11:46 am