EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

 

Wednesday, June 13, 2007

Administrative Center – Room 3220

4:00 p.m.

 

MEMBERS PRESENT:  Steve Doyle, Tara Johnson, Vicki Burke, Don Meyer, Charles Spiker, Ralph Geary, Roger Plesha, Jim Ehrsam     

MEMBERS EXCUSED:  George Hammes   

MEMBERS ABSENT:  None 

STAFF & GUESTS:  Steve O’Malley, Bill Shepherd, Bob Taunt, Marion Naegle, Jai Johnson, Tom Rauk, Maureen Freedland, Reid Magney, Cheryl Stephen

 

CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL

Steve Doyle, Committee Chair, called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. 

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

MOTION by Ehrsam/Spiker to approve minutes of May 9, 2007.  Motion carried unanimously; Hammes excused.         

 

CONSENT AGENDA

MOTION by Plesha/Meyer to approve the following Consent Agenda items:

Motion carried unanimously; Hammes excused.

 

PUBLIC COMMENT

None requested.

 

APPROVAL OF AMERICAN LEGACY GRANT FOR THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT

MOTION by Johnson/Ehrsam to approve.  Steve O’Malley noted approval is needed in order to pursue the grant.  Motion carried unanimously; Hammes excused.

 

INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE COUNTY OF LA CROSSE AND CITY OF LA CROSSE REGARDING A JOINT BOARD OF HARBOR COMMISSIONERS

MOTION by Meyer/Burke to approve the intergovernmental agreement between the County of La Crosse and City of La Crosse regarding a Joint Board of Harbor Commissioners.  Chairman Doyle noted only some minor tweaking on the agreement based on City of La Crosse request.  Motion carried unanimously; Hammes excused. 

 

RESOLUTION RE ADOPTION OF CONTRACT FOR JAILERS UNION 2007-2008

Bob Taunt briefly reviewed; he noted salary increases for 2007 and 2008 averages 2% each year, but total package including benefits is 3.86%.  MOTION by Johnson/Meyer to approve the resolution.                          Motion carried on 5 to 3 vote:  Doyle-yes, Johnson-yes, Plesha-yes, Burke-yes, Meyer-yes, Geary-no, Spiker-no, Ehrsam-no; Hammes excused. 

 

RESOLUTION RE DESIGNATION OF ARIAL P. RUBLEE HOUSE AS A LA CROSSE COUNTY HISTORIC SITE

MOTION by Plesha/Ehrsam to approve the resolution.   Supervisor Plesha noted this as housekeeping as it was approved by the County Historic Sites Preservation Commission back in 1999, but never followed through with a resolution.  Supervisor Spiker questioned if any restrictions are placed on the property.  Supervisor Plesha noted per Chapter 22 that gives the County Commission authority, it’s basically an honorary historic designation making the homeowner aware of the historic significance; the County ordinance has no control over remodeling or demolition of the property.  Motion carried unanimously; Hammes excused.  

 

RESOLUTION RE ECO-COUNTY DESIGNATION SUPPORTED

As the requester of the resolution, Supervisor Jai Johnson noted the importance becoming an eco-county and the need for a strategic plan.  Per the resolution, the main objectives/principles of sustainable community development are:  (1) reduce dependence upon fossil fuels and extracted underground metals and minerals, (2) reduce dependence on chemicals and other manufactured substances, (3) reduce dependence on activities that harm life-sustaining ecosystems, and (4) meet the hierarchy of present and future human needs fairly and efficiently.  Supervisors Rauk and Freedland also spoke in favor of approving the resolution.  Supervisor Freedland noted an upcoming 10-week training session on the topic and encouraged others to participate.  Supervisor Rauk also noted the need for education re sustainability, to build on that, followed by actions of government and private businesses.   O’Malley noted this as a joint effort with City of La Crosse; the plan is to seek the help of a consultant, plus assistance from appropriate staff and UW Extension.  Motion carried unanimously; Hammes excused.

 

RESOLUTION RE ESTABLISHING LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE

Chairman Doyle noted this as a result of the County Board Retreat; if anyone is interested, they will be appointed to it.  MOTION by Burke/Johnson to approve the resolution.  Discussion on how the committee would function.  Chairman Doyle noted it as a lobbying committee on behalf of the County Board; it will not replace what standing committees are doing legislatively, but may assist them as needed; need to be more legislatively proactive; also sees it as being educational to the County Board.   O’Malley said elected officials have greater influence on legislators vs. department heads; WCA does a great job lobbying for the counties, but additional lobbying by elected officials can also be affective.  Motion carried unanimously; Hammes excused.  

 

RESOLUTION RE GENERAL FUND TRANSFER FOR PURCHASE OF SOFTWARE TO CODE ELECTION MACHINES

Marion Naegle noted the federal government has placed a lot of restrictions on elections, and the State has to certify new election equipment and software.  The County vendor overlooked securing some of the needed software for the April election.  By the time this was realized, the carry forward requests were already done, even though funds had been available, but were already returned to the General Fund.  The amount needed from the General Fund to cover the election software cost is $22,135.  Noted that the vendor has offered free refresher training due to this delay.  MOTION by Plesha/Geary to approve the resolution.  Motion carried unanimously; Hammes excused.

 

CLOSED SESSION (4:37 p.m.)

MOTION by Ehrsam/Meyer to enter into closed session pursuant to s. 19.85(1(e), deliberating or negotiating the purchase of public properties, the investing of public funds or conducting other specified public business whenever competitive or bargaining reasons require a closed session, to wit:  Formulate negotiating strategy re agreement for ambulance services between the County and Tri-State Ambulance Services, Inc., and pursuant to s. 19.85(1)(g), conferring with legal counsel for the governmental body with respect to litigation in which it is or is likely to become involved, to wit:  Claim of Kristi R. Dutton.  Motion carried unanimously; Hammes excused.

 

OPEN SESSION (5:12 p.m.)

MOTION by Meyer/Burke to reconvene to open session.  Motion carried unanimously; Hammes excused.  Noted no action taken in closed session.  

 

RESOLUTION RE CLAIM OF KRISTI R. DUTTON

MOTION by Ehrsam/Meyer to approve the resolution which denies the claim of Kristi R. Dutton.  Motion carried unanimously; Hammes excused.

 

UPDATE ON PAPERLESS AGENDA PACKET FOR HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES BOARD

Supervisor Johnson, as Chair of Health & Human services Board, noted two HHS Board meetings tried using paperless packets; meetings were held in the County Board room where the computers are located; room layout was not good for committee meetings and the IT system is not feasible for home computers to open or view the large quantity of data.  It was determined that paperless packets are not feasible at this time.  If IT could upgrade, and if computers were provided in conference room 3220, then maybe it would be feasible.   

 

FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS

None requested.

 

ADJOURNMENT

MOTION by Geary/Ehrsam to adjourn the meeting.  Motion carried unanimously; Hammes excused.  The meeting adjourned at 5:18 p.m.

 

Disclaimer:  The above minutes may be approved, amended or corrected at the next committee meeting.

 

Cheryl Stephen, Recorder