EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Administrative Center – Room 3220
4:00 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Steve Doyle, George Hammes, Tara Johnson, Vicki Burke, Charles Spiker, Ralph Geary, Roger Plesha, Don Meyer, Jim Ehrsam
MEMBERS EXCUSED: None
MEMBERS ABSENT: None
STAFF & GUESTS: Steve O’Malley, Gary Ingvalson, Marion Naegle, Bill Shepherd, Bob Taunt, John Parshall, Doug Mormann, Jeff Bluske, Brian Tippetts, Pam Semb, Brian Fukuda, Charlie Handy, Jim Speropulos, Barb Kooiman, Jerome Gundersen Jr., John Medinger, Jill Billings, Cheryl Stephen
CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL
Board Chairman Steve Doyle called the meeting to order at 4:02 p.m.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
MOTION by Meyer/Hammes to approve minutes of August 8 and 16, 2007. Motion carried unanimously.
CONSENT AGENDA
MOTION by Plesha/Ehrsam to approve the following Consent Agenda items:
Motion carried unanimously.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Jerome Gundersen Jr. spoke on the following agenda item: “Resolution re Designation of Pettibone Harbor as a La Crosse County Site.” He noted the City of La Crosse Heritage Preservation Commission is also looking at preserving boathouse districts and that the Pettibone Harbor is within the city limits. He requested the resolution remain on the “table” to wait on the outcome of what the city commission does.
RESOLUTION RE COUNTY PARTICIPATION IN MUNICIPAL TRANSIT UTILITY AND EXPANSION OF SERVICE TO LA CROSSE COUNTY LAKEVIEW AREA
Supervisor Medinger spoke in support of the resolution. He noted the MTU Study Ad hoc Committee voted 6 to 1 in favor. The resolution is requesting the City of La Crosse to allow the Board Chair to appoint a member from the County Board to the MTU Board, and for County staff to work with the City and Village of West Salem to create a fixed route to the area of Lakeview Health Center and Lakeview Business Park. Steve O’Malley said he discussed this with the Village President who has no objection as long as they do not lose their Shared Ride service. MOTION by Geary/Burke to approve the resolution. Motion carried unanimously.
HEALTH DEPARTMENT PROJECT LEAD GRANT FROM THE U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY and
HEALTH DEPARTMENT PANDEMIC INFLUENZA CONTRACT FOR 2007-2008 and
APPROVE A FEE FOR SERVICE CONTRACT WITH SEVERAL ORGANIZATIONS TO GATHER DATA FOR A LONG TERM STRATEGIC PLAN AIMED AT REDUCING
ALCOHOL-RELATED INJURIES IN 12-24 YEAR OLDS
MOTION by Plesha/Johnson to approve the LEAD Project Grant in amount of $96,498 from U.S. EPA to be used over a two-year period; and
approve the Public Health Preparedness-Pandemic Influenza Grant in amount of $32,713 from the Dept. of Public Health for years 2007-2008; and
approve a contract with UW-La Crosse / Academic Support Services Agreement in amount of $29,210 for providing Health Education services at 15 hours per week and to serve as project manager for a grant-funded project: “Changing the Culture of Risky Drinking Behavior” for a period of July 1, 2007-June 30, 2008.
Motion carried unanimously.
REVIEW OF AMENDMENT TO THE REVENUE SHARING AGREEMENT WITH THE VILLAGE OF WEST SALEM
Brian Fukuda reviewed. He noted development at the Lakeview Business Park is progressing quicker than anticipated so an amendment is needed in order to include another 90+ acres in the TIF. MOTION by Johnson/Meyer to approve the amendment to the revenue sharing agreement with the Village of West Salem. Motion carried unanimously.
REVIEW THE TIF AMENDMENT
Brian noted the Village of West Salem held a public hearing on the TIF amendment and no one showed in opposition; the Village plans to adopt the amendment next week as well as the revenue sharing agreement. MOTION by Plesha/Meyer to approve the TIF Amendment as presented. Motion carried unanimously.
US CENSUS – LUCA POLICY DECISION
Jeff Bluske said he is looking for policy direction. In April, 2007, the US Census Bureau started 2010 census process; they are requesting local municipalities to provide current residential address information; the process is called “Local Update of Census Addresses” (LUCA). Participation is optional, but noted the county participates in many state and federal programs where accurate census information is valuable. If the County chooses to participate, there are 3 options. Jeff recommends option #1, but will need help from 9-1-1 staff as well as IT staff. Option #1 allows the County and local municipalities to review and update addresses on the Census Bureaus address list, challenge address counts in census blocks, make map updates and appeal feedback results after address canvassing; option #1 requires Title 13 security compliance. The help of 9-1-1 and IT is required in order to place the data in the correct format. MOTION by Hammes/Ehrsam to approve Option 1# as recommended by Jeff Bluske in order to participate in US Census Addresses (LUCA) process. Motion carried unanimously.
RESOLUTION RE AUTHORIZATION ACCEPT BIDS TO REMODEL FOR A COMMUNITY BASED RESIDENTIAL FACILITY WITHIN LAKEVIEW HEALTH CENTER
MOTION by Ehrsam/Johnson to approve the resolution which approves the low bid from Market & Johnson in amount of $273,310 for remodeling a portion of the A-Wing at Lakeview Health Center for a community based residential facility, plus additional costs of $19,132 for architectural and engineering fees and a contingency amount of $25,558; total project not to exceed $318,000. Funds will be borrowed from the General Fund for a 20-year term at 5% interest. Motion carried unanimously.
RESOLUTION RE APPROVAL OF AMENDMENT NO. 4 TO TE SLID WASTE DISPOSAL SERVICE AGREEMENT BETWEEN LA CROSSE COUNTY AND NORTHERN STATES POWER COMPANY REGARDING SALE OF FERROUS MATERIALS
Brian Tippetts reviewed. Ferrous materials are those that are picked up by magnets. Homeowners have the opportunity to recycle ferrous materials (e.g. steel cans) in their recycling programs, but about half of this ferrous still ends up in the trash. The trash is processed at the La Crosse County Recourse Recovery Facility which is owned and operated by Xcel Energy. During the processing of trash the ferrous is removed magnetically but is still very contaminated with waste and until recently, it has not been economical to further clean and recycle. Since February, AMG Resources in the Twin cities has been recycling the ferrous at a net revenue to La Crosse County and Xcel Energy. The recycling of this formerly wasted ferrous has a two-fold benefit – revenue generation and elimination of ferrous materials with associated costs from the landfill. No additional cost for this recycling and the estimated revenue could be $10,000/year. MOTION by Plesha/Hammes to approve the resolution which authorizes Amendment No. 4 to the Solid Waste Disposal Service Agreement between La Crosse County and Northern States Power Company. Motion carried unanimously.
RESOLUTION RE ACCEPTING IN PRINCIPLE THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CAREY GROUP JUSTICE ASSESSMENT
MOTION by Hammes/Burke to approve the resolution. Lengthy discussion followed. Questions raised as what the County is committing to. Steve O’Malley noted that any major expenditures would come back to the committees for a vote; the resolution does not give staff any special authority. Supervisor Burke reviewed in detail the six specific recommendations. Supervisor Plesha suggested the resolution be referred to the September 26th Special County Board meeting where the LEC Addition will be reviewed in detail. MOTION by Hammes/Burke to refer the resolution to the September 26th County Board meeting. Chairman Doyle requested staff be on hand to answer any questions. MOTION by Johnson to amend the resolution; Supervisor Spiker called for point of order, noting amendments cannot be made on resolutions when another committee had already acted on it. Chairman Doyle requested the resolution be listed on the September 20th County Board agenda with notation that it will be acted on at the September 26th Special County Board meeting. Motion carried on 8 to 1 vote; Johnson-no.
RESOLUTION RE DESIGNATION OF PETTIBONE HARBOR AS A LA CROSSE COUNTY HISTORIC SITE
No action. Remains tabled per action at the August 8, 2007, Executive Committee meeting.
2008 BUDGET – FUTURE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE REVIEW MEETINGS AND DIRECTION FROM COMMITTEE
Steve O’Malley said he is asking for direction; how much time does the committee want to spend reviewing the entire 2008 County budget; in previous years, the committee held special meetings. Even though state budget outcome is unknown, the County needs to continue with the 2008 process. Gary Ingvalson noted the State Dept. of Revenue would like to have the County tax levy report by November 15th. General agreement to hold a special Executive Committee meeting on October 23rd from 1:00-5:00 p.m. Steve O’Malley encouraged any member with questions or concerns, to come see him.
RESOLUTION RE ADOPTION OF CONTRACT WITH TELECOMMUNICATORS ASSOCIATION
Steve O’Malley requested referral as it’s not ready for approval. MOTION by Ehrsam/Hammes to refer for 30 days. Motion carried unanimously. Supervisor Spiker requested more detailed information in the Fiscal Note.
RESOLUTION RE AUTHORIZING PREPARATION AND SUBMISSION OF A WISCONSIN DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT APPLICATION FOR EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE WITH FLOOD DAMAGE
Charlie Handy briefly reviewed and requested approval to submit a grant to the DOC for emergency flood damage assistance; focus is on private damage. MOTION by Hammes/Johnson to approve the resolution. Chairman Doyle said a grant dollar amount is needed in the 3rd Whereas para; a figure can be added in on the Board floor or that paragraph can be rewritten; he directed Mr. Handy to oversee this request. Motion carried unanimously.
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
Supervisor Geary questioned status of living wage resolution/ordinance. The County Clerk will check with Supervisor Gillett on whether or not he wants to pursue. If not, he can withdraw as the original requestor. Noted that Supervisor Gamroth had previously withdrawn as co-requestor.
ADJOURNMENT
MOTION by Geary/Plesha to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried unanimously; Meyer, Ehrsam, Doyle excused. The meeting adjourned at 5:44 p.m.
Disclaimer: The above minutes may be approved, amended or corrected at the next committee meeting.
Cheryl Stephen, Recorder