EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

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

STAFF & GUESTS: Steve O’Malley, Gary Ingvalson, Marion Naegle, Bill Shepherd, Bob Taunt, Jim Speropulos, Jay Loeffler, Doug Mormann, Keith Butler, Bryan Jostad, Don Neitzel, Joe Veenstra, Mary Ownsby, Nancy McCourt, Sharon Hampson, Cheryl Stephen

MOTION by Plesha/Meyer to approve minutes of November 7, 2007, and subcommittee minutes of October 15, 2007. Motion carried unanimously; Burke excused.

Keith Butler distributed a handout entitled, “La Crosse County Department Mutual Aid Agreements Project Proposal.” He noted as a result of the August flood disaster, it became apparent of the lack of resources the County could provide or may require through mutual aid agreements. Emergency Management has offered to compile this information and keep on file. The information would include: (1) current mutual aid agreements and determine how best used, (2) determine if others are needed, (3) consider other methods of obtaining or providing disaster and non-disaster assistance, and (4) determine scope of the project – should it include all municipalities and school districts. Standardization for preparing new agreements will be valuable. Concerns of every agreement include: authority, scope, liability and compensation. Discussion followed. General agreement to proceed with possible workgroup. Steve O’Malley suggested the topic be discussed at a future department head meeting.

RESOLUTION RE ACCEPTANCE OF WISCONSIN OFFICE OF JUSTICE ASSISTANCE GRANT FOR FEMALE ADOLESCENT YOUTH OFFENDERS

MOTION by Johnson/Plesha to approve the resolution which authorizes Human Services to continue the grant with WI OJA of $55,860 for 2008 and $41,895 for 2009, that includes a cash match of $13,965 for 2008 and $20,948 for 2009, to fund the Girls Circle Program in La Crosse County for at-risk female youth offenders. Motion carried unanimously; Burke excused.

RESOLUTION RE AUTHORIZATION TO REPLACE OLD LANDFILL LONG TERM CARE ESCROW WITH A LETTER OF CREDIT

MOTION by Spiker/Hammes to approve the resolution. Gary Ingvalson noted this came about with the merging of the old landfill with the new landfill, and the State has agreed to relinquish the $3 million escrow amount and replace it with a letter of credit from Wells Fargo in amount of $1 million; the yearly cost to do this will not exceed $9,500 for 2008. Motion carried unanimously; Burke excused.

MOTION by Johnson/Geary to approve the resolution which authorizes the Health Dept. to hire a part-time (.6) Nutrition Educator for period January 15, 2008 to December 31, 2008, as funded by Head Start and Festival Foods - no cost to the tax levy. Motion carried unanimously; Burke excused.

MOTION by Plesha/Hammes to approve the resolution which designates the La Crosse Tribune as the La Crosse County official newspaper for 2008; this is a requirement of State Statute and County Code of Ordinances. Motion carried unanimously; Burke excused.

RESOLUTION RE MODIFICATION OF COMPENSATION PLAN FOR NON-BARGAINING EMPLOYEES FOR 2008

Bob Taunt reviewed, noting the resolution is for 2% annual increase for the non-bargaining employees effective January 1, 2008. Comparable and contiguous counties were contacted with most offering 2% with highest at 4% that being Vernon County; he also noted CPIU is currently at 2.6%. Discussion on the new MCO and affects on this resolution. Gary noted the Finance Department will revisit the Fiscal Note and will possibly change it to reflect employee changes. MOTION by Hammes/Geary to approve the resolution, including a corrected Fiscal Note as prepared by Finance Dept. Motion carried unanimously; Burke excused.

Bryan Jostad reviewed, noting the County and City of La Crosse worked collaboratively on this project. Four office supply vendors submitted proposals and an evaluation team of County and City staff evaluated the proposals based on: (1) vendor qualifications and references, (2) understanding and approach to services, and (3) cost. The two highest scoring vendors were interviewed, those being Corporate Express (total pts. 1,615) and Office Dept. (total pts. 1,374). Cost was calculated on the County and City most frequently ordered items. The evaluation team recommends the approval of Corporate Express. MOTION by Hammes/Johnson to approve Corporate Express as the County office supply vendor for a 3-year period starting on January 29, 2008. Motion carried unanimously; Burke excused. Bryan also noted that he and City staff plan to participate in other joint purchasing ventures, such as cell phones, elevator maintenance, maintenance supplies, etc.

SCHEDULE SPECIAL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING RELATING TO TOP LEVEL EMPLOYEE COMPENSATION AND RETENTION

Based on discussion at the November committee meeting, it was determined to hold a special Executive Committee meeting for this topic. General agreement by the committee members to hold a 4:00 p.m. meeting on Thursday, January 17^th prior to the County Board meeting.

MOTION by Johnson/Geary to convene into closed session pursuant to 19.85(1)(e) for deliberating or negotiating the purchasing 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: discuss negotiation strategy re Emergency Medical Services (EMS); and pursuant to 19.85(1)(g) to confer with legal counsel for the governmental body who is rendering oral or written advice concerning strategy to be adopted by the body with respect to litigation in which it is or is likely to become involved, to wit: municipal bond investigation/litigation. Motion carried unanimously; Burke excused.

MOTION by Hammes/Meyer to reconvene to open session. Motion carried unanimously; Burke excused.

Posted on 1/17/08:

TO WIT: discuss negotiation strategy re Emergency Medical Services (EMS)

MOTION by Hammes/Plesha to authorize, if needed, an additional $5,000 from the General Fund to be used toward EMS negotiations regarding ambulance service. Motion carried unanimously; Burke excused.

Chairman Doyle noted action was taken in closed session pertaining to the two matters, but due to on-going negotiation and investigation, the action will be reported at a later date.

Supervisor Geary requested Corporation Counsel to check into closed session ruling on whether or not County Board members could ever be asked to leave.

Supervisor Johnson requested 2008 schedule of County Board Policy Planning meetings, including known topics.

MOTION by Hammes/Plesha to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried unanimously; Burke excused. The meeting adjourned at 5:31 p.m.

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