EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Administrative Center – Room 3220
4:00 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Steve Doyle, Tara Johnson, Tom Rauk, Vicki Burke, Roger Plesha, Charles Spiker, Don Meyer, Andrea Richmond, Sharon Hampson (exc/arr @4:05)
MEMBERS EXCUSED: None
MEMBERS ABSENT: None
STAFF & GUESTS: Steve O’Malley, Gary Ingvalson, Bill Shepherd, Marion Naegle, Bob Taunt, John Parshall, Mike McGuire, Jim Speropulos, Jerry Huber, Charlie Handy, Tom Faella, Pam Semb, Brian Tippetts, Keith Carlson, John Medinger, Bill Black (media), Cheryl Stephen
CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL
Board Chair Steve Doyle called the meeting to order at 4:02 p.m.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
MOTION by Richmond/Plesha to approve minutes of June 11, 2008. Motion carried unanimously; Hampson excused.
CONSENT AGENDA
MOTION by Plesha/Richmond to accept the following Consent Agenda items:
Motion carried unanimously; Hampson excused.
PUBLIC COMMENT
None requested.
PROPOSAL FOR FIXED-SCHEDULE TRANSIT SERVICE BETWEEN WEST SALEM AND LA CROSSE
Tom Faella presented a transit proposal as prepared by him and other staff of the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) and Local Area Planning Committee (LAPC). This is at the request of the County Board as a result of MTU Study Committee; input was also received from West Salem employers that suggested a two-phase approach. Phase 1 will enhance the existing shared-ride services between West Salem and Valley View Mall; the plan is to establish a fixed pick-up and drop-off (using a van) during peak travel times at key locations; the Mall will continue to serve as a free transfer point on MTU. As demand increases, service would progress to Phase 2 which would be a fixed route - similar to La Crescent route. Phase 2 will implement a peak-hour fixed route commuter transit service that will travel directly between key locations in West Salem and the transit center in downtown La Crosse. Lengthy discussion and questions followed. If approved, there will be two-types of services for West Salem - shared ride and fixed-ride; the shared ride would cost $4.00 which includes the transfer cost. Concern raised on possibility of lack of use. Staff estimates 16 runs per day with hope of getting 12 riders. Goal is to increase demand and implement Phase 2. Supervisor Johnson requested additional information, such as comparison sheet showing the ride options, cost of the various rides, including use of personal vehicle, etc. Supervisor Rauk suggested a meeting with West Salem officials and maybe key employers of the area.
MOTION by Rauk/Johnson to endorse the concept of fixed-schedule transit service between West Salem and La Crosse, and directed Steve O’Malley and possible others to meet with West Salem officials and to bring back additional information and/or a recommendation within 30-60 days. Motion carried unanimously.
PROPOSAL TO PROVIDE A DISCOUNTED TRANSIT PASS PROGRAM TO LA CROSSE COUNTY EMPLOYEES
Charlie Handy reviewed, noting La Crosse County, as one of the larger employers in the area, should promote the use of MTU. County staff has reviewed and have come up with a plan for the County to offer discounted transit passes. Other employers that offer such include City of La Crosse, Gundersen Lutheran, Franciscan Skemp, Trane Co., UW-La Crosse, Viterbo and WTC. As part of the discounted passes, the employers get a discount based on number purchased and at the same time MTU requires that they not charge more than $8.00 per employee. Benefits of the program include: reduce demand for parking, sustainability initiative, reduce parking lot maintenance, increase MTU services, and provide additional benefit to employees. For balance of 2008, staff estimated cost of $900 for limited number of transit passes that could be paid from Economic Development Special Projects account. Discussion followed. Concern with selection process and if there would be any union challenges. MOTION by Rauk/Johnson to support the concept of a discounted transit pass program for La Crosse County employees and to refer the matter for 30 days based on need for additional information. Motion carried unanimously.
RESOLUTION RE CREATION OF SUPERVISING ACCOUNT CLERK POSITION AT LAKEVIEW
MOTION by Richmond/Plesha to approve the resolution. Noted that it was approved unanimously by the Aging & Long Term Care Committee. Motion carried unanimously.
RESOLUTION RE IMPLEMENTATION OF MERGER OF THE PRINTING DEPT. WITH IT DEPT.
MOTION by Richmond/Plesha to approve the resolution. Supervisor Spiker asked Mike McGuire if he supported the merger. Mike noted 100% and that this has been worked on over the past several years. Supervisor Spiker noted recent IT reorganization and requested similar information that includes, classifications, and financial information. Staff will provide and attach the new information to the resolution that will be included in the County Board packets. Motion carried unanimously.
RESOLUTION RE AUTHORIZATION TO OFFER AFLAC BENEFITS TO COUNTY EMPLOYEES
Bob Taunt reviewed, noting AFLAC offers additional insurance coverage to employees through payroll deductions; insurance includes: additional short-term disability, personal accident plan, cancer program, additional life insurance, additional dental coverage, vision policy, etc. There is no cost to the County; because these are paid by pre-tax dollars, the County saves paying Social Security tax on these pre-tax amounts. Supervisor Johnson suggested tracking as better way of figuring out the savings. Supervisor Rauk questioned demand on Personnel staff for implementing this new program. Taunt noted it as payroll deduction so it will be easily trackable via payroll report. MOTION by Johnson/Richmond to approve the resolution and to request a report following one year of implementation. Motion carried unanimously.
RESOLUTION RE DEVELOPMENT OF AN ADOLESCENT CENTER IN THE JUVENILE JUSTICE FACILITY OF LA CROSSE COUNTY
Pulled by Health and Human Services Board.
RESOLUTION RE CLOSING OF FUND 955 WEST CENTRAL CONSORTIUM
Gary Ingvalson reviewed. The balance in funds is no longer needed for planning and the development of a regional plan for long term care for the elderly and disabled persons, thus these funds can be returned back to other accounts within Human Services; total of funds is $2,794.71. MOTION by Plesha/Richmond to approve the resolution. Motion carried unanimously.
RESOLUTION RE ACCEPTANCE OF CLIFTON GUNDERSON’S AUDIT REPORT ON LA CROSSE COUNTY’S 2007 COMPREHENSIVE ANNUAL FINANCIAL REPORT (CAFR)
MOTION by Johnson/Richmond to approve the resolution. Chairman Doyle noted an excellent presentation to the County Board on July 7th by Clifton Gunderson. Supervisor Spiker requested cost of audit services be included in the Fiscal Note. Johnson & Richmond accepted his suggestion as a friendly amendment. Motion carried unanimously. Steve O’Malley noted ethics and fraud prevention will be presented at a future County Board planning session.
RESOLUTION RE APPROVAL OF CHANGE ORDER FOR WASTE RELOCATION CONTRACT
MOTION by Spiker/Burke to approve the resolution. Noted the Public Works and Infrastructure Committee unanimously approved the resolution. Motion carried unanimously.
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
Supervisor Johnson noted recent funeral home fraud and if this affects the County as there are budgeted dollars for indigent funeral services; suggestion that Jerry Huber give an update under the County Administrator’s report. Also some discussion on ethics of accepting gifts and what is considered significant value; suggestion for Bill Shepherd to review during the ethics discussion and/or to write an opinion.
ADJOURNMENT
MOTION by Meyer/Hampson to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 5:31 p.m.
Disclaimer: The above minutes may be approved, amended or corrected at the next committee meeting.
Cheryl Stephen, Recorder