EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Administrative Center – Room 3220
4:00 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Steve Doyle, Tara Johnson, Tom Rauk, Vicki Burke, Charles Spiker, Don Meyer, Roger Plesha, Sharon Hampson (arr @4:04)
MEMBERS EXCUSED: Andrea Richmond
MEMBERS ABSENT: None
STAFF & GUESTS: Steve O’Malley, Gary Ingvalson, Bill Shepherd, Marion Naegle, Bob Taunt, Jim Speropulos, Brian Fukuda, Charlie Handy, Mary Powell, Jill Billings, Stan Hauser, Dan Springer (Tribune), 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/Johnson to approve minutes of August 13 and August 21, 2008. Motion carried unanimously; Richmond excused; Hampson absent.
CONSENT AGENDA
MOTION by Plesha/Rauk to accept the following Consent Agenda items:
Motion carried unanimously; Richmond excused; Hampson absent.
PUBLIC COMMENT
None requested from the public. At this time, Chairman Doyle noted that a resolution as requested by Supervisor Ebert was omitted from the agenda due to oversight; it relates to requesting a referendum on the UW-La Crosse Stadium funding; Supervisor Ebert is requesting a Special Executive Committee meeting on Board Day next week (9/18). Supervisor Ebert noted the timeframe in which referendums are considered for the ballot; waiting until October meeting cycle is too late. General agreement by committee members to hold a 5:30 p.m. meeting on September 18th to consider Supervisor Ebert’s resolution.
ORDINANCE TO REPEAL S. 1.55(2)(C) AND CREATE S. 1.77 TO BE ENTITLED “JOINT CITY/COUNTY EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES COMMISSION” OF THE GENERAL CODE OF LA CROSSE COUNTY, WISCONSIN
Board Chairman Doyle reviewed the ordinance as it was prepared at his request. The proposed ordinance would create a joint city/county EMS Commission to oversee the ambulance service within La Crosse County with total of 10 members: 2-County (Board Chair & Vice Chair or designees), 3-City (Mayor & Council Member or designees and a citizen), 1-Onalaska Mayor or designee, 1-Chair of County Towns Association, 1-elected official from one of the villages, 1-Gundersen Lutheran, and 1-Franciscan Skemp.
MOTION by Hampson/Burke to approve the ordinance, as presented, and to forward on to the County Board. More discussion followed. Chairman Doyle noted that in his discussions, no one from the
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outlying areas disagree with the proposed ordinance, including the Towns Association, Gundersen Lutheran, Franciscan Skemp, and Tri-State Ambulance. Noted per state statutes, if the City of La Crosse wants an ambulance service, the County cannot stop it. Discussion on the timeframe for its approval. Currently, there is no signed contract for ambulance service. The County has a 2-month ordinance approval process; he would like to see the County and City pass the proposed ordinance at about the same time. Supervisor Spiker noted that because it is an ordinance, a public hearing could be requested.
MOTION by Burke/Hampson to amend the motion by changing a word in the 3rd Whereas para.; change the word “between” to the word “among.” Motion on the amendment carried unanimously; Richmond excused. Original motion as amended carried unanimously; Richmond excused.
COUNTY SPONSORED TRANSIT PASS PROGRAM – EMPLOYEE SURVEY RESULTS
Charlie Handy sent an email survey to all employees located in County downtown complex. Within the email, he explained the proposal of the County sponsoring an MTU transit pass program for downtown employees, followed by the question: “If the County offered you an MTU transit pass for $8.00/month (full cost is $30), would you participate in the program?” There were 90 responses; 57-no, 28-yes, and 5-maybe. Based on assumption that ¾ may actually want to participate, that leaves 22 employees that may actually participate. Based on that, it would cost the County $1,386 for balance of 3 months in 2008, and $5,544 for 2009. Discussion followed. Noted that MTU offers same program to other employers in the City. Concern noted that some employees may want to use their car anyway; this could not be controlled by Facilities Dept.; employees may need their vehicle for medical appointments, etc. The objective of the program is to encourage employees to use mass transit, free up parking spaces, less road travel, cleaner air, etc. Steve O’Malley noted as suggestions: think about it and deal with it at budget time, or approve it with the cost for 2008 coming from Economic Development budget/Special Projects account, and add to the 2009 budget. MOTION by Johnson/Hampson to approve per O’Malley’s suggestion, to cover the cost of MTU transit passes for up to 21 employees at a cost of $1,386 from the 2008 Economic Development budget/Special Projects account and to place $5,544 into the 2009 budget. Motion carried unanimously; Richmond excused. Noted that any additional interest above the 21 employees would come back to committee.
UPDATE ON WEST SALEM TRANSIT PROPOSAL
Steve O’Malley noted discussions between staff and others, including Mayor Giese, Richard Running (shared ride contract) and MTU; have not been able to set a date with West Salem officials. If approve Phase 1 as previously proposed, there is capital need for 1-2 two vans, including cost share of 80/20 which is too late for the 2009 federal approval cycle, though looking at another possibility. Plan to hold more meetings and will report back at future meetings.
RESOLUTION RE AUTHORIZING THE APPLICATION AND ACCEPTANCE OF LOAN IN THE AMOUNT OF $760,898 FROM THE WISCONSIN BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF PUBLIC LANDS FOR THE LAKEVIEW BUSINESS PARK
Gary Ingvalson reviewed, noting the need for the loan is for additional infrastructure, and to pay off previous loans/financing for doing business park infrastructure, Gap financing with Xcel Energy, CenturyTel and Business Fund, and County General Fund (cash flow loan and sale of land). The Wisconsin Board of Commissioners of Public Lands has offered a fixed interest rate of 4.25% for a 10-year loan. The loan would be paid off using future TIF tax revenue.
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Detailed loan information and Business Park financial reports were sent with the agenda. MOTION by Plesha/Burke to recommend to the County Board the approval of $760,898 from the Wisconsin Board of Commissioners of Public Lands for the Lakeview Business Park. Motion carried unanimously; Richmond excused.
RESOLUTION RE AUTHORIZING THE TRANSFER OF PRIOR YEARS EXCESS INVESTMENT INTEREST EARNINGS FROM THE UNDESIGNATED GENERAL FUND ACCOUNT FOR THE PURPOSE OF ESTABLISHING AN “INTEREST STABILIZATION FUND”
MOTION by Plesha/Burke to approve the resolution. Copies of revised resolution were distributed; changes were made at the request of the Finance Director. Gary reviewed, including a PowerPoint presentation on 10-year interest rate trend. For 2005, 2006 and 2007, the County received $3,551,445 in excess interest earnings over budget; however, from August 2007 to July 2008, interest rates have decreased by 2.5%. Because of dramatic interest rate fluctuations, it’s been difficult to project annual interest earnings and prepare yearly budgets. The request is to transfer $2.5 million from Undesignated General Fund Balance and place in an Interest Revenue Stabilization Reserve account to be utilized in future years to help stabilize the potential significant swings in actual interest earnings. Discussion followed. Committee members commended Gary for taking this initiative and for being pro-active. Supervisor Spiker questioned, that if and when the County Board wants to withdraw or use these funds from the Interest Stabilization Fund, how does that work. Gary noted 2/3 vote is needed when not part of the budget process. Motion carried unanimously; Richmond excused.
MEMO FROM THE FINANCE DIRECTOR RE DISCUSSION OF AN RFP FOR FINANCIAL (BONDING) ADVISOR AND BOND COUNSEL
This came about as a suggestion from Supervisor Ebert at the last County Board meeting. Gary noted that due to the work that has already been done by the County’s existing firms for the LEC project, it would be best to wait until the borrowing process is done for the project before possibly switching to new financial advisors/counsel. It may cost more to switch and it would take them more time to get up to speed. Gary recommended continuation with Springsted for financial services and Chapman & Cutler for bond counsel; he suggested RFP could be done in mid 2009. General agreement by committee members. Chairman Doyle requested this item be placed on the Sept. 18th County Board agenda for Gary to explain to the full County Board.
RESOLUTION DETERMINING TO ISSUE $8,200,000 AGGREGATE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF GENERAL OBLIGATION REFUNDING BONDS, SERIES 2008-B OF THE COUNTY OF LA CROSSE, WISCONSIN, PROVIDING DETAILS PRESCRIBING THE FORM OF BOND, AWARDING THE BONDS TO THE BEST BIDDER, AND LEVYING TAXES
Gary noted that because the bond bids will not be received until September 18th, and the best bidder (lowest interest rate) is unknown at this time, he suggested this agenda item be included on the special Executive Committee meeting agenda for September 18th along with Supervisor Ebert’s referendum resolution. Committee members concurred.
COUNTY BOARD TRAVEL POLICY
Chairman Doyle noted this is on the agenda for discussion and input. He has noticed some requests by Supervisors that want to attend outside agency meetings in which the County is not a member.
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Supervisor Rauk noted with budget constraints, better control/oversight should be implemented. Supervisor Hampson noted the importance of Supervisors attending workshops/conferences that relate to the committee in which they are members. Discussion on need for written travel policy. Supervisor Spiker suggested review of the current travel ordinance; members concurred.
2009 BUDGET
Steve O’Malley gave an update on the bid approval process for the LEC project. The Construction Manager/Architect held a walk-thru meeting with 50 people (potential bidders); hopefully that number indicates interest. Because of the complexity of the project, there were a lot of questions and clarification
needed in the actual bid documents so an addendum was needed, which in turn has delayed the bid process by 1 week. This in turn has changed meeting dates to the following:
· October 7 - LEC Construction Committee meeting to receive bid information
· October 15 - LEC Construction Committee meeting to approve bids via resolution
· October 16 - County Board will receive bid information/recommendation
· October 20 - Special County Board meeting to act on bids
Steve O’Malley noted the 2009 budget books will be ready for distribution next week. Supervisor Spiker suggested, following the approval of the 2009 County budget, that Finance Dept. share the tax levy and equalized valuation information broken down by municipality that is also done in a pie-chart; he noted it as valuable information that should be shared with all County Board members.
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
ADJOURNMENT
MOTION by Johnson/Meyer to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried unanimously; Richmond excused. The meeting adjourned at 5:24 p.m.
Disclaimer: The above minutes may be approved, amended or corrected at the next committee meeting.
Cheryl Stephen, Recorder