DATE: Monday, December 7, 2004
TIME:
9:00 A.M.
PLACE: Rm. 213, West Square Building, 505 Broadway, Baraboo, WI
Members Present: W. Wenzel, C. Montgomery, H. Sprecher, and V. Hartje.
Members Absent: P. Endres
Others Present: G. Wiegand, B. Mielke, T. Liebman, J. Ashford, C. Ederer-Sklar, L. Volz, M. Koehler, R. Stammen, M. Hafemann, J. Huebsch, K. Reuter, D. Keylock, and news media representatives.
The meeting was called to order by Vice-Chairperson Sprecherl at 9:00 A.M. and compliance with the Open Meeting Law was verified.
Motion by Montgomery, seconded by Hartje to approve the agenda for today's meeting, as amended. Motion carried. Chairperson Wenzel continued to conduct the meeting.
Motion by Hartje, seconded by Sprecher to approve the minutes of the October 19, and November 1, 2004 meetings, as mailed. Motion carried.
Public Comment: A majority of members from the public chose to refrain from speaking until a discussion on the Statewide Voter Registration System was addressed, as scheduled on the agenda. No other public comment took place.
Communications:
* The County Clerk reported receiving an inquiry from the Wisconsin River Rail Transit Commission attempting to verify the correct information regarding staggered three year terms of Commission members. The Corporation Counsel was asked to investigate the matter and clarify the length of terms.
* Copies of a letter written by Supervisor Paul Endres were distributed in which he apologized for being absent from the meeting and cited his opinion concerning two items appearing on the agenda for the meeting, namely the Baraboo Range Protection Program and consideration of jail options (opposing expansion of both programs).
Consideration of a Resolution Authorizing Sauk County's Participation in the Community Development Block Grant Program:
Copies of a draft resolution authorizing Sauk County's participation in the Community Development Block Grant Program (Milk Volume Production/Community Development Block Grant for Economic Development up to $262,500 for the purchase of dairy cows and $6,000 for Sauk County administrative expenses) were distributed and reviewed with the Administrative Coordinator. It was noted the resolution and a public hearing will be scheduled in conjunction with the December County Board meeting. Motion by Hartje, seconded by Montgomery to recommend forwarding the resolution to the County Board for consideration at the December 21, 2004 meeting. Motion carried.
Consideration of a Resolution Honoring Jolene M. Crowley:
A resolution honoring retiring County Treasurer, Jolene M. Crowley, was reviewed and followed with a motion by Montgomery, seconded by Sprecher to recommend forwarding the resolution to the County Board for consideration at the December 21, 2004 meeting. Motion carried.
Consideration of a Resolution Honoring Matthew M. Filus:
A resolution honoring departing County Surveyor, Matthew M. Filus, was reviewed and followed with a motion by Hartje, seconded by Sprecher to recommend forwarding the resolution to the County Board for consideration at the December 21, 2004 meeting. Motion carried.
Consideration of a Resolution Authorizing the Executive and Legislative Committee to Designate Qualified Newspapers for Publication of Legal Notices, and Approving the
Publication of Legal Notices in the Sauk Prairie and Reedsburg Areas for the Years 2005 - 2006:
Copies of a draft resolution and comparison of newspaper proposals were distributed and reviewed by Committee members. Following evaluation, the Reedsburg Independent and Sauk Prairie Star were deemed the most advantageous papers to utilize in the Sauk Prairie and Reedsburg areas. Motion by Hartje, seconded by Sprecher to recommend forwarding the resolution to the County Board for consideration at the December 21, 2004 meeting. Motion carried.
Discussion and Consideration of Jail Options:
A lengthy discussion ensued between Law Enforcement representatives (Sheriff Stammen and Mike Hafemann) and Committee members regarding the various options and concerns relating to jail space rental. One of the main questions to be answered appeared to be: "Does the County want a revenue stream from the rental of jail space and if so, what are the costs?". Information showing potential revenue and staff configuration was distributed. Chairperson Wenzel suggested holding a joint committee meeting (Executive and Legislative and Law Enforcement and Judiciary) to present information and further consider this option. The Administrative Coordinator, Sheriff Stammen and Mr. Hafemann were instructed to meet prior to holding a joint meeting in an attempt to draft a list of pertinent issues to be addressed, including the concerns expressed in Supervisor Endres' letter of December 3, 2004 (opening the second pod at the present time).
Discussion on Requirements of Statewide Voter Registration System (SVRS):
On behalf of the Towns Association, Supervisor Sprecher requested this item to be placed on the agenda. Gene Wiegand, Administrative Coordinator, gave a brief overview of statewide voter registration requirements, noting that Federal HAVA (Help American Vote Act) and state laws mandate the creation of a voter registration list for the entire County, with updates and maintenance being the responsibility of the local municipality.
County Clerk Mielke confirmed State law does allow a "sharing" option whereby a municipality can rely on another municipality or county to perform the technological functions of SVRS (on a per rata/actual charge back cost basis) however, explained that she had been hesitant to volunteer her department taking on the added responsibility, largely due to budgetary and staffing concerns. Several local town clerks were in attendance at the meeting and spoke in support of Sauk County performing the data entry-related aspects of the new system, noting staff and equipment costs would place an excessive burden on local units of government if forced to complete this task alone.
Discussion continued, followed with a motion by Hartje, seconded by Sprecher to support Sauk County entering into a "sharing" option with local municipalities regarding the SVRS (including appropriate charge-back fees) and authorize the Sauk County Clerk's Department to serve as the agency responsible for this service. Motion carried. Mielke informed Committee members she was not opposed to taking on this added duty, but clarified that no funds were included in the
2005 budget for the project and over-expenditures, as well as personnel issues, were likely to occur.
Planning and Zoning Issues:
This item was placed on the agenda at the request of Supervisor Hartje, who briefly voiced his concerns regarding the speed and frequency of fines assessed by the Planning and Zoning Department and urged the Department to be more "user friendly". Discussion followed with it being noted this Department, whenever possible, has made an attempt to work with landowners to resolve issues, however, certain situations require entering into the penalty phase.
Veterans Service Office:
Diane Keylock, Acting Veterans Service Officer, presented the monthly report and list of bills for her department. Motion by Hartje, seconded by Sprecher to approve the report and bills in the amount of $4,057.42. Motion carried.
Emergency Management, Buildings and Safety:
C. Ederer-Sklar, Emergency Management Director, presented the monthly bills and report for her department. Motion by Hartje, seconded by Sprecher to approve the report and list of bills in the amount of $44,161.47. Motion carried.
County Clerk's Office:
Beverly J. Mielke, County Clerk, presented the monthly report and list of bills for her department. Motion by Sprecher, seconded by Hartje to approve the report and list of bills in the amount of $24,792.56. Motion carried.
Discussion of Procedures for Performance Appraisal of Administrative Coordinator:
Michele Koehler, Personnel Director, addressed the Committee and distributed the necessary forms for annual review of the Administrative Coordinator and reviewed language in the Personnel Ordinance pertinent to this procedure. Committee members agreed to complete the forms during the coming month and review their evaluation with the Administrative Coordinator at next month's regular meeting.
Corporation Counsel's Office:
In the absence of the Corporation Counsel, the Administrative Coordinator presented a monthly report and list of bills for this department. Motion by Hartje, seconded by Sprecher to approve the report and list of bills in the amount of $2,586.05, as presented. Motion carried.
Administrative Coordinator:
Gene Wiegand, Administrative Coordinator, presented a monthly report, list of bills and request for his department. He reported interviews for the position of Veterans Service Officer were upcoming, meetings and work of the Ad Hoc Continuum of Care Committee are going well, and distributed copies of "The Public Voice" (recent survey on local government services, spending and taxes). Motion by Hartje, seconded by Sprecher to approve the report, request for K. Schauf to attend the 2005 American Society of Public Administration conference in Milwaukee, and monthly list of bills in the amount of $18.92.Motion carried.
Motion by Hartje, seconded by Sprecher to adjourn and set the next, regular meeting date for Tuesday, January 4, 2005 at 9:00 A.M. Motion carried and the meeting adjourned at 12:05 P.M.
Respectfully submitted:
Beverly J. Mielke, Sauk County Clerk