DATE: April 5, 2005
Members Present: W. Wenzel, P. Endres, C. Montgomery, H. Sprecher and V. Hartje.
Others Present: G. Wiegand, B. Mielke, T. Liebman, T. Tyczynski, M. Hafemann, T. Stieve and P. Dederich
The meeting was called to order by Vice-Chairperson Sprecher at 8:30 A.M. and compliance with the Open Meeting Law was verified.
Motion by Montgomery, seconded by Endres to approve the agenda for today's meeting, as amended. Motion carried.
Motion by Hartje, seconded by Endres to approve the minutes of the March 1 and March 15, 2005 meetings, as mailed. Motion carried.
Public Comment: None
Communications: The Administrative Coordinator informed Committee members that either he or the County Board Chairperson planned to attend the upcoming State Fair Housing Conference in Wisconsin Dells, noting no motion for approval was necessary.
Amending Rules of the County Board of Supervisors Pertaining to Appointments to Special Committees, Boards and Committees:
The Corporation Counsel reviewed with Committee members a draft resolution entitled, "Amending the Rules of the Sauk County Board of Supervisors Pertaining to Appointments to Special Committees, Boards and Commissions." The purpose of the resolution was to clarify issues relating to continued service on special committees by individuals who no longer continue to be members of the County Board. Motion by Hartje, seconded by Endres to forward the resolution to the full County Board for consideration at the April 19, 2005 meeting. Motion carried.
Discussion and Consideration of a Resolution Respectfully Requesting Changes in Existing Public Safety/Criminal Justice Legislation:
Draft copy of a resolution entitled "Resolution Respectfully Requesting Changes in Existing Public Safety/Criminal Justice Legislation", presented at the request of Supervisor Kriegl, was reviewed and discussed. Sauk County Jail Administrator, Captain Mike Haefmann, addressed the Committee and presented comparable information dealing with crime and jail statistics between the states of Wisconsin and Minnesota; discussion followed. (At 9:50 A.M. Chairperson Wenzel arrived and continued to conduct the meeting.) Motion by Montgomery, seconded by Endres to turn down this resolution and not forward to the County Board for consideration. Motion carried.
Veterans Service Office:
Tony Tyczynski, Veterans Service Officer, presented the department's monthly and annual reports and list of bills for March. Motion by Endres, seconded by Montgomery to approve the reports, request to attend the CVSO spring conference in Superior May 2-6, 2005, and list of bills in the amount of $3,157.77. Motion carried.
Emergency Management:
Tim Stieve, Emergency Management, Buildings & Safety Administrator, presented the monthly report and list of bills for his department. A brief discussion on CERT (Citizen Emergency Response Team) training took place. It was Mr. Stieve's recommendation not to pursue training teams at the present time due to potential liability issues. Motion by Montgomery, seconded by Sprecher to approve the report and list of bills in the amount of $1,989.03. Motion carried.
County Clerk's Office:
B. Mielke, County Clerk, presented the monthly report and list of bills for her department. Mielke distributed copies of a recent Overview and Update Report on the Statewide Voter Registration System (SVRS), pointing out additional election activity that will be required by personnel in her department. Due to the increased responsibility and duties associated with SVRS requirements, Mielke informed Committee members of her intent to seek a re-classification and upgrade to the Deputy County Clerk position in her office. Motion was made by Endres, seconded by Hartje to approve the monthly report, request to attend SVRS training in Portage on May 4 & 5 for the County Clerk and Deputy County Clerk, request for the County Clerk to attend the annual County Clerk convention in Eau Claire on June 26-28, 2005 and list of bills in the amount of $2,409.38. Motion carried.
Corporation Counsel's office:
T. Liebman, Corporation Counsel, as part of his monthly report and as previously requested, gave a report on the function of the County's Ethics Inquiry Board. Considerable discussion followed regarding potential situations that could warrant inquiry.
Attorney Liebman next reported on the position of County Surveyor, specifically citing the differences between an elected and appointed Surveyor. It was noted by adopting a resolution, the County Board has the authority to change the position from elected to appointed (the only other County Constitutional Officer so affected is the Office of Coroner, however, if changed to appointed, the individual must be designated Medical Examiner and the title of MD).
Current County Surveyor, Patrick Dederich, introduced himself to Committee members and joined in the discussion. He gave an overview of his duties and amount of time spent on surveying work as well as the possibility of using funds from the re-monumentation account to allow additional work to be completed during the year. Mr. Dederich stated he supported the office of Surveyor becoming a full time, appointed position.
At the request of the County Board Chairperson, Attorney Liebman reported on the history and costs relative to Ho-Chunk negotiations and the potential need for the County to adopt an ordinance regulating nude and semi-nude dancing.
Motion was made by Montgomery, seconded by Endres to approve the reports, request for attendance at the WI Public Sector Labor Relations conference in Madison on April 29, 2005, request to attend the Disaster Planning for the WI Attorney seminar in Madison on April 20, 2005, request to attend the WACCC Spring meeting in Wisconsin Dells on May 5 & 6, 2005 and the monthly list of bills for this department in the amount of $2,258.34. Motion carried.
Administrative Coordinator:
Gene Wiegand, Administrative Coordinator, presented a monthly report and list of bills for his department. His report highlighted: viewing the Greason Dairy Farm operation near Sauk City (an application previously submitted and approved for revolving loan funds) which will result in a substantial amount of unanticipated revenue for his department, involvement in the application and interview process for the position of Director of Aging, and issues related to the Chairman's Advisory Committee meeting scheduled for this evening.
Wiegand presented a draft resolution requesting approval for his travel in excess of 300 miles to attend the NACO conference in Honolulu, HI on July 15-19, 2005. Discussion followed with Committee members feeling it was not prudent to forward this resolution to the County Board for consideration, Wiegand subsequently withdrew his request and resolution.
Motion was then made by Endes, seconded by Sprecher to approve the report for the office of Administrative Coordinator (no list of bills presented). Motion carried.
Motion by Sprecher, seconded by Hartje to adjourn and set the next, regular E&L meeting date for Tuesday, May 3, 2005 at 9:00A.M. Motion carried and the meeting adjourned at 12:00 noon.
Respectfully submitted,
Beverly J. Mielke, Sauk County Clerk