DATE: Friday, July 13, 2007
PLACE:
County Board Room
West Square Building
Baraboo WI
Present: V. Hartje, M. Krueger, J. Fordham, W. Wenzel, K. Beghin, K. Schauf, C. Thompson, T. Stieve, D. Carignan, D. Tremble, Dean T. Pleger, C. Davis, Captain K. Fults, J. Fry, V. Meister, T. Radke,
Krueger called the meeting to order at 1:05 a.m. and compliance with the open meeting laws was verified. Motion by Fordham, second by Wenzel to approve the agenda.
Motion carried.
History and purpose of capital improvement project team was discussed. The list of all projects and detail sheets were then reviewed.
Kathy Schauf described Health Care Center related projects. A reserve for emergency repairs prior to completion of the new facility is again included, as well as the $15,000,000 for the new facility itself. The Continuum of Care Committee is recommending consideration of assisted living facilities in the future, tentatively three and eight years after the new facility is constructed. These depend on implementation of Family Care and future market conditions. Hartje wondered if the assisted living facilities should be pursued now, since these are likely to be revenue producers.
Highway projects and equipment replacements were discussed. These projects are included in the plan to make the County's planning processes more comprehensive. The department likes to keep around $1.5 million per year for road reconstruction projects. Decreases in this annual amount may save money in the short run, but will force increased maintenance costs in the long run. Keeping equipment new enough that it is in good shape saves on maintenance costs and keeps employees busy.
Carpet in the Courthouse and West Square is 10 years old. Smaller, incremental replacements had been planned, but the carpet failures are so significant that a major two-year major replacement would be better. County maintenance staff would move the furniture and remove the old carpet; a contractor would lay the new carpet.
Card access to secure doors is in need of major upgrade. The $130,000 projected cost in 2008 includes addition of some video monitoring in the Courthouse, as well as addition of card readers to various doors.
Phone system and voice-mail network includes West Square, Courthouse, Health Care Center, Human Services in Reedsburg, Highway and Law Enforcement Center. Complete replacement would be significantly expensive. Annual upgrades are expected for $70,000 every year.
Air conditioning unit for Courthouse connector addition is starting to have failures and is reaching the end of its anticipated life. It is 20 years old this year, and the replacement unit will be smaller and more efficient since the West Square air conditioning handles most of the building.
Rubber roofs on the Courthouse, West Square and Human Services in Reedsburg are reaching the end of their lives. It is anticipated major repairs or replacement will not be needed until 2016.
The communications system was not upgraded for many years, which resulted in the need for the major upgrade being completed in early 2007. Annual upgrades are proposed, rather than the need for a major replacement in the future. Projects in the future include integration with other community services, such as fire and emergency response.
Courthouse porch is showing signs of shifting and will be in need of repair in the next few years. The estimate of $50,000 is an absolute guess. Engineers will need to study what is needed.
The fire alarm systems in the Courthouse, West Square and Reedsburg Human Services buildings will be in need of upgrade around 2011, before replacement parts are no longer available.
Historic Courthouse clock is operating on 1905 mechanics that were motorized in the 1950's. Repair parts are no longer available.
The UW-Baraboo/Sauk County Living and Learning Center was discussed. Dean Pleger reiterated his comments to the County Board that they are hoping all funding will be received from private sources or grants. Renovation of the chemistry and physics labs is needed since the equipment being used is from the 1960's. Poor equipment can become a recruitment issue for students. The campus plans to request funding from the City and County for these renovations incrementally through the next few years.
Vicki Meister described creation of a document center. This would speed processing and make the flow of information go more smoothly.
The State believes need for a fourth judgeship is growing, perhaps as soon as 2010 or 2011 due to increased caseload. Significant study of operational costs will need to be done when this item comes closer to reality.
Captain Kevin Fults and Jessica Fry discussed the existing shooting range, constructed in 1981. A number of area communities use the range, with about 130 officers each month practicing and receiving instruction. Expansion of classroom space would allow more officers to be trained at once. Good training equates to lower liability. Significantly better bathroom facilities are needed. The intent is to remain at the landfill, but to move the buildings to a better site. Alternatives include conversion of existing buildings at the landfill to range buildings. User fees charged to participating departments were discussed. Compliance with the County ordinance and the Town of Excelsior's comprehensive plan was encouraged. It was the consensus of the group to encourage construction in 2009. Splitting the project into multiple years should also be considered.
Beghin described future debt service requirements, General Fund balance, and remaining funds law enforcement center construction funds in the Capital Projects fund. This CIP Committee makes recommendations about project inclusion, timing and funding to the Finance Committee. The Finance Committee then incorporates these recommendations into the budget to the extent funding allows.
Motion by Schauf, second by Fordham to accept the capital improvements plan moving the Officers Range Shooting Range to 2009.
Motion carried.
Motion by Wenzel, second by Hartje to adjourn.
Motion carried.