Dunn County Board Meeting for 1/15/2025

COUNTY OF DUNN MENOMONIE, WISCONSIN NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING
In accordance with the provisions of Section 19.84, Wisconsin Statutes, notice is hereby given that a public meeting of the DUNN COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS will be held on Wednesday, January 15, 2025 at 7:00 p.m. in Room 54 of the Dunn County Government Center, 3001 US Highway 12 East in Menomonie, Wisconsin. The building entrance for public meetings is on the lower level of the Government Center and will be open 30 minutes ahead of the meeting start time.

A video recording of the meeting will be available for subsequent viewing on the Dunn County YouTube channel at the following link: https://www.youtube.com/@dunncounty1854.

Persons wishing to provide public comment may do so at the meeting or may submit written comments by sending an email beforehand to [email protected]

Items of business to be discussed or acted upon at this meeting are listed below:

AGENDA - COUNTY BOARD

      1. Call to Order

   2. Pledge of Allegiance

   3. Call of the roll

Supervisor Gjestson and Supervisor Calabrese are excused, but all others are present, online or in person.

   4. Approval of the Minutes from November 12, 2024 Meeting

There were a few corrections sent in by supervisor Bachand, correcting some ordinances called resolutions, and resolutions called ordinances, errors which were rectified.

   5. Presentations of Petitions, Memorials, and Other Communications

The board is called to a moment of silence for Dunn County Sheriff Jeff Reynolds and Menomonie Police Officer Sam Miller.

Nick Lang, a retiring member of the Corporation Council, is recognized for thirty years of service, and Brenda Osman, social worker with the neighbors of Dunn County, is recognized for thirty-seven years of service.

   6. Public Hearing: None

No public hearing.

   7. Public Comment

No one from the public offered a comment.

   8. Appointments

A number of appointments to the Library Planning Committee are put forward. Supervisor Kneer motions, Supervisor Vandermeulen seconds, and the motion carries unanimously.

   9. Report of County Manager

       A. Update from St Croix - Chippewa Valley Rail Commission – Scott Rogers

       B. Purchase Orders over $40,000

No purchase orders.

       C. ERP Procurement Update

A new financial system has been purchased; two vendors were selected to collaborate, one called BS&A providing the ERP system, and the other called Anders Technologies, supplying the timekeeping system.

       D. 2024 County Sales Tax Revenue

This is the half a percent residents pay on any sale including online orders. The revenue from this tax came in at 5.2 million dollars: more than was budgeted for. A question is asked about a sum of money from a large sale, which apparently non-disclosure agreements were signed in the process of making. “We could tell you but we’d have to kill you.” The sum is non-recurring, it is explained.

   9. Reports of Departments: Transit

Austin Whit provides the transit report. The bottom loop of the “Stout Route,” which was implemented three semesters ago is explained. Fewer complaints of packed buses were levied in the past year, due to implementation of larger buses.

He mentions two smaller auxiliary buses that were sold, and mentions a larger bus that did not fit the needs of the stout route that will be sold later in spring. The new buses are introduced, and improvements over the old ones are explained.

The presentation explains the Doorstop bus service for disabled and elderly residents, for which buses are not routed, instead, they will pick you up wherever you want, and drop you off wherever you want.

A rural service will be implemented in June of this year, in which riders will call one month in advance in order to receive a ride into the town of Menomonie from any of the outskirts of Dunn County. This was proposed to supplement the volunteer driver program, which struggled to attract volunteers. Supervisor Hagel asks what has been done to advertise this program to the community. The board is the first to know, but a newsletter will later be sent out. S Lauffer asks if the fees charged will cover the cost to maintain the buses. ADRC will cover fifty percent, the rider will cover fifty. If there are two riders per bus per trip, the breakeven point is met.

The community route had a large uptick in use in 2024, thanks to a streamlined advertisement and better GPS units.

The timeline for electric bus implementation is summarized, and the buses are now set to be implemented at the end of 2025. The limitations of cold weather driving are explained. Not much is known, but diesel heaters should help the electric buses’ range in cold weather.

All bus employees are now trained with NARCAN, as well as being CPR and AED certified. There are also public facing TVs that allow the bus displays to be updated from a single computer.

   10. Consideration of Reports, Resolutions, and Ordinances to the County Board from the Executive Committee: None

None of these.

   11. Consideration of Reports, Resolutions and Ordinances coming to the County Board from the Standing Committees

       A. Facilities Committee:

           i. Resolution to Award a Performance Contract.

Dunn County intends to award a performance contact. The contract includes facility updates to replace the existing HVAC system in the Dunn County Judicial Center with a geothermal system and to install Solar panels for the Judicial Center,

Government Center, and Neighbors of Dunn County. The Geothermal system will more efficiently manage the environment within the Judicial Center. The system will almost eliminate the need for natural gas instead it will primarily use electricity. The solar electric system will be installed to provide the electricity to the Judicial Center, Government Center, and Neighbors of Dunn County. The solar system will provide power to the buildings reducing or eliminating the need to purchase commercial power to power, heat, and cool the buildings. The Qualified Energy Savings Company that the contract will be awarded to will guarantee, at their own liability, that the cost savings of the project will pay for the project over 20 years.

CIO Dan Dunbar steps up to explain the performance contract. He explains a state statute requires the contract be put up to a bid seen by the governing body- the supervisors. The only company that put in a bid was one called Veregy. This vote, Dunbar says, is to finalize the company the county will work with, not finalizing a contract. The contact would be put before the board in March.

Supervisor Larry Bjork voices concern that disregarding energy companies that the county has done business with in the past is poor practice. A move to geothermal and solar will make a statement that the county has no confidence in fossil fuels, says Supervisor Larry Bjork. He also mentions that Veregy has done business mostly further east, and may not be prepared to handle snowier environments. He also asks how the cost of using valuable land for solar panels will be justified, and is worried that the company will not assist in the case of severe weather potentially damaging the county’s investment. The fact that there is only one bid was also a concern of his.

Supervisor Stori emphasizes faith in the system which bids go through, and CIO Dunbar explains the administrative process, and says the energy saving over time would cover some of the cost in this process, and mentions the three million from the federal government will be in play for the project. CIO Dunbar also mentions that there is not yet a plan for what land will be used for solar panels, to address one of Supervisor Larry Bjork’s concerns.

Motion to close debate on the performance contract by S Hagen- the room was split. Four ‘nays’ were heard. A digital roll was called, amounting to a majority motion to end debate which was passed.

Motion to pass “intent to award” funds for Geothermal and Solar installations passes

           ii. Resolution: Preliminary Approval to Sell Transfer Station Property

This resolution is motioned and seconded. Clarification given by supervisor Vogl that this is only preliminary. Motion carries with no ‘nay’ votes.

           iii. Resolution: Preliminary Approval to Sell Parcel East of OakLeaf Clinic

Supervisor Vogl speaks to this resolution, mentions this is new ground, and agreement was not there initially. Vogl says there could be future uses for this property. It is explained that this is something that if a Supervisor wanted to motion to cancel this resolution and not negotiate the sale of this property to the individual. Amendments are allowed if prepared in written form beforehand. Otherwise, the motion goes back to the board for approval.

Supervisor McCullough lays out 3 options- not to sell the land, collaborate with a developer to develop the land, and third, the least likely, Supervisor McCullough says, is to sell the land. The second option was motioned for and seconded.

Supervisor Larry Bjork asks a clarifying question about the land being used for senior housing. It is clarified that the plan would indeed be to work with a single private contractor to buy and develop the land for senior housing.

Clarification is provided that there are ways to put stipulations on a possible land sale. The plot would run up against a private driveway used by neighbors of Dunn county, owned by the county. Stipulations are intended for this project.

Supervisor Stori does not want to sell now, but wishes to discover the value of the land. Supervisor Stori believes in the possibilities of the land. How much the land was worth was discussed at a closed discussion, not wishing to show the county’s hand. Supervisor Stori would in that case not vote to approve in any situation.

A motion to refer is the process to send it back to the committee, which was requested and would supersede the motion to approve. The motion to refer is motioned and seconded.

Supervisor McCullough says the choice to refer without a charge (idea to change it/giving direction) indicates interest, but not knowledge of what the county wants. It’s like “punting it between committee and board,” which is called “not a particularly useful motion.”

Supervisor Morrows mentions that the board and facilities committee still need to approve.

Supervisor Larry Bjork asks what the tipping point of the traffic conditions of an already congested area is if the developer develops this land for housing. Will Dunn County be on the hook for lights, roundabouts, etc.? CIO Dunbar says it would be on the developer’s dime for this.

Supervisor Kneer is asked to rescind motion to refer.

A question is asked as to if the sealed bid will ever be made known to the board, CIO Dunbar responds it is a negotiation, and the full contract would be made known.

Supervisor Vogl clarifies that a no vote is to not sell, and a yes vote is to sell.

Supervisor McCullough mentions even if this resolution passes, the property is not sold, instead there will be a review and the board will have a decision to make later if the review decided the project is something that would be good for the county.

Supervisor Stori mentions that it may not be wise to sell now, and potential projects may open up if the land is not sold.

It is asked if there is anything else gained than the one-time money from the sale, and essentially, nothing else would be gained.

Supervisor Gary Bjork would also not vote to sell the land, due to many questions yet unanswered, like size of buildings. The Chairman mentions that everything will come to light before the board is asked to make a final decision.

The resolution is called to roll-call vote, and passes with fairly few ‘no’ votes.

       B. Broadband Taskforce

           i. Resolution: Endorsement of 24-7 Telecom for BEAD Projects

Bob Bauer motions, Larry Bjork seconds. CIO Dunbar clarifies this is a project for a 24-7 telecom, and this would make the Broadband Taskforce able to continue to develop if they wish. CIO Dunbar mentions Dunn County has put in a lot of work and ranks highly in getting broadband to rural areas.

Motion Carries.

           ii. Resolution: Endorsement of Mosaic Technologies for BEAD Projects

Bob Bauer motions and Larry Bjork seconds. CIO Dunbar says this resolution is to give Mosaic the option to develop North of highway 49, which will make it so all but about 20 houses in Dunn County are covered.

Motion Carries.

   11. Announcements: Next Meeting, February 19, 2025

Discover Wisconsin calendars are available on the way out of the meeting!

   12. Adjournment

Kelly McCullough, Chairperson

By: Kristin Korpela County Manager

Upon reasonable notice, the County will make efforts to accommodate the needs of disabled individuals through sign language, interpreters or other auxiliary aids. For additional information or to request the service, contact the County Human Resources Manager at 715-232-2429 (Office), 715-232-1324 (FAX) or 715-231-6406 (TDD) or by writing to the Human Resources Manager, Human Resources Department, 3001 US Hwy 12 E, Suite 225, Menomonie, Wisconsin 54751.