Yup – that’s not a typo, I know I make lots of typos, but its really the County Board recap. 7 Swine Flu Cases and Update, County Exec talks to County Board about $5 – 6M budget gap, will county have to pay $19.5M for Family Care, Sheriff Mahoney and Checking Immigration Status and buying property in honor of Lyman Anderson. We’ll see how this goes . . . comments about differences of interest that I observed between the Council and County Board are sprinkled throughout for those of you who are less familiar with the County Board. [Agenda on-line here, its one big document, without the ability to link to individual items on the agenda but all the attachments are there if you want to see specifics.]
Meeting called to order by County Board Chair Scott McDonell at 7:00 or a minute or two later. [Much better job of starting on time than the City Council.]
A. ROLL CALL: Hesselbein and Martz were notified absences on the agenda. Willet, Vogel and Jensen also excused. 3 others also absent but unexcused – Solberg, Erickson, Schlicht and others in and out of the meeting. Erickson showed up later, Schmidt and Solberg went home early at some point. [This seems kind of confusing with a bigger body. The politics of getting the votes you need much be so much harder for the county board because their items pass with a majority of the people there present voting in favor. With 8 or 9 absences, it seems that you have to count and re-count as people come and go from the meeting. On the council, you just need to count to 11 and keep those people in the room to get your votes.]
1. Prayer/Inspirational Message – Schmidt
– 1914 Mother’s Day established as a holiday. Asked people to remember mothers who made a difference in their life. She dedicated her comments to her mother who died in a car accident two years ago. [The County Board is much more formal, they stand when they speak and they have quite a bit of pomp and circumstance. They seem a bit more old fashioned in their approach to things.]
2. Pledge of Allegiance led by Schmidt [See commend above. They also seem a little more patriotic with their little flags on their desks and the pledge. It gives the impression that they take their role as a governing body a little more seriously.]
Chair McDonell welcomes Supervisors Stubbs back. She has been out for an extended period of time after a car accident and back injuries. [Many of you know this, but the County Executive is not a member of the body as the Mayor is at the City. She does not chair the meeting and often is not even present. The county board elects their chair who actually makes appointments, chairs the meetings, truly sets the agendas and plays a much larger leadership role. On the council, the Council President is much more window dressing with much less actual power to get things done.]
B. SPECIAL MATTERS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
1. Res. 1, 09-10 – Celebrating Marueen Arcand’s 80th Birthday
McDonell says it will be postponed again until she can be present. There is no objection.
2. Res 15, 09-10 – Recognizing Luis Bixler, 2009 Wisconsin Telecommunicator of the Year
Bayrd and Rusk present the resolution – read by Bayrd. Motion to approve and second by Bayrd and Rusk. He speaks and thanks family for support and understanding for when he has to do extra shifts. He also thanks his fellow workers and says he really shares the award with his co-workers. [Here the members of the body actually honor people in the community, on the Council, only the Mayor does that.]
3. Res 16, 09-10 – Recognizing Broom Street Theatre on its 40th Anniversary
Hendrick reads it the resolution. Approval moved by Hendrick, seconded by Richmond. Artistic Director says a few words. His is honored to be part of cultural landscape of Dane County. He talks about the many actors who have performed at Broom St. He also says that they hope to be around for 40 more years.
SUPPLEMENTAL AGENDA
NEW 4 – Dr. Thomas Schlenker, Director, Public Health Madison & Dane county – H1N1 Flu Update [This wasn’t on the on-line version of the agenda, but instead on the desk of the supervisors and I got a copy as “the media”. The media are treated well at the county board. Copies of the agenda are given to them and the staff make sure that they get copies of many things that are handed out. At the Common Council, they are largely formally ignored and its up to elected officials to advocate with them more informally. At least one supervisor seemed annoyed to see me sitting in the media row and told me I belonged sitting elsewhere, but many others were pleased that they would be getting some more attention.]
Dr. Schlenker says that two weeks ago the medical community began to be aware that something unusual was happening in Mexico. He says flu in the in spring is surprising. He also said that this was a swine flu type – the same kind of flu virus that killed people in 1918 and 1919. He said at first there was a great deal of conflicting information from Mexico – with many deaths and hospitalizations. He’s happy to say that they know alot more about the virus and illness now. Good news is that it is not as severe as initially thought. Does not appear to be any more severe than normal flu, but it is spreading rapidly around world and in WI. There are now 7 confirmed cases in Dane County and they are pretty spread throughout the city. They are in east, west and south Madison as well as Sun Prairie. He expects many more tomorrow and that it will spread widely in Dane County and will continue for the next week or two. He expects alot of people to become ill and that means coughing, fever, body aches and typical flu symptoms for a few days and then they bounce back and be as good as new. He doesn’t think it will be worse than the normal flu. He says the 7 cases are all children from 5 schools and day cares. He says not to expect schools to close, but rather people who are ill will be asked to stay home and stay isolated in homes for 7 days for the period they would be contagious. Most people don’t need any treatment except rest, liquids and tylenol or motrin. Those who are at higher risk for which tamaful is recommended are if they have underlying conditions, particularly chronic lung problems, or if they are 65+ or 5 years old or younger. He says if those at higher risk are ill or exposed they should take the medication. Its a prescription available through doctor and no shortage of it. If they have no physician or insurance they should contact public health.
Hulsey asks about preventative measures? Schlenker says if you are sick, stay home. He recommends covering coughs and sneezes, wash hands frequently with soap and water or alcohol based liquid. He suggests that people keep hand sanitizers at their desk or in their purse or pocket. Hulsey makes a crack about how you should just listen to your mother and Schlenker agrees, especially with mother’s day coming up.
Hulsey asks about the reported deaths and how big of a threat this really is. Schlenker says influenza recreates itself in a in new strain every year or two and it is a significant health problem because millions get it every year and about 30,000 die because so widespread. But he adds 99% are just sick for a few days and get better. People who die are at risk people because of underlying conditions or old or young.
Schmidt commends Dr. Schlenker and staff because of the long days they have worked, but also thanks him for the daily updates. She says the rational and accurate information was helpful and she said that the lack of information is what makes people worry. Schlenker says they did debate if that was appropriate to give daily updates and no one said they didn’t want the information but many were grateful.
McDonell asks what to expect in the fall? Schlenker says that it is possible to come back in fall and be much worse. He explains that is the nature of influenza because the strains mutate. This one is very transmissible. He says it can become more lethal and it only takes one or two mutations to make that happen. He notes the virus likes cold and dry and we are lucky because of all the information now, more people will get vaccinated in the fall.
NEW 5 – County Executive Kathleen Falk – Report on County’s Financial Situation [pursuant to Dane County Ordinances s. 29.52 (20)]
County Executive Kathleen Falk speaks about the current financial situation for the County. She hands out a three page written statement the is essentially what she tells the County Board. Here’s a quick summary of the highlights:
– County has same problems as national and world economy and that has altered the state’s fiscal situation and its taking a toll on County budget.
– The county needs to take steps now to address the situation.
– 2 weeks ago the County Controller [not Comptroller] found that they are projecting $2M less in sales tax revenue, $2M less in investment income and $1M less in recording fees and construction related permits.
– Depressed home sales and construction market, decrease in consumer confidence and spending, delays in large-scale, private sector development have led to these losses.
– Other factors are adding to the loss of revenues such as relatively high and increasing unemployment and stock market and pension losses which have slowed county retirements which means that they have had to have hiring delays and freezes and so they are not getting the projected savings they rely on in the budget.
– They are looking at a $5 – 6 million shortfall in their budget. [I’ve heard it is likely to be even more!]
– Some departments are further challenged such as some decisions about mental health and disability services which are making it difficult for Human Services to meet their budget.
– Overtime in the Sheriff’s Department has improved but there is more work to do.
– Higher utility costs are larger than expected.
– They are taking steps to address problems such as they negotiated contracts to lock in fuel cost savings when fuel costs were low. They will get money from MG&E for their methane-generated electricity if the request is approved by the Public Service Commission. They are selling houses and buildings that they have acquired with land purchases. However, this only will bring in $1M.
– She says they need to take action on two other fronts cut operating costs and personnel costs.
– She has met with department heads and they have frozen all employment, conference, training and travel expenses. Only Certified Nursing Attendants and Registered Nurses at Badger prairie and 911 communicators supervisors are exempt from the the freeze. Appeals will be available for essential hiring and training for licenses and certificates.
– Department heads have been instructed to review all spending and pay special attention to LTEs and projects, initiatives or operations that they have not started.
– They are reviewing grant programs like B.U.I.L.D. and Cultural Affairs.
– Some departments, like Human Services, directors will have to look for modest but widespread cuts to stay on budget.
– Regarding personnel, the major driver of county spending, she is asking all county employees (elected officials, department heads, managers and non-represented and represented workers) to make reasonable and fair sacrifices.
– She says she has been talking to the nine unions.
– She says they need to save $3M in personnel costs.
– There could be 80 – 110 layoffs.
– Could delay contracted cost of living adjustments (COLA) or reduce salaries and wages.
– She believe furloughs could have the best results with least disruptions. She says that if they close 5 days they could save $2M. She suggests closing most government functions on Fridays or portions of Fridays during the summer or before long holidays.
– She notes some functions like law enforcement, 911, Badger Prairie Nursing home cannot stop, but people who work on those days would be expected to take another unpaid day.
– She says these ideas are illustrative and must be negotiated with the unions.
– Expects elected officials and contract managers to make the same sacrifices that employees take on.
– She will not take the 1% increase authorized by the County Board [at the city, elected officials cannot turn back in their pay.] and she will participate in any furlough or cost-cutting measures county employees have to endure.
– For next year’s budget, they need to look to the stimulus money to help solve the problems, however stimulus funds cannot supplant budgeted funds.
– Need to rescrutinize capital expenses and projects to see what can be reduced or delayed. She notes this will not help this year’s budget, but will aid with next year’s debt service.
– She also expects more bad news to come.
– She thinks that they will have $1M in state aids starting July 1 (State’s fiscal year.)
– Notes that with yesterday’s news from the Governor, it could get even worse.
She thanks Chair McDonell and Hulsey, who chairs their finance committee, for their efforts.
Hulsey asks her to outline the furlough concept as opposed to lay offs. She says furlough needs to have several essential elements. She says it needs to cause the least disruption, they will be unpaid days and hopefully several days over the course of the year. She notes Fridays before holidays will have the least impact on constituents. Other critical elements are that employees are treated fairly. She notes that you can’t shut down the jail and those who have to work would need to take another day off so they share in the pain. She says that 5 days could save $2M in savings. She notes that this needs to be negotiated with the unions.
Hulsey notes that this years operating and capital budget will be reviewed on Monday at their finance committee. [I forget the official name, will have to look it up. Personnel and Finance?] He also said that he would have several items introduced tonight to address these issues. [Instead of verbally introducing items at the end of the meeting, they pass items around and supervisors sign on and review the items, so the members of the public don’t really get to hear what those introduced items might be.]
was 4. now 6. Collection of Flower Fund
A quick items were some people noted that they owed money because they missed it last time they requested money.
was 5. now 7. Announcements
Downing – MHAAA (Mt. Horeb Arts Group) and Dane County Arts Commission sponsoring art spring arts tour June 12 – 14. He says there is a display here in Madison and reception tomorrow evening at Overture 5 – 8.
Miles – EconDevo Comm resolution will be introduced tonight that will place a priority of spending recovery dollars locally when possible.
Schmidt – She said others signs of spring include the backyard compost bin sale ($40) 9 – 4 at the Alliant Center Saturday and she encouraged people to attend their local farmers market, including Monona 9 to 4 and Fitchburg and others.
Stubbs – thanks chair for visiting her in the hospital and supervisors who made phone calls, cards and visits. She had no idea would be gone so long. Thanks her constituents for being patient. Says she will try to stay the whole night if she feels well. Thanks to staff for calls and to HHN committee for working in her absence.
Hendrick – Invite supervisors to ceremony 11 am on Saturday to honor Gerald Stall. Notes that they adopted a resolution thanking him and his family last year. Says it was 51 years ago this week that while returning a jet to Truax there were problems and he intentionally directed the plane into Lake Monona to save the Hudson Park Neighborhood.
Bruskewitz – Challenges golfers to challenger her in the Madison Area Rehab Center (MARC) golf classic June 16. Invites them to join her foursome to help people with developmental disabilities.
Salov – June is dairy month and invites supervisors to the farm breakfast on June 13th. Its a dairy farm and he notes that milk prices are low right now.
[Council makes their announcements at the end of the meeting. It’s better because it doesn’t waste the public’s time who are here to speak on other matters. But, it also defeats the purpose of the announcements if no one hears them – except those who are watching on TV.]
All of that was done in 40 minutes. [They seem so much more efficient than the Common Council.]
C. APPROVAL OF BILLS & ACCOUNTS
1. Claims recommended for Approval
Ferrell, Gau move and second. There is no discussion and they pass on a voice vote.
D. APPROVAL OF PROCEEDINGS – April 2 & 23, 2009
Matano, de Felice move approval. There is no discussion and they pass on a voice vote.
E. CONSENT CALENDAR
1. Res 286, 08-09 – Authorizing Amendment to the Intergovernmental Agreement Between the City of Madison and Dane County Creating the City-County Health Department (Adopt)
2. Res. 293, 08-09 – Approving Lease with Ice Age Park and Trail Foundation (Adopt)
3. Res. 295, 08-09 – Authorizing Grant Applications to the WI Department of Natural Resources (Adopt)
Veldran abstains on 2. The three items pass on a voice vote.
[When something comes from committee at the County Board, no motion is made from the floor, the item before the body is the recommendation of the committee. I think that is a more formal following of Robert’s Rules and perhaps a more appropriate way to do it.]
F. [No items, so it just skips to G on the Agenda, there is also no K or L.]
G. REPORTS ON ZONING PETITIONS
a. Map of Dane County
b. Summary of Grant as Modified Petitions
1. Petition 10029 – Town of Pleasant Springs – Janell Julseth (Grant as Modified)
2. Petition 10033 – Town of Windsor – William Schwartz (Grant as Modified)
3. Petition 10037 – Town of Deerfield – Dale Liebert (Grant)
No separations – passed on a voice vote that seemed unanimous.
H. ORDINANCES
1. Ord. Amdt. 24, 08-09 – Amending Chapter 82, Incorporating the Grandview-Fitchrona Neighborhood Plan into the Dane County Comprehensive Plan (Deny)
Motion is denial. No discussion. Passes unanimously.
2. Ord. Amdt. 39, 08-09 – Amending Chapters 2, 11, 12 and 14, Regarding Erosion Control Provisions (Adopt with Amendments)
Motion is adoption with amendments, basically following the ERNR recommendation. [I hope I have that committee right]
Hulsey says that Lakes and Watershed is meeting next week and they haven’t talked about this yet and moves to postpone to next meeting, Matano second. Passes unanimously.
I. AWARD OF CONTRACTS
1. Res 258, 08-09 – Authorizing the Acquisition of Land from the Lyman Anderson Family (Adopt)
1 registrant, Bill White [At the County Board, speakers get 5 minutes to speak instead of 3]
Bill White – is speaking on behalf of Lyman Anderson Family. He introduces Pat and Lynette Anderson – family members of the late Lyman Anderson who served on the County Baord for 27 years. As years pass, less remember him but he was a fiscal conservative, loved nature, and legacies for generations to come. They have worked with county and they think they have a proposal that works in the interest of the County. It is a phased purchase over 3 years. This is the first year and the sales price is 60 cents for each dollar of value at time of his death. The family will also create an endowment fund of $1000 per acre sold which will be used for maintenance and planning. There should be no on-going appropriations for several years to come for the county. He notes that the quarry on site will be donated with no additional cost at end of useful life of quarry. He suggests it could be used as an education center for geology of the area and to remember how roads built. They also see community farms, both active and passive recreation usses of the land including playing fields and other other activities. The family will continue using the houses on site. If they decide to sell outside the family – they will give county 1st right of refusal to buy the buildings. He thinks it is a good public-private partnership. Knows its tough times, but doesn’t think we should we stop looking ahead. He says they tried to spread out costs over period of years and minimize costs for the County.
Patricia and Lynette Anderson are registered in support as well.
QUESTIONS
Stoebig asks about the quarry and the reclamation plan? Bill says that the county will be responsible for reclamation plan that would need to be changed as the educational opportunity isn’t allowed. He says they are working with the Park Division to change the reclamation plan.
Richmond asks how long they have been working on this and what adoption means tonight. Bill says they’ve been working on it for 2.5 years. Bill says the deal has evolved. Says he understands the political realism, would like it approved tonight, but its not war if its not. He would like to get it on another agenda as soon as possible. He says that the economic circumstances have already been taken into account and incorporated into the plan.
DISCUSSION
Hulsey – Thanks family, says walked the land and its beautiful, tried to put conserve back in conservative, but also asks what would Lyman do? Given current budget circumstances need to make sure it fits into total budget picture.
Hulsey moves to re-refer to finance committee on Monday night. Second by DeSchmidt. No discussion, passes on voice vote.
2. Res 284, 08-09 – Authorizing Employment Agreement for Director of Public Safety Communications Center (Adopt)
No discussion. Roll Call vote:
AYE: Schmidt, Solberg, Stubbs, Vedder, Veldran, Wheeler, Bayrd, deFelice, DeSmidt, Downing, Erickson, Hampton, Hendrick, Hulsey, Kostelic, Levin, Manning, Matano, Miles, O’Laughlin, Opitz, Richmond, Rusk, McDonell
NO: Wiganowski, Bruskewitz, Ferrell, Gau, Ripp, Salov, Schlicht
ABSENT: Vogel, Willet, Hesselbein, Jensen, Martz
[My understanding is that some of the conservatives, after all of this, felt like $120,000 was too much to being paying the new director. Wiggy has another excuse later about why he voted the way he did. If his excuse were true, he could have just made a motion to postpone.]
3. Res 296, 08-09 – Award of Contraact for Tenant Improvement 1st and 3rd Floor – CCB (Adopt Sub 1)
Hulsey out of room. Matano moves referral to Personnel and Finance, second by Hendrick. Hulsy back and says same reasons as with item 1 (Lyman Anderson Land).
Gau asks question for committee. Wants to make sure that the capital funds from 2010 are relieved with stimulus funds.
Hulsey outlines some possibilities such as with the clean water legacy fund where they might get state money. Also looking into energy conservation bonds. He says they are also looking for other solutions.
Veldran – Energy task force and looking to add something as a project – not sure what.
The motion passed unanimously on a voice vote.
At this point, it was a few minutes before 8:00.
J. RESOLUTIONS
1. Res 294, 08-09 – Approving Billboard Lease on County Land (Adopt)
Hendrick asked to be recorded as voting no.
No discussion, several audible “no”s, chair ruled it carries. [Seemed close to me, I’d have asked for a roll call, but I’m just like that. 🙂 ]
2. Res 300, 08-09 – Urging Equitable Funding for Long Term Care (Adopt with Amendment)
See separate post (Sorry, I can’t blog at work, too much other stuff to do, it will have to wait til after work or later this weekend. I had hoped to get it done, but I failed!).
At this point is was 8:40. Items 3 & 4 in this section were taken up together. See separate post (hopefully this morning yet) on this item.
3. RE 13, 09-10 – Updating Dane County Privacy Policy Concerning Access to County Services (No recommendation)
Chair McDonell reported that the committee has not reported and that item 3 is not properly before the County Board. He will let people registered on 3. talk on 4. instead if they want to.
Bruskewitz rises for a point of information. Asks why not properly before them. Then she gets confused, and realizes that she understands what is going on. AFter the confusion is settles she still talks and says “My point is this” . . . there was a resolution that was to be presented to night to access to social security numbers and with register of deeds this was referred to this meeting.
Miles says the committee he is on is working on it, that at the last meeting questions were raised and they asked register of deeds to answer questions and it is postponed at this time. Chair explains that he expects it back at the next meeting . . . if the committee acts on it. He says he doesn’t really have any control over that.
4. Res 14, 09-10 – Creating the Dane County Immigration Task Force (No recommendation)
See separate post (still working on it!).
M. SUCH OTHER BUSINESS AS THE COUNTY BOARD IS AUTHORIZED TO CONDUCT BY LAW
Wiggy explains his vote on the 911 director. He says it would have been unanimous, but he hasn’t ever met him. Would like to meet him and have him come to another meeting. Wants to let people know that there aren’t any ill feelings. McDonell explains it was hard to get him here as he is still working at his old job.
Rusk says he met with 911 director last week talking about operability in our brand new system and that he went to Kansas City even though he wasn’t even on payroll yet. Says he was impressed with the new director.
N. ADJOURN
Motion to adjourn – passes. It was about 10:20.
So, there you have it, most of my first county board blog. Feel free to contact me if you have any suggestions. I’m not sure that I will so thoroughly blog all meetings, this just had some items of interest. Sorry it was late this morning, too many other things going on!
