Tribal-County Relations Committee, 8:30 AM, June 3, 2026

Bayfield County Administrator 117 E 5th Street, PO Box 878, Washburn, WI 54891 Ph: 715-373-6181 Fx: 715-373-6153 Mark Abeles-Allison, County Administrator Kelly Westlund, Deputy County Administrator Kristine Kavajecz, Human Resources Director Kim Mattson, Finance Director Paige Terry, Bookkeeper Ryan VanLanduyt, Energy Specialist Jaime Cadotte, Payroll Specialist/HR Assistant Erin Tibbits, Clerk II COUNTY-TRIBAL RELATIONS COMMITTEE Nicole Boyd, Tribal Council Chair Rick Peterson, Tribal Council Vice-Chair Charley Ray, Bayfield County Supervisor Steve Sandstrom, Bayfield County Supervisor Dear Committee Members: This letter is written to inform you of the Bayfield County Tribal-County Relations Committee Meeting scheduled for Wednesday, June 3, 2026, at 8:30 a.m. at the Bayfield County Emergency Operations Center (EOC) Microsoft Teams meeting Join: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/27192941398256?p=9uV63oOQ10yxR79kyF Meeting ID: 271 929 413 982 56 Passcode: nf2s2jR2 Need help? | System reference Dial in by phone +1 715-318-2087,,74677670# United States, Eau Claire Find a local number Phone conference ID: 746 776 70# For organizers: Meeting options | Reset dial-in PIN AGENDA 1. Call to Order and Introductions 2. Motion to Approve Minutes of March 4, 2026 3. Public Comment 4. Bayfield County Zoning Code Rewrite Update: Emily Macgillivray 5. Public Health, Vaccination Rates, Education and Messaging AND Senior Empowerment Days, June 18, Washburn Harbor Table. 6. Bayfield County Tourism: Fair, August 6-9. & 2027 Fishing Opener in Bayfield County 7. Countywide EMS Update 8. Tribal County Law Enforcement Agreement Update 9. Memorandum of Understanding, Lands / Housing 10. Budget 2027 11. Reports from Committee Members 12. Proposed Next Meeting Time and Date: Wednesday, October 7, 8:30am, at Red Cliff. 13. Adjournment Should you have any questions in the meantime, please contact mark.abeles-allison@bayfieldcounty.wi.gov. Sincerely, Mark Abeles-Allison Mark Abeles-Allison Bayfield County Administrator MAA/ejt cc: Lynn M. Divine, Bayfield County Clerk Bayfield County Board of Supervisors Bayfield County Department Heads Any person planning to attend a Bayfield County meeting that has a disability requiring special accommodation should contact 373-6100, 24-hours before the scheduled meeting, so appropriate arrangements can be made. TRIBAL COUNTY RELATIONS NARRATIVE ITEM 4: Assistant Zoning Administrator Emily MacGillivray will share an update on the zoning code rewrite process. Two new code sections are now available for comment: https://hkgi.konveio.com/bayfield-county-zoning-ordinance-rewrite Item 5: The Health Department will follow up with data requested at the last meeting and information on the upcoming Senior Empowerment Days event on June 18. Item 6: The Bayfield County Fair is August 6-9. The 2027 Governor’s Fishing Opener will be in Bayfield County. How can you participate in the fair? • A booth in the exhibit hall • A free vendor booth for the LW Prize Wheel • VFW color guard for one of the grandstand events • There will be a Legendary Waters Bus again transporting residents to the Fair. • We are searching for a sponsor for a drum & dance group at the Fair. Libraries in Bayfield County/Red Cliff will be participating in a youth reading program this summer where they can create a project and enter an item in the Fair (which gives the exhibitor free entry to the Fair). Item 7. Bayfield County will be issuing a RFP for Countywide EMS SafetyNet program, providing supplemental assistance when volunteers are not available. Item 8. The Tribal County Law Enforcement agreement for 2027 will be on the agenda at the October Tribal County meeting. Red Cliff PD and Bayfield County Sheriff will make an update at the meeting. Item 9. Attached is the current Land MOU. The Committee has also discussed possible housing collaborations. As of Wednesday, May 27 this was the bid on the house on Highway 13 just sound of Red Cliff being sold on WisconsinSurplus.com. https://bid.wisconsinsurplus.com/Public/GlobalSearch?searchText=iSK2JrEzLHuKs%2bBw Fby1Dw%3d%3d Item 10: The Bayfield County 2027 Budget Process is underway. The Recent Budget Planning meeting noted that Housing and EMS were two top priorities of the county. Departments and Committees will focus efforts in June and July and present draft budgets to Administration in August for a balanced budget proposal to the County Board in September. Several meetings will be held in September and October before recommending a budget to the Board on October 27. Bayfield County Administrator 117 E 5th Street, PO Box 878, Washburn, WI 54891 Ph: 715-373-6181 Fax: 715-373-6153 Mark Abeles-Allison, County Administrator Kelly Westlund, Deputy County Administrator Kristine Kavajecz, Human Resources Director Kim Mattson, Finance Director Paige Terry, Bookkeeper Ryan VanLanduyt, Energy Specialist Jaime Cadotte, Payroll Specialist/HR Assistant Erin Tibbits, Clerk II MINUTES OF THE: Bayfield County Tribal Relations Committee Meeting 8:30 AM, Wednesday, March 4, 2026 Meeting was held at the Leo LaFernier Sr Cultural Center, Red Cliff, WI Members Present: Tribal Chairwoman Nicole Boyd, Tribal Vice-Chair Rick Peterson, Supervisor Steve Sandstrom, Supervisor Mary Dougherty Others Present: Bayfield County Administrator Mark Abeles-Allison, Bayfield County Circuit Court Judge John Anderson, Bayfield County Public Health Director Anne-Marie Coy, Red Cliff Protective Services Administrator Kyle Cadotte, Red Cliff Administrative Planner Doug Jennings, Red Cliff Assistant Tribal Attorney Wade Williams, Bayfield County Tourism Director Mary Motiff, Red Cliff Council Member at Large Angie LaPointe, Red Cliff Tribal Administration Liaison Alana Babineau, Bayfield County Emergency Management, EMS and PSAP Director Meagan Quaderer, Bayfield County Economic Development Coordinator Brain Tochterman, Red Cliff Economic/Community Development Planner Rob Czypinski, Red Cliff Council Member at Large/Veterans Outreach David Curran, Bayfield County Veterans Service Officer Jeremy Bates, Bayfield County Clerk II Erin Tibbits. Called to order at 8:35 a.m. by Committee Chair Sandstrom. Introductions: Introductions of committee members and attendees were made. Minutes of Committee Meeting from December 2 , 2025 : Motion by Peterson, seconded by Sandstrom to approve the minutes of the December 2, 2025, County-Tribal Relations Committee Meeting. Motion carried, 4-0, 0 absent. Public Comment: None. State of the Tribes Address Recap : Tribal Chairwoman Nicole Boyd delivered the 2026 State of the Tribes address at the Wisconsin State Capital on February 10, 2026. Boyd spoke on the experience stating Red Cliff has not given this address since 2007 and that it was the experience of a lifetime. She spoke of the challenge of taking voices from 12 tribes and turning those into her own voice as her intention was to represent everyone. Boyd stated it was a very emotional experience and did not expect the amount of positive outreach from state and local officials which was greatly appreciated. Preliminary Discussion Regarding Joint Venture for a Veteran’s Court in 2027: Bayfield County Circuit Court Judge John Anderson spoke regarding the possibility of creating a veterans court in Bayfield County. He stated that in discussions with Red Cliff Tribal Judge David Beeksma, the concerns are not knowing if the men and women coming through the court system are veterans and the fact that not many known veterans are coming through the Bayfield County and Tribal court systems. Judge Anderson stated that when veterans come into the court system, it is essential that he is aware of the services that are available . The goal is to figure out the best method of providing services to veterans in the court system. Judge Anderson also spoke about Bayfield County’s diversion program for first time offenders who wish to avoid criminal charges. Bayfield County Veterans Service Officer Jeremy Bates stated that there are many outreach programs available and seeks to incorporate these programs within the court system to assist veterans. Red Cliff Veterans Outreach Officer David Curran spoke of his concern in the lack of access to services for treatment and challenges working with veterans with dishonorable discharges. Mark Abeles-Allsion spoke about Bayfield County Treatment Court, which is held on Tuesday at 3pm and takes an open discussion approach. The personal interaction with all involved parties within these hearings is the reason the program is so successful. Bayfield County and Red Cliff Health Department Presentations, Immunizations: Bayfield County Public Health Direct or Anne Marie Coy spoke about the county’s school immunization rates. She noted that the percentages of children having the MMR vaccination are low in Washburn and South Shore Elementary with only 50% vaccination rate. She stated that a 90% vaccination rate is recommended for a “well vaccinated” community. When a vaccination rate is below 90%, data shows that the chance of an outbreak rises to 51%. Coy discussed a 2025 Parent Vaccine Survey Report indicating that one of the major reasons given for a parent not vaccinating their child is the inability to get time off from work. A discussion took place among board members and meeting participants about a new program in Bayfield County called “Walk - in Wednesdays,” which is held at the Bayfield County Public Health building in W ashburn from 3pm-6pm on the last Wednesday of the month and provides medical services such as vaccinations to the community. Questions were raised as to whether there can be an opportunity for a collaboration with Red Cliff to offer services in Red Cliff or the City of Bayfield in conjunction with the Walk-in Wednesdays held in Washburn. Countywide EMS Services : Quaderer presented on the continuing challenges in maintaining reliable EMS staffing across the county. She discussed a dual-strategy approach. This involves a countywide EMT rapid response unit staffed by two EMTs which would respond to EMS incidents when local agencies lack staffing as well as a staffing grant which will go toward support for staffing costs. Quaderer also reported that all Bayfield County dispatch staff are trained to provide EMD (emergency medical dispatch) services, which assists in dispatching appropriate resources and providing pre-arrival services. Economic Development: Rob C zypinski, Red Cliff Economic and Community Planner discussed Red Cliff’s economic diversification strategy with the top priority being to strengthen the Red Cliff Business Development Corporation. One major project is building a new Buffalo Bay Gas Station and C -Store in the old Isle Vista site , and within a larger commercial development complex. He noted plans for future development including a visitor’s center, and retail and housing developments. A spring groundbreaking is planned. Brian Tochterman introduced himself as the new Bayfield County Executive Director of Economic Development and spoke of his goals to connect local aspiring and current business owners to available resources and establish trust within the community regarding economic growth. Jennings discussed a 40-unit housing complex opening in Red Cliff in June. He also spoke about the decision on where the new Excel Energy substation will be built and the new gas line addition which should provide enough gas for future expansion. Ice Caves Update : Motiff, Bayfield County Tourism Director, stated that ice cave planning happens every year whether they can open or not. In January each year, she begins checking with the National Parks Service to discuss the possibility of opening . Before 2026, the last year the caves were open was 2015. The ice caves were able to open for one day only on February 16th with an estimated 4,000 -5,000 visitors. There was a major change this year in that vehicles were not allowed to park along Highway 13 due to safety and snow plowing concerns. Much planning went into arrangements for visitors to be shuttled from allocated parking areas to Meyer’s Beach. Motiff also explained that a 28-person bus was purchased for visitor transport and would have been available on day two of ice cave tours. Motiff is hoping to have a better idea of the economic impact of the one day opening by the end of March. Apostle Island National Lakeshore Redesignation Proposal and Joint Resolution : Abeles- Allison provided two draft resolutions in opposition to the redesignation of AINL. One was a joint resolution (Red Cliff and Bayfield County), the other is a resolution that just Bayfield County could approve. Tribal Vice Chair Peterson stated he prefers a joint resolution to show community solidarity and Rep. Tom Tiffany has had zero consultation/communication with the Red Cliff Tribe proving no concern for the wellbeing and public safety of the community. Boyd stated that the tribe has repeatedly asked for an economic impact statement from Tiffany’s office but has not received one and community members need to be aware of the costs and issues that will accompany this possible redesignation. Supervisor Mary Dougherty spoke in favor of a joint resolution as it will send a strong message to legislators that it is not just a tribal issue, but a regional one. Abeles-Allision stated that Tiffany’s regional aide Jim Miller has offered to come to Bayfield County to meet with community members. Boyd stated that the tribe will not meet with him and Tiffany needs to be present himself. A document addressing the summary of concerns including infrastructure, EMS and housing was discussed with the target audience not being Tiffany himself, but legislators that may vote against this redesignation. Boyd stated that the Tibe has already issued a statement in opposition of the redesignation. Broadband and Telecommunications Update : Abeles-Allison reported that no new local meetings have been held since the last Tribal-County meeting and discussed the BEAD funding distributions and provided visuals of the summaries of the BEAD awards and technology by location. Boyd stated that there needs to be further discussion on how to improve cell service in Bayfield County as a matter of public safety. County/Tribal Land Working Initiative : Abeles-Allison provided a Memorandum of Understanding seeking direction on possible modifications needed to move forward. Boyd stated that the Tribal Zoning Manger should come on board to take over this task. Discussion on county transferring tax delinquent properties to the tribe for possible land sales. Housing, Staffing (UWEX, Rural Development Fellow) Cheq BUILT/Habitat Collaboration: Abeles-Allison reported the hiring of a half -time housing specialist to work with local developers. He discussed an 8 -home modular pocket neighborhood funded by CheqBUILT with developer Wilde Rivers Habitat for Humanity. The intention is to have community members purchase the homes, while Bayfield County will continue to own the land with the idea of affordable housing by extracting land costs. Zoning Code Rewrite Update : Abeles-Allison discussed rewrite status, noting community listening sessions that were held in January, and multiple work sessions held with the Planning and Zoning Commission. The rewrite at county level is expected to be finished by early summer and sent for approval by the State. Adoption by the County Board is expected in December. Boyd noted concern regarding illegally collected taxes. Reports from Committee Members: none Proposed Next Meeting Time and Date: Wednesday, June 3, 2026, at 8:30am at the Bayfield County EOC in Washburn. Adjournment: There being no further business to discuss, committee chairman Sandstrom adjourned the meeting at 11:25 a.m. Respectfully Submitted, ERIN J TIBBITS, Clerk II, Bayfield County Clerk’s and Administrator’s Office On behalf of the Bayfield County-Tribal Relations Committee EJT Bayfield County EMS System Proposal Overview Bayfield County’s EMS system is at a decision point. For decades, emergency medical response has depended on a strong local volunteer model, but the conditions that supported that model have changed. Volunteer availability is declining, call volume is increasing, and local services now depend on a small number of responders to keep ambulances staƯed. In 2025, Bayfield County had 108 missed-call events. This was primarily due to staƯing gaps and constituted a 65% increase over the prior year. The goal is not to replace local ambulance services or diminish the role of volunteers. The goal is to create a more reliable countywide safety net that supports local agencies, reduces missed calls, and improves emergency response for residents and visitors. What’s been done so far: The County Board began a planning process in 2021 to address countywide EMS staƯing challenges. A system study recommended hiring an EMS Coordinator, and that position was filled in 2025. EMS Directors across the County then worked together to develop the primary implementation concepts outlined below. The County has gathered additional information through consultant analysis, stakeholder input, cost modeling, and direct feedback from regional EMS partners. StaƯ are now preparing a Request for Proposals (RFP) to determine whether other regional partners can oƯer a workable EMS safety-net solution. The intent is to bring a recommended proposal back to the County Board in time to make informed decisions for the 2027 budget. Options and approaches under consideration: 1. County-supported transporting ambulance service: This model would establish a County-supported ambulance capable of responding when local services are unavailable or need support. It could involve purchasing, leasing, or partnering for use of an ambulance. The intent would be to supplement, not replace, existing local ambulance services. 2. County EMT quick response / staƯing pool model: This model would create a shared County EMT staƯing pool using a quick response vehicle. StaƯ could respond directly to EMS calls and, when appropriate, serve as crew members with local volunteer ambulance services. 3. Regional partner / contracted service model: The RFP process will invite regional partners to propose service models that meet the County’s reliability goals. This could include dedicated coverage, phased staƯing, advanced or basic life support, use of existing vehicles or facilities, or other partnership approaches. Key considerations: • Reliability is the shared priority. Stakeholder feedback showed strong consensus that residents and visitors should be able to count on timely, dependable 24/7 ambulance response across the County. • The public appears open to change, but local identity matters. There is strong support for a combination career/volunteer staƯing model county-wide, but also significant concern about preserving local service, volunteers, community identity, response times, and existing paramedic services. • The RFP process may reduce risk. Before building a new County-operated service, the County can test whether regional partners can provide coverage faster, more eƯiciently, or with existing assets. This may reduce startup costs, facility needs, administrative burden, recruitment challenges, and implementation risk. • This is a meaningful investment in public safety, resilience, and the ability to respond when people need help most. Current estimates show a first-year tax impact of roughly $21 to $34 on a $100,000 equalized value property, depending on the selected option. Costs may be oƯset by other factors such as billing revenue, grants, municipal or Tribal contributions, etc. • The largest cost driver is personnel. The main financial diƯerence between options is not whether staƯing is needed, but how that staƯing is structured, who employs the staƯ, whether existing vehicles and facilities can be used, and whether the County can share risk with a partner. Near-term decision points: 1. Bayfield County is continuing to pursue a countywide EMS safety-net model for implementation in 2027 2. StaƯ are proceeding with a short-turnaround RFP to determine whether regional providers can oƯer a feasible, cost-eƯective, and timely solution 3. What minimum service expectations should be included? 4. How should the County balance countywide reliability with local control, volunteer identity, and existing municipal or Tribal EMS investments? 5. What level of levy support is the County willing to consider, and what revenue oƯsets should be pursued before final budget adoption? Recommendation: Bayfi eld County should not rely on the status quo as its long-term EMS strategy. StaƯ should move forward with a focused RFP process to better understand whether regional partners can provide a practical 2027 EMS safety-net solution that improves reliability, supports local services, and reduces implementation risk. The results should return to the County Board in time to select a preferred proposal or County-led alternative and incorporate the initiative into the 2027 budget. DRAFT, xxxxx MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING Memorandum of Understanding entered into this day of , by and between he Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians of 88385 Pike Road, Bayfield, Wisconsin, 54814, a federally recognized Indian Tribe exercising powers of self-government (hereinafter “Red Cliff Tribe”) and County of Bayfield of Post Office Pox 878, 117 East Fifth Street, Washburn, Wisconsin, 54891, a body corporate, organized under the laws of the State of Wisconsin (hereinafter “Bayfield County”). RECITALS Whereas, the Red Cliff Tribe and its reservation exists within the geographic boundaries of Bayfield County, and there is a historic working relationship between Bayfield County and the Red Cliff Tribe that recognizes the governmental authority of one another; and Whereas, the Red Cliff Tribe and Bayfield County have strived to work together cooperatively, have sought to avoid conflicts wherever possible, and have sought mutual solutions to common issues that benefit the citizens of the Red Cliff Tribe and Bayfield County alike; and Whereas the Red Cliff Tribe and Bayfield County held their first ever joint full County Board and Tribal Council meeting in December of 2015; since then the County and Tribe have held four additional Joint Tribal County Board and Council Meetings. And Whereas, the Red Cliff Tribe’s reservation land base consists of approximately 14,000 acres, about only 8,400 of which are actually held by the Red Cliff Tribe or its members; and Whereas, the Red Cliff Tribe originally possessed all of its reservation land base as part of the original reservation boundary, held by the United States in trust for the Red Cliff Tribe; and Whereas, since establishment of the original reservation boundary in 1854, the Red Cliff Tribe has lost a majority of its land; and Whereas, recovery and retention of Red Cliff Tribal lands is vitally important to the economic and cultural well-being of the Red Cliff Tribe and its members; and Whereas, in 2000 the Red Cliff Tribe initiated the Tribal Land Recovery Project for the purpose of returning lands within the original reservation boundary back to tribal and/or federal ownership and control; and Whereas, Bayfield County recognizes the central importance of land, its underlying role in the Red Cliff community, and supports the Red Cliff Tribe’s efforts; and Whereas, Bayfield County receives land through the in-rem foreclosure process within the reservation boundary; and Whereas, these lands are subject to new legislation dictating sale terms; and Whereas, the Red Cliff Tribe is interested in preserving and enhancing Red Cliff Tribal lands for generations to come; and Whereas, one of the County Tribal Relations Committee goals is to facilitate the repatriation of land to the Red Cliff Tribe while fostering mutual respect and cooperation. Now therefore be it resolved that the parties hereby agree as follows on the following three items: A. Bayfield County and Red Cliff pledge to work with each other to seek suitable land exchanges, trades or other conveyance of lands to the Tribe. B. Tax foreclosed parcels revert to Bayfield County as a result of tax delinquency. Bayfield County and Red Cliff agree that the Bayfield County Treasurer will make contact with Tribal legal council regarding tax delinquent properties on the Red Cliff Reservation. If a parcel within the reservation boundaries is taken back by Bayfield County through tax foreclosure, the County will strive to make contact with Red Cliff to ensure the Tribe is aware. The parties hereby agree to establish a Tribal Lands Working Initiative to further the intent of this MOU. At each Tribal County Relations meeting a standing agenda item entitled Tribal Lands Working Initiative shall be included to discuss Bayfield County-owned parcels or parcels that may soon become owned by Bayfield County, within the Red Cliff reservation boundary and options for transfer that may benefit the Red Cliff Tribe. The parties hereby pledge that they will strive to find mutually satisfactory solutions that take into account both the needs and interests of Bayfield County residents as well as the long- term land goals of the Red Cliff Tribe as it relates to Bayfield County owned land in the Red Cliff reservation, including but not necessarily limited to the following: 1. Participation in the Tribal Lands Working Initiative; and 2. Negotiation over the terms and conditions upon which lands identified may be exchanged reflecting Tribal / County interests. ADDITIONAL TERMS 1. This Memorandum of Understanding shall continue in force and effect for an initial term of five (5) years and shall automatically renew for an additional five (5) year term, unless thirty (30) day advance notice of termination is provided by either party. 2. This MOU is not intended to alter the existing authority, rights, or claims of any party, and parties acknowledge legal limitations under Wisconsin Statute 75.69 or other statutes that may apply. 3. This instrument contains the entire agreement between the parties, and no statements, promises or inducements made by either party or agent of either party that are not contained in this written contract shall be valid or binding; this contract may not be enlarged, modified, or altered except in writing, signed by the parties, and endorsed on this agreement. Dated this day of , BY THE PARTIES: XXX XXX Tribal Chair Chair, Board of Supervisors Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Bayfield County Chippewa Indians