October 22, 2024 Minutes(PDF, 87KB)

* * MINUTES * * * * OUTAGAMIE COUNTY BOARD * * Office of the County Clerk, October 22, 2024. The Board met pursuant to adjournment, and was called to order by Chairperson Gabrielson at 7:00 p.m. in the County Board Room, located at 320 South Walnut Street, Appleton, Wisconsin. ROLL CALL: 31 present, 5 absent. Members present: Thompson, Johnson, Patience, Gabrielson, Kostelny, Lawrence, Lamers, Ferguson, McCabe, Wegand, Hermes, MacDonald, Croatt, Spears, Heiser, Mitchell, Cuff, Hagen, Klemp, Thiede, Janke, Weinberg, Culbertson, Monfils, Winterfeldt, Nejedlo, Clegg, VanderHeiden, Rettler, Koury, and Lautenschlager. Members absent: Supervisor Smith, Hammen, Krueger, Schroeder, and Thyssen. The Board Chairperson requested the Board's confirmation to excuse Supervisor Smith, Hammen, Krueger, Thyssen, and Schroeder. No objections; so ordered. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Chairperson Gabrielson. PUBLIC HEARING FOR THE PROPOSED 2025 OUTAGAMIE COUNTY BUDGET – Pursuant to Wisconsin Statutes Section 65.90. Chairperson Gabrielson opened the public hearing at 7:02 p.m. Mike Thomas – 1 Hillock Court, Appleton; commented as resident and as a representative of Appleton Concerned Taxpayers (ACT), an independent advocacy group. ACT primarily focuses on the Appleton City Council budget, but recently branched out to the area county board and school budgets in recent years by reviewing their financials (tax rate, budget itself, and TIF Districts). He commented on:  The Capital Improvements Budget for 2025 still includes upgrades for the UW-Oshkosh Fox Cities campus, including the $2.5 million of improvements, primarily for the cafeteria, and with no longer serving as an extension campus as of June 2025, made the recommendation to review and possibly omit said items from the budget.  Supported the tax rate determined for 2025.  Advised that the Wisconsin Department of Revenue made a miscalculation that affected the City of Appleton and may in turn impact Outagamie County in some way.  Provided positive feedback regarding the lack of borrowed money for capital improvement projects for 2025.  Recommended to review the increase of employees of the Health and Human Services Budget and rationalize if all of the added positions are necessary to get their role done for the County. Edward Perkins – 4486 North White Hawk Drive, Grand Chute; commented on the following regarding the proposed County Budget:  Inquired about the cash reserves Outagamie County would have after the ARPA Funds are spent.  Stated 40 percent of all new hires for Outagamie County are for the Health and Human Services Department, and he questioned the reasoning. Mr. Perkins stated that of the bulk of these new hires are being funded through ARPA funds and stated his concern going forward is the cost of these positions will be a burden to the tax payers.  Expressed concern to the lower and middle class, who are putting more money on their credit cards, increasing personal debts. October 22, 2024 County Board Minutes Page 2  Commented on the Appleton International Airport (ATW) expansion project’s cost for the new concourse and new entrance. Linda Bjella – 1333 North Lake Court, Grand Chute; spoke on behalf of the League of Women Voters of Appleton-Fox Cities. Ms. Bjella thanked the County Board for the opportunity to speak and wanted to discuss suggestions on individual department budgets, however, the opportunity proved to be difficult to make policy statements, as numerous departments have yet to complete their budget presentations/sessions in front of the Finance Committee. As a result, her comments primarily focused on the budget process. She noted the following:  After the budget presentations are concluded, the League of Women Voters of Appleton-Fox Cities (LWV) intends to send a letter to County Supervisors and the County Executive outlining the policy items their group wishes to support in the 2025 budget.  Offered applause to the change from paper to the electronic online budget format, as the interactive option much easier to access and understand. The hyperlinked format is user friendly and clearly states the rationale for department requests. The department narratives provide objectives, accomplishments, and goals for the future. She acknowledged Sara Hickey, Legislative Services, who was helpful in ensuring LWV members had access to the County Board Room Wi-Fi to follow along during Finance Committee meetings.  Finance Committee meetings completed thus far were conducted effectively and appreciated the presentations from the Department Heads.  Commented on the lack of accessibility to the public of County Board and committee meetings. Unlike other local governments they monitor, Outagamie County does not provide a virtual option for most public viewing of meetings. A virtual option would greatly increase public engagement/participation if the service became available.  Questioned the reasoning that the Public Hearing was being conducted prior to the conclusion of all budget presentation meetings, as having the information obtained from the subsequent finance meetings would be helpful to engage citizen input.  Did not understand the rationale behind the special time for the Budget meeting at 5:30 p.m. on November 4, 2024, and expressed the normal timeslot of 7:00 p.m. would be more flexible with most schedules.  LWV will continue to collect their positions and will communicate in written form once Finance Committee deliberations are concluded. Chairperson Gabrielson requested any further speakers; none came forward. Supervisor Koury moved, seconded by Supervisor Patience, to adjourn the public hearing and go into regular session at 7:17 p.m. VOICE VOTE CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. PUBLIC HEARING FOR THE PROPOSED 2024 OUTAGAMIE COUNTY BUDGET IS CLOSED. ADJOURN PUBLIC HEARING; PROCEED WITH REGULAR MEETING MINUTES OF THE OCTOBER 8, 2024 COUNTY BOARD MEETING Supervisor Lautenschlager moved, seconded by Supervisor McCabe, to approve the minutes of the October 8, 2024 County Board meeting. October 22, 2024 County Board Minutes Page 3 ROLL CALL: 28 yes, 3 abstain (Wegand, Monfils, Winterfeldt), 5 absent. MINUTES OF THE OCTOBER 8, 2024, COUNTY BOARD MEETING ARE APPROVED. SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS – None. ESTABLISH ORDER OF THE DAY– Chairperson Gabrielson reported the request to have Resolution No. 58—2024-25 locked in at the meeting. COMMUNICATIONS – Chairperson Gabrielson summarized the following communications:  There is one (1) Supervisor who still needs to complete the July 2024 training, and nine (9) Supervisors still needing to complete the October 2024 training, “Work Bites – Working Remotely,” and the most recent cybersecurity course, “Recipe for Cyber Security” is now available, and should be completed by October 31, 2024. Chairperson Gabrielson emphasized the importance to complete the trainings to continue the education on safety.  Chairperson Gabrielson thanked Supervisor Weyenberg and Supervisor Ferguson who accompanied him at Mosquito Hill’s 50th Year Celebration, which showcased the natural recreational area’s history.  The next County Board meeting will be the Budget Meeting, and it will be held on Monday, November 4, 2024 at the special time of 5:30 p.m. – bound by Wisconsin State Statute.  The County Board is currently collecting donations for the “Adopt a Family Program” – donations will be accepted at the Legislative Services Office until November 25th – this year’s goal is $500. Last year $745 was raised for the program. Outagamie County families are referred to the opportunity, and this is an excellent way to give back to the community. An e-mail reminder will be sent out soon.  Chairperson Gabrielson recognized the birthday of County Board Supervisor Klemp (10/17). PUBLIC PARTICIPATION IS LIMITED TO ONLY MATTERS LISTED ON THE AGENDA AND FOR A TOTAL OF FIFTEEN MINUTES WHICH MAY BE EXTENDED TO 30 MINUTES AT THE DISCRETION OF THE CHAIR – None. APPOINTMENTS – County Executive Nelson nomination for reappointments of Jason Brozek, Sadie DiNatale-Burda, Sue Kinde, Kayla Rouse, and Dean Steingraber (terms expire October 31, 2027) and appointment of Justin Schumacher (term expires April 30, 2027) to the Greenway Implementation Committee. Supervisor MacDonald moved, seconded by Supervisor Hagen, for confirmation of the above-listed reappointments and appointment. ROLL CALL: 31 yes, 5 absent. JASON BROZEK, SADIE DINATALE-BURDA, SUE KINDE, KAYLA ROUSE, AND DEAN STEINGRABER ARE REAPPOINTED AND JUSTIN SCHUMACHER IS APPOINTED TO THE GREENWAY IMPLEMENTATION COMMITTEE. REPORT BY THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE – County Executive Thomas Nelson provided an Administrative Update. UNFINISHED BUSINESS – None. October 22, 2024 County Board Minutes Page 4 NEW BUSINESS Ordinance No. Z-5—2024-25 – Agriculture, Extension Education, Zoning and Land Conservation Committee. Approve to amend Chapter 10, Division 2-Districts and District Regulations, Section 10- 521- Interpretation of district boundaries; Section 10-522- Application of regulations; Section 10-525 – Ponds and Stormwater Management Facilities; Section 10-564- Purpose: permitted uses and structures; Section 10-585- Purpose and permitted uses and structures; Section 10-586- Special uses; commercial and industrial uses; Section 10-607- Purpose, permitted uses and structures; Section 10-608- Special uses; Section 10-629- Purpose and permitted uses and structures; Section 10-649- Purpose and permitted uses and structures, of the Outagamie County Code of Ordinances, effective January 1, 2025, as detailed on the ordinance and attachments. Supervisor VanderHeiden moved, seconded by Supervisor Heiser, for adoption. ROLL CALL: 31 yes, 5 absent. ORDINANCE NO. Z-5—2024-25 IS ADOPTED. Resolution No. 56—2024-25 – Public Safety Committee. Authorize and approve of the Sheriff’s Office to apply for, accept and expend the 2024 Justice Assistance Grant issued by the US Department of Justice, to be used toward camera equipment, and increase the Patrol line items of Intergovernmental Revenue and Supplies by $10,140 each, as detailed on the attached fiscal note. Supervisor Patience moved, seconded by Supervisor Cuff, for adoption. ROLL CALL: 31 yes, 5 absent. RESOLUTION NO. 56—2024-25 IS ADOPTED. Resolution No. 57—2024-25 – Property, Airport, Recreation and Economic Development Committee. Approve to endorse Frontier’s application for Broadband, Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) funding in Outagamie County and approve to endorse the application of Frontier for BEAD funding to support their broadband infrastructure project in Outagamie County. Supervisor Culbertson moved, seconded by Supervisor Monfils, for adoption. ROLL CALL: 30 yes, 1 abstain (Heiser), 5 absent. RESOLUTION NO. 57—2024-25 IS ADOPTED. Resolution No. 58—2024-25 – Property, Airport, Recreation and Economic Development Committee. Approve to grant We Energies an easement for parcel number 311931411 in the City of Appleton, (Plamann Park), as noted on the resolution and attachments. Supervisor Culbertson moved, seconded by Supervisor Monfils, for adoption. ROLL CALL: 31 yes, 5 absent. RESOLUTION NO. 58—2024-25 IS ADOPTED. RECONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION NO. 58—2024-25. Supervisor Nejedlo moved, seconded by Supervisor Klemp, to reconsider the above listed resolution. Vote for reconsideration. ROLL CALL: 30 yes, 1 no (Thiede), 5 absent. RESOLUTION NO. 58— 2024-25 IS RECONSIDERED. October 22, 2024 County Board Minutes Page 5 Vote for lock in. ROLL CALL: 31 yes, 5 absent. RESOLUTION NO. 58 —2024-25 IS ADOPTED & LOCKED IN. Resolution No. 59—2024-25 – Health and Human Services Committee. Approve to respectfully request that the State of Wisconsin, in its 2025-2027 state biennial budget, provide state General Purpose Revenue funding to cover the following: Full non-federal share of Medical Assistance Community Support Programs and Crisis services; and Annual increases to State Human Service Aids to cover increased compensation costs for human services staff. Supervisor Kostelny moved, seconded by Supervisor McCabe, for adoption. ROLL CALL: 31 yes, 5 absent. RESOLUTION NO. 59—2024-25 IS ADOPTED. Resolution No. 60—2024-25 – Legislative/Audit and Human Resources Committee. Approve the Administrative Rule AR-2024-02 (attached), replacing AR-2024-01, which amends the County Employee Handbook with adjustments and clarifying language to reflect current practice as pertains to Life Insurance and Long-Term Disability (as noted on the resolution and attachments), and will be on file in the County Clerk’s Office in a manual labeled “Outagamie County Administrative Rules”. Supervisor Spears moved, seconded by Supervisor Thiede, for adoption. Supervisor MacDonald moved, seconded by Supervisor Croatt, to amend Resolution No. 60—2024-25 to read as ‘Approve the Administrative Rule AR-2024-02 (attached), replacing AR-2024-01, which amends the County Employee Handbook with adjustments and clarifying language effective January 1, 2025 as pertains to Life Insurance and Long-Term Disability (as noted on the resolution and attachments), and will be on file in the County Clerk’s Office in a manual labeled “Outagamie County Administrative Rules”’. ROLL CALL: 31 yes, 5 absent. RESOLUTION NO. 60—2024-25 IS AMENDED. ROLL CALL: 31 yes, 5 absent. RESOLUTION NO. 60—2024-25 IS ADOPTED AS AMENDED. REPORTS – None. ADJOURNMENT Supervisor Patience moved, seconded by Supervisor Lawrence to adjourn until November 4, 2024 at the special time of 5:30 p.m. VOICE VOTE CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. The meeting adjourned at 7:41 p.m. _________________________________ Kelly Gerrits, County Clerk ROLL CALL SUMMARY OCTOBER 22, 2024 COUNTY BOARD MEETING NO. OF ROLL NO. VOTES CUMULATIVE NO. VOTES CALLS TAKEN CAST THIS CALLS TAKEN CAST THIS DIST./NAME THIS MEETING MEETING THIS TERM TERM 1. Thompson 11 11 140 131 2. Johnson 11 11 140 107 3. Smith 11 0 140 119 4. Patience 11 11 140 140 5. Gabrielson 11 11 140 140 6. Kostelny 11 11 140 140 7. Hammen 11 0 140 129 8. Lawrence 11 11 140 140 9. Krueger 11 0 140 112 10. Lamers 11 11 140 140 11. Ferguson 11 11 140 113 12. McCabe 11 11 140 140 13. Wegand 11 10 140 74 14. Hermes 11 11 140 75 15. MacDonald 11 11 140 87 16. Schroeder 11 0 140 41 17. Croatt 11 11 140 85 18. Spears 11 11 140 140 19. Heiser 11 10 140 138 20. Mitchell 11 11 140 137 21. Cuff 11 11 140 123 22. Hagen 11 11 140 131 23. Klemp 11 11 140 135 24. Thiede 11 11 140 76 25. Janke 11 11 140 139 26. Weinberg 11 11 140 139 27. Culbertson 11 11 140 140 28. Monfils 11 10 140 128 29. Winterfeldt 11 10 140 102 30. Nejedlo 11 11 140 131 31. Clegg 11 11 140 135 32. Thyssen 11 0 140 81 33. VanderHeiden 11 11 140 118 34. Rettler 11 11 140 140 35. Koury 11 11 140 113 36. Lautenschlager 11 11 140 140 Member(s) absent: Hammen, Krueger, Schroeder, Smith, and Thyssen