Town of Bell SHWG – Senior Housing Work Group

Minutes of Meeting March 6, 2025

In attendance: Jennifer Toribio-Warren, Kelly Westlund, Sheila Cadotte, Judy Kerr, Phil Moye, Shaun McElhatton, Kristin Runge (Zoom), Ken Roman, Jeff Byerhof, Roger Lindgren.

• Roger called the meeting to order at 5:03
• Shaun moved and Phil seconded to approve the February minutes. All agreed.
• To accommodate the schedule Kristin gave her report first. She reviewed the Top Line Survey Results. There were just over 100 participants. The survey was in good agreement with our expectations: The need for senior housing is well supported, the replies were consistent with an aging population, the measure of the statistics indicated high validity. The review of Bayfield County Workforce Profile will be reviewed in a later meeting. An attempt will be made to evaluate the mapping of the Cornucopia results compared to what Town of Bell would reveal.
• Progress on landowner agreement.
  1. Jennifer is continuing work on the landowner agreement and is in final stages of developing the LOI. The scope of Nelson Surveying work will be added to the LOI. Shaun moved and Roger seconded that the completed LOI be presented to the Landowners. All agreed
  2. Kelly determined the alleyway exists. Eventually we will need to ask the Town to vacate and adopt an easement agreement.
  3. Sheila reported that she was unable to contact the owner of SW corner as she is out of the country. Sheila will continue to follow-up.
• Kelly will work with Nelson to revise the scope of work and estimated cost next week.
• Community Involvement
  1. Roger submitted today’s agenda and last month’s minutes to Paul Ehlers for posting on the Town website. I was late in doing so must improve timing.
  2. Phil and Roger attended an EMS meeting Monday March 3^rd. We were well received and given many important and useful remarks. A separate document recording the meeting will be submitted at next meeting.
  3. It’s clear that we need to do all possible to avoid additional strain on EMS. Hopefully we can facilitate improvements to mitigate/abate EMS demands.
  4. There was a lively discussion regarding development of a Rental Agreement that will clearly articulate a definition of Living Independently and requirements to remain in the housing. Jennifer will find an existing agreement for us to start with.
• Kelly mentioned that Senator Baldwin’s web portal for earmarks is open now and will likely close soon (usually within 2-3 weeks). More information is available at www.baldwin.senate.gov.
• Next Meeting 5:00 PM Thursday April 3rd.   First Thursday will be our ongoing meeting date.
• Phil moved and Shaun seconded to adjourn at 6:34; all agreed.