DECEMBER BOARD MEETING MINUTES

DECEMBER 8, 2009

The meeting was called to order at 7:15 p.m. by Assistant chairman of the board of supervisors Greg Andrews.  The “Pledge of Allegiance” was recited.  Present for the meeting were supervisors Andrews and John Goman, treasurer Holly Herstad, clerk Patti Alander, deputy clerk Cammy Hansen and resident Andi Schmaltz.  Absent were chairman Jeff Bachke, animal control officer Gloria Dallum and fire chief Matt Frantz. 

A motion to approve the November 10, 2009 Board meeting minutes was made by John and seconded by Greg.  All vote in favor; motion carried with minutes to be placed in file.

Greg went over the list of upcoming meetings:

December 15, 2009 7:00 p.m. Planning & Zoning-CANCELLED

December 16, 2009 6:00 p.m. Utility meeting-CANCELLED

January 5, 2010 6:00 p.m. Agenda meeting

January 7, 2010 6:00 p.m. Utility meeting

January 12, 2010 6:00 p.m. Board meeting

The November financial report was presented by treasurer Holly Herstad:

November Receipts                       $ 21,308.60

November Expenditures                             

General Fund                                    $ 5,234.91

Administration                               $14,307.96

Public Works                                      $ 9,033.88

Road & Bridge                                   $2,451.33

Fire                                                     $17,354.42

Building Inspection                          $ 5,963.71

Lift Station #3 Improvements     $    102.00

Lift Station #1 Improvements      $1,460.16

Public Works Building                       $750.00

Mini Excavator                                $6,172.58

Total Expenditures                       $62,830.95

December Expenditures thus far

General Fund                                    $17,151.37

Utilities                                                 $18,662.87

Payroll                                                  $15,000.00(est.)

Fair Housing                                         -0-    

CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED:

·         WLSSD Biosolids Digest, Fall 2009 Issue

·         RSPT’s Public Education and Outreach Goals and Objectives 2010-2020

·         Office of the State Auditor E-Update, Nov. 20, Nov. 13, Nov. 6

·         RSPT meeting follow-up email dated 11/19/09

·         MPFA WIF Project Information Worksheet

·         Business North, November/December 2009 edition

·         Hermantown Star, November 19-24, 2009 edition

·         LMC Cities Bulletin, November 19, 2009 edition, November 4, 2009 edition

·         Letter from Duluth-Superior Metropolitan Interstate Council requesting reappointment of board member Cindy Moe.

·         Technology Exchange, Fall 2009 issue

·         Nortrax, November 2009 issue

·         MRWA December 2009 newsletter

·         Letter from Corp of Engineers re:   not selected for 569 funding

·         Letter from Jerry Robison requesting meeting minutes

·         Thank you from Carnival Chair Diane Andrews

·         Grand Lake Township newsletter Fall 09/Winter 10

·         Pipeline Awareness Fall 2009 newsletter

·         U of M Intelligent Transportation Systems Institute’s Annual Report

DEPARTMENT REPORTS:

1.        Building Department:

NOVEMBER BUILDING REPORT

Total valuation of projects:  $352,150.00

Total fees collected:  $5,385.36

2.       Planning and Zoning:

NOVEMBER PLANNING & ZONING

The regular monthly Planning and Zoning meeting was held on November 17, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. at the Town Hall.

The December Planning and Zoning meeting has been cancelled.

The next regular meeting of the Planning and Zoning Commission is Tuesday, January 19, 2010 at 6:00 p.m.

Cammy mentioned at this time that the December 16, 2009 Utility meeting has also been cancelled.

3.       Public Works/Road and Bridge:

·         All hydrants were lubed, exercised and pumped down for the winter

·         The first three water meters installed on the  W. Calvary Road water extension were upgraded to the radio read style

·         November radio reads were done

·         Commercial water meters were read

·         W.W. Goetsch made repairs to Lift Station #1

·         Winter vent covers were installed on all lift stations

·         The grader was out and touched up several roadsides before winter

·         All town roads were inspected

·         Roadside debris was removed from several roadsides before winter

·         Two legal postings were put out

·         Twenty-six Gopher One locates were done

·         Six loads of aluminum cans were hauled to the recycler

·         Water usage was 2,434,960 gallons (daily 78,547 gallons)

·         Waste water collected was 1,048,300 gallons (daily 34,138 gallons)

4.        Fire Department:  Cammy read the following report as submitted by Matt Frantz, fire chief:  In November the fire department responded to:  five medical calls, two vehicle fires, one vehicle accident, one rubbish fire and one mutual aid call.

5.       Animal Control:  Cammy read the following report as submitted by Gloria Dallum, animal control officer:

 Hours                                   39.5

Miles Driven                       125

Fines Collected                 $100.00

Citations Issued                                none

Dogs to Pound                  2

Licenses                               none

6.       Utilities:  Patti gave an update on the W. Calvary road sewer/water project.  Of the 95 units to connect, 51 are complete, 7 have received deferrals from St. Louis County, 12 are in process, 2 are in foreclosure, 11 are connected but have an outstanding issue(s), 11 have had no contact with the Town and one has been defined as failing by St. Louis  County but we do not yet know what their timeline for repair will be. 

7.       Park:  Patti stated that not much is going on at the park due to the season, but we are hoping to have the gate completed by the end of December or mid January.

8.       Sheriff:  No report

9.       Rice Lake Fair Housing Authority:  No activity

OLD BUSINESS:

1.       Rice Lake Dam Road project – no new information

2.       Erickson Road turnaround:  Work has been completed.  Patti is in contact with the surveyor to replace a stake on the northwest corner of the property that was removed by mistake.  When that is done, we will have the easement signed and recorded.

3.       Rutter Road stop signs have been installed; we have not yet been billed by St. Louis County.  Greg mentioned that one of the signs has already had a bullet shot at it.

4.       New North Fire Hall:  Patti mentioned that this needs to be discussed with the building committee

NEW BUSINESS:

1.       Announcement of Election of Township Supervisor.  Cammy read the Notice that has been posted/published into the record (attached.)

2.       A motion to approve delinquent utility bills (attached) to be certified to property taxes in the amount of $11,374.50 was made by John and seconded by Greg.  All vote in favor; motion carried.

3.       A motion to close the D. Paremski Fire Escrow account was made by John and seconded by Greg.  All vote in favor; motion carried.

4.       A motion to approve a permit for the Rice Lake Volunteer Fire Department Christmas Party was made by John and seconded by Greg.  All vote in favor; motion carried.

5.       Resolution 09-12-32 was read into the record by Cammy (resolution attached.)  The resolution revokes a Conditional Use Permit for the property located at 5366 Arnold Road.  A motion to approve the resolution was made by John and seconded by Greg.  All vote in favor, motion carried.

BUSINESS FROM THE FLOOR:  Andi Schmaltz asked about registering dogs in the Township.  Cammy explained the process to her.  She asked about the connection to the municipal sewer system for her home.  She does not believe her system is connected yet as they are awaiting the plumber.  Some discussion was had regarding the financial implications of the connection.  She asked what type of time requirements are made of Town Supervisors.  Greg responded that on average, there are ten meetings per month.  Also some training is required for certifications, etc.  John responded that there is a handbook for Township Government that he used to study for the position.  Andi asked what the next step is on the Walters home.  Patti stated that it is up to the judge at this point.  There was some discussion regarding past experiences the Town has had regarding cleaning up nuisance properties.  Andi asked what the process was to appeal the property valuation of her home.  Greg explained that the St. Louis County assessor holds hearings in April for appeals to valuations.  John recommended that Andi take pictures of the views from her home that are affected by the neighboring property to show to the local board of review.  She also asked if there is a noise ordinance in the Town.   Greg said the Town does not have a noise ordinance; she should call the sheriff if there are noise issues at night.  Greg also explained the Town’s difficulties with enforcing junk and noise violations.  Although the Town has tried to take care of these issues, we have not had much success in doing so.  The court system has not been helpful with this problem at all.  We are hopeful that if the neighbors that take issue with these properties take a stand with the court that the judge will take action.  Andi also mentioned she is trying to connect with a person at the EPA to see if they can get involved with the Walters property since there are many small engines on the property that may cause environmental problems.

Patti read an email that she received from John Werner regarding the package that the Duluth Area Townships sent to him (attached.)

A motion to approve and execute claims was made by John and seconded by Greg.  All vote in favor; motion carried.

General Fund checks #50282 through #50302; Utility Fund checks #4160 through #4168.

Having no further business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned.