WILMA TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS’ MEETING MAY 2, 2012

          Chairman Glen Williamson called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance.  Also present were Supervisors Gary Vink and Mike McCullen, Treasurer Patrice Winfield, Clerk Paul Raymond, Road Manager Mark Pallow, and Eldon and Marg Schmedeke,  and Jolene Wichlidal, Bob Johnson and Terry Mullins fromDanforthTownship.

Paul read the record of April’s board meeting. Garymoved to approve; Mike seconded.

OLD BUSINESS:  Tri-State Lumber and Land Escrow:  They did not respond to our certified letter requesting a new escrow payment of $500, plus $30 for the bounced check. Gary said the county should be responsible for the charge since they leased the contract to Tri-State.  In a March 9, 2012 letter from Kurt Schneider,  Co. Land and Zoning Administrator, he had requested that the County Forester Greg Beck participate in both any pre and post logging inspections of impacted township roads.  This came after Tri-State had started logging and we had written the county reminding them of our escrow policy.  Mark said he doesn’t think the damage is so severe onN. Duncan Road. Gary said it is at least $500 worth.  Glen directed Paul to write to Kurt Schneider and explain the situation, and also to ask if we can legally confiscate and move the piled timber they left on the road.

Essentia Health Hospital Takeover Resolution:  Our resolution was printed in two newspapers and sent to our State and National Senators, to Essentia, to the Attorney General, the Chamber of Commerce and the Pine Co. Medical Center Hospital Board.  We also gave copies and our address list to New Dosey andArnaTownships and to the Pine Co. Wanderers (who also passed a resolution) so they could use it as a template for their own resolutions.  Glen said the County Township Officers’ resolution has also been sent out.

DNR/Sheriff Meeting on Blowdown Area:  Glen reported on the meeting he and Toni attended in Ogema.  The Sheriff said the fire risk is now the highest it’s been since the great fires of 1894 and 1918.  Evacuations, precautions, fire-wise preparations and the DNR’s, local fire departments’ and Sheriff’s fire prevention and preparation efforts were covered. The Markville meeting was attended by 3 Wilma officers and many fire dept. members.

Pine Co. Historical Society Support: They are a recognized historical society so we can release the support we’d voted on, $63, $1 per citizen.  Patrice said the new census shows 65 residents inWilmaTownship. Gary questioned the Historical Society’s leasing restaurant and private business space in their new building (the old Middle School in Askov). Gary said Jan andGary’s are going in, and they’re owned by Gary Koland who is on the board, and it seems like a conflict of interest.  He questioned why they need our support if they have these businesses.

Town Hall Addition:  Letters were sent to Glen Roberts and Mel Elliot, Jr. on April 14, explaining the project and soliciting quotes and asking them to meet with Patrice and Paul and inspect the foundation and project.  So far neither has responded.  Patrice said she’d give Glen a call, and Paul can contact Mel.

Crooked Lake Road:  Three people fromDanforthTownship who live onCrooked Lake Road asked for the floor:  Jolene Wichlidal, Bob Johnson and Terry Mullins.  After the meeting we had last year about the road, they said the first part as far as Bob Johnson’s was brought up to the best standards it has ever been, but beyond that nothing was done and the road is still clay and slippery, especially when wet.  Jolene lives ¾ mile down the road.  Terry said that a year ago our towns made an agreement to bring the road up to the standards of other township roads.  He sees it as a safety and security issue because it would be dangerous and difficult for emergency vehicles to get down the road beyond the repaired part.  Mark said he got a bid from Hopkins Gravel for 1000 tons of gravel at $9.25/ton, $9,250; our half would be $4,625, plus half of the grading.  Mike said that would be half of our total Road and Bridge Budget.   Jolene said the Danforth board also got a bid from Summerland, but it was higher. Hopkins bid did not include grading and spreading, while Summerland’s did.   They said Wilma has never put gravel on that lower part ofCrooked Lake Road.  Mike said he is sure we have done gravel and maintenance in the years we were responsible for the road.  Mark and Gary will attend Danforth’s Friday, May 18 Board Meeting at Danforth Chapel at 4 p.m. to discuss the proposals to bring the road up to standards.  Mike asked Paul for a report on all the monies we spent onCrooked Lake Road in the years we maintained it.  Paul said he has this, but they may not indicate what portions of the road got gravel.  He will have it by the road inspection.  Mark said Danforth’s grader flat-bladed the road and removed the crown.  He said if we are paying Danforth so much we should have better grading.  Bob said they are working on that, maybe getting a new grader operator.

Road Inspection:   Mike moved that it be scheduled for next Wednesday, May 9, 10 a.m. at the Duxbury Store.Gary seconded.  Mike asked Paul to post it tonight, to be sure we are compliant with open meeting laws.  Eldon said we should do it right after a rain, but Mike said the law won’t allow that.  Possibly Jason Palme from Danforth can join us when we checkCrooked Lake Road.

Vink Road:  Mark said he would like to see that road be brought up to standard at least as far as the Smith’s this year.  He got bids for gravel ranging from $3 to $7/yard, depending on how much we order.  He said if we do the whole road 3” or 4” it would be cheaper by the yard.

Essentia Used AED’s:  They are offering 4 used AED’s to any group or organization that can show them a need.  Mike said the Fire Department have 3 and Arna andNewDoseyTownships each have one.  Paul said we have never been trained on it.  Mike said there is no need, that trained first responders would use them.  Paul told Gary Ament’s story of  being at a Bible Study when the guy next to him dropped dead.  The church happened to have an AED andGary was able to bring the man back to life.  There may be meetings or events where no first responder is available.  Paul said the Pine County Wanderers are considering having the Red Cross or first responders give a training on how to use AED’s.  Paul will apply for one of the AED’s for the township.  Mike said he thoughtTracy was applying for the fire department.  Paul can call him and coordinate with him.

County Flood Plain Ordinance:  The Dept. of Planning and Zoning sent a copy of the new ordinance, similar to the 1991 ordinance.  They are asking us to have our septic inspector review all permits for floodplain referral to their office, if the project is in a floodplain. Paul will send a copy of the letter to Gail Kespohl.  Eldon said the United Nations is targeting all private property and asked the board to reject Agenda 21, a UN treaty that would do away with private property.  He passed out copies of his petition. Patrice objected, saying the law prohibits township meetings to be used for political campaigns or purposes.

Township CD’s:  Patrice said we can’t add monies to our CD’s, only open new ones.  She asked if she should take the money we were going to add to our four CD’s, $2,000, and put it into a new CD.  Our next CD to come due is June 18, 6 month, $5,000.  Two more come due Sept. 11.  Glen said we should open another one, but would it be worth it to just put $2,000 in it for less than 1% interest.  Patrice said we could open a $5,000 one, but we may need the money for the town hall addition, if we do it.  Mike moved that we leave everything as it is now. Gary seconded.

Pancake Breakfast:   Gary moved that the Duxbury VFD be allowed to use the town hall for the annual pancake breakfast on Memorial Day Weekend May 27.  Glen seconded, and asked Paul to get the building use form for the fire department.

FEMA Funds:  We haven’t heard from them since they promised it would be paid in April.  Mike said Sheriff Cole is working on it, to get them moving.

Treasurer’s Report and Bills: Patrice gave the Treasurer’s Report (attached).  Bills were presented:

Patrice Winfield                                                    $        194.36

Glen Williamson                                                            171.72

Jenn Nelson                                                                    33.99

Gary Vink                                                                        90.58

Paul Raymond                                                               358.53

Antoinette Williamson                                                     94.35

Mark Pallow                                                                    52.37

Michael McCullen                                                                     59.44

Security Life (Dental)                                                     391.32

Patrice Winfield (expenses)                                              69.00

Pine Co. Courier                                                              15.04

ECE                                                                                 47.17

Glen Williamson (exp.)                                                  107.72

Paul Raymond (exp.)                                                     131.20

Jennifer Nelson (exp.)                                                      19.98

Mark Pallow (exp.)                                                            4.44

Antoinette Williamson (exp.)                                           50.00

Mn. Assc. Of Townships (Summer Tuition)                           200.00

Total Bills                               $     2,091.90

Gary moved to approve the Treasurer’s Report, to pay all the claims, and to transfer $2,100 from savings to checking.  Mike seconded.  Mike moved to adjourn;Garyseconded.  Meeting adjourned at 9:45 p.m.

Paul Raymond, Clerk

NOTICE WILMA TOWNSHIP:  ROAD INSPECTION MEETING MAY 9, 2012 

Meet at Duxbury Store at 10 a.m.

Open Meeting

Paul Raymond, Clerk

Town of Wilma Boardof Equalization and Review, April 25, 2012

           The Board of Supervisors met for the annual Board of Equalization and Review at 10 a.m. Wednesday, April 25, 2012.  Chairman Glen Williamson called the meeting to order with the Pledge of Allegiance.  Supervisors Gary Vink and Michael McCullen, County Assessor Troy Stewart, Assessor Jenny Mansavage, andWilmaTownship’s Assessor Robert Brewster, Clerk Paul Raymond, and Eldon and Marjorie Schmedeke were present.

          Mike moved that the minutes of last year’s Board of Review be  waived; Gary seconded.

          Eldon and Marjorie Schmedeke had several parcels that they wished to have reviewed:   R32:0108, 0104, 0122, 0102, and 0103.

Eldon first thanked the county and Wilma assessors for reducing the property valuations inWilmaTownship; he said he’d been paying too much in taxes.  Because of very wealthy Twin Cities’ people purchasing land near Eldon’s, the county bases values on these top-dollar sales, and regular taxpayers end up paying the bill.

R32:0108:  OnPete Anderson Road, second 40 in.  Both he and the owner of the first 40 have swampland.  The assessor has Eldon’s swamp at 14 acres, and the first 40 at 23 acres, but Eldon believes they are almost identical.  The first 40 is assessed at $31,100 while Eldon’s is valued at $40,600.    The assessor said the corner 40 borders two roads.

32:0104 and 32:0112 are appraised as having access.  Eldon said there is no road access, and if they were sold they would be landlocked.

32:0106: Has half-access.  Rivers run through 106,112 and 104.

32:0102 and 0103:  Eldon said this is valued as high ground, while it is the flats and unbuildable.  He said the appraisers only see it from the sky, not from the ground.  Troy Stewart said high ground is valued at $1,225/acre, and waste at $300.

Michael McCullen, Parcel 32:0152:  Mike’s value has gone down from $187,000 to $156,300.  But he knows of a cabin on Co. Road 30 near Sandstone, built of similar logs but much larger, with an additional house, a huge pole barn and a big pond. The county appraised it at $181,000, and earlier appraised at $221,000, but it sold in January for $156,000, after years of being on the market.  Mike has 27 acres, while the other property has 5, but Mike thinks they also have Sandstone city water and sewer.  Mike asked if he got an independent appraisal, would the County Assessor take that into consideration. Troy said yes, but the county’s appraisals are always a year behind, based on Oct. 1 to Sept. 30 of the previous year, just as our levies don’t take effect until the next fiscal year.  Everyone is treated equally, but may not equal a current appraisal. The assessor’s records show that the Sandstone property is not inSandstoneCity, and is 2.5 acres.  Because Mike is a Supervisor, his case can not be decided by the Wilma Board, but Mike said he wanted it on the record that his property is over-priced, based on nearby sales.  Mike can appeal to the county, but Bob Brewster does not attend County Assessor Boards of Review.

Bill Corniea, Twin Creeks Campground, letter to the board, Parcel 32:8900.  When the trailer was inspected, it did not have a current license tab, so was valued as a permanent trailer at $6,000.  He has purchased tabs and is current, and asked the appraisal to be reversed.

BOARD DECISIONS:

Eldon Schmedeke:  R32:0108: Troy recommended and Mike moved and Gary seconded to add 3 more acres of swamp, which would lower the value to from $40,600 to $37,800.  Passed.

R32:0104:  Assessor recommended and Mike moved and Gary seconded to remove access.  Value lowered from $41,900 to $36,600.

32:0112: Troyat first recommended no change, but this is also no-access, so agreed to change. Gary moved and Mike seconded to remove site-access, reducing it from $40,400 to $35,100, $5,300.   Passed.

32:0106: Troy recommends, Gary moved, Mike seconded to change to no access, change from $41,900 to $36,600. Total reduction of 104, 106, and 112, $5,300 per parcel, total $15,900.

32:0102 and 0103, side-by-side 80 acres. Troy recommended and Mike moved that Eldon walk out this land with Bob Brewster to see how many acres are high ground.  If Bob recommends a change, Eldon can appeal at the county.

Bill Corniea:  Mike moved andGary seconded to accept his new tags and remove the appraisal.  Passed.

Mike McCullen:  Glen moved andGary seconded to have Bob inspect Mike’s house to report to the county, but because of Mike being on the board to vote no change.  Mike can then appeal at the county level.  Bob agreed to stop by Mikes’ after the Board of Review.

The Board thanked the Assessors Troy Stewart, Jenny Mansavage and Bob Brewster for coming out to the township.  Mike moved to adjourn;Garyseconded.  Meeting adjourned at 11:30.

Paul Raymond, Clerk

WILMA TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS’ MEETING  APRIL 4, 2012 

          Chairman Glen Williamson called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance.  Supervisors Gary Vink and Michael McCullen, Treasurer Patrice Winfield and Clerk Paul Raymond were also present.

Paul read the record of the March board meeting.  Garymoved to approve; Mike seconded.  Paul read the Annual Meeting record from March 13^th.  Mike moved to approve;Gary seconded.  Approved.

Tri-State Escrow:  The $500 escrow payment by Tri-State Lumber for work on theNorth Duncan Road bounced.  Glen moved that the Board direct Paul to send Tri-State a certified return-requested letter telling them not to return to our township until they have sent us a certified check for the $500 plus a $30 penalty.  We will tell them they have 10 days from the receipt of the letter to comply, or we will use all legal remedies.  They are not to remove any wood from our township until they pay.

County Officers’ Meeting:  Paul gave a short description of the speakers and subjects at the meeting inHinckley on Sat. March 31.  The two biggest issues relevant to our town is the high-speed railway from the Cities toDuluth and the attempted takeover of our hospital,PineMedicalCenter, by Essentia.  TheCountyOfficers passed a resolution to oppose this takeover and to support local control of our hospital, and to send letters to this effect to state, federal, and county officials.  Glen moved that the town board pass a similar resolution and communicate this to our commissioners and representatives and to Essentia and our local hospital board. Gary seconded.  Paul will write the letters.

FEMA Update:  Doug Stahl, Public Assistance Engineer with the State said on April 2 that they will start making payments in the next 3-4 weeks, when they’ll pay about 97%, and then the balance after we send our work completion forms and invoices.

Seven County Senior Federation Donation:  At the Annual Meeting, the voters approved sending the Federation a donation of $100 to enter into a contract for services to our seniors.  Mike moved that the Board approve this donation;Gary seconded.  Patrice has the contract and will send it.

Pine County Historical Society:  MN. Statute 138.053 says townships can make donations to county historical societies if they are approved by the state historical society.  The voters had approved a $1 per citizen donation for 2012, or $63 based on the last census. Gary moved that we send them $63 once we confirm that they are in fact approved.  Glen seconded.

Town Hall Addition:  The voters approved this project.  Mark questioned the soundness of our foundation.  Paul volunteered to solicit quotes and estimates from contractors, and Patrice agreed to work with the contractors to draw up a floor plan.  We will ask contractors to do an inspection of our foundation and draw up a feasibility study for the project and provide estimates or quotes.  Two builders we will contact are Glen Roberts and Melvin Elliot, Jr.

Dental Coverage for Officers:   The voters had voted to approve the town covering half of the cost of group dental insurance for township officers.  The board discussed who should be included, and what percentage the township would pay.  Mike moved that the township pay half of the cost of premiums for elected officers only, and that if appointed deputies wish to join the group plan, that they can pay the full premiums. Gary seconded.  The monthly cost per officer is $32.16.  Officers will pay their half, $16.31, at the monthly meetings.

Group Life Insurance:  The town has been covering officers for a minimum group-life policy for years.  Glen moved that we continue this and pay the premium, and that appointed deputies also be included.  Mike seconded.

Road Maintenance and Gravel:  Glen said that we will wait until the spring road inspection to determine what roads need gravel and work.  This will be in May, and the date can be set at the May meeting.

Board of Appeal/Equalization:  This is April 25 at 10 a.m.  Only Glen has been certified as a trained assessment supervisor.  His certification expires on Nov. 30, 2013. Gary said he will be trained at the summer short course on June 28 inCarlton and filled out the application.  At least two supervisors need to attend the Board of Appeal.

Election Judge Training:  For all judges, training is in Askov on June 13, from 1 – 3 p.m., or inHinckley on June 14 at the Community Center from 9 – 11 a.m.  Paul has to get extra training June 7 in Sandstone, or maybe at the summer short course.

Town Hall Tables:  Sue Koecher said thatSt. Paul’sLutheranChurch in Bruno may donate some folding tables for our town hall.  Mike asked us to see if they also have chairs they can donate.  If we get more tables, we will need more chairs.  We can use the benches, if necessary.

Spring Short Course:  This is Friday, 4/6 inCarlton.  Paul and Patrice will car-pool, and Glen and Toni will drive.  Toni is getting refresher training.

Satellite Internet:  Glen said he uses his computer and satellite connection for a lot of township business, especially with the clerk.  The clerk and treasurer both have their satellite connections subsidized by the town at $10/month, and Glen said we should extend this to any officer who uses his computer for significant township business and correspondence.    There was discussion, and a decision to table this until the annual meeting next March.

Treasurer’s Report and Bills:  Patrice gave the Treasurer’s Report (attached) and bills were presented:

PineCo.Courier                                         $        37.60

ECE                                                                     52.14

The Evergreen                                                      52.00

Mark Pallow (expenses)                                       17.76

Glen Williamson (expenses)                                 33.30

Paul Raymond (expenses)                                    54.52

Barb Smith (judge)                                               40.00

Antoinette Williamson (judge)                             40.00

Patrice Winfield (judge/internet)                           52.50

Aspire (Township Website for 2012)                             210.00

U.S. Treasurer (1^st Qtr. Withholding)                            318.34

Mn. Benefit Assoc. (life insurance)                      229.00

Seven County Senior Federation                          100.00

Mike McCullen                                                     38.21

Mark Pallow                                                         28.30

Paul Raymond                                                     356.64

Glen Williamson                                                  142.71

Frank Rehberger                                                  178.32

Gary Vink                                                            157.57

Patrice Winfield                                                    230.21

Total Bills                      $     2,369.12

Garymoved to pay all the claims, to approve the treasurer’s report, and to transfer $2,400 from savings into checking.  Mike seconded.   Glen moved to adjourn the meeting. Garyseconded.  Meeting adjourned at 9:30 p.m.

Paul Raymond, Clerk

NOTICE WILMATOWNSHIP

2012 BOARD OF APPEAL, EQUALIZATION & REVIEW

To Appeal 2013 Property Tax Valuations

Wednesday, April 25, 10 a.m.

WilmaTown Hall, Duxbury

Paul Raymond, Clerk