WILMA TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS’ MEETING, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 8, 2020
Chairman Glen Williamson called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance. Also present: Supervisors Mike McCullen and Gary Vink, Treasurer Patrice Winfield, Clerk Paul Raymond, Pat Story, Grader Operator Alden Shute, and Fran Levings and Kris Sundberg from North Pine Area Hospital District, Wilma assessor Bob Brewster, and Stefanie Rahn.
North Pine County Hospital District: Fran Levings and Kris Sundberg asked to address the Board to explain the mission, work and new developments of the NPAHD including a chemo infusion center, telemedicine, a new ambulance garage with state-of-the art medical technology; tobacco and addiction treatment, wound care, and most importantly to Fran, mental health services, up to three days a week. The NPAHD is a separate entity with a separate board from Essentia, but she said the new hospital never would have been built without the NPAHD, who got the $25 million bond to make it possible. They also focus on nutrition as part of health and providing fresh produce to the Pathways Food Shelves. They have a first-responder program to provide AED’s to fire departments rescue squads. They encouraged Wilma Township to join the NPAHD at the cost of $31 per year per $100,000 property value which would also allow us a board member position. So far there are 12 townships and 6 cities in the district. Long discussion. Alden’s concern was that once you join, you cannot leave until all the bonds are paid off. Mike said Essentia is the only hospital in the whole county. Pat said he thinks Essentia Hospital is only in it for the money and he sees no advantage for the township to join, and we would be held liable of the bond defaults. Paul said he’d be glad to pay $31 a year for all the benefits he has received from the Hospital and Gateway. Fran said this would have to go before the whole township at our annual meeting March 10th. Glen told Paul to put it on the agenda for the meeting and Kris said she could come out to our meeting to present the case for joining.
Meeting Record: Paul read the record of the December board meeting. Bob said the minutes said that he did intend to get commercial assessment certification; he does not. Paul said it only said that Mike reported that he did, not Bob. Gary moved to approve; Mike seconded.
ROAD REPORT: Alden has had some issues with the grader, including a flat tire. It needs new fan belts but he can’t get at the belt and may need a service call from John Deere. He said the tires are old and he’d like to replace them, either with used tube tires for $2,380 or four radial tires for $4,500, that would last as long as he is alive. Mike said the supervisors have always said that he had the discretion to do whatever work he felt the grader needed, and that we have the funds to get the radial tires and fix the fan belt and whatever Alden thinks he needs, but Mike made a motion to permit Alden to get new tires and get the belt and any other work needed. Gary seconded. Passed. Alden plowed a few roads and one drive that was very slushy.
OLD BUSINESS: Little Tamarack Lake Road Shoreland Mitigation: Alden had said the Little Tamarack Lake Road needs some serious work on the shoreline where erosion has undermined the road. He had asked if we could see if we could get some funding and planning help from Pine Soil and Water. Paul contacted Katie Petzel, District Technician of the Pine Soil & Water Conservation District. They said they do have grants for shoreland projects and we may qualify for some funding. Paul will keep working with her.
Relationship between Wilma Township and the Contract with DVFD, Inc. The Duxbury VFD’s proposal to Ogema and the Band was for $1,000 from Ogema and $2,000 from the tribe for medical responses. Mike met twice with the Ogema board and tribal representatives, on December 12 and again last night. Mike had hoped that Danbury could take over medical responses in the reservation, but they no longer have a rescue squad or an ambulance. Mike said they may join Essentia; they now use North Memorial. He said the tribe moves very slowly but he made it clear that we need some kind of reimbursement and a contract. We have a mutual aid contract with Hinckley Fire Department to respond in their jurisdiction, like on the reservation.
County Assessment Takeover: Bob Brewster asked to speak and presented a petition to the county asking for another public meeting, along with a page and a half explanation of the situation with True Assessment and how all the problems with it, including a $6.10 charge per parcel for them to supervise local assessors, on top of what we already pay our assessor, $1,700 to $3,500 per township extra. Bob said he spoke to two township attorneys who both said this is not legal. He asked if the Pine County Township Association would get behind sending the petition to all the townships. Glen said no. Bob said he doesn’t want it to go out under his own name. Paul said he’d do it if he were paid. Gary said the town cannot pay for this, but Bob said he’d pay Paul for his time. The explanation letter does tell towns to send their petitions to Glen; Paul asked if he’s ok with that. Mike moved that Wilma adopt and sign the petition to the county asking for another special meeting on True Assessment. Gary seconded. Paul will send it to all the commissioners
County Septic Adminstration: Gale Kespohl resigned as our septic ordinance administrator as of January 1, 2020. The whole board attended a special meeting with Caleb Anderson, Pine Co. Land and Resources Manager and Lukas Olson, Pine Co. Environmental Tech and Ian Harrison from the MN Pollution Control Agency who explained the county program and MPCA concerns and problems with failed systems. Mike told them we are going to use Denny Schlomka as our inspector, with Patrice tentatively handling the paperwork and permits. Patrice said she would meet with Gale and see what is involved in the paperwork. Bob said he’d give her any help or advice she needed.
NEW BUSINESS: Presidential Primary 2020: There will be a Presidential Primary Election on March 3, 2020. All expenses will be paid by the county, including judge training and mileage. Each election judge will need one hour of additional hour of training if working the PNP. We will have two in person training dates as follows: February 3, 2020 10:00am-11:00 or February 6, 2020 3:00pm-4:00 pm am at the North Pine Government Center, 1610 State Hwy 23. Patrice, Gary, Stefanie Rahn and Paul will get training. Paul told them to keep track of mileage.
Filing Period for March, 2020 Township Election: Gary and Paul filed Affidavits of Candidacy for re-election. Filing is open until Tuesday January 14. Paul and Gary cannot judge at the March Township election, so will need three judges, Patrice, Stefanie and Pat Story said he’d judge. Paul said he needs to go to the training.
Deputy Clerk: Mike moved that the board pass a resolution to appoint Stefanie Rahn to be Deputy Clerk to replace Toni Williamson. Gary seconded. Glen swore her in, and she will attend short courses and clerk training and judge training.
Board of Audit for 2019 Books: Mike moved to schedule board of audit before the February 4th board meeting. Paul and Patrice need to meet to coordinate and cross-check books before the audit.
2020 Garbage Pickup Schedule: Copies available and posted on websites.
Duxbury Store Cigarette License: 2020 cigarette license due for renewal. $10. Gary paid and he and Paul signed the permit.
MAT Spring Short Course: Will be Friday, April 3, at the DECC in Duluth. No posting yet on schedule or times. MAT Summer Specialized Training: Will be Thursday, June 25, at the DECC in Duluth. No schedule released yet.
Treasurer’s Report and Claims: Patrice gave the treasurer’s report. Total bills for January are $3,761.23 and she wants to transfer $3,800 from savings to checking. Gary moved to approve her report and to transfer the funds; Glen seconded. Gary moved to adjourn; Mike seconded. Meeting adjourned 9:30 p.m.
Report by Paul Raymond _________________________________
Attest: Glen Williamson, Chair______________________________