WILMA TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS’ MEETING, JUNE 3, 2015

Chairman Glen Williamson called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. at the Wilma Town Hall. Also present were Supervisors Mike McCullen and Gary Vink, Treasurer Patrice Winfield, Clerk Paul Raymond, and Pat Story and Pine County Attorney Reese Frederickson.

Paul read the record of the May meeting. Gary moved to approve; Mike seconded.

Co. Attorney Reese Frederickson said his goal is community outreach. He explained the duties of the attorney’s office: to prosecute felonies and misdemeanors, and also some prosecutions for other counties. He has 4 attorney’s and 4 secretaries in his office.

Mike asked if the county attorney could prosecute loggers who don’t comply with our logging ordinance and pay our escrow bond. Reese said there could be a civil fine, but his office would not be involved. The county attorney does not enforce township ordinances, unless there is a criminal offense. If a logger damages township property, there could be prosecution for criminal damage to property. He prosecuted a case in Kanabec County where they damaged a township road and were forced to pay the town $3,000. Damage up to $500 is a misdemeanor; up to $3,000 a gross misdemeanor, and over that a felony. If we had damage that wasn’t covered by a bond we could have a deputy take photos and tag the offenders for criminal damage. Reese said we would need to hire someone to enforce township ordinances. As far as the county-wide zoning proposals, he said they may be township specific, so towns like Wilma who do not want zoning will not be excessively regulated.

Patrice said she saw a black pickup dumping garbage on County Road 30 and got the license plate and asked if she should report this to the sheriff. He said yes.

Mike asked if we were able to identify who dumped garbage by a letter or bill, could we bring the garbage to the persons home in the cities and dump it all over their yard. Reese said that would be out of his jurisdiction.

Pat said 4-wheelers are still tearing up River Cabin Road and he would like to photograph them and have them prosecuted, but he thinks the sheriff’s dept. is stretched too thin.

OLD BUSINESS: Town Park, Conditional Use Deed: The State Legislature approved the conveyance of the north 20 acres of our town park to Wilma Township under a conditional use deed. There are many forms that we had to fill out and sign and we have to pay $250 to the Dept. of Revenue, plus recording fees and deed taxes. We own the lower 16.5 acres of our park free and clear, but the north 20 acres will be designated a park under the deed. Glen moved that the township purchase this parkland and pay the required fees and taxes. Mike seconded. Passed.

Road Inspection Report: Glen said we have $97,000 in our Road and Bridge Fund and he and Gary and Mark all agreed at the May 20 road inspection that some of our roads need a lot of work and gravel this year. Mike asked that we pave the entire town hall/fire hall parking lot with the crushed granite we put by the garage doors. He said this makes a tremendous difference in the rain and mud. Gary said this rock is hard to push with the blade, but Mike said in the winter it should have packed snow on the surface so the grader doesn’t have to scrape down below the rock.

Pat said we think Lost River Road is in great shape, but it does have two serious soft spots and needs some gravel or it is a mucky mess. Mike said if it is frost-boil damage it can only be cured by removing the road down to the clay and building it up with gravel. The board agreed to put two loads of Class 5 gravel on Lost River Road. At the inspection Gary and Glen and Mark agreed that we need a total of 107 truck loads (10 to 15 yards per load) of Class 5 gravel on our roads; some will get more than others, such as the Vink Road. This is besides the gravel for the Schmedeke Lane Extension. Glen moved that we approve the road inspection recommendations and purchase 107 loads of gravel from Hopkins Gravel, and that we negotiate with them for the best price possible for such a large order. Mike seconded. Gary said to request the gravel from their good pit.

Crooked Lake Road Obstructions: Gary said Mark had to drive around a personal vehicle parked in the right-of-way on Crooked Lake Road, and left a small pile of gravel. He’s also had complaints from residents on Little Tamarack Lake Road about the condition of the road.

Backup Grader Operator: The MAT Attorney Kyle Hartnett said that legally our grader is considered construction equipment and therefore is not licensed. Any operator on the construction site does not need to be licensed. However, the township would be liable when the grader is on a county road with an unlicensed driver. Glen said Mark planned to ask Jeff GrandPre if he was interested, and Glen wants to ask Duane Glienke.

NEW BUSINESS: Town Hall Back Steps: We need a handrail. Mike said he will ask Mark Pallow to do it, and if he doesn’t want to, he will.

Township Laptop Computer: We received an offer of $80 by Rebecca Donicht to buy our outdated laptop and printer. Mike moved that we sell it to her; Glen seconded. Passed. Glen will delete and clean the hard drive of all township business and CTAS.

NEW BUSINESS: Summer Short Course: June 25, Thursday, at Black Bear Casino. Pre-registration by June 10 to get $50 rate (on-site is $60). Glen, Gary, Patrice and Paul will go. We can carpool. We signed up for sessions: CTAS and Payroll and Budget Issues in Govt. for Clerks/Treasurers, and Cartways, Budget and Audit Responsibilities and Audit Reports for Supervisors.

Town Hall Use: Pine County Wanderers want to use the hall July 29, Wednesday. Glen moved that we allow them to use the hall and to waive the fee and deposit. Mike seconded; passed. Paul will clean and prepare the hall.

Lucy Downing Hager sent a deposit and fee for the Maria Staratow family reunion, Sat., July 18. $75 Deposit. $50 will be refunded if they clean it up. Mike moved that they be allowed to rent the hall; Gary seconded. Passed.

Schmedeke Lane Extension Inspection and Special Meeting: The Supervisors voted to postpone the inspection and decisions on the Schmedeke Lane Extension Project until all three Supervisors were present, along with Eldon. Mike said he would like to inspect the road with Duane Glienke and maybe Mark Pallow, to see what the priorities are for the $10,000 budget. He said he already knows the culvert needs rip-rap and railroad ties, and this will cost more than the county budgeted. He said we must do the most important work first, and anything left over can be spent on gravel. Glen moved that Mike be authorized to inspect the road with Duane Glienke and to report to the board at the July 1 board meeting; thereafter the whole board can inspect the extension with Eldon for the final determination of how we will budget the money. Mike seconded. Passed.

Mike said he will also talk with Barb Jensen about getting the needed easement on the west side of the current Schmedeke Lane to see if we can widen it.

State Demographer Report: As of April 1, 2014, our population was 73 people in 356 separate households.

Treasurers’ Report and Claims: Patrice presented the Treasurers’ Report and the claims to the board. Mike moved to pay all the bills, to approve the Treasurers’ Report, and to transfer whatever funds needed from savings into checking. Glen seconded. Glen moved that we transfer $4,000 from the Road and Bridge Fund into the Building Fund. Gary seconded; passed. Glen moved that we adjourn the meeting; Gary seconded. Meeting adjourned at 9:30 p.m.

Paul Raymond, Clerk:____________________________________

Attested to by Glen Willaimson, Chair:________________________