WILMA TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS’ MEETING, WEDNESDAY JANUARY 4, 2017

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, Grader Operator Alden Shute, and Ben Glocke.

Paul read the record of the December board meeting. Gary corrected the record to that no motion or vote was taken to change the March meeting from March 1 to March 8, but the issue was tabled. With this correction, Gary moved to approve; Mike seconded.

ROAD REPORT: Alden said he plowed all roads and private drives who signed up twice now, most recently yesterday. There are no problems with the grader.

OLD BUSINESS: Wilma Township WIFI: Report on WIFI Committee by Paul; Aerial lift was rented and Jack and Dave Shutt installed three of our parabolic antennas on December 9^th. Our original plan for four antennas facing four directions on our 50′ pole did not work, after two antennas were put up on the pole and one didn’t work. So far only one person receives wifi that we know of, but Alden gets an intermittent signal inside his home. Glockes do not get anything. Alden gets a clear signal at his birdhouse pole, so he would like to put up a better pole and mount the fourth parabolic antenna facing west, so he and Glocke’s can get a signal. We did receive the full $1,640 balance, and we got $10,000 total, so all claims can be paid. Thank you card has been sent. Glen said 14 GB was used in December. He said that a true township WiFi system would have cost $40-60,000, and we did the best we could with $10,000. Patrice said she needs Jack Shutt’s social security or business tax number so she can send him a 1099.

Township Records: Mike found a fire-proof safe at Sams and will pick it up a week from Saturday. If he needs help unloading it, he will call. Paul wants to put the records in as soon as we get the safe.

Township Dental Coverage: Only Gary signed up. Glen said Toni was put on hold so long they gave up, and Patrice found out that she gets better coverage already. Patrice said it is more difficult for them to deduct our fees from the checking account since she still has to make up a claim. Paul said maybe since Gary is the only one signing up, maybe he can pay directly and get reimbursed by the town.

NEW BUSINESS: Pine County Board of Commissioners Special Local Government Meeting: The Commissioners are holding a special meeting for township officers on the rural narrative, ramifications of the Office of Economic Development & Pine County, and recent initiatives, and updates on local initiatives. Wednesday, January 25, 6 p.m. In the Jury Assembly Room at the courthouse. (Same day as Wanderers). They request RSVP to Debbie Gray, 800-450-7463 ext. 1623. Mike questioned what benefits are we getting from these meetings and trainings. He asked why only three townships sent delegates to the annual conference. Glen said they don’t see the value, even though a $300 subsidy was offered. Paul said the county commissioners must feel that there is value for local government officials or they wouldn’t be holding this meeting at 6 in the evening. Gary said they get paid. Glen said all professionals have continuing education to perform their jobs the best possible, and we do learn important things at township trainings, meetings, and conferences. Mike moved to authorize Glen and Paul to attend the commissioners meeting, at the hourly rate, and if they car-pool, but with his objections on the record. Gary seconded. Passed.

March, 2017 Monthly Board Meeting: Glen said he can’t be here on March 1, and asked if we could postpone the March meeting to March 8. The Annual Town Meeting is March 13. Gary moved to move the meeting; Mike seconded; passed. Paul asked to be reminded so he can post and publish the change next year.

March Election and Annual Town Meeting: Patrice and Gary are up for re-election and goth Gary and Patrice filed. The election will be March 14, and Paul will need two more judges. Patrice is judging for New Dosey since she can’t here.

MAT Workers’ Compensation Report and premium: Audit for 2016 due by Jan. 31.

Minnesota Township Association Membership: Mike moved that we renew our membership in the MAT; Gary seconded. Passed.

ECRDC Meeting: Glen attended the meeting of the East Central Regional Development Commission (ECRDC) and was elected unanimously to the Revolving Loan Fund Board who determine who gets revolving business loans.

Duxbury Store Cigarette License: 2017 cigarette license due for renewal. $10. Glen moved to approve the license; Mike seconded. Gary abstained.

Treasurer’s Report and Claims: Because we are in a new fiscal year and Patrice hasn’t had time to close out her books for 2016, she said she cannot process payroll checks tonight, so can’t give a treasurer’s report. Glen moved that she do the payroll by Sunday and he and Paul can meet at her home Sunday afternoon and sign the checks. Mike moved that Patrice be authorized to

2016 Board of Audit: Mike moved to schedule the Board of Audit just before the February 1^st board meeting. Glen seconded. Paul and Patrice need to meet to coordinate and cross-check books before the audit once he gets his December CTAS done and end of year processing completed.

Gary moved to adjourn; Glen seconded. Meeting adjourned 9:30 p.m.

Paul Raymond, Clerk _____________________________

Attested to by Glen Williamson, Chair_____________________________

WILMA TOWNSHIP  BOARD OF SUPERVISORS’ MEETING, WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 7, 2016

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, Grader Operator Alden Shute, Pat Story, and Scott Quady.

Paul read the record of the November board meeting.  Glen corrected the record that we don’t have a three-year contract with Exede; it is for two years. Gary moved to approve; Mike seconded.

ROAD REPORT:    Schmedeke Lane Ditch and Logging: Alden checked all the roads prior to winter plowing, including Schmedeke Lane.  He said that the loggers had not removed any gravel from the road, but we will need to repair the ditch in the spring because the ditch is filled in. He will need to dig it out so the road and the clear-cut logging area can drain. Alden said he can dig the ditch out with our equipment, and all repair work and inspections come out of Carlson’s escrow account.  Any runoff from the logged area now will flow to the north, and not over the road. The logging trucks are gone, so we assume Carlson Timber is finished logging. No one has contacted Alden about an inspection.

Eagle Head Road:   Two more loads of gravel were put down on the road after the culverts were put in.

Grader Maintenance:   Alden bought batteries for the grader, has the chains and wings on, and the grader is greased and ready for snow.

Road Manager:  Gary said Mark Pallow has resigned as Road Manager.  Mike moved that Alden be appointed Road Manager, with authority over road maintenance decisions, and the authority to hire help as needed.  Scott said he would like to see Mark recognized for his years as service as our Road Manager and grader operator.  Glen directed Paul to formulate a letter and card.  Alden said many times Mark worked very late at night to ensure that everyone was plowed out, and he worked in all weather conditions and we owe him a big debt.  Mike moved that the Road Manager be able to plow his own drive without paying, since he needs good access to the hall.  Gary seconded.

Snowplowing:    Mark Ackerman does want to be plowed this season, but hasn’t been up here to pay for it yet.  Scott asked Alden to put the snow on the south side of McCullen Drive, so it doesn’t plug the ditch.  Vink Road will be plowed as far as Barb Smith’s home.  That road and Duncan Road are snowmobile trails, and Mike said we need to be considerate of snowmobilers.

OLD BUSINESS:  Wilma Township WIFI:   Report on WIFI Committee by Paul, who took over chairing the committee from Glen.  Paul and Glen assembled the four parabolic antennas for installation Friday. Paul has hired a cable installer who will rent a hydraulic lift from MRC in Sandstone.  Pat said the best option for mounting the antennas is all on our one 50′ pole. Blandin Foundation said $1,640 remains in our account.  We will send claims for the installation and our administrative hours before the December 16 deadline. Bob Voss says they do not want to return any of the money.  Scott asked if we could find out if any surplus funds after the installation and administrative costs could go to purchase more parabolic antennas so that we could extend the WiFi reach. Glen directed Paul to talk with Bob Voss about this when Paul sends ECRDC the invoices for the work and equipment they haven’t already paid for. Mike said Exede put the satellite dish in the middle of the driveway where the fire trucks need to back up to get water.  Glen said he will ask them to move it, further back.

Township Records:   Mike found a fire-proof safe at Sams, but hasn’t been able to pick it up. He thinks it is under $400, and as soon as he is able to get to a Sams he will pick it up.

State and Federal Election:  Was Tuesday, November 8.  Paul, Patrice, Robin Fornengo, and Jeff GrandPre served as judges. We had a very big turnout, with 55 voters, including many new registrations. Final tally, Trump 38, Clinton 15, Gary Johnson 2.

MAT 2016 Educational Conference and Annual Meeting:  Was November 17, 18, and 19 at River’s Edge in St. Cloud and Paul, Glen and Toni attended. Since Pine County had only five delegates, Paul, Toni and Glen will all get $300 scholarships from the County Township Officers Association, $900 total. This year the theme was universal broadband WiFi.  Senator Amy Klobuchar was the featured speaker, and all officers learned a lot.  Paul distributed info for the supervisors and for Patrice on the Chart of Accounts and the financial reporting.

NEW BUSINESS:  Township Dental Coverage:  The MN Benefit Association informed us that our group plan is being discontinued, but we can apply for individual coverage through them at an equal or lower cost.  If our dentists are in their Advantage II Network, coverage is $120/year cheaper. Dr. Michael Bennett will not be in the network so closest dentists are in Pine City. Patrice said if the town pays half of the open plan, it will be $202 per year.  Under our old plan, we paid $196.60 per year. Mike moved that the township pay half of whatever plan each individual chooses. Gary seconded. Passed. We have to enroll individually, and pay our premiums ourselves, and then bill the town for half.

Fire Department Payment:   Glen moved that we pay the annual $4,500 fee to the Duxbury Volunteer Fire Department for protection.  Gary seconded.  Passed.

Disposal District Increase:   Gary said the garbage board wants to return our yearly rate to $36 per year, from $30, where it’s been.  Glen asked who can use the outside dumpster?  Mike said everyone in the town is paying for garbage service, whether they live here or not, so everyone can put stuff in the dumpster.

March, 2017 Monthly Board Meeting:   Glen said he can’t be here on March 1, and asked if we could postpone the March meeting to March 8.  The Annual Town Meeting is March 13.  Gary moved to move the meeting; Mike seconded; passed.  Paul asked to be reminded so he can post and publish the change next year.

March Election and Annual Town Meeting:   Patrice and Gary are up for re-election.  Filing dates are January 3 – January 17, 2017, fee $2.  Both Gary and Patrice intend to file.  The election will be March 14, and Paul will need two more judges.

MAT Workers’ Compensation Report and premium:   Audit for 2016 due by Jan. 31; the board signed the premium claim for 2017 ($461) due January 1^st.

Treasurer’s Report and Claims:   Patrice gave the Treasurer’s Report (attached). Claims totaled $10,854.48.  Glen moved to approve the report, and to pay all the claims, and to transfer $11,000.00 from savings to checking.  Gary seconded.

Gary moved to adjourn; Glen seconded.  Meeting adjourned 9:30 p.m.

Paul Raymond, Clerk

_____________________________              Attested to by Glen Williamson, Chair_____________________________