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Board of Audit and Regular Town Meeing, February 6, 2008

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WILMA TOWNSHIP BOARD OF AUDIT AND TOWN BOARD MEETING
FEBRUARY 6, 2008

Chairman Gary Vink called the Board of Audit to order at 7:30 p.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance. Also present were Supervisors Glenford Williamson and Michael McCullen, Treasurer Patrice Winfield, Clerk Paul Raymond, and Township Assessor Bob Brewster, Eldon Schmedeke and a citizen.

The Supervisors examined the financial records of the Clerk and Treasurer. Mike questioned a discrepancy between the Clerk’s and Treasurer’s figures for the Road and Bridge Fund. Paul’s books still showed orders paid and receipts in the Gas Tax Fund, but this fund was reabsorbed into the Road and Bridge Fund. When Paul made this adjustment the books agreed and Glen moved to approve the Summary Statements of the Clerk and Treasurer; Mike seconded, and the Supervisors signed off on the books.

Paul presented a proposed budget for 2009 which was the same as the 2008 budget adopted by the taxpayers last March. Paul suggested reducing the Park Fund to zero since there is a $1,000 balance in the fund and we don’t use the park, but Glen said he feels we should continue to fund this fund. Mike moved to recommend the mileage rate be raised from $.45 to $.50. Glen seconded. Mike noted that the board had already voted to increase the rate for special plowing to $150/hour, and the new budget should reflect that for 2009. Glen moved that the special plowing rate be $150/hour with a one hour minimum charge. Gary seconded.

Paul read the record of the January meeting. Eldon asked that the minutes be amended to say that he pays $5,000 every two years in township taxes, not every year. With that correction, Mike moved to approve the minutes; Glen seconded.

NEW BUSINESS: Review of the Pine County Sewer Code. Bob Brewster, who heads up Arna Township’s Zoning Commission, took the floor to discuss the proposed revisions to Pine County’s on-site sewer system rules to comply with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency’s recent revisions to the 7080 sewer code. Dale Powers, Pine County’s zoning administrator, is soliciting feedback from townships. The county has two years to conform to the state rules, or February, 2010, and townships have one year from the county making the change for township ordinances to conform to the county code. The new rules are 7080, 7081, 7082 and 7083. 7080 applies to individual home sites. 7081 is for multiple homes using one tank. 7082 involves township regulations on how tough their regulations are. 7083 covers licensing of system inspectors and installers and designers like Gale Kespohl and Dennis Schlomka. Bob said that Dale Powers wants septic systems to be twice the size as currently required. Mike said that we as a board need to notify our Commisioner Roger Nelson and tell him that we do not want Dale Powers to be involved in our township or to impose his ordinances on our township. Bob said that Dale is claiming a conflict of interest with Gale and Dennis as they live together and Dennis installs systems and Gale inspects and approves them. Mike said Dennis does not sell holding tanks or septic tanks; he just buries them. There is going to be a meeting at Tobies on February 14 for contractors, not for townships, but Bob plans to attend. Eldon said this is right out of the United Nations playbook to abolish all private property rights. Eldon said that James Obestar is proposing new regulations, HR 24-21, that would define even dry areas as wetlands so the U.S. Corps of Engineers can control our property and he does not want the township to pass any ordinances that would take away his rights to manage his property.

T&T and Tri-State Loggers: Both T&T and Tri-State Logging paid escrow deposits; T&T paid two for both the North and South Duncan Roads.

Election Judges: Patrice will be the head judge for the township election on March 11. Margorie Schmedeke and Tony Williamson will also serve.

Fire Department Tower Funding: Mike said that the Federal Government is providing funds for local fire departments to put up radio towers for communication. If the Duxbury Fire Department put up a tower on the townsite, they would pay $1,000 and the Government would pay $9,000. Pine County got $540,000 from FEMA and other fire departments are taking cuts of it, especially Pine City’s. Mike said a tower could be used for cell phones so we can have cell-phone reception out here, and that they would pay to rent the towers. Gary asked if the township could get revenue from a tower that was paid for by the federal government. Mike said that because it would be on township property, that we could collect revenues. Glen said that in Grand Marais the tower also provides wireless internet service. The sheriff or Fire Department could put a repeater on the tower.

Mike said he wanted the board to be informed because he intends to really push for this money on the fire department since other fire departments are getting radios and towers.

Tri-Township Garbage Board Meeting: Mike said that at the Garbage Board meeting they voted to reduce the yearly fees from $36 to $30 per year, as they have so much revenue. Glen moved to approve reducing the garbage fee from $36 to $30 per year. Mike seconded. Mike explained to Glen how he can get a refund from multiple fees. Paul said he thinks the garbage board should inform property owners who are paying multiple fees that they only have to pay one and how to get refunds. Mike said they also have four new garbage dumpsters that they are not using, and he is going to get one for the town hall to replace the one we have that can’t be dumped. There will be no charge.

Cigarette License: In 1998 the Pine County Board passed an ordinance taking over tobacco license issuance and compliance requirements. The ordinance stated that it would “apply only where local jurisdictions have not adopted their own ordinance.” Wilma Township has always handled our own licensing of tobacco, but Auditor Cathy Johnson could not find a copy of our ordinance in their files and said we needed to adopt a new one to continue doing the licensing. Glen moved that Wilma Township adopt an ordinance that the Town of Wilma will continue to be the issuing authority all licenses for the sale of tobacco products within the Town of Wilma. Mike seconded. Passed. The Minnesota Department of Revenue and the County Auditor want to be informed of the names of any businesses that we license. Paul will send a copy of our ordinance and the business licensed to the Auditor and the report to the state.

Treasurer’s Report and Bills:

Bills were presented:

ECE $ 35.00

Mark Pallow 36.94

FNBNS 2,000.00

The Evergreen 8.25

Joe Vink 40.00

Mike McCullen 73.88

Paul Raymond 193.93

Gary Vink 112.72

Glen Williamson 27.70

Patrice Winfield 242.54

Bob Brewster 1,540.00

Totals $ 4,310.96

Patrice gave the Treasurer’s Report (attached). Glen moved to approve the report and to pay all the bills and to transfer $4,300.00 from savings to checking. Mike seconded.

Glen moved to adjourn the meeting; Gary seconded. Meeting adjourned at 10:00 p.m.

Paul Raymond, Clerk

Board of Review, April 11, 2007

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WILMA TOWNSHIP BOARD OF REVIEW (APPEAL/EQUALIZATION) APRIL 11, 2007

Chairman Gary Vink called the meeting to order at 11 a.m. at the Wilma Town Hall. Also present were Supervisors Michael McCullen and Glenford Williamson, Clerk Paul Raymond, County Assessor Lonna Meier, Wilma Assessor Bob Brewster.

Bob explained that there are four categories of land-classification: 1. high land; 2. limited access land; 3. no access land; and 4. waste/swamp. Mike asked if timber could be classified as agricultural if trees are used for harvesting or maple sugar, especially if the state mandates an increase in ethanol non-oil fuels. Lonna said the categories are not dependent on trees or lack of them.

The values are determined by sales from October 1 to September 30 in the townships and county. Wilma had two residential sales and two seasonal/farm sales. Prices haven’t gone down so much, but sales have. The residential/seasonal sales combined ratios were raised from 90.3% to 93.5% adjusted ratio, and farm sales ratios went from 84.5% to 99%. State law mandates our valuation to be from 90 to 105% of market value. High ground is $1,550 per acre; tillable pasture is $1,550; fair land $1,400; no access, $1,000; swamp/wetland, $650. Site-amenity adjustment for the first acre of 5 acres is $18,500. The county assessor makes estimates of the number of feet of river frontage. The first acre on a gravel road is valued at $13,500; on pavement $16,500. Amenities affect the value, like a well, electricity, sewer, etc.

First up was Alden Shute, Parcel 32.0133.000. He asked about the commercial classification of his land because of the gravel pit. Alden said the pit is finished and covered, and he is no longer mining gravel. Alden said he had talked with Assessor Mike Sheehy and thought it was already adjusted. Lonna said only 2.5 acres is assessed as gravel pit; 78 1/2 as agricultural/homestead. 16 Acres is classified tillable; 36 1/2 high ground, and 20 acres swamp. Alden said he is not digging or crushing gravel and it’s been reseeded. There is no more the board can rule on this; the assessor will remove the 2.5 acres commercial gravel classification.

Second up, Carl Kratzke, Parcel 32.0126.001, S. Duncan Road, Section 14. He asked how his land is classified, and what percentage was swamp. 216 acres is high ground; 20 acres swamp. He said beavers are damming it up and turning it into a big swamp. Bob said he would increase waste acres to 50 from 20. Lonna said this classification means that no trees can grow year around. Bob said he’d walk the land with Kratzke next year.

Next, Paul Yager, Parcel 32.0196.000: Bob said he would talk with the county assessor to see if it could be adjusted from100% value to 90% value. He is across the road from the lake and doesn’t get all the benefits of lake property. The first acre had been valued at $45,000, and it was adjusted by half, to $22,500, adding only $5,000 for the lake view. Bob said any land within 1000 feet of a lake is considered shoreland. Paul said it’s either shoreland or it’s not; he doesn’t understand how it can be in the middle.

Next up, Patrice Winfield, Parcel32.0138.002: Patrice wanted to know why her value went up from $205,300 to $263,800 when she hasn’t done anything. They list $43,000 in improvements, but she hasn’t done any improvements. Lonna said it was last assessed in 2001, and each parcel is inspected every 5 years. All improvements since 2001 were considered. Patrice said the Roberts had inspected it since the house was built. Bob said most of the increase was in the house; the land only went up $4,000. Patrice said she estimates her home is 90% done, but the ceiling is only ½ done. Lonna called the county and said last year it was only assessed as 79% complete. Bob said they could take 7 acres from high land due to limited access, $150 per acre times 6-7 acres. Bob said he would stop at Patrice’s after the meeting.

Next, Kathy Olson, Parcel 32.5034.000, Little Tamarack Lake Hills on Little Tamarack Lake. She said taxes are going up alarmingly while her enjoyment is going down. It is valued at $71,300 front foot, up $1,400 this year, and $9,500 in the three year evaluation cycle. There was a 2/3 reduction on the front feet due to the road. She said a utility line runs through the property, and they cut and spray under the line. People tear up and down the road and jet skis and powerful boats use the lake. Joe Vink told her to call the DNR as they have enforcement of the lake and shoreline and wakes can erode the shore. Lonna said that with lake lots they assess it by the first foot, not the first acre. Kathy’s is $140 per foot for 579 feet, and a 2/3 reduction because of the geography of the lot. Even though she doesn’t plan to build, it has to be treated as buildable.

Next, Paul Raymond, Parcel32.0138.001. His north 5 acres on the other section went up from $12, 400 to $38,700. Bob said this was done at the county, as they thought it had been undervalued at 25% value all these years. He asked if this five acres could be sold. Paul said there is no access and it could not be separated or sold. The county won’t allow him to merge it into his 40 acres as it is in a different section. Bob said it should be reverted to the earlier value as it is no access and not a separate parcel.

The assessors had two letters: William Peno, Parcels 32.0015 and 32.0016.000: He said the assessment on his half section is too high. Lonna said they have sales to show that it’s fairly valued. Neighboring properties have sold high. He has 160 acres total, half valued as swamp. 70 acres no access across the creek. Peno could get a letter from the DNR showing their evaluation of the land as sustainable forest to give him timber class, but it would not change the value. Mike said he sees no basis to lower the value, as Peno’s neighbor sold 80 acres for $235,000, about $1,500 per acre.

Steve and Tina Barrett, Parcel 32.0020.000: 80 acres, valued at $148,200. They have no sewer or water, and it would be reduced 25%, but Bob assessed the road as not plowed and no winter access, although it is plowed, so this would increase the value by the same amount, so it would be a wash. 20 acres swamp; 37 acres high ground, 20 acres no access, and one acre road.

BOARD ACTION:

Alden Shute: Mike moved: Remove from commercial status, returned to agricultural/pasture. Glen seconded.

Carl Kratzke: Glen moved: 30 acres be reassessed to low ground. Gary seconded. Bob will survey the land.

Paul Yager: No action; no change.

Patrice Winfield: Glen moved that Bob Brewster survey her place and forward his recommendations to the board. No action at this point.

Kathy Olson: Mike moved that the board make no change as her parcel is buildable. Gary seconded. Mike recommended that she contact the DNR about enforcing the shoreline integrity.

Paul Raymond: Glen moved that the 5 acres be returned to its previous assessment as it was classified wrong, from $38,700 to $13,300. Mike seconded.

William Peno: Glen moved no action, and to recommend to Peno that he contact the DNR and the county assessor about a sustainable forest classification. Mike seconded.

Steve Barrett: His valuation is a wash. The building site decreases but the road access increases the value by the same amount. Mike moved no action; Glen seconded.

Mike moved to adjourn; Gary seconded; meeting adjourned at 12:45 p.m.

Paul Raymond, Clerk