Category: Uncategorized

WILMA TWP. BOARD OF SUPERVISORS’ MEETING MAY 4, 2022

Paul Raymond Board Minutes, Treasurer's Report, Uncategorized

Chairman Glen Williamson called the meeting to order at 7:40 p.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance. Also present: Supervisors Mike McCullen and Maureen Rioux, Treasurer Patrice Winfield, Clerk Paul Raymond, Road Manager Alden Shute, Stan and Tracy Riley, Angie Anderson, Stefanie Williamson, Terry Koscielniak, Bryan Vink, and Rod Sorgaard.

Clerk’s Report of April Board of Reorganization and Board Meeting: Paul read the record of the April 6 meeting; Mike moved to approve; Maureen seconded; passed.

Road Report: S. Duncan Road Entrance: Alden said he got an application from the county to straighten out the entrance of the South Duncan Road where it enters Duxbury Road. We will not need to get permission from Diane Raash since the work will be on county land to the west. Alden estimates it will take 100 yards of pit-run gravel.

South Duncan Road End: It is so slick and slimy there that you can’t turn around. Alden wants to shave it off and put new gravel down when it dries out. We can check it out at the road inspection.

Crooked Lake Road Culvert: There is a hole in the road about 1/10 mile in where he has put a culvert to install. Locate is coming out soon and he can do the work. We will show Jason Palme at the road inspection. Paul will bill Danforth for half of $1,678.04 plus gravel and installation when we have the figures.

Cutting Edges: With steel shortages, they are expensive and hard to get. He ordered two sets and will pick them up in the cities.

Road Inspection: Glen moved and Maureen seconded to set the date for the road inspection as Monday, May 23, 10 a.m. at the Duxbury Store. Alden will be available. Paul will notify Jason Palme of Danforth.

Kenny Peterson Road: Terry Koscielniak bought the 80 acres from Joe Vink on the north Kenny Peterson Road. The road is under water there and we do not claim it as a township road for gas-tax purposes, only .26 mile (1,373 feet). Terry asked if the town could work with him to build up the road to give him access to his land so he can bring electricity to his land. Now it is only accessible by four-wheeler through the water. Mike said it would cost at least $50,000 to build up that road. Terry said if he builds it up he doesn’t want anyone else using it; Mike said the township and townspeople retain the right of way rights on old township roads, even if the roads are not claimed or maintained, and Terry can’t gate it off. Before all the beavers dammed the creeks you could drive on that road. Beavers also dammed the creek by the old Boys Camp entrance and water almost crossed the road. Bryan Vink said he has a friend who traps beavers. Paul said Pat Story is also having a big beaver problem flooding his land so Paul will give him Bryan’s number. Glen asked Paul to find out when we recorded the Kenny Peterson Road and if it was recorded as a cartway or full township road. Glen asked Terry to write up a proposal for any plans he has to build up the end of the road and to absolve the township of all liability for someone using the road.

Barricades on Tamarack Pine Drive: Alden said Nick Mattson apparently moved the barricades. We will check on it during the road inspection.

Assistant Grader Operator: Steve Menth still considers himself to be Alden’s backup grader operator. He would like to assume half of the duties and share them with Alden. Mike said we just need a backup for when Alden is unable to plow or grade. Steve may be done with the road by August.

Rod Sorgaard and Tim Mlller: Rod is buying the 17 back acres of Tim Miller’s land and asked if he needs any township approval for that. Glen said we have no zoning or rules for that.

OLD BUSINESS: Dumpster: Due to abuse in public dumping, the board passed a resolution restricting the use of the dumpster to the Town of Wilma and the Duxbury Volunteer Fire Department. Signs were posted and the dumpster was moved to the back of the town hall to keep it out of sight. Glen signed the resolution. Angie said we have to move it facing the parking lot on garbage days if we want Doug to pick it up.

Life and Dental Insurance: Patrice is applying for dental through the MATIT Ameritas program; Stefanie said she would also like to get it. Patrice will give her the details. Glen said the town will pay half. Paul needs to get Maureen enrolled in the MAT Life Insurance program.

ARPA EXPENDITURE REPORT: The first report on the use of our $6,887 in ARPA funds was due April 30. It was a very difficult site to navigate and the Auditor said many clerks were having problems. MAT and Kelly Schroeder both uploaded videos to help clerks fill out the report. The site crashed because of so many attempts to file. Paul was successful after two days of work on the report. At this time we do not have to designate a project and could claim Revenue Replacement, but we have a resolution designating some of our ARPA funds to go to our internet fund, if the board passes it and it is signed. Paul had a resolution to donate some of the funds to our internet at the hall. We have $900 left of our Blandin Grant to pay for internet, a couple of years’ worth. Mike said we should ask Blandin first if they will give us any more money. We do not have to decide how to pay it for a while.

Clutter in Hall: Stefanie said it seems to her like we have a lot of clutter on the stage and hall that we could donate to thrift stores. Paul said the only thing we have that we don’t use is the old player piano. Everything else is pancake grills and carts for the pancake breakfast. Bryan said the piano belongs to his mother Bev Vink and he would like to have it. Glen thanked him for taking it. The closet does have some clutter and garbage and needs a good cleaning. Bryan asked about the canvas curtain that is rolled up at the front of the stage; Glen said he’d never seen it but we don’t want to get rid of it now. Paul will send everyone a photo Bryan took of it.

County Sales of Public Lands: Greg Beck sent a letter of the county’s intention to sell four parcels of county land on the North Duncan Road, three 40 acre parcels and one 80 acre, on both sides of the North Duncan Road. The Board directed Paul to respond that The Board of Supervisors of Wilma have always held the position that public lands and rights-of-way should remain in the public domain for the recreational use of all citizens and that the Board opposes any sales of county land in Wilma Township and affirms that the public’s right to use these lands not be impeded but protected. Greg said he will personally visit Mike but Mike said he hasn’t stopped by yet. Mike said it is one commissioner from north Pine County who is so determined to sell off county lands.

Snow Berm on N. Duncan Road: Alden had to take the plow out to smooth out a snow berm left by the DNR snowmobile trail groomers. We billed them for $150 and they paid.

NEW BUSINESS: Application for Utility Permit on Eagle Head Road: ECE wants permission to ditch some underground cable and junction boxes on Eagle Head Road. In August, 2021, they wrote us: “ECE has been doing this work for years and it is a process to get a check to the township for $1000 every time we need to install a new service. ECE is good for our word and would pay any damage fees if there were any.” Glen moved then that we waive the escrow deposit requirement for ECE, but still ask that they schedule joint road inspections with Alden before and after excavating Wilma Township roads. Glen moved to approve their application and not ask for any more escrow. Maureen seconded; passed. We still are holding $1,000 in escrow for ECE.

Treasurer’s Report: (Attached) Patrice said total bills for May are $6,529.19, and she needs to transfer $6,000. Maureen moved to approve her report and to transfer the funds. Glen seconded; passed. Maureen moved to adjourn the meeting; Mike seconded; passed. Meeting adjourned at 9:40.

Treasurers-Report-May-4-2022Download

WILMA TOWNSHIP BOARD OF APPEAL AND EQUALIZATION, APRIL 11, 2022

Paul Raymond Uncategorized

Chairman Glen Williamson called the meeting to order at 1:00 pm with the Pledge of Allegiance. Also present, County Assessor Lorri Houtsma, Wilma Assessor Bob Brewster, Supervisor Maureen Rioux and Clerk Paul Raymond, Alden Shute, Pat Story and Rod Sorgaard. Today was Bob’s last day as an assessor for Wilma Township and other towns. Board signed the certification form affirming that we have a quorum and that at least one Supervisor is trained in assessing. Glen needs to be re certified this year and he and Maureen can take it on line with the Department of Revenue; it is a short training, less than an hour.

Meeting Record of 2021 Board: Paul read the record; Maureen moved to approve; Glen seconded.

How Values are Determined: Lori explained that estimated market values are based on a sales study of qualifying sales; the assessor has to set values at 90% – 105% of sales in the previous year, October 1, 2020 to September 30, 2021. Residential values in Pine County increased 21% from 2021 – 2022, due to sales. Residential homes not on water increased 16%, homes on the water went up 23%. Even vacant land went up. The assessment records are stored at the assessor’s office in the courthouse. Qualifying Sales have a CRD, Certificate of Deed filed with the Auditor who gives it to the Assessor. Excluded sales are family sales, forced foreclosures, and token sales. The increase in EMV for the 33 townships in Pine County is set by the sales in each township the previous year and a half ago, and must be set between 90 – 105%. Ours are at 93.3%. Lori said sales are going through the roof in Wilma and all over the state.

Richard Gasteki, Parcel 32.5043.00, Tamarack Lake: (Appeal by letter). The value went up from $450,000 to $750,000, a $300,000 increase. Has geothermal heating and a finished garage. 3 bedrooms. The increase was due to the value of the land and comparable sales on Tamarack Lake.

Wilma Sales: Five sales of 20 or more acres, and value was at 97.85%. One had a travel trailer without tags that if fixed would bring it down to 93%. We had two sales of more than 34.5 acres at 64% and she had to raise them to 77.4%. Wilma, Arna and Ogema all had increases in building sales so were within the sales ratio. Lorri tries to stay consistent with neighboring townships. Wilma had one sale on the Tamarack River in the Anderson Acres division, Bill Premco.

Rod Sogaard, 32.0080.00: The old Bruce Filler place on Duxbury Road. It was two parcels, now combined. He bought it in 2016 and taxes went up from $980 to $1,800. He has a mother-in-law house behind the house, 30×24 ‘. Has a bath and two bedrooms and is valued at $88,000. Bob he sees 20% of all homes every year in rotation, so was seen in 2016, which means it was checked again in October, 2021. Rod asked Bob to come out again to see the smaller house; it is not lived in and is only storage and has no AC. Bob said he would if he could. Today is his last day and he has an appointment later this afternoon.

Bryan and Teri Nelson, 32.0080 and 0079. The Vink home and the Duxbury Store and Bar. Bryan said the store has not been commercial for many years. Bryan would like it re-classified. Paul said Gary did have the Duxbury Fire department hunters’ raffle at the bar every year, but otherwise the bar was closed. Lorri said she would have the county’s commercial assessor Troy Stewart come out so the classification can be changed for 2023 taxes from commercial to residential. She gave Bryan a homestead application so he can declare the home his homestead. Glen moved that county commercial assessor Troy Stewart come out to the store and survey the store, the bar and the house, to change the classification. Maureen seconded. The North Farm, 32.0056.00: 70 Acres next to Glienke’s. Even though he has it farmed by Howard Swanson, it is not classified as agricultural but the south farm which also has crops is agricultural. Five years ago the north farm was changed from agricultural to rural vacant land, non-homestead. Lorri said there is very little tax difference between rural vacant and agricultural. She said she can change the north farm back to agricultural if they verify it but it won’t affect taxes for two years.

Pat Story, 32.0133.00: Last house on Lost River Road. He asked what square feet they use; he measures inside at 25’x35′; Lorri said they measure outside at 26’x35′. It is 568 square feet with 486 sq. ft. in the loft. Lorri said building values went way up, not just in Wilma but all over the state. River front did not change this year, but buildings did go way up. No change.

Alden Shute, 32.0133.00: Alden said his value went up 31%. The SA Site Amenities for his home went from $9,500 to $16,000. He is on the Tamarack River and everyone on the river has $11,000 value increase for the first acre of river, which affects everyone from Clay Heller to Mark and Lisa Sisterman in the southeast corner of the township. Alden asked if he’s being charged so much for the river, why can’t he do anything to the river? Lorri said site amenities went up everywhere and every home increased in value to make the goals of values to sales ratio.

River Value Discrepancies: Bob said that since this is his last day that he wants to inform the township of the great discrepancies in valuing river front property. Clay Heller has to pay $11,000 for the first acre in Wilma Township, but across the road his land in New Dosey Township on the river has no charge. The Tamarack River in Wilma Township adds $27,500 in Site Amenities/Water Values, plus $30 per front foot (on one side), but in New Dosey across the road it is $16,000, and $15 per front foot. Same river, 30 feet apart. Crooked Creek in Wilma where the Ackermans live has no SA on the first acre of river front, only a $12/foot front footage. There is no SA for Keene Creek or McDermott Creek either except for $12/foot. Those who own land on the Tamarack River pay $30 per front foot on top of the $11,500 first acre charge. Glen said creeks are different from rivers, but taxes and values will never be fair and some will always be paying more than others. In Arna, Hay Creek by the Elliots has only $1,000 water value, and $12/ff charge. Bob made a detailed chart and wants this to be his legacy to the townships. Lorri assured the Board that she and the assessors office would take a good look at these discrepancies, and Paul thanked her and expressed his confidence that they might make some changes.

County Meeting to Appeal: The County meeting will be June 1 at 6 p.m. At the courthouse only if you first appeal at the township level.

Maureen moved to adjourn; Glen seconded. Meeting adjourned at 3:20 p.m.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 6, 2022 WILMA TOWNSHIP BOARD OF REORGANIZATION AND SUPERVISORS’ MEETING

Paul Raymond Uncategorized

Chairman Glen Williamson called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance. Also present: Supervisor Mike McCullen, Treasurer Patrice Winfield, Clerk Paul Raymond, Road Manager Alden Shute, Maureen Rioux, Stan and Tracy Riley, Angie Anderson, Doug Witta, and Rod Sorgaard.

BOARD OF REORGANIZATION: Glen took the Oath of Office for Supervisor. Committee of two Supervisors and the Clerk to nominate and appoint a Supervisor to fill the remainder of Gary Vink’s term: Glen opened the floor for anyone who is interested in taking Gary’s seat on the board until next March election. Maureen Rioux, Stan Riley and Doug Witta all said they would like to serve. Glen opened the questioning of the three candidates, with Mike and Paul also asking questions, mostly on their history in Wilma Township, what they like about the town and what they would like to change; their attendance at previous Board of Supervisor meetings, and how independent and objective they can be and not side with either of the other Supervisors to create a ruling clique or cabal. Mike nominated Maureen; Paul seconded. All eye. Paul administered the oath of office to Maureen and she took her seat at the Supervisors’ table next to Mike. Mike nominated Glen to serve as Chairman; Maureen seconded. Passed. Mike moved that Maureen be assistant Chair; Glen seconded; passed. Treasurer Patrice designated Northview as our bank of deposit. Mike moved that The Evergreen and Pine County Courier and the Town Hall and the township website be our notice-posting and publishing places. Mike moved that the wages and salaries for 2022 as proposed at the March meeting be adopted; Maureen seconded, passed:

Approve wages and fees for 2022-2023:

2021 2022

WAGES Chairman $105/Mtg. (3 Hrs). 105/meeting

Supervisor 100/mtg. (3 Hrs.) 100.00/mtg.

Clerk 100.00/meeting 100.00/mtg.

Treasurer 100.00/meeting 100.00/mtg.

Clerk and Treasurer reports 16.00/hr. 20.00/hour

General Labor 16.00/hour 20.00/hour

Major Mech. 30.00/hour 30.00/hour

Mech. Asst. 16.00/hour 20.00/hour

Grader Op. 25.00/hr 25.00/hour

Annual Meeting Moderator 75.00/mtg. 75.00/mtg.

Out of Town Meetings 100.00/half day 100.00/half day

150.00/full day 150.00/full day

Election Judges 16.00/hour 18.00/hr.

Zoom Meetings for all Board Members 20.00/hr. 20.00/hr

Hourly rate, Chairman $24.50; Supervisors $22 (Supervisor Labor $20/Hour)

Mileage: Federal rate for officers, judges, delegated township representatives, for judges training, township officers training, and association meetings, etc. $.58.5/mi. for 2022.

Monthly Board Meetings: Glen moved that we meet the first Wednesday of each month at 7:30 p.m. in 2022/2023. Mike seconded; passed. Township Donations: Requests from OSAC, Family Pathways, Pine County Historical Association and Seven County Senior Federation for continued contracts. . Mike moved to give $75 apiece to each of them; Glen seconded. Passed.

Snowplowing 2022/2023: Mike moved that we keep our private drive snowplowing rates for the 2022-2023 season the same as last year: $75; Drives over 700′, $100; 1,000′ to ½ mile: $175/season; over ½ mile, $350. Glen seconded; passed.

Garbage Board Representative: Mike said he had the position for a year or so many years ago, but since then Gary always served as Wilma’s representative, partly because the meetings were held at the Duxbury Store. They will not be using the store, but will have meetings in Markville or in the Wilma Town Hall. Mike moved that the board vote every year on a representative to serve for one year, and he nominated Glen to serve for 2022-23 until the next Board of Reorganization. Maureen seconded. Passed.

BOARD OF SUPERVISOR’S MEETING: March Meeting Record: Paul read the record of the March meeting. Mike moved to approve; Glen seconded. Passed.

ROAD REPORT: Obstructed Driveways: Alden had said there are two drives that he will not plow again in 2023 because of so many obstructions in the road. One was Lisa McCullen and Mike talked with her about it and she agreed to meet with Alden to see what corrections she needs to make. Alden said the sidewalk is hard to miss and he might hit it.

Snow Berm in North Duncan Road: The DNR does snowmobile trail grooming on the trail that uses part of North Duncan Road. Alden said they groomed both sides of the road and built up a big snow berm in the middle of the road that he had to go out an plow down, and he told Paul to charge the DNR $150 for the hours’ work, $150.

South Duncan Road Entrance: Alden said the road makes an unnecessary bend at the end so trucks cannot drive out to the east but have to go west and turn around. He would like to straighten the last hundred feet of the South Duncan Road where it enters the Duxbury Road; the curve makes it very difficult for trucks to make the turn. The land on the west side of the road is county land. On the east side the owner is Diane Raasch. He thinks it would take 10 loads of gravel. Mike said we’d have to get permission from the owner and may have to pay for the easement. The proposed change is outside of our right-of-way, but Doug said it could be in the County Right-of-way on Duxbury Road. Alden said it starts before that. Paul was initially instructed to contact Diane Raash to get her permission to straighten the road but Alden said we should contact the county first to see why the road was curved in the first place and if we can straighten it.

Grader: Alden fabricated mud flaps and changed the cutting blade. He bladed South Duncan Road and improved the cul-de-sac at the end.

County Land Sales: The County sent us their proposed land sales on the North Duncan Road, 3 40-acre parcels and one 80-acre plot. 40 on the northeast corner of the intersection of the Duxbury Road and N. Duncan and 80 on the west side. Mike said people have hunted and camped on this land and it has been public use for years. Doug said that Carlson Timber logged it all off. Mike said the Board’s position has always been to oppose any selling of public land in Pine County, since these are hunting and recreational lands used freely by the people and the board passed a resolution in 2020 to the county to state such. Mike moved that Paul to write to the County and share our reasons for opposing this and all land sales. Glen seconded; passed.

Back up Grader Operator: Glen said Alden needs a backup trained grader operator for when he is unable to do our roads. Stan Riley volunteered and said he is trained in big equipment. Mike and Patrice both said that Steve Menth was already trained and hired as backup grader operator and Mike said we spent hundreds of dollars to train Steve. He may have sold his truck, but he seems to be on the road again. Mike said Alden should find out if Steve is still active and available and should make his decision.

Supervisor’s Road Inspection Meeting: Date for inspection will be set at May 4 Board Meeting.

OLD BUSINESS: Pine County Township Officers’ Meeting: Was Saturday, March 26, at the Community Center, Hinckley. Glen reported that we had good attendance with 21 townships and with speakers and reports by Senator Jason Rarick and Representative Nathan Nelson, County Attorney Reese Frederickson, Commissioners Teri Lovgren and Steve Hallan, Sheriff Jeff Nelson, Mindy Sandell from Veterans, Michael Miller, District 7 Director. The big focus on was on broadband and ECE’s plan to bring fiber optic to the homes of all Wilma residents within the next five years.

MAT Spring Short Course: March 15 – 16: They were changed to online only. All sessions were free and are all still available on the MAT website, including downloads and power-points:

Information-library: https://www.mntownships.org/information-library/spring-short-courses Handout on Links to MAT Resources and Attorneys: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1jywJ0v-cDIX1XDMAfZnKFszJKKUNmn4S/view

New Officer Orientation Day 1, March 14, 2022: Outline of Power point: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ASRAt7hAI-EMza6NB2FsJWDvDrcsa5_f/view

Video for New Officers: https://youtu.be/HIiQWkWkTrA

Conflict Resolution, For All Board Members: Handout: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-CSxh0kd3HiGPelIf0Cx4KOq6AeTRvrA/view

Video on Conflict Resolution: https://youtu.be/gvMv8LB_o5E

Harassment in the Workplace (For All Officers:) Handout: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Jc3q4fqg9Lzdjrl8tyNCj7l4k1uvFQt0/view

Sample Anti-Harassment Policy: https://drive.google.com/file/d/18PSpuYn3_d0XEQfsyp2zO5wzio5NTePd/view

Video on Harassment in the workplace: https://youtu.be/87emS6q2NeY

Video on Legislative Updates (For All Officers): https://youtu.be/r0CeKADv83s

Town Roads, Topics and Q&A (For Supervisors and Road Manager): Power-point Roads: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ZwdpGH0wfwcQUnbyzv73VklWRAzdObQY/view

Video on Roads: https://youtu.be/2L_tf_BTwbQ

CTAS Investments (Clerks and Treasurers): Power-point: https://youtu.be/2L_tf_BTwbQ Video: https://youtu.be/HfcLmlc_XbQ

CTAS Transfers and Indebtedness: Power-point: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1JD98CaRhk55Fy50Zz0hgvqOPl5c-FHuk/edit#slide=id.p1 Video: https://youtu.be/QEhl1nVsKRs

Handout: Year-end Reporting: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1A6ncf7w2ga5TtH9ZdRNCm7wnAKHhiHEEntTZHzw2HmA/edit Handout: CTAS Chart of Accounts 2022: https://drive.google.com/file/d/15F4bHX5xZacyLPqQlaesK5PGzyrNCDuz/view

NEW BUSINESS: Board of Appeal/Equalization: For voters to appeal 2023 property tax assessments, will be Monday, April 11, 2022, 1 p.m. With County Assessor Lorri L. Houtsma and Wilma Assessor Bob Brewster. So far we have received no appeals.

Garbage Pickup Increase andTownship Dumpster: The Tri-Township Disposal District Board is restricting pickup to improved parcels only, with no refunds, at $80 per year, $3.08 per pickup day. Weekenders without cabins will be dumping at our dumpster. Mike said people have been abusing our dumpster and he took three TV’s to Pine City today. He proposed moving the dumpster behind the town hall and putting up a No Dumping sign in the front near the outhouse. Stefanie said we should get a professional sign. Glen proposed a resolution stating that the Wilma Town Hall dumpster is only for Wilma Town Hall and Fire Department use, and that signs be posted prohibiting dumping. Maureen seconded. Passed. Paul will get a sign from M&R Signs.

Unemployment Accounts: We are not being billed for unemployment payments for the Grader Operator this year so far, and we received some help from the stimulus bill so we don’t have large payments like other years. We just got our first bill for about $245. Mike apparently thought we were talking about the premium, not the payments for the grader operator, and thought this was high. Paul read the letter from the MN Unemployment regarding their subsidy, and that we may owe a total of $2,000 eventually.

Dental/Life Insurance: Gary’s beneficiary got his life insurance. We need to enroll Maureen. We are canceling Gary’s dental insurance with Ameritas, but Patrice said she needs some major work and wants to sign up. She needs the premium plan for her type of work which is $50 per month and asked if the township would continue to pay half for dental insurance. Mike moved that the township pay half of Patrice’s dental premium; Glen seconded. Passed.

Treasurer’s Report and Claims: Patrice gives the treasurer’s report. Total bills for April are $3,962.80. Total to transfer from savings to checking, $4,000.00. Mike moved to approve her report and to transfer the funds. Maureen seconded.

Motion to Adjourn: Mike moved to adjourn the meeting; Glen seconded. Meeting adjourned at 9:15 p.m.