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, Road Manager Alden Shute, and Stan Riley. August Meeting Record: Paul read the record of the August meeting. Gary moved to approve; Glen seconded.
ROAD REPORT: Alden said he has graded all the township roads a couple of times. He had gravel put down on the North and South Duncan Roads. The culverts were put in Crooked Lake Road and Paul should bill Danforth Township for half of the cost of the culverts. Alden said he confronted a problem when doing a locate on Crooked Lake Road Google Maps says that the name of the road is South Range Line Road and that Crooked Lake Road is located in Danforth township a few miles west. Mike said that is obviously wrong and he can contact Google Maps to correct it. Alden said he will start working on digging out the frost boils on Tamarack Pine Drive and on the Vink Road.
Township Road Mowing: Alden said if citizens are going to complain about the job Jerry’s Mowing did on our township roads that he’d suggest we don’t do any mowing from now on. Mike said we just need to remind any citizens who complain that we only mow the right of way, not up to the tree line.
ECE Road Excavation on Dollar Lake Road: Alden said that on Dollar Lake Road that ECE only worked in the ditch, not on the road. They have not contacted him yet for an inspection on the Vink Road. We will return the $1,000 for Vink Road once they confirm that the work is done and Alden can inspect it.
OLD BUSINESS: American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA): Pine Co. Planning Meeting. Paul attended the second meeting on July 27 at the North Pine Government Center in Sandstone. Wilma has already received half of our ARPA funds. Our dollar amount isn’t calculated based on our budget or our spending but on our population, which is 63 @ $105/person, $6,615. Mike said he thought we could ask for more funding and that the fire department can request funding from the township. Paul said we won’t get any more than the $6,000, but Mike can call Commissioner Terry Lovgren to confirm this. Possibilities for funding: Extension of our Town Hall broadband budget to give us more months of service. We can buy laptops for Mike and Gary and a printer for Patrice. Paul said Minnesota Surplus has Dell laptops with power cords for $70, with cameras. Mike and Gary said they aren’t interested. We can donate to the fire department for lost revenue. We need to document how we spent it.
Liquor and Cigarette License: Stan Riley has started a new business at the corner of Duxbury and Tamarack River Roads, selling propane, prepared lunches, and hopes to add liquor and strong beer and cigarettes. He needs Wilma Board approval to get the licenses. Mike said he has had anonymous complaints about people parking in the county right of way on Tamarack River Road. Glen asked who is doing the complaining and said he did not like anonymous reports. If someone has a concern about an issue, they need to come to a meeting and state it publicly. Stan said he is having his trailer moved tomorrow and that he will have almost 50 feet of parking off-road so the parking issue is over. Mike said he still will not vote for a liquor license for Stan until the parking issue is resolved, but he did second Glen’s motion to approve the cigarette license. Gary abstained.
Mowing Town Hall: The Board hired Stan Riley at $20/hour to both mow and weed-whip the hall lawn, and he will do it tomorrow. Hall Foundation: Paul reinforced the blocks with bricks.
District 7 Meeting: Was Thursday, August 12, 7 p.m. In Monticello. Paul attended by Zoom: The first hour was just the Monticello town board explaining how they treat roads for dust and maintain their roads. Also on the agenda was Government Relations update and discussion on how we can use our ARPA funds.
NEW BUSINESS: Couri & Ruppe Annual Township Legal Seminar: Will be Saturday, September 25, 2021, Rutledge Town Hall. Mike wants to go and Paul will register for himself and for Mike.
Town Hall Chairs: Patrice asked permission to borrow the town hall chairs for her birthday celebration for her father, Holace on Sept. 11. Mike moved to approve; Gary seconded.
2021 MAT EDUCATIONAL CONFERENCE AND ANNUAL MEETING: Will be virtual online again, and free of charge, September 9, 10. 11. Agenda: Sept. 9, Thurs. 8-11 a.m. Town Law Review: four one-hour sessions on township government. (Septic Systems; Township legal issues; Town Road Law; Employment Basics for townships.) Friday evening breakout sessions from 6 – 9 p.m. (Veterans Services; Fire Departments; Clerk and Treasurer support and Q&A., Gravel Roads, Mental Health for Officers). Saturday, annual business meeting
Treasurer’s Report and Claims: Patrice gave treasurers’ report: Total bills for August, $3,712.39. Total to transfer, $3,700. Gary moved to approve her report and to transfer the funds. Mike seconded. Gary moved to adjourn the meeting; Mike seconded. Meeting adjourned at 9.00.