Motions are tagged in bold. Meetings are tape recorded to facilitate preparation of minutes.

Transcription

1 November 9, 2015 PERCH LAKE TOWNSHIP MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MONTHLY MEETING Motions are tagged in bold. Meetings are tape recorded to facilitate preparation of minutes. Acronyms: BLASD-Big Lake Area Sanitary District, CAFD-Cloquet Area Fire District, CCATO-Carlton County Association of Townships, and WLSSD-Western Lake Superior Sanitary District 1. CALL TO ORDER, ROLL CALL & PLEDGE Chair Dave DeLovely opened the meeting at 7:00 p.m. with roll call and pledge. Members present: Staff present: Supervisor Gary Harms, Chair Dave DeLovely, Supervisor Phil Johnson, Treasurer Cheri DeMenge, Clerk Lora Eames. Deputy Clerk Lucille Larson 2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA MOTION (Johnson/Harms): To approve the November 9, 2015, agenda with one change: Move 11-c "Status of Report from Troy Gilchrist, Kennedy & Graven, Chartered," to APPROVAL OF MINUTES MOTION (Johnson/Harms): To approve the October 12, 2015, regular meeting minutes as recorded. MOTION (Johnson/Harms): To approve the November 2, 2015, special budget meeting minutes as recorded. 4. APPROVAL OF TREASURER S REPORT MOTION (Harms/Johnson): To approve the Treasurer's Report as presented with a cash balance of $265, for the period ending October 31, 2015, with no red flags. 5. CORRESPONDENCE Clerk Lora Eames and Board members reviewed correspondence received since October. 6. MONTHLY WORKING BUDGET ON EXCEL & PRINTED REPORT Clerk Eames reported for October: $1,630 in receipts, $47,606 in expenses, and a negative $45,976 difference. The 2015 YTD difference became a negative $4,335. Eames estimated possible December receipts of $32,000 plus (based on last year) from second half payouts of taxes and Town Aid. RECEIPTS & EXPENSES OCT 2015 YTD 2015 YTD 2014 Receipts $1,630 $138,760 $129,971 Expenses (47,606) (143,095) (230,482) Difference ($45,976) ($4,335) ($100,511)

2 7. BIG LAKE AREA SANITARY DISTRICT (BLASD) Project - $13.1 million sewer line around Big Lake, along Big Lake Road Corridor, to WLSSD. a. Regular report (Supervisor Phil Johnson) (1) Supervisor Johnson was unable to attend the BLASD meeting of October 13, 2015, but provided a written and verbal report of BLASD actions and events during the last month. See Exhibit C for additional details. (a) The USDA Rural Development has denied the District's funding request for The grant money requested was higher than allowed. (b) The focus now is to find alternative funding sources. b. Questions/Comments (1) Johnson noted that the District may have a new opportunity with Tribal Chair Karen Diver, a strong supporter, taking a new position with the Obama administration. (2) Supervisor Harms: What about next year's bonding bill? Johnson responded that he spoke with BLASD Chair Fredrickson, who plans to focus on next year's bonding bill. In fact, they have budgeted for a lobbyist again. (3) Resident Kurt Besser: What specifically is the USDA asking for? Johnson responded that everyone agrees it is a good project. However, the District should have asked for $3 million in a grant and $3 million in a loan. They will have to seek a $3 million source elsewhere. The application continues to be viable for ROAD AND BRIDGE a. Regular report (Supervisor Phil Johnson) (1) Supervisor Johnson provided a written and verbal report of Road and Bridge actions and events during the last month. See Exhibit D for additional details. (a) Tom DeLovely reported that the roads are in good condition. (b) Wayne Thom trapped two beavers at Culvert 4 and will proceed to Culvert 19. (c) Johnson recommended approval of Resolution (see NB 10-f) for a 35 mile-per-hour speed limit on Lakeview Drive and signage. (d) Johnson received an inquiry from Theresa Bultman regarding a possible new driveway access on Strand Road. He will report back next month. 9. CLOQUET AREA FIRE DISTRICT a. Regular Report (Supervisor Gary Harms/Chair Dave DeLovely) Report from Attorney Troy Gilchrist, Kennedy & Graven, Chartered, re Township Withdrawal from CAFD. Supervisor Harms asked Clerk Eames to distribute copies of the legal opinion from the Township's Attorney Troy Gilchrist to the six paid-on-call CAFD members in attendance: Quinten Anderson (Captain) Matt Hecht (Captain) Tanya Nelson (FF/EMR) Brian Ninneman (Captain) Steve Olson (Fire Equipment Operator) Star Tezak (EMR) Harms explained that the Board has considered Township withdrawal from the District primarily because of the following issues: (i) a 12% levy increase in 2016; (ii) management issues not properly handled; and (iii) obvious training problems. 11/09/15 minutes Page 2 of 5

3 10. NEW BUSINESS He summarized Gilcrhist's report as follows: The Town Board can give written notice anytime in January; withdrawal must be done by resolution. The Township would pay a penalty of 200% of the amount allocated to it during the year of withdrawal (needs clarification). The Township would have no rights to the equipment transferred to the District and would have to re-equip. Perch Lake taxpayers would be responsible for taxes levied by the District in 2015 and collected in 2016, but not thereafter. The Town Board would hold one or two public hearings on this topic. Quinten Anderson reported that (i) Perch Lake paid-on-call members have chosen to stay with the District or retire if the Township withdraws; (ii) the rumor about low morale is not true among the members; and (iii) they receive good equipment and training. (Each member in attendance verbally confirmed that he/she would remain with the District.) Supervisor Johnson commented that what he heard about morale differs markedly with the McGrath Report. (The report described poor morale and training among paid-on-call staff.) Anderson and others replied that McGrath did not adequately represent their member views. Board members asked why certain high-priced training equipment was not readily available to paid-on-call members, but widely distributed to departments outside the District. Anderson blamed the lack of availability on equipment breakdowns and training schedule priorities. Chair DeLovely raised concerns about the potentially high cost of a new fire station to Perch Lake taxpayers, increasing administrative costs, the fact that the District's resources are located in one spot, and the lack of plans for building or program upgrades at Station 2. Both sides discussed a variety of related topics and ways to keep communication open. Also, paid-on-call staff encouraged Board members to continue to push for (i) improved fire and ambulance services; and (ii) lower costs. MOTION (Harms/Johnson): To take no action on the Troy Gilchrist report at this time. Kurt Besser asked if Perch Lake residents would vote on this issue. Harms responded that the Town Board would vote on the issue after holding public hearings. a. Housekeeping Items. None b. Approve legal, if needed, for new BLASD appointment in December. Supervisor Johnson announced that he was available for reappointment in December. Therefore, the Board will not advertise for new members and place this on the agenda for December. c. Windows 10 Upgrade MOTION (Harms/Johnson): To approve the Clerk's request to have Downtown Computer (Duluth) install Windows 10 upgrades in the Township's two computers, at approximately $95 11/09/15 minutes Page 3 of 5

4 per computer. d. Transfer balance of Road and Bridge Capital Improvements Fund MOTION (Johnson/Harms): To approve the transfer of the Road & Bridge Capital Improvements (CI) Fund, $34,224.69, to the Road and Bridge Fund. e Meeting Dates MOTION (Harms/Johnson): To approve the 2016 Regular Meeting Schedule for posting. f. Resolution for lower speed limit and signs on Lakeview Drive MOTION (Harms/Johnson): To approve Resolution No , resolving that 35 m.p.h. regulatory speed limit signs be erected on Lakeview Drive in accordance with the Minnesota Uniform Manual on Traffic Control Devices. g. Purchase of signs for Lakeview Drive 11. OLD BUSINESS MOTION (Harms/Johnson): To authorize approximately $1,000 for the purchase and placement of signs by the County on Lakeview Drive. a. Previously Approved Housekeeping Items. None b. Review/act on items from Special Budget Meeting Board members deferred discussion and formal approval of the 2016 Budget to December. c. Status of report from Troy J. Gilchrist. See item 9. d. Report from those attending the October 27, 2015, CCATO meeting (Transp. Building). 12. VISITORS Those who attended agreed that the presentation on Pictometry was noteworthy. Supervisor Johnson has indicated an interest in the County Assessor's training. There were nine visitors. Resident Kurt Besser reported that the Big Lake Improvement Association (i) plans to install an improved sign at the public landing and (ii) has 2016 calendars available. 13. APPROVE AND PAY CLAIMS Supervisor Johnson asked Clerk Eames if she had obtained Board preauthorization for extra hours claimed beyond the $150 supplemental wage. She acknowledged that she had not done so; however, she had proceeded, based on her understanding from past supervisory approvals for completing required work. She offered to relinquish her check pending further discussion next month; however, Board members had no further questions at this time and approved all claims. 11/09/15 minutes Page 4 of 5

5 MOTION (Harms/Johnson): To approve the payment of the following claims from the period of November 1 through November 30, ADJOURNMENT $3, #3343-# , Payroll $5, Total MOTION (Johnson/Harms): To adjourn the meeting without recording the time. Respectfully submitted, Approved by Town Board Lora Eames, Clerk Dave DeLovely, Chair 15. EXHIBITS AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST a. Exhibit A - Treasurer's Report b. Exhibit B - Clerk's Budget Report c. Exhibit C - BLASD Report d. Exhibit D - Road & Bridge Report e. Exhibit E - Claims List 11/09/15 minutes Page 5 of 5