Category: Board Minutes

Minutes of Wilma Township, Pine County, Minnesota

WEDNESDAY, MAY 5, 2021 WILMA TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS’ MEETING

Ervin Kleinschmidts Board Minutes, Treasurer's Report

WEDNESDAY, MAY 5, 2021  WILMA TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS’ MEETING

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, and Road Manager Alden Shute, plus Kim Felton, Rod Sorgaard and Cindy Kleinschmidt.    April Meeting Record:   Paul read the record of the April meeting.  Mike moved to approve; Gary seconded.

            ROAD REPORT:  Beaver Damage on Town Roads:   Alden said beavers have plugged up the culverts on Eagle Head Road, causing flooding.  He will be cleaning them out.  Mayfield Road:  Alden had to get Hopkins Gravel out with a backhoe to clear out the beaver obstructions.  The road is ok now.

            Grader repair:  Alden got new filters for the grader. 

            Supervisor’s Road Inspection Meeting:   Date for inspection.  Alden is back at work and can’t take a day off.  Glen said Tuesdays are best for him; he can’t do it on a Saturday.  Mike moved that Alden and Gary do a road inspection this weekend, either May 8 or 9, and take good notes that the board can refer to on their inspection and flag areas or note the mile markers.  And then the board do a formal road inspection on Tuesday, May 11 at 10 a.m.  Gary seconded.  Paul will post it, notify Jason Palme and Cheryl Wickham, and Glen will put it on the website.

            Anderson Acres Easement:   Property owner at the end of Anderson Acres Drive wants to ditch electricity to the end.  He wants to know who got the original easements for the road and how he can get an easement to use the road for his electricity.  Mike said he needs to go to the county.

            Rod Sorgaaard asked what is going on with Schmedeke Lane. Mike said that Carlson Timber is selling parcels.  Patrice said her nephew bought one.

            OLD BUSINESS:  WILMA ESCROW ACCOUNTS:   Mark Sauter Logging, S. Duncan Road: He is still working on this project, so board will keep the escrow active.  Carlson Timber, Schmedeke Lane;  Patrice returned their full $500 escrow.  Wermerskichen Timber: Escrow transferred to Road and Bridge.  Patrice can’t delete a fund but can put it to zero.  Midwest Hardwood Corp.:  S. Duncan Road. Patrice returned the full balance of $276.   Hayward Land & Logging, Tamarack Pine Drive, $500. Their escrow was put into Road and Bridge. 

            T&T: The board had directed Paul to contact the MAT Township Attorney about the $1,923.25 of T&T’s money we are holding, some for roads as long ago as 2009. Karl-Christian Johannessen, Staff Attorney for the Minnesota Assoc. of Townships said:   “I believe your first email indicated that no one has reached out to the town regarding the funds, if this is the case, it may be best not to do anything with the funds at this time.   It would be best to keep the funds in their designated escrow account and not to use or transfer the money until the town has consulted with its town attorney. If the town would like to move to some of this money, finding the legal method would likely take consultation with your private township attorney.” Glen moved that we amend our Weight Limit Ordinance to state that if any logger/hauler does not schedule an inspection after their work is finished and request a refund of their escrow moneys within 24 months that their escrow is forfeited, and to make this retroactive to the date of the original ordinance, and that the T&T Logging Escrow account moneys be forfeited and put into Road & Bridge. Mike seconded.

            Garbage Pickup Increase:  The Tri-Township Disposal District Board sent out a Notice of Proposal (attached).  They cannot refund payments on more than one parcel so are proposing restricting pickup to improved parcels only, with no refunds, at $80 per year, $3.08 per pickup day.  Mike said he has concerns that people who are used to having pickup after a weekend but who don’t have improved parcels will still put out their garbage and won’t know about the change.   Gary said refunds can still be requested until September.

            NEW BUSINESS:   Diesel Fuel:  Duxbury VFD filled Big Red Saturday night after the N. Duncan Road fire, about 37.3 gallons; the fire department will pay the town.

            June Board Meeting Change:    Paul requested that the June board meeting be changed from June2 to Wednesday, June 9, so he can go to Puerto Rico.  Glen moved that the date be changed; Mike seconded.  Paul will post the notice and it will be on the website.

             Treasurer’s Report and Claims:  Patrice gave the treasurer’s report.  Total bills for April are  $4,410.19. Total to transfer  from savings to checking, $4,400.00. 

050521WilmaTownshipTreasuresReportDownload

 Motion to Adjourn:    Mike moved to adjourn the meeting; Gary seconded.  Meeting adjourned at 8:30 p.m.

                        Report by Paul Raymond _________________________________

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 7, 2021 WILMA TOWNSHIP BOARD OF REORGANIZATION AND SUPERVISORS’ MEETING

Ervin Kleinschmidts Board Minutes, Board of Reorganization, Treasurer's Report

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 7, 2021  WILMA TOWNSHIP BOARD OF REORGANIZATION AND SUPERVISORS’ MEETING

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, and Road Manager Alden Shute, plus Arna Supervisors Pam Berg and Jan Proffit.  Patrice made a pie and shared it with everyone before the meeting.

            BOARD OF REORGANIZATION:    Mike took the Oath of Office for Supervisor, Patrice for Treasurer. Mike nominated Glen Williamson to serve as Chairman; Gary seconded.  Passed.  Mike moved that Gary Vink 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 2020 as proposed at the March meeting be adopted:   Chairman $105/meeting (over three hours, $22.50/hour);  Supervisors,  $100/meeting (over three hours additional $20.00/hour);  Clerk and Treasurer $100/meeting. Special reports and paperwork  $18/hour.  Election judges $16/hour (including head judge).  Grader Operator $25/hour for grading and plowing; $20 hour for inspections and reports;  Assistant Grader Operator, $20; General labor $16/hour; Major mechanical work, $30/hour; Mechanic Assistant, $16/hour; Annual Meeting Moderator, $75/meeting; Out of town meetings, $150/full day; $100/half day. Mileage at Federal rate, now $.57.5/mile.  Hourly rate, Chairman $22.50; Supervisors $20 (Supervisor Labor $16/Hour) . Zoom meetings $20 per hour for all board members.   

            Mileage:  Federal rate for officers, judges, delegated township representatives, for judges training, township officers training, and association meetings, etc.  $.56/mi. For 2021. Gary seconded; passed.

             Monthly Board Meetings:    Glen moved that we meet the first Wednesday of each month at 7:30 p.m. in 2021/2022.  Gary seconded.                                                      

Township Donations:  Requests from OSAC, Family Pathways, Pine County Historical Association and Seven County Senior Federation for continued contracts. At 2018’s annual meeting, a total of $300 for all requests was approved by the voters for 10 years. Mike moved to give $75 apiece to each of them; Glen seconded.  Passed.

            Snowplowing 2021/2022:   Mike moved that we keep our private drive snowplowing rates for the 2021-2022 season the same as last year:  $75; Drives over 700′, $100;  1,000′ to ½ mile: $175/season; over ½ mile, $350.  Gary seconded; passed.

            BOARD OF SUPERVISOR’S MEETING:  March Meeting Record:   Paul read the record of the March 3 meeting.  Mike moved to approve; Gary seconded.

            ROAD REPORT:   Pete Anderson Range Line Road:   Arna Township Supervisors Jan Proffit and Pam Berg asked to speak about the invoice for road work on the Pete Anderson Road, to get clarification on the charges. Jan  said the copy she saw was so faint it could not be read, but it was for $1200 for ditching on Pete Anderson Road.  She said they were never contacted for approval for this project.  Alden said he took responsibility for that omission and will contact them from now on for major work.  Paul gave Cheryl the addendum to the old Arna Agreement that said Wilma would do all road work on Pete Anderson Road and bill Arna half. He said the invoice he sent Cheryl Wickham was very clear, so she may have made a copy that was faint. Paul apologized for misplacing his copy of the invoice he sent to Arna and will ask Cheryl to send him a copy. He will ask if Arna wants us to mow Pete Anderson Road or if they want to do it.  Alden  gave his report on plowing/grading, repairs, etc.   Alden inspected all roads for winter damage and bladed some roads but most were too wet.  We didn’t have too many frost boils this year.  Supervisor’s Road Inspection Meeting:   Date for inspection will be set at May 5 Board Meeting. Alden wants to put some gravel on some roads, to be finalized at the road inspection. 

            Jerry’s Roadside Mowing Bid:  Jerry Telker says his original bid of $1,000 to $1,500 will likely be lower depending on what roads we want done; closer to $550 – $750.  Mike moved that we hire Jerry’s Mowing to do our roads in 2021.  Gary seconded; passed.

            OLD BUSINESS: Escrow Accounts:   Patrice does not want to keep carrying over escrow accounts for long-completed road projects. Attached is a report of escrow accounts and roads they were for; some going back to 2013. Board decisions: T&T Logging was dissolved and the two Fornengo brothers formed a new company. The board directed Paul to contact the MAT Township Attorney about the $1,923.25 of their money we are holding, some for roads as long ago as 2009. Mark Sauter Logging, S. Duncan Road: He is still working on this project, so keep the escrow.  Carlson Timber, Schmedeke Lane;  return full $500 escrow.  Wermerskichen Timber: Gary said he remembers there was some damage 8 years ago. Mark Pallow was Road Manager then and no report of damages was given to Patrice or Paul. Gary moved to take their whole $500; Mike seconded.  Midwest Hardwood Corp.: S. Duncan Road.  Some damage was taken out in 2014; Glen moved to return the full balance of $276. Gary seconded.  Hayward Land & Logging, Tamarack Pine Drive, $500. Gary said he remembers there was some damage 7 years ago.  Gary moved to take their whole $500; Mike seconded. Patrice will put these escrow accounts into the regular R&B Fund.

            MAT Spring Short Course:  They were changed to online only.  All sessions were  free and are all still available on the MAT website, including downloads and power-points.   Supervisors Day 1:  Cyber security; Easiest Catch:  the Dark Net;   Weed Inspections & Noxious Weed Law;   Understanding Your Fire Department;  The Danger of Nature: Town Powers and Obligations with Noxious Weeds and Destructive Animals.  Clerks & Treasurers:  May – What a Typical Month in Clerking Looks Like?  “Treasurer 101;”  Junk Drawer of Questions & Technology Options.   All Officers Training: Special Meetings;   Personal Injury Claims Against the Town.

            Pine County Township Officers’ Meeting:   Was Saturday, March 27, 9 am at the Community Center, Hinckley, hosted by Wilma Township.  Four board members attended.  Good attendance with at least 50 officers and speakers and reports by Senator Jason Rarick and Representative Nathan Nelson,  County Attorney Reese Frederickson, County Auditor Kelly Schroeder, Caleb Anderson from Zoning and Septic; Commissioners Teri Lovgren and Steve Hallan, Brett Grundemeier from the DNR.

            NEW BUSINESS:   Board of Appeal/Equalization: For voters to appeal 2022 property tax assessments, will be Monday, April 12, 2019, 1 p.m. by Conference Call for County Assessor Lorri L. Houtsma and Supervisor Mike McCullen. Glen will have a speaker for his phone.  Wilma Assessor Bob Brewster will attend in person.  So far we have received no appeals.

            Garbage Pickup Increase:  The Tri-Township Disposal District Board has sent out a Notice of Proposal (attached).  They cannot refund payments on more than one parcel so are proposing restricting pickup to improved parcels only, with no refunds, at $80 per year, $3.08 per pickup day.  Our board has concerns that people who are used to having pickup after a weekend but who don’t have improved parcels will still put out their garbage and won’t know about the change.   Who picks up all this garbage, the county?

            Unemployment Accounts:  We are not being billed for unemployment this year so far, and may receive some help from the stimulus bill so we don’t have large payments if our appeals fail.  We won’t be billed until July.

            Application for Utility Permit on Vink Road by East Central Energy:  Starting at existing junction box on east side of road north 1,550 feet, 3 feet deep underground cable. Glen moved to approve the application but to ask for $1,000 escrow against any damage to the road.  Mike seconded.  Passed.  Glen and Alden signed the permit.

            3.2 Beer License for Duxbury Store:   Glen moved that Duxbury Store be given a beer license; Mike seconded; Gary abstained.  Glen and Paul signed the County permit and Gary will send it to the county.

             Treasurer’s Report and Claims:  Patrice gives the treasurer’s report.  Total bills for April are  $3,572.01. Total to transfer  from savings to checking, $3,500.00. 

040721WilmaTownshipTreasuresReportDownload

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

                        Report by Paul Raymond ___________________________________

WILMA TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS’ MEETING, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 3, 2021

Ervin Kleinschmidts Board Minutes

WILMA TOWNSHIP  BOARD OF SUPERVISORS’ MEETING, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 3, 2021

Chairman Glen Williamson called the Board of Supervisors’ meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance.  Also present: Supervisor Gary Vink, Treasurer Patrice Winfield, Clerk Paul Raymond, Grader Operator Alden Shute, and Stan Riley.

            Meeting Record:  Paul read the record of the February 10 board meeting.  Gary moved to approve; Glen seconded.

            ROAD REPORT:  Alden didn’t know the cost of diesel when he last bought it. The fire department needs to reimburse the town for 15 gallons of fuel.

            Lost River Road Damage:   Pat Story said he got two flat tires and he thinks the people working on the parcel second drive on the right side are responsible.  Alden and Gary inspected Lost River Road and it was covered in snow but Alden bladed the road to smooth it out.  We will charge the owners when we find out who they are, $150 for special plowing.

            Master Switch Grader:   Alden said the plow is hard to start and he may need to replace the master switch.

            Mowing Township Roads:  He contacted Gary Talkar who does mowing for many towns around here.  He said he thought he could mow all 15 miles of our road for around $700, under $1,000 for sure.  Alden needs a decision by the end of June.

            Escrow Accounts:   Patrice said she is tired of having all these old escrow accounts for road projects that ended years ago.  Discussion on just putting the money into the R&B fund.  Paul said we can’t do that; we need to notify them and return the escrows if there was no road damage.  If there had been, it would have been taken out of them long ago.  He thinks we need to deduct any bookkeeping fees and return the escrows. He will research it and make a report for the board.  Glen asked to read the Ordinance on the 7-Ton Axle Weight Limit on Wilma Roads and our escrow requirements

            OLD BUSINESS:  Legislative & Research Committee Meeting:  Was Wednesday, February 17. Paul attended three sessions and gave a report to the board. He encouraged officers to check out some of the sessions which are now available online. Every officer received a L&R manual. Meetings are virtual Zoom meetings; click this link on MAT Website and scroll down to the L&R Committee Meetings in black and you will find the links in red below: https://mntownships.org/legislative-updates/   General Session; Transportation Committee; Local Government Committee; Legislative panel with Q&A; Government Operations; Environment; Taxes; Annexation. Jane Youngkranz is one of the speakers and had a lot to say about green energy and some of the drawbacks of windmills and lithium batteries.

            NEW BUSINESS:  Annual Town Meeting and Election:    The election for Supervisor and Treasurer and the Annual Town Meeting will be Tuesday, March 9.  Polls open  5 – 8 p.m.  Paul, Gary and Stefanie will judge. Absentee ballot period open until March 9.  Mike and Patrice are up for re-election.

            Garbage Board Increase:   Gary said the Garbage Board is planning to change the charge to only Improved Parcels for garbage pickup, but they will need to increase the rate to $80 per improved parcel.  Paul asked what happens if someone with trailer comes up on weekends and leaves all their garbage for pickup and they didn’t pay anything? Gary will find out.  He said to put this on the agenda for the annual meeting; they want the voters imput.

            Special County Commissioners’ Meeting on Broadband:   David Minke notified Glen of a virtual Commissioner’s meeting on Broadband on February 23, 2021. 65 people attended the meeting. Glen said he didn’t have time to notify any board members.  Glen attended and said there is a new satellite system by Elon Musk called Starlink with many low-orbit satellites giving very fast internet, 100 MB/second. The satellite dish costs $499 and the monthly fee is $99/month. 

            Stan Riley Take-out Business:   New Wilma resident Stan Riley said he and his wife hope to set up a small take-out food business on their property just north of the Duxbury Rd. on Tamarack River Road. He will get a 3.2 beer license and a cigarette license.  Paul gave him the cigarette license to fill out.  He needs to go to the county to get the beer license. Phone 612/412-3973. He asked for the population of Wilma and surrounding towns; Paul will send it to him. Glen wished him success and told him about the Annual Town Meeting next Tuesday.

            Pine County Township Officers’ Meeting:   Will be Saturday, March 27, 9 am at the Community Center in Hinckley.  Wilma is hosting and setting up.

            Board of Appeal for Property Tax Valuation:   Will be Monday, April 12, 1 p.m. At the Wilma Town Hall, Duxbury.  To appeal assessment for 2022 taxes. Mike will be gone working so Gary and Glen will have to be here.  Glen has been certified, and Gary thinks he may still be also.

            MAT Spring Short Course:  Changed to online only.  Register at MAT Website https://mntownships.org/training-events/#1515186337595-edfed443-c96d   All Free:  Supervisors Day 1, March 23, 9:am – 1 p.m.  9 a.m. ‘Easiest Catch: Don’t Be Another Fish in the Dark ‘Net;’  10 a.m.: ‘Weed Inspections & Noxious Weed Law;’ 11 a.m.: ‘Understanding Your Fire Department;’  12 p.m.: ‘The Danger of Nature: Town Powers and Obligations with Noxious Weeds and Destructive Animals.’  Clerks & Treasurers Day 1  Thursday March 25: 10:00am: ‘May – What a Typical Month in Clerking Looks Like?’  11:00am: ‘Treasurer 101—Now that I am a treasurer what do I do?’ 1 2:00pm: ‘Junk Drawer of Questions & Technology Options.’  (Repeated April 1)    All Officers Training, Tuesday, March 30: 11:00am: ‘Special Meetings;’ 12:00 pm: ‘We Would be Negligent to Not Explain It: Personal Injury Claims Against the Town.’

             Treasurer’s Report and Claims:   Patrice gave the Treasurer’s Report (attached). Total bills for March, $1,134.86, for a transfer of $1,100.  Gary moved to approve her report and to make the transfer.  Glen seconded; passed.

030321WilmaTownshipTreasuresReportDownload

 Report by Paul Raymond _________________________________

Attest:  Glen Williamson, Chair______________________________