WILMA TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS’ MEETING, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 5, 2020

WILMA TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS’ MEETING, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 5, 2020

Public Automark Test

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, Pat Story, and Grader Operator Alden Shute.

Meeting Record: Paul read the record of the July board meeting. Mike moved to approve; Gary seconded.

ROAD REPORT: Alden graded Heller Drive and McCullen Drive. Road Construction Projects for 2020: The big gravel project on Lost River Road is completed with 23 loads of gravel put down and graded. The River Cabin Road frost boil at the end was dug out and rock was put down. The Mona Drive project got 13 loads of gravel. Pat Story said the gravel on Lost River Road is a beautiful color and made a good road, but the cul-de-sac didn’t get new gravel. Alden said that’s because he put gravel on that part of the road within the past two years.

Alden said it’s difficult to reach the grader for cleaning and asked if he could purchase a ladder for the township. Glen moved that he be authorized to buy a 8′ fiberglass ladder; Mike seconded. Passed.

OLD BUSINESS: OLD BUSINESS: Pine County Taking Over Wilma’s Septic Inspections and Permits: Pine County has taken over Wilma Township’s septic inspections and permits, effective July 17th. Tim McCullen was their first inspection and permit.

Public Hearing to Solicit Testimony in Consideration of the Reclassification and Sale of 53 Acres of Tax Forfeited Land in Section 18 in Wilma Township: The Board of Commissioners met yesterday at the N. Pine Government Center, Sandstone. Mike attended this meeting and presented Wilma’s position against the sale of public lands in Wilma Township and he said the Commissioners had a long and involved discussion. Some of them seemed very sympathetic to Wilma’s position but only one voted on our side. They said we could petition to acquire the Dollar Lake parcel for the township like we did the park, but Mike said that is not an option for us. Mike was impressed by how informed Steve Chafee was, but he still voted against us. The head of the forestry division was there and Mike spoke for a long time with him. The sale of the landlocked parcel by Glienke’s was voted on and decided earlier, and they advised us that if someone buys it and petitions for a cartway for access that we get a full escrow to cover ourselves for any damages. Mike said they gave him a good hearing and reminded him that there are over 8,000 acres of public land in Wilma Township out of a total of 23,600 acres. Mike said they said we will get 10% of the sale of any tax-forfeited land. They have two more parcels on North Duncan Road, 200 acres, that they want to sell, probably after they clear cut it. Much of the county land is in dedicated memorial forest and cannot be sold.

Contract with Duxbury Volunteer Fire Department: Our annual payment of $4,500 is due, with a new contract to sign. Gary said that was decided at the Annual Meeting; Paul said that only the levy was approved; the board approves contracts. Glen moved that we renew our contract for fire and medical services with the Duxbury Volunteer Fire Department and pay the $4,500 fee; Mike seconded.

Mandatory Judge Training for 2020 Elections: Head Judge/Clerk training was Monday, June 29; regular Judge Training was Monday and Tuesday, July 27 and 28. Paul, Patrice and Gary attended; Glen and Stefanie will take it online.

NEW BUSINESS: Mowing Town Hall: As per Mike’s suggestion, Paul contacted Brock Bloomquist of the Pine Co. Sheriff’s Dept. Sentence -to-Serve program to ask him to mow the hall lawn when he did the County Garage and the Duxbury VFD Fire Dept. Eagle Head Station. He did a good job.

NEW BUSINESS: Primary Election: Will be next Tuesday, August 11, polls open from 10 a.m. To 8 p.m. Paul, Patrice and Stefanie will judge. Automark Public Test: Paul did the test while Patrice was completing the payroll; the new machine was very responsive and it went quickly. Filing Period for November 3, 2020 Election: Kelly Schroeder said deadline to file for the 11/2/2020 election is 5 p.m. Tuesday, August 18, 2020, including for District 3 County Commissioner.

District 7 Meeting: Will be Thursday, August 13 via Zoom. Ballots for Director were mailed to all officers. Link to attend the meeting (The board said anyone who attends will be paid hourly pay): https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82197050558, Web ID: 821 9705 0558. If no monitor camera, can view and participate by phone: 312-626-6799, passcode 82197050558#

Paint Town Hall: Mike said the hall needs painting. Paul volunteered to do it, but Mike said it could be dangerous to be so high on a ladder to do the necessary scraping. Paul and Mike inspected the outside; the biggest problem was spider webs in the board joints and pressure washing would clean the hall a great deal, plus remove flaking paint. Most of the paint is still intact. Mike moved that Paul be authorized to pressure-wash the hall and put off a paint job until next year, when STS may have a crew that is able to do it again. Gary seconded.

Treasurer’s Report and Claims: Patrice gave the treasurer’s report (attached). Total bills for August $14,516.36, and she wants to transfer $15,000 from savings to checking. Gary moved to approve her report and to transfer the funds; Glen seconded. Gary moved to adjourn; Mike seconded. Meeting adjourned 9:00 p.m.

Report by Paul Raymond _________________________________

Attest: Glen Williamson, Chair______________________________

WILMA TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS’ MEETING, WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 2020

WILMA TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS’ MEETING, WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 2020

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 Grader Operator Alden Shute.

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

ROAD REPORT: Alden got more roads bladed but it has been so dry. He spent more time on Mayfield Road, ditching. The bad spot at the end of South Duncan Road has no ditch and he has to establish a ditch before putting the pit run down to build up the road. Pete Anderson Road needs two culverts. The one at the end is lifted up and he needs to replace it. Alden asked Gary to contact Gopher One Locate to check the culvert areas on both Mayfield Road and Pete Anderson Road. He flagged both culverts. Pete Anderson will get a 18” x 39′ culvert, and Mayfield will be 12” x 30′. Mike said to be sure to sink them low enough so they don’t pop up.

Constituent Complaints: Mike heard from residents on Heller Drive and McCullen Drive that the roads badly need grading. McCullen has ruts. Alden said he had not graded Heller at all, and will do it when he puts the pit run down, and also McCullen Drive.

Road Construction Projects for 2020: Alden said he hopes to complete the two outside hired projects by the end of July: Gravel on Mona Drive and Lost River Road and the culverts on Pete Anderson and Mayfield Roads.

OLD BUSINESS: Wilma Septic Administrator; Pine County Taking Over Wilma’s Septic Inspections and Permits: Pine County will handle Wilma Township’s septic inspections and permits. Per Kelly Schroeder, the Township is always able to reinstate our ordinance and hire our inspector in the future.

The County Board need to take formal action and will hold a public hearing at their July 7th board meeting. It would be effective July 17th (the day after it is published in the newspaper after approval from the County Board). County Attorney Frederickson wrote up a simple Memorandum of Agreement until the County Board can take official action. Glen signed it; it will only be in effect until the hearing and it is replaced by a formal agreement. The Commissioners will meet at Pine Co. Govt. Center, Sandstone, Tuesday, July 7, 10 a.m.

Septic Project in Wilma: The family of Tim McCullen put in a new septic system. They may have contacted the county for inspections and permits but they did not contact anyone on the town board and we just found out about it. Paul will notify Caleb Anderson and let him handle it, and send Kelly the temporary memorandum.

Public Hearing to Solicit Testimony in Consideration of the Reclassification and Sale of 53 Acres of Tax Forfeited Land in Section 18 in Wilma Township: The County Board of Commissioners will meet at 10 A.M. On Tuesday, August 4, 2020 at the N. Pine Government Center, Sandstone to solicit testimony in consideration of the reclassification and sale of a 53 acre tax-forfeited property in Section 18 on Dollar Lake Road. We are invited to offer testimony. Mike said he definitely wants to attend the meeting and explain that we cannot lose any more public lands to public use.

Tax-forfeited Distribution: Patrice said we just got a check for $9,.966 for Tax Forfeited Distribution. She said this is not the same as PILT Payment In Lieu of Taxes. Paul will ask Kelly what this is for.

STS Doing Town Hall Mowing: Since the town hall lawn has not been mowed this year, Mike asked if we could have the Sheriff’s Sentence to Serve program mow the hall lawn when they do the county garage and Eagle Head. They have a big riding mower. Paul will write to them; Mike said to just go as far back as the tank or a little farther; there is a junked picnic table in the high grass, and there may be rocks in the lawn beyond that.

Filing Period for November 3, 2020 Election: Kelly Schroeder sent filing notice for all offices to be voted on 11/2/2020: From 8 a.m. Tuesday, May 19 until 5 p.m. Tuesday, August 18, 2020, including our District 3 County Commissioner. May file by mail to Pine County Courthouse until courthouse re-opens.

Mandatory Judge Training for 2020 Elections: Head Judge/Clerk training was this past Monday in Askov. The regular Judge Training will be Monday, July 27, 2-4 p.m., North Pine Government Center, Sandstone. If it is moved to Askov Paul will let Patrice and Gary and Stefanie know.

Propane Summer Buy: Propane is cheap; We checked; our tank is full.

Pumping-Out Holding Tank: Paul is having Purple Pumper out to his house July 23. He checked our outhouse tank and it is still ok, and we aren’t having any events until Fall Fest, if then.

Treasurer’s Report and Claims: Patrice gave the treasurer’s report. Total bills for July $4,408.60, and she wants to transfer $4,400 from savings to checking. Gary moved to approve her report and to transfer the funds; Glen seconded. Gary moved to adjourn; Mike seconded. Meeting adjourned 8:30 p.m.

Report by Paul Raymond _________________________________

Attest: Glen Williamson, Chair______________________________

WILMA TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS’ MEETING, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 3, 2020

WILMA TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS’ MEETING, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 3, 2020

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 Grader Operator Alden Shute.

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

ROAD REPORT: Alden plans to do routine blading on almost every township road and shape them up before he puts down gravel. He asked if he should get red-rock gravel for the north roads like Heller Drive. We have two years of experience with the red-rock on Dollar Lake and McCullen Roads, and the driveway. Mike said it holds up better than class 5 and the cost isn’t that much greater. Gary asked how it is to blade; Alden said it blades well. The board said Alden had the discretion to use it; he said for now he’ll put it on Heller Drive after putting down pit-run gravel but not on every road. The board was not able to drive past a fallen tree on the South Duncan Road. After Alden and Gary cut the tree off the road, they drove the rest of the road and it needs 5 – 6 loads of pit-run gravel just before the turnaround.

Road Construction Projects for 2020: The road inspection meeting record was distributed. The big projects for 2020 are gravel on Mona Drive and Lost River Road and the culvert on Pete Anderson Road.

Road Inspection: The spring road inspection was on Monday, May 18. Mike found that he had a conflict and could not go on the scheduled inspection, and based on the new Township Insider article “Covid-19” (page 10: “If the road supervisor goes out to inspect and do their road tours, that is allowed. Supervisors can drive around by themselves in separate vehicles. Take notes of what you want to address,”) he chose to go out on his own the Friday before to be able to give his input into what is needed. He asked Gary to ride with him. Glen said that Gary still had to go on the scheduled and posted road inspection meeting. He said that we have to have two supervisors, and if didn’t doesn’t go, there could not be an inspection, so Gary did go along with the second inspection. Glen asked Paul to get a decision from the MAT attorney on whether Gary should be paid for both meetings. Karl-Christian said, “There is unlikely to be an issue, especially if only observations were made. Minn. Stat. 366.01, subd. 11 is a narrow exception to the open meeting law that allows for “on-site inspection” when no other employees or other staff are able to perform the inspection, thus the supervisors take on a staff role. This would include a road tour. As far as payment goes, that is to the town board’s discretion. If the supervisor is only paid for the second tour, it may seem like the town is trying to fix an improper meeting, if the supervisor is paid for both, this may concern the public as to why the supervisor is being paid twice for the same work.” Glen said he had a compromise: since Deputy Clerk Stefanie Rahn went along on the inspection but did not expect to be paid, Glen said that if we pay her as Deputy Clerk it will be ok for Gary to be paid for both inspections. She needed to be trained on road inspections in case Paul can’t attend one someday. There has to be a clerk at the road meeting. The Board agreed and approved her claim.

OLD BUSINESS: Wilma Septic Administrator: Patrice said she is not getting the support and help from Gale Kespohl she needs to be able to do the paperwork so she will not be doing it. Paul said we have to have a septic inspector since he has had a call from someone on Dollar Lake Road who have septic but want to enlarge their tank. We can’t put it off any longer, and the county will do it for free. Glen moved that we ask the county to take over our septic inspections until such date as we find our own inspector. Gary seconded. Paul will let Caleb Anderson know.

Filing Period for November 3, 2020 Election: Kelly Schroeder sent filing notice for all offices to be voted on 11/2/2020: From 8 a.m. Tuesday, May 19 until 5 p.m. Tuesday, August 18, 2020, including our District 3 County Commissioner. May file by mail to Pine County Courthouse until courthouse re-opens.

Mandatory Judge Training for 2020 Elections: Head Judge/Clerk, Monday, June 29, either 9 am or 1 pm in Askov. Regular Judge Training: Monday, July 27, 2-4 p.m., North Pine Government Center, Sandstone. May be moved to Askov or even be done only online. Patrice and Gary and Stefanie will take the training in August, and Glen, if he wants to.

Treasurer’s Report and Claims: Patrice gave the treasurer’s report. Total bills for June $4,122.95, and she wants to transfer $4,100 from savings to checking. Gary moved to approve her report and to transfer the funds; Glen seconded. Gary moved to adjourn; Mike seconded. Meeting adjourned 8:30 p.m.

Report by Paul Raymond _________________________________

Attest: Glen Williamson, Chair______________________________