2014

                          SCHROEDER TOWNSHIP

      Minutes for Regular Board Meeting of April 8, 2014

Present: Supervisors, Tina McKeever, Roger McKeever, Deb Johnson; Clerk, Doug Schwecke; Treasurer; Alicia Kangas, Fire Chief, Phil Bonin; Asst. Clerk Gale Ring, Commissioner Bruce Martinson, and residents of Schroeder.

The meeting was called to order by T. McKeever at 7:07PM.

  1. McKeever moved to approve the minutes from the regular Board meeting of March 10, and the Board of Canvass of March 11, 2014. D. Johnson seconded. Motion carried.

Treasurer’s Report: Receipts for March totaled $35,848.67, which included the first half taconite production tax of $32,884. Disbursements totaled $5,681.68. The ending checkbook balance as of March 31 was $45,177.31. R. McKeever moved to approve the treasurer’s report. D. Johnson seconded. Treasurer’s Report was approved. T. McKeever asked for clarification as to when the Township actually receives levy money. The voters set the levy in Aug. 2013 for property taxes to be collected in May and Nov. 2014. The County Auditor then sends the money to the Township about a month later .D. Johnson moved to approve checks #3250-3278 in the amount of $39,712.67. D. Johnson seconded. Motion carried. This included the approved donations of $22,000, Rescue Squad payment to Tofte of $10,440, and $1,586 to Fire Relief.

Lodging tax debit slip for $675.83 was approved and signed.

Ginny Storlie, a Lutsen supervisor, is one of Cook County’s representatives to the 9th District of ARDC. She gave an overview of ARDC’s programs, some of which include, Agency on Aging, transportation issues, housing needs, and business loans for start-up and expansion.

Fire and Rescue: No fire calls last month. They will attend an emergency workshop in Grand Marais the end of the month. Asked for approval to get the floor of the shower and changing room retiled. They haven’t been fixed since the water damage a few years ago. Board approved. Phil was asked to get an estimate and report back next month.

Commissioner Martinson: Bruce reported they asked for bids on 175,000 gallons of sodium chloride to be used for dust control this year. That used to be about 50,000 gallons a few years ago. The first committee meeting to revise the land use regulations will be April 22 at 3 PM. He mentioned the Commissioners had just passed a resolution to urge the US Forest Service to appropriate more money for road maintenance. In 2001 they spent over 1.5 million dollars. This year they have budgeted just $454,000. They are spending less than 1/10th per mile as Cook Co. does. This will affect road and bridge longevity and safety, and ultimately logging and tourism. T. McKeever moved to pass the following resolution in regards to increasing funding for doad maintenance in Superior Nat;l. Forest. R. McKeever seconded Motion carried.

RE: REQUEST FOR INCREASING ROAR MAINTENANCE FUNDING WITHIN MINNESOTA’S SUPERIOR NATIONAL FOREST

WHEREAS, in 2001, $1,876,045(adjusted to 2014 dollars) was appropriated for the maintenance of 2482 miles of roads within Superior National Forest, only $454,000 was budgeted for the fiscal year 2014.

WHEREAS, the Superior National Forest staff projects $4,824,348 is needed in 2014 to properly maintain the roads within their jurisdiction. Lack of proper maintenance will result in increased risk to users, limited replacement of aging bridge structures and more road closures.

WHEREAS, with 19 bridges over 50 years old located in the East side of Superior National Forest, the future impact of decreased maintenance will adversely impact Cook County and Schroeder Township.

WHEREAS, due to lack of funding, the Temperance River Bridge on 600 Forest Road will be closed to vehicle traffic in April 2014. This bridge links parts of Schroeder Township with the Sawbill Trail.

WHEREAS, our wood products industry requires adequate roads and bridges, and the 600 Road links to thousands of acres, dozens of access roads all the way to Lake County, all within the Superior National Forest.

WHEREAS, tourism is a major industry in Schroeder Township, and closures will directly affect resident and tourism access to Superior National Forest.

WHEREAS, a well maintained road system is essential for access for fire suppression and rescue efforts.

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the Schroeder Township Board of Supervisors hereby requests the USFS properly maintains the roads within its jurisdiction and increases the future dollars budgeted for road maintenance within the Superior National Forest.

Walleye spearing by Native Americans, as permitted by treaty, will be taking place this spring on 8 popular Cook Co. lakes. The spearing of these fish, prior to spawning, could negatively impact fish numbers in area lakes

. Road and Bridge: Everything looks good right now. We’ll see what the spring melt brings. Brad Anderson will brush Sugarloaf Rd. once the snow is gone. He will check at that time if he can do Baraga Cross Rd. as well.

Cemetery: A lawn care contract for this summer was discussed. Greg Johnson agreed to the contract presented, it being the same as last year at $25/hr. No one else had expressed an interest. T. McKeever moved to approve the attached resolution. R. McKeever seconded. Motion carried with D. Johnson abstaining. (see attached)

Recreation: Gale was asked to contact G&G Septic to place port-a-lets at the park and ball field around the 2nd week-end in May if conditions permit.

Maintenance: Dave Rude will check out and repair the blinking yard light when conditions permit.

Other Business: Thanks to Gale and Alicia for cleaning and reorganizing the back room. Reminder that the meeting date for May was changed from Tuesday May 13 to Monday May12 as 2 Supervisors couldn’t make it on May 13. The use of a sound system for the annual meeting was discussed. Clerk will try our system out or borrow one from SAHS. Drafts of letters of support for Tofte’s senior housing and development of residential housing were loked over and approved.

Correspondence: Sent– post office letter of support, emergency contacts updated

Received- Active Living meeting-April 10, Lake/Cook Township Assoc.-April 9

  1. McKeever moved to adjourn. D. Johnson seconded. Motion carried.

Meeting was adjourned at 8:20.

Respectfully submitted,

 

Doug Schwecke, Clerk