SCHROEDER TOWNSHIP

                Minutes for Regular Meeting of Dec. 8, 2015

Present:  Supervisors Tina McKeever, Roger McKeever, Bruce Martinson; Clerk, Doug Schwecke; Fire Chief, Phil Bonin; Commissioner, Ginny Storlie; residents of Schroeder.

The meeting was called to order by T. McKeever at 7:00 PM.

The agenda for Dec. 8, 2015 was presented. B. Martinson moved to approve the agenda with 2 changes, moving Birch Grove Foundation to after Commissioner Storlie and adding North Country Crafters to Other Business.  R. McKeever seconded.  Motion carried.

 The minutes of Nov. 10, 2015 were presented. R. McKeever moved to approve the minutes of Nov. 10, 2015 as corrected. B. Martinson seconded.  Motion carried.

Treasurer’s Report:  Receipts for Nov, 2015 totaled $2,799.20.  Disbursements totaled $14,340.91.  Ending checkbook balance as of Nov 30, 2015 was $60,915.75. B. Martinson moved to approve the Treasurer’s report.  T. McKeever seconded.  Motion carried.  B. Martinson moved to approve checks # 3674- 3691 in the amount of $3,959.10.  R. McKeever seconded.  Motion carried.

Lodging Tax debit slip- none

 Commissioner Storlie: reported she just returned from the All County Conference in St. Cloud. The Federal Transportation Bill that was just passed, allows logging trucks (100,000 lb. limit)to use I35. More women are holding offices. Commissioners passed the 2016 budget with a 8.5% increase. Health and Human Resources is particularly hard to budget as Fed. and State mandates services but don’t provide enough funding to cover costs.

 Birch Grove Foundation- Carolyn Koschinska addressed the Board answering questions from the Oct meeting, especially about the senior lunch program. Meals cost about $12 each, with $5 collected from participants, so the program costs about $9000/yr. About 40% of participants are from Schroeder. After further discussion, T. McKeever moved to approve Resolution #2015-6, a resolution approving support for Birch Grove Foundation in the amount of $2500 payable in July, 2016. B. Martinson seconded. Motion carried unanimously.

Supervisor T. McKeever attended a meeting with representatives from the 3 townships and Birch Grove School to further clarify their request for support. Current enrollment is 28, which is about the number needed to break even. A survey showed parents of non-local kids attending BGS work in the West End, and would move into the area if more affordable housing was available. They will meet again in Feb. before our annual meeting.

Fire and Rescue: One fire and one accident call last month. Monthly meeting will be next week.  Scott Pearson has resigned as secretary for Fire Relief due to moving away. Discussed remodeling options for the fire hall. Clerk given authority to hire Dave Gilbertson, at $25/hr, to remove cement block wall, and build stud wall in new location. Phil will also look into replacing the keypad for the overhead door.

Road and Bridge: B. Martinson reported on the work session held on Dec.5. Committee will meet again in Jan to present a plan at the annual meeting. Laminated maps of Township roads show locations of culverts for future reference. Greg Vetter has been hired to replace culverts #6 & #8 on Sugarloaf Rd. We will learn next April if our grant from State Park Road Account Fund is approved. Mark Aldinger has agreed to run our grader next year. Payroll rates will be discussed in Jan.

 Cemetery: no new business

Recreation: no new business.

Maintenance: Clerk has contacted electrician Dave Rude. Dave will replace the upper outside light on the south side and have a lighting engineer design replacement of fire hall lighting. Clerk asked to have him include replacing light above fire hall walk-in door.

Other Business: A public hearing will be held on the proposed new draft of the Cook County Land Use Plan at 5 PM, Dec. 16, in the Commissioners room. Approved allowing North Country Crafters to purchase 2 8’ tables and 2 card tables and storing them at the Town Hall. T. McKeever moved to approve Resolution #2015-7, a resolution approving conditions and coverage of workers comp. insurance from MATIT. B. Martinson seconded. Motion carried unanimously. Notice was given that Supervisor Tina McKeever’s 3 year term and Clerk Doug Schwecke’s 2 year term are up for election in March, 2016. Filing for either office runs from Dec. 29, 2015 to Jan. 12, 2016.

Correspondence: Sent: letter of support for Gitchi-Gammi Trail use, notification of Resolution #2015-5

Received: Cook Co. Land Use Plan (Draft), WC audit

1. Martinson moved to adjourn. R. McKeever seconded. Motion carried. Adjourned at 9:00 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Doug Schwecke, Schroeder Township Clerk