2013

                          SCHROEDER TOWNSHIP

      Minutes for Regular Board Meeting of February 12, 2013

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 7:00PM.

  1. McKeever moved to approve the minutes of Jan.08,2013. D. Johnson seconded. Minutes approved.

Treasurer’s Report: Receipts for January totaled $492.71. Disbursements totaled $5103.38. The ending checkbook balance was $3665.70. R. McKeever moved to approve the treasurer’s report. D. Johnson seconded. Treasurer’s Report was approved. Due to the amount of claims for Feb. the Supervisors approved moving $2,000 from money mkt. acct. into the checking acct.

  1. McKeever moved to approve checks #2946-2964 in the amount of $4747.75. D. Johnson seconded. Motion passed.

Lodging tax debit slip for $1057.98 was approved and signed.

Donation requests to be considered at the 2013 Township Annual Meeting: Birch Grove Schools: $5000.00. Lower student numbers and uncertainty about state aid have led to this request. Pre-school is self-sufficient..SAHS: requests $10,000.00 on its 10th anniversary. Father Baraga Cross Park: Skip asked for enough to take care of emergency repairs. R. McKeever responded that any park repairs would typically come out of Road & Bridge or Recreation as it has in the past. B. Martinson noted that there would be a Park Committee meeting on 2/21at the Cross River Heritage Center at 1PM. Birch Grove Foundation: requesting $3,500.00 Sugar Loaf Cover: requesting $1000.00 educational programs and area maintenance..

Commissioner Martinson: Bruce stated that he is no longer on EDA but on many other boards for the County. Bruce mentioned that the Cook County Community center was working on cutting back on the design to stay on budget.. He noted that Lake County would be working on its ATV policy later this year. Cook County’s ATV ordinance expires this July, but the Commissioners would likely make it permanent. R. McKeever made a motion to send a letter in support of making the current ATV ordinance permanent. D. Johnson seconded. Motion carried.  Also, landowner Jery LeBarge brought a question and complaint regarding the surveying of his property by Cook County. Board reviewed past minutes and determined that it was a County issue, not a Township issue. They also showed several discrepancies between what had been recorded in the township minutes and the information that LeBarge related. The most notable item being that those minutes stated a cap of $500.00 for each landholder. LeBarge was quoted a $3000.00 bill for his survey. B. Martinson said he would follow up with the County and LeBarge.

Fire and Rescue: At the last meeting on 2/11, they talked about MN Power and the need for additional fire training and equipment for coal fires. There was training on coal fires in December, but P Bonin stressed the need for additional training with MN Power and the township. Many other such facilities have their own crew and truck on site. A house burned down at Solbokken, but no other fire calls. He attended a county fire chief’s meeting last month. An open house will be held for Lutsen’s new fire hall. There is a new rule that lets retired fire fighters join back in and start a second pension which could help with recruitment. The contract with Tofte regarding Rescue Squad costs has expired. Tofte indicated it would be renewed for the same cost of $10,440.

Road and Bridge: Inspection and some paperwork required to remove the salvage status on the plow truck’s title. The roads have been kept in good winter driving condition. S Lamb suggesting that it is time to approach the county about changing the status of Cramer Rd to a 10 ton road. He asked that B. Martinson bring this up with D Betz in the 5 yr. plan.

Cemetery: No new business

Recreation: no new business. Suggested that a cord counter down at Father Baraga Cross Park would be very useful in collecting usage numbers for garnering additional grant money.

Maintenance: no new business. K. Crawford will clean and wax the Town hall floors in time for the Annual Meeting.

Other Business: The meeting schedule for 2013 was presented, approved, and will be posted. The budget for 2013 was discussed. R. McKeever moved, D. Johnson seconded, to approve the 2013 budget as; General-$34,000 plus whatever is approved by the voters for donations, Road & Bridge-$20,000, Cem.-$3,000, Rec.-$4,000, Rescue Squad-$10,440, Fire Dept.-$23,000 ($4,000 increase to cover additional loan payments the next 2 yrs.). Motion carried. R. McKeever moved, second by D. Johnson, to approve ck # 2965 for $1,100, plowing by C LaBoda. Motion carried.

Correspondence: Sent- MnUI classification, various year-end reports. Received- soil composting permit notification, gravel permit approval, donation requests (mentioned above)

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

Adjourned at 9:08 PM

Respectfully submitted,

 

Doug Schwecke, Clerk