2014

                          SCHROEDER TOWNSHIP

      Minutes for Regular Board Meeting of Feb. 11, 2014

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

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

  1. McKeever moved to approve the minutes of Jan. 14, 2014. D. Johnson seconded. Minutes approved.

Treasurer’s Report: Receipts for Jan. totaled $4,675.76. Disbursements totaled $8,688.01. The ending checkbook balance as of Jan. 31 was $32,557.31. R. McKeever moved to approve the treasurer’s report. D. Johnson seconded. Treasurer’s Report was approved. A CD, which was approved last month, was signed by the Supervisors.

  1. McKeever moved to approve checks #3209-3233 in the amount of $9,590.85. D. Johnson seconded. Motion passed.

Lodging tax debit slip for $950.40 was approved and signed.

Fire and Rescue: Phil reported that they had a meeting last night and worked on a problem with the new pagers. No fire calls but several accident calls last month.

Road and Bridge: Nothing new.

Cemetery: Nothing new.

Recreation: Nothing new.

Maintenance: The table carts approved last month have arrived and are assembled. Also the 4 tables donated by North Country Crafters are here. R. McKeever requested that the donation of 4 8 foot tables, valued at $457, by North Country Crafters, in exchange for 2 years free rent, be noted in the minutes and a thank-you sent to them.

Other Business: Asst. Clerk Gale Ring asked if the Township should start charging for community service events held at the Town Hall. Currently community service events are not charged rent, but in light of the cost of LP over $5/gallon and the extreme cold this winter, does this need to change? Clerk reported that Federated Co-ops are still charging only $1.40/gallon at the last fill 2 weeks ago. After discussion the Supervisors suggested not charging rent, but that a free will donation be asked for instead. The 2014 budget was discussed. T. McKeever moved to set the 2014 budget as follows: General Fund-$32,000 (plus donations approved at the Annual Meeting), Road & Bridge-$20,000, Cemetery- $2,000, Recreation- $4,000, Fire Dept.- $23,000, Rescue Squad- $10,440, for a total of $91,440 (plus donations approved at the Annual Meeting). Second by R. McKeever. Motion carried.  The agenda for the Annual Meeting was looked at. Clerk asked to please forward to him any items to be added. At present, the only donation request is from SAHS for $9,000.

Kristin DeArruda Wharton and Carol DeSain spoke to the group about an initiative on a County-wide Active Living Policy, proposed by Sawtooth Mountain Clinic. They are looking at impacts, other than medicines, to support healthy living. One area of concern is how to help pedestrians, bicyclists, and drivers of commercial and private vehicles co-exist in an area where an international highway (61) is the primary link for all of Cook County. They invited Schroeder to be part of this discussion. Their group meets the first Thursday of each month.

Commissioner Martinson: Bruce reported that it looks favorable that the 1.1 mile stretch of the Gitchi-Gami Trail through Tofte, will be completed in 2017-18. Cook County is forming a committee to look at revising it’s Land Use Plan, and request a representative from each township to serve on this committee. T. McKeever moved to appoint T.McKeever as primary, R. McKeever and Bruce Martinson as alternate, representative for this committee. R. McKeever seconded. Motion carried. Tac Habor Citizens Committee meeting will be on Feb. 17. County is working to adopt a replacement policy to help keep highway equipment costs in check. County has petitioned for a 30 day extension for the public comment period on the Gypsy Moth quarantine. He is concerned about the decline in the Forest Service’s budget for road maintenance from $1.5 million 2 yrs ago to $400,000 for this year.

SAHS-Linda Lamb reported that they have received a $2,500 grant from Cleveland Cliffs. Game night is going well

Skip Lamb reported that Birch Grove Community School again placed first in reading scores for all VOA schools in Mn. Their “Gala for the Grove” fund raising event will be May 17.

The Post Office survey dealing with cutting the service counter hours down to 4 hours was discussed. Everyone was urged to attend the public meeting at 5:30 on March 6, here at the Town Hall, to show our support for keeping it open full time.

Correspondence: Sent– various year-end reports, transportation denial, Cramer Rd. request

                        Received- soil composting(2), gravel permit approval, Post Office survey, West End Conversation on Feb. 19,donation request

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

Meeting was adjourned at 8:42.

Respectfully submitted,

 

Doug Schwecke, Clerk