February 13, 2018

                          SCHROEDER TOWNSHIP

      Minutes for Regular Board Meeting of February 13, 2018

Present: Supervisors, Bruce Martinson, Tina McKeever, Rick Anderson; Clerk Doug Schwecke; Deputy Clerk Gale Ring; Treasurer Carla Menssen; Fire Chief Phil Bonin; Commissioner Ginny Storlie, and residents of Schroeder

The meeting was called to order by B. Martinson at 7:00 PM.

R. Anderson moved to approve the agenda as amended. T. McKeever seconded. Motion carried.

Commissioner Storlie reported that all 3 union labor contracts have been approved for 3 years. Two new deputies have been hired for the sheriff’s dept. and a canine unit has been added as well. Charlie Sawyer has been promoted to General Forman of the highway dept. The County Engineer position has been filled for 2018. Krysten Foster, Lake County Engineer, will now work for both counties. Briefly discussed DNR’s proposed Border to Border off-road trail.

T. McKeever moved to approve the minutes of Jan. 9, 2018 regular meeting as corrected. B. Martinson seconded. R. Anderson abstained. Motion carried.

Treasurer’s Report: Treasurer Carla Menssen reported-Receipts for January totaled $651.82. Disbursements totaled $6,609.67. The ending checkbook balance, as of Jan. 31, 2018, was $87,673.57, and a Total Balance of $232,660.96. T. McKeever moved to approve the treasurer’s report as presented. R. Anderson seconded. Motion carried. T. McKeever moved to approve claims for checks #4251-4273 in the amount of $7,570.66. R. Andeson seconded. Motion carried.

The Lodging tax debit slip for November in the amount of $941.80, was approved and signed.

Fire & Rescue: Fire meeting was last night. Time was spent getting the brush truck ready. Many of the boots currently in use need to be replaced and they are looking at upgrading to a leather boot as replacements. Phil and Charlie are working to enter all needed information into the PERA system. Personnel records are being transfer to the computer as well. It should be done by the end of the month.

Road and Bridge: Rick reported he is working to get the paving on Baraga’s Cross and Schroeder Tote Rds. lined up for this summer. Currently he is talking to Thorsen’s and Northland Contractors. Curt Robinson, from Finland, has 2000-3000 yds. of class 5 or class 7 gravel for $10/yd. After further discussion, R. Anderson moved to approve purchase of up to 3000 cubic yards of class 5 or class 7 gravel from Curt Robinson for $10/cubic yard. T. McKeever seconded. Motion carried. It was recommended that we pack the gravel right after applying it to avoid having it wash off in a heavy rain. Skip lamb reported that they had 69 truckloads hauled to his composting site on Cramer Rd. in 2017.

Cemetery: nothing

Recreation: R. Anderson presented a petition signed by over 30 residents asking the Township to plow the Gitchi-Gammi Bike Trail so residents could use it for walking during the winter months. He also presented an agreement between MN DNR and Schroeder Township for approval. Cost would be $2000-$3000. R. Anderson moved to authorize the Board Chair to enter into an agreement with the State of Mn to plow the part of the Gitcji-Gammi Trail lying within Schroeder Township. No second was forthcoming. It was decided to wait until after the annual meeting to gather more information.

Maintenance: nothing

Other Business: Nothing new with TSSSD. After discussion, R. Anderson moved to approve the following budget for 2018, General-$44,500 (including $7,500 for requests for support), Road&Bridge-$55,000, Cemetery-$2,000, Recreation-$4,500, Fire Dept.-$21,500, Rescue Squad-$13,000, Total-$140,500. T. McKeever seconded. Motion carried.  Absentte ballots are available from the clerk and the office will be open for absentee voting on Sat.,March 10 from 10AM-Noon and Mon., March 12 from 1-5 PM. Agenda for the annual meeting was discussed and will be finalized next month. Discussed requests for support from Tofte Township for 4th of July and community center operations. No action taken. The date for our local Board of Appeals & Equalization was set for 6 PM, April 10. Tofte housing project- they will be funding a study for the redevelopment of the Birch Grove site as the township cannot manage it.

Public comments: none

Correspondence: Sent–

Received–

T. McKeever moved to adjourn. R. Anderson seconded. Motion carried. Adjourned at 8:50 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Doug Schwecke, Clerk