SCHROEDER TOWNSHIP

      Minutes for Regular Board Meeting of July 14, 2020

Present: Supervisors Tina McKeever, Bruce Martinson; Deputy Clerk Doug Schwecke; Treasurer Carla Mennsen, Fire Chief Phil Bonin, Commissioner Storlie and residents of Schroeder. Absent: Supervisor Rick Anderson and Clerk Anna Green

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

T. McKeever moved to approve the agenda with the addition of MN Power meeting report. B. Martinson seconded. Motion carried.

B. Martinson moved to approve the minutes of June 9, 2020 regular meeting as presented. T. McKeever seconded. Motion carried.

Treasurer’s Report: Treasurer Carla Menssen reported; Receipts for June totaled $404.24. Disbursements totaled $5,669.29. The ending checkbook balance, as of June 30, 2020, was $53,901.07, and a Total Balance of $191,621.54. B. Martinson moved to approve the treasurer’s report and to approve checks #4866-4884, in the amount of $5,001.85. T. McKeever seconded. Motion carried.

Lodging tax numbers for Feb-$1476.48, March-$1819.99, April-$62.96. The results of the shutdown due to COVID-19 are evident.

Commissioner Storlie: They have hired a new county highway engineer and highway maintenance supervisor. Both will start in August. They now have 15 applicants for county administrator. They approved $400,000 for a new firehall in Hoveland. They have appointed a task force to recommend on how to spend Covid Relief Fund money. They sent a letter to Gov. Walz in support of a statewide mask mandate.

Fire Dept: Phil reported they trained in Tofte Park pumping water from the lake No fire calls last month, just one accident and a couple false alarms. They have decided to cancel the pancake breakfast this year due to the pandemic.

Road and Bridge: Rick reported by email on discussion at the road committee meeting included crack sealing our asphalt roads, brushing Townhall Rd. and complications with the Sugarloaf Creek culvert replacement. He has held off having Sugarloaf Rd. graded until 2 culverts have been replaced. That should be done in the next couple of weeks. B. Martinson moved to authorize Rick Anderson to get estimates for crack sealing, brushing Townhall Rd. and get estimates for replacing the next culvert on the list. T. McKeever seconded. Motion carried.

Cemetery: Bruce may move and reset the water tank prior to refilling.

Recreation: Discussed the problem of people leaving trash at the doggie waste station at Harbor Park. Different options were discussed. Will try different signage and monitor the situation.

Maintenance: Supervisors recommended spraying the townhall for cluster flies again this year.

Other Business: After research and opinion from the MAT attorney, it has become clear the Township does not have statute authority to operate our Business Development Loan Fund. An EDA would but not a township. It was started in 1996 with $15,000 from Schroeder Township and $45,000 from IRRRB. Tabled for more research. Gregg Westigard if there would be a problem with volunteers cleaning in the park. Their help would be welcome. He is exploring possible events for this fall color period if conditions permit. He would like to see some additions to our website, namely terms for elected officials and lease and other docs concerning CRHC. Bruce Martinson reported on a short meeting with MN Power. They are exploring the possibility of a solar site at Tac Harbor, 400 acres for development on Cramer Rd. and will be trucking the remaining coal from Tac Harbor this fall and into 2021. Bruce will schedule a short Zoom meeting with them for before our next meeting. It was decided to also hold our next meeting on Zoom as well. Discussed COVID Relief Fund. There is $5425 available to the township if we apply for it. It could only be used pandemic related expenses between March 1 and Nov. 15, 2020. Any unused money would need to be returned. Decided to have Clerk apply for this money and everyone will research what to spend it on. T. McKeever moved to authorize a letter of support for Cook County EDA;s application for a IRRRB Taconite Area Community Relief Grant, to be used for a county-wide lending program for businesses adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. B. Martinson seconded. Motion carried.

Correspondence: Sent-

Received– Covid-19 Relief Fund information and application, EDA request for support, NPO litigation, Land Services notification of interim use permit for fuel facility in Schroeder

Public Comments:

T. McKeever moved to adjourn. B. Martinson seconded. Motion carried. Adjourned at 8:47 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Doug Schwecke, Deputy Clerk