SCHROEDER TOWNSHIP
Minutes for Regular Board Meeting of June 14, 2016
Present: Supervisors, Tina McKeever, Roger McKeever, Bruce Martinson; Clerk, Doug Schwecke; Treasurer, Alicia Kangas; Fire Chief, Phil Bonin; Asst. Clerk Gale Ring, and residents of Schroeder.
The meeting was called to order by T. McKeever at 7:00PM.
B.Martinson moved to approve the agenda with the addition of a letter to Tofte Twp. concerning withdrawal from TSSSD. R. McKeever seconded. Motion carried.
B.Martinson moved to approve the minutes of May 10, 2016 as amended. R. McKeever seconded. Minutes approved.
Treasurer’s Report: Receipts for May totaled $460.25. Disbursements totaled $3,583.88. The ending checkbook balance as of May 31, 2016 was $61,909.03. B. Martinson moved to approve the treasurer’s report. T. McKeever seconded. Treasurer’s Report was approved.
Lodging tax debit slips for March-$1,100.85 and April-$498.06 were approved and signed.
Commissioner Storlie: not present
T. McKeever reported on the meeting with Tofte Twp concerning approving money for Birch Grove School. Information was discussed that had been received from Senator Bakk’s office, MAT attorney, Kent Sulem, MAT District 10 Representative, Jim Fisher, Tofte’s attorney, Chris Virta of Fryberger, Buchanan, Smith & Frederick, and Tom Melcher, Dept. of Education. All 3 townships have received a request for information about donations from Jeff Reed, Office of the State Auditor (OSA). The clerk is in the process of putting together a response to his request. Discussed having this response looked over by attorney Chris Virta. R. McKeever moved to approve having legal counsel look over and advise on the response to OSA. B. Martinson seconded. Motion carried. After discussion B. Martinson moved to authorize up to $500 for legal counsel on this issue. R. McKeever seconded. Motion carried. Discussed the statutes and other information being relied on for Resolution 2016-03. T. McKeever moved to approve Resolution 2016-03 (attached), a resolution authorizing a $10,000 payment to Birch Grove School. R. McKeever seconded. Resolution 2016-03 passed with T. McKeever and R. McKeever voting yes and B. Martinson abstaining because of his wife’s employment at BGS.
- McKeever moved to approve checks # 3793-3818 in the amount of $15,455.61. T. McKeever seconded. Motion carried.
- McKeever reported on what she had researched on a policy on authority to expend funds. Most townships don’t have a written policy but authorize at monthly meetings. Some authorize up to $2,500 or if covered in the budget. No action taken. Tabled until July.
Fire and Rescue: Phil reported that the sewer had backed up into the fire hall again last Sunday during the Gilbertson funeral. Discussed possible causes and clean-up. Clerk asked to check to see if covered by insurance. T. McKeever moved to approve professional clean up and to have G & G jet the lines and inspect them with a camera. B. Martinson seconded. Motion carried. R. McKeever will also check with Scott Robinson for possible solutions. Also discussed possible problem with large groups parking vehicles in front of fire hall doors and obstructing the path of the trucks in case of an emergency.
Road and Bridge: R. McKeever reported that Mark Aldinger will be able to start grading again in about a week. Getting a stockpile of gravel crushed in conjunction with the county is still uncertain. Rick Anderson reported on recommendations from the road committee. Replacing culverts under the parking lot should be the first priority with possible resurfacing next year. Costs and timing were discussed. Determined costs would be unknown until work has started. T. McKeever moved to approve replacing culverts under the Town Hall parking lot by Greg Vetter on time and materials. R. McKeever seconded. Motion carried. B. Martinson moved to approve purchase of 40’ culvert to replace culvert #7 on Sugarloaf Rd., provided we obtain permission from Tom Somnis to store it on his land and can piggyback it with a county load. T. McKeever seconded. Motion carried.
Cemetery: Harry Johnson was wondering how many lots he has. Clerk will check deeds.
Recreation: nothing
Maintenance: Bench purchased with Great Place Race grant, has been installed on Town Hall deck. Welcome Wall cleanup has been scheduled for June 23, 8-12. Signage for Town Hall was discussed. The loose siding on the Town Hall has been fixed and work on new railings has been started. Discussed replacing some of our older tables with new, lighter weight ones. Clerk asked to get prices.
Other Business: There will be a work session to work on updating Schroeder Township Land Use Plan on June 16, 6 PM. Anyone with interest is invited to attend. B. Martinson reported on efforts to withdraw from TSSSD. The first step should be to inform Tofte of our desire to withdraw. B. Martinson moved to send a letter to Tofte Township stating our desire to withdraw from Tofte-Schroeder Sanitary Sewer District. R. McKeever seconded. Motion carried. R. McKeever asked to have Jerry Donnick as a backup in case we have trouble with our grader. Cost would be $125/hr. T. McKeever moved to approve Jerry Donnick as backup grader @ $125/hr. B. Martinson seconded. Motion carried.
Correspondence: Sent–
Received– request for information from OSA, thank you from DNR, State Demographic Center- population 207(down 3), households 101(down 1)
Public comments: Bob Kangas asked for a copy of OSA’s request. Rick Anderson voiced concerns about the money given to Birch Grove School. Edna Granlund said she has been in contact with Governor Dayton and he stated we can’t give money to BGS until the statutes get changed. Rick Anderson said the sewer has been a problem for many years and it was about time to get fixed correctly.
T. McKeever mentioned she would not be here for the next meeting. It was decided to keep the July 12 date.
B.Martinson moved to adjourn. R. McKeever seconded. Motion carried. Adjourned at 9:07 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Doug Schwecke, Clerk
Resolution # ____2016-03____
WHEREAS, Minn. Statute 365.10 Subd.17 (5) (6) & (7), gives the Town Board of Supervisors authority to provide for (5) the benefit of residence, trade, and commerce, (6) the promotion of health, safety, order, and convenience (7) the general welfare, and
WHEREAS, Birch Grove Community School, District # 4145, is a charter school operating under Minn. Statutes Chapter 124D, receives direct State funding, and is operating as its own school district, and;
WHEREAS, correspondence from MN Department of Education clarifies Statute 124E.24 (b) stating that charter schools may receive funds from a local government if those funds are obtained through a levy, and;
WHEREAS, the qualified voters at the Annual Meeting of Schroeder Township, held on March 10, 2015, did by motion made, seconded and carried by a 40 aye to 19 nay vote, to recommend that the Town Board of Supervisors offer support for Birch Grove Community School, District #4145, in the amount of $20,000 for 5 consecutive years, and;
WHEREAS, the Town Board of Supervisors find the transfer of funds to be for a public purpose and in the interest of the Town;
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Town Board of Supervisors approve a onetime transfer of funds in the amount of _$10,000.00_____ to Birch Grove Community School, District #4145, to be used for operations at Birch Grove Community School. These funds will be transferred _____JUNE, 2016 _________.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this is a one year commitment with future need to be considered annually, but not to exceed $20,000 annually.
YES NO OTHER
Supervisor Tina McKeever _X___ _____ _____
Supervisor Roger McKeever _X___ _____ _____
Supervisor Bruce Martinson _____ _____ Abstained
Adopted this _14th__ day of ___June_________, 2016_.
Schroeder Township 