2018

SCHROEDER TOWNSHIP                                                                                                                Minutes of the Annual Meeting of March 13, 2018

The Annual Town Meeting was called to order at 8:05 PM by Clerk Doug Schwecke

Clerk led about 20 people in attendance in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance.

Clerk asked for nominations for a Moderator. Steve Schug was nominated. Steve Schug respectfully declined. Phil Bonin was nominated. Deonn Cicak moved to close nominations and cast a unanimous ballot for Phil Bonin. Carla Menssen seconded. Motion carried unanimously. Moderator Phil Bonin took over the meeting.

Rick Anderson moved to approve the agenda with the addition of Jim King, speaking for WECONNECT. Bill McKeever seconded. Motion carried unanimously.

Commissioner Ginny Storlie reported that the Lake & Cook County Commissioners met with MN Legislators at the MN Assoc. of Counties. She also attended the Natl. Assoc. of Counties in Washington DC and met with Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith, as well as half a dozen MN Representatives. One item discussed, was about PILT. Cook County has over 90% of its land owned by government, which reduces our tax base drastically. PILT payments are supposed to replace the tax on those parcels. However, those payments are not guaranteed nor are they indexed to inflation. A public meeting and hearing on bonding will be held on April 9 & 10. Krysten Foster has been hired as County Engineer, on a shared basis with Lake Co.

Bruce Martinson moved to waive the reading of and to approve the minutes of the Annual Meeting of March 14, 2017 and the continuation of Aug. 9, 2017. Skip Lamb seconded. Motion carried unanimously.

Treasurer Carla Menssen presented the annual Treasurer’s Report for 2017, showing a beginning balance of $211,429.41, receipts of $141,107.36, disbursements of $113,917.96, leaving an ending balance of $238,618.81. The Schroeder Business Development Revolving Loan Program showing a bank balance of $92,167.45, no outstanding loans, for a total of $92,167.45.

Election results were announced showing Bruce Martinson received 16 votes out of 17 votes for Supervisor. Doug Schwecke received 19 out of 19 votes cast for Clerk.

Rick Anderson presented the Road Report. Projects in 2017 included repairing the parking lot, right-of-way clearing on Sugarloaf Rd., installing Town Hall sign and regular maintenance projects. On tap for 2018 are ditch cleaning/clearing on and graveling Sugarloaf Rd., and repaving Baraga and Schroeder Tote Rds. There will be a R&B committee meeting on April 3 to help plan this year’s projects. Everyone is encouraged to attend.

Bruce Martinson reported on the cemetery. There are currently 306 lots, of which 124 are occupied, 129 sold but not occupied, and 53 unsold.  Please contact Bruce if you know of anyone who has a plot but has been buried somewhere else.

Recreation- Tina McKeever reported that some projects completed last year were signage for the town hall area, repainted the Silver Field sign, addition of a bench and Free Little Library with monetary help from a Great Place Race grant. Projects for this year include staining the steps. Renovations at Harbor Park have been put on hold indefinitely.

Rick Anderson spoke about a petition, with over 30 signatures, to have the Township plow the bike bath to make it walkable in winter. It would cost about $2,500/yr. The State of MN and the DNR have approved it. This would negate any liability issues. General approval expressed, but no action recommended for the Supervisors.

Bruce Martinson asked for resident’s thoughts on having the Supervisors request Cook County to petition MNDNR to provide a new dock and concrete ramp at Dyer’s Lake. General approval.

Fire Chief Phil Bonin reported the Fire Dept. is now at 12 members. 6 members have completed Firefighter 1&2 training. Last year there were 3 calls, all vehicle accidents. They will be working with Tofte on more training this year.

Phil Bonin also presented the Rescue Squad report. Last year there were 41 calls, 10 in Schroeder and 31 in Tofte. The crew of volunteers will be undergoing training to administer various new drugs. They are looking at replacing their defibrillator, at a possible cost of $30,000.  They also have a search and rescue team of 5 members based out of Tofte.

Jim King spoke briefly on WECONNECT. They are no longer affiliated with Birch Grove Community Center, Tofte Twp. or Cook County. They will be holding listening sessions soon to gather input of what programs or services residents would like to see them implement.

Rick Anderson moved to set the time for the next Annual Meeting to be 8:01 PM March 12, 2019 at the Schroeder Town Hall. Bill McKeever seconded. Motion carried unanimously.

Tina McKeever moved to set the Annual Election Poll hours at 5-8 PM for 2019. Rick Anderson seconded. Motion carried unanimously.

Tina McKeever moved to nominate Bud Buckman as Citizen of the Year. Steve Schug seconded. Bill McKeever moved nominations cease and unanimous ballot be cast for Bud Buckman. Linda Lamb seconded. Motion carried unanimously. Rick Anderson moved to approve allowing the Township to spend up to $100 on awards in 2018. Steve Schug seconded. Motion carried unanimously.

The 2018 Budget, which was approved by the Supervisors at the Feb. 13, 2018 Board meeting, was presented by the clerk. General-$44,500 (includes up to$7,500 of requests for support), Road & Bridge-$55,000, Cemetery- $2,000, Recreation- $4,500, Fire Dept.- $21,500, Fire Relief-$0, Rescue Squad- $13,000,   TOTAL- $140,500.  Estimated receipts for 2018 are $132,700.

Requests for Support for 2018–

Tofte Township– is requesting $1,500 to help defray the costs for the 4th of July celebration and fireworks. This is the only request requiring approval by the voters, to set a maximum amount to be given. Rick Anderson moved to approve $1,500 to Tofte for the 4th of July celebration. Darren Peck seconded. Motion carried unanimously.

Tofte Township– is requesting support for the operation of Birch Grove Community Center in the amount of $7,000. Observations expressed- there doesn’t seem to be much cooperation between the various users, it is a good thing to support for community and younger families. No recommendation was approved for Supervisor action.

Citizen Concerns: Steve Schug spoke on behalf of SAHS. They have been in operation for 14 years and are considered to be a real asset to the community. As township support of SAHS has been determined to not be legal, they will be coming before the Board of Supervisors to renegotiate the lease of the Cross River Heritage Center.

Rick Anderson moved to table setting the 2019 tax levy until Aug. 15, 2018. Carla Menssen seconded. Motion carried.

Tina McKeever moved to continue the meeting until 7 PM, Aug. 15, 2018 at the Schroeder Town Hall, for the purpose of setting the 2019 levy. Rick Anderson seconded. Motion carried unanimously.

Meeting was continued at 9:19 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Doug Schwecke, Clerk

Phil Bonin, Moderator

                  

Minutes of the continuation of the 2018 Annual Meeting

The meeting was called to order by Moderator Phil Bonin at 7 PM on August 15, 2018.

Clerk presented a projected budget for 2019. Working off this projection the Supervisors have recommended a levy of $55,000. Cathy Johnson moved to set the 2019 Schroeder Township Tax Levy at $50,000. Rick Anderson seconded the motion. After further discussion Kathy Johnson amended her motion to set the 2019 Schroeder Township Tax Levy at $45,000. Rick Anderson seconded the amended motion.  Motion carried unanimously.

Moderator Bonin asked for any public comments.

Edna Granlund asked the Township what could be done down at Harbor Park. One of the houses down there is being used as a short-term rental. Some of the renters are not behaving very well. They are being loud, leaving trash all over the park and moving the picnic tables down on the beach. Chairman Bruce Martinson suggested adding this topic to the Board of Supervisor’s regular meeting agenda, which will be immediately following this one.

Rick Anderson moved to adjourn. Second by Tina McKeever. Motion carried.

Meeting was adjourned at 7:10 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Doug Schwecke, Clerk

Phil Bonin, Moderator