Duluth Township

Town Board Meeting

January 11, 2007

Meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m.

Pledge of Allegiance

Roll Call: Wendy Anderson, Jeff Cook, Danny Tanner, Stephen Dahl, Corlis West

1. Approve Minutes

Corlis West made a motion to approve the minutes as submitted by the Clerk, Wendy Anderson seconded. Motion passed.

2. Concerns from the Audience

No concerns this meeting

3. Approve Agenda

Corlis West: Supervisor meetings under New Business
Corlis West made a motion to approve the agenda as amended, Stephen Dahl seconded. Motion passed.

4. Corresponence

St. Louis County Crushing Notification – We generally do not purchase from the County, our road Contractor Hagglund Construction crushes their own aggregate.
Minnesota Department of Health – Township Well: Roof run off needs to be diverted away from the well (gutters on the fire department and town hall), vented if not artesian and the sealing material between the casing and slab needs to be replaced. Danny Tanner will contact Jim Madison for repair.
Hartford Boiler Insurance Renewal – Boiler insurance renewal.

5. Treasurers Report

Beginning Balance $714,647.94

Receipts $ 1,315.00

Disbursements $ 21,461.81

Ending Balance $737,747.75

Review Claims List for Approval
Wendy Anderson will talk to the Treasurer about the purchase of another Certificate of Deposit.
The Tanker title was not in the safety deposit box which means a new title needs to be created, Danny Tanner will take care of this issue.

Junk Car Ordinance

Wendy Anderson made a proposal to raise the first fee to $300.00 and the second fee to $1000.00 for the second offense, Corlis West seconded.

There are a few other housekeeping ordinance issues that should go to Public Hearing, it was recommended we put all together and hold only one Public hearing. Proposal to adjust the ordinance, type it and have it available for residents.

6. Department Reports

a. Police Reports

i) Chief Report: Read by Chair Dan Tanner

b. Fire Report

i) Chief Report: No Report

Barry Lampi is retiring as chief. He will stay on until the February Fire Department elections.
Robert Engelson will purchase a recognition plaque for our retiring chief.
Corlis West would like to make a motion to wave the usage fee for the Fire Department to use the Town Hall on February 10^th for their department appreciation dinner. Danny Tanner seconded. Motion passed.
The 5000 gallon tanker is out of service, it broke down on its way back from flooding the skating rink.

c. Community Center

i) Principal’s Report

We made the first round of cuts for the "Window Grant". The grant is for $300,000.00, with a 5% match, to replace all windows with the exception of the portables and the recently built Library.
Skating Rink: The heater was finished today. Lights were donated to the skating rink project; the contractor will check installation costs. The skating shack will be heated during the lunch hour for students.
Lake Superior School District 381 has been thinking about possibly leaving school buses at the Community School during the day. They would need outside outlets to plug in the buses when not in use.

ii) BAT: Work session January 23^rd.

d. Legal

The Nelson’s at 6240 Homestead Road put a garage on their property without submitting a permit and paying the appropriate fee. Wayne has contacted the couple and requested correction of the omission along with a penalty. Wayne has not had a response to his request. The Town Attorney Tim Strom sent a letter requesting correction of their omission; with no response to the first he sent a second letter, again requesting correction of their omission and an invitation to this Town Board meeting for a discussion. The Nelsons did not respond. Tim will attempt to contact them by phone, if no response is received Tim will talk to our Police Chief and have them deliver a copy of the request directly to the Nelsons.

e. Town Hall

i) Stage: The PTA will take the stage.

More space could be created in the storage closet by putting a shelf over the chair and table racks.

f. Planning and Zoning

i) Letter – taken care of under legal.

ii) Resident Query : Question about process for structures being built without a

building permit. How is it managed under our Zoning Ordinance?

Wendy Anderson met with Mark Webber to request the State Legislature reclassify two parcels to go to a tax forfeit sale. A second request to not put two other tax forfeit properties for sale, they are being looked at for the senior housing project.

g. Recycling

Busy, frozen locks
Many thanks to Dan Tanner for coming to the township rescue, the parking lot was covered with ice, Dan sanded in front of the recycling building. It was suggest an additional 2 yards of sand be put closer to the town hall building.
South Recycling center: Jeff Willemarck is planning on providing curbside recycling pick up below Highway 61 this coming June. Until curbside becomes a reality we should continue to pursue a South Recycling shed. Wendy Anderson will contact someone from WLSSD to continue the discussion.

h. Road and Bridge

Road bids: Take a look at the contract and prepare for publishing in March.
Wendy Anderson will contact Marcus Hall for an update on when we can expect Homestead Road.
Snowplowing issue on the North Ryan. Property owner has been talked to and the County has been requested to notify the township if it happens again.

i. Cemetery

Nothing has been heard from Denise Connolly.

7. Old Business

a. Insurance:

Tabled until February for more information.
Budgeteer – Corlis sent a letter requesting the Budgeteer stop tossing their publication on the ground at the end of driveways.

8. New Business

a. New Liquor License – Lighthouse on Homestead, Inc. was granted.

b. Set Date for February Budget Meeting: February 13, 7:00 p.m.

c. Supervisor Meetings: Do we really need to attend all of these meetings? Do we contribute a significant amount by attending these meetings? Would it be more beneficial to have the meetings happen, create a proposal and then bring the proposal to the town board and have the request acted upon at the board meeting? Would there be a better way to conduct business instead of attending all of the meetings? At the beginning of each year a "Program of work" is held where each Supervisor is given a list of meetings to attend. If a supervisor attends a meeting he/she is not assigned to attend they should not get paid to attend the meeting. This issue should be brought up at the 2007 Program of work. The board should also discuss fee structure equalization.

9. Pay Bills

10. Motion to adjourn: Wendy Anderson made a motion to adjourn at 9:20 p.m., Corlis West

seconded. Motion passed.