Special Meeting March 26 2003

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Special Board Meeting
March 26, 2003

Clerk called the meeting to order at 7:35 p.m.

Board members present:

Stephen Dahl, Corlis West, George Sundstrom, Bruce Aho, Jeff Cook

1. Board of Supervisors Reorganization

Jeff Cook took his Oath of Office and received his Certificate of Election.

Stephen Dahl nominated George Sundstrom for the position of Chairman, Jeff seconded. George declined the nomination. George Sundstrom nominated Bruce Aho for the position of chairman, Jeff seconded. Motion passed.
Jeff made a motion for the board to have a vice chairman, Corlis seconded. Motion passed. Jeff nominated Corlis West as vice chair, Stephen seconded. Motion passed.
Board Assignments

1. Cemetery - George Sundstrom

2. Town Hall - Stephen Dahl

3. Road and Bridge - Bruce Aho

4. Special Meetings:

a. North Shore Management Board - Jeff
b. School Foundation; board representative - Jeff

c. McQuade Harbor - Jeff

d. Duluth/North Shore Sanitary District - Jeff and George

e. County and City liaison - Jeff

f. Storm Water - Jeff and Corlis

g. St. Louis County Officers - George

h. North Shore Community School - Stephen and Bruce

i. Duluth Area Township Meetings - Corlis

j. Fire Department - Corlis

k. Police Department - George and Jeff

2. French River Lutheran Church Hall Rental

The French River Lutheran church would like to rent the town hall while the church is under construction. Their first choice is the Community School but the cost is prohibitive at $1000.00 for the week. George Sundstrom made the following resolution:

Whereas: French River Lutheran church is remodeling their church facilities, and

Whereas: French River Lutheran Church has a Vacation Bible School Program and they have requested use of the North Shore Community center for one (1) week for this Vacation Bible School rent free due to the remodeling, and this is for a one time request for a local community group, therefore:

Be it resolved that we waive the rental free for one (1) week to French River Lutheran Church.

George made a motion to approve the resolution, Jeff seconded. Motion passed.

Corlis made a resolution to create a policy for this type of situation. This will be on the April 10th regular Town Board meeting agenda.

3. Portable Classrooms – George Sundstrom abstained from discussion on this issue.

Phil Strom presented background on enrollment trends and the need for portable classrooms. The intent is to bid on 4 portable classrooms viewed by Dave Sundberg, Robert Engelson, Stephen Dahl and Phil Strom. The classrooms were installed at St. Charles 9 years ago but are in reasonably good shape and will bridge the gap until there is enough money in the Capitol fund for an addition to the Community Center. Phil Strom again reminded the board, this will not cause a burden on the township tax payer.

Some of the issues brought up during discussion.

Student capacity:

Approximate maximum enrollment is 240, with the portable classrooms enrollment goal would be 300 students. Class size goal of 25 students.

Benefits to the Township:

1. The portables will give the township additional capacity for the community center, we are not in need of it at this time but will likely need more space in the future.

2. It gives us a chance to see if putting an addition on the building in the future will be a feasible project.

3. The classrooms are air conditioned; it would be advantageous to anyone renting the community center to use the air conditioning in the summer.

4. The lease currently held between the Community School and the Township could be amended if the charter school petitions for and receives more lease aid.

Septic Capacity:

Adequate but is being looked into.

Insurance:

Insurance is available for the portable classrooms.

Bid Process:

The township should co-ordinate with the Charter school so the township has over-site on the contracts.

Jeff Cook made the motion that the town will submit a bid on four portable classrooms. If the bid is accepted, the town will fund the purchase, relocation and set up of those classrooms to the community center property, for an amount not to exceed $100,000. to the extent funds are available in the capital expenditure fund, with the town to be the owner and the charter school to arrange for the relocation and set-up, Stephen seconded. Motion Passed.

Yes: Jeff, Bruce and Stephen Abstained: George and Corlis

Stephen will obtain a $500.00 cashiers check and submit the bid.

Concerns from the Audience:

Question: Ellen O’Neil; one town supervisor is frequently absent.

Answer: Tim Strom is aware of no statute that says how many meetings a member must attend. If the board member knows ahead of time he is unable to attend, it is correct for the town board to appoint someone to fill the position until the board member is again in attendance.

Suggestion: Stephen Dahl suggested "Roll Call" be made part of our agenda.

Meeting adjourned 9:20 p.m.