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Town Board Meeting
April 8, 2004
Unapproved

 

Meeting was called to order at 7:05 p.m.

Pledge of Allegiance

Roll Call – All members present

 

Supervisor Reorganization and Meeting Assignments

·         Chair

o        Corlis made a motion to accept Stephen – Stephen declined

o        Stephen made a motion to accept George – George declined

o        George made a motion to accept Corlis, Jeff seconded.  Motion passed.

·         Vice Chair

o        Jeff made a motion to accept Stephen as vice chair, Corlis seconded.  Motion passed.

Meeting assignments

Police Department – George                   Community Center – Stephen and Bruce

Fire Department – Corlis and Jeff             Town Hall – Stephen

Planning and Zoning – Jeff                                  Road and Bridge – Bruce

Cemetery – George                                            Clerk and Treasurer - Corlis

Other Meetings

George  South St. Louis Meeting

Corlis                Duluth Area Township Meetings

Jeff                   North Shore Management Board

McQuade Road

Sanitary District

Storm water will be passed to the zoning department

 

Business meeting

 

Approve Minutes

·         George made a motion to approve the minutes, Stephen seconded.  Motion passed

Concerns from the Audience

·         Bill Aho – Lease agreement – legal

·         Bill Aho       Road funds – Road and Bridge

·         Bill Aho – Annual meeting handout – New Business

·         Bill Aho – Parking lot – Town Hall

·         Bruce Lindberg – Zoning – legal

Approve Agenda

·         Audit – Old Business

·         George made a motion to approve the agenda as adjusted, seconded.  Motion passed

Correspondence

Treasurers Report

            Beginning Balance         $243,243.01

            Deposits                       $ 17,354.13

            Expenses                      # 31,640.05

            Ending Balance $228,957.09

 

Department Reports

·         Police report presented by Shawn Padden

o        Bill Aho brought up the approval of an additional Police Officer at the Annual Town Meeting in March.  Questions:  Can the board deny that officer?  Does the board have the right to rescind the funding for that police officer?  George said the people spoke at the Annual Meeting; the board should not go against the people of the township.  No decision has been presented to the board at this time. 

·         Fire report presented by Barry Lampi

o        Elections at the last business meeting

o        Bill Aho – fire rating. 

·         Community Center

o        Tabled Alternative Energy Source – Stephen presented a 1.25 KW alternative solar enhancement proposal to the board for $13,000.  At this time there are two rebates available from the Department of Commerce and Minnesota power lowering the total cost to $7,900.  The purpose of the solar enhancement is to educate students on available alternatives to fossil fuel.  Stephen made a motion to see if we could get the Department of Commerce rebate for $2,520 and the Minnesota Power rebate of $2,520 for solar panels for the community center, Jeff seconded.  George abstained.  Following discussion Stephen withdrew his motion.

o        North Shore Community School is looking for volunteers in the library.

o        Soccer club is also looking for volunteers.

o        Community Activities.  Michele Lampela is receiving calls on community use of the facility.  Should the township hire Michele to handle rentals of the community center?  Stephen will talk to Michele. 

·         Legal

o        Security agreement to guarantee business account collateral applied to accounts over $100,000.00. 

o        “Proposed Memorandum of Understanding re: Inter Agency Storm Water Pollution Prevention Initiative”  Regional Storm Water protection team:  Superior Wisconsin, UMD, Duluth, Duluth Township, St. Louis County Soil and water Conservation, Proctor, Hermantown, Midway, Rice Lake, St. Louis County, WLSSD Fond du Lac.  The federal government is mandating the amount of education we provide to the residents of our respected areas, at the expense of each area.  Jeff does not want the township paying additional funds to provide this service.  George made a motion to not enter into an agreement with them at this time, Bruce seconded.  Motion passed.  Concern and request for clarification of the document should be passed along to the board. 

o        North Shore Management Board joint powers agreement.  Tim has reviewed the agreement, there are no conflicts between Lakewood and the Town of Duluth.  A revised agreement will be presented. 

o        Community Center; the Fire Marshal has resolved issues to his satisfaction.  The charter board is trying to get an increase in lease aid from the State.  One requirement to obtaining the increase in lease aid is a Certificate of Occupancy.  Duluth Township provides land permits under their zoning ordnance, we do not have building codes thus we do not provide certificates of occupancy.  There are specific requirements for schools.  It is possible we might have to hold a special meeting in mid April. 

o        Lease term for the charter school runs from mid June to mid June.

o        Mailing List – Tabled

o        Lease Agreement.  At the Annual meeting $10,000.00 was approved for snowplowing and lawmowing at the Community Center.  Bill Aho feels this is an illegal addition to the budget.  Tim Strom explained that the charter board for the North Shore Community School gets its funding from the State, out of which a lease payment is made to the township.  The town then puts the lease payment into a capital agreement for future capital improvements.  The town has no power to make a gift to the school however this town owns the community center valued between 2 and 3 million dollars.  Tim disagreed with Mr. Aho’s statement of legality; it is perfectly legal to renegotiate the lease agreement.  The change recently discussed was for 2004; an amendment has been created and forwarded to the community school.  

o        Zoning discussion with Bruce Lindberg.

·         Town Hall

o        Temperature detector has arrived and will be installed before the 2004 winter season. 

·         Planning and Zoning

o        All comments have been categorized two commission reviews have taken place.  Adjustments were made to impervious surfaces and sensitive areas following the reviews.  The commission is attempting to find middle ground.  Over all, 33 comments were in favor of the draft, 30 did not favor the draft.  Property rights have been a strong influence. 

o        Commission vacancy. At the Annual Town Meeting it was requested that the town board hold interviews for commission vacancies.  Bruce made a motion that the board interview and vote on the zoning commission vacancies, George seconded.  Motion passed.  Applicant interviews will be held 7:30 p.m. April 21st. 

·         Recycling

o        Driveway is holding up quite well

·         Road and Bridge

o        Annual meeting report – special funds

·         Cemetery

o        No report

 

Old Business

·         North Shore State Trail.  Janet Green spoke to the board and suggested a simple discussion about the trail with Commissioner Miriam.  Stephen made a motion to submit a letter to Commissioner Miriam to talk to the town board when he comes up, Jeff seconded.  Alden and Normanna would also be invited to this discussion.  Motion failed.      Yes – Stephen                     No – George, Jeff, Corlis, Bruce

·         Audit – Audit has not been completed yet.  Everything looks very fine as a partial report. 

 

New Business

·         Jeff made a motion to approve the Minnesota Association of Township Bond, seconded.  Motion passed.

·         Board would like to thank Todd Lindahl for his contributions of historic articles to the township newsletter.

·         Jerry Simmons has been Fire Chief for 7 years, it would be appropriate for the township to give him a letter of appreciation and a plaque.  Corlis made a motion to purchase a plaque for Jerry Simmons, seconded.  Motion passed.

·         Liquor License for the New Scenic Cafι. George made a motion to approve the license, seconded.  Motion passed.

 

Pay Bills

Motion to adjourn 10:15 p.m.