February 13, 2003

Meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m.

Pledge of Allegiance

1. Approve Minutes

• Jeff made a motion to approve the minutes, Bruce seconded. Motion passed

2. Concerns from the Audience

• Bob Abrahamson – overlay resolution for the Ryan, Korkki, Homestead and Shilhon Roads. Added to agenda under Road and Bridge report.

3. Approve Agenda

• Additions:
• Old Business: Congdon Trust
• Treasurers report: Audit Costs
• Treasurers Report: Certificate of Deposit
• Pay Bills: Board of Audit.
• Recycling: Recycle Shed
• With those additions, Corlis made a motion to approve the agenda, Bruce seconded. Motion passed.

4. Correspondence

• George will attend the MAT Special Election and District Meeting March 6, 2003 at Rice Lake Town Hall.
• Bruce will take care of the Utility request
• Fee setting process for the County Assessor services – St. Louis County
• Board of Review – April 16^th from 6 to 8 p.m. date approved
• Insurance – Corlis made a motion to approve signing the "Town’s Public Officials’ Liability (Errors and Omissions) Policy" through the Minnesota Association of Townships agency, seconded. Motion passed.

5. Treasurer’s report

• Jeff made a motion to approve the treasurer’s report, seconded. Motion passed
• Certificate of Deposit; with the continued growth of the Community Center funds, it is advised that $50,000.00 should be invested in a Certificate of Deposit. George contacted a number of banks and credit unions, at this time Lake Bank in Two Harbors offered the best rate. Jeff made a motion to purchase a 7 month, $50,000.00 Certificate of Deposit, at Lake State Bank of Two Harbors, Stephen seconded. Motion approved.
• Audit of Town’s Books; Bruce proposed the addition of $5000.00, to cover the cost of an outside audit, be added to the 2004 General Budget for presentation at the March Annual Meeting.

6. Department Reports

a. Police Report

• Report read by Chief Padden
• The police department is in the process of checking into the purchase of a new squad. The purchase is being made under a government bid. It was suggested Chief Padden put a sealed bid request in the town newsletter. Bruce made a motion to put the old squad (99 Tahoe, two wheel drive) on sealed bid with a minimum bid of $6,000.00, seconded. Motion passed. Bidding closes April 1, 2003.
• Police contract; George made a motion to sign the contract as proposed, Jeff seconded. Motion passed. The $.35 per hour increase begins February 1, 2003.

b. Fire Department

• Two medical calls, no fire calls.
• New members officially added to the fire department roster.
• ISO test scheduled for March 19^th.

• Insurance; Jeff made a motion to increase the valuation of the town hall and both fire halls by 40%, Corlis seconded. Motion passed.

• There is one vacancy on the Planning and zoning commission, four applicants will be interviewed. Following the interview process a recommendation will be made to the Town Board for their approval.

e. Recycling

• It has been very busy considering the cold weather.
• Still having problems with trash at recycling sites.
• Jeff has obtained permission from the McQuade Road Public Access to allow our recycling shed to be placed on the far corner of the property. This will allow our shed to remain on the shore instead of sharing a space with the North recycling shed at the town hall.

f. Road and Bridge

• Bob Abrahamson presented the following resolution to the Town Board:

Subjects: 1. Homestead Road

• A utility request to bury a line 24" deep – approved and signed.

g. Legal

• Janet will contact the Auditor’s office and the Minnesota Association of Townships office to see if there is a short course she may take on large funds and investing.

h. Cemetery

• Everything is quiet at the Cemetery

i. Community Center

• Boiler insurance has been received.
• Would the township be interested in funding a person to open the North Shore Community School library for township use. Hours have not been discussed Stephen suggested a one-year contract and will check into who will hire the person, the township or the school.
• Would the township would be interested in opening the computer lab at the community school the same night as the library. More information/details need to be sought.
• If there is going to be a change in the concept of "we bought the building but it is not going to cost the township residents a penny", it needs to be brought up at the Annual Meeting.

7. Old Business

• Congdon Trust property. Corlis attended the Duluth Area Township association, one points of discussion was the increased dumping of garbage. It was felt a lot had to do with the closing of the Rice Lake Landfill. What we are seeing down at Stoney Point is not unique, townships are bearing the cost of disposal.

8. New Business

• Corlis made a motion that we hold a board of canvass and pay bills on March 13^th, Stephen seconded. Motion passed.

9. Pay Bills

• Reviewed the procedures of paying bills. Jeff made a motion to accept the year end report as presented, Corlis seconded. Motion passed
• Paid Bills

Meeting adjourned at 9:30 p.m.