Monday, February 28, 2022. 5:30 p.m. Northern Town Hall, 445 Town Hall Road NW, Bemidji, MN.
PRESENT: Chairman Jess Frenzel, and Supervisors Curt Blumhagen, Chris Lahn, Mike Kelly and Gary Barnard. Treasurer Doug Kranich and Road Supervisor Tim Vigen. Absent: Clerk Mary Israelson. See sign-in sheet for guests.
BUDGET REVIEW MEETING:
Kranich reported that he has adjusted some of the fund totals in order to allow for an increase in the Rural Fire fund, due to the $38,000 increase over the next two years. This will not increase the total Levy that will be proposed. Kelly has received a rough estimate for a new garage totaling approximately $140,000, which is higher than expected. This amount will be put in the budget, and a decision will be made once bids are received. The truck has been ordered, and will be approximately $60,000 after trade-in and plow purchase. The bathrooms will be done for approximately $10,000, with the possible addition of a water softening system and a new water heater to come. Waville expense budget will increase by $5,000 due to the change in operators, and this will be passed on to the users after a meeting is held with them. It was agreed that the Levy will be kept the same for another year, and then a possible increase once the City’s annexation contributions are decreasing.
The Regular Meeting was called to order at 6:20 p.m.
MINUTES: A motion was offered by Blumhagen, and seconded by Barnard, to approve the minutes of the February 14, 2022, meeting as presented. The motion carried unanimously.
BOARD OF AUDIT:
Treasurer Doug Kranich presented the 2021 Reconciliation of Treasurer and Clerk’s Report, comparing each funds receipts and disbursements as reported by the Treasurer and by the Clerk. There were no discrepancies between the two. A motion was offered by Blumhagen, seconded by Lahn, and carried, to accept the records for the Board of Audit as presented.
VISTORS:
Mark Fuller, Freeberg & Grund – Has updated his preliminary estimate for the improvements to Tavistock/S. Movil Lake Roads, with a 30 ft roadbed throughout. This adds about $96,000 to his original estimate, totaling about $700,000+ for the project. There was some discussion regarding the reclaiming of the existing blacktop and the ability to have a location to store it, in order to keep costs for the project down by about $15k. Kelly will talk with Molitor’s about the possibility of using that property for storing the materials. A motion was offered by Kelly, and seconded by Barnard, to authorize Fuller to start the work needed to get this project started. The motion carried.
ROAD REPORT:
Vigen reported that he is continuing to look at getting started with some of the maintenance projects that are needed this summer, such as crack sealing, brushing, tree trimming, etc.
JOINT PLANNING BOARD (JPB) REPORT:
There has been no meeting and nothing to report.
RURAL FIRE ASSOCIATION (RFA):
The scheduled meeting was canceled unexpectedly.
NORTHERN TOWNSHIP/CITY OF BEMIDJI:
Frenzel updated the group on some of the discussions that he has had. Forming a ‘district’ type entity for a possible sewer/water service area, might or might not be needed, but can be done after-the-fact if needed. The Federal Funding program introduced by Congressman Stauber was handled by the Beltrami County Highway Engineer, combining our needs for sewer/water infrastructure with the road re-construction requests. State Rep Matt Bliss is trying to get a committee meeting for our request, but it has not yet been scheduled. Frenzel and Lahn will be meeting with City Staff to talk about some of the logistics regarding some of the details of operating the collection system, and they will ask for their letter of support for the project. Kelly suggested that the model of the previous water agreement be followed, which allowed the City to do the work and collect fees for doing so and it worked well. However, the concept of doing the same work ourselves is also possible, and then a flat fee would be paid the City. A smaller committee will then be formed going forward to iron out other logistics, with the City having three (3) members and Kelly suggesting the we have three (3) also.
CORRESPONDENCE:
1) Confirmation of the order of a new 2022 Dodge RAM pickup truck, 2) bathroom estimate from RB Enterprises, Inc, 3) Board of Appeals scheduled for Northern Township on April 28th at 9:00 am. 4) copy of Resolution from Beltrami County for the sewer/water district, 5) also letters of support from Greater Bemidji, and 6) Mississippi Headwaters Board, 7) emails from City Manager and Engineer, 8) brochure of MAT Spring Short Courses, 9) copy of the Stauber request for funding, 10) contribution request from the 1st Responders, and 11) Let’s Go Fishing, and 12) Support within Reach.
OTHER:
Deputy Clerk – Kelly suggested that the Deputy Clerk position be looked into.
With no further business forthcoming, the meeting was adjourned at 7:34 p.m.
Respectfully submitted: (from recording)