NORTHERN TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS – Monday, May 9, 2022. Northern Town Hall, 445 Town Hall Road NW, Bemidji, MN.
PRESENT: Supervisors Jess Frenzel, Curt Blumhagen, Chris Lahn, Mike Kelly and Gary Barnard. Treasurer Doug Kranich, Road Supervisor Tim Vigen, and Clerk Mary Israelson. See sign-in sheet for guests.
MINUTES: A motion was offered by Blumhagen, and seconded by Barnard, to approve the minutes of the April 25, 2022, meeting as presented. The motion carried unanimously.
VISTORS:
BID OPENINGS:
This bid is for construction of a new 32’ x 40’ maintenance building at the town hall property. The main bid would include asphalt shingles for the roof and ABC seamless siding to match the town hall building, Alternative #1 would switch to painted steel roofing, and Alternate #2 would switch out the ABC seamless siding to painted steel (see specifications);
RB Enterprises, Inc:
Main bid = $100,900.00, Alt #1 = $100,900.00, Alt #2= $94,300.00
Pierce Concrete, Inc:
Main bid = $124,560.00, Alt #1 = $126,760.00, Alt #2 = $121,360.00
Kelly offered a motion to approve the Main Bid (asphalt roof) from RB Enterprises, Inc. for $100,900.00, and Barnard seconded the motion. The motion carried, with Blumhagen abstaining.
This bid is for the sale and removal of 20’ x 24’ existing garage (to be removed prior to June 1, 2022);
Corey Hiller: $2,101.00
Bemidji Baseball: $1,000.00
There was some discussion regarding awarding the bid, or donating the building, to the baseball group, since its use would be for storing equipment of a non-profit youth organization. However, since the bidding request was advertised, and there was another bid submitted, Kelly offered a motion to accept the high bid of Corey Hiller for $2,101.00, and Barnard seconded the motion. The motion carried, with Blumhagen abstaining, due to his involvement with the baseball association.
Kelly asked that the Clerk contact Murray Surveying, to have the east property line marked, and also suggested that a storage unit be rented for a few months, in order to store the items that are in the garage. Work will be needed to clean out and move the supplies currently in the garage.
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ROAD REPORT:
Centerpoint Court – Vigen reported that he talked with Bemidji Bituminous about blacktopping the approach on Centerpoint Court, since they will be close by doing work across the road from there. The cost would be $6,380.00 and include the approach at Irvine Ave and extend 45 feet (it would taper to 24 ft wide). This has been requested by the road maintenance contractor, due to the fact that he currently has to back the road grader into busy Irvine Ave in order to grade Centerpoint Court. This blacktop work would alleviate that. A motion was offered by Kelly, and seconded by Lahn, to approve the quote as presented. The motion carried unanimously.
Northern Rides – The owner would like to blacktop the portion of Centerpoint Crt that extends to the entrances to his business (beyond the approach area just approved). This is a ‘development’ road and therefore, the expense to blacktop is the responsibility of the property owners. As well, this request to blacktop just a portion of a road is usually not considered. It was then agreed that it would be allowed due to the heavy traffic to this business creating lots of damage to the gravel road and the dust created. Mark Fuller will be asked to look at the road to determine if the other requirements for the road are being met, and the Township will provide any gravel needs. In order to blacktop the entire road, the property owners would be required to pay the expense and present a request to the Board.
Crack Filling – Vigen received a quote for crack filling from Pitch Black Sealcoating for Winter Sumac Road, from Town Hall Road to CSAH 21. The total is $13,320.00 (Town Hall Rd to Hwy 71 = $2,640.00, Hwy 71 to CSAH 21 = $5,760.00, new asphalt in that portion = $600.00, and Sumac Road from Winter Sumac to CSAH 21 = $4,320.00). A motion was offered by Kelly to approve the quote, seconded by Barnard, and carried unanimously.
Gravel – Vigen received quotes from Lakes Concrete for $15.10/cy, and Anderson Contracting for $15.00/cy. Raspberry Court is in need of it, as well as a portion of Wild Plum. It was agreed that Vigen could use his discretion on which one to use, once he is ready to have it done, and which one meets the needs better. A motion was offered by Kelly, seconded by Barnard, and carried, to authorize this action.
Chip Seal – Elliot Road was blacktopped last year, in a joint effort with the City of Bemidji using LRIP funds, and might benefit from chip sealing. Kelly volunteered to talk with the City Engineer about this matter.
Road Tour – It was agreed that the Road Tour would be scheduled for Monday, June 6th starting at 5:30 p.m. Paul Bunyan Transit charges $65/hr for their bus/van and the Clerk will contact them to make sure this date and time is available.
Public Accesses – Joel Johnson was present and reported that the ice just recently went out on the lakes and he will be putting in the docks this Wednesday. He reported that the ice pushed the planks into the blacktop at the Lake Movil access, so the blacktop will need to be cut back a bit.
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Tavistock/S. Movil Roads – Fuller had submitted an updated schedule for this project. He has also met again with property owner Kath Molitor, and it seems as though they have come to an agreement regarding trees and storage of reclaim on her property.
JOINT PLANNING BOARD (JPB) REPORT:
The meeting is this Wednesday, and Kelly will attend in Frenzel’s place. The developer of the new miniature golf is asking for permission to use Sanford Center parking for the business. There is also some indication that the budget will be discussed, and it is agreed that there should be no increase in our fee portion. The JPB also conducted a business forum for input on proposed revisions to the ordinance, and it was very well attended. Some of the concerns were not related to the JPB, or the ordinance, however.
TOWNSHIP/CITY EXTENSION OF SERVICES:
Frenzel has been in contact with the various legislators involved in the bonding requests, and there is some favorable response. There will be a time that some engineering approval will be needed by the Board,
RURAL FIRE ASSOCIATION (RFA) REPORT:
Frenzel attended this meeting for Blumhagen, and reported. There is still a need for paid on-call firefighters. They are going to look at a MN based company that builds fire trucks, when the time comes for purchasing the next truck. The fire district concept seems to be supported by approximately 1/3 of the group, with another 1/3 opposed, and the other 1/3 indifferent. There is some discussion about having someone review the financial work, and there is some thought about exploring pull tabs as a source of revenue.
BELTRAMI ASSOCIATION OF TOWNSHIP OFFICERS (BATO):
Barnard, Frenzel, and Israelson attended, with County Engineer Bruce Hasbargen and MnDot State Aid Engineer Brian Ketring as the guests. Townships are encouraged to use their resources when needed. Mel Milender also gave an update as our MAT District 12 Director.
BEMIDJI RURAL ANIMAL CONTROL ORGANIZATION (BRACO):
Lahn reported that they are still working on the process to be able to process dog & cat ordinance violations with the Courts. This seems to be a bit out of the ordinary for the BCA and the Court system, so is taking more time than originally anticipated.
TREASURER REPORT:
Bills – Kranich presented the bills payable with check numbers 11159 to 11177 totaling $33,503.91, with the largest payments to; Johnson Construction for road mnt – $9,515.00, RB Enterprises for the final payment on the bathroom remodeling – $6,300.00, and to Freeberg & Grund for engineering work on Tavistock/S. Movil – $5,280.00. A motion was offered by Kelly, and seconded by Blumhagen, to pay the bills as presented, and it carried unanimously.
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Treasurer Report – Cash by Fund balances are; Revenue – $232,552.90, Road & Bridge – $666,990.53, Rural Fire – $14,366.13, and Sewer District Waville – $12,611.34, and American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Federal COVID Relief funds – $200,943.60, for a total of $1,127,464.50. A motion was offered by Blumhagen, seconded by Lahn, and carried, to approve the report as presented.
Certificates of Deposit – Kranich recommended that $225,000.00 of the maturing CD be re-invested at Security Bank USA for 30 days at .70%. Consent was given for the investment.
ARPA – The first report of expenses was due and completed.
Audit – We are in the middle of completion of the required Audit being done by Miller McDonald, with both Kranich and Israelson supplying the information needed.
CORRESPONDENCE:
- Notice from MN DNR that burning restrictions will begin on May 10th and extend until complete green-up, 2) email update from Frenzel following call with Respresentative Matt Bliss regarding the sewer/water project funding request, 3) email from County Administrator Tom Barry indicating the receipt of the joint application for the sewer/water project with US Rep Stauber, 4) email from Frenzel to Senator Senjem, and US Senator Klobuchar, regarding the sewer/water project funding request, 5) email from property owner Mike Keeler requesting information regarding septic system contamination along the north end of Lake Bemidji, 6) update call information from the fire chief, 7) request from County Administrator Tom Barry asking that the Northern Town Hall be used for a county board meeting, 8) updated information from MnDot regarding the Hwy 71 improvement project, 9) new updated schedule from Mark Fuller for the Tavistock/S. Movil Lake Rd road project, 10) request from Bemidji Regional Airport to pass a resolution for participation on their revised joint zoning board, 11) quote from Pitch Black Sealcoating for crack filling, 12) quote from Anderson Contracting for gravel, and 13) quote from Bemidji Bituminous for blacktopping approach on Centerpoint Court.
Fire Calls – The report has been revised with Northern Township’s calls reduced from 39 to 29, after the corrections were made.
County Board Meeting – The Board agreed that the County Board would be welcomed to conduct one of their meetings at our town hall. The Clerk will reach out to Tom Barry.
Airport Zoning – It was suggested that we find out if any of Northern Township is still within the airport zoning overlay following the last annexation, prior to acting on their request.
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OTHER:
Bathrooms – The bathroom remodeling is complete and everyone indicated that they are satisfied with the job. Blumhagen will look into getting some prices on a new water heater and softener.
Northdale Oil – A meeting with the owner was held, in order to start talking about possible future improvements to the road that might affect the Northdale businesses located along it. Mark Fuller will attend the next board meeting with plan options.
With no further business forthcoming, the meeting was adjourned at 8:06 p.m.