NORTHERN TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS – Monday, September 11, 2023. Northern Town Hall, 445 Town Hall Road NW, Bemidji, MN.
PRESENT: Supervisors Jess Frenzel, Curt Blumhagen, Gary Barnard, Mike Kelly, and Chris Lahn. Treasurer Doug Kranich, Road Supervisor Tim Vigen, Administrator Mark Borseth 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 August 28, 2023, meeting as presented. The motion carried unanimously.
VISTORS:
SEWER UTILITIES:
Barnard reported that the DNR was meeting Friday to discuss the school trust property proposal, and a potential lease of the land. It was also agreed that once the preliminary budget information is received from Freeberg & Grund, it would be time to start reaching out to the local legislators regarding a state bonding request.
ROAD REPORT:
Crack Sealing – Pitch Black Sealcoating finished their work in the Four Seasons development.
Striping – Vigen made contact with MnDOT and they did the needed striping for us on Pond, Town Hall, Waville, and Sumac Roads.
Lofgren – Will be taking down 4 large trees in various locations.
Graveling – Still trying to get something coordinated with Johnson Const.
Birchmont Court – The background information will be sent to Attorney Jason Kubouseck for his review.
Wild Plum – Matt Murray is meeting with the property owners who are being asked to sign easements for the 66 ft right of way, and the paperwork is being finalized with MnDOT for their portion. The application to the State Park Road Account is due November 1st, and will include a request for overlayment of the blacktopped portion of Whitetail Road. It is still unknown who will be completing the application. The DNR might want to make a request for the paving of their parking lot there also, so they will be contacted.
Fairgrounds Road – This work is being finalized in order to complete the Local Road Improvement Program (LRIP) application.
Tavistock/S. Movil Lake Road – Mark Sand & Gravel has indicated that the blacktop is scheduled for September 19th and 20th. The substantial completion date was September 1st, so a daily penalty is being assessed.
JOINT PLANNING BOARD (JPB) REPORT:
Lahn reported that they will meet Thursday, with a hearing regarding the Holiday Station Store that will constructed on the Holiday Inn property near the airport.
Dissolution – The committee met again and it was agreed that the assets will be split 50/50. There was a budget submitted with a projected balance at the end of the year, but it did not make sense to most members of the committee. Applications for Planning Cases will not be accepted in the JPB offices after October 31st for Northern Township.
Planning Commission – All of the three (3) current members have indicated their desire to continue with the new PC, and will be asked to submit an application. An ad will be placed for interested residents to apply also. This will be a five (5) member commission, and could possibly include a member from the Town Board.
Airport Zoning – The JPB was apparently representing Northern Township on this committee, but we will have our own representative going forward.
RURAL FIRE ASSOCIATION (RFA) REPORT:
Blumhagen reported that there have been no meetings. The repaired fire engine has been returned.
TREASURER REPORT:
Bills – Kranich reported that this month’s bills are payable with check numbers 11584 to 11609, totaling $102,780.93. The larger items include payments to; Beltrami County Assessor for the annual expense – $24,521.00, Johnson Construction for road maintenance – $5,125.50, Freeberg & Grund for various projects – $24,938.00, Mike Lucas for ditch mowing – $5,590.00, and Pitch Black Sealcoating for crack sealing – $12,660.00. A motion was offered by Blumhagen, and seconded by Barnard, to pay the bills as presented. The motion carried.
Treasurer Report: Cash by Fund balances are; Revenue – $247,628.89, Road & Bridge – $1,071,338.71, Rural Fire – $20,625.74, Sewer District Waville – $15,652.52, and American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds – $212,044.83, for a total of $1,567,290.69. A motion was offered by Kelly, seconded by Blumhagen, and carried, to approve the report as presented.
Certificates of Deposit: Kranich recommended that a $410,000 CD be set up for 30 days at 5.0% interest. Consensus was given for approval.
Treasurer Position: After some further consideration, Ron Eischens has re-considered taking the job and has now declined it. Ads will be placed for interested applicants to apply. After consulting a MAT Attorney, it was noted that a person is required to fill the position, but an accounting firm could do the work if needed.
CORRESPONDENCE:
1) Note from all three Planning Commission members with their desire to continue, 2) confirmation email from Brianne with Mark Sand & Gravel that their schedule still included blacktopping Tavistock/S. Movil on the 19th and 20th of September, 3) email information from MAT Attorney Steve Fenske regarding Treasurer position, 4) note from resident Mike Granlund with an update of his discussions with the property owners affected by potential Wild Plum Road improvements.
OTHER:
Rentals – Blumhagen wanted to know if there needs to be more consideration regarding the Clerk’s suggestion to possibly eliminate rummage sale renters. She indicated that the increase in fees that were approved earlier in the year have not been implemented yet, but the increase of $10 might help deter that type of use.
Building Addition – Some thought needs to be put into a plan, and then an architect is likely going to be needed to draw up plans.
With no further business forthcoming, the meeting was adjourned at 7:40 p.m.