NORTHERN TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS – Monday, July 8, 2024. Northern Town Hall, 445 Town Hall Road NW, Bemidji, MN.
PRESENT: Supervisors Jess Frenzel, Curt Blumhagen, Gary Barnard, and Mike Kelly. Administrator Chris Lahn, Road Supervisor Tim Vigen, Treasurer Crystal Peterson, and Clerk Mary Israelson. See guest book for visitors.
MINUTES: A motion was offered by Blumhagen, and seconded by Barnard, to approve the minutes of the June 24, 2024, meeting as presented. The motion carried unanimously.
A motion was offered by Kelly, seconded by Blumhagen, and carried, to approve the minutes of the special meeting of July 1, 2024, as presented.
VISTORS:
ADMINISTRATOR REPORT:
Lahn reviewed some of the items that he’s been working on;
- Complaint – A resident called regarding chickens on a neighbor’s property being a nuisance to his family. They are coming onto his property and even attacking his children. There is nothing in our ordinance that prevents this, but it is suggested that some restrictions be added in future updates. Also, animals are not allowed to trespass onto anyone’s property!
- Earned Safe and Sick Policy for Staff – As of January 1st, the State has implemented a law requiring employers to provide up to 48 hours per year for paid time off to an employee for sick and/or safe purposes. It is up to the employer to document the time (1 hr per 30 hrs worked) for employees working more than 80 hrs per year and not receiving a greater benefit, and to also determine how they wish to deal with unused time. After some discussion, it was agreed that unused time can be accrued up to a total of 80 hrs and rolled over from year to year, but will not be paid out if unused.
- Cemetery Policy – Lahn presented a draft of the revised policy. There was some discussed and suggestions offered, and he will provide an update draft for the next meeting.
- Beltrami County CSAH 20 Meeting – This will be held Friday, July 12th at 3:00 p.m. here at the town hall. The county will be responding to questions/concerns regarding their road project, but asked that the township have representatives there to address the proposed sewering project. Lahn and Mark Fuller will attend.
- Mobile Home Parks – Lahn has drafted a violation letter to be sent to the owner of the Northern and Lighthouse Mobile Home Parks. He has set up a meeting with the owner and will talk with him prior to giving him the letter.
- Cannabis Ordinance – Lahn is recommending that a moratorium be enacted so that details can be worked on, to determine how the township wants to deal with the new law. One of the decisions will be whether or not the township wants to register operators or defer everything to Beltrami County.
- Town Hall Building Addition – There have been several contractors looking at the project, so should bring in several bids. These are due Friday, July 12th. They will be reviewed by Lahn and Borseth, and brought to the Board at the next meeting.
- Land Use Planning – Several permits have been issued. The Planning Commission will be conducting a Conditional Use Permit hearing for Bemidji Iron & Recycling (Schulke) Monday, July 15th, and their recommendation will come to the town board on Monday, July 22nd, with that meeting starting at 5:00 p.m.
- Incorporation – This is still being reviewed for implementation of the process.
- Wild Plum – Fuller is working on the requirements for this project as it relates to the engineering standards for the curve.
- Fairgrounds Road – Fuller is completing the required work for this project to go to bidding.
- Wastewater Treatment Project – The draft contract is still being reviewed by the EPA representative. It was agreed to have this ready for implementation once that is done. A motion was then made by Barnard, and seconded by Blumhagen, to approve the contract pending the proper approval by the EPA. The motion carried unanimously.
BEMIDJI RURAL FIRE ASSOCIATION:
Kelly reported that the long range planning committee will meet Thursday, and the regular quarterly meeting is scheduled for July 16th here at the Northern Town Hall. The draft of the by-law amendments was distributed for review. Each entity will be required to provide a Resolution each year with their representative and alternate.
ROAD REPORT:
Vigen reported that the gravel roads are in good shape.
Tree Trimming – Lofgren Tree Service has been contacted to take care of a couple areas, including Winter Sumac Rd and the Beach Lane Public Access.
Beach Lane – The No Parking signs will be removed in the lower section, along with the unused ramp planks being stored there. Some additional striping for a possible handicapped spot will be considered. Kelly reported that the dock has a couple areas that are soft and the bumpers have not been located. He believes that it should be replaced next year, and that the DNR should be contacted to find out if they have something that might work.
TREASURER REPORT:
Treasurer Report: Cash by Fund balances are; Revenue – $231,744.81, Road & Bridge – $914,523.75, RFA – $(102,532.80), Sewer District Waville – $3,456.42, American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds – $226,162.37, and Sewer District Lake Bemidji – $(161,241.68), for a total of $1,112,112.87. A motion was offered by Kelly, seconded by Blumhagen, and carried, to approve the report as presented.
Certificates of Deposit: Peterson reported that the tax settlement was received and there are three CDs maturing. After checking rates, recommends the following to be re-invested at Security Bank due to higher interest; $400,000 be re-invested for 12 month at 4.42%, $250,000 for 6 months at 4.58%, $100,000 for 90 days at 4.68%, and $130,000 for 30 days at 4.68%. Consensus was given for approval.
Bills: Peterson reported that this month’s bills are payable with check numbers 11846 to 11870, totaling $66,657.70. The larger invoices were to; expenses related to work at the cemetery from the car crash (to be reimbursed) to Bro Property Services – $3,950 and WS Feild Service – $3,194,46, MATIT for insurance – $4,043.00, Johnson Construction for rd maintenance – $4,770.00, Freeberg & Grund – $8,689.75, and Lakes Concrete for gravel – $12,320.00. A motion was offered by Kelly, seconded by Blumhagen, and carried, to approve the bills as presented.
TEMPORARY LIQUOR LICENSE:
Bemidji Jaycees at the Beltrami County Fair – A motion was offered by Blumhagen, and seconded by Barnard, to approve the Township Consent Form as presented. The motion carried unanimously.
CORRESPONDENCE:
1) Notice sent to adjacent property owners regarding the CUP hearing for Bemidji Iron and Recycling, 2) 2023 Annual Report from Greater Bemidji, 3) receipt of our first half tax settlement for $591,979.19, 4) information for the quarterly RFA meeting on July 16th.
OTHER:
Treasurer Position – Kelly asked that the salary for Peterson be reviewed, since this was discussed when she was hired.
Cemetery – Lahn is still working on the insurance claim from the car crash that caused quite a bit of damage. Also, Johnson has started the clearing on the extension property.
Election Judges – Israelson reported that the Primary Election will be held August 13th and recommends the following to be appointed as Judges; Dianne Dockendorf, Mary Morton, Pat Neurauter, Lisabeth Underhill, Mary Pietruszewski, Sharon Russell, Sharon Jacobson, Linda Arnold, and Michelle Braaten. Not all of them will work the entire day of the Primary since some will be new judges and will need to complete the required training. A motion was offered by Blumhagen, and seconded by Barnard, to accept the recommendations as presented. The motion carried unanimously.
Lavinia Road – A meeting with the residents along this road is expected to be held early August, in order to talk with them about the proposed wastewater treatment system construction, and specifically about the issues related with the dead-end road concerns.
With no further business forthcoming, the meeting was adjourned at 7:50 p.m.