Category: Board Minutes

Minutes of Wilma Township, Pine County, Minnesota

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 7, 2023 WILMA TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS’ MEETING

Paul Raymond Board Minutes

Chairman Mike McCullen called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance. Also present: Supervisors Glen Williamson and Alden Shute, Treasurer Patrice Winfield, Clerk Paul Raymond, Road Manager Alden Shute, Tracy Riley, Kim Felton, Jim Bredesen, Steve Menth, Kathleen Ackerman, Janet Egan, Cindy Klienschmidt, Christine Valley, and Dale Kirshberg.

Clerk’s Report of May 3 Board Meeting. Alden moved to approve; Mike seconded; passed.

Road Report: Alden graded Lost River Road, River Cabin Road, Mona Drive, North and South Duncan Roads, Schmedeke Lane, Fust Lane, Vink Road, McCullen Road, Tamarack Pine Drive, Dollar Lake Roads, some of them twice. He also did work on the range line roads, Crooked Lake and Eagle Head and Heller Drive and gave Paul the billing information. The culvert extension will done on Eagle Head road this Friday. He tried to inform Steve Grabau about the road closure and he posted a sign it will be closed June 9. Alden said he wants to regrade and shape up Tamarack Pine Drive before we put down red-rock gravel.

Road Inspection Meeting: Was Monday, May 22, and the report is online. Major project for 2023 will be re-graveling Tamarack Pine Drive with redrock gravel. There are beaver abatement issues on Eagle Head Road and Heller Drive.

State, County and Township Road Emergency: Mike and Duane have started clearing trees that were leaning or on the right-of-way. During the road inspection meeting, the board moved to purchase an electric chainsaw and pole saw and extra batteries. Mike was able to get it all for $829. All claims need to be on employee claim forms with the STORM designation so we can submit them to the county. Alden moved and Glen seconded to have Hopkins use their bobcat and trailer to pick up all the debris and dump it in his gravel pit so we don’t need to rent a chipper.

Reimbursment Rate for Private Equipment: During the road inspection the board voted to reimburse personal use of equipment like chainsaws at $10/hour.

OLD BUSINESS: Fire Hall Light: At the April meeting, Mike moved that we have Ervin Kleinschmidt purchase and install a motion-sensitive solar powered light facing east on the hall. Erv bought and installed it but does not want to be an employee, so the fire department can pay him for the labor.

Town Park Sign: Erv checked on prices for a sign on the park (the 36 acres behind and west of the Eagle Head Fire Station), identifying it as the Wilma Town Park, with boundary markers. A carved wooden sign like the DNR uses for state forests costs over $700 for cedar, $500 for pine. Cindy said Erv will check on alternatives.

ECE Fiber-Optic Broadband for Wilma: Patrice got an email saying that ECE has started stranding and laying fiber-optic cable in the project for our county. Mike said it may be two years before it reaches us.

Plow Display: Discussion on removing all the trees along the road in front of the hall to make the plow display visible. Patrice said we only need to trim all the low branches and it will be easily seen. Paul said that she is a genius and Alden said that’s why she is paid the big bucks. Paul will do it when he mows.

NEW BUSINESS: At the May 3 meeting Glen presented a resolution [“Resolution to Request Michael McCullen Resign Either as Chief of DVFD or as Supervisor Because Such Positions Could be Deemed an Incompatability of Offices.”] Glen said that four of the five attorneys he contacted (Bob Ruppe, Steve Fenske, Graham Berg-Moberg, Reese Frederickson, and Kevin Hofstad) believe that the two positions are or may be incompatible or at the least a conflict of interest. Mike resigned as Fire Chief.

Mike contacted the attorneys and got a different answer from all of them. Kevin Hofstad: “That is not directly applicable here as a municipal fire department is not the same as an independent, nonprofit fire department.” Reese Frederickson: “My thoughts are that this might not be an incompatible office because the fire department is not a public one, but a non-profit.” Robert Ruppe: “It is my opinion that given these facts, the position of Fire Chief of the Fire Department is not an incompatible office with that of Township Supervisor.” Steve Fenske: “Strictly speaking, the cases and law on incompatibilities and conflicts of interest do not fit well with the situation posed by your township. The situation may not amount to incompatibility or conflict.” All of the attorneys agreed that there could be conflict of interest issues: Reese Frederickson: “Just because there may be a conflict of interest (and I’m not saying that there is or is not one here), it does not mean a person has to resign.  It means the person must determine if there is such a conflict, and then take appropriate measures such as abstaining from voting or abstaining from discussion of the contract.” Wilma has several layers of protection for conflict of interest issues: A Resolution of Interest, Affadavits of Interest, and the Supervisor abstaining from the discussion and vote on the contract or issue.

Mike presented a resolution, “A RESOLUTION TO CENSURE SUPERVISOR GLEN WILLIAMSON FOR A FALSE AND MISLEADING ALLEGATION AND RESOLUTION,” asking the board to acknowledge that the two offices are not incompatible and asking Glen to apologize to Mike and to the township for months of conflict and disagreement leading up to Mike thinking he had to resign either as Supervisor or as fire chief. Glen insisted that his resolution merely said “could be deemed,” and Alden did not have to vote for it, and Mike did sign it, and he said clearly that four of the five attorneys he contacted agreed with him, not all. Mike said he thought he had to sign it as Chair once the board approved it, but that Steve Fenske told him today in an hour-long call that he did not and should not have signed it. Alden said he only voted for Glen’s resolution because he was sick of months and months of conflict during board meetings where citizens were allowed to discuss fire department issues which had no business in board meetings. Patrice said that is because Glen was chair and he allowed it. Mike said he hated that our meetings spent so much time on fire department issues and all the anger and shouting, and that he ran for Chair just to end all fire department discussions in board meetings, and he will not permit any in the future. Mike moved to adopt the resolution but there was no second.

Couri&Ruppe Legal Seminar: Will be Saturday, September 16 in Rutledge, 9-4. They will answer all legal questions for free.

Wilmatownship.com: It was on the agenda to vote to approve Wilmatownship.com website for another year. The claim was submitted and paid without a vote in April. Glen said just by submitting the claim and Mike and Alden signing the cover sheet of claims made the renewal legal and effective without a board vote. Mike said they don’t have time to look at every claim; Patrice said the board needs to take the time to study each claim. Glen said it doesn’t matter, he is resigning as moderator of the Wilmatownship.com website effective tonight. Mike said we have at least one more year since the board did sign the contract in the April meeting and paid Aspire $400, which will give the board time to find another host and Paul will continue to post township records. Glen had said that the domain name, Wilmatownship.com belongs to the town, not to him.

Garbage Board Representative: Glen said he is also resigning as the Wilma representative on the garbage board. They meet every other month in the Wilma Town Hall. Glen nominated Alden to serve; Mike seconded. Passed. Paul said if Alden needs him to heat the hall on meeting nights, to let him know. Alden said he can do it.

2022 Wilma Township Population: April 1, 2022, population 73; households 37.

Couri&Ruppe Legal Seminar: Saturday, September 16 in Rutledge, 9-4.

Treasurer’s Report and Claims: Patrice gave the treasurer’s report. She was having computer problems and could not give a total for claims or transfer. Glen moved to approve her report and to transfer the funds when she knows how much. Alden seconded. Passed.

Patrice said it is so difficult and complicated to have three different payrolls: board pay, employee pay (for work not board related) and Storm Damage employee pay she asked if she could pay employees at the next month’s board meeting. No motion or vote, but Patrice said she will have to do this. Even if some board members got their claims into her a week early, it wouildn’t help because she has to do all the payroll at the same time. This does not appply to contractors like Duane Glienke.

Meeting adjourned at 10:10.

Paul Raymond, Clerk

Wilma Road Inspection

Paul Raymond Board Minutes, Road Inspection

WILMA TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS’ ROAD INSPECTION, TUESDAY, MAY 22, 2023

Chairman Mike McCullen called the meeting to order at the Wilma Town Hall at 10:00 a.m. Also present were Supervisors Glen Williamson, Road Manager/Supervisor Alden Shute, Clerk Paul Raymond, and for portions of the inspection, Danforth Supervisor Jason Palme.

EAGLE HEAD ROAD: Danforth Supervisor Jason Palme joined us for Crooked Lake and Eagle Head Roads. Culvert at ¼ mile completely plugged by beavers. Unplug and have Hopkins dig out big culvert and add 6′ extension (that can be cut off the culvert on Pete Anderson Road). Sink it 6” lower than it is with a gate to block the beavers. Two loads gravel at ¼ mile at low spots south of the culvert. Reinforce cage to keep beavers out. Discussion on who traps beavers for permanent solution.

CROOKED LAKE ROAD: Alden marked three spots to dig the road down 8” and put down rock and cover with class 5 to cure frost boils. At .4 mile mile frost boil; dig out 8” down with grader and regravel, 2 loads gravel and 2 loads rock on the bottom by Summerland. Palme approved. Have Duane Glienke trim trees over road at $35/hour. The County will repay us for purchases of equipment. Alden moved and Glen seconded to have Mike purchase an electric chainsaw and pole chainsaw and extra batteries, and to pay individuals who use their own chainsaw $10 hour for use of saw. Passed. At .6 mile, dig out and rock and gravel at soft spot. One load at 52979 the end of Palme’s driveway.

DOLLAR LAKE ROAD: Write County Highway to widen entrance to Dollar Lake Road and their culvert. At 54265 1 load minus 2”pit run. Trim all trees. Blading and routine maintenance.

VINK ROAD: Trim trees length of road; routine blading.

MINK FARM ROAD: Trim trees. Routine blading, otherwise good.

MAYFIELD ROAD: 1.1 mile trim trees. Trim trees along and at end of road. Routine blading.

LITTLE TAMARACK LAKE ROAD: Fill holes .2 mile past dock. Trim trees. Routine blading.

SHORT ROAD: Routine blading; trim trees.

LOST RIVER ROAD: Top priority for removing trees and debris. Very bad. Alden said Hopkins has jumper truck that can pick up debris and haul it away, and we can dump it in his gravel pit for a big fire, or else rent chipper. Routine blading. Ditches are draining well; no water on road.

RIVER CABIN ROAD: Trim trees. Routine blading.

MONA DRIVE: Routine blading. Trim trees.

KENNY PETERSON ROAD: Routine blading.

MC CULLEN DRIVE: Routine blading. Clear brush and trees.

HELLER DRIVE: Beaver dam .2 mile. Can’t blow it up. Alden moved to build up the road with 2 loads of class 5; Mike seconded; passed. Maybe a culvert in the future. At Tamarack River bridge the County wants us to remove the large trees; Duane will do it. Regular blading.

TAMARACK PINE DRIVE: Major project for 2023 season, to build up and resurface the entire road with red rock gravel. Last year Alden estimated it will need 33 loads of red rock from Roberts or Lineas, about $8,000 for the project. Regular blading and trim trees.

SOUTH DUNCAN ROAD: Trim trees. Routine blading and leveling.

NORTH DUNCAN ROAD: At 57391 1 load gravel over culvert. Trim trees all along road. Someone dumped big cement piers in the ditch on the west side, first property up road, where they can be a hazard and liability. Andrew Pierce, 612-616-9312. Paul will get his address and write or call him. Routine blading.

FUST LANE: Trim trees. Routine blading.

LANGSTROM LANE: Alden said he and Doug alternate taking care of this road and Pete Anderson. Trim trees. Routine blading.

PETE ANDERSON ROAD: Cut trees. Very good road. Routine blading.

SCHMEDEKE LANE: Routine blading. Trim trees.

Glen moved to adjourn; Mike seconded; Meeting adjourned at 2:30 p.m. Total 4 hours, 1 1/2 hours overtime.

WILMA TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS’ ROAD INSPECTION, TUESDAY, MAY 22, 2023

Chairman Mike McCullen called the meeting to order at the Wilma Town Hall at 10:00 a.m. Also present were Supervisors Glen Williamson, Road Manager/Supervisor Alden Shute, Clerk Paul Raymond, and for portions of the inspection, Danforth Supervisor Jason Palme.

EAGLE HEAD ROAD: Danforth Supervisor Jason Palme joined us for Crooked Lake and Eagle Head Roads. Culvert at ¼ mile completely plugged by beavers. Unplug and have Hopkins dig out big culvert and add 6′ extension (that can be cut off the culvert on Pete Anderson Road). Sink it 6” lower than it is with a gate to block the beavers. Two loads gravel at ¼ mile at low spots south of the culvert. Reinforce cage to keep beavers out. Discussion on who traps beavers for permanent solution.

CROOKED LAKE ROAD: Alden marked three spots to dig the road down 8” and put down rock and cover with class 5 to cure frost boils. At .4 mile mile frost boil; dig out 8” down with grader and regravel, 2 loads gravel and 2 loads rock on the bottom by Summerland. Palme approved. Have Duane Glienke trim trees over road at $35/hour. The County will repay us for purchases of equipment. Alden moved and Glen seconded to have Mike purchase an electric chainsaw and pole chainsaw and extra batteries, and to pay individuals who use their own chainsaw $10 hour for use of saw. Passed. At .6 mile, dig out and rock and gravel at soft spot. One load at 52979 the end of Palme’s driveway.

DOLLAR LAKE ROAD: Write County Highway to widen entrance to Dollar Lake Road and their culvert. At 54265 1 load minus 2”pit run. Trim all trees. Blading and routine maintenance.

VINK ROAD: Trim trees length of road; routine blading.

MINK FARM ROAD: Trim trees. Routine blading, otherwise good.

MAYFIELD ROAD: 1.1 mile trim trees. Trim trees along and at end of road. Routine blading.

LITTLE TAMARACK LAKE ROAD: Fill holes .2 mile past dock. Trim trees. Routine blading.

SHORT ROAD: Routine blading; trim trees.

LOST RIVER ROAD: Top priority for removing trees and debris. Very bad. Alden said Hopkins has jumper truck that can pick up debris and haul it away, and we can dump it in his gravel pit for a big fire, or else rent chipper. Routine blading. Ditches are draining well; no water on road.

RIVER CABIN ROAD: Trim trees. Routine blading.

MONA DRIVE: Routine blading. Trim trees.

KENNY PETERSON ROAD: Routine blading.

MC CULLEN DRIVE: Routine blading. Clear brush and trees.

HELLER DRIVE: Beaver dam .2 mile. Can’t blow it up. Alden moved to build up the road with 2 loads of class 5; Mike seconded; passed. Maybe a culvert in the future. At Tamarack River bridge the County wants us to remove the large trees; Duane will do it. Regular blading.

TAMARACK PINE DRIVE: Major project for 2023 season, to build up and resurface the entire road with red rock gravel. Last year Alden estimated it will need 33 loads of red rock from Roberts or Lineas, about $8,000 for the project. Regular blading and trim trees.

SOUTH DUNCAN ROAD: Trim trees. Routine blading and leveling.

NORTH DUNCAN ROAD: At 57391 1 load gravel over culvert. Trim trees all along road. Someone dumped big cement piers in the ditch on the west side, first property up road, where they can be a hazard and liability. Andrew Pierce, 612-616-9312. Paul will get his address and write or call him. Routine blading.

FUST LANE: Trim trees. Routine blading.

LANGSTROM LANE: Alden said he and Doug alternate taking care of this road and Pete Anderson. Trim trees. Routine blading.

PETE ANDERSON ROAD: Cut trees. Very good road. Routine blading.

SCHMEDEKE LANE: Routine blading. Trim trees.

Glen moved to adjourn; Mike seconded; Meeting adjourned at 2:30 p.m. Total 4 hours, 1 1/2 hours overtime. https://photos.google.com/u/1/share/AF1QipOF9XmEFqoGYeLo-SFNAuIW-sAd-5zzZFtesUq65fTQoktcvX_nUVWz_l5ZcsGVqg?key=aHJlY25nXzZlZE9KSVJUckN1d3I2YjhGcnREeTNR

WEDNESDAY, MAY 3, 2023 WILMA TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS’ MEETING

Paul Raymond Board Minutes, Treasurer's Report

[Unapproved Record; MAT Attorney Graham Berg-MKoeberg instructs clerks that “There is no requirement that meeting minutes be a complete transcript of everything that is said at the meeting. The minutes need to indicate the votes taken at the meeting. Especially for controversial issues or disputes that may end up in court, it is a good idea for your minutes to include your reasoning or important pieces of evidence that led the town board to their decision, and this may be summarized.”]

Chairman Mike McCullen called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance. Also present: Supervisors Glen Williamson and Alden Shute, Treasurer Patrice Winfield, Clerk Paul Raymond, Road Manager Alden Shute, Stan and Tracy Riley, Kim Felton, Stefanie Williamson, Rod Sodegaard, Mike Siebenaler from Lost River Road, Jim Bredesen, and Steve Menth.

Approve Ground Rules: Mike asked for a motion to approve a resolution for some basic ground rules for board meetings: Citizens must raise their hand to speak; No interruptions; If a speaker asks question of another person, they can answer but speaker holds the floor; Maintain respect and decorum. Glen moved to adopt this resolution; Alden seconded; passed.

Clerk’s Report of April Board of Reorganization and Board Meeting. Paul read the record; some corrections: change Mike to Glen; change Glen to Alden; change 2021 to 2023; change Mike to Glen; change Glen to Alden; change DVDD to DVFD. With these corrections, Alden moved to approve; Mike seconded; Glen abstained and said he will not approve the clerk’s records, but offered no further corrections.

Road Report: Alden graded Lost River Road, River Cabin Road, and, ordered shims for the grader Alden said he got no calls or emails from Clay Heller regarding Heller Drive maintenance. We have the records of the work done on the road last year. Pine County Highway Department Bridge Report Heller Drive: Alden took it to study it and reported that they want us to cut two trees that are too close to the bridge.

Road Inspection Meeting: Set forMonday, May 22, 10 a.m., meet at hall. Paul will post it. Discussion on whether this is an open meeting that requires posting; Mike said if any decisions are made for any road or gravel, it is an open meeting. We need to look for any flood damage to any roads or culvets and tree damage from the December storm for reimbursement by County Disaster Relief Funds. Alden said none of our roads suffered flood damage.

State, County and Township Road Emergency: [In January, the board and Pine County declared that the December 14 storms were a county and township road right-of-way emergency, allowing us to clear and cut trees in the right-of-way. Paul filed our official application for disaster assistance, and we gave the county an estimate of $6,000 for Wilma Township damages, based on Alden’s estimates for Rootke and Duane Glienke.] Paul has filed requests with Wayne Lemereaux and Denise Anderson to see if we can be reimbursed for the purchase of a township chainsaw and pole saw, or for rental of these items and a wood-chipper. No answer yet.

Hiring Contractors: Alden will contact Duane Glienke and Rootke to see if and when they can do the work. Mike said we need a wood chipper.

Reimbursment Rate for Private Equipment; Discussion: If Board members do work for the township using their own equipment, e.g. chainsaws, should we make a rate chart for what we will pay per hour for each kind of equipment? Alden suggested $5/hour for a personal chainsaw. Mike said gas alone would be more than that. He won’t do it for $5. Other personal property that may be used by officers or employees: weed whips, snow blowers, tractors. We can check commercial rental rates.

OLD BUSINESS: Dumpster Camera: Erv bought a new camera and installed it and it is working. It is mounted on the fire hall. Employees vs. contrators: Patrice said without exception, if anyone does any work for the township they must be either employees and have taxes deducted or contractors with $1.5 million insurance and Erv will need to be hired as an employee and have taxes taken out. Paul said he didn’t think it applies to a one-time little job but she said it does. Paul will contact the MAT Attorney. We paid the citizens who cleared the trees with non-tax claims.

Fire Hall Light: At the April meeting, Mike said it is dark at night on the east side of the hall and at night you can’t see to unlock the door or pump water from the tank and Mike moved that we have Erv purchase and install a motion-sensitive solar powered light facing east on the hall. If Patrice is correct, Erv will have to do it as an employee or contrator.

MAT Spring Short Course: Was April 7, at the DECC in Duluth. Paul gave the clerk’s/treasurers’ reports to Mike; he was the only one who didn’t go.

MAT Lobby Day in St. Paul: Was April 18 to lobby our Representative and Senator and other officials with township issues at the Minnesota State Capitol Building in St. Paul . Glen tried to go but had car issues.

Board of Appeal/Equalization: For voters to appeal 2024 property tax assessments, was Monday, April 10, 2021, 1 p.m. at the hall with County Assessor Lorri L. Houtsma.

Town Park: At the Annual Town Meeting the voters asked to have a sign on the park (the 36 acres behind and west of the Eagle Head Fire Station), identifying it as the Wilma Town Park, with boundary markers. Erv got prices for carved DNR-type signs with Wilma Town Park carved in. With Cedar, it was over $700.

Plow Display: Stefanie reminded the board that they had agreed to display the old blow blade in a raised bed. Discussion on gravel and how to build display. Alden will take care of it.

NEW BUSINESS: “Resolution to Request Michael McCullen Resign Either as Chief of DVFD or as Supervisor Because Such Positions Could be Deemed an Incompatability of Offices.” Glen presented a resolution claiming that four of the five attorneys he contacted (Bob Ruppe, Steve Fenske, Graham Berg-Moberg, Reese Frederickson, and Kevin Hofstad) believe that the two positions are incompatible or at the least a conflict of interest. Both Paul and Mike said they also spoke to Fenske and he did not say this to them. Glen moved to approve his resolution; Alden seconded. Passed. Mike resigned as Fire Chief.

Guidelines for Contacting Township Attorney: Our Township Attorneys, Couri&Ruppe charge $275 per hour for any questions or research. Discussion: Should officers be able to contact them without board approval? Glen said Mike Roupe told him any Supervisor can contact them and the town be billed without board approval.

Resolution Authorizing Contract With Interested Officers and Affadavits of Conflict of Interest: If any Board member wants to do work for the township outside of their normal duties, they need a one-time Resolution by the board authorizing this work and the officer must file an Affadavit of Official Interest in Claim every time they are paid. Resolutions were made for Alden, Mike and Paul for Board to be approved. Glen moved to approve resolution authorizing contract with Mike; Alden seconded; Mike abstained; Glen moved to approve resolution authorizing Paul; Alden seconded; passed. Glen moved to approve Alden; Mike seconded; Alden abstained; passed. Each officer must file affidavits of interest every time they are paid. Paul gave Alden a stack of affidavits.

Transfer ARPA Funds to Broadband Fund. The Board voted in April to spend $800 of our ARPA funds into our internet fund. Patrice made the transfer.

Mike Siebenaler from Lost River Road: He has a lot of debris from the winter storm and asked if the township will take care of it. Mike said only if it is in the township right-of-way. We can’t remove driveway debris. We will chip debris in our ditches.

Rod Sodegaard Town Hall Rental: He gave Patrice the form and deposit for a wedding shower. Paul said the hall should be clean and set up for the pancake breakfast.

Couri&Ruppe Legal Seminar: Will be Saturday, September 16 in Rutledge, 9-4. They will answer all legal questions for free.

Treasurer’s Report and Claims: Patrice gave the treasurer’s report. Total bills for May are $4,418.50; she needs a transfer of $4,400. Glen moved to approve her report and to transfer the funds. Alden seconded.

Meeting adjourned at 10:10.

Paul Raymond, Clerk