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KABETOGAMA TOWNSHIP REGULAR MEETING January 6, 2009
Chairman Nevalainen opened the meeting at 7:00 pm. Board members present were Supervisors Town and McGregor, Treasurer Kiner, Clerk Manninen, Deputy Clerk Tomczak along with 11 guests. All attending recited the Pledge of Allegiance.
Agenda - The Agenda was approved with some changes, add post opening for application to other business under planning commission, on a motion by Chairman Nevalainen, seconded by Supervisor McGregor. Motion carried.
Minutes – the minutes were reviewed by all present. The minutes were approved on a motion by Supervisor Town, seconded by Supervisor McGregor, motion carried.
Treasurer’s Report -
Payroll – Jill Kiner, $129.29; Manninen, $397.23; Nevalainen, $223.59; Town, $46.78; McGregor, $46.77.
The treasurer’s report was approved on a motion by Supervisor Town, seconded by Supervisor McGregor, motion carried.
Old Business –
Namakan Basin Report – received an e-mail from Gary Cerkvenik. Chairman Nevalainen read the letter to the board.
Summary – The IRR grant has been approved by the board and commissioner. Kabetogama Township received the grant
award document but it could only be used to match up to 25% of the project cost. The county board resolution says that
the county would release their grant money on a one to one basis up to $100,000. This produces a problem. To fix the
problem, Richard Walsh at the IRR wants first to have a letter sent from Kabetogama Township asking for a change that
the funds be directed to St. Louis County since they will be the fiscal agent and to change the 25% to a one to one match since
that is the way the county board has it stated in their resolution, and an e-mail sent to Commissioner Layman from County
Administrator Al Mitchel confirming the County’s desire for a one to one match and agreeing to receive the IRR grant rather
than Kabetogama Township, since the County will be the fiscal agent for all funds for the JPA. Chairman Nevalainen spoke
with Bob Ruppe on this matter. He wants the word Agency used in the letter. Supervisor Town moved to approve this letter to
IRR, seconded by Supervisor McGregor, motion carried.
Joint Powers Agreement – Chairman Nevalainen moved to approve the JPA once it is approved by Bob Ruppe, seconded by
Supervisor Town, motion carried. Mr. Ruppe wanted one change made to the JPA, under Authority he wants this statement
added, provided additional federal, state, and/or County financial assistance has been received by the Board to fund the additional
activities. Mr. Ruppe also wanted an Indemnification clause added to protect Kabetogama Township. Al Mitchell did not
think this was necessary. Mr. Ruppe agreed to leave this out. Crane Lake will pass their motion in the same manner, that they
want their attorney to approve the JPA before they approve it.
Planning Commission Report – Marlene Tomczak
Topics covered under old business, Comprehensive Plan areas Task 3, Community Life, Recreation. Other topics, The 2010 Governor’s fishing opener, Dry Hydrant and roads. Under New Business, Community Hall rental policy. Under Committee Reports, Community Hall, Voyageurs National Park, Trails/Roads, Subordinate Service District (Namakan Basin). Under Other Business, elections and appointments, Gary Amundson, the IJC. Complete minutes can be found on the Kabetogama web site at www.kabetogamatownship.com then Advisory Committees.
Task #3 – needs to be finished up. Implementation and monitoring of the comprehensive plan would also need to facilitate a meeting with the planning board and St. Louis County to develop a check list to follow. Community Life – can the township fund some monies for the community entrance? One possibility would be to annex the unorganized township at the corner into the Kabetogama township. Chairman Nevalainen will look into this and other options. Recreation - would like to have meetings with VNP to discuss topics referred to in the plan. Governor’s Fishing Opener – A final decision has not been made yet. Dry Hydrant – Mike Ward responded positively about moving forward with a cooperative effort to address the request. Roads – a road review will be addressed in the Spring. The township will address signage for protecting Lady slippers. Mike Forsman sent a letter to the township stating that a field meeting will be scheduled to discuss the maintenance issues of our roads. Mr. Forsman forwarded our concerns to Barbara Hayden, St. Louis County Planning and Zoning Board and Jim Foldesi, acting director of Public Works. The township will continue to contact St. Louis County with any issues we are having with roads. Individuals in the area are encouraged to do the same when they feel it necessary. New Business – Hall rental policy. Chairman Nevalainen downloaded a Town Hall Renal Policy from the MATIT web site. This will be forwarded to our attorney Bob Ruppe, for comment. A fee scheduled has been recommended by the planning commission, Non-refundable Application fee - $25.00, Refundable Damage Deposit - $100.00, Tax Payer Rental Fee - $50.00 and a Non-taxpayer Rental Fee - $100.00. Committee Reports – Community Hall, Jim Cowgill is obtaining bids from various contractors so that the building committee can proceed with funding requests. VNP – The staff is waiting for the proposed budget to be approved and signed. Several staff positions have not been filled. Trails/Roads – Mike Wurst (DNR), has recommended that the Arrowhead Trail be graded instead of mowed. The DNR has a grader, but it might not be heavy enough. The township will explore this possibility. The VNPA has received a $2500 grant for trail maintenance. The Echo Bay trail is being groomed for cross country skiing. Namakan Basin SSD Project – An agreement to establish a JPA is being drawn up. Other Business – Election and appointments, one seat is open for the planning board for a three year term. Jerry Mitchell has been recommended for that position. This position must be applied for to the Township Board. A notice will be listed in the Voyageur Sentinal. Gary Amundson – asked for support of the township for a project involving a Nature Interactive Camp to reconnect youth to nature and outdoor activities. The planning board recommends that Gary attend a township board or special meeting to discuss his proposal. The township will send a letter to Mr. Amundson inviting to a planning commission. The planning board recommends that the township be in contact with the IJC (International Joint Commission) addressing concerns of Spring flooding.
Roads & Trails – Chairman Nevalainen read a letter from Jim Foldesi. He would like to set up a field meeting to discuss roads & trails. Grading the trails is tabled to a later meeting. Add a line to the snow plowing contract with Paul that on an emergency he would be called to plow Township road #7925 (State Point).
Town Hall Rental – Chairman Nevalainen will send a hall rental agreement to Mr. Ruppe for comment. It has been decided that the hall can be rented but the final policy will be approved at our next meeting. A rental application will be sent out when requested.
Gary Amundson will be invited to a Planning Commission meeting to give his proposal. He will be allotted a half hour. The township will send him a letter inviting him.
The township would like to invite Mr Ward to one of our meetings. The township will send a letter inviting him to a June or July board meeting. Chairman Nevalainen moved to invite Mr. Ward to a meeting, seconded by Supervisor MrGregor, motion carried.
Claims – Chairman Nevalainen moved to accept the claims presented at this meeting, seconded by Supervisor McGregor, motion carried.
Supervisor Town moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:17 pm, seconded by Supervisor McGregor, motion carried.
Respectfully Submitted,
Mary Manninen, Clerk Kabetogama Township
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