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KABETOGAMA TOWNSHIP

REGULAR MEETING

May 2, 2006

Chairman Robert Nevalainen opened the board meeting at 7:00 pm. Board members present were Chairman Robert Nevalainen, Supervisor Richard McGregor, Clerk Mary Manninen, Deputy Clerk Marlene Tomczak and Treasurer Jean Reichow along with 5 guests. All attending recited the Pledge of Allegiance.

Voyageurs National Park Superintendent Kate Miller was a guest speaker at the board meeting. A list of questions and concerns were addressed as follows.

Ice road on Kabetogama – there was no conclusive history found as to why there is no ice road on Kabetogama Lake. National Parks prohibit the use of off road vehicles in the park. In non-national parks and national recreation areas off road vehicles can be used on designated routes. Our area is a national park so technically no off road vehicles can be used unless they are on an established park road. On Rainy Lake an ice road was established to Cranberry Bay (7mi.) which is maintained by the park. Except for a shortage of labor Ms. Miller did not know why there was no ice road on Kabetogama. The park will be working on its Winter Use Plan beginning this fall this along with many other winter activities will be discussed. The public is encouraged to attend these meetings and voice there concerns and opinions.

Snowmobile 45 mph in Park – the speed limit is a federal regulation not a park regulation and will also be discussed this fall as part of the Winter Use Plan.

Houseboat gray water – The Park will be conducting a study this summer on the effects of the gray water discharge into the lakes.

Houseboat sites vs. day use sites – the Park has established two new day use sites on both basins and there will be more created in the future.

Kab Ash Trail clearing – May 19^th and 20^th is set for clean up of this trail. Volunteers are welcome.

The Township Board of Supervisors greatly appreciates Kate Miller attending our meeting. Cooperation and communication between all entities in this area is extremely important to keep the tourist trade up and residents and business owners happy.

Agenda – Supervisor Richard McGregor moved to accept the agenda as read, seconded by Chairman Robert Nevalainen. Motion carried.

Minutes – the minutes of the April 4^th meeting were read and approved on a motion by Supervisor Richard McGregor, seconded by Chairman Robert Nevalainen. Motion carried.

Treasurer’s Report –

Supervisor Richard McGregor moved to accept the treasurer’s report as read, seconded by Chairman Robert Navalainen. Motion carried.

Old Business:

Paul Kiner gave the following report from the Planning meeting;

There will be a special meeting on May 22^nd at 5:30 pm at the Kabetogama Community Hall for the Pucks Point Subordinate Service Discrict landowners. This meeting is open to the public. Another group is trying to form a district from Sandy Point to Kec’s Kove including Ness road. Residents living in these areas should attend this meeting to become familiar with the process.

The Planning Commission made a recommendation to the Township Board to accept Bridget Chard’s contract.

Hiking and Biking trails – a conditional use permit was issued to allow clean up of these trails (May 18^th to 20^th).

Kabetogama area county roads – our county roads need repairs. We all need to voice our concerns to the township about our roads so they can get the county moving on fixing them. The township will relay our concerns to the county commissioners.

Community Center – nothing has been started regarding a new building for our community center. Some type of plan should be started soon so it can be included in the comprehensive plan for the township.

911 signs and posts – this project is coming along slowly. The Kabetogama Fire department has begun installing green sign posts for the new 911 signs. Everyone in the area will be receiving new posts and signs this project is supposed to be completed by July 2006. Volunteer are needed to complete this task on time. Please pass the word along that the new posts are being installed. The fire department does not want people removing the posts because they may not know what is going on.

Woodenfrog Campground Signs – The DNR will be contacted about clearing the area around the woodenfrog signs or possibly even installing new signs because they are not very visible to tourists coming into the area.

Historical Society – Mark Nelson has created a web site Kabetogama Historical Society.com. Mr. Nelson has formed a committee that will be working to fill the site with local history.

The Planning Commission has changed its meeting dates to the first Monday of each Month at the same locations as the Township meetings. End of Planning Commission report.

Old Business:

The Kabetogama Lake Association is sending a letter to the DNR Trails and Waterways requesting that a parking lot be created at the Arrowhead trail on Gamma Rd. The township approved this letter at the April 2006 board meeting.

To address the safety issues on State Point and Pucks Point roads Chairman Robert Nevalainen contacted the township attorney. Both of these roads have one lane traffic only areas on them. The township attorney suggested installing single lane traffic only signs at the trouble spots to make residents more aware of the situation. On State Point road the signs would be installed at the top and bottom of the hill.  On Pucks Point road the signs would be installed by Grandview Resort. Chairman Robert Nevalainen moved to purchase 4 single lane only signs to be installed. Supervisor Richard McGregor seconded, motion carried. The township will look for funding to help cover the costs of eventually bringing these two roads up to standard.

Chairman Robert Nevalainen made a clarification regarding the naming of Nelson Point. At the last township meeting it was brought to the boards attention that Mr. Nelson gave false information to the county as to why this property should be named Nelson Point. Chairman Nevalainen spoke to the county about this and found that the county was liable for the mistake. They had taken Mr. Nelson’s letter and condensed it to the point that it stated incorrect information.

Clerk Mary Manninen sent a letter to  Minneapolis attention US Postmaster regarding our area receiving a St. Louis County zip code.  As of this meeting there has been no response to this letter.

New Business:

Meeting date changes – The July 2006 board meeting will be held on July 11, 2006 at 7:00 pm at the Kabetogama Community Hall. The November 2006 board meeting will be held on November 14, 2006 at 7:00 pm at the Kabetogama Fire hall. Chairman Robert Nevalainen moved to approve the date changed. Supervisor Richard McGregor seconded, motion carried.

Approve Bridge Chard Contract – Chairman Robert Nevalainen moved to accept Bridget Chard’s contract. Supervisor Richard McGregor seconded, motion carried.

Lee Herseth from the Kabetogama Lake Association explained how the light bill down at the fish has become very expensive lately. Because the minimum amount of usage is not met down at the fish the standard bill now is $380.00. He is looking for some help with this issue. Table to the next meeting. Research other options for lighting.

Claims for approval – There was a motion to approve these claims by Chairman Robert Nevalainen. Supervisor Richard McGregor seconded. Motion carried

The meeting was adjourned at 9:15 p.m. on a motion by Chairman Robert Nevalainen, seconded by Supervisor Richard McGregor, motion carried.

Respectfully submitted, Mary Manninen,

Clerk, Kabetogama Township

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