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KABETOGAMA TOWNSHIP REGULAR MEETING December 2, 2008
Chairman Nevalainen opened the meeting at 7:07 pm. Board members present were Supervisors Town and McGregor, Treasurer Kiner, Clerk Manninen, Deputy Clerk Tomczak along with 8 guests. All attending recited the Pledge of Allegiance.
Agenda - The Agenda was approved with some changes, move G. Cerkvenik/Contract to old business, on a motion by Chairman Nevalainen, seconded by Supervisor Town. Motion carried.
Minutes – the minutes were reviewed by all present. The minutes were approved on a motion by Supervisor Town, seconded by Chairman Nevalainen, motion carried.
Treasurers Report –
Payroll – Jill Kiner, $129.29; Manninen, $419.68; Nevalainen, $217.03; Town, $46.77; McGregor, $46.78.
The CD was renewed for 9 months instead of 6 months which had been decided on at the November meeting. Motion by Supervisor Town to accept the change to 9 months, seconded by Supervisor McGregor, motion carried. The treasurer’s report was approved on a motion by Supervisor McGregor, seconded by Supervisor Town, motion carried.
Old Business –
Speaker – G. Cerkvenik,
We received the $100,000.00 grant from St. Louis County to help fund the development phase of the Namakan Basin Project. The County Board passed a resolution to authorize an add on to the environmental trust fund and in addition to provide some incentive to the IRRB to authorize release of those funds on a dollar to dollar basis up to $100,000.00. Our State representative David Dill and State Senator Tom Bakk worked with us and convinced the IRRB Commissioner to take $50,000.00 from her commissioner’s fund during the current state fiscal year which ends July 1st and obligate it to the project. She talked to Al Mitchell the county administrator and said she was going to do this and send him a letter and Kabetogama Township a letter stating her intentions. This now give this project $50,000 from the county and $50,000 from the IRRB to start the process. She also stated that she would appropriate another $50,000 in next years budget which is July 1, 2009. Which means we should have the full $200,000 available to accomplish our planning process in the time period of the next 12 months or so.
There was a telephone conference between Alan Mitchell, Gary Cerkvenik, Bob Ruppe, Crane Lakes attorney Mary Frances Skala, a County attorney representative and Robert Nevalainen. In this conference it was agreed that there would need to be a joint Powers Agreement on the terms in which the $200,000.00 could be spent. This will be drafted up by the St. Louis County attorney with the assistance of our attorney, Bob Ruppe. There will also be a joint Powers Board established with one representative from Crane Lake Sanitary Sewer District, one from Kabetogama Township , one from unorganized township Ash River, and two County Commissioners (Forsman and Nelson). It was agreed that St. Louis County would be used as the fiscal agent in administering these funds. Also, in this conference it was asked if these funds could be used for past work done. Alan Mitchell stated that these funds are to be used for future work performed and would not be allowed to be spent on past projects or debts. Gary explained that if the Joint Powers Board and members agreed, his contract could be turned over to the Joint Powers and paid of out of the $200,000 fund.
A motion was made by Supervisor McGregor to authorize our Attorney Bob Ruppe to draft the Joint Powers Agreement which will then be brought before the board for comment/approval, seconded by Supervisor Town, motion carried.
A motion was made by Supervisor McGregor to approve Resolution 2008-10 that Kabetogama Township agrees to have the St. Louis County Auditor be the fiscal agent for the $200,000.00 seconded by Supervisor Town, motion carried.
Supervisor McGregor moved to renew Gary Cerkvenik’s contract including a 30 day cancellation clause, until the JPA has been accepted and put into place, seconded by Supervisor Town, motion carried
Community Center Report –
Not much new right now. Jim received the signed contract back. He has asked to move forward with getting estimates on bids from Shannon’s and Kantor Electric so we have some idea what this building may cost. Jim will be working on the site plan.
Roads –
Bob read the response from Mike Forsman. Mr. Forsman forwarded our letter to the acting director of public works and the director of planning and zoning. He said he did a drive through of the area on his way to International falls. He explained to these people that we have legitimate complaints and that working with the township and their planning processes would be a good way to proceed. He also explained that he has had complaints from individual constituents about road maintenance operator concerns for the future and have asked the acting director of public works to check into this.
Supervisor Town made a call to the county regarding some road issues and spoke with Jim Holter who said he was sending someone up.
Meeting with Kabetogama Fire Dept. –
The Kabetogama Township Supervisors will meet with the Kabetogama Fire Department officers to discuss the fire department’s budget for 2010. This meeting will be held one hour before the townships January meeting. There will be a posting in the newspaper for this meeting.
Property Tax issues – the township clerk has received calls regarding line items on the property tax statements. The clerk called St. Louis County and got no answers from them regarding this matter. Supervisor McGregor moved to have the clerk draft a letter to St. Louis County asking them to explain these line items. Motion seconded by Supervisor Town, motion carried.
Claims – Supervisor Town moved to accept the claims presented at this meeting, seconded by Supervisor McGregor, motion carried.
Supervisor McGregor moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:17 pm, seconded by Supervisor Town, motion carried.
Respectfully Submitted,
Mary Manninen, Clerk Kabetogama Township |