The clerk called the meeting to order at 8:00 P.M. with the Pledge of Allegiance. There were 29 residents in attendance.

Nominations were called for moderator of the 2008 Township meeting. Motion by Ron Schultz, seconded by Vonnie Stoltman to name Bill Wortham moderator. Wortham was named moderator by acclimation.

Motion by Ron Schultz, seconded by Jim Brandt, to accept the minutes of the 2007 Annual Meeting as presented. Carried

Moderator Wortham requested the results of the Ideal Township Annual election. Following are the results presented by the Election Judges:

Supervisor, 3-year term
John Plein 23 votes
Paula Schaub 1 vote

Based on the election results, John Plein was declared winner of the 3-year supervisors position.

The Township banking policies were discussed. Motion by Linda Ulland, seconded by Lynn Scharenbroich, to use any or all banking facilities in the Pequot Lakes, Crosslake and Pine River areas. Carried

Motion by Ken Stoltman, seconded by Jim Brandt, to use the Lakes Country Echo of Pequot Lakes as the primary publication for the Township. Additionally, the Pine River Journal should be used when announcing special meetings and elections. Carried

The date and time for the 2009 Annual Meeting and Election was set. Motion by Jim Brandt, seconded by John Plein, to hold the Annual Election between the hours of 5 pm and 8 pm with the Annual Meeting to begin at 8 pm. All will take place at the Ideal Town Hall on March 10th, 2009. Carried

Supervisor Wortham gave an overview of the road and bridge fund and the accomplishments in 2007, along with the roads budget performance.

Jim Brandt gave the Road and Bridge update.

1. In 2007, Ideal resurfaced .7 miles of Butternut Point Road, sections of Deer Trail and West Island Lake Drive and put patches on Silver Peak Road and North Clamshell Lane.
2. The town hall parking lot and concrete apron were replaced.
3. 17,371 feet of road were routed and crack sealed by Bergman Companies.
4. The John Deere tractors overheating problem was resolved.
5. The township took over maintenance of Shadow Trail Road.
6. There were no safety incidents.

Chief Ken Stoltman gave a presentation regarding the Ideal Fire Department.

1. 2008 Officers
   Chief Ken Stoltman
   Asst. Chief Ryan Schultz
   Captain Tom Johnson
   1st Lieutenant Mike Clasen
   2nd Lieutenant Marty Griffith
   Chief Engineer Doug Duvall
   Secretary Harlan Hedke
   Safety Officer Jeff Holubar
2. The Department had 35 emergency runs in 2007.
3. The Department is currently at 29 active fire fighters.
4. Three fire fighters resigned from the department and 3 new members joined the department in 2007.
5. The department released 2 government surplus vehicles back to the DNR.
6. The Department purchased a grass rig, 2 new water rescue suits, 12 new self-contained breathing apparatus, a thermal image camera, and a rescue boat to be put into service this summer.
7. Entered into a contract with the Ideal Sno Pros to use their tracked Polaris Ranger for Winter rescues.
8. Installed a lighted wind sock at Station 2 for the helicopter landing area.
9. Some department goals for 2008 included: equip the new rescue boat, complete landing zone at station 2, spec out the new pumper/tender truck, and develop a plan for efficient use of station 1 when the road maintenance department moves into the new building.

Jim Brandt reported on the Ideal Transfer Station and Recycling Center. The center collected 60,840 Lbs. of recyclable materials in 2007, which was up slightly from 2006. Improvements made in 2007 included rebuilt dumpsters fitted with light weight lids and constructing concrete recessed enclosures for the small dumpsters.

Supervisor John Plein reported on the accomplishments for the townships park and recreation department in 2007 which included: final installation of a picnic table for the rest area at fire station 2, expanding the sprinkler system and installing eight red maple trees along the parking lots south side.

The 2009 budget proposal was discussed. The proposed budget for 2009 was $795,000. Supervisor Wortham explained some of the upcoming expenses the Township expected for 2009 and supervisor Brandt presented diagrams and gave an overview of the new maintenance building set to be constructed this summer.

Motion by Linda Ulland, seconded by Jim Brandt, to set the 2009 Ideal Township Budget at $795.000. Carried

The salary of the Ideal Township Board was discussed. The meeting rate and hourly rate has remained the same for 5 years and a slight increase was discussed. Motion by Tom Johnson, seconded by Ryan Schultz to increase the meeting rate from $125 to $150 and the hourly rate from $16 to $17. Carried

Lynn Scharenbroich and Linda Ulland gave an update on the Paul Bunyan Scenic Byway.

During open forum, Mike Clasen made a motion the township start the procedure to become a city to protect itself against annexation from neighboring communities. A lengthy discussion regarding the procedure, time line and advantages and disadvantages of this move was discussed. Several residents believed the township should take a proactive approach to the possibilities of annexation. Board members in attendance agreed to put together a group of concerned citizens to investigate the possibilities and contact the townships legal council to get further information on the townships options.

Motion by Mike Clasen, seconded by Dave Johnson, to have the board and a concerned group of citizens investigate the implications of becoming a city, along with any protection from annexation the township may have and give updates at regular township monthly meetings. Carried.

Motion by Ken Stoltman, seconded by Ron Schultz, to adjourn, as there was no further business to discuss. Carried

The meeting adjourned at 9:40 pm.

Deana St. Pierre
Ideal Township Clerk