The meeting was called to order by Chairman Peterson at 7:00 p.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance. All Board Supervisors, Chief Schultz, the Clerk, and two others were in attendance.

Motion by Bilek, second by Peterson to accept the minutes of the October 11th Board Meeting as amended. Carried unanimous.

Vic Kreuziger asked about getting a driveway permit application. The Clerk provided a brief explanation of the process and provided a copy of the application form & the driveway standards document.

Dave Johnson asked the Board to consider allowing bio-degradable leaf bags in the Transfer Station leaf pile.

Chief Schultz presented the Fire Department report as follows:

1. There had been 10 medical runs during October; 4 fire, and 6 first responder. Total year-to-date is 109 runs.
2. The department is having the decals removed from the old pickup 9519. Then they will bring to the dealer to be sold. Will be asking $3500.
3. All trucks have completed the annual inspection and maintenance. Ladders and pumps have been inspected.
4. Working on purchase of turnout gear washer/extractor. The salesman will visit station to develop an installation plan. Expect the cost to be around $7000.
5. A lease has been offered for the purchase of new SCBA (self-contained breathing apparatus) equipment. Twenty sets of paks, along with extra bottles and other accessories, can be purchased for $136,392 and financed via a lease purchase agreement with Tax-Exempt Leasing Corp. The term offered is 5 years with annual payments of approximately $30,000 each. Schultz and Peterson will review the department budget to consider if a down-payment could be made.
6. The Fire Department membership Christmas Party is to be held on December 10th at the Town Hall.
7. The two new members are working out great. They are in process of receiving the required training.
8. The landing lights on the helipad have been repaired with a new photocell.
9. There were no safety incidents.

Supervisor Bilek gave the Planning & Zoning report as follows:

1. Attended the recent county DRT meeting. A bluff setback variance for Nelson on Ossawinamakee Road was discussed. Due to lot conditions, it was unlikely the variance would be granted as presented.
2. During October, 10 permits were issued in Ideal; 8 septic/land use, and 2 commerical.

Chairman Peterson presented the Road and Bridge report as follows:

1. All road maintenance agreements have been fully executed. Peterson suggested that future agreement renewals include language referencing the mailbox policy accepting responsibility only for mailboxes on conforming mailbox supports damaged in snowplowing activities.
2. A discussion of road construction contracts including more specific timeframe terms to insure work is completed in a timely manner.
3. Completed the annual road review. Planning to complete reviews annually in the fall so that construction plans for the following year can be assembled and put out for bid earlier in the year. This will enable flexibility with bidding process, scheduling, and coordination with other entities to enhance efficiency. A preliminary estimate is in process that will help refine plans.
4. Presented an update to the Mailbox Policy document removing charges for conforming supports. Residents will be able to work with the Township to obtain conforming supports at no cost. This will encourage residents to install conforming supports which increases road safety and maintenance efficiency. Motion by Peterson, second by Bilek to adopt the revised mailbox policy. Carried unanimous.
5. The road salt & sand has been delivered and mixed.
6. All mailbox supports are now completed along roads which had road construction this year. Received a thank you message from one of the area mail carriers – new supports make their job much easier.
7. Worked with contractor to remove stumps on northside for the Trout Lake Drive hammerhead, and from storm damaged trees that were removed.
8. The annual certification of road mileage was submitted to the county. The remaining portion of Trout Lake Drive was measured and updated on the certification.
9. Plow trucks are prepared for winter season.
10. A letter was received asking the Board to accept Whitefish Terrace as a township road. The road does not meet minimum standards for the township. A letter will be sent to provide notice of decision that will include the current road standard document.
11. Working to develop an estimate and schedule for constructing a salt shed. Visited the Breezy Point shed and created sketches to use for preliminary estimating. Supervisor Johnson presented photos of fabric covered structures that he had worked with in the past that could be considered.
12. There were no safety incidents.

Supervisor Bilek presented the Transfer Station/Recycling Center report as follows:

1. Winter hours have started – Saturdays 8-4.
2. Year to date revenue is $63,353; up about $7900 over last year at this time.
3. Permit sales year-to-date are 1179 - up by 188 compared with last year.
4. Electronics and appliance numbers are down slightly compared to last year.
5. New permits for 2017 have been ordered.
6. Price of loads of leaves for commercial haulers will now be $10 each.
7. Station will be open on Christmas Eve day normal hours 8 am to 4 pm.
8. A crew of volunteers, along with help from our maintenance crew, completed cutting & splitting 30 cords of wood for Big Island.

Supervisor Johnson presented the Building, Grounds, Parks & Recreation report as follows:

1. Dave Badger has completed planting of the new maple trees behind the ball field fence.
2. Johnson and the Clerk conducted a review of facilities at the main campus on 10/24/16. A list of items to be done is being finalized.
3. Grants have been confirmed with ICSO & NJPA to fund the generator install for the town hall building.

Supervisor Johnson gave a Legislative & Research report as follows:

1. Watching progress on legislation regarding rural broadband. The MN Association of Townships’ annual conference coming up is focused on the importance of and efforts to expand rural broadband throughout the state.
2. Charter Communications has been notified that Ideal Township will be reviewing the franchise agreement with them before the current agreement expires in 2019. Johnson is getting counsel from the firm of Moss & Barnett who have experience negotiating utility franchise agreements.

Motion by Bilek, second by Peterson to accept the treasurer’s report for October as presented. Report includes receipts #5221 through #5245 totaling $347,407.38 and disbursements #SVC100416 through #20871 for total of $788,631.13, including an operating funds transfer of $300,000. Carried unanimous.

Motion by Bilek, second by Peterson to approve the November claims as presented; claims #42679 through #42734 totaling $51,935.29. Carried unanimous.

The Clerk gave a report on the General Election:

1. There were 894 voters registered by election day. New registrations on election day added 57 voters. Total registered voters equals 951.
2. In-person votes totaled 599; absentee ballots totaled 215; for total votes cast 814. Voter turnout for the Township was 85.6%.
3. Polling went smoothly with only a couple minor incidents that the election judges were able to handle easily.
4. Full results are available via the Secretary of State’s website.

Upcoming calendar items were reviewed as follows:

1. The Paul Bunyan Scenic Byway Association Annual Meeting & Dinner on Wednesday November 16th at Bites Grill & Bar in Pine River.
2. The MN Association of Township Conference and Annual Meeting on November 17-19 in St Cloud.
3. The meeting of the Crow Wing County Association of Township Officers meeting on Monday November 28th.
4. The Ideal Green Market Holiday Lunch on Saturday, December 10th at Old Milwaukee.
5. The Fire Department Christmas Party on Saturday, December 10th at the Town Hall.
6. The Ideal Town Board Meeting on Monday, December 12th.
7. The Ideal Staff Holiday Lunch on Friday, December 23rd at Old Milwaukee Club.

There being no further business to transact, the meeting adjourned at 9:00 pm.

John Plein,
Ideal Township Clerk
November 21st, 2016