The meeting was called to order by Supervisor Brandt at 7:00 p.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance. All members and the clerk were in attendance. No other persons were present.

Motion by Peterson, seconded by Brandt to accept the minutes of the November 10th Board Meeting as amended. Carried unanimous.

There was nothing presented for Open Forum.

Supervisor Brandt presented the Road and Bridge report as follows:

1. The crew had done some plowing and sanding after the recent snowfall.
2. All equipment is running well.
3. Brandt presented an updated public service joint powers agreement with City of Pequot Lakes regarding maintenance on share roads – Wild Acres and Nelson Roads. He had reviewed the agreement with the attorney and recommended acceptance. Motion by Brandt, second by Wortham to accept the agreement and forward it to the city council for their approval. Carried unanimous.
4. Brandt will develop a letter asking the Pequot Lakes City Council asking for a meeting to discuss working on upgrades to Buschmann, Nelson and Wild Acres Roads.
5. The agreement with Boyd Lodge regarding objects placed in right-of-way was still under review. Brandt is working with attorneys to complete the details. Peterson asked to confirm that Boyd’s insurance coverage include liability protection for the township.
6. The Resolution regarding the vacation of a road right of way near Forest Knolls Road was being updated to correct some wording. The revised documents will be re-recorded.
7. Brandt recommends charging cost incurred on future road vacation hearings. The township association attorney had suggested charges of $1000 or actual costs whichever is greater. Motion by Wortham, second by Peterson to approve policy as suggested. Carried unanimous.
8. Brandt will be attending the upcoming coordination meeting with the county highway department on January 26, 2015.
9. There were no safety incidents.

The fire department report was as follows:

1. The lease agreement to enable the North Ambulance to stage at the fire hall was signed and copies distributed. Brandt asked the clerk to confirm the insurance coverage for Ideal and North Ambulance.
2. Supervisor Brandt expressed thanks to the department for the nice Christmas Dinner and for all their good service during the year.
3. The clerk presented a copy of the Relief Association Fund Report Card that had been received from the state auditor’s office. It shows some info regarding the performance of the fund over the past year.
4. There is some new reports available regarding the difficulties in recruiting fire department members.
5. The clerk reported on an application for unemployment benefits by a current fire fighter. The request for information had been completed and a determination had been received showing no cost to the township since the person was still a member of the department.
6. The department had received two $1000 donations from the Ideal Community Service Organization. One is for the general ICSO fire fund and the other is for the 1st Responders. The checks have been deposited and will be credited to the appropriate non-budget funds.
7. Emily Greens is again offering special pricing for municipal employees including fire fighters for season passes at their golf course. Information has been forwarded the department heads.
8. Peterson asked the clerk to prepare the annual fire contract for Timothy Township to insure that it is completed and paid before the March 1 renewal date.
9. 9. The new fire truck was discussed but there hadn’t been any additional information presented. No action was taken but would re-evaluate things next year. Brandt suggested waiting until the results of the shared services study had been completed and reviewed by the Board.

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

1. Wortham presented some comparisons of increased activity in 2014 versus 2013. Paper collected was up about 37% and comingled increased 46%.
2. Will call haulers to make sure bins are placed further back so they can be reached easier for persons depositing materials.
3. Brandt discussed recent changes in legislation regarding tax-forfeit lands. Brandt recommends taking necessary steps to insure that ownership of the transfer station property is retained in its entirety. He will have counsel review and report on procedure.

There was nothing to report on Park and Recreation.

Supervisor Peterson reported Planning & Zoning:

1. The Adair property on Butternut Point Road has a structure planned that would encroach on right-of-way setbacks. More info to come later.
2. Thomas property on Pig Lake. There is currently a storage shed placed on their dock. The owners want to place it on shoreland within setbacks. More info to come later.

Supervisor Brandt, the clerk, and former clerk Bev Brine had met at Wells Fargo Bank to review contents of the safety deposit box there and to update the authorized user information. The last time someone had accessed the box was in 1999. The box contains the abstract for the town hall property. The clerk will check if Lakes State Bank would offer a better deal for a box there.

Bruce Shultz was contacted regarding placing roof cleats above the door into the new meeting room to keep snow and ice from falling onto sidewalk.

Brandt had a conversation with a resident on Blueberry Bay Road regarding neighbors doing vacation rentals and causing problems.

The Board will conduct planning meetings in January to outline the proposed 2016 Budget.

A discussion of the truck bay floor drains and the installation estimate to install the required explosion-proof drain system. North County Plumbing had presented an estimate totaling $14,542 for the inside work including connecting the four drains, removing the p-traps, and installing the explosion tank. Motion by Wortham, second by Peterson to authorize the work to be done. Work and schedule must account for trucks that cannot be parked outside in freezing weather. Clerk will contact contractors for more info and consider getting a competitive bid.

Motion by Peterson, second by Wortham to accept the treasurer’s report for November as presented. Report includes receipts #4781 through #4795 totaling $84,407.09 and disbursements #PERA110314 through #SVC112814 for total of $102,442.08 including operating funds transfer of $50,000. Carried unanimous.

Motion by Wortham, second by Peterson to approve the December claims as presented; claims #41692 through #41734 totaling $38,971.66. Carried unanimous.

Discussion of annual employee wage increases took place. Current and past wages were reviewed. Motion by Wortham, second by Peterson to increase wages as discussed effective January 1, 2015. Carried unanimous. Aggregate increase is approximately 4.5% over current.

There being no further business to transact, the meeting adjourned at 8:45 pm.

John Plein,
Ideal Township Clerk
December 23th, 2014