The clerk called the meeting to order at 8:00 P.M. with the Pledge of Allegiance. There were 28 residents in attendance.

Nominations were called for moderator for the 2012 Township Meeting. Motion by Jim Brandt, seconded by Lynn Scharenbroich to name John Plein moderator. Plein was named moderator by acclimation.

Motion by Jim Brandt, seconded by Lynn Scharenbroich, to accept the minutes of the 2011 Annual Meeting as presented. Carried

Moderator Plein requested the results of the Ideal Township Annual Election. Following are the results presented by the Election Judges: Supervisor, 3-year term Jim Brandt 30 votes

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

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

Motion by Bill Wortham, seconded by Mike Clasen, to use the Lakes Country Echo of Pequot Lakes as the primary publication for the Township. Additionally, the Pine River Journal and Northland Press should be used when announcing special meetings and elections. Carried

The date and time for the 2013 Annual Meeting and Election was set. Motion by Bob Scharenbroich, seconded by Ron Schultz, 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 12th, 2013. Carried

Jim Brandt gave the Road and Bridge update:

1. Ideal is currently responsible for 70 roads and 49 miles of road. In 2011, Ideal resurfaced portions Birchdale Villa Road, Heath Road, Long Farm Road, South Clamshell Drive, Wildamere Road, Harbor Lane, the maintenance building driveway and parking lot and upgraded the gravel on Wild Acres. Performed crack sealing on Clamshell Cove, Forest Knolls Road, N. Clamshell Lane, Ossawinamakee, Shadow Trail, Tamarack Heights, Weaver Lake Road, Wild Acres Road, Clear Blue Avenue, Guri Moe Court, Old County Road #16, Ruttger Road, Sunny Shores Drive, Twin Ponds Road, West Clear Lake and the Northside fire Hall parking lot and helicopter pad.
2. Purchased salt/sand from MNDOT purchasing agreement.
3. Purchased new snowplow truck and sold the old one to another township.
4. Cleared road right of ways on several roads.
5. Prepared area for the old fire truck display building.
6. Upgraded Wild Acres gravel road to prepare for potential paving in the future.
7. Helped prepare and haul wood to the three islands on Upper Whitefish Lake.
8. Helped with the volunteer project of erosion control on Big Island using a grant from the DNR.
9. Took care of noxious weeds.
10. Worked on several P & Z issues related to roads.
11. No safety related issues this year.

Chief Mike Clasen gave the Fire Department report:

1. 2012 Officers
   Chief Mike Clasen
   Asst Chief Ken Stoltman
   Captain Ryan Schultz
   1st Lieutenant Marty Griffith
   2nd Lieutenant Craig Wallace
   Chief Engineer Doug Duval
   Secretary Jeff Holubar
   Safety Officer Jeff Holubar
2. The Department had 112 emergency runs in 2011.
3. The Department is currently at 30 active firefighters.
4. The Cuyuna Range Chief Association received a Federal Communication Grant for the county 800 mega hertz radio system for $761,283. The money will be used to equip 13 fire departments. Ideals portion is estimated at $52,100 with a 20% match.
5. In the fall of 2010, the Department put in countless hours of training and preparation for testing for a reduced ISO rating at Station 2, which in turn would reduce homeowners insurance rates in that coverage area. The results of the testing were Station II rating was reduced from a rating of 10 down to 7, the same rating as Station I.
6. The Beef Feed served just under 2000 people this year.
7. The department received several donations from residents and $8,700 from ICSO that will go towards the purchase of equipment for the 1st Responders group.
8. North Ambulance awarded five of the Ideal Firefighters the “Stork Award” for the delivery of a baby girl last spring. Additionally, one Ideal Firefighter received a “Heart Savers Award” for saving the life of an Ideal resident that had a heart attack.
9. There were 2 safety incidents.

John Plein reported on the Ideal Transfer Station and Recycling Center. The center collected 80,920 lbs. of recyclable materials in 2011, which was an increase of less than 1% from 2010:

1. Implemented user logging to track receipts and usage.
2. Established metal salvage agreement which pays for hauling and gives the township a share of the salvage value.
3. Removed 500 tires sent in for recycling.
4. Proposed improvements for 2012 include a gravel pad for the metal pile and additional advertising.
5. Collected 30 cords of firewood for the Rollie Johnson Recreational area.
6. There were no safety incidents.

John Plein reported on the improvements to Park and Recreation in 2011. A pedestrian crosswalk was installed between the Town Hall and Park to improve safety. The Pequot Sons of the American Legion generously donated money to purchase and install a merry-go-round in the playground area. During the fall 2011, the board approved and assisted in the development of the Fire Department’s Historical display project along with a group of retired fire fighters led by Dave Badger.

Possible improvements for 2012 include adding/upgrading equipment in the playground, planting more trees along the back side of the ball park and playground, complete raised planter for south corner and resurface the infield of the ballpark.

Possible town hall renovations were discussed.

The 2013 budget proposal was discussed. The proposed budget for 2013 was $835,000, the same as 2012. A motion was made to increase the reserve account from $150,000 to $175,000. Motion - carried

The salary of the Ideal Township Board was discussed. The meeting rate and hourly rate were adjusted in 2009 to $150 for meetings and the hourly rate of $17.50.

Motion by John Plein, seconded by Bill Wortham to leave the supervisors salary at the current rate. Carried

Lynn Scharenbroich explained the Linda Ulland Scholarship fund plan.

Supervisor Brandt covered the new land use map currently being displayed in the town hall.

Motion by Bill Wortham, seconded by Jim Brandt to adjourn as there was no further business to discuss. Carried

The meeting adjourned at 9:25 pm.

Deana St. Pierre
Ideal Township Clerk
March 13th, 2012