The meeting was called to order by Supervisor Brandt at 7:00 p.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance. All members and seven residents were in attendance.

Motion by Peterson, seconded by Wortham to accept the minutes of the March 10th Board Meeting as amended, and the March 10th Board of Audit, and the April 10th Special Meetings as presented. Carried unanimous.

Terry Johnson approached the board with info regarding the Madison CUP request on Ossiwinimakee Road. The owners have withdrawn their request at the county. The MPCA would not allow a feedlot operation within the shoreland impact zone which would restrict owners to 10 animals or less. Johnson offered to forward copy of info on the requirements. Johnson commented that the county zoning ordinance had no such restriction and appeared to allow feedlots in rural residential 2.5 areas. He asked if the township would consider recommending that the county change and/or clarify the ordinance.

Supervisor Brandt suggested forming a committee to address the issue. Supervisor Wortham suggested sending a letter to the county to gauge their position. Motion by Wortham, second by Peterson to send Brandt and Johnson to meet with the county. Carried unanimous.

Supervisor Brandt presented the Road and Bridge report as follows:

1. The maintenance crew’s been plowing, sanding, and scraping on warmer days. Roads are in good shape.
2. Completed tire & suspension repair work on the one-ton truck.
3. Brandt has submitted the 50 ton salt order for next winter season.
4. The maintenance crew will begin the 4-day week schedule starting May 1st.
5. Preparing to start brooming roads to remove sand.
6. Dudgeon has completed a survey of the disputed right of way and markers are now placed where he had claimed they should be.
7. The Pequot Lakes city council had decided to use most of their road construction funds on Government Drive and won’t have enough to complete the Nelson Road upgrade this year.
8. Local road weight restrictions began on April 4th. The township does not post restrictions.
9. Brandt is looking at purchasing a new mower under the state purchasing co-op. The equipment with accessories will total about $10,235. Motion by Peterson, second by Wortham to approve the purchase. Carried unanimous.
10. There were no safety incidents.

Chief Clasen presented the fire department report as follows:

1. There had been two mutual aid and two medical calls during March.
2. Last month’s drills was for search & rescue, and pumping.
3. Working on revision of the department bylaws as discussed. Hope to have revised set sometime this month and will forward to the clerk for distribution.
4. Have ordered turnout gear for new members Luke Hanson and Tom Osborn. They have met all their training requirements.
5. Three firefighters have researching replacements for the two old outboards on the fire boat. They were able to work with the Power Lodge to purchase a new 250hp Mercury and installation. The purchase qualifies for Mercury’s municipality discount that reduced the price by $7000. The old motors have been sold for $4000, and are requesting a $5000 donation from a local civic organization to help cover cost.
6. Members are designing a couple boxes to mount on the grass rigs to hold safety signage at response scenes.
7. Chief is working with North Ambulance to make arrangements for them to stage at the fire hall. Supervisor Brandt asked that an agreement be drawn up to hold the township harmless. He will contact the township association for an opinion on common practice. The Board expressed support for having the ambulance stationed in the township.
8. Members will be attending a meeting at the Brainerd Fire Hall on April 17th that includes a course on technology for fire departments. Hoping to have systems implemented by the end of the year that will tie into the Active911 system and our front-line trucks.
9. The statewide 800Mhz communication systems have some changes coming soon which will change the channels used. Granite Communications will make the changes to our system as required and to check the communications tower. Cost will be covered by the fire department budget.
10. Have purchased the “Right to Know” manuals to display at both fire stations and are working on the MSDS information to be included.
11. Would like to have People’s Security come in and give us some ideas regarding ways to better secure the fire hall and community center.
12. The truck committee has been putting together the specifications for a new rescue pumper that will replace E15 and R16. Would like to go for bids this spring if possible. The timeline for construction of the truck is 9-10 months and will cost about $400-$450k. Member of the committee presented preliminary specifications and answered questions regarding the equipment proposed. Motion by Peterson, second by Wortham to proceed with bid process. Carried unanimous
13. The clerk presented results of inspection by Lakes Gas of propane equipment at Station II. It appears there are no issues.
14. The clerk gave update on the fire contract with Timothy Township. They are researching some of the wording and will be contacting us after their next meeting. Wortham commented on recent negotiations on the contract with Crosslake for service in Manhattan Beach. That contract was valued using 3.5% of the service area’s tax capacity. If that formula was used for Timothy’s fire contract with Ideal, the cost would be $21,495.
15. The chief expressed thanks for the Board’s involvement to resolve the recent personnel issue. Brandt felt it was a good process.
16. There were no safety incidents.

The Transfer Station/Recycling Center report was as follows:

1. Supervisor Wortham reported the program is still running in the black.
2. The station will be open on Wednesday and Saturday for the spring season.
3. Brandt has ordered tools to assist the compaction of the recycling materials from the county. Expect to receive them soon.
4. Brandt reported that the brush pile had been burned. He is still researching options for having the material mulched or chipped. In case that happens, he has asked the attendant to make sure no metal is put in the pile.
5. Nisswa Rolloff has been sold. Brandt has met with new owners to assure service will continue as in the past.

The Park and Recreation report was as follows:

1. The park sign damaged over the winter was being repaired and will be re-installed as soon as ground is thawed.
2. The area along the maintenance driveway will be improved with clearing and a new fence.
3. Working with maintenance on plans for landscaping around town hall addition.

Supervisor Brandt reported on planning & zoning issues:

1. Reviewed information regarding request for preliminary plat and setback variance for the Golden Harbor property on Rush Lake. The property currently has a high impervious area over 30%. They are looking to convert roadways to pervious surfaces in order to meet 25% requirement. Motion by Brandt, second by Wortham to support all requests except the variance for increased impervious surface with conditions.

Supervisor Brandt discussed the Rollie Johnson Rec Area. A $15,000 grant had been approved for further restoration. Three days of work are planned.

Brandt reported on plans for further meeting on the FireWise Program.

Brandt had attended the informational meeting regarding the Enbridge pipeline proposed to pass through the northwest corner of Timothy Township. It would pass through the watershed area that feeds the Whitefish Chain. Materials on the project are available from the clerk.

The clerk asked the Board for approval of the liquor licenses in the township. Motion by Wortham, second by Peterson to approve. Carried unanimous. The clerk presented two voided checks - #19100 & #19101 which had been damaged by a printer jam. The clerked asked for approval of the purchase of office furniture through the state co-op. Includes a desk, credenza, hutch, lateral file cabinet, task chair, and 2 guest chair for total of about $3000. Motion by Wortham, second by Peterson to approve the purchase. Carried unanimous.

Motion by Wortham, second by Peterson to accept the treasurer’s report for March as presented. Report includes receipts #4629 through #4640 totaling $6,859.83 and disbursements #PERA030514 through #SVC033114 for total of $36,752.28. Carried unanimous.

Motion by Peterson, second by Wortham to approve the April claims as presented; claims #19113 through #19150 totaling $17891.07. Carried unanimous.

Supervisor Peterson suggested that supervisors submit expense claims prior to meetings so they can be included in the claims approved at each meeting. The clerk said they could be submitted up until the Friday prior to be included.

The clerk asked for nominations for Chairman for the Ideal Township Board of Supervisors for the year 2014. Motion by Wortham, seconded by Peterson to nominate Jim Brandt for the 2014 chair. Carried – unanimous.

The assignment of duties for the Board members was discussed and made as follows:

• Road and Bridge Brandt
• Fire Department Liaison Peterson
• Transfer Station/Recycling Wortham
• Parks & Recreation/Township Grounds Peterson
• Weed Control Brandt
• Safety Officer Wortham
• Townhall Building Wortham
• Big Island Liaison Brandt
• Public Communications/Website Brandt, Wortham, Peterson
• Comprehensive Plan Wortham
• Planning and Zoning Brandt
• Policy Development Brandt, Wortham, Peterson
• Legislative Issues Peterson
• Bank Reconcile Peterson
• Other Duties Unassigned Peterson

Motion by Wortham, seconded by Peterson, to accept the proposed assignments as listed. Carried – unanimous.

Peterson reported on plans to attend the township conference in Washington DC. He will be able to provide his own transportation but asked the township to cover hotel and meal expenses. Motion by Brandt, second by Wortham to cover expenses as proposed. Carried unanimous.

There being no further business to transact, the meeting adjourned at 9:40 pm.

John Plein,
Ideal Township Clerk
April 25th, 2014