The meeting was called to order by Chairman Peterson at 7:00 p.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance. All Board members, the Clerk, Chief II Stoltman, and three residents were in attendance.

Motion by Bilek, seconded by Peterson to accept the minutes of the January 11^th Board Meeting, and the January 26^th Special Meeting as presented. Carried unanimous.

Michael Valley spoke to the Board requesting to be allowed to put in a garden in the road right-of-way area on the north side of North Clamshell Lane. He presented photos of other gardens placed very close to the edge of a township road. The clerk presented an aerial view of the area in question. The Board will review the request and respond to Mr. Valley.

Chairman Peterson gave the Planning & Zoning report as follows:

1. There had been two permits issued in January.
2. The variance request of Stephen & Catherine Porter was reviewed. Peterson had visited the site and had no concerns about the request.
3. The variance request of Susan Kyle was reviewed. Peterson had visited the site and had no concerns about the request.

Motion by Peterson, second by Bilek to recommend approval of both requests without conditions. Carried unanimous.

Chairman Peterson presented the Road and Bridge report as follows:

1. The crew have been plowing and sanding roads as needed.
2. The crew was working on repairing dumpsters for the Transfer Station and will build a couple more as it is cheaper to build them than to purchase new.
3. The crew has been clearing downed trees and limbs.
4. A proposal from Jenkins Township for chip sealcoating the shared parts of Heath and Long Farm roads was reviewed. The Ideal portion of the work was estimated at $5235. Motion by Bilek, second by Peterson to accept the proposal. Carried unanimous.
5. The Clerk presented bridge inspection reports that had been received from the county highway department. Peterson will review the reports and recommend any needed action.
6. There were no safety incidents.

Chief II Stoltman gave the Fire Department report as follows:

1. There had been 5 emergency runs during January; 1 false alarm, 1 mutual aid, and 3 first responder calls. Total year-to-date is 9 runs.
2. The Department is working to review pre-plans for commercial properties. They will get some info from the county. Pre-plans will be input into iPads so they are easily accessible when needed. The pre-plan for Trout Lake Camp was specifically discussed. Stoltman asked the Board to send a letter asking for details from the Camp so that info on locations and hazards are readily available for emergency crews.
3. The oldest set of extrication tool equipment will be donated to a fire department in North Dakota.
4. There will be CPR training at the Town Hall on February 17 at 6 pm. Board members are invited to attend.
5. The new SCBA compressor is installed along with new lines to connect with the new fire truck.
6. The new fire truck is set to be delivered on Tuesday February 16^th at 3 pm. Members of the press will be invited.
7. The Clerk presented the Timothy Township Fire Contract updated for the coming year. The Chief will need to sign and then it can be forwarded to the Timothy Township clerk.
8. There were no safety incidents.

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

1. Activity has been slower due to weather.
2. The 2016 SCORE funding of $16,500 was received from the county.
3. Bilek will be pursuing getting more info about feasibility of having a storage area for recyclable mattresses.

There was nothing to report for Parks & Recreation. Supervisor Johnson is looking into options for the community garden idea.

Motion by Johnson, second by Bilek to accept the treasurer’s report for January as presented. Report includes receipts #5046 through #5060 totaling $43,765.41 and disbursements #TRX010616 through #20364 for total of $72,642.20 including $54,000 of interfund transfers. Carried unanimous.

Motion by Johnson, second by Bilek to approve the February claims as amended; claims #42290 through #42327 totaling $379,902.84. Carried unanimous.

A discussion of hiring an employee for the maintenance crew took place. Supervisor Peterson and the Clerk had interviewed Curtis Hoefs and felt he would be a good fit. His references were checked and all had very good opinions of him as an employee. Motion by Johnson, second by Bilek to offer employment to Hoefs conditional on his passing a physical exam, a drug test, and background check and subject to a 3 month probation period. Supervisor Peterson is authorized to review test results and to set his hire date. Starting wage is $17 per hour, with increase to $18 after probation period is completed. Carried unanimous.

Upcoming calendar items were reviewed as follows:

1. March Board Meeting on March 7^th at 7pm;
2. Annual Township Election and Meeting on March 8^th. Polls open from 5-8pm with meeting to start at 8pm;
3. MAT Spring Short Course on Monday March 21^st from 8 am to 3 pm at the Breezy Point Convention Center;
4. April Board Meeting on Monday April 11^th at 7pm;
5. Legal Short Course on April 21^st at the Burnsville Best Western;
6. Annual Local Board of Appeal & Equalization on April 22^nd at 10 am.

Supervisor Peterson asked the Clerk to contact the auditor to confirm when the audit will be done so that the annual Board of Audit meeting can be scheduled before the Annual Meeting.

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

John Plein,
Ideal Township Clerk
February 24^th, 2016