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

Supervisor Brandt reported on the resignation of Dave Badger and introduced Dave Peterson as Supervisor appointed to fill the vacant seat. Peterson has been a resident of the area for 10 years and is a welcome addition to the board. Peterson serves until the annual meeting in March and has filed his candidacy to run for election to serve the remainder of the term ending in 2014.

Motion by Wortham, seconded by Brandt to accept the minutes of the December 10th, 2012 Board Meeting as amended, the December 17th Special Meeting as presented, and the January 3rd Special Meeting as presented. Carried unanimous.

Pam Kocer asked the board for clarification of the zoning change request for the town hall property. Supervisor Brandt described the current conditions, the renovation plan, and the reasons for the zoning change request. In order to obtain required permits for the hall renovations, the property’s impervious surface area was reviewed and found to be in excess of the guidelines given the current property zoning classification. Changing the zoning classification to commercial allows the township to have the additional impervious surface area required to complete the renovation.

Jim Schultz addressed the board about area lake access monitor programs that had been discussed at previous meeting. Schultz encouraged the board to find out more about a plan that Hubbard County is doing to help cover the costs of the lake monitoring. Supervisor Brandt explained that the board felt it was not appropriate for the township to do more than considering a donation. Schultz asked if it would be helpful to see a report of the Hubbard County program. Supervisor Wortham commented that board would be happy to review any additional info that Schultz could provide.

Dave Johnson asked if the board had received any estimates on the costs for the proposed hall renovations. Wortham replied that the board expected an estimate this week. Brandt commented that the board would talk to any interested contractors that might have ideas about the plans.

The Road and Bridge report was as follows:

1. The maintenance crew had worked most of the weekend to keep the roads clear and sanded. Dave Johnson commented that the roads are in good shape considering the conditions and that the crew have been doing a great job.
2. Supervisor Brandt reported on some info from Crow Wing County about a new seal-coating process. Brandt will review the info and report to the board. The county can work with the township to apply the seal-coating. Dave Johnson commented that the process is designed to be used for sealing roads that are in good shape, and not as a replacement for re-paving.
3. Brandt had met with the Pequot Lakes about Nelson Road. They felt that the first-draft costs for the re-construction to be too high, so will be looking at options.
4. There were no safety incidents.

Chief Clasen presented the Fire Department report was as follows:

1. There were 4 emergency runs in December including 2 medical, and 2 vehicles call. Total year-to-date is 7 calls.
2. Last month’s training drill was on SCBA which is an annual requirement.
3. The department is now using the 800MHz radio equipment. The county has completed the communcations tower in Pequot Lakes and is in the process of hooking up the paging system.
4. Clasen explained they are in process of getting T12 tank repaired, to be completed soon.
5. The grant committee is applying for a Crow Wing Power Roundup Grant.
6. The medical committee is putting in a $1500 request for a 1st Responder donation from the Ideal Community Service Organization.
7. The annual department physicals and the remaining mask fit were completed on January 9th.
8. The department has set up a training at the transfer station on ventilation. A small structure that was constructed for the training will be removed in about 4 weeks.
9. The clerk and the chief had started reviewing the fire contracts as requested.
10. A review of the accounting codes is underway to simplify the allocations of payments.
11. Clasen is still gathering information on the fire department equipment inventory for the insurance policy.
12. Clasen is considering attending a fire chief training course on maintaining a fire hall and personnel.
13. The department has received the resignation of Frosty Stieve as of January 10th.
14. They plan to interview for 2 positions that are now open. Clasen reported that background checks for firefighters is becoming a requirement and would be obtained for the two new applicants. He expected the cost to be around $20 each but would be getting more info soon.
15. There was no safety incidents.

The clerk presented a proposal showing the fire contract calculations using the formula that the township has been using. The calculations show a substantial increase in the cost that could be charged. The proposal suggested that the charges be increased over a 5 year period to allow the contractees time to adjust to the increases. A year prior notice is required before the contract charges can be increased, so the 2013 contracts will be the same as 2012. Motion by Wortham, second by Peterson to notify contractees before March 1st, 2013 of the proposed increases to start in the 2014 contracts. As proposed for 2014, the Breezy Point contract would be $12,003 and the Timothy Township contract would be $12,162. Carried unanimous.

The Transfer Station report was as follows:

1. Insurance claim for the costs from the fire in September 2011 had been denied. The adjuster informed the board that since the bills had been paid for the damages before they had investigated, there could be no coverage.
2. Supervisor Brandt asked the clerk to provide copies of the attendant duty guide that had be prepared last year. The supervisors will review before approval.
3. Brandt reported that volunteers had cut & split about 30 cords of firewood for Big Island. He asked for volunteers to help with the hauling that was scheduled for January 23rd at 9 am.
4. A discussion occurred regarding the year-end negative fund balance and that a review of the charges are in order. Motion by Wortham, second by Peterson to increase the charge for household garbage to $4/bag.

There was nothing to report for Park and Recreation.

Supervisor Brandt reported the annual road certification process with Crow Wing County had been completed. The township has 70 roads with total distance of 48.652 miles.

Brandt reported on planning & zoning issues:

1. The hearing for the town hall property zoning change request was to be held Thursday January 17th at 5 pm. The board is requesting changing the zoning from rural residential 2.5 to commercial to facilitate the permitting for the town hall renovations.
2. Brandt has reviewed the variance request for the Blum property on Harbor Lane and recommends approval with condition that the well be removed if the adjacent road is ever to be accepted by the township.
3. A hearing about the Peaceful Harbor Resortominium requests for plat approval, zoning change from commercial to rural residential 1, and change to conservation development issue on the number of allowed docks. Brandt recommends approval with the following conditions:

a. Maintain impervious surface area to percentage limits;
b. No additional lots;
c. Maintain vegetation buffer
d. Finish stormwater plan;
e. Continue operation permitting;
f. Comply with dockage ordinance;
g. Obtain variances for setbacks.

The clerk presented the treasurer’s report for December.

Motion by Wortham, seconded by Peterson to accept the treasurer’s report for December as presented including disbursements #18200 through #18266 for total of $121,015.62. Carried unanimous.

Motion by Wortham, seconded by Peterson to approve the January claims as presented; claims #18288 through #1818 totaling $18,679.41. Carried unanimous.

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

John Plein,
Ideal Township Clerk
January 15th, 2012