The meeting was called to order by Supervisor Brandt at 7:00 p.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance. Supervisors Brandt & Wortham, Chief Schultz, and the clerk were in attendance. Two other persons were present.

Motion by Wortham, seconded by Brandt to accept the minutes of the February 9th Board Meeting as amended, and the March 6th Board of Audit Meeting as presented. Carried unanimous.

Supervisor Brandt presented the Road and Bridge report as follows:

1. The crew have plowed snow three times.
2. Approximately 25% of the salt/sand supply is remaining.
3. The crew have burned the brush pile at the transfer station. Ashes & remaining material will be hauled to the Anderson pit once the material has cooled completely.
4. Brandt had arranged for Wannebo Excavating to remove the beaver dam on Willow Creek near the culverts on Long Farm Road. Should be completed next week.
5. Met with resident on Ossiwinimakee Road regarding removal of items planted in the road right of way. The resident has agreed to move the items.
6. Brandt met with representatives of the Ideal SnoPros regarding work to enable a drive-through for the groomer. The group will be adding an overhead door behind the building and requested the township assist with clearing. Motion by Brandt, second by Wortham to allow the work. Carried unanimous.
7. Brandt issued a reminder to residents that it is a misdemeanor to place snow in or across the road right of way.
8. A banner announcing the award of Ideal being “Minnesota Township of the Year” had been purchased and mounted in the meeting room.
9. Brandt met with the DNR, MPCA and Crow Wing County Soil & Water to discuss a concern related to the poor health of Willow Creek as determined by a study done by these departments. There will be on-going discussions to come up with a plan for improving Willow Creek.
10. The water access off Old Whiskey Road had been surveyed in preparation for improvements. Brandt has spoken with the neighbors to assure them the access is to be used only in winter. Wortham asked if a gate could be added. Brandt suggested it could be added if there are any problems with unauthorized use.
11. The revised documents regarding the Kadikomeg Trail road vacation has been filed with the county recorder.
12. There were no safety incidents.

Supervisor Wortham reported that the stop sign and street sign on Forest Knolls Road needs to be repaired as it is bent over. Brandt will ask the maintenance crew to repair it as soon as possible.

Dick Wilske mentioned a possible hazard due to a blind spot at the bottom of the hill on Forest Knolls Road. Brandt said he has looked at that and is making plans to improve sight lines when the road is worked on next.

Chief Schultz presented the fire department report as follows:

1. There had been 5 runs last month; 1 vehicle accident, 1 search & rescue, 1 false alarms, and 2 first responder calls. Total year to date is 18.
2. Training on in-house search & rescue, and radio & iPad communications was held.
3. The iPad training is going well and is a great tool for locating residences.
4. The new locks are completed with Lakes Area Lock & Key.
5. Still waiting for the onsite visit for the shared services study. The report is expected in June or July.
6. The department is looking at a potential training burn at the old Knoxies building in Breezy Point.
7. Need to update the DNR Wildland Firefighting Truck contract. Schultz asked the clerk to locate a copy of the existing contract.
8. Members are working on repairs to the fire boat hull damaged during trailering.
9. Schultz had a conversation with Chief Loemiller of the Crosslake department regarding their new truck. The truck was purchased for $472,000 and has similar features, but does not include many items including ladders, hoses, generator, porta-pump, or cascade system that will need to be added.
10. There were no safety incidents.

The Transfer Station/Recycling Center report was presented as follows:

1. Wortham noted the station was operating in the black so far this year. Last year ended in deficit due to increased hauling cost and volume
2. Brandt spoke with Doug Morris at the county who will recommend an additional $5000 in SCORE funding for the township.
3. Expect the station will continue with the increased activity and costs.
4. The Board will monitor things and consider increasing permit & user fees if warranted.
5. Brandt reported that the county is seeing increased costs for recycling as the market has been difficult for recycled materials and no new markets are developing.

There was nothing to report on Park and Recreation.

Supervisor Brandt reported on several general items:

1. The annual audit has been completed and submitted to the state auditor. There were no significant issues but the auditor is again recommending the township complete a policy manual regarding personnel and procedures.
2. Attended the meeting with the township association L&R committee and learned about lobby efforts and legislation in process that is of concern to townships including the road & bridge bonding bill, a bill to support bringing broadband access to rural areas, a proposed increased truck weight limit to 97 tons from 80, and a proposal to establish a 50’ buffer zone on all shoreland.
3. The Rollie Johnson Rec Area Joint Powers Group had received an $18,000 grant from the DNR to continue its shoreline restoration work on the islands.

Supervisor Brandt reported on Planning & Zoning issues:

1. The courts had ruled in support of the county regarding not requiring an environmental assessment on the Trout Lake Camp expansion.
2. Trout Lake Camp is working to update their conditional use permit on the expansion as they have acquired an additional 20 acre parcel and is planning to move some facilities to the new area. Brandt said he didn’t expect any issues with the changes and thought the plans would be better in several ways. John Wicklund from the camp, will present details to the Board at a future meeting.

The clerk presented a series of correspondence:

1. Proof of insurance had been received regarding the North Ambulance and Boyd Lodge agreements.
2. The annual Local Board of Appeal & Equalization meeting has been scheduled by the county for April 24th at 10am at the Town Hall. The clerk confirmed that all Board members are now listed by the Department of Revenue as being certified to conduct the LBAE.
3. The Legal Short Course will be held by the township association on April 23.
4. The Minnesota Benefit Association has new coverage options for dental and vision that is available to the Board member and employees.
5. The clerk listed several organizations that are requesting donations. No action taken.

Motion by Wortham, second by Brandt to accept the treasurer’s report for February as presented. Report includes receipts #4827 through #4836 totaling $25,215.16. And disbursements #1600L through #SVC022715 for total of $45,977.36. Carried unanimous.

Motion by Wortham, second by Peterson to approve the February claims as presented; claims #41827 through #41872 totaling $24,662.44. Carried unanimous.

The clerk presented the draft meeting package for the Annual Meeting.

There being no further business to transact, the meeting adjourned at 8:25 pm.

John Plein,
Ideal Township Clerk
March 27th, 2015