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

Motion by Peterson, seconded by Brandt to accept the minutes of the October 14th Board Meeting and the October 16th Special Meeting as presented. Carried unanimous.

Dave Johnson congratulated the Board for being named “Township of the Year” by the Minnesota Association of Townships. He expressed his pride in the accomplishments of the Board and the community. He suggested that a banner be made to display in the town hall.

Supervisor Brandt presented the Road and Bridge report as follows:

1. The road equipment and salt-sand was all ready for the season. The crew had done some plowing and sanding after the recent snowfall.
2. The maintenance crew had completed most of the mowing for the season.
3. Brandt had confirmed with DNR officials that beaver trapping season starts on 11/1. A contractor, Dave Dietrick, had been selected to trap the beaver on Willow Creek that had built a dam near the culverts under Long Farm Road. Once the beaver had been removed, the maintenance crew will remove the dam and clean the culvert to insure proper flowage.
4. The road review is completed. Brandt will review findings with maintenance crew and make recommendation to the Board. Expected to have some resurfacing, chip sealing, and crack sealing planned.
5. The road mileage had been verified and certified with the county. Total miles remains at 48.652. Certification of mileage is required annually to qualify for local government aid.
6. Working with property owner on Forest Knolls regarding completing a driveway permit.
7. Working with property owner and the county regarding a driveway on Peoria Road that had been put in without a driveway permit and was causing stormwater issues. The county will send owner a letter addressing the issues.
8. Brandt had met with Chris Pence at the county regarding 911 address numbers being required for all structures. Pence agreed and will look into making that change to the Land Use Ordinance.
9. Attended a LTAP class on Best Practices for Traffic Signs and received good info and ideas on sign effectiveness. Reducing the number of signs increases effectiveness of remaining signs. Reviewed what types can be removed and what is required.
10. The agreement with Boyd Lodge regarding objects placed in right-of-way was still under review. Attorneys of the parties are working together to resolve.
11. The agreement regarding staging for North Ambulance at the Town Hall is still under review. A new document had been proposed by North Ambulance. Peterson suggested making them pay for further legal fees incurred after 11/10/14.
12. The Resolution regarding the vacation of a road right of way near Forest Knolls Road had been recorded at the county. There has not been an appeal.
13. There were no safety incidents.

Firefighter Tom Johnson presented the fire department report as follows:

1. The fire department Holiday Party is to be held on December 13th at the Marina in Breezy Point.
2. Johnson asked about the payments for the Relief Association for 2014. The township’s contribution had been completed last month, but the 2% Fire Aid payment from the State had not been received yet. The payment to the Association will be made as soon as possible once the state payment is received.
3. Discussion of the Beef Feed and the findings of the MN Dept of Health visit at this year’s event. The MDH had found that the event was generally run safely, but had a few concerns. The two primary issues that need to be addressed are proper refrigeration during preparation and having a 40’x40’ cover over production area. Members were making plans for a cover and had found a used 8’x12’ walk-in fridge that could be moved to the fire hall. The fridge was fully operational as is, but would require 3-phase power. Since the fire hall was not equipped with 3-phase, the cheapest option was to purchase a new compressor for the fridge at cost of approximately $1800. Johnson asked if the Board would consider paying for the new compressor since the Relief Association had received the donation of the fridge and volunteers would move it to the fire hall. Brandt agreed to consider the purchase and asked Johnson to update the Board when details were available.

The Transfer Station/Recycling Center report was as follows:

1. The metal pile and appliances had been baled and removed. About 18 tons had been hauled away and a check for the value of $720 had been received.
2. Peterson asked about the sign at entrance that all users stop at office except recycling. He thought it would be better to require all users stop to insure materials are left in proper area. Brandt thought that could cause a backup at times and so should be left as is for now.
3. Brandt discussed the amount of fire wood at the station. What is needed for Big Island had already been cut & split and there was still quite a bit left that could possibly be donated. He had contacted some charitable groups but had not found a taker yet. Peterson offered to make some calls.
4. The station attendant had been in the hospital. The clerk and maintenance crew had filled in at the station while he was recovering.

There was nothing to report on Park and Recreation.

Supervisor Brandt reported on the firewood for Big Island being cut & split by volunteers. Volunteers are needed for hauling of the wood out to the island planned for late January.

Brandt asked the county Land Services to notify the Board on results of variance hearings when recommendations have been submitted by the township.

The Board will all be attending the upcoming MN Association of Townships Annual Conference in Duluth to receive the “Township of the Year” award and to give a presentation on the township.

The Clerk reported on the results of the recent election. The town hall was open for polling from 7am until 8pm when the ballots were counted and certified. There were 875 residents registered at opening and an additional 33 persons were registered during the day. In person voters totaled 520 and 143 voted absentee for a total of 663 voters which is about 73% turnout. The clerk presented notes about the layout of the polling place and made suggestions for improvements for next time.

A discussion of the new health insurance plan took place regarding whether to continue the separate dental coverage. It had been discussed at the Special Meeting that dental expenses could be covered by the HSA account and that the coverage would not be needed. However a review by employees led them to ask for the dental coverage be continued to cover annual exams & cleanings especially for employees with children. Motion by Peterson to continue the separate dental insurance coverage but to reduce the HSA contribution to compensate for difference in cost. Second by Brandt. Carried unanimous.

The Clerk presented a copy of the Lake Ossiwinimakee Lake Improvement District annual report.

Motion by Peterson, second by Brandt to accept the treasurer’s report for October as presented. Report includes receipts #4761 through #4780 totaling $72,118.49 and disbursements #1576L through #SVC103114 for total of $115,375.08 including operating funds transfer of $50,000. Carried unanimous.

Motion by Peterson, second by Brandt to approve the November claims as amended; claims #41649 through #41691 totaling $27,627.82. Carried unanimous.

There being no further business to transact, the meeting adjourned at 8:40 pm.

John Plein,
Ideal Township Clerk
November 24th, 2014