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

Motion by Wortham, seconded by Peterson to accept the minutes of the September 8th Board Meeting as presented. Carried unanimous.

There was nothing brought forward during open forum.

Supervisor Brandt presented the Road and Bridge report as follows:

1. The maintenance crew had completed approximately 70% of the mowing and had repaired the mower.
2. Received 50 tons of road salt, have hauled sand, and are mixing it. Expect it all to be ready tomorrow.
3. Brandt and crew had checked the culvert issue between Grass & Clear Lakes under Forest Knolls Road. The culvert is either collapsed or blocked and will have to be replaced when the road is worked on next. The water level has receded and is not a hazard to the road.
4. The agreement regarding staging for North Ambulance at the Town Hall is still under review. A new document had been proposed by North Ambulance.
5. The Resolution regarding the vacation of a road right of way near Forest Knolls Road had been signed and submitted.
6. Brandt and Peterson had attended a legal seminar that included information about driveway agreements.
7. The water at the park and the sprinkler systems have been shutdown for winter.
8. Brandt had notified the resident on Ruttger Road of the Board’s offer to help pay for sprinkler system repair, but has not gotten a reply.
9. The crew had repaired a washout on South Kimble Road.
10. Brandt had received a request by an employee to allow carrying a firearm while on duty. Brandt had asked for counsel by the Township Association attorneys, and read their response. Motion by Wortham, second by Peterson to set township policy that no employee is allowed to carry firearms while on duty.
11. Resurfacing of County Road 16 is scheduled for 2015 and the county is looking for input on possible cooperative projects while the equipment is in area.
12. Brandt had completed a review of all roads and found them to be in overall good shape. The biggest issue found is the right-of-ways. He will prepare and post a notice on the township website regarding right-of-ways.
13. Checked out the beaver dam on Willow Creek near the new culverts on Long Farm Road. Will check with DNR on removal options.
14. The agreement with Boyd Lodge regarding objects placed in right-of-way was still under review.
15. The sheriff had returned some street signs that were recovered from a residence. Brandt provided an estimate of replacement cost to be used in the case.
16. An OSHA manual had been obtained and will be kept in the clerk’s office. The Board declined the service to receive updates to the manual.
17. Brandt had checked a report of an unapproved driveway that drains onto and across Peoria Road. He will meet at the site with county officials as an example of need to consider driveway permitting in the building permit process.
18. In that process, Brandt learned that fire numbers are not required for buildings without living quarters. This could be an issue if emergency personnel need to respond to those structures. Will recommend that county change the policy so that all structures have fire numbers assigned and posted.
19. Brandt asked the clerk to prepare a letter to Duane Stotler regarding the removal of bushes placed in the road right-of-way on Ossiwinnimakee Road.
20. There were no safety incidents.

Chief Clasen presented the fire department report as follows:

1. There had been 4 calls during September including 3 medical and 1 landing zone. Total year to date calls is 89.
2. Training this month was on Search & Rescue and a live burn in Crosslake.
3. The shared services study grant had been submitted and are waiting to hear if we qualify. All departments in the county agreed to pursue the study. Expect to get response around first of the year.
4. The findings of the Minnesota Department of Health were discussed in regard of the Beef Feed. Some changes may be required. The department will make a recommendation to the Board on what will be needed to continue the event.
5. Waiting on a quote from Granite Electronics to repair the communications antenna and purchase additional radios.
6. Clasen asked about plans for the roof above the new back entrance. Something should be done to break up the ice above that door.
7. Regarding the new rescue pumper truck, discussion took place regarding the effect of the ISO rating on household insurance rates in the township. If the department’s rating is lowered to 9, it would add approximately $400 per year to premium on $500,000 home.
8. Clasen presented info on a cooperative purchasing option called HGAC that could be used to purchase a truck through Custom Fire. Crosslake and Pequot departments have used this option.
9. Firefighter Chester Nelson has resigned after being on department for 10 years. He is moving out of the area. There are now 26 members. The department is taking applications for additional members.
10. Clasen presented a bulletin from North Memorial Health Care regarding protocols for responders to prevent spread of infectious diseases such as ebola. It outlines procedures to be used on calls to limit possible exposure.
11. The fire boat will be pulled out and put into storage this month.
12. Space in cold storage will be made for the maintenance department’s mowers.
13. Clasen asked the Board about plans for updating the floor drains and noted that trucks cannot be parked outside during freezing temps.
14. The clerk noted that the Relief Association payments were in the claims to be approved. Clasen asked that the clerk to contact Jeff Holubar to receive the checks when ready.
15. There were no safety incidents.

The Transfer Station/Recycling Center report was as follows:

1. Station is running in the black by several thousand.
2. Activity had waned with the season as expected.
3. Supervisor Wortham gave a report on the increased activity this year to date versus last year showing significant increases in materials disposed and permits sold.
4. The metal pile had been baled and hauled away. There were about 40 bales estimated at about 1500 pounds each.
5. Maintenance crew had cleaned the office at the station.
6. Brandt had received a request from a businessman interested in purchasing 60 yards compost dirt from the station to be screened and resold. Motion by Wortham, second by Peterson to offer the dirt at a rate of $5/yard. They must hold the township harmless, provide their own digging & hauling, and work must be done when station is not open. Carried unanimous.
7. Wortham suggested that the open recycling container could be removed as the volume no longer requires the extra container.

The Park and Recreation report was as follows:

1. The planting of the rain garden was completed and plants are looking good.

Supervisor Brandt reported on the MN Association of Townships Annual Conference coming up in November. As Ideal has been selected “Township of the Year”, the association will be covering conference fees for the Board members.

Brandt also gave an update on requirements regarding fire suppression systems installed in new home constructions over 4500 square feet. The calculation includes basement space but not garages. The requirement applies to new homes only and must be installed by certified installers. This is not a result of new legislation, but an update to state building codes.

Supervisor Brandt reported on Planning & Zoning issues:

1. He will review land use ordinance updates proposed by the County.
2. The recommendations from last month’s report had been forwarded to the County.
3. Brandt attended the recent DRT meeting that included the Mertensotto project at the end of Butternut Point Road. May require a variance for lake setback.
4. A request for lake setback on septic system for Casey/Salzer had been reviewed. Board recommends approval with an implemented stormwater plan.
5. An update to the Gibbs Landing plat on Father Foley Road was reviewed. The update will resolve some issues regarding the road. The Board supports the update.
6. The Board reviewed the Bettes request to allow bluff setback for an existing patio. Board supports approval with condition that stormwater plan is implemented.

Brandt reported on plans to cut & split firewood for Big Island on Thursday and asked for volunteers. Brandt asked to clerk to check insurance on the fire boat to make sure coverage amount is sufficient with the new engine.

Motion by Peterson, second by Wortham to accept the treasurer’s report for September as presented. Report includes receipts #4742 through #4760 totaling $74,838.41 and disbursements #SVC090314L through #SVC093014 for total of $135,103.88 including operating funds transfer of $50,000. Carried unanimous.

Motion by Wortham, second by Peterson to approve the October claims as presented; claims #41610 through #41647 totaling $53,676.56. Carried unanimous.

The clerk presented a proposal from the Whitefish Area Lodging Association to put a promotional bench in the park. The Board reviewed the proposal and declined.

There being no further business to transact, the meeting adjourned at 9:50 pm.

John Plein,
Ideal Township Clerk
October 28th, 2014