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. Four other persons were present.

Motion by Wortham, seconded by Peterson to accept the minutes of the August 11th Board Meeting, the September 3rd Special Meeting, and the September 5th Road Vacation Hearing as presented. Carried unanimous.

Dale Orred presented a photo of Father Foley Drive with water collected on the roadway. Supervisor Brandt will look into it and see what can be done. Orred also commented on the road work underway on County Road 134 to take down the hill south of Trout Lake Drive & install new culverts. Orred asked about roadside mowing and when that would be happening on the North side of the township. Brandt explained that, depending on weather and equipment, the road crew should be mowing there next week.

Ray Charpentier spoke to the Board on behalf of Carol Skanse regarding expansion plans on Whitefish Lake which will require a variance. The owners are planning a small expansion on Cabin #2 which will add 25 square feet to the second floor and encroach on the lake setback.

Keith & Debra Bettes spoke to the Board regarding their after-the-fact variance request for bluff setback at their home at Ossi Lake Shores. Bettes presented photos and explained they had not had erosion issues even with the recent heavy rains, but would be willing to install a rain garden and/or berming to control runoff. If necessary, they would be willing to remove the firepit area to reduce the amount of encroachment on the bluff area.

Supervisor Brandt presented the Road and Bridge report as follows:

1. The maintenance crew had helped with preparations for the Beef Feed including mowing the field for parking, cleaning & mowing the park & pavilion areas.
2. Brandt described an issue with the culvert between Grass & Clear Lakes under Forest Knolls Road. Residents had reported the water level on Grass Lake had risen and was at times coming close to topping the road. They were concerned that the culvert was plugged. Brandt had check the records and found that the township had requested the culvert be placed back in 1965 and as such would be responsible for its maintenance. He will check into options and regulations for having it checked and/or cleaned out.
3. Jenkins Township had called and was interested in having Mary Beach Road chip sealed. Brandt will check into it and make a recommendation.
4. He had spoken with Dave Stephens regarding planning for including a possible walking path when Ossiwinimakee Road is paved. He confirmed that the township will consider the option. Brandt asked Stephens to start a dialog with neighbors to get input and gauge the response.
5. Brandt reported on progress with the road construction work on County Road 134.
6. Approximately 50% of the the township roadway has now been fully mowed.
7. The salt/sand had been ordered for the winter season.
8. Brandt had received a complaint from a resident who was getting washouts due to two new paved driveways across from his driveway on Old Whiskey Road.
9. Worked to remove two large trees – one inside the Old Whiskey cul-de-sac and one at the end of Wabigoniss Road.
10. The Resolution regarding the vacation of a road right of way near Forest Knolls Road had been drawn up and would be finalized soon.
11. There were no safety incidents.

Supervisor Wortham asked about contracting for right of way clearing. Brandt will review plans and contact possible contractors in the area.

The fire department report was as follows:

1. There had been 12 calls during August including 6 medical and 6 fire. Total year to date calls is 83.
2. The Fire Department Relief Association reporting was presented showing the townhip’s required contribution for 2014 as $21,904 and for 2015 as $0.
3. Brandt had completed a propane contract with Lakes Gas for the season and was able to get a good price of $1.649.
4. North Ambulance had submitted a completely new draft for an agreement regarding using the fire hall for staging. Brandt will review and make recommendations.
5. Brandt had met with the county dispatch office regarding box calling options.
6. The equipment needed for the Active911 response system had been received.
7. There were no safety incidents.

The Transfer Station/Recycling Center report was as follows:

1. Station has been busy and is running in the black by several thousand.
2. Activity had increased significantly over last year to date – permit sales were up to 891 so far versus 773 by this time in 2013.
3. Liberty Tire had come to pick up the tire pile. They had taken 465 tires but had to leave about 50 due to being full. The crew did nice job.
4. The station is now open on Wednesdays & Saturdays only.
5. The county had picked up the electronics and hazardous waste.
6. Brandt had spoken with Tom Zeman about making the compost pile work better. Zeman offered to bring grass clipping which will add nitrogen.

The Park and Recreation report was as follows:

1. Landscaping was completed, except will have to move sprinkler heads placed at road edge.
2. Discussion took place regarding the sprinkler controller location. If having it inside causes issues for maintenance, it may have to be moved outside.
3. The planting of the rain garden was scheduled for September 11 at 1 pm. Clerk will confirm with Lakeside Lawn to have plants ready.
4. Fencing/screening for behind the museum building is planned for next year.

Supervisor Peteson asked about progress on explosion-proofing the rest of the floor drains in the fire hall. Clerk will call North Country Plumbing to get a new estimate.

Supervisor Brandt reported on a complaint by a resident on Ruttger Road. In the process of repairing a washout at the road edge, sprinkler heads had been damaged. Motion by Wortham to offer $150 to help with cost of moving sprinkler heads out of the road right of way, second by Peterson. Carried unanimous.

Supervisor Brandt reported on Planning & Zoning issues:

1. Regarding the Skanse lake setback variance. Motion by Wortham to recommend approval with no conditions, second by Peterson. Carried unanimous.
2. Regarding the Ulse lake setback variance. Motion by Wortham to recommend approval with no conditions, second by Peterson. Carried unanimous.
3. Regarding the Bettes bluff setback variance. Motion by Wortham to recommend approval with the condition that the firepit area be removed and that a stormwater plan be implemented, second by Peterson. Carried unanimous.
4. Brandt will attend DRT meeting regarding the Casey/Salzer new construction on East Ruttger Bay Road. A variance may be required to accommodate the drainfield.

Motion by Peterson, second by Wortham to accept the treasurer’s report for August as presented. Report includes receipts #4718 through #4741 totaling $25,284.4 and disbursements #PERA080914 through #SVC082914 for total of $122,846.61. Carried unanimous.

Motion by Peterson, second by Wortham to approve the September claims as presented; claims #41565 through #41607 totaling $69,370. Carried unanimous.

Brandt reminded the Board about the upcoming Crow Wing County Association of Township Officers meeting to be held at the Ideal Town Hall on 9/15 at 7pm. About 70 people are expected to attend including several candidates for office. Snacks and beverages will be served.

Supervisor Peterson presented info regarding the legislative & resolution process on the private home vacation rental initiative. A draft of the resolution should be submitted at the upcoming county association meeting to be included in this year’s process.

The clerk reported on the group health insurance renewal due by November 1. The current plan will not be available so will have to evaluate the renewal options. The clerk will be meeting with the insurance agent to review.

The clerk presented a request for approval to the county for the reclassification of tax forfeit land in preparation for sale. The property is located on Buschmann Road. Motion by Wortham to allow the reclassification and sale, second by Peterson. Carried unanimous.

The clerk asked for approval to purchase a new computer for the clerk’s office. A Lenovo ThinkPad E540 was selected and would be purchased from CDW-G under the NJPA contract at a cost of approximately $600. Motion by Wortham, second by Peterson to approve. Carried unanimous.

A request for donation to the Greater Lakes Area Performing Arts was considered and declined.

There being no further business to transact, the meeting adjourned at 9:30 pm.

John Plein,
Ideal Township Clerk
September 29th, 2014