The Normanna Town Board Meeting was called to order on November 17, 2003 by Dan Johnson at 7:00 P.M. at the Normanna Town Hall. Present were Supervisors, Dan Johnson, Will Rhodes, Marcia Stromgren; Clerk/Treasurer, Tammy Courrege; along with 1 other.
The board reviewed the agenda. A motion was made by Marcia Stromgren to approve the agenda with the additions. Dan Johnson seconded. All for. Motion carried.
The clerk had the October 20, 2003 Town Board Meeting minutes to the supervisors prior to the meeting for review. A motion was made by Dan Johnson to approve the October minutes with correction. Marcia Stromgren seconded. All for. Motion carried.
Tammy Courrege gave the following treasurer's report: Beginning balance for Wells Fargo checking as of 9/30/03 was 7,244.18. A deposit was made for 2,485.00 from the State of Minnesota for state fire aid. Disbursements cleared totaled 2,963.21 with a 2.00 check return fee. Ending balance as of 10/31/03 was 6,763.97. Beginning balance for Wells Fargo money market as of 9/30/03 was 52,058.64. Interest earned for October was $15.85. Ending balance as of 10/31/03 was 52,074.49. Paine Webber savings as of 9/30/03 was $.00. The Certificates were; 25,000.00 for Building CD #1, 20,000.00 for Building CD#2, and 10,000.00 for Fire CD. Ending balance for all accounts as of 10/31/03 totaled $113,838.46. The following claims were presented for approval: Qwest for 27.69, Minnesota Power for 41.00, Ferrellgas for 241.78, Hanft Fride for 12.00, Rodda Grading & Excavating for 754.00, St. Louis County - Public Works Dept. for 1,160.39, Tammy Courrege for 37.00, Mine Safety Appliance Company for 2,021.46, Marshall One Stop for 115.25, Kurt Johnson for 79.60, JayEn of Duluth for 36.00, Alan Marshall for 55.00, Emergency Apparatus Maintenance for 432.86, Back to Basics Construction for 14.00, and payroll for Tammy Courrege for 263.20. Total claims for approval were $5,291.23. A motion was made by Dan Johnson to approve the treasurer's report and pay the claims presented. Marcia Stromgren seconded. All for. Motion carried.
The fire department had two fire runs this month. The National Automobile Association donated a CPR dummie to the fire department.
The deadline to get information into the Ladies Auxiliary is Wednesday December 17, 2003.
The Building Committee plans were received from Jerry Harju of Northland Buildings for the combination community center / firehall. The Committee is still working on getting cost estimates for the combination building. At the last Building Committee meeting Dennis Gunsolus discussed an estimate for a building plan for just a fire hall which was $99,000.00. The next building committee meeting will be December 1, 2003 at which time more prices will be available. Dan Johnson looked into the township being the general contractor for constructing the building which can be an option.
St. Louis County gave the township a one year extension for the the Koski Rd. turnaround, so the county will snowplow the Koski Rd. this year. Scott Grubb did plow the road once. Dan Johnson will notify Scott Grubb that the county will continue to plow. There are several options the board can go. They can try to talk to Richard Marnich again. Dan Johnson also sent a letter to Jeff Solem, landowner, regarding a turnaround possibly on his land. Dan Johnson hasn't received a response back from him. If we don't have any cooperation with these people we will have to do a road alteration. Marcia Stromgren talked to John Dooley, MAT attorney, who suggested we have a county engineer come and assess the turnaround and look at the area. She also talked to him about road assessment fees which he said is illegal. The board will continue to pursue all options. Tabled to continue these options.
Dan Johnson presented the revised Land Use Resolutions. A motion was made by Dan Johnson to accept resolution 2003-04, Normanna Township Land Use Committee Members. Marcia Stromgren seconded. All for. Motion carried. A motion was made by Dan Johnson to accept resolution 2003-05, Duties of Normanna Land Use Committee Members. Will Rhodes seconded. All for. Motion carried. A motion was made by Dan Johnson to accept resolution 2003-06, Public Referendum on Land Use Issues. Marcia Stromgren seconded. All for. Motion carried. These resolutions will take effect after the annual election.
The frost boil to be fixed on the Wikstad Rd. will be postponed until next year due to the weather.
Dan Johnson presented resolution 2003-08 to adopt the township retention schedule with the State of Minnesota. A motion was made by Dan Johnson to accept Resolution 2003-08 to adopt the township general retention schedule. Will Rhodes seconded. All for. Motion carried.
The dumping at the gravel pit was tabled until after hunting. Marcia Stromgren will check into this after hunting season.
Dan Johnson presented resolution 2003-09 to participate in the hazardous mitigation planning process with the county. A motion was made by Dan Johnson to accept resolution 2003-09 to accept participation in the hazardous mitigation planning with the county. Marcia Stromgren seconded. All for. Motion carried.
John Stromgren put styrofoam and straw over the septic system to try and prevent a septic freeze up again. The pipe leading to the septic system will need to be looked into next year.
Dan Johnson is still working on getting information for the culvert ordinance and tabled until further information.
The fire department may payoff the lease for the air packs in June. They are waiting to see what happens with the building in case funds are needed for that.
The gravel pit request from Burt Schweiger was approved last week. Dan Johnson drafted up a resolution to accept the gravel pit. Tabled to reword the resolution.
There was discussion on the January, February, and March meeting dates. The January and February board meetings fall on holidays. The March board meeting would be after the annual election and the board thought that it would be better to have the meeting before the election for any last minutes things that need to be taken care of. A motion was made by Dan Johnson to move the meeting dates to January 12, February 9, and March 8, of 2004 and have the Board of Audit after the January board meeting. Marcia Stromgren seconded. All for. Motion carried.
The newsletter items should be to the clerk one week prior to the December board meeting. Information can also be added at the December meeting.
A motion was made by Dan Johnson to designate the location for absentee voting to take place at the town clerks residence. Marcia Stromgren seconded. All for. Motion carried.
Publication of notice of town offices to be elected need to be published by December 16, 2003 and posted by December 19, 2003.
There was discussion on the savings account. The money is currently in a money market with Wells Fargo Investments. There is a savings account with Wells Fargo Bank that is earning more interest and can be combined with the checking. A motion was made by Dan Johnson to have Tammy Courrege open a savings account with Wells Fargo Bank to combine the checking and savings. Marcia Stromgren seconded. All for. Motion carried.
Dan Johnson presented a letter he drafted up to send to the county about sanding the township roads.
There was discussion on remodeling the town hall. The current town hall will need work even if a building gets approved at the March Annual Election. Some projects can be done in the winter months. There was discussion on whether we should start now or wait to see if a building gets approved at the March Annual Election. A motion was made by Dan Johnson to move the wall in the town hall meeting room with volunteer labor. Marcia Stromgren seconded. All for. Motion carried.
Marcia Stromgren preregistered for the 2 day MAT annual conference for $85.00 which is without any meals. She is unable to go Saturday. She offered for another officer to go in her spot but nobody offered to take it so she will change her registration.
Marcia Stromgren discussed the 2 resolutions in the MAT newsletter regarding shooting ranges and uniform gravel tax.
The clerk will copy the calendars for the supervisors instead of ordering them.
A motion was made by Marcia Stromgren to adjourn the meeting at 9:00 P.M. Will Rhodes seconded. All for. Motion carried.
Respectfully submitted,
Tammy Courrege
Last updated: 3-08-2004