Normanna Township, Minnesota

2003 Annual meeting minutes


 Normanna Annual Meeting Minutes March 11, 2003
The Normanna Annual Meeting was called to order on March 11, 2003 by Clerk, Tammy Courrege at 8:05 P.M. at the Gnesen Community Center. The clerk lead in the Pledge of Allegiance. There were 38 people who signed the attendance list.
The clerk called for nominations for a moderator. A motion was made by Kurt Johnson to nominate Melanie Ford as moderator. Inez Wildwood seconded. All for. Motion carried.
The moderator asked for a motion to pass the reading of the 2002 Annual Meeting Minutes since there were copies available for everyone to read. A motion was made by Paul Hanson to pass the reading of the 2002 meeting minutes. Inez Wildwood seconded. All for. Motion carried.
Alan Marshall spoke for the Normanna Fire Department. They currently have 15 members with two more joining. They purchased 8 new air packs this year. The Ladies Auxiliary bought a defibrilator pad for the fire department which was greatly appreciated.
Dan Johnson spoke about the road work. The main work this year was the ditching on the Wikstad and Lookout Roads. Gravel was unable to get hauled this year because it got to late into the season for our contractors. St. Louis County required that a turnaround be put in at the end of the Koski Road for them to snowplow it. A turnaround was made this year but it will have to be made bigger next year. The township took over the King’s Court Roads this year. They are in good shape and should just need grading and mowing work.
Inez Wildwood spoke about the Land Use Plan. She discussed that it got returned to the committee after last annual meeting for some changes. The definitions of large and small parcels were added and the last goal was changed. The Committee had wanted to put a referendum in the policy but they couldn’t write how the referendum would work. It would have to be done by resolution by the board of supervisors. The county has the plan now and a public hearing is scheduled for April 10th, 2003. She mentioned that the Land Use Committee is just a Committee not a Board and that there is no liability issues to Normanna township. It is the Counties responsibility.
Will Rhodes mentioned that a web page has been started. It is Normannatownship.org. There is an e-mail list available if interested in getting township information.
Dan Johnson spoke about culverts on township roads and who is responsible for them. The laws now states that the culvert expense is the sole responsibility of the property owner unless a motion is made to have the township pay for the expense of the culvert. There was no motion for this so it will remain the sole responsibility of the property owner for the expense of the culverts on township roads.
The current depositories are at Wells Fargo and Paine Webber. A motion was made by Alan Marshall to leave it up to the board of supervisors on where to bank. Kurt Johnson seconded. All for. Motion carried.
There was discussion on if the township should fund arrowhead transit again. There was no motion to start funding for it again.
Dan Johnson asked if the residents wanted to have word for word minutes or summaries of the minutes in the Normanna Newsletter. A motion was made by Cathy Croke to keep the minutes word for word. Dan Bonhiver seconded. There was discussion on that word for word minutes cost about $40.00 more a year. They feel that this is as close as you can get to what’s happening so to keep them word for word. All for. Motion carried.
LuAnn Thiry spoke about the cemetery. Lots costs $75.00. There hasn’t been much activity this year. If you need information on the cemetery call LuAnn Thiry. The annual clean up will be set at a later date and will be posted in the newsletter.
Sandy Cooke spoke for the Ladies Auxiliary. The pancake breakfast is coming May 3rd. The raffle is not supporting the Normanna Volunteer Fire Department this year, but to raise funds for 911 communications. Since they won’t be getting the raffle money they will need more donations for the silent auction this year to help raise money.
Dan Johnson presented the levies as follows: General Fund - $14,000, Fire Fund - $20,000, Road & Bridge - $13,769, and Building - $7000. The levy for the Building Fund will wait until the election results. This is an increase of $4849.00 from last years levy. A motion was made by Sandy Cooke to set the proposed levies as presented. Paul Hanson seconded. All for. Motion carried.
There were no petitions from the floor.
A motion was made by Bob Witzman to set next years annual meeting at Gnesen Community Center. Roberta Moog seconded. All for. Motion carried.
The moderator recessed at 8:45 P.M. until the election results come back.
The moderator reconvened at 9:37 P.M.
Maria Vodden read a summary of the annual treasurer’s report - The books and a detailed report were available to everyone. Beginning Balance for all funds as of 12/31/02 was $95,978.60. Total Receipts for 2002 was $65,772.61. Total Disbursements for 2002 was $50,057.25. Ending Balance for all funds as of 12/31/02 was $111,693.96.
The moderator mentioned that Treasurer, Maria Vodden of 4 years and Supervisor, Dan Bonhiver of 3 years are stepping down from their positions..
The moderator went over the election results.
Supervisor for a 3 year term; Will Rhodes - 132 Blank - 31 Write-Ins - 18
Treasurer for a 2 year term; Blank - 151 Write-Ins - 30
Ballot Question #1 - Approval for Building Fire Hall/Community Center; For - 27 Against - 154
Ballot Question #2 - Adoption of Combining Clerk & Treasurer; For -122 Against - 56
A motion was made by Sandy Cooke to levy $7000.00 for the Building Fund. Dan Bonhiver seconded. All for. Motion carried.
There was discussion on what the Building Committee was going to do now. Dan Johnson mentioned that they will go back and see what kind of building the township wants. Anybody with any ideas or input to let him know or come to a building committee meeting which meets the first Monday of the month. They are open to the public.
A motion was made by Molly Tillotson that the Building Committee continue at creative ways for a new town hall. Marcia Stromgren seconded. All for. Motion carried.
Marcia Stromgren talked about making a drive off area by the signs so people can read the notices better. There were no prices yet.
A motion was made by Molly Tillotson to continue to use the six posting sites plus King’s Court. Dan Croke seconded. All for. Motion carried.
There was discussion on keeping the publications in the Duluth News Tribune or to use the Budgeteer.
A motion was made by Sandy Cooke to keep the publications in the Duluth News Tribune. Paul Hanson seconded. All for except Marcia Stromgren and Will Rhodes. Motion carried.
There was discussion on people who are on the agenda to not have them as an election judge and to have four people for the counting.
Molly Tillotson mentioned that with the combining of clerk and treasurer the township books will have to be audited every 5 years.
A motion was made by Marcia Stromgren to adjourn the meeting at 10:20P.M. Diane Spehar seconded. All for. Motion carried.
Respectfully submitted, Tammy Courrege, Clerk

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Last updated: 3-24-2003