The Normanna Town Board Meeting was called to order on May 17, 2004 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 3 others.
The board reviewed the agenda. A motion was made by Dan Johnson to approve the agenda with additions. Marcia Stromgren seconded. All for. Motion carried.
The clerk had the minutes of April 19, 2004 Town Board Meeting, April 19, 2004 Public Hearing, and the May 4, 2004 Board of Review to the supervisors prior to the meeting for review. A motion was made by Dan Johnson to approve the April minutes with grammar corrections. Marcia Stromgren seconded. All for. Motion carried. A motion was made by Dan Johnson to accept the May 4, 2004 Board of Review minutes as presented. Marcia Stromgren seconded. All for. Motion carried. A motion was made by Dan Johnson to accept the April 19, 2004 Public Hearing minutes as presented. Marcia Stromgren seconded. All for. Motion carried.
The fire department had one fire run this month for a grass fire on the McQuade Rd. Training is coming up. There are two new members who will start school in June.
The pancake breakfast went well. Profits totaled $5400.00 from the breakfast and silent auction and $3000.00 with the raffle.
Land Use information this month is just the appointing of the new members which will be done later in the meeting.
Marcia Stromgren has not been able to meet with Markus Hall to discuss the Koski Rd. turnaround. Dan Johnson got a estimate from Salo Engineering to survey the Koski Rd. of $790.00 for a legal survey. Tabled to see what Marcia Stromgren hears from the county and to get a second quote for surveying.
Marcia Stromgren tabled the legal seminar report.
Marcia Stromgren tabled cemetery regulations. She is going to check with other townships to see what they have for cemetery regulations.
The board of supervisors appointed their Land Use Members. Will Rhodes appointed Inez Wildwood for a two year term and Doug Manthey for a one year term. Dan Johnson appointed Dennis Gunsolus for a two year term and Mark Anderson for a one year term. Marcia Stromgren appointed Mary Johnson for a one year term and Keith Engen for a two year term. The forms where signed and handed in to the clerk except for Keith Engen's which Marcia Stromgren will turn in when she gets Keith Engen to sign the form.
The septic and building permits were approved from the county. There was a question whether or not the building has to be state approved. Dan Johnson said that it does not need state approval.
The lease for the air packs will be paid off early. The final payment will be made this month. The fire department has 8 new air packs and 4 old air packs which are still state approved.
Marcia Stromgren contacted Jeremy McLeod about mowing the cemetery and town hall again this year. He hasn't turned in a bid yet but Marcia Stromgren would like to accept his bid which will be less than last year because there will be less mowing at the town hall. A motion was made by Dan Johnson to have Jeremy McLeod mow the town hall and cemetery for a price to be determined. Marcia Stromgren seconded. All for. Motion carried.
Marcia Stromgren mention that the DAT meeting is Thursday and she is going to try and contact Markus Hall from St. Louis County to come speak about turnarounds on township roads. She also reported on the last SLACTO meeting and mentioned that the next SLACTO meeting will be in Fredenberg Township on May 26 and there will be discussion on Meth Labs.
The ground work has been started for the new fire hall. The septic permit was approved so now an approval is needed to purchase a 2000 gallon holding tank plus fill and insulation. Kurt Johnson estimated $3000.00 to cover this. There doesn't need to be a second bid because it's not over $10,000. A motion was made by Dan Johnson to purchase a 2000 gallon holding tank from Carlson Concrete and materials to set the tank for up to $3000.00. Will Rhodes seconded. All for. Motion carried.
Dan Johnson made volunteer forms for the volunteers who will be helping work on the new fire hall. He will leave them at the town hall.
A motion was made by Dan Johnson to have Darrell Nelson do volunteer work to remove stumps and set the holding tank. Will Rhodes seconded. All for. Motion carried. Dan Johnson will also get a certificate of liability from Darrell Nelson.
Engen's will donate foundation materials but will need to be paid for truck expenses. A motion was made by Dan Johnson to enter into a contract with Keith Engen for materials for site work for the town fire hall with donated materials with reimbursement for the cost of running the dump trucks. Marcia Stromgren seconded. All for. Motion carried.
John Hill will donate his time for piping the in floor heat and just pay for materials. A motion was made by Dan Johnson to enter into a contract with John Hill for putting in the heating system for the town fire hall with donated labor and reimbursement of materials. Marcia Stromgren seconded. All for. Motion carried.
The site work for the fire hall will be done with volunteers. Terry Perrault will do the finishing work for the concrete slab which will be under $2000.00. A motion was made by Dan Johnson to enter into a contract with Terry Paurrault to finish the work on the concrete slab for the fire hall. Marcia Stromgren seconded. All for. Motion carried.
Pat Golot is a general contractor. He charges $20.00 per hour. He will be in charge of all volunteers for the framework. A motion was made by Dan Johnson to enter into a contract with Pat Golot as general construction contractor of the fire hall with pay of $20.00 per hour. Marcia Stromgren seconded. All for. Motion carried.
Dan Johnson presented the concrete contract with Duluth Ready Mix. The cost of the concrete would be $7000.00 - $8000.00. Tabled to get more quotes. Marcia Stromgren will call Jim Carlson from Arrowhead Concrete to get a quote and Dan Johnson will get a couple other quotes.
Dennis Gunsolus was able to lock in prices for lumber with Campbell's. Dan Johnson presented lumber bids from Campbell's and Menards. The lumber was already purchased so the bill just needs to be approved when the claims are presented.
There was discussion on getting building insurance as the building is being built. The clerk will check into this.
The cemetery clean up will be May 22, 2004.
Tammy Courrege gave the following treasurer's report: Beginning balance for Wells Fargo checking and savings as of 4/1/04 was 71,808.00. Receipts for April were 100.00 from Gnesen Community Center for refund of down deposit from rental, 1.00 from Berkley Risk for refund from self audit, and 29.37 from Wells Fargo for April interest. Total Receipts were 130.37. Disbursements for April were 2,689.22 for the April approved claims and a $2.00 automatic check return fee. Total Disbursements were 2,691.22. Ending balance as of 4/30/04 was 69,247.15. Outstanding checks totaled 2,266.69. Total per Bank Statement as of 4/30/04 was 71,513.84. The Investments are Certificates of Deposits for 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 4/30/04 totaled $126,513.84. The following claims were presented for approval: Minnesota Power for 41.00, Ferrellgas for 307.72, Normanna Ladies Auxiliary for 32.25, Minnesota Association of Townships for 1,954.00, Hanft Fride for 756.00, Tammy Courrege for 95.03, Will Rhodes for 59.87, Marcia Stromgren for 176.92, Rodda Grading & Excavating for 97.20, Cambell's for 5,903.39, Mine Safety Appliance Company for 9,182.53, Marshall One Stop for 41.00, Centerline Automotive for 388.08, JayEn of Duluth for 85.53, Alex Air Apparatus for 37.00, Kurt Johnson for 17.06, Erik Norland for 7.51, John Boutin for 25.09, Alan Marshall for 55.00, payroll for Marcia Stromgren for 64.64, and Tammy Courrege for 295.52. Total claims for approval were $19,622.34. A motion was made by Will Rhodes to approve the treasurer's report and pay the claims presented. Marcia Stromgren seconded. All for. Motion carried.
The township got credit approval for financing the fire hall. Dan Johnson hopefully will have all the resolutions to sign by next meeting. We can use the money from the CD's for awhile but will need the financing money for payment soon. The financing rates just jumped to 5.23%. Dan Johnson is hopefully going to get that rate locked in. The closing date needs to be within 30 days to be locked in.
There was discussion on selling the Building CD's. A motion was made by Will Rhodes to have the clerk sell the Building CD #1 for $25,000.00 if she can get full value of $25,000.00. Dan Johnson seconded. All for. Motion carried.
The supervisors did the annual spring road inspection. The Hagen, Lookout, Koski, and Wikstad roads are all in good shape. Troy Brett Trail and Krista's Kourtyard were in good shape but could use some brushing. Lady Nicole Lane has two extremely bad frost boils. The King's Court Road Association will look into fixing it. They are required to fix it under the resolution passed for taking over the King's Court roads. They are required to fix things other than regular maintenance until August 2004. There are no road projects lined up yet. The gravel will need to be hauled from last years projects.
Marcia Stromgren mentioned putting information on understanding property taxes in the next Normanna newsletter to better inform people.
Petitions from the floor. Jeff Cooke requested that the Fire Department become self sufficient once the new fire hall is built. They don't want to have anything to do with the current hall. They want to have their own power, and gas separate from the current hall.
Correspondence was reviewed. A motion was made by Will Rhodes to write a letter requesting for Early Distribution of 2004 Property Tax Apportionment. Dan Johnson seconded. All for. Motion carried. Will Rhodes will look into the noxious weeds information again this year.
There was discussion on making a bigger board to put under the metal sign for the posting sites. Dan Johnson and Marcia Stromgren will look to see if they can find some scrap pieces of plywood for that.
Checks were signed. Next meeting June 21st.
A motion was made by Will Rhodes to adjourn the meeting at 9:57 P.M. Dan Johnson seconded. All for. Motion carried.
Respectfully submitted,
Tammy Courrege
Last updated: 3-08-2004