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May 11, 2009 Regular Board Meeting
May 11, 2009 Regular Town Board Meeting Town of Highland Janice Johnson called the meeting to order. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. Roll call of officers was taken and all Board Members were present. The Clerk verified that the meeting was posted. Scott Khalar made a motion to accept the minutes as written. Sherrie Craft seconded the motion and motion carried. Rose Graves gave the Treasurer’s Report. Sherrie made a motion to approve the report as read. Scott seconded it and motion carried. Beginning Balance: $ 59,018.37 Total Receipts: $145,899.23 Total Disbursements: $102,210.98 Ending Balance: $102,706.62 Tom Stewart was not in attendance due to illness. Janice commented that she had received a thank you from Alice Wincek. Rose asked for permission to attend the Open Meetings/Public Records Workshop held in Superior on June 12th. The Clerk would also like to attend. Scott made a motion to have Rose and Annie attend the workshop. Sherrie seconded the motion and motion carried. Scott gave the equipment report of the starter being replaced in the pickup. He stated that the roads were no longer posted as of noon today. We have received a cost estimate from Douglas County for a layer of blacktop on the Town Hall Road and also blacktopping in front of the hall. There were two scenarios given one for $25,800 for 2” of hot mix, and 2” for the approach to the hall. The second scenario was for 1 ˝” blacktop overlay on the road and 2” for the approach to the hall for an approximate cost of $21,500 with exact prices uncertain at this point. Douglas County would do this for cost with no profit incorporated into the amount; they will be working on County Road S and will do this at the same time. Sherrie made a motion to accept scenario #2. Scott seconded the motion and motion carried. Janice stated that Minnesuing Road needed to be done by 2013 to received matching TRIP Funds. Kathy Emons questioned the County’s policy on driveways. Janice directed her to contact the County. Sherrie gave the Grounds/Building/Recycling Report. We are still having trouble with the door of the Apparatus Floor. She will continue to look for a solution. Janice requested permission to check into price and feasibility of having a surveillance camera installed on the apparatus floor. Sherrie made a motion to approve this request. Scott seconded the motion and motion carried. Larry Schaller reported no calls for the month. Will Kiefer reported on the work day at the Cemetery. Will also reported on the Comprehensive Planning Committee and requested a joint meeting with the Board and the Committee to further discuss the Planning Commission and the Town Plan. This meeting will take place on Tuesday, June 9th at 7:00 p.m. at the Highland Town Hall. Todd Carlson gave the Fire Department Report of 1 Wildland Fire and 1 Motor Vehicle Accident. Twelve members attended the County Association Banquet. All Fire Inspections are done for the first half of 2009. Sherrie made a motion to approve Todd’s request to apply for the DNR 50/50 Grant for a cost to the town of $1,000 and the OJA Grant. Scott seconded the motion and motion carried. The Annual Be Somebody Campaign is Friday, May 15th. There will be a Chili Cook Off that night at the Gopher Hole where the fire department will be camped. The new fire truck should be here by the end of July. Stainless is aware of the deadline (August 7th) and the fines incurred if the truck is not complete by that day. Todd is looking into moving the dry hydrant to Sand Lake. He will have more information at a later date. There are two new members of the Fire Department. Earnest “Kiddo” Newman and Ben Glinski. Todd also stated that the Department was awarded the Department of the Year by the Douglas County Association. There was discussion on Gold Cross pulling the ambulance service from the area and if the Board should meet with Barnes to discuss the matter further. The Board did not take action on creating an EMS Direction Position. The Board feels more information is needed and this needs to be discussed within the Fire Department. The bids for the Fire Truck were opened. Walt Moss bid $751.00, Mike LeMone $603.00, Bob Johnson $555.55, Tom Williams $258.00. Sherrie made a motion to accept the bid from Walt Moss. Scott seconded the motion and motion carried. Janice declined to vote due to a possible conflict of interest. The Board will be accepting applications from interested people in serving on the proposed Town Plan Commission. Anyone interested should contact the Clerk. These need to be submitted to the Clerk by Friday, June 5, 2009. Scott made a motion to accept the proposal from Northwest Regional Planning Commission to evaluate the Town’s Roadway System for the PASER Rating system we are to complete by the end of the year. Sherrie seconded the motion and motion carried. Discussion was held on the Conditional Use Permit application from Minnesota Tower/Futurewood/AT&T. Shane Begley from Begley Wireless Consulting Services was in attendance and answered questions from the Board and town residents. He stated that permission has been given to Douglas County to utilize the 280’ – 300’ area on the tower for Emergency Radio Services at no charge. Douglas County needs to come up with the money for the building and equipment needed for their purposes. This will benefit the Town of Highland’s Emergency Response. Sherrie made a motion to approve this request contingent on all rules and regulations of Douglas County being met. Scott seconded it and motion carried. Scott made a motion to approve the DNR’s request to relocate their antenna near the old town hall to the new town hall. This is necessary due to the Town Hall being an emergency command center if needed for the DNR, as well as benefit our Emergency Response Services. Sherrie seconded the motion and motion carried. Scott made a motion not to reinstate John Prohaska to the Fire Department. Janice seconded the motion and motion carried. Sherrie declined to vote. Sherrie made a motion to allow the Fire Chief to spend up to $300 for emergency purposes without getting prior approval. Completed purchase orders still need to be submitted to the Board. The Chief should also notify the Clerk of any such expenditure. Scott seconded the motion and motion carried. The next Regular Town Board Meeting will be held Monday, June 8, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. at the Highland Town Hall. Sherrie made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Scott seconded it and motion carried. Meeting was adjourned. Respectfully submitted by, Nora Anne Moss, Clerk Also present: Jim Kotera, Andy Moss, Tim Tracy, Marge Tracy, Shane Begley, Kathy Emons, George Kornstad, Clarence Tollefson, Larry Schaller, Doreen Schaller, Bob Glockner, Don Kronberg, Will Kiefer, Dawn Ross, Donna Khaler, Ron Cairns, Kally Ross, Ken Wilk, Lester Johnson