OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT
OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE GRANT VALLEY TOWNSHIP ANNUAL MEETING, TUESDAY, MARCH
11, 2008.
The Annual Meeting of
the Town of Grant Valley was held at the Grant Valley Town Hall on the second
Tuesday in March 2008, that being the 11th day, beginning at 8:15 p.m. Twenty-one (21) residents and one (1)
non-resident were present.
The meeting was
convened by Clerk Schmidt followed by the pledge to the flag.
MODERATOR CHOSEN:
Nominations were opened for Moderator and Matt Boyer made a motion to nominate Tom Lloyd as Moderator. Ed Rauch seconded said nomination. No other nominations were made. Moderator Lloyd was given the Moderator’s Oath and took the chair.
TELLERS APPOINTED:
Moderator Lloyd appointed Matt Boyer, Russell Hiltz and Ed Rauch to serve as Tellers for the evening.
2007 ANNUAL
MEETING MINUTES:
The Clerk read the 2007 Annual Meeting Minutes. John Huderle made a motion to accept the 2007 Annual Meeting Minutes as read. Lester Hiltz seconded motion and it carried on unanimous voice call vote.
TREASURERS REPORT:
John Huderle made a motion, seconded by Russell Hiltz to waive the Treasurer’s Report. Motion carried on unanimous voice call vote.
SUPERVISOR’S
REPORTS:
Matt Boyer reported on the roads. He indicated that we hadn’t had a very good year and didn’t get a lot done. We didn’t get to Gerald Miller’s corner but indicated that he felt we would get to that for sure this year. The Boot Lake Road was one of our problems for the year. A lot of money was spent on engineering, slope easements, etc. and nothing had been accomplished yet as one resident was unwilling to sign. The budget disparity of $85,000.00 is partly because of the Book Lake Road because we don’t know how much that project is going to cost so we couldn’t spend any money with that road in mind. He felt that this year we would get Gerald Miller’s corner done, another layer of gravel put on the Archer Road, gravel put on the Stone Lake Road, accomplishing the work needed on the Boot Lake Road, and the bituminous surfacing of 15th Street as the residents have submitted a petition and that will be moving forward.
He estimated this year’s 5 projects to be in the range of $201,000.00 and we also need to carry a little surplus over from year to get to get that built up for any tarring that may need to be done. We spend approximately $65,000.00 every year on grading and snow plowing. This amount will need to be increased this year due to the fuel prices.
Marilyn Heltzer asked about the fund listed as “professional services” and why there were excess payments over and above the budgeted amount. Northern Contracting was paid for two different incidents of flooding, one on Leonardway Road and one on 15th Street. These amounts could maybe have been put under “maintenance”? The HHD has a proposed development that is going in off of Grant Valley Road which will have 27 lots.
Ed Rauch reported that the number of residents attending this year was an improvement from last year which was good. He reported on Animal Control and the quarterly numbers. Our township assessor was bit by a dog this year and the dog was quarantined. He also indicated that Dolf Corvelli’s phone number is 760-6651 in case anyone didn’t have it yet.
Ed Rauch also reported on BATO and they have a change this year in that they only meet quarterly. They have a new chair which is Dave Fallis.
Russell Hiltz thanked Matt Boyer and Ed Rauch for doing so much work and such a great job. He spoke about the Rural Fire Association and the rural pays 42% of the budget and 42% of the equipment fund. The City purchased another pumper truck and also purchased a ¾ club cab pickup. The old MN DOT building is used as their second station and it is felt that building will be sold shortly so the association is meeting with the Vo-tech and the Red Cross to see if a mutual building can be built. The Vo-tech would donate the land and some money and the Red Cross would donate money. The total calls went down from 2006 and Grant Valley had 17 calls, 5 of which were fire, 7 of which were rescues and the rest were miscellaneous.
He also reported that there is a new helicopter service at the airport which is based out of here instead of having Meritcare come and that this helicopter will take the person they pick up anywhere they need to go and will also pick them up anywhere they can land This is a major added service to our area. The fire department also purchased all new air packs so each firefighter has their own now along with their own mouth piece.
Russell also reported on Ronglien Park and the County is designing the road and we haven’t heard anything yet but should hear something shortly. The State has given the county money for the road and we will maintain the road when it is completed.
Russell reported that the proposed levy amounts were:
General - $45,500.00 which is a 3.2% decrease from last year’s amount of $47,000.00
Road and Bridge - $211,600.00 which is a 7.9% increase from last year’s $195,950.00
Fire - $33,000.00 which is a 6.4% increase from last year’s $31,000.00
Melvin Miller asked what the average cost of the road grader was per hour. It was indicated that was approximately $70.00 an hour. Shirley Maertens asked what kind of a schedule the grader had or how he knew when to go out on the roads. Matt Boyer indicated that certain roads have certain schedules like weekly, every other week, etc. so he pretty much follows that schedule. She felt it was graded more last summer than the summer before. It was indicated to her that last summer was very dry and that is part of the reason. Matt Boyer also reported that the grader operator prior to this one took the entire crown out of the roads and our new operator spent a lot of time last summer getting it back into shape.
DONATIONS:
No one was present from the Humane Society or the Beltrami County Historical Association so no action was taken on their requests.
Marilyn Heltzer reported on behalf of the Bemidji Public Library. She indicated there was a new librarian and that he was doing a fabulous job. The source of the library’s funding comes from the State, the City and the County. They now have a children’s story time, senior surf which shows seniors how to use computers, the friends of the library also buy a book for each baby that is born here so they get a book to take home and there is an article in there on the importance of reading. They also have a book club. The other important thing is that they have computers there to use for people who do not have access otherwise and need to look up information or do reports for schooling, etc. They needed new lighting, are replacing the carpeting, have painted and their service desks need to be transformed to become handicapped accessible. She would request that we donate $250.00 to the library.
Jim Heltzer reported on behalf of the Senior Center. He stated that their services included meals, driver’s safety for ages 55 and over which helps those drivers also save on their insurance, gift wrapping for Christmas, a spring style show, a pancake breakfast once a month, a chorus, a store, greeting card recycling, and tax preparation. He asked that we donate $300.00 to the Senior Center. He also thanked the individuals serving the board as Supervisors as he knew the job wasn’t a thankful one and he thought they were doing an excellent job.
John Huderle reported on behalf of the First Responders. They are still looking for $1,000.00. His main concern right now is new volunteers as they are in need of more help. He thanked the township for 17 years of donations and all but the first year have been 1,000.00 and that the donations were very much appreciated. A salesman had donated 24 blood sugar monitoring devices along with strips to them and their doctor approval had taken place so he was happy about that. The fuel costs are affecting them as well as everyone else. Most of their equipment needs to be updated from time to time and a new radio frequency system will be mandated in 2010 which means they will have to purchase all new radios which will range anywhere from $1,800.00 to $2,400.00 so they are putting their money away for that. He also stated that the new helicopter crew was an 8 man crew and that they are building a heliport at the airport and they might be adding another helicopter. They do not charge anything if they do not transport you. So if they come to where you are and it is determined you do not need to go with them, you do not get charged. A fixed wing comes out of Fargo and a jet goes from here to Rochester also.
Marilyn Heltzer made a motion to donate $1,000.00 to the First Responders. Jim Heltzer seconded motion. Paper ballots were used to vote and the motion was approved on a vote of 21 yes and 0 no.
Jim Heltzer made a motion to donate $300.00 to the Senior Center. Jerry Maertens seconded motion. Paper ballots were used to vote and the motion was approved on a vote of 21 yes and 0 no.
Marilyn Heltzer made a motion to donate $200.00 to the Bemidji Public Library. Russ Hiltz seconded motion. Paper ballots were used to vote and the motion was approved on a vote of 20 yes and 1 no.
OTHER BUSINESS:
Shirley Maertens asked if anyone knew about the new pipeline line that was going through. Several residents had heard about it and it was indicated that there were actually two lines that were going to be put in parallel to the other lines and they were going to start construction the spring of ’09 on the first line and the spring of ’10 on the second one. It is going from Clearbrook to Superior and then to Chicago.
Jim Heltzer requested us to pass a resolution to have the State erect a street light at the intersection of Division Street and Adams Avenue. Discussion was held. Russell Hiltz made a motion to pass a resolution to have the state erect a street light at the intersection of Division Street and Adams Avenue. Matt Boyer seconded motion and it carried on unanimous voice call vote.
SETTING OF LEVIES:
John Huderle made a motion to set the General Fund $45,500.00. Gerald Miller seconded motion. Paper ballots were used and the vote was approved on a vote of 21 yes and 0 no.
John Huderle made a motion to set the Fire Fund at $33,000.00. Lester Hiltz seconded motion. Paper ballots were used and the vote was approved on a vote of 21 yes and 0 no.
Gerald Miller made a motion to set the Fire Fund at 33,000.00. John Huderle seconded motion. Paper ballots were used and the vote was approved on a vote of 21 yes and 0 no.
Ed Rauch made a motion to set the 2009 Annual Meeting at 8:15 p.m. at the Grant Valley Town Hall on the 10th day of March, that being the second Tuesday. Matt Boyer seconded motion and it carried on unanimous voice call vote.
Ed Rauch made a motion to adjourn. Russell Hiltz seconded said motion and it carried on unanimous voice call vote. Meeting adjourned at 10:10 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Angela Schmidt, Clerk
3/13/08