MARCELL TOWNSHIP BOARD MEETING

HELD FEBRUARY 3, 2010

MARCELL TOWN HALL AT 6:00 P.M.

Board Members Present: Jean Meyer, Anthony Prato, Dennis Korte, Bruce Petersen and Diane Coppens

Others: Tim Hagen, Ron & Barb Shandorf, Ray Rautio, Matt & Ellen Huju, Lloyd Kongsjord

Meeting called to order by D. Coppens at 6:00 p.m.

Pledge of Allegiance recited

Minutes: of January 5, 2010 meeting read. Motion made to accept minutes as read by D. Coppens, 2^nd by A. Prato and motion carried.

Treasurer’s Report: was given and noted that the Marcell Township Books have been given to an accounting service for review and should be back in a couple weeks. A. Prato made a motion to accept the treasurer’s report and it was 2^nd by B. Petersen and the motion carried.

Cemetery Improvements: Matt Huju was at the meeting to add his ideas on spending cemetery funds monies. He mentioned that Marcell Township provide lots at no cost to veterans of the area. A type of pavilion was suggested so families could get out of the weather while attending a service. It was mentioned that the cemetery is surveyed and that records concerning the cemetery should in kept more than just one place. The average cemetery expenses

is $1500 for the year. We will wait until spring to further explore the possibility of the pavilion when we can get out to the cemetery.

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Road & Bridge: Tim Hagen mentioned he likes to get going early on the plowing because it’s safer when you are plowing roads off of Highway 38 while its dark and being done early the roads are safe to travel for people going to/from work. A. Prato made a recommendation that the Snowplowing Contract which states plowing after 4" be changed to approximately 3" to finish off this contract year and the change will be made to the contract for the following year. B. Petersen 2^nd the motion and the motion carried.

*Tim Hagen will wait to hear from the Board before he cleans off sidewalks in downtown Marcell this spring.

*A. Prato’s was looking for a better understanding of how the county gets money back to the township for specific accounts/Road & Bridge. The Treasurer commented that the County sends a check and tells you how much of that check goes into each account. It is difficult to tell throughout the year if the allottement budgeted will be gotten by the township in the same year. Treasurer says he must post to the year he receives a check. We get paid eventually what we have budgeted but not necessarily in the same year.

Bathroom Repair: Ron Shandorf opened up the ceiling in men’s bathroom to unthaw pipes. The Board decided, (after discussion), to get a thermostat cover for the men’s bathroom thermostat, and patch the hole for now. R. Shandorf will get a thermostat cover and repair the small hole.

Skating Rink: R. Rautio was told the lights have been on at the rink and was wondering if a timer on the lights would be the answer. The electric start on the snow blower does not work but if brought into some place warm it does start manually. A. Prato will price out a timer for the lights and the snow blower will be looked at in the fall.

Broomball teams are paid up and in good standing for 2010.

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Business Loan: D. Coppens will talk to our attorney about any process necessary to be able to collect business loan monies….approximately $37,000 is owed. The individuals have every intention of paying and are not foreclosing on this loan.

Snowmobile: The club has not taken any of the actions that the concerns of the Township Board had in moving the snowmobile trail onto township property. This behavior will be talked about by the Board during the summer. A letter will be written by D. Coppens now to let the snowmobile club know that they will re-evaluate where the snowmobile trail is

on the township property.

*Jack the Horse Road is being used as a short cut, (the trail),

and a complaint was filed with the township. J. Hillstrom was called and said he will see about putting up a sign as the township does not have any enforcement in this area. The DNR was called.

Mat Insurance: A motion was made by B. Petersen which was seconded by A. Prato to go with the "replacement cost" for our Minnesota Association of Township Insurance for our buildings. This will increase our premium from $580 to $1020. Motion carried. A. Prato will get our fire extinguishers up to date and the exit signs need replacement bulbs.

Road Contracts: Sanding/Ice Control section 2.1 will be changed to read, (sanding each approach and some hills) when plowing and the Board to be contacted in extreme weather.

Budget: The Board reviewed the figures and came up with General Revenue at $31,000.00, Hall at $5,000.00, Road and Bridge at $100,000.00, Fire at $21,000.00, Cemetery at

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$2,000.00, Park and Recreation at $7,500.00 and Loan Repayment at $0 for a total of $166,500.00 or the same as last year. The board will review this and decide at the next meeting what we will present at the annual meeting.

Committee Reports: Bruce Petersen commented on a "Riverwalk" in Bigfork which is in the early stages. Tim Johnson was also selected as the coordinator for another year for the Joint Powers Board.

Diane Coppens attended the Itasca County Township Association Meeting. Pat Medure commented about the wide use of prescription drugs. He recommends disposing of them properly and keeping them in a safe place. The county is exploring the idea of a county wide medication disposal event. In 2007 the State Legislature passed the prescription drug monitoring program. This data base will start next month all over Minnesota.

Highway 38 Forest Service has several seasonal jobs for students in February. If you know any students please let them about this opportunity. Other discussion was; the widening of the Suomi ski trails and zebra mussel invasion.

A motion was made by Bruce Petersen to adjourn the meeting at 8:20 p.m. it was 2^nd by Anthony Prato and the motion carried.

________________________ ______________________

Diane Coppens, Chair Jean Meyer, Clerk