February 2024 Minutes
REGULAR MONTHLY BOARD MEETING
OF THE SUPERVISORS OF THE TOWN OF MORSE HELD ON
February 13, 2024
At 5:01 p.m. on February 13, 2024 at the Morse Town Hall, Chairman Len Cersine called a regular meeting of the Supervisors of the Town of Morse to order with the following present: Supervisor Bob Berrini, Supervisor Terry Soderberg, Supervisor Len Cersine, Clerk Nick Wognum, Treasurer Mary Ann Lekatz, Cindy Smyka, Beth Chapman.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Cindy explained the Ely Area Lodging Tax Board Joint Powers Board agreement was amended with mainly grammatical changes and needed to be approved and signed again. She said only Fall Lake and Stony River are left to sign after Morse. She said she is meeting with the University of Minnesota on a feasibility for some city owned property and finding data associated with tourism in the area. She hopes to report back on Morse’s request for more detailed information. She said the board is looking at Granicus software. She said the average per night charge is $200 for short term rentals. The Granicus software looks at online calendars to determine lodging tax examples.
A motion was made by Berrini, seconded by Soderberg to approve the revised Ely Area Lodging Tax Board Joint Powers Board agreement. Motion carried.
The minutes of the January 9 were reviewed.
A motion was made by Soderberg, seconded by Cersine to approve the minutes of the January 9. Motion carried.
Lekatz presented claims 16656 to 16676 for $16,004.63. She also presented the final numbers for the proposed 2025 budget.
A motion was made by Cersine, seconded by Berrini to approve the proposed 2025 budget. Motion carried.
A motion was made by Soderberg, seconded by Berrini to approve the claims as presented. Motion carried.
Lekatz presented receipts 96006 to 96008 for $16,004.63 which included the gas tax of $15,321.63.
A check was received for $3,129.00 from K2 Towers. The board refused the payment.
The board discussed the Taconite Trail and a request for a number of crossings on the trail.
The board discussed a request for an easement from Dave Sustersich and made no decision at this time.
No action was taken on setting up a public meeting on the Community Wildfire Defense Grant.
The board reviewed correspondence but took no action.
Berrini said the Ely Area Ambulance Service took in $57,000 in the past two months. The next Ambulance Joint Powers board meeting is February 26 at 4 p.m. in Winton. Bob said last year at the legislature there was monies at the last minute for nursing homes. He said at the RAMS meeting there is a group going to the Cities to lobby for EMS on March 13.
The board set the Board of Audit for 4:30 p.m. on March 7 with the regular meeting to follow.
A motion was made by Soderberg, seconded by Berrini to adjourn at 5:50 p.m. Motion carried.
_____________________________ _____________________________
Len Cersine, Chair Nick Wognum, Clerk
Official Website of Town of Morse