March 2023
REGULAR MONTHLY BOARD MEETING
OF THE SUPERVISORS OF THE TOWN OF MORSE HELD ON
March 7, 2023
The Board of Audit was called to order at 4:30 p.m.
Mary Ann said there was a two cent error but she was able to find it in a transposition error. The books balanced between the clerk and treasurer. The township started the year with $467,821.72 and finished with $329,808.13. Total receipts were $780,153.00 and total disbursements were $918,166.59. There were two large expenditures, the McCahill land purchase and the ambulance building purchase. The board approved the report.
At 5:00 p.m. on March 7, 2023 at the Morse Town Hall, Chairman Terry Soderberg called a regular meeting of the Supervisors of the Town of Morse to order with the following present: Supervisor Bob Berrini, Supervisor Terry Soderberg by Zoom, Supervisor Len Cersine, Clerk Nick Wognum, Treasurer Mary Ann Lekatz and Gerald Tyler.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
The minutes of the February 14, 2023 meeting were reviewed.
A motion was made by Cersine, seconded by Berrini to approve the minutes of the February 14, 2023 meeting. Motion carried.
Lekatz presented claims 16348 to 16364 for $27,906.28 including the $20,000 for fire and first responders..
A motion was made by Berrini, seconded by Cersine to approve the claims as presented. Motion carried.
Lekatz presented receipts 759 to 760 for $38,628.54 including $13,628.59 for gas tax and $25,000 for taconite tax. She received approval to lower the budget for gas tax to $12,000.
The board discussed the annexation with the city of Ely which has been in process for six years.
Soderberg said the Taconite Trail was discussed with the DNR in a meeting but we are waiting for more information from one of the DNR folks who weren’t able to make the meeting. Berrini said there were some recent land sales that have sold at a higher rate per acre. We will wait to hear back from the DNR. Soderberg said he has communicated with Bob Maier from the DNR Commissioner’s office on getting the payment approved. Berrini said Ely got $11,000 for 40 acres. He said he is not interested in selling the land.
Isaac Olson from Treehouse Broadband reported he submitted a grant to MN DEED for Saari, Pyhola and Deer Ridge for a fiber project. He expects to hear if the project is accepted in May.
Berrini reported the ambulance grant of $1.3 million was resubmitted by Harold Langowski and now the city is listed on the paperwork. Berrini said a 30x50 building would be put up on the west end. He said the $1.3 million would be split equally between the ambulance and the city. Berrini reported the next ambulance joint powers board will meet on March 28. He said an aide from Sen. Klobuchar’s office is being asked to attend. Berrini said an audit for $7,500 will be done on the non-profit ambulance organization. Soderberg said we should get our $150,000 back out of the grant monies. Berrini said the heat and electricity will now be paid by the joint powers board. Berrini said the hospital wants Rochelle Sjoberg on the EAAS.
The island on Shagawa Lake was discussed. Soderberg said if not a park somebody will put a cabin and a septic system with a pontoon to pump a holding tank. Berrini asked if we would have to put a toilet on it. Soderberg said the appraisal is only $200. Cersine asked if it would be open to duck hunting.
A motion was made by Cersine, seconded by Berrini to start the paperwork on the process of acquiring the island. Motion carried.
A request was received from the Highway 169 Task Force to support a grant request.
A motion was made by Cersine, seconded by Berrini to support a grant request to the federal government for improvements to Highway 169.
A motion was made by Cersine, seconded by Berrini to approve liquor licenses for Samz, Ely Golf Club and Burntside Lodge. Motion carried.
The township was notified by Lake Country Power they will be doing vegetation cutting in the township.
Len will review a variance request at 2021 Grant McMahan Boulevard.
The board reviewed correspondence but took no action.
Cersine said roads were sanded before the warm spell and all the tar ones cleared off. The dirt roads are getting a bit soft where it’s open. The county went out and winged most of them. Providing we don’t get a lot of snow we ought to be all right.
Berrini said on April 6 a replacement will be discussed for the executive director position at RAMS. Steve Giorgi is temporarily filling the position vacated when Ida Rukavina went to the IRRRB.
The meeting was recessed at 5:40 p.m. until 4 p.m. on March 28 at the Ely City Hall.
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Terry Soderberg, Chair Nick Wognum, Clerk
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