CLERK’S RECORD OF WEDNESDAY, JUNE 4, 2025 WILMA TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS’ MEETING

Chair Mike McCullen called the meeting to order at 7:30 pm. with the Pledge. Also present, Supervisors Alden Shute and Maureen Rioux, Clerk Paul Raymond, Treasurer Patrice Winfield, Glen and Stefanie Williamson, Madeline and her companion, plus Micah Murray and Rebekah and Daniel Calder.

Approve Ground Rules: Alden moved to adopt our old ground rules for the meeting: Citizens must raise their hand and be recognized by the Chair to speak; No interruptions; If a speaker asks question of another person, they can answer but the speaker holds the floor; Maintain respect and decorum. Maureen seconded; passed.

Road Report: Alden replaced the deep culvert on Tamarack Pine Drive, . The culvert is 18” x 40′. Alden said he had calls about Little Tamarack Lake Road and he went out a bladed the road. This road is the first priority for major work this summer.

Spring Road Inspection: Was May 23. SUMMARY: Alden said the priorities for 2025 will be #1: Little Tamarack Lake Road; #2, Vink Road; #3, North Duncan Road; #4, Mink Farm Road; #5 South Duncan Road. The clerk contacted Andrew Pierce about the blocks in the ditch on N. Duncan Road, 612-616-9312, and a Mr. Brandstrom about the beaver dam on Pete Anderson Road, 651-295-9749. Brandstrom said he’d check the dam and Pierce says he’s planning to make a driveway into his land and has already put in a culvert, and he will remove these blocks like he did before.

OLD BUSINESS: Alleged Election Ballot Irregularities: The Pine County Attorney Reese Frederickson and the Sheriff’s Dept. Investigator Zach Libra investigated allegations of ballot irregularities in our March 11, election. All charges and allegations dismissed.

MATIT Town Insurance Policy: The Board reviewed the policy and said our coverage is too low for what it would cost to replace our town hall and fire/grader hall. Our last appraisal valued the town hall at $173,859 and the fire/grader hall at $176, 703. Mike and Alden said he didn’t think we could replace them for that.  Per Lisa Utley: “I have attached the most recent Property Valuation that was done 8/11/23. [Copy to Board] These valuations are scheduled with our third-party property appraisal company with a schedule of every 5 years for an update. What is the board thinking a better value would be for these two buildings? MATIT only sends our EXL again in-between that timeframe if there is a new building or an addition to value. Please let us know what other questions you may have.” The board said they still do not believe we can replace our buildings for these amounts and directed the clerk to write to MATIT and ask if we can have another appraisal if we pay for it.

NEW BUSINESS: Free Amazon Business Prime Membership. “The Minnesota Association of Townships announces a new partnership with Amazon Business. Exclusive to member Townships, receive free Business Prime and special Government pricing on thousands of essential products. This membership includes fast, free shipping on eligible items and access to exclusive discounts across thousands of products.” Staples also has a township program we could check out. The clerk opened a township account if we need to order anything, or we can add members to our account if they use their own credit card and own email. No other board members wanted to be added to the account, and they can request the clerk to order anything the township needs. Patrice said she has an account with Staples for her office supplies, and has free shipping.

NEW BUSINESS: County Land Sale, North Duncan Road: County wants to sell 200 acres of tax-forfieted land on the east side of N. Duncan road. Mike said the whole reason he got on the board was because the county was selling public lands, and he has consistently opposed taking any public lands out of public use for hunting and fishing. Wilma has a standing resolution dated April, 2020, “Township of Wilma opposes any sales of county land in Wilma Township.” Paul sent our resolution and a letter to Greg Beck, and he scheduled a public hearing on this sale for Tuesday, July 1, 2025 at the Courthouse at 10: a.m. Mike said he will really try to attand, and Micah Murray can go with if he wants.

Wilma Zoning: Inquiries to the county auditor about Wilma’s cigarette licenses led to the county taking over our licenses. Auditor Kelly Schroeder said we were the only town still issuing licenses, and the only one (or one of few) with no zoning. She encouraged us to either opt into County-wide zoning or enact our own ordinace. We tried once: A draft ordinance was prepared and submitted by the Wilma Township Planning and Zoning Commission, which was made up of Eldon Schmedeke and Gary Vink, on March 11, 2003. “Whereas, Wilma Township residents, as a whole decided at their annual meeting March, 2002, to adopt a minimal zoning and ordinance plan, the Planning and Zoning Commission has drafted this plan and ordinance to submit to the Board of Supervisors and to the Town of Wilma for deliberation and discussion.

This ordinance is establishing and adopting land use and zoning regulations within the Town of Wilma, Pine County, Minnesota.” Mike explained the history of this draft and that Eldon quit the zoning board when some of the provisions were questioned, and the issue died without his participation.

MAT Attorney Steve Fenske said, “Your Township is allowed to set some zoning ordinances on the matters the town board finds it appropriate to have an ordinance about. The townships land use management powers are found within Minnesota statute chapter 462. The township’s land use management is also affected by chapter 394, which is the county zoning statute. A Township that is interested in adopting land use management powers, can do so by the vote of the Township board, following procedures described in chapter 462. We have information in the information library about the procedures and contents of that chapter. Please use the help of your Township attorney to produce an ordinance and the paperwork and procedures that will be required to carry it out properly.” Copies of the Wilma draft ordinance were made, and Mike will contact township attorneys Couri&Ruppe to get professional help reviewing and updating Wilma’s draft ordinance. Under Chapter 462, the board has the authority to adopt an ordinance.

ECE Utility Permit: ECE wants to ditch a cable from east side of Dollar Lake Road to property on west side of road. Maps and application were given to the board. Alden moved to approve their request and have the clerk notify them. We still hold $1,000 damage escrow for ECE.

Latest Population Figures from MN State Demographer: We have 78 people living in 40 households, as of April 1, 2024, over a year ago.

Coiuri & Ruppe Legal Seminar: Will be in Rutledge, Saturday, October 11, 2025, 9 am to 4 pm. On Agenda: Cartways; Engineering: Roads; Municipal Contracting; Ordinance Enforcement; Family Medical Leave Act; Road Rights-of-Way; Open Meeting Law.

Duxbury VFD Pancake Breakfast: Sunday, May 25, 7 am to 1 pm, Duxbury Town Hall. Was very successful.

Treasurer’s Report and Claims: Total bills: $6,033.37. Alden moved to approve her report and transfer $6,000 from savings to checking. Maureen seconded; all aye. Passed. Mike moved to adjourn; Alden seconded. Adjourned at 8:40.

Paul Raymond, Clerk