CLERK’S RECORD OF WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 3, 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, Micah Murray, Ellen Cales, Daniel Calder, Clay Heller, Jr., Dylan Linet, Hannah Rank, Alexa Eggen, Memphis Mitchell, Mike Siebencler, Michael Bean, Jody Mattson, Jobi Adams, Rebecca Calder, and Cindy Kleinschmidt.

Clerk’s Report of August 6 Board Meeting. Paul read the report; Maureen moved to approve; Alden seconded; passed.

ROAD REPORT: Eight loads 2” minus gravel on the Little Tamarack Lake Road, from the landing to the curve; three loads on Mayfield Road; 1 load on South Duncan Road, all 2” minus pit run.

Road Brushing/Mowing: Rootke brushed the west range-line roads and Fornengo Concrete brushed Wilma roads. Mike said Jason Palme said Crooked Lake road was not brushed, but this may have been before Rootke came down there. Alden will check.

Widen Dollar Lake Road Entrance: Alden said the culvert could be extended on both sides without any ditching, and then rock and gravel could be used to widen the entrance.

Alden said that with all of these projects, we will be a little over budget, but he’s basically done for the season.

Backup Grader Operator: Jody said that Doug Witta is available to do backup grading when Alden can’t do it, but only in the summer. Alden moved to hire Doug as backup operator for summer grading. Maureen seconded; passed. Rachel Bean said that she and her husband would also like to be considered for backup operator, and Daniel Calder said the same. Alden will need to train Daniel and anyone else who hasn’t operated a large grader.

OLD BUSINESS: : Pine Co. Tax Forfeit Land Auction: Will be Friday, September 19, 10 a.m. at the courthouse: 200 Acres on North Duncan Road. Mike attended the Commissioners’ meeting to oppose the sale of the land but they voted to proceed with the sale. The Pine County News gave Wilma a whole half page addressing the issue and our concern about public land sales.

OLD BUSINESS: Wilma Zoning: Mike explained the history of zoning and deliberations in Wilma Township. He first started researching our past zoning efforts last spring, and the board distributed Wilma’s 2003 zoning proposal at the beginning of June to all board members and any interested public citizens. Mike said the issue is complicated, with strong opinions on both sides, those who wanted no zoning, as we have now, and those who wanted some restrictions on the spread of multi-family parcels with multiple single-family homes. Maureen reported that she surveyed at least 10 citizens, and got opinions on all sides of the issue. Many of the people who wanted some reasonable restrictions on developments were not at the meeting. Jody said one reason they don’t come is because all of the conflict in our town a year and two ago, with out-of-control meetings. She said the board needs to take into consideration all viewpoints even if they are not personally represented.

The Supervisors have reviewed Wilma Township’s 2003 proposed draft planning and zoning ordinance, but they are not ready yet to present a revised ordinance to the township or to the attorneys for review. Mike consulted with Wilma Attorney Robert Ruppe who advised that to avoid future problems and issues the town board should adopt an interim ordinance establishing a temporary moratorium on all single-family buildings, new plats and subdivisions and land uses (with certain exceptions) to allow them time to draft an ordinance. Copies of the resolution to adopt an interim ordinance and copies of the proposed ordinance were distributed to everyone. Mike said this will give the board some time to draft a good zoning ordinance while still protecting the townspeoples’ concerns.

Long discussion on the moratorium, with many offering opinions. Wilma is the only township in the county without either county zoning or local zoning and many citizens said this is exactly why they moved to our township and love it here. Our town has a stong independent spirit and we have never wanted to be ruled by intrusive zoning officials. Micah said the reason many people have moved to Wilma is because we do not have zoning, but he understands the concern about people changing the town. Dylan and Hannah and Micah all said they have no desire to change the town; they love this township.

Alden said if we ever have a zoning ordinance it needs to fit on two pages. He said that Arna Township is going bankrupt now because of their huge, strict zoning ordinance and all the legal fees they’ve accrued from Couri&Ruppe.

Micah asked how this moratorium came about? Mike said the attorneys wrote it and they strongly suggested that since we still have no zoning ordinance this would give the board time to figure it out. Dylan asked why can’t we just not pass this now and let things continue as they are? Everyone gets along and they have no desire to change or control the township. Do we want a township with freedom or one with rules and regulations?

Mike said one concern is that with many homes on a single parcel it would limit the freedom of hunters on adjoining lands so they don’t shoot near homes. Dylan’s land is narrow and all houses would be near the boundaries. Dylan said he would be happy to set aside half of his land as permanently undeveloped so hunters wouldn’t have to worry about being near buildings.

Several citizens said if there is any zoning, it should address big trucks hauling loud loads starting at three in the morning. Or dogs who bark incessently. Mike said he has received two complaints about loud rock music blasting until the early mornings at events in our town and zoning could address these issues.

Mike said there was never an intent to harm anyone, but that the board wants things to be done correctly, and the ordinance would give the town some time to work things out. Alden said we’ve existed since 1907 with no zoning and we do not need to rush into it now. Ellen said it is an unnecessary step. A misdemeanor for building a house? With all these people here wanting to live and build and grow in peace, two supervisors can have the authority to stop all future building in our town? Alden said we were a dying township and these new people are the hope of life and a future in our town. Dylan says this is all targeted at Ecovillage and his project. Micah asked what is it about their village that makes people so uncomfortable? Is it the number of residences? Is it political differences? That they will all come our and vote? He said we need to find out what people are afraid of; what will make them feel safe? Is the fear hearsay or based on truth? Mike offered to visit Ecovillage and Dylan’s people to get their input on some reasonable zoning regulations. Mike said he’d been criticized by Paul for giving in too easily on his principles because he wants people to like him. Paul said he hates to see any division and hurt and anger in our town and this may be one time it would be best to give in and compromise and maybe it would be best to just table this resolution for now. Mike agreed and Alden moved that the resolution be tabled for now; Maureen seconded; passed.

NEW BUSINESS: Minnesota Paid Leave: This starts January 1, 2026, intended to give paid time off for workers with health or caregiving needs. This is separate from ESST, Earned Sick and Safe Time. Elected officials are exempt from ESST but not from Paid Leave. Clerk had to submit quarterly wage reports for both employees and elected officers for July-Sept., 2024, October-December, 2024; January-March, 2025; and April-June, 2025. Very difficult report and enrollment procedure.

Fall L&R Meeting. The MAT Legislative & Research (L&R) Committee develops, reviews, and recommends legislative actions on behalf of townships. Friday, September 12, 2025 at the Mayo Clinic Health System Event Center Grand Hall, Civic Center Plaza, Mankato, MN 56001. No cost to township officers to encourage increased attendance and participation. Included are materials, refreshments, and lunch. Registration 10 a.m.

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. They will answer any zoning questions free.

Minnesota Association of Township’s Annual Conference: Will be Thursday, December 11 through Saturday, December 13, 2025; St. Cloud River’s Edge Convention Center.

Treasurer’s Report and Claims: Total bills: $3,227.46. Alden moved to approve her report and transfer $3,000 from savings to checking. Maureen seconded; all aye. Passed. Mike moved to adjourn; Alden seconded. Adjourned at 9:15, but many citizens stayed behing to visit and talk after the meeting.

Paul Raymond, Clerk