ANNUAL TOWNSHIP MEETING (
Clerk Colleen Thompson called the meeting to order at
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Mark Dubbels made a motion to nominate Joe Vandenheuvel as moderator. Dave Garner seconded the motion. Being no further nominations, a unanimous vote was cast for Joe Vandenheuvel to act as moderator.
Colleen read the minutes of the
Ken Ebert presented the Treasurer Report. Ken explained the reasons for having two checking accounts at First National Bank at this time was due to some checks that were issued thru the old account still needed to clear the bank. Ken stated there is $72,630.06 in savings at First National Bank, for a total checking/savings balance of $197,056.00. We have two CD’s at White Rock State Bank in the amount of $107,755.90. There are two CD’s at First National Bank in the amounts of $62,118.77 and $57,783.69. Because of the low rates at this time the CD’s at White Rock were renewed for a 13-month period at 1.30%. Ken explained that at the first of the year we started using CTAS, a fund based system for our accounting needs. The funds include Road and Bridge, Fire, General Fund and Building Fund. We had income for the year of $168,333.87, expenses for the year of $134.324.49 giving us a net gain of $34,009.38. Bob Benson made a motion to approve the report as read. Dave Garner seconded the motion. Motion carried.
No proposed budget was given.
Dave Garner made a motion to maintain the current levy at $135,000.00. Mark Dubbels seconded the motion. Motion carried.
No formal road report was given. Bob Benson stated Adam Reuger was hired as a part time road maintenance person.
Charles Rademacher stated the snow plowing is to be desired. Any high school kid could do a better job.
Steve Emery spoke about numerous persons in the ditches, roads being impassable, the salt shed being ˝ full, the job not getting done. Steve stated that if not getting out there, you need to replace the person doing the job.
Charles Rademacher spoke about a neighbor loosing a sprinkler head because the snowplow was off the road three to four feet.
Joe Vandenheuvel stated he had school bus concerns knowing the roads were not cleared before buses were out.
ANNUAL TOWNSHIP MEETING (
Mr. Rademacher stated it is a tough job to fill, yet it needs to be done right. He told of the shoulders being cleared with 5” of snow left on the middle of the road.
Mr. Emery stated again “If he is not going to get the job done – fire him”.
Mark Dubbels made the recommendation to the Board to release
the Road Maintenance Person due to lack of performance. Mark then told of spending an entire evening
pulling cars, that were going to the Boy Scout Camp,
from ditches due to road conditions on
Colleen spoke about the numerous complaints she has received this year.
Bob spoke about asking Adam to grade all roads before they froze-up before winter and his refusal to do so because he had graded some of them two weeks before. Bob also spoke about Adam not plowing snow from roads in a timely matter and acknowledged we have a problem.
Steve Emery stated we need a little more gravel on the roads.
Chuck Rademacher stated the gravel seems soft and we should look at a different quarry, “what we got is just mush”.
Joe stated there is a motion as a recommendation to release the Road Maintenance Person due to lack of performance and asked for further discussion. Being none, a vote was asked for. All voting eye, the motion carried.
A concern brought up was who would do the job until we got another road maintenance person hired. Bob stated we have persons for back up and the job would get done.
Mark Dubbels made a motion to select the Cannon Falls Beacon as the official township newspaper. Dave Garner seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Dave Garner made a motion to make the bulletin board outside the town hall building the official posting place. Bob Benson seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Mark Dubbels made a motion to set the date, site and time of next years Annual Meeting for
Joe read the election results at this time. A total of twenty-five votes were cast. Bob Benson received twenty-three votes for Supervisor. Colleen received twenty-four votes for Clerk. Joe Vandenheuvel received one write in vote for Clerk. Ken Ebert received twenty-three votes for Treasurer.
No old business was brought forward.
ANNUAL TOWNSHIP MEETING (
Bud Gustafson, representing the Randolph Historical Society
asked for the renewal of the $400.00 donation received last year. He reported there was a dedication of the
building last October. Bud stated there
are continuing expenses. The building
needs a new roof. Labor costs came in at
$4,600 not including shingles. They
collect area pictures and small artifacts and would appreciate donations of
such. The building is open on the first
and third Sundays of each month from
Mark Dubbels made a motion to make a one- time contribution of $500.00 to the Randolph Historical Society and to invite Bud to return next year. Charles Rademacher seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Kate Johanningsmeier, representing Cannon Pet Adoption spoke about the organization. She stated they now have four persons sitting on their Board. She asked for a contribution that we think is fair. Kate stated that Dr. Mike Peterson does wonders with all sizes of animals.
Joe asked for action on the request. Kate Johanningsmeier moved that
Joe Vandenheuvel made a motion to purchase a flag and stand to be used inside the town hall. Bob Benson seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Mark Dubbels made a motion to build a new town hall and equipment garage. Going on to state money is set aside for the building of a new town hall and heated shop for our equipment that should be stored in a heated facility. Stating we need an adequate facility that is pest free and healthy for the persons meeting each month. The cost of the building, not to exceed $150,000.00.
Chuck Rademacher asked do we have a site?
Bob Benson replied we could build it right here.
Mr. Rademacher stated it is not an acceptable site without enough space to park. He also stated the street issue needs to be settled.
Joe Vandenheuvel suggested setting up a committee again to work on the issue. He stated money has been set aside for a new town hall, if that money is left sitting for a long time the County can take the money from us.
Steve Emery stated there is no feasible alternative. Any increase to the levy was for roads, to focus on what is needed and go from there.
Ken Ebert stated he had to researched records since 1980; records are not in an organized manner. There are records at the Clerk’s house, there are records at the Treasurer’s house, and
ANNUAL TOWNSHIP MEETING (
there are records at the town hall. These need to be centralized.
Joe agreed that our record keeping needs to be desired, if audited we would be in bad shape. He stated the records should be in a centralized location.
Mark Dubbels stated there is money set aside, there is money levied for a new town hall and stressed the importance of a new town hall being handicap accessible meeting sanitary and Federal requirements for the purpose of voting.
Colleen spoke about the changing requirements we will need to meet in order to continue using the town hall as a polling place. She stated they will not hesitate to deny our polling place if we do not meet their requirements. Colleen also stated she needs back the space she is now using inside of her home for the township. She stated she has grandchildren and she needs the bedroom back for them when they come to visit.
Delbert Gustafson asked about making an office in the current building for the Clerk using air exchangers.
Dave Garner seconded the motion of a new town hall and shop with a cap of $150,000 with an amendment to include adequate parking with no stipulation as to location and to include the approval by taxpayers. Joe asked for a vote by a show of hands - in favor – eleven, against – seven. Motion carried.
Joe Vandenheuvel made a statement of appreciation for all the work done for the township by the Supervisors, Clerk and Treasurer.
Bob Benson made a motion, seconded by Chuck Rademacher to adjourn. Motion carried.