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COTTON TOWN BOARD MEETING September 11, 2017

The meeting was called to order at approximately 6:00 p.m. in the township office, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. Board members present were Supervisor Will Keyes, Supervisor Kourtney Kinsley, Treasurer Debbie Leppala, Deputy Clerk Megan Julin. Supervisor Tim Randall joined the meeting via Skye. Residents present were Roy Lepak, Jared Mevisson, Harriet Kellner, Jim and Dee Kneeland, and Stephanie Dehkes.

Will Keyes motioned, supported by Kourtney Kinsley to approve the August 10, 2017 board meeting minutes as distributed. Will Keyes aye. Tim Randall aye. Kourtney Kinsley aye. ALL IN FAVOR. MOTION CARRIED.

The treasurer presented the cash control statement, schedule 1 and investments.

GENERAL FUND: beginning balance $65,751.54; receipts $13,734.32; disbursements $5,845.48; ending balance $73,640.38

ROAD & BRIDGE FUND: beginning balance $4,624.17; receipts $8.00: disbursements $3,300.00; ending balance $1,332.17

FIRE FUND: beginning balance $4,587.61; receipts $0.00; disbursements $41.33; ending balance $4,546.28

CHRONICLE FUND: beginning balance $16,836.17; receipts $903.20 disbursements $1,435.69; ending balance $16,303.68

CEMETERY FUND: beginning balance $11,083.49; receipts $0.00; disbursements $479.24; ending balance $10,604.25

PARKS & REC FUND: beginning balance $3,697.05; receipts $0.00; disbursements $0.00; ending balance $3,697.05

NON-LEVY REVENUE: beginning balance $28,150.15; receipts $408.91; disbursements $516.66; ending balance $28,042.40

CASH CONTROL BEGINNING BALANCE: $134,730.18

TOTAL RECEIPTS: $15,054.43

TOTAL DISBURSEMENTS: $11,618.40

CASH CONTROL ENDING BALANCE: $138,166.21

INVESTMENTS BEGINNING BALANCE: $83,093.19

INTEREST: $16.66

INVESTMENTS ENDING BALANCE: $83,109.85

TOTAL BALANCE ON HAND: 8/31/17 $221,276.06

Kourtney Kinsley motioned, supported by Will Keyes to accept the Treasurer’s Report as presented. Will Keyes aye. Tim Randall aye. Kourtney Kinsley aye. ALL IN FAVOR. MOTION CARRIED.

The Treasurer presented the claims list.

Vendor Name Description Check # Amount

Payroll Period End 8/31/2017 17370-17382 $ 3,557.37

PERA Retirement 17383 $ 402.58

Print Corp. Chronicle printing 17384 $ 370.00

Norland Sanitary Service Garbage Service 17385 $ 176.67

Tracy Excavating Road Work 17386 $ 13,950.00

Tracy Excavating Sexton 17387 $ 250.00

Card Member Services Stamped Envelopes 17388 $ 304.75

L & M Supply Supplies 17389 $ 326.82

Electric Systems of Duluth Light Repairs 17390 $ 159.26

Jake’s Grading Grading Roads 17391 $ 3,850.00

Sam’s Club Kitchen Supplies 17392 $ 39.60

Cotton Post Office Chronicle Postage 17393 $ 160.00

Debbie Leppala Mileage 17394 $ 66.88

Sandi Nelson Mileage 17395 $ 29.16

Norman Peterson Mileage 17396 $ 41.73

Cherrie Soderlund Mileage 17397 $ 4.28

Lake Country Power Electric 9171 $ 302.00

Arvig Telephone/internet/fax 9172 $ 186.27

Internal Revenue Service Federal withholdings 9173 $ 783.31

Internal Revenue Service 2017 Second Quarter Balance 9173-1 $ 46.98

Wex Bank Gas 9176 $ 37.88

Total For Period $25,045.54

Will Kinsley motioned, supported by Kourtney Kinsley to approve and sign the claims list for #17370 – 17397, including debit #9171-9173, 9173-1, and 9176 totaling $25,045.54 to pay the Bills For Payment. Will Keyes aye. Tim Randall aye. Kourtney Kinsley aye. All FAVOR. MOTION CARRIED.

Roy Lepak read a letter he submitted to the township expressing his concerns with the increasingly high water levels on Strand Lake causing a problem with erosion. Supervisor Randall stated the problem has been caused by abnormally high amounts of rain and beaver dams. The water in the ditches on North Stand Lake Road is draining as it should, and has nothing to do with the erosion problems. The town does not have authority to go on private property to remove beaver dams. The town will contact the DNR and request they evaluate the situation and provide them with names and numbers of land owners. As a land owner on Strand Lake Jim Kneeland believes the beaver are the culprits of the problem and feels if the town is willing to contact the DNR it would be helpful.

The Board then heard from Jared Mevisson, Harriet Kellner, Jim and Dee Kneeland, and Stephanie Dehkes. All of whom were attending the meeting to discuss the ditching on Lily Lake Road. They feel the ditching at the curve should have started further west going up the hill. Supervisor Randall informed the residents the area will be looked at during Fall Road Review. If the Board feels the road needs to be ditched on both sides again Tracy Excavating will complete the work in the spring of 2018. There was discussion on the grading of Lily Lake Road. Supervisor Randall explained gravel will be placed and the road will be built up this fall. This will make it possible for the grader operator to crown the road making a significant improvement and keeping water off the road.

Correspondence:

ST. LOUIS COUNTY OFFICES

ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES: Solid waste coupon sales*, 2018 MSW Disposal Fees

PLANNING & COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT: 2018 CDBG program, Comprehensive Land

Use Plan online input opportunity

ELECTION SUPERVISOR: Grant funding to update election equipment

SHERIFF RESCUE: Thank you

STATE OF MN OFFICES

AUDITOR: E-Update, Pension Division Newsletter

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH: Water sampling results*

POLLUTION CONTROL AGENCY: state water quality amendments

DEPT OF REVENUE: LBAE Training attendance list

EXTENSION SERVICE: Field day invitation

MN ASSOC. OF TOWNSHIPS (MAT): L&R Meeting

COURI & RUPPE: Rate increase*, Legal Seminar

MN FIREFIGHTERS RELIEF ASSCOIATION (MFRA): Records Retention Schedule

JAKE’S COMPANIES LLC: Certificate of Liability Insurance

MENARDS: Authorized purchasing agent

KICK: Postal Blvd culvert*

MEVISSEN: Lily Lk Rd*

LEPAK: N. Strand Lake Rd*

Dall: Gravel Pit waiver

WEEBLY: Information verification

IREA ADVISOR

ISD 2142 NEWSPAPER

COMMUNITY EDUCATION

WOURI NEWSLETTER

NEWSLINE/STRICTLY BUSINESS

THE OUTLET

MAINTENANCE EXPO

ARVIG PHONEBOOK

FOODSAFE

TECHNOLOGY EXCHANGE

COTTON CHRONICLE

*AGENDA ITEMS

There was discussion on the culvert that was placed on Postal Boulevard. This is a private road adjoined to Lily Lake Road. The Board approved the cost of the culvert be divided among the property owners on Postal Boulevard. Letters and invoices will be sent.

OLD BUSINESS

Solid Waste Coupons: Coupons can be purchased at the dump in Cotton with a credit card or check. They are also available to purchase at the Wilbert Café.

CONTINUUM

Community Center: The water testing results were normal. The furnace will be cleaned. Supervisors Keyes and Kinsley will inspect the chimney to determine whether it needs to be cleaned or replaced. Debbie will get an estimate for the cost of replacement before the October meeting. The town is now receiving faster internet services through Arvig increasing the bill from $42.00 to $62.00 per month. The Board approved to connect to Arvig’s WIFI for an additional charge.

Cemetery: There are a number of large trees in the cemetery that need to be removed. There was discussion on hiring Mark Carlson as an employee for the town to assist the grounds keeper with the tree removal. Tabled.

Roads: Supervisor Keyes mentioned beavers have the culvert on Kauppi Lake Road plugged and there is water on the road. Tim Randall motioned, supported by Will Keyes to have Brent Tracy trap the beavers on McKay Road and Kauppi Lake Road. Will Keyes aye. Tim Randall aye. Kourtney Kinsley aye. ALL IN FAVOR. MOTION CARRIED. Supervisor Randall will inform Tracy Excavating to replace the culvert on Kauppi Lake Road after the beavers are removed. Will Keyes motioned, supported by Kourtney Kinsley to schedule Fall Road Review for September 30th at 9:00 a.m. Will Keyes aye. Tim Randall aye. Kourtney Kinsley aye. ALL IN FAVOR. MOTION CARRIED. Road completion certificate was filled out for Lily Lake Road.

Meetings: Legal Seminar October 7, 9:00 – 4:00, Board Meeting October 12, 6:00 p.m., Township Officers October 25, 6:30 p.m.

NEW BUSINESS: Couri & Ruppe, P.L.L.P. increased their hourly rates. The second quarter balance to the IRS was paid. Debbie Leppala requested increasing her wage as janitor. Will Keyes motioned, supported by Kourtney Kinsley to table the janitor wage. Will Keyes aye. Tim Randall aye. Kourtney Kinsley aye. ALL IN FAVOR. MOTION CARRIED.

As there was no further business, Will Keyes motioned, supported by Kourtney Kinsley that the meeting be adjourned at 6:53 p.m. Will Keyes aye. Tim Randall aye. Kourtney Kinsley aye. ALL IN FAVOR. MOTION CARRIED.

Respectfully submitted,

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Approved: Town Deputy Clerk

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Town Chair ______Date