Categories
Meetings

Pine County Township Officer’s Meeting, Saturday, October 26, 2018, Hinckley, MN

Over 54 local politicians, candidates and township officers were in attendance today, Saturday, October 27, 2018 at the Pine County Township Officer’s Association Meeting at the American Legion in Hinckley. There were many speakers, including State Senator Tony Lourey, State Representative Candidate Tim Burkhardt, State Representative Jason Rarick, Pine County Commissioner Steve Hallan,  Pine County Commissioner Matt Ludwig, Pine County Attorney Reese Frederickson, Pine County Sheriff Jeff Nelson, and Pine County Land Services Director Kelly Schroeder. Also Karen Amundson, Community Development Planner from East Central Regional Development Commission (ECRDC), DNR Officers Dusty Speldarch and Leah Campa, and Rick Nolan’s field representative. Rick Olseen, MAT District 10 Director Jim Fisher and new MAT Executive Director David Hann.

Two new Executive Board members, Susan Grill (Kettle River Township) and Dan O’Flanagan (Dell Grove Township) were elected to serve out the terms of Dave Baker (New Dosey Township) and Roberta Folkestad (Royalton Township).

There are a couple meetings of the Pine County Zoning Initiative to be held Thursday, November 1, 6:30 pm at the Pine County History Museum in Askov and also Monday, November 5, 6:30 pm at the Pine County Court House in Pine City.  Come discuss the draft first phase of the Pine County Zoning Ordinance.  The Ordinance will only be in effect in townships that “opt-in” to the program.  Visit www.co.pine.mn.us for details.

Kelly Schroeder, County Land Services Director also passed out the 2019 Draft Board of Equalization Schedule.  Here is a List of those trained to be on the Board of Equalization.

There is a Culvert Workshop, Thursday, November 8, 3 – 5 pm at the Pine County History Museum, 6333 H C Andersen Alle in Askov.  For details call 320-216-4220

Photos below are by Paul Raymond and Glen Williamson

 

Categories
Agenda

Agenda, Meeting, Saturday, October 27, 2018, Hinckley American Legion

Scheduled Agenda

Call to Order by Chair Katy Overtoom
Pledge of Allegiance
Invocation by Katy Overtoom
Roll Call (quorum is 10 townships)
Read Minutes from the Spring Meeting 2018

Speakers:

State Senate District 11                                  Tony Lourey
State Rep District 11B                                     Jason Rarick

County Commissioners:

#1 Stephan Hallan (Chair)
#2 Josh Mohr
#3 Steve Chaffee   (Vice Chair)
#4 John Mikrot, Jr.
#5 Matt Ludwig

County Auditor                                                 Cathy Clemmer
County Attorney                                               Reese Fredrickson
County Sheriff                                                   Jeff Nelson
County Land Services Director                          Kelly Schroeder (new County Treasurer/Auditor effective January 2019)
County Administrator                                       David J. Minke
County Engineer                                               Mark LeBrun
ECRDC, Community Development Planner      Karen Amundson
Hospital Board                                                  Ron Osladil
DNR                                                                  Eugene Wynn or CO Grundmeier
Rick Olseen                                                       Field Representative, Congressman Richard Nolan
Pine County Soil and Water                              Jill Carlier  (cannot make it)
Rep from the Band of Ojibwe                           Wally St. John (no response)
MATO District #7 Director                                 Mike Miller

Candidates who were invited to Speak
If you’re a candidate for an elected position and you’re not listed below, please come up to the front table so that we can get you on the agenda.  Thank you!

Candidate Joe Radinovich, US Representative District 8
Candidate Ray “Skip” Sandman, US Representative District 8
Candidate Tim Burkhardt, State Representative District 11B
Candidate Skip Thomson, Pine County Commissioner, District 5

THANK YOU TO ALL THE SPEAKERS

Business Meeting:

Approve Treasurer’s Fall 2018 Financial Report
East Central Regional Development Committee – Glen Williamson
Stipend to attend MAT Annual Educational Conference in Duluth, November 15 – 17, up to $200 per officer (maximum of $1000 to all officers)
Special Election to Executive Committee to replace Roberta Folkestad, expires 2019 (Royalton) and Dave Baker, expires 2020 (New Dosey) who resigned from their town boards.

Any other business?

Motion to adjourn by Chair

For Executive Board –meeting will follow immediately after lunch

Categories
Meetings

Fall Meeting, Saturday, October 27, 2018

There will be a meeting of the Pine County Township Officer’s Association, Saturday, October 27, 2018 at the American Legion Hall, 306 Lawler Avenue in Hinckley.  The meeting will start at 9:00a.m.  Please pass this information on to your Township Officers and encourage them to attend.

Sincerely,

Glen Williamson
Secretary/Treasurer
Pine County Township Officer’s Association

Executive Board Members

Katy Overtoom – Chengwatana Township – Chairperson
Roberta Folkestad – Royalton Township
Paul Raymond – Wilma Township
Dave Baker – New Dosey Township
Robert Sunstrom – Ogema Township
Glen Williamson – Wilma Township – Secretary/Treasurer

Categories
Outreach

Implementation of the County’s Comprehensive Plan

Pine County has scheduled a special board meeting for Friday, March 16, 2018, at 9:30 a.m.. This meeting is not listed on the county’s website calendar. The topic for discussion is “Implementation of the County’s Comprehensive Plan.”

In January 2017, the townships spoke to the board about the comprehensive plan. The plan listed  countywide zoning as a solution to every problem from agriculture, gravel pits and recreation to  housing.

Here’s what to look for if the county takes over zoning.  They will designate which areas of the county will be occupied by city, which will be industrial, which will be forest/recreation and which will be agriculture. They will determine what is allowed in those zones. And, there will be a new level of government, which has already begun with the development of the new County Zoning Board. There will be fees and fines and higher costs for zoning permits done by the county. The county will enforce and prosecute violations of the county’s zoning ordinances.

There was an overwhelming response at the January 2017 meeting from the township officials who attended that meeting. They did not want countywide zoning.

Let your voice be heard. Please attend the meeting. I managed to get the board to change the meeting from Township Day to Friday, March 16, 2018.

You may want to post that the township you represent may have a quorum of supervisors at the March 16 meeting so you are covered under the open meeting law.

Information received from Gussie Croup, Clerk, Sandstone Township

Categories
Meetings

Pine County Township Officer’s Association Meeting, Saturday, March 24, 2018

Glen Williamson, Secretary/Treasurer
Pine County Township Officer’s Association
62399 Duxbury Rd
Sandstone MN 55072
320-245-5194

February 16, 2018

There will be a meeting of the Pine County Township Officer’s Association, Saturday, March 24, 2018 at the American Legion Hall, 306 Lawler Avenue in Hinckley.  The meeting will start at 9:00 a.m.  Please pass this information on to your Township Officers and encourage them to attend.

We will pencil you in as attending. If you are UNABLE to attend, please call us at 320-245-6803 or email me at PctaTreasurer@gmail.com to let us know.

Please pass on this information to all your township or county officers/officials. If you have any questions about this process, please send email to PctaTreasurer@gmail.com.  Please be sure to include your name, title and government agency (i.e. township) when responding.

If interested in participating, please complete the form below.

Sincerely,

Glen Williamson
Secretary/Treasurer
Pine County Township Officer’s Association

Executive Board Members

Katy Overtoom – Chengwatana Township – Chairperson
Roberta Folkestad – Royalton Township
Paul Raymond – Wilma Township
Dave Baker – New Dosey Township
Robert Sunstrom – Ogema Township
Glen Williamson – Wilma Township – Secretary/Treasurer

Categories
Minutes

The Spring Meeting of the Pine County Township Officer’s Association was held on Saturday, March 25, 2017

The Spring Meeting of the Pine County Township Officer’s Association was held on Saturday, March 25, 2017, at the Hinckley American Legion Hall. The meeting was called to order by Chair Katy Overtoom at 9:00 a.m. The Pledge of Allegiance was led Chair Katy Overtoom. The Invocation was provided by Katy Overtoom.

Roll call was taken with 25 townships present, establishing a quorum.

Motion made and seconded to approve the minutes from the Fall Meeting, Saturday, October 22, 2016.

We had several speakers:

Rick Olseen, Field Representative for Congressman Rick Nolan … he said that Congressman Nolan would like the wolf matters to become a state issue.  He mentioned that meals on wheels program are at risk.  He also talked about the Veterans Choice Program.

State Representative, District 11B, Jason Rarick is the chair of the Jobs Committee.  He talked about many issues including broadband and a tax cut for many Minnesotans.

Stephan Hallan, County Commissioner, District 1 said that the county got funds to do surfacing on many roads.  Arrowhead gave 106,00 rides last year.  Most of those rides are contracted rides with Phase.  However, understand that the bus system is for everyone. He took a survey to see how many of the officers do not have trash service in their area.  The county is also putting dumpster on an experimental basis in a few areas, i.e. Willow River.  He also talked about recycling and where you can take your used appliances in Beroun, near the exit off of Interstate 35.

Jeff Nelson, Pine County Sheriff  – thanked County Attorney Reese for the work he’s doing.  2015 – 2016 there were 2,000 more law enforcement calls and it’s not slowing down.  So far this year they have written 38 search warrants which include blood draws and search of homes.  He encourages citizen to come along for a ride with other deputies.  Just call the office for details.  So far this year, the department has recovered over $100,000 in stolen properties (not all of them are from this county).  The department also just got their 2nd canine and it’s in a 8 to 9 week training program.

Kelly Schroeder, County Land Services Director passed out solid waste guides and land assessment maps. Land value in the southern part of the county is going down, however it’s staying put or going up in the rest of the county.  She’s now the official County Recorder and has such it has become more customer service friendly.  Also remember that with all filing papers, signatures must be notarized.  She also talked about electronic and garbage recycle programs on Wednesdays and Saturdays in Willow River.  It will be $6.00 per garbage bag.    They will also have roll offs starting May 1 at the Hinckley VFW and Brook Park.  Their Household Hazardous Waste Facility served over 800 households in the county.

Lenny Bonander with NLX brought along Frank Leotterle with the Passenger Rail Office of MN DOT.  They are planning for the train to run from Target Field in Minneapolis to the city of Duluth.  They are planning on 40 round trips per day.  The travel time is expected to be 2 ½ hours each way.    They are just finishing up on the Environmental Assessment study and it’s now in D.C. for review.  He believes that it will be officially published by the end of June 2017.

Frank Loetterle, NLX Project Manager, MN DOT said that what’s being done so far is preparation work.  The cost of the project is about $500 million.  Most of the land belongs to BNF.   Every crossing must have a gate or an arm.  They will not close any crossing unless absolutely necessary – for example Nickerson Township.  They will make sure that local people are involve in the decision making process.  They are hoping for a maintenance facility in Sandstone and Duluth.

Bob Voss, ECRDC Director updated Economic Strategy for the region.  The commission must do it every five years.  Broadband needed to be worked on.  He mentioned that the ECRBC has a gap funding loan program for local businesses and they have about $126,000 to lend.  Currently they have about $400,000 in existing loans.  They can only loan up to 49% of money needed to start/run your business.

Penny Simonsen, ECRDC Community Director worked with Wilma Township to get internet service through Blandin Foundation.  Other townships, such as Arna are looking to do the same thing.

Ron Osladil of the North Pine Area Hospital District said the District is working hand and hand with Essentia, Thrifty White and Gateway.  The new hospital will host a tour May 9, 2017.  The hospital will formally open May 17, 2017.  They have sold the old hospital to a company called Hill Top.   Also the kitchen will be next door in the long-term nursing facility.

Brett Grundmeier, DNR Conservation Officer mentioned that Chronic Wasting Disease is a huge deal.  They have had 9 deer tested positive, mostly in SW Minnesota.   Hunters cannot bring mount back to Minnesota.  They can only bring back clean skulls.  He went on to talk about the catch and release program on Mille Lacs Lake and that you can only fish for walleyes with artificial bait.  Also after April 1, call if you have a wolf problem and they’ll send out a trapper.  His phone number is 320-384-7382.

Lyle Johnson, MAT District 7 Director – Minnesota will have $1.6 billion in surplus over the next 2 years.  With six million people, that’s about $150 per person surplus.  So, it’s not that much.   Good news: MATIT issued a dividend on worker’s compensation.  That’s two years in a row.

Other speakers were Alyssa and Olivia Dyksta, spoke about K-5 in Montessori in Sandstone,  Mike Swiridow and Larry Helwig.

Bob Ruppe or Couri & Ruppe Law Firm talked about their upcoming free seminar in Rutledge, Saturday, September 16, 2017 and what they have to offer to township.

Business Meeting

Motion made and seconded to approve the Treasurer’s report.

Dave Baker, New Dosey Township reelected to a 3 year term on the Executive Board.  Glen Williamson, Wilma Township was reelected to a three year term as Secretary/Treasurer.

Motion made, seconded, and approved to adjourn at 11:10 am.

Respectively submitted by

Glen Williamson Sr.

Secretary/Treasurer

Pine County Township Officers Association

Date Approved:______________________

Chairman___________________________

 

Categories
Outreach

Tourism Business Resource Summit, Monday, April 17, 2017

Pine County Township, Sandstone Web Designer, Partners in East Central MN:

You are cordially invited to a Regional Tourism Business Resource Summit on Monday, April 17th from 7:00 – 9:00 PM at Wahkon City Hall (151 2nd Street E. – Wahkon, MN).

The goal of this event is to connect Tourism, Hospitality & Retail Businesses along with would-be entrepreneurs to services and resources to help them start, strengthen or grow their business.  This event will include presentations on regional tourism related demographics and statistics, assistance with business plans, marketing, financing & business loan and grant funds. We will also have presentations on resources and opportunities from Explore Minnesota Tourism and Hospitality Minnesota, as well as from industry professionals who will share their real-world successes.

This event is free to attend, but RSVPs are appreciated. To RSVP please call 320-679-4065 #29 or email Jordan.zeller@ecrdc.org

Please pass the attached invitational flyer along to anyone you think may be interested in attending. Any assistance you can provide in helping spread the word of this event (forwarding this email, posting on Facebook, Twitter and websites, etc.) would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks,

Jordan

Jordan Zeller |  Economic Development Planner

East Central Regional Development Commission

100 Park Street South, Mora, MN 55051

Direct: 320-679-4065 #29

Cell: 320-212-0455

www.ecrdc.org

 

Categories
Meetings

Spring Meeting, Saturday, March 25, 2017, Hinckley American Legion

There will be a meeting of the Pine County Township Officer’s Association, Saturday, March 25, 2017 at the American Legion Hall, 306 Lawler Avenue in Hinckley.  The meeting will start at 9:00a.m.  Please pass this information on to your Township Officers and encourage them to attend.

We will pencil you in as attending. If you are UNABLE to attend, please call us at 320-245-6803 or email me at PctaTreasurer@gmail.com to let us know.

Our association’s website is up and running.  If you haven’t done so already, please go to PineCountyTownships.com, under Login, click on Register, fill out the information and submit.  This will give us the ability to send you updates via email.  Please pass on this information to all your township officers. If you have any questions about this process, please send email to PctaTreasurer@gmail.com.  Please be sure to include your name, title and government agency (i.e. township) when responding.

If interested in participating, please complete the form below.

Sincerely,

 

Glen Williamson

Secretary/Treasurer

Pine County Township Officer’s Association

Executive Board Members

Katy Overtoom – Chengwatana Township – Chairperson

Roberta Folkestad – Royalton Township

Paul Raymond – Wilma Township

Dave Baker – New Dosey Township

Robert Sunstrom – Ogema Township

Glen Williamson – Wilma Township – Secretary/Treasurer

Categories
Meetings

Fall Meeting, Saturday, October 22, 2016, Hinckley American Legion

Glen Williamson, Secretary/Treasurer
Pine County Township Officer’s Association
62399 Duxbury Rd
Sandstone MN 55072
320-245-5194
September 27, 2016

Dear Pine County Officers,

There is a meeting of the Pine County Township Officer’s Association, Saturday, October 22, 2016 at the American Legion Hall, 306 Lawler Avenue in Hinckley. The meeting will start at 9:00a.m. We would appreciate it if you could attend and make a short presentation about your know how and what’s going on in your area of expertise, as it pertains to Pine County and your constituents.

We realize that you’re very busy, but your attendance would mean so much to the townships. If it’s not asking too much, we will pencil you in as attending. If you are UNABLE to attend, please call us at 320-245-5194 or by email at PctaTreasurer@gmail.com and let us know.

Our association’s website is up and running. If you haven’t done so already, please go to PineCountyTownships.com, under Login, click on Register, fill out the information and submit. This will give us the ability to send you updates via email. If you have any questions about this process, please send email to PctaTreasurer@gmail.com. Please be sure to include your name, title and government agency (i.e. Pine County) when responding.
We look forward to seeing you.

Sincerely,

Glen Williamson, Sr.
Secretary/Treasurer
Pine County Township Officer’s Association
Executive Board Members
Katy Overtoom – Chengwatana Township – Chairperson
Roberta Folkestad – Royalton Township
Paul Raymond – Wilma Township
Dave Baker – New Dosey Township
Robert Sunstrom – Ogema Township
Glen Williamson – Wilma Township – Secretary/Treasurer

Categories
Outreach

Pine County Outreach Meetings

I received the email below from David J. Minke, Pine County Administrator today.

The county board is interested in meeting with representatives of the townships in the county and asked me to reach out to the township officers association to determine your interest in meeting and potentially set up a meeting. The commissioners are contemplating an informal Committee of the Whole format.

Can you reach out to your township colleagues and let me know if you think there would be interest in such a meeting and any idea for topics.

The county board conducts several meetings around the county. Below is the current schedule of locations and topics. We will likely add to the schedule over the summer as the commissioners identify topics they would like to discuss. We also reserve time at the beginning of each meeting for informal conversation with citizens and city or township officials who may attend. Feel free to share the schedule with anyone who might be interested.

Thank you, David

Date: Tuesday, May 24, 2016
9:00 a.m.
Location: Pokegama Town Hall
Pine City
Topic: Roads & Road Tour
Finance, bonding, sales tax wheelage tax

Date: Tuesday, June 28, 2016
9:00 a.m.
Location: Duquette Community Hall
Kerrick
Topic: Comprehensive plan update
Oberstar trail update (DNR Darin Newman)
General Andrews State Forest Nursey Update (DNR)

Date: Tuesday, July 26, 2016
9:00 a.m.
Location: Aazhoomog Community Center
Lake Lena
Topic: Law Enforcement Update
2017 Budget strategy

David J. Minke
Pine County Administrator
635 Northridge Dr. NW
Pine City, MN 55063
(o)320-591-1621
(m)320-372-0655
david.minke@co.pine.mn.us
www.co.pine.mn.us