TOWN OF NORTH STAR
03/15/2022
CALL TO ORDER – Dick Dillon called the meeting to order as the new Chairman of the Board.
ATTENDING – Supervisor Gary Mantay, Supervisor Jan Keough, Supervisor Dick Dillon, Treasurer Donna Elsbury, Clerk Mary Hellman, Ray Barnes, Deb Pomroy, Rory Blazevic, Tim Walters.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – All present recited the pledge at the beginning of the evening,
FEBRUARY 2022 MINUTES REVIEW AND APPROVAL – Motion by Gary Mantay, 2nd by Jan Keough to approve February 2022 Minutes with no corrections. All ayes.
REVIEW AND APPROVE PAYROLL AND CLAIMS – Discussion to include payment in full to Generac for a 5-year warranty. Motion to approve Payroll and claims, including to pay the Generac bill was made by Jan Keough, second by Dick Dillon. Vote: Jan- aye, Dick- aye, Gary- aye.
TREASURER REPORT –
Transfer – Donna reported the Transfer amount of $4334.14 was for checks # 8352 – 8366 and ___EFT PERA_____.
• ARPA update – Donna said that the transfer of general funds to the ARPA fund is complete.
CLERK/TREASURER COMMENTS –
• Mary needs to get a Notary Registration and Stamp. Minnesota State charges $120/year and the stamp is a single cost of approximately $40. She agreed to have it available for both the township business and community requests. A motion was made to accept this yearly cost of $120 and a one-time stamp cost of approximately $40 by Jan Keough, 2nd by Dick Dillon. Vote: Jan – aye, Dick – Aye, Gary – aye.
• Carrie Landman, deputy clerk will be stepping in to cover as town clerk while Mary is on vacation next month. Details to be worked out with her soon. Thank you, Carrie!
CORRESPONDENCE
The St. Louis County Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on Thursday, April 14, 2022 at 9:00 am, at the Government Services Center, 201 South 3rd Avenue West, Virginia, MN. The Commission will consider comments on proposed amendments to the St. Louis County Subdivision Ordinance 60. – Copy of current Ordinance Number 60 is included for review. Discussion followed. No one was available to attend this meeting.
FIRE DEPARTMENT – Rory Blazevic, Chief, requested signatures for the CAPF form; which is regarding DNR rates if we get called out for wild fires (trucks, hoses, manpower, etc.). Also, would have claims from charges which he’ll submit. The department completed the 16-hour refresher, but would still like to see more people sign up as the membership is low. They have a mass casualty practice coming up to get hands on practice. No calls in the last month, except for a mutual aid call from Pequaywan FD which was cancelled.
Pancake Breakfast update: Sunday May 29th, all volunteers appreciated! Donations to Fire and EMS Department for additional equipment and training.
Rory requested authorization from the board to sell an old fire truck, which cannot be used any more. Motion by Dick Dillon to sell the truck, 2nd by Jan Keough, discussion followed. Vote: all ayes. Motion carried.
MAINTENANCE – Dick Dillon reported that there is a worsening leak around the vent in the ceiling of the women’s bathroom, wrecking more tiles. It needs to be fixed after the snow and ice is off of the roof.
Dick also stated there was an extended warranty offer from Generac, were the township purchased their generator. Generac will provide an extended 5-year warranty for $515.00. Discussion followed and a motion was made by Gary to purchase this coverage and was Seconded by Dick. Vote: Gary – Aye, Dick – aye, Jan – aye. Motion accepted. The check will be made tonight to pay this in a timely manner.
RECYCLING – Jan Keough reported all is going well.
ROADS – Gary Mantay reported St. Louis County HD came to grind up the ice on the road. They did a good job which will made the road safer.
WEBPAGE/COMMUNICATIONS REPORT – Jan Keough reported a “Hand-out” was created for the township website which will helpful for both new and longstanding township members. It includes information about all the services available here in North Star, from the 911 Fire/EMS, recycling, burning permits, book exchange, leash law ordinance, etc., etc. This was reviewed by the Communication Committee and additions were made and entered.
The eNewsletter continues to be distributed is a good resource for Township updates also. Jan would like to see another one sent out around the beginning of May.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Weed Report – Tim Walters provided additional information on the 2021 Township Weed Report, including how the report is being updated to become available for public viewing. Deb Pomroy provided some background on the on-line reporting software. Tim thanked Deb for her help.
NEW BUSINESS –
Announcement from St. Louis County, Phil Chapman
Minnesota Statute 204B.14 requires that we [North Star Township] pass a resolution to reestablish our precinct boundaries and reestablish our polling place after the congressional and legislative redistricting plans have been released. Even if there are no changes, a resolution must be made and passed by the town board: See Attachment 1.
REVIEW OF DUTIES – none
UPCOMING EVENTS – Pancake Breakfast at North Star Town Hall on Sunday, May29, 2022 from 8 a.m. to noon.
NEXT TOWN BOARD MEETING – Tuesday, April 19, 2022
ADJOURNMENT – A motion was made by Jan Keough to adjourn the meeting at 8:00 p.m. Gary seconded it. All ayes.
Respectively submitted,
Mary Hellman
Clerk
ATTACHMENT 1
Announcement from St. Louis County, Phil Chapman
Minnesota Statute 204B.14 requires that we [North Star Township] pass a resolution to reestablish our precinct boundaries and reestablish our polling place after the congressional and legislative redistricting plans have been released. Even if there are no changes, a resolution must be made and passed by the town board:
Resolution Reestablishing Precincts and Polling Places
St. Louis County, State of MN
WHEREAS, the legislature of the State of Minnesota has been redistricted; and
WHEREAS, Minnesota Statute section 204B.14, subd. 3(d) requires that precinct boundaries be reestablished within 60 days of when the legislature has been redistricted or at least 19 weeks before the state primary election, whichever comes first;
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Township Board of North Star Township, County of St. Louis, State of Minnesota, hereby reestablishes the boundaries of the voting precincts and polling places as follows:
Precinct 1: The entire township of North Star.
The entire precinct shall be included in Precinct 1.
The Polling Site: North Star Town Hall at 7700 Pequaywan Lk Rd, Duluth, MN 55803
Dick Dillon Made a motion to accept Precinct and Polling Place as listed. Jan Keough second. Vote: All Ayes.
Adopted by the Town Board this 15th day of March, 2022.
Signed,
Richard Dillon, Township Board Chairperson
Signed,
Mary Hellman, Township Clerk
Addendum – A map of this precinct was sent with resolution to St. Louis County. Polling Place is posted at North Star Town Hall.