The Town of Morse board of supervisor made quick work of summer business at a July 14 meeting.
The board approved a lease agreement with K2 Towers for a site on the Ely Golf Course on township land.
Previously the lease was a flat rate but K2 requested a change to a 50-50 revenue share for any company that rents space on the tower.
The board directed the clerk to contact the Minnesota Association of Townships on the short-term rental issue to see what the township’s options are for operating a business.
St. Louis County told the board there are 19 permitted and five more have pending applications.
The current St. Louis ordinance does not provide for any limits on the number of properties which may be permitted.
A report from the Lodging Tax Joint Powers Board showed there are 49 properties that either have currently or previously advertised to rent short term rentals.
Supervisor Bob Berrini said he knows of three shortterm rentals that aren’t on the list from the county.
Chair Terry Soderberg said the Lodging Tax Board is in the process of going after non-compliant properties but has been hamstrung by some paperwork approvals. He said there are also issues in Lake County.
The board wanted to find out what can be done on compliance issues and if a permit requirement can be instituted.
Without a clear answer from St. Louis County, the board decided to request information from the Minnesota Association in the townships.
Berrini said he had spoken to St. Louis County Commissioner Paul McDonald about getting more land put up for sale that can be developed for housing.
“We don’t want to be putting land up because somebody is just going to buy that for hunting land,” said Berrini.
Soderberg and board member Mike Velcheff agreed the issue should be pursued further. Soderberg said he would talk to county staff.
The board thanked Butch Pecha for his years of service as a township employee. Pecha resigned as a road department employee. He said he would be willing to continue doing the mechanic work. The board will look for a replacement.
In other business the board:
• Will inform Frontier the company will be responsible for any damages for fiber installation on Lookout Ridge Road.
• Will hold Local Board of Appeal and Equalization training on July 28 at 4:30 p.m.
• Heard from supervisor Bob Berrini that the Ely Area Ambulance Service board will be having a meeting soon. He said there is bad news on the International Falls and Babbitt ambulance services.
• Approved a payment to Trimark Industrial for $7,124.14 for chloride on township roads.
