It was a light agenda for Fall Lake Township’s first meeting of the new year. Seven citizens were in attendance for the 40-minute meeting.
Transfer site attendant, Doug Schiebe, reported the site had been very busy the Saturdays after Christmas and New Year’s Day. Four bins were full. He also said the oil barrel for discarding used oil was about full. Supervisor Craig Seliskar said it is on the schedule to be emptied.
Supervisor Eric Hart said a bid for brushing and cutting trees on the Cloquet Line was received from Phil Hegfors. No decision was made to accept the bid. The board wanted to see if other bids would be received.
Hart gave an update on the Sunset Road. He said engineering firm MSA was working with Lake County Highway Engineer Jason DiPiazza to get the final plan review and revise any contract special provisions needed for the project, and prepare a bid package.
Lake County will help the township with advertising, open bid and award the project to the contractor for construction. Advertising will be in the North Shore Journal and the Ely Echo.
“Typically, the bids open for 25 days after the ads are placed,” said Hart. “Fall Lake board will review the bids give their recommendation to the county.”
Supervisor Adam Masloski gave an update on the community center project. He attended a meeting before Christmas. Lake County Sheriff and county emergency prep people also attended. The sheriff is very interested in having a space in a new building. Committee members said they wanted a full gym for pickleball, not a half gym.
Masloski said he touched base with legislators and IRRRB Commissioner Ida Rukavina at the Legislative Joint Powers meeting.
Lake County Commissioner Joe Baltich added he had talked with Rukavina and she expressed interest in meeting with the committee. They may have a Zoom meeting to set a date for the full committee to meet.
“The USDA funds projects like the community center for the emergency aspect,” said Baltich. “The emergency manager, Warren LaPlante, is interested in having some space in the building to serve as a satellite office when he comes up here.”
Baltich reported on the Kawishiwi Bridge replacement. He said the project came about when numerous ATVs were all on the bridge for a photo. It was realized the bridge wasn’t rated for that amount of weight, or for the weight of a snowmobile groomer.
Baltich said the county is making headway on this bridge project. He said the Forest Service got the language that the bridge will be in the Superior National Forest. This was to appease the Office of Management and Budget in Minnesota.
“Bonding is needed,” said Baltich, “and Representative Roger Skraba said the bridge is on the list.”
Lake County owns the present bridge and wants it to remain in Lake County. There had been requests for the bridge to span the Range River for snowmobiling, but that is in St. Louis County.
Masloski said he attended the lodging tax meeting and they are moving toward having the Department of Revenue collect and administer the lodging tax. He said they need lodging tax ordinances from the township.
“There’s not going to be enough money to go around,” said Masloski. “Payments to the city for operation of the trailhead building, a portion to the Tourism Board for the marketing efforts and to the Chamber.”
Seliskar asked Baltich when the county was going to burn the Firewise burn pile. He said it was a huge pile. Baltich said he would talk to LaPlante.
Lastly, Hart said the township received a bill from Joint Powers for the ambulance board. He recommended the bill be paid with township funds and repay the township when the funds come from the Lake County in May. The township will also pay the invoice for the Joint Powers meeting.
In correspondence:
• Received Christmas and New Year’s greetings from MAS Professional Services and Hegfors & Sons.
• Information for a housing workshop was received from RAMS and IRRR.
• Supervisors filing is open until Tuesday, Jan. 13. The town hall office will be open on that Tuesday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
• The next Morse/Fall Lake Fire Department meeting will be held on Wednesday, Jan. 21 at 6 p.m.
• Next regular township meeting will be held on Wednesday, Feb. 4 at 6 p.m.
• The township budget and audit meetings will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 24 at 6 p.m.
