Martin Township Board Meeting

Martin Township Board Meeting

August 13, 2014

Called to order at 6:32 p.m.

Pledge of Allegiance

Roll Call: Tiemeyer, Leep, Brenner, Sipple and Coburn present.
Motion by Brenner, supported by Sipple to approve the minutes from the previous meeting on July 9, 2014. Motion carried unanimously.
Motion by Brenner, supported by Sipple, to approve the payment of bills as presented. Motion carried unanimously.
Motion by Sipple, supported by Brenner to approve the treasurer’s report as presented. Motion carried unanimously.
Alice Kelsey informed the Board that the Boysen Ice Cream Social is all set. The Board agreed to allow the Village to use the Township’s tables and chairs for the social.
Paul Broekhuizen discussed LED lighting with the Township Board.
Don Black, County Commissioner presented a synopsis of county business.
Ambulance: None
Cemetery: Coburn presented a complaint she received regarding mowing in the cemetery.
The Board discussed trees that need to be trimmed in the cemeteries. The Township Board agreed to allow Nate Knight to trim the trees in the cemetery.
Sipple discussed with the Board the weeds in South Cemetery drives that need to be sprayed with round up, weeds in the top soil in East Martin Cemetery and the survey stakes are difficult to see in the South Cemetery.
Earl Wykstra informed the Board that in the South Cemetery the boards around the water pump are bad and need to be replaced. Knight agreed to take a look at the boards and will contact Leep.
Knight agreed to take the cherry tree down in Old East Martin Cemetery.
Fire: Schipper presented a fire department report. Fire runs are down, they are working on the historical truck, committee working on new rescue truck, four firemen going to academy training, mutual aid with Gun Plain is up and running and the final B93 meeting is next week.
Motion by Leep, supported by Sipple to accept two passes from the County for the County Park on 124^th Avenue for fire department trucks to get water. Motion carried unanimously.


Library: Diane Gilson presented a report on Library business. Beth Parks was sworn in, the Summer Reading program ended on Saturday, the grant from Dollar General allowed teens to help tutor kids in summer school, a very appreciated program. The Friends had a yard sale and raised $120.00.
Memorial Park: Coburn will contact Patten Monument to get the names and value of the monuments in the Memorial Park for Insurance Company.
Tiemeyer received a request to place a plaque and a tree in the memorial park, the Board agreed not to allow the plaque and tree.
Planning Committee: Brenner announced the next meeting is 1^st Tuesday in September.
Leep stated that the bridge over 131 will be reconstructed beginning the first of the year.
Roads: None
New Business:
GLASA – Leep presented an ordinance for rate increases for Gun Lake Area Sewer & Water Authority. The increase is from $22.00 to $26.00. They held a public hearing on Monday and if approved by all Townships’ will become effective on October 1, 2014. Motion by Tiemeyer, supported by Leep to approve Ordinance 113 as presented. Motion carried unanimously.
Old Business:
Policies & Procedures – The Board discussed policies and procedures through section 2.18. The Board will discuss through section 2.27 next month.
Rescue Truck – Earl Wykstra presented a cost of $379,000 for the new fire rescue truck. The committee is waiting on approval from the Township Board to continue the process. The Board discussed what funds are available to use. Tiemeyer will contact United Bank and check on financing.
Coburn discussed changing the fire ordinance to include different rates to charge for runs. The Board agreed to not change the ordinance at this time.
Coburn presented a memo to the Board for approval designating cemetery duties to the Township Treasurer. Motion by Sipple, supported by Brenner to approve the memo that was presented. Motion carried unanimously.
Sipple requested approval to pay Ted Hildebrand money for gas for the use of the tractor in cleaning up cemeteries. Motion by Brenner, supported by Leep to pay $300 to Ted Hildebrand for gas. Motion carried unanimously.
Supervisor: G. Leep discussed ballot proposal for operating millage. The Board discussed the possibility of placing a millage proposal for fire equipment.
Clerk: Coburn requested approval to purchase flags from American Flags for $32.95 per flag versus $97.00 per flag from Carrot-Top. Motion by Brenner, supported by Sipple to approve purchasing 3 flags from American Flags. Motion carried unanimously.
Coburn presented the Google report on the usage of the Township website. There were 234 users in the month of July.
Coburn informed the Board that they budgeted money in the Cemetery budget for the maps to be placed on the website but the Board did not approve it. The Board discussed placing maps on the website and Tiemeyer would like to wait and adjust to doing the cemetery paperwork before the Board approves the maps to be placed on the website.
Coburn requested a special meeting with the Fire Department. The Board agreed to hold a special meeting on September 3, 2014 at 7:30 p.m.
Treasurer: Tiemeyer updated the Board on Recycling meeting.
Trustee (Jim) – Brenner requested approval for dust control on the new gravel. Motion by Brenner, supported by Sipple to approve dust control on up to 8 miles including new gravel. Motion carried unanimously.
Trustee (Jack) - None
Motion by Brenner, supported by Sipple to adjourn at 10:06 p.m. Motion carried unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,

Carrie Coburn

Martin Township Clerk