The big ticket item discussed at the March 13, 2012 Lutsen Township Annual Meeting was the expansion/ renovation of the fire hall and town hall building at the base of the Caribou Trail. Citizens learned that construction bids were much higher than the amount approved at the August 16 town meeting. However, the 40-plus citizens at the meeting gave a vote of approval for continuing the project.
Lutsen Fire Chief Paul Goettl updated the people crowded into the town hall. He noted that at the 2011 August town meeting, the township approved moving ahead with fire hall/ town hall planning when the price tag was estimated to be $501,000. He said that construction bids were opened the night before the town meeting and they were significantly higher at approximately $600,000. But, said Goettl, the earlier estimates did not include a possibly failing septic system, the need for re-roofing the existing building and paving of the rear parking lot.
However, he added, “We are over because of some of the things that the architect put in. We feel we can take some of those things out, but we’re still at about $577,000.”
The township is working with Melissa Graftaas of Architecture Advantage, LLP. Architecture Advantage was selected at a special meeting in February.
Firefighter Larry McNeally, a member of the citizen group working on fire hall planning, said, “We’ve got a beautiful building design. But the bids came in at $600,000. There are things we can do to whittle it down, or we could go for it and build a beautiful building.”
Goettl presented financial information assuming that project costs would be $25,000 for the architect; $7,564 for re-roofing the existing hall;
$20,000 for a septic system; and construction bids of $525,000 for a total of $577,000.
To fund that amount, Goettl said the township could use its building fund of $154,400 and the additional
$21,674 budgeted for 2012. Goettl said the township had initiated discussion with Cook County commissioners regarding a loan and anticipated a loan of $350,000 at or near 1% interest. To make up the difference of $51,490, Goettl said, “We could ‘beg, borrow or steal’ from the truck fund.” That amount could be built back up over the next ten years, he said.
Goettl also gave information on how the fire hall construction costs would impact taxpayers. He said the additional budget amount to pay for the expansion over 15 years would be $20,243 annually or $14,295 for 20 years. The estimated impact to taxpayers per $100,000 property value would be $5.06 per year for the shorter-term loan or $3.60 per year for the 20-year loan.
Sharon Platzer asked, “So if we made a motion, we’d be setting a limit of $600,000?”
Goettl said he hoped the construction would be less but added that the township still did not have accurate numbers. “We thought we were comfortable with $500,000, but we’ve worked and worked on this. Now we are more comfortable with $600,000.”
The township discussed other means of funding the project, such as using maintenance funds or asking for a larger loan from the county. Tim Goettl expressed concern that making changes to the plans done so far would result in higher architectural fees. Whether or not to include a 5% contingency fee in the approved budget was debated.
A citizen quipped, “Overall it looks like a much better deal than a $700,000 warming house.”
Lutsen Treasurer John Groth told citizens, “Nothing is official until supervisors say it is. So there is a safety net here.”
Dick Nelson made a motion to support the fire hall/town hall expansion/renovation at a cost of $600,000. His motion was seconded by Pam McDougall and carried with a resounding “aye” from the crowd.
Support for Birch Grove
Birch Grove Foundation Board Member Nancy Iverson and Birch Grove Community School parent John Oberholtzer spoke about the cost of running the Birch Grove Community Center—and the benefits of having the center available for West End students and families. Oberholtzer said, “As a parent and a community member, I think it is absolutely vital to have this school on the West End.”
A unanimous motion passed to support the Birch Grove Foundation with a donation of $3,500 as requested.
Funding for fireworks
Darren Peck of Tofte spoke to Lutsen citizens, seeking a donation of $1,000 for fireworks during the West End 4th of July celebration. He said that Tofte’s cost went up dramatically after a fireworks accident in 2009. Since then the township has had to hire a certified pyrotechnics expert for $5,000.
Fire Chief Paul Goettl said Lutsen had not supported the West End fireworks since 2009. At that time the donation was $500. Lutsen Supervisor and firefighter Joe Buttweiler made a motion to donate $1,000 to the Tofte fireworks. Buttweiler said, “I make the motion based on the fact that the Lutsen fire department makes a lot of money [through food sales] at the 4th of July event and fireworks are the main attraction.”
His motion was seconded by Tom Dwyer and it too, carried unanimously.
Fencing for the cemetery
There were many questions when Lutsen Cemetery Committee member Dick Nelson gave his report and requested a township contribution of $8,500 for installation of 203 feet of anodized aluminum fence at the cemetery. Nelson gave some background on the enhancements made since the committee was formed. He said the cemetery board can receive up to $10,000 annually from the township and pointed out that last year the committee only asked for $5,000. He said the committee has ordered decorative fencing, a cost of $9,500. The committee hoped that the township would contribute the $8,500 for installation of the fencing.
Several citizens protested that much being spent on a decorative fence and Cemetery Committee Member Marland Hansen said it would also keep cars from driving onto the cemetery grass.
Tom Dwyer asked if sale of lots could be used to cover the fencing installation. Nelson said not yet, as the committee has not been promoting lots for sale. “We wanted to get all done and ‘spiffy’ and then we’ll contact everyone. This is the last big thing. Lot sales can now be used for perpetual maintenance,” said Nelson.
Although a number of citizens expressed surprise at the cost of the 203 feet of fencing, Gail Thompson said, “If we put it in, it will look like we put it in! I don’t want that.”
A motion by Tim Goettl, seconded by Scott Platzer ,finally carried, not quite unanimously.
Old building goes to snowmobile club
As discussed at a previous town meeting, the Lutsen Trailbreakers Snowmobile Club asked if it could take possession of the old metal fire hall building that will need to be removed for the fire hall expansion. The building will be moved and set up at another Lutsen location to be used for storage for the snowmobile club. A unanimous motion passed to support the re-use of the building.
Budget discussion
Lutsen Treasurer John Groth provided budget information and answered questions. Groth said that nothing would be voted on at this meeting. “We finalize the budget and levy at the annual meeting continuation in August. Now is the time to talk about what we want in the budget,” he said.
One question was why the administrative payroll was increased from the 2012 budgeted amount—from $10,000 to $10,250 in 2013. This budget line item covers the salaries of supervisors, the town clerk and treasurer. In 2011, the actual amount spent was $9,027. Groth said that the budget for administrative payroll was not increased because of pay raises, but because of increased meetings and time for the treasurer and clerk in recent months—and anticipated meetings as the township continues fire hall/town hall planning.
Aside from that line item, there were few questions on the proposed 2013 budget of $176,798.
Election results announced
Head Election Judge Amity Goettl announced the results of the Lutsen election. Goettl said 138 votes were cast. Winning the supervisor position was Ginny Storlie, over Alta McQuatters and write-in candidate Larry McNeally. Running for the clerk position were Silviya Duclos and Gail Thompson. Duclos, who has been filling the clerk position for several months, was elected.
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