How to proceed with renovation and expansion of the Lutsen Fire Hall and Town Hall was again discussed at the April 19 town meeting. When Supervisor Joe Buttweiler asked for a cost estimate, the citizens tasked with researching the expansion said they were at an impasse. “It would be really hard to get someone to bid off of our drawings,” said Firefighter Larry McNeally, one of the people tasked with getting information.
Lutsen Fire Chief Paul Goettl shared the drawings that had been “fine-tuned” since the plans were introduced at the annual meeting in March. But, he said, “We need better drawings than these.”
Goettl asked if the township should hire an architect to finish the plans. However, he said he had talked to an architectural firm in Duluth and found that 10% is the “going rate.” He expressed concern about that expense, adding, “If the project is, say, $372,000, that would be about $38,000 for the architect.”
Supervisor Diane Parker said there might be an architect in the community that would do the work for the township for less. Goettl agreed to contact a suggested architect, but asked, what then? He reminded the board that the townspeople had said to proceed at the annual meeting.
McNeally asked if it was time to form a committee to start meeting with an architect. He noted that there were questions that an architect could help with, such as drainage, setbacks, etc.
Supervisor Joe Buttweiler asked if the finance options have been explored. The group reiterated that they were at an impasse. “We don’t know what we need yet,” said Goettl. He said there is money in the fire department’s building fund and the county may have interest-free loans available. “But we need to know what to ask for.”
“I guess we need to decide what we want,” continued Goettl. “What do we want to spend? Do we need a building with cedar siding? Do we want to just put up a Morton building?”
Supervisor Diane Parker said the township needs to make the renovation with the future in mind, considering the needs of the township in 10 years—or 30 years. She said the design needs to allow for changes in the future. She said that is something an architect could also help with.
McNeally said, “Maybe we need to figure out what we can afford without raising taxes.”
Buttweiler agreed. “We need to look at what we have to spend and financing options. I think an architect is going to design the Taj Mahal. We need to tell him what we have to spend.”
Supervisor Marland Hansen agreed, “We’ve got to have a limit.”
It was agreed that Fire Chief Goettl, Supervisor Marland Hansen, and Treasurer John Groth would look at the budget and finances and bring that information back to the town board in May. Hansen acknowledged the disappointment of the people who have been working on this and said, “Don’t be frustrated—you’ve made progress.”
It was agreed that after discussing finances in May, the township would talk to an architect in June, send out RFPs in July and hopefully have RFPs back for review in August.
In other business:
The board again appointed Supervisor Joe Buttweiler to serve as board chair. Diane Parker was reappointed to serve as vice-chair. A unanimous motion was carried to keep compensation for supervisors and employees the same as last year. Supervisors receive $85 per meeting with an hourly wage of $15/hour for work on behalf of the town outside of meetings. The town clerk, deputy clerk, and treasurer also receive $85 per meeting and an hourly wage of $20 per hour for work outside of meetings.
Compensation for fire department personnel was also left at the same rates as last year. Fire Chief Paul Goettl and EMS Director Fred Schmidt receive $85 per meeting and a $150 monthly stipend, with no hourly wages. Assistant Fire Chief John Groth receives $85 per meeting and a $100 monthly stipend, with no hourly rate. Firefighters and First Responders receive $25 per call and the fire department maintenance man receives $25 per hour.
Lutsen Treasurer John Groth told the board that he had checked with the Minnesota Association of Townships’ attorney to find out whether or not the township must have an annual audit. He said Lutsen does not, because duties are divided between the treasurer and the clerk. However, Groth said he would like to have an audit. “I think there could be something we could be doing differently. I’d like to know if there are some policies or procedures we should be doing differently,” he said.
The board agreed and asked Groth to check on the expense of such an audit. “If we do this, I’d like to see it done by someone with experience on government audits,” said Supervisor Buttweiler.
Fire Chief Paul Goettl reported on the live burn conducted by the Lutsen Fire Department on April 9, showing the board a helmet that melted during the exercise. “That’s why we train,” said Chief Goettl, “to learn what our equipment can— and cannot—do.”
He said in addition to the live burn, the live burn trailer was in Tofte on May 1 and the Cook County Emergency Services Conference was held April 29 -30. “Training, training, training,” said Goettl.
Goettl also said Brett Brislance had resigned from the fire department after nine years. Goettl said that brings the number of firefighters to 16, but Goettl said he had some people interested in joining, so he hoped to be back up to 18 soon.
The board discussed whether or not the township should have a credit card to be used for ordering materials needed to operate the town and/or fire department. Treasurer John Groth said the clerk, treasurer, and fire department staff sometime order items on their personal credit cards for the township. Schmidt noted that the fire department was offered a significant discount on the AED if it was paid within a certain timeline. He said Town Clerk Amity Goettl had to go through “a lot of rigmarole” to prove to the manufacturer that the township would be able to pay.
The board agreed that people should not have to use their personal credit cards in that way and asked Clerk Goettl to research policies of other townships regarding use of credit cards. Treasurer Groth said he would contact local banking entities to see what kind of credit card the township could get.
The Lutsen Town Board meets next on Tuesday, May 17 at the town hall.
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