Town of Gingles February 14, 2024 Meeting Minutes

February 2024 Meeting Minutes

The regular monthly meeting was called to order by Chairman, Patrick Colgrove. Tom Riemer, Bill Pearce and Laura Martinsen were present. Treasurer Traci Beiersdorff’s absence was excused. There were 2 people in public attendance.

• The January, 2024 minutes were presented and a motion was made by Pat Colgrove, seconded by Tom Riemer to approve them as written. All in favor, motion carried.
• The January, 2024 treasurer’s report was presented and a motion was made by Tom Riemer and seconded by Bill Pearce to approve the report as presented. All in favor, motion carried.

Comments by Clerk/Board –

• A motion was made by Pat to move up the public comment section up on the agenda. Motion was seconded by Bill to approve. All in favor, motion carried.
• Michelle Johnson [Community Relations Specialist] and Tony Derrick [Senior Advisor] with Enbridge presented to the Board updates regarding the Line 5 project. The current relocation project will involve a few different steps to meet their timeline. The first part will be to obtain DNR permits and then the Army Corp of Engineers will host an open house and have an impact discussion. Michelle indicated that it is expected that Enbridge will have obtained State and federal permits by the end of 2024 and project will start in spring 2025. Michelle and Tony spoke about the current meander which outlines the plan for portion of Line 5 where it crosses [actual] Bad River and concerns of erosion. The agreement is in place if the bank reaches within 5 feet of the pipeline project. Town Board and Enbridge representatives spoke about how Old Airport Rd. would be an access point. Michelle will plan to develop a draft outlining the plan and agreement between the Town of Gingles and Enbridge. Town Chairman will review this draft. The draft will be presented to the Town Board meeting in March for approval.
• Town Board and Enbridge also discussed trees impeding in the work-in right of way on Weister Rd. near property that Enbridge owns.
  Michelle will speak to appropriate staff member, with Enbridge, to have the trees removed.
• Chairman also spoke about putting security cameras in place at the Town Hall and signs will be posted informing public about the presence of the cameras.
• Town Clerk identified that Election System & Software has identified they will no longer be traveling to each municipality to perform regular maintenance of the election equipment. Instead, Clerk will have election equipment dropped at the Ashland County Courthouse where they will perform maintenance of the equipment.
• Town Clerk also spoke about the technical difficulties they have been having with their town computer. Clerk will obtain estimates for the cost of a new laptop and bring to the March meeting. Clerk also identified that they are having printer/scanner problems. Clerk was informed to use Town’s debit card to pay for a new scanner/printer.

OLD BUSINESS:

Roads:

• Weight limits, Brush Mowing: Chairman identified the weight limits are currently on certain roads within the township. They will likely remain on to avoid any confusion. Brush moving has been completed due to unseasonably warm weather. Weister Road is the only road that needs to still have brush mowing.
• Approval of Election Workers: Town Clerk presented to the board the amended poll worker list to include Kathleen Colgrove. A motion was made by Pat Colgrove to approve the amended poll worker list. Motion was seconded by Tom Riemer to approve. All in favor, motion carried.
• Tribal Taxation Possible Reimbursement: Chairman identified that WI Department of Revenue has indicated that the Town of Gingles may be eligible for a reimbursement as a result of loss of taxable income as a result of the Court of Appeals decision Lac Courte Oreilles Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians of Wisconsin v. Evers.

NEW BUSINESS:

• WTA District Meeting in Cable [April 5, 2024]: Chairman and Supervisor Tom Riemer identified they are interested in attending. Clerk may attend the WTA District Meeting in Rice Lake on April 6. Town Clerk will use Town’s debit card to pay for the registrations. The meetings will also include a Board of Review Training component to meet the new State requirement that one Town board member needs to attend on a yearly basis.
• Mobile Home Park License approval: A motion was made by Pat Colgrove to approve the mobile home park license for Lisa Hovarter. Motion was seconded by Bill Pearce to approve. All in favor, motion carried.
• Town Hall Access Gate Repair/Replacement: Discussion regarding materials needed to potentially repair the gate. Three estimates were provided by Dairyland Fence Company and discussed. More on this to come at future meetings. 
• Town of Gingles Garbage service: Chairman identified that he is still in the fact gathering stage of getting estimated costs. If the town chooses to move forward with this, an ordinance will need to be presented to the board for approval.
• Set Open Book and Board of Review Dates: Town Clerk provided specific timelines for Open Book and Board of Review per State Statue. Open Book is set for Wednesday, April 24, 2024 at Gingles Town Hall from 2-4 pm. Board of Review is set for Wednesday, May 15, 2024 6-8 pm at Gingles Town Hall. Clerk will inform North WI Assessment Services of theses dates and times.
• Adjust Annual Meeting date: Annual meeting date set for Tuesday, April 16, 2024. The annual meeting will be at 7 pm with the regular board meeting following immediately after. 

Building/Driveway Permits:  None

-The next regular monthly meeting will be held on Wednesday, March 13, 2024 at 7:00 p.m.

-The bills were submitted and authorized to be paid by Board signature.

-Meeting was adjourned.

Laura Martinsen, Clerk