Garfield Town Board Meeting
July 20, 2009
Present: Chairman: Ed Gullickson
Supervisor: George Stroebel
Supervisor: Donald Mork
Treasurer: Valerie Anderson
Clerk: Sue Knutson
Meeting called to order by Chairman, Ed Gullickson, at 7:01 pm.
Minutes of last meeting: Motion made by Stroebel/Mork to approve Board minutes as
submitted. Carried-unanimously.
Public Comments: Vivian Hildebrandt is concerned about the poison ivy on her road.
Chairman stated that there isn’t much that can be done but will check into it.
Road Work: Tree cutting will be done by the first of the year.
Crack sealing was done on 155th Street and 70th Avenue. 155th Street needs some patching
before sealcoating.
Gullickson ordered signs and maintenance will install.
ATV’s on Roads: Mork gave update/discussion on what some residents want or would like to
see. Town of Farmington has no problems. ATV club said they would take care of the
problems. Gullickson wants to take it one step at a time. Gullickson also stated that he would
like to talk to the County Sheriff, DNR, and other towns.
Park: Dave Nelson submitted three additional parking plans for Wapogasset Park on Lots 2 &
5 of the Town’s land.
Gullickson/Stroebel made motion to have town construct the extra parking lot, plan #3, at Mark
Knutson’s time frame to keep costs down. Carried-unanimously.
Entryway to Town Hall: Mark Knutson submitted plans from Stevens Engineers. Gullickson
suggested getting bids and to have ramp done this fall. Mork/Stroebel made motion to get bids
on ramp. Carried-unanimously.
Prospect Avenue: Cathy Munkittrick, town’s attorney, visited road and other areas of the
town. She will give a legal opinion on the 66 foot easement on that road.
Zoning Ordinance: Stroebel gave recommendations from the Planning Committee. Planning
Committee continues to discuss zoning option, leaning toward Garfield’s own zoning.
Operator’s License: Gullickson Mork made motion to approve the Operator’s License for
Judy Anderson, pending background check, for the UW Wanderoos. Carried-unanimously.
New State Budget: Discussion regarding the new State Budget cuts. Town will be losing
15% of the Shared Revenue. Amery, Osceola, and St. Croix Falls School Districts are looking
at a very large levy increases because of state aid decreases. Also state property tax levy will
increase in 2010 by 5.8% and 5.6% in 2011. Plus the County is in a deficit of over 3 million
dollars.
New Method for Minutes: Possible new method for minutes by using the lap top computer to
take minutes and approving that night.
Truck Loan: Town needs agreement /invoice from Nuss Trucking. Gullickson/Stroebel made
motion to approve payment of $103,014 to Nuss Trucking upon delivery of the Mack Truck and
$69,083 to Universal for the box and $78.50 to Registration Fee Trust for the license/plates.
Carried-unanimously.
Early voting: Discussion.
Closed Session at 8:14 for personnel review.
Open Session at 8:31. Board agreed to increase maintenance wage to County level to
$20.24 per hour.
Since all goals were met, Gullickson/Mork made a motion to increase the wage per original
hiring agreement to match County’s level at $20.24 retroactive to anniversary date of June 11,
2009. Carried-unanimously.
2009 Statement of Accounts: The Statement of Net Assets and Schedule of Revenues and
Expenditures were submitted.
Approval of Vouchers: Submitted, signed and approved. Motion made by Mork/Gullickson
to approve submitted vouchers. Carried-unanimously.
Treasurer’s report: Submitted. Motion made by Gullickson/Stroebel to approve treasurer’s
report. Carried-unanimously.
Adjourn: Motion made by Mork/Stroebel to adjourn meeting, 8:52 PM. Carried-unanimously.
Submitted by: Sue Knutson, Clerk