Town Board Meeting — Agenda packet

TOWN BOARD MEETING (TBM) TOWN OF SPIDER LAKE Wednesday, January 8th 2025 6:00 pm MINUTES 1. MeeƟng was called to order by Chairman Sheldon at 6 pm. In aƩendance were Supervisors Delaney, Johnson, Johns and Amery with Clerk Cleary and Treasurer Overman. 2. Community ParƟcipaƟon: No one signed up. 3. MoƟon to approve the agenda for Wednesday, January 8th with a change of order (moving item d. to item a. posiƟon) and the addiƟon of terminaƟon of WDC/Empower in Finance & Insurance made by Sarah Delaney, seconded by Deb Amery. All ayes. MoƟon carried. 4. Pledge of Allegiance 5. MoƟon to approve the minutes of December 11th 2024 Town Board MeeƟng made by Deb Amery, seconded by QuenƟn Johnson. All ayes. MoƟon carried. 6. Treasurer’s Report presented by Treasurer Overman. Ending cash balance: $800,709.38. 7. MoƟon to approve vouchers in the amount of $25,368.25 and any late coming bills made by Sarah Delaney, seconded by Deb Amery. All ayes. MoƟon carried. 8. Clerk’s Report presented by Clerk Cleary. NominaƟons of Candidacy have been turned in. Greg Kalscheur and QuenƟn Johnson are running for Chairperson. Sarah Delaney, Bruce Van Fleet and Mark Johns are running for Supervisor. Molly McDivit-Pagenkopf, CPA is running for Treasurer. Bianca Cleary is running for Clerk. There will be a School Board primary on 2/18/2025 and the Spring ElecƟon is on 4/1/2025. NoƟces for Pre LAT tesƟng and Public InspecƟon have been sent to the Sawyer County Record. 9. CommiƩee Reports a. Health & Safety CommiƩee presented by Deb Amery. Vance Haesemeyer and Fire Chief Schmidt shared the status of the AutomaƟc Mutual Aid agreement between Round Lake and Spider Lake. The potenƟal to move from Mutual Aid to a Fire District was presented as a viable opƟon, important given Spider Lake’s limited number of Fire Volunteers. Grant monies from the DNR Wildfire Risk ReducƟon Program have been received for 2024. DNR grants are tradiƟonally a reimbursement grant; monies for 2025 will not be available unƟl expenditures have been incurred. Fire Chief Schmidt reported zero fire calls and a few EMS calls for the month of December. Update on the tower is that there are upgrades to the tower equipment planned by T-Mobile, and the TOSL emergency services equipment will be removed at that Ɵme. Once the equipment is removed, the lease can be terminated. b. Roads CommiƩee presented by QuenƟn Johnson. Roads budget ended the year with a surplus of $19,331, mostly due to the lack of snow in 2024. This means less overƟme for the Roads crew and decreased spending on salt, sand & fuel. Gantry and hoist returned to Northern Tool. Should see a refund of the majority of the $15,000 spent on the hoist. Looking at a whole different set up. ETF for Insurance & ReƟrement set up for Full Time Town employees for 2025. DRAFT TOWN BOARD MEETING (TBM) TOWN OF SPIDER LAKE Wednesday, January 8th 2025 6:00 pm Replacement signs will be replaced on Neumeier Road at the town line. c. Finance & Insurance CommiƩee presented by QuenƟn Johnson. Healthcare coverage for Full Time town employees with Security Health has been terminated. MoƟon to draŌ a resoluƟon if necessary to terminate Empower relaƟonship made by QuenƟn Johnson, seconded by Sarah Delaney. All ayes. MoƟon carried. d. Plan & Review Commission presented by Sarah Delaney. Recap of 2024: issued 28 LUPs & 9 CSMs resulƟng in $4.8 million dollars of new structures being built and $16,500 in permit fees. Two LUPs have been granted so far in 2025: the first for the T-Mobile cellular equipment upgrade and the second for Joseph Nelson for an Accessory structure. Lastly, a demoliƟon permit was approved for the removal of three structures by Bay Ridge24 LLC. The draŌ of the 2025 Comprehensive Plan will be available on the Town website on 1/15/2025 for public review. A public hearing for the Comprehensive Plan is scheduled for 2/19/2025 at 6 pm. e. FaciliƟes, Maintenance, & Solid Waste presented by Mark Johns. Garage doors on the new building are not working correctly due to improper installaƟon. The builder was contacted, and they will cover the costs of the necessary repairs, which will be completed by Fuller Garage Doors. Glass in the town noƟce cabinet has been replaced by Jason & Kelsi Lohaus at Boulder Lodge. Transfer staƟon report: the holidays were busy, cameras are in place to deter illegal dumping, Republic would like to address the Board at a future meeƟng to discuss the 5 year contract menƟoned at last month’s meeƟng. January Republic bill was $601.99. Town Hall fire inspecƟon was good except for an extension cord that will need to be addressed. 10. ANNOUNCEMENTS. BoaƟng Ad Hoc commiƩee will have a listening session on 1/14/25 at 6pm (sign up to speak) and the Comprehensive Plan will have their public hearing on 2/19/25 at 6 pm. MoƟon to adjourn made by Mark Johns, seconded by QuenƟn Johnson. All ayes. MoƟon carried. Respecƞully submiƩed, Bianca Cleary, Clerk 1.12.25 DRAFT Agenda Background Seeley Forest Trail Overview Seeley Trails Foundation 2 Existing Trails - Non-Motorized trails designed for a specific purpose. PURPOSE-BUILT SINGLETRACK While well-designed, their technical nature limited to single file mountain bike use. Requires advanced skills and expensive suspension bikes. 3 SKI TRAILS Winter use limited to skiing, no pets. Mostly unused in summer due to grassy surface. Existing Trails - Motorized Growth of motorized trail use with increased machine size and speed makes motorized trails less compatible with non-motorized use. Winter season limited to snowmobile use ONLY . 4 Proof of Concept 5 mile “test trail” approved in 2020 for winter use Widely praised by various users 5 2024 Outdoor Participation Trends Report1 Overall Growth Sets New Record • 4.1% Growth • Record 175.8M Participants • 57.3% of Americans Growth Driven by Casual Participant2 (not Hard Core) Women (55% of Casual Participants) Under 24 Years Old (25% of Casual Participants) 55+ Years Old (45% of Casual Participants) Aged 55 - 64 increased from 41% to 50% Aged 65+ increased from 29% to 39.5% Motivated by: getting outdoors to spend time with friends building community boosting mental health connecting with nature 6 1. Outdoor Industry Association 2023 Survey - primarily human-powered 2. Not interested in high tech gear, perfecting outdoor skill sets, winning races, setting speed records CONCEPT CREATE a unique easy, year-round, multi-use trail that provides an immersion in nature across all age ranges, varying skill levels, users with disabilities, pet-friendly and accommodates numerous silent sport activities. Incorporates existing logging corridors to minimize impact on the forest. Highlights Sawyer County’s heritage with historical points of interest. 7 Unleash Your Summer Adventure 8 Embrace the Magic of Winter 9 Inclusive Users with Disabilities 10 Celebrate Sawyer County’s Heritage On-Trail Points of Interest — Dynamite Shack, CCC Camp Smith 11 User-Friendly Access ACCESS Three miles from two State Highways Mid-way between Hayward/Cable Popular Trailhead BASED AT POPULAR COUNTY OO TRAILHEAD 12 County OO Trailhead Trail Map 13 Trail Design 14 Uses existing logging roads and corridors to minimize impact on the forest 12’ corridor with 8’ maintained dirt trail Routine maintenance done with Harley Rake attached to tractor or skid steer Seeley Trails Foundation (www.SeeleyTrails.org) Our mission is to build, preserve and protect the natural beauty of local trails, while promoting the benefits of outdoor recreation and physical activity in our community. We strive to maintain a safe and sustainable trail system for all to enjoy, while encouraging environmental awareness and stewardship. We aim to enhance the health and well-being of individuals, promote local economic growth, and preserve the natural heritage of our region for generations to come. 501(c)(3) Created 501(c)(3) Non-profit 15 Benefits to Sawyer County Drives Economics Per Sawyer County Comprehensive Plan 2021-2041, Pursue economic development opportunities related to the expansion of recreational …activities to spur tourism and generate economic activity. Supports the Sawyer County Outdoor Recreation Plan 2021-2025 Meets 7/9 Objectives No Cost to Sawyer County Funded by Seeley Trails Foundation 16 20250212 – MOTIONS MOTION 9a – Motion for authorization to draft and send letters of support to: (1) American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation Executive Director Ben Popp, and (2) Sawyer County Land, Water & Forest Resources Committee, vice chair Steve Kariainen and committee member Kay Wilson in support of the Multi-use trail proposed by Suzann and Mo Mouw MOTION 9b1 – Move to provide a 3.2% cost of living allowance (COLA) to the following hourly workers: Jim Bauer (Roads), Judy DeTray (Custodial), Don Fogal (Road Supervisor), Mark Burke (Grounds), and Robert Schroeder (Transfer Station), to be retroactively effective from January 1, 2025. Email correspondence from Quentin Johnson dated February 1, 2025 Hi Tim. Please use this letter as my resignation from the post of Chairman of the Board of Appeals. As we discussed, I feel it is time to have a new Chairman appointed as I continue to serve as a Supervisor and run for Town Chairman. It has been a pleasure to serve the Town in this capacity for almost 6 years. Thankfully we have had only 21/2 cases over that period. Most of that excellent record should be directed to Sarah and your efforts in the PRC. Best Regards. Q MOTION 9b2 – Recommend Bradley Schmidt to replace Quentin Johnson to serve as the Chair of the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBOA)