The March 12, 2025 Town of Oulu regular board meeting was called to order by Jonathan Hamilton, Chair at 6:45pm at the Town Hall.
Roll Call: Members present: Jon Hamilton, Ed Burhans, Adam Mattson, Diana Reijo, Clerk and Margie Lahti, treasurer. Town employee/s: Jeremy Gordon and Mike Davidson.
Approval of Agenda: Motion by Mattson, second by Burhans to approve the agenda as printed and posted. Motion carried unanimously by voice vote.
Consent Agenda:
Approve general fund vouchers 14933-14958 ACH 722-729
Minutes of the February 12, 2025 Regular Board Meeting and February 22, 2025 Special Board Meeting
Motion by Mattson, second by Burhans to approve the consent agenda as presented. Motion carried unanimously by voice vote.
Treasurer’s Report: General/Park Donations – $242,735.78 Tax $ 2,754.50
Chairman’s Report:
Road Maintenance
Plowing and sanding as needed for snow storms
Chasing drifts on roads, winging back ditches
Sanding ice spots on roads, hills, intersections
Steaming culverts and diverting water for run off during the melt
Put up road weight restriction signs
Equipment maintenance and preventive maintenance as needed to keep equipment functional
Getting quotes for dump box
Getting quote for loader
Various communications regarding Airport Road project with Weyandt Engineering, Emmer Shields, and Jake Benson
Estimate on paving ½ mile section of County Line Road
Community Groups as Pre-Registered:
No community groups registered.
New Business
New Business Presentation: Marcus & Adrienne Halma
Marcus & Adrienne Halma presented information and are seeking support from the town board for rezoning part of their property for building a butcher shop. They are working with Bayfield County Zoning & Planning on how to proceed and secure the necessary permits.
Stainless Steel Truck Box:
Two proposals were received: United Truck Body (Hermantown, MN) $27,390 and Crysteel (Fridley, MN) $27,174.71. Motion by Hamilton, second by Burhans to accept United Truck Body’s proposal of $27,390 pending clarification if the box has a 5-year warranty including parts and labor and if the cost of brackets is included. Motion carried unanimously by voice vote.
Pick-Up Truck Proposals:
Tabled until the April meeting as no proposals were received. Clerk will resend the specs and expand the area for auto dealers’ proposals. Town employees will email clerk a list of auto dealers outside our area.
Airport Road Project:
Chairman Hamilton contacted Emmer Shields, our consultant through WTA who has helped with the LRIP grant confirmed that we can move the construction project to the spring of 2026. Deadline for completion of the Airport Road LRIP project is June 1, 2029. Bids for this project will be advertised this fall with construction beginning in spring of 2026.
County Line Project:
Chairman Hamilton received an email from Weyandt Engineering with estimates for paving County Line Road. Estimates were: $172,922 with a 2-inch lift and pave - 4 inch and $199,538 with a 4-inch lift, geogrid, and pave - 4 inch. No action taken.
Bid Specs for Patching of Culverts on Airport Road South of Hwy B:
Motion by Mattson, second by Burhans to approve bid specs for the asphalt patching of culverts on the Airport Road south of Hwy B as presented. Motion carried unanimously by voice vote. Bids will be opened at the April meeting.
Chipseal Airport Road S of Co Hwy B:
Discussion was held regarding chipsealing Airport Road south of Highway B. Discussed double chipsealing 1-mile south of Highway B and single chipsealing from Eastview Road to town line. Motion by Mattson, second by Burhans to advertise for bids. Bids will be opened at the April meeting.
Employee Compensation:
Motion by Mattson, second by Burhans to approve employee compensation increase as per February 12, 2025 closed session, retroactive to his anniversary date. Motion carried unanimously by voice vote.
Alternate Members for Board of Review Ordinance:
Tabled.
Park Projects:
Supervisor Mattson is applying for grants. South Shore baseball team may use the park. Suggestion was made to send out a letter soliciting input from the community on what they would like to see done at the park.
Cemetery Clean-Up:
Discussion was held regarding raking and cleaning up the Hillcrest Cemetery for Memorial Day. The Town Board is looking for volunteers to help with the clean-up. Volunteers may contact Supervisor Mattson for information and scheduling.
Correspondence:
Bayfield County Zoning – Info and Application to Serve on the Comprehensive Zoning Code Rewrite Stakeholder Group
Set Dates for Next Meeting/s:
April 9, 2025 – Regular Board Meeting - 6:45pm – Bills will be reviewed at 6:30pm
April 15, 2025 – Annual Meeting – 6:30pm
Adjournment:
Motion by Burhans, second by Mattson to adjourn. Meeting adjourned at 7:55pm.
Respectfully Submitted,
Diana Reijo, Clerk