The March 13, 2024 Town of Oulu regular board meeting was called to order by Jonathan Hamilton, Chair at 6:46pm at the Town Hall.
Roll Call: Members present: Jon Hamilton, Ed Burhans, Adam Mattson, Diana Reijo, clerk, and Margie Lahti, treasurer. Town employee/s: Mike Davidson and Jeremy Gordon.
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 14160-14181 ACH 620-627
Minutes of the February 14, 2024 Regular 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/ARPA/Park Donations – $229,911.19 Tax $ 100,691.52
Plan Commission Report:
Special Use Class B Permit application:
Parcel Tax ID # 27094, 5 acres
71925 Airport Road
Zoned Ag 1
Rebuilding and expanding Electrical substation
Owners: Northern States Power CO, FKA Lake Superior Power CO
Findings:
The parcel is 5 acres
The parcel is zoned Ag 1
The proposed rebuilding and expansion of the electrical substation is consistent with the Town’s Comprehensive Plan which supports utility infrastructure improvements.
The proposed project is consistent the Agriculture 1 Zoning District with a Special Use Permit.
Plan Commission Recommendation:
Approve the Special Use Permit application with the following conditions as supported by the Findings.
Conditions:
No change to the electrical substation rebuilding and expansion proposal is allowed without review by the Town Plan Commission and approval of the Town Board.
The Town may periodically review the Special Use Permit to assure compliance with the permit conditions and the Town’s Comprehensive Plan.
Chairman’s Report:
Park/Cemetery/Town Hall Update:
Finished up trimming at cemetery
Recycling Center
We are over full and needed to stop taking metal and appliances until this problem is solve continuing to research with Waste Management, CWO and others for options.
Road Maintenance
Grading roads on-going
Cutting brush in right-of-ways. Brushing ditch line has been completed but still have some hanging branches and leaning trees to clear
Town crew attended MSHA training
On-going shop and equipment maintenance
No word on BIL grant for Oulu Rock Road and no word on LRIP grant for Airport Road
Community Groups:
No community groups registered at this time.
New Business:
Northern States Powers Co, FKA Lake Superior Power Co. Special Use B Request to Rebuild and Expand the Iron River Substation: Motion by Mattson, second by Hamilton to approve Northern States Powers Co, FKA Lake Superior Power Co. Special Use B request to rebuild and expand the Iron River Substation with the following two conditions as supported by the findings: (1) No change to the electrical substation rebuilding and expansion proposal is allowed without review by the Town Plan Commission and approval of the Town Board. (2) The Town may periodically review the Special Use Permit to assure compliance with the permit conditions and the Town’s Comprehensive Plan. Motion carried unanimously by voice vote.
Park Projects:
Adam Mattson, Margie Lahti and Diana Reijo met at the park to review and prioritized projects that need to be completed. Top priorities include concession stand, home dugout and pavilion. Town crew will access the
projects and report back to the town board.
Discussed ideas to submit for the Bayfield County Health Infrastructure Grant. Ideas included disc golf, sand
volleyball and horseshoe pits.
Cemetery Clean-Up:
Town crew has been working on cleaning the cemetery.
Recycling Options:
Discussion held on ideas/proposals for recycling scrap metal, appliances, tires, etc. at the landfill. Estimates received were from Waste Management, AA Roll-Off, Chicago Iron, and CWO. Mike Davidson will contact CWO to firm up a contract and report back to the Board. Tabled.
Donation of Tractor to Oulu Heritage Center:
Motion by Mattson, second by Burhans to donate the 1955 T-30 Ferguson tractor with a 5’ flair mower to the Oulu Heritage Center. Motion carried unanimously by voice vote.
Correspondence:
Bayfield County Administrator – CDBG-CV Housing Funds
Set Dates for Next Meeting/s:
March 27, 2024 – Special Board Meeting – 6:30pm
April 10, 2024 - Regular Board meeting – 6:45pm, bills reviewed at 6:30pm
April 16, 2024 – Annual Meeting – 6:30pm
Adjournment:
Motion by Mattson, second by Burhans to adjourn. Meeting adjourned at 7:55pm.
Respectfully Submitted,
Diana Reijo, Clerk