25 10 08 Regular Board Meeting Minutes

The October 8, 2025 Town of Oulu regular board meeting was called to order by Jonathan Hamilton, Chair at 6:47pm at the Town Hall. \

Roll Call

Members present: Jon Hamilton, Adam Mattson, Duane Reijo, Diana Reijo, Clerk, and Marla Lahti, Treasurer. Town employee/s: Jeremy Gordon.

Approval of Agenda

Motion by Reijo, second by Mattson to approve the agenda as printed and posted. Motion carried unanimously by voice vote.

Consent Agenda

• Approve general fund vouchers 15095-15111 ACH 787-800

• Minutes of the September 10, 2025 Regular Board Meeting

Motion by Reijo, second by Mattson to approve the consent agenda as presented. Motion carried unan-imously by voice vote.

Treasurer’s Report

General $91,087.16 and Tax Account $$2,755.86

Plan Commission Report

• Todd Eberhard, Agent, Conditional Use Application Request

  • Owner: Yellow B LLC

  • Parcel 27154 (5.75 acres) in the NW1/4 Section 28; 3795 County Highway B.

  • Zoned Forestry-1

  • Stated purpose: construct a storage facility

• Findings:

  • Parcel is zoned F-1

  • Existing Land Use: Commercial (Oulu Comprehensive Plan).

  • Future Land Use: General Mixed Use (Oulu Comprehensive Plan).

  • General Mixed-Use lands are lands suitable for a mix of residential, commercial,

  • governmental, utilities and institutional uses commonly found in unincorporated rural

  • communities.

  • Storage facilities are permitted in F-1 zoning districts with a Special Use Class B permit.

• Conditions:

  • All items must be stored inside; no outside storage is allowed.

  • All exterior lighting must follow Dark Sky best management practices, facing downward.

  • Follow best management practices for water erosion control.

  • No change in the permit application 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.

  • Plan Commission Recommendation: Approve the Special Use Permit with the following conditions as supported by the Findings and Conditions: All items must be stored inside; no outside storage is al-lowed. All exterior lighting must follow Dark Sky best management practices, facing downward. Follow best management practices for water erosion control. No change in the permit application 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: Jon Hamilton

Park and Cemetery

• Mowing and maintenance ongoing as needed

Roads

• Grading is ongoing as weather permitting and needed

• Roads graveled: N. Hoover Line, Hoffengardner, S. Muskeg, Saarkinen Rd, Hautala, Hokkinen, Erk-killa Roads and 4 loads stockpiled

• Routine equipment and road maintenance

• Picked up excavator from the town of Tripp

• Dump truck brought to United Truck Body for new dump box installation

• Cleared bridge decks and intersections

Chairman reported on the WTA Fall Workshop

• Small increases in General Transportation Aids: 2025 - $2,734/mile; 2026 - $2,930/mile; and 2027 - $3,018/mile

• WTA is asking for $200/mile for unpaved roads for 2026 recognizing gravel roads are typically not funded as asphalt roads

• Shared revenue which is paid on the calendar year, will be increased. 2 days prior to workshop it was announced there would be 2.3% increase for 25/26 and a 3.4% estimated increase for 26/27

• WTA is also working on getting money put in the budget for grant writers for municipalities under 7500 in population. As much as $3 million. This is still very preliminary and still needs to pass legisla-tive process to become law and encumber the funds

• Chairman also attended the WTA unit meeting. There is another new central dispatch emergency ser-vices coordinator for Bayfield and Ashland County

• Emmer Shields presented on the LRIP and all of its parts. $308,000 for Bayfield County TRI program. He was not hopeful we would get a chance to access funds this year as we are 9th on the list and funds are limited. In addition, we have not yet completed the LRIP project we have.

• The board might consider the ARIP grant as a possible source of funds to pave County Line Road. We would need to show the impact it has on local agriculture, either crops, dairy or forestry.

CTRIC (County Town Road Improvement Committee Report

Emmer Shields presented on the LRIP and all of its parts. $308,000 for Bayfield County TRI program. He was not hopeful we would get a chance to access funds this year as we are 9th on the list and funds are limited. In addition, we have not yet completed the LRIP project we have.

Community Groups as Pre-Registered

No community groups registered.

New Business

Airport Road LRIP Bid Opening – 5 bids were received

1. Northern Interstate: $1,357,487.74

2. Ritola: $1,321,055.59

3. Sipsas Excavating Joint Venture with Olson Bros.: $1,081,155.89

4. Stout Construction, LLC: $1,161,570.95

5. Wrenworks: $1,259,720.60

Bids were reviewed and discussed. Motion by Reijo, second by Mattson to table awarding the bid so the Board has time to contact references and review bid specs. Motion carried unanimously by voice vote.

Conditional Use Application – Todd Eberhard, Agent for Yellow B LLC

Conditional Use Application Submitted by Todd Eberhard, Agent for Yellow B LLC, Parcel 27154; in the NW1/4 Section 28; Zoned Forestry-1. Motion by Reijo, second by Mattson to approve the Conditional Use Permit as supported by the Findings and recommendation by the Plan Commission. Motion carried unanimously by voice vote.

Equipment Purchase

Motion by Reijo, second by Mattson to purchase a backhoe/excavator from the town of Tripp for $5,000. Motion carried unanimously by voice vote.

Zoning Code Rewrite Project Fall 2025 Town Survey

Town Board discussed the Zoning Code Rewrite Project Fall 2025 Town Survey. The Board elected to have a joint meeting with the Town Board and Plan Commission members.

Set Dates for Next Meeting/s

• October 14, 2025- Special Board Meeting 6:30pm

• October 20, 2025 - Special Board Meeting & Plan Commission Meeting 6:30pm

• November 12, 2025 – Regular Board Meeting 6:45pm. Bills will be reviewed at 6:30pm

Adjournment

Motion by Mattson, second by Reijo to adjourn. Meeting adjourned at 7:41pm.

Respectfully Submitted,

Diana Reijo, Clerk