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The first Fall Lake Township meeting of 2025 had eight residents in attendance.
Transfer site attendant, Dean Barrett, said it had been very busy after Christmas. He said all five dumpsters had been filled, even the one dumpster that needs repairs.
Barrett said the road and area around the dumpsters needed better plowing to get rid of the ruts. Lastly, Barrett said Doug Schiebe will not be available to work at the transfer site due to medical condition.
Supervisor Sheila Gruba gave an update on Sunset Road. She said the wetlands survey was done, and soil borings and core drilling done. Gruba said George Spaulding has agreed to a change of the new reroute over his land. She said it wasn’t sure it the project will be able to be done on budget, but there may be additional monies available from the state.
A bid was received from Kuehl Logging for the removal of trees along the new reroute. Once the township receives the filed legal description of the reroute the board will give their final approval to move forward with the removal of trees.
There was no update on the Community Center.
Commissioner Joe Baltich asked about the township’s request to purchase the parking lot area abutting the township’s parking lot from Lake County. He said the request is in the works with Lake County Land Commissioner Nate Eide.
Baltich attended a meeting at Giants Ridge regarding the helium project near Ely. He said the state is addressing a law concerning helium mining, and several departments are involved. As a result of Baltich being at this meeting, RAMS Executive Director Paul Peltier invited him to the RAMS meeting.
Gruba and Baltich both attended the annual RAMS meeting at the Iron Trail Convention Center. Gruba said new local board members were voted in. Angela Campbell will represent the city of Ely, and Tom Omerza will represent Ely schools. She said the presentation was very interesting.
Baltich said there were many dignitaries in attendance at the RAMS meeting, including Representative Roger Skraba and Senator Grant Hauschild, who have interest in supporting mining helium. He said there was a lot of networking done.
Baltich learned that Lake County is not a member of RAMS, as Lake County is not a municipality or a school. He said Lake County needs to be a corporate member along with other northern counties who are corporate members. Baltich brought this back to the Lake County board for their consideration.
Baltich said the Lake County Sheriff’s department hired two new deputies, but that two other deputies quit. He said the county has a problem in retaining employees and filling openings in other area.
Baltich mentioned he will be meeting with Superior National Forest Supervisor Tom Hall and Aaron Klemz with the Friends of the Boundary Waters to discuss an easement for the new Kawishiwi Bridge.
Supervisor Craig Seliskar said the transfer site will become a collection site for brush, and he will contact Jeff Schulze about plowing at the transfer site. Seliskar also said cutting of trees on the Cloquet Line at the St. Louis/ Lake County line would be starting soon.
Area roads have been sanded. Seliskar said he would have Schulze look at the Cloquet Line and Shady Lane.
Ernie Seliskar asked Baltich if the county will do anything about the shoulder washouts along Kawishiwi Trail. Baltich didn’t have an answer.
In correspondence:
• Received a notice of Township Day at the Capitol in St. Paul on Monday, Jan. 27 from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Received information from Minnesota Pollution Control Agency on a grant to upgrade your stormwater systems for the impacts of climate change. Applications are due no later than 4 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 27.
• Received the proposed cannabis ordinance from Lake County. The township will follow under the county.
• Received a billing from MSA for engineering costs for the Sunset Road reroute.
• Received recreational funds requests from the Ely High Kick Club and the Ely Nordic Wolves. Each will receive $400.
• Filing for one supervisor three-year term until Tuesday, Jan. 14. Clerk Cheri De-Beltz will be in the office on Jan. 14 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
• The next Morse/Fall Lake fire meeting will be held on Wednesday, Jan. 15 at 6 p.m.
• The next regular Fall Lake Township meeting will be held on Wednesday, Feb. 5 at 6 p.m.
