The regular monthly meeting for the Jackson County Forestry & Parks Department was held at 8:30am on Monday,
December 10, 2024 at the Jackson County Courthouse. Those in attendance were: Ed Chamberlain, Dale Hoff, John
Higgins, Garth Rolbiecki, Jerry Schmidt, Jim Zahasky, Dave Spaude, Jeremy Breheim, Chris Repking and Ashley
Stetzer.
The regular meeting was called to order at 8:30am by Ed Chamberlain
A motion was made by John Higgins to approve the minutes from the November meeting, the motion was seconded
by Dale Hoff, all members voted in favor.
A motion to approve the bills for payment was made by Garth Rolbiecki, seconded by John Higgins, all members
voted in favor.
Dave Spaude updated the Committee on what is going on in the Forestry Department. Staff is working on timber
stand improvement and mowing access trails. Staff is also working with DNR Specialist and an Herbicide Specialist,
regarding red pine trees that are dying after release spraying this fall.
Jeremy Breheim gave the Parks report. The gate has been installed at the Veterans Park on Hwy 54. The electrical
upgrade at West Arbutus has also been completed. Reservations for 2025 have also opened.
Jim Zahasky informed that Committee that gravel has been hauled on 2 different locations. These are grant funded
projects. Staff is also prepping for the winter season.
Jim discussed with the Committee a weapons exemption for current employees. Employees do carry Leatherman’s,
and bear spray at times. A motion was made by John Higgins to approve and forward to Personnel and Bargaining
Committee. The motion was seconded by Garth Rolbiecki, all members voted in favor.
A timber contractor is delinquent $11,095.12. After sending certified letters no communication has been made with
the Logger to resolve the open balance. A motion to forward to small claims court was made by John Higgins,
seconded by Garth Rolbiecki, all members voted in favor.
Two bids were received for the snowmobile roller-groomer. A motion to approve Universal Trucking as the winning
bid for $10,000 was made by Garth Rolbiecki. The motion was seconded by Dale Hoff, all members voted in favor.
Three timber sales were not sold during the initial bid opening and were then available for re-bid. No bids were
received during the re-bid process and available on direct sale. A motion to approve selling tracts 15-24 and 16-24 to
Delaney Forest Products and tract 22-24 to D&D Mechanized Pulping was made by John Higgins, seconded by Dale
Hoff. All members voted in favor.
Dave requested permission to order 147,000 seedlings for the 2026 planting season. Total cost is approximately
$31,605 and half would need to be paid at the time they were ordered. Motion to approve was made by John Higgins,
seconded by Garth Rolbiecki, all members voted in favor.
The Forestry Department would like to purchase a Wildland Seeder. A motion to approve purchasing as 6-foot
wildland seeder from Portland Implement for $19,400.00 was made by John Higgins, seconded by Dale Hoff, motion
carried. A $5,000 donation from the Jackson County Wildlife Fund will go towards the purchase of the seeder,
bringing the total cost to $14,400.00.
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Jim discussed with the committee the year end purchases. These include (2) new computers for roughly $2,000 each,
tools, transfer tank and a charging station. Motion to approve the budgeted items for purchase was made by Garth
Rolbiecki, seconded by John Higgins, all members voted in favor.
Jeremy Breheim presented quotes for a new half ton truck for the Park Department. After review a motion was made
by John Higgins, seconded by Dale Hoff to purchase a 2024 Ford F-150 from Sugar Loaf in Winona, MN, for
$41,113.00. Motion carried.
The Brockway township would like to continue to look for a third test well. The new location is behind the Foresty
shop on Airport Road. Motion to approve the new location was made by Garth Rolbiecki, seconded by John Higgins,
all members voted in favor.
Motion to go into closed session pursuant to 19.85(e) Deliberating or negotiating the purchase of public properties,
the investing of public funds, or conducting other specified public business, whenever competitive or bargaining
reasons require a closed session was made by John Higgins, seconded by Garth Rolbiecki, all members voted in
favor via roll call.
Motion to return to open session for action pertaining to closed session and to complete any remaining agenda items
was made by Garth Rolbiecki, seconded by John Higgins. All members voted in favor.
A motion to develop a purchase agreement discussed in closed session, hire an appraiser and look for an Engineer to
assist with the property purchase was made by Garth Rolbiecki, seconded by John Higgins. All members voted in
favor.
A motion to adjourn at 10:15am was made by John Higgins, seconded by Dale Hoff, meeting was adjourned.
Next regular meeting date: Tuesday, January 14, 2025
These minutes will be approved at the January Meeting
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