JENKINS — The Jenkins City Council reviewed the latest draft of a proposed five-year contract with Wilson Township over plowing, grading, salting and general maintenance of 12th Avenue Southwest, a road west of town that has sections in both Jenkins and Wilson Township, at its Monday, Jan. 10, regular board meeting.
In the past, the two jurisdictions had a shared agreement defining whose responsibility different sections of the road were. However, in 2021, the township proposed taking over maintenance entirely as prompted over disagreement over its maintenance.
It took several months and some discussion for the two jurisdictions to produce draft agreements, but after several meetings, offers and counteroffers, the two have reached an agreement.
The new five year-contract has a clause on bilateral termination allowing either party to withdraw for any reason. The contract includes the following agreements:
- Wilson Township agrees to take over all road maintenance, to include snowplowing, grading, dust control, gravel application and all other pertinent maintenance for the road known as 12th Avenue Southwest.
- Wilson Township agrees to share with Jenkins any and all maintenance schedules for 12th Avenue Southwest to include dust control, applying gravel and other pertinent services.
- Jenkins agrees to pay Wilson Township $5,000 in two separate installments of $2,500 in January and July.
- Wilson Township and Jenkins agree all complaints will be handled as quickly as possible. Complaints may be discussed jointly if needed. In matters of urgency, the Jenkins mayor or a designee and the Wilson Township Board supervisor or a designee shall confer. All complaints and outcomes shall be documented and mailed to the other party.
The council also discussed appointments for 2022. Krista Okerman will serve as clerk-treasurer and zoning administrator. Okerman is also a bank signatory along with Mayor Jon Lubke and Mayor Pro-Tem Charlie Hoffman. Hoffman is police liaison and public works liaison.
Miller McDonald was named as the city's accountant. Brad Person, with Breen and Person, LTD will continue as city attorney. City engineer is Dave Reese with Widseth engineering firm. The city will be insured through First National Insurance Agency. The city's official depositories are First National Bank and 4M Fund. The PineandLakes Echo Journal and Northland Press will serve as official newspapers. Greg Kossan of Tri County Septic Inspections will perform the city's septic inspections. Lubke is the weeds inspector. Roger Olmscheid is assistant weeds inspector.
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Board member Kim Bachmann is on the fire board. Board member Andrew Rudlang is on the Paul Bunyan Scenic Byway representing the city. Lubke represents the city with Pequot Lakes Economic Development. Rudlang, Lubke and Okerman are on the personnel committee. Lubke and Hoffman are on the cable commission.
Travis Grimler is a staff writer for the Pineandlakes Echo Journal weekly newspaper in Pequot Lakes/Pine River. He may be reached at 218-855-5853 or travis.grimler@pineandlakes.com.
