Windermere Township fishing pier request referred back to land advisory committee after county withdraws funding recommendation

Windermere Township officials and residents asked the Pine County Board for up to $32,000 to reimburse town expenses to build a fishing pier and pay for trees, benches, signage and trash receptacles at the new Sturgeon Lake Island bridge. The request prompted extended discussion at the board’s meeting, and the county’s earlier $15,000 recommendation was withdrawn by the board and the matter was referred back to the land advisory committee for further consideration.

Background and dispute Township representatives said contractor performance and unexpected additional work left the township with out-of-pocket costs. Windermere Township Vice Chair Tony Bakhtiari told the board the township initially sought $32,000 because residents lacked a safe public fishing place and township members had incurred costs to complete landscaping and driveway blacktopping that they consider outside the original bid.

County response, review and referral Land advisory committee members reported they had discussed contributing up to $15,000 from the parks and recreation fund as partial reimbursement, but the committee’s recommendation was withdrawn prior to a motion. During board discussion, staff and commissioners said follow-up checks with the highway department and contract documents indicated some additional work was requested by private landowners and not included in the county’s contract, making township claims about overruns unclear.

After additional testimony from township representatives, including Bakhtiari, the board voted to refer the pier funding request back to the land advisory committee so the township and county staff can examine the underlying contract, potential state DNR funding options and other details. A commissioner also moved to allow Windermere Township to pursue DNR funds, which the township said would likely take about a year.

Why it matters The referral preserves an opportunity for the township and county staff to gather documents and negotiate a resolution. The project touches public access to Sturgeon Lake and uses money drawn in part from county funds that are supported by forfeiture receipts and other land revenues, which some commissioners noted when discussing fund balances.

Clarifying details - Windermere Township request: $32,000 (requested amount) — township representatives. - County land advisory committee earlier recommended up to $15,000 from the parks and recreation fund but that recommendation was withdrawn by the board during the meeting. - County funding source discussion: forfeiture receipts and timber sales contribute to the county’s parks and land funds; one forfeiture in Windermere generated roughly $235,000 (as discussed in meeting by county auditor/treasurer Kelly Schroeder). - The board instructed staff to notify the township when the land advisory committee schedules a special meeting to revisit the request.

Speakers cited - Tony Bakhtiari — Vice Chair, Windermere Township (public testimony) - Verne Anderson — Township representative (present; discussed DNR contact) - Kelly Schroeder — County Auditor-Treasurer (explained forfeiture funding sources)

Next steps The land advisory committee will set a follow-up meeting (a special meeting may be scheduled) and county staff said the township would be notified. The county indicated it will also explore DNR funding options for pier construction but noted those grants often have a year-long timeline.

Ending Board members said the referral allows time to collect contract records, re-check the highway department’s review, and consider alternatives including DNR grants before any county reimbursement is approved.