December 8, 2008 Township Board Meeting

Present:  Mark Freeman, Rick Fry, Scott Mead, Keith Stoneburner

5 residents

Next meeting set for Jan 13, 2009

November meeting minutes read and approved by board.

Old business:

Invasive Knapweed – Scott attended a county board meeting and discussed with Keith Nelson this issue.  The feedback was that they are tracking the mulch for future reference and the county would not be doing anything about the issue at this time.  Pequaywan township will still plan to work on this issue this spring.

New business:

Resident Ted Wasnick asked what his next step is with the issue of re-zoning his land, he had not heard from anyone on what to do next.  Rick said he would give a call to Scott Smith to get information.

Rick brought up just as an awareness point the concerns about the non-ferrous mining in the Ault and Fairbanks area.

Meeting adjorned.

November 11, 2008 Township Board Meeting

Present:  Mark Freeman, Rick Fry, Scott Mead

Absent: Keith Stoneburner

2 residents

Next meeting set for Dec 9, 2008

Oct 14th meeting minutes read and approved by board.

Old business:

Water level of the lakes:  Information from Amy Loiselle is that the boards appear to be 3” higher than authorized.  She recommended that if water monitoring is to be done, then it should be done weekly at the dam.  Resident Mark Merrill offered to do the water level checks.  Amy Loiselle is to take the next step to get us set up for the monitoring.

Invasive Knapweed – Discussed attending a St. Louis County meeting and bringing up the issue for feedback.  Nov 18th, Scott is to attend a meeting at St. Louis County to bring up the issue.

New business:

Mention that the election went well for our area, with about 90-95% turn out.

Meeting was adjourned.

October 14, 2008 Township Board Meeting

Present:  Mark Freeman, Rick Fry, Scott Mead, Keith Stoneburner

7 residents

Next meeting set for Nov 11, 2008

Sept 9th meeting minutes read and approved by board.

Old business:

Issue of defining the right-of-way of road the last ½ to ¾ mile of West Branch road: Mark does not think the trailer that has been discussed in the past is in the way for snow removal.  A resident offered to discuss the issue with the resident at the end of the road that owns the trailer.

Water level of the lakes:  Information from Amy Loiselle is that the boards appear to be 3” higher than authorized.  She recommended that if water monitoring is to be done, then it should be done at the dam.  Discussion about getting the water dam fixed.

Invasive Knapweed – Discussed attending a St. Louis County meeting and bringing up the issue for feedback.

Zoning line move from the old Pequaywan Rd along with the new Hwy 44 (Pequaywan Rd) built: Letter drafted to give written notice to St Louis County Planning Dept from the township.

New business:

Written notice given to the township of local aid to be given to the area of $40 per capita from Iron Range program.

Meeting was adjourned.

September 9, 2008 Township Board Meeting

Present:  Mark Freeman, Rick Fry, Scott Mead

Absent: Keith Stoneburner

7 residents/guests present

Next meeting set for Oct 14, 2008

Aug 12th meeting minutes read and approved by board.

Old business:

Issue of defining the right-of-way of road the last ½ to ¾ mile of West Branch road: Mark is to have a discussion with a resident involved in the issue.

Water level of the lakes:  Scott is going to contact Amy Loiselle to get some feedback regarding the water level.  He had not heard from her before meeting time.

Issue of low cell phone coverage in the area:  No specific information on a tower, but Scott was told that the best thing to do if a tower is wanted in the area is to call your provider and complain about lack of service.

New business:

Invasive Knapweed – defined by residents & guest from St. Louis County Agriculture Dept as a toxic spreading weed invading the area.  It was explained that there are bugs and grubs that eat the flower and root; also there is spray that is suppose to kill the plant, but is $90/quart.  The guest from the agricultural dept. suggested we ask how St. Louis County will plan to get rid of the weed.  He suggested being proactive and begin on our own to eliminate the weed.  The township supervisors requested to order some of the grubs for next spring to begin the process.

Resident Wasnick requested to the board along with his land surveyor guest that the zoning line move from the old Pequaywan Rd along with the new Hwy 44 (Pequaywan Rd) built, approved by board.  Letter drafted to give written approval.

Meeting was adjourned.

August 12, 2008 Township Board Meeting

Present:  Supervisors Mark Freeman, Rick Fry, & Scott Mead, Treasurer, Keith Stoneburner, Clerk, Maryalice Arndt

7 township residents present

Next meeting set for Sept 9, 2008

Old business:

Condition of the West Branch: KTM Paving was to come out to look at the road and get in touch with Rick, but he has not heard from them yet.

Old Resort update: Was mentioned by Rick that perhaps one building has sold.

Issue of defining the right-of-way of road the last ½ to ¾ mile of West Branch road:  A resident in that area of the last ½ to ¾ mile came to the board and asked for assistance and direction in dealing with issues with another resident in the last ½ to ¾ mile area.  The board directed him to deal with his personal attorney and involve the Sheriff Dept if needed.  The board will draft a letter regarding the parking personal items on the road.

Water level of the lakes:  Scott suggested putting up some permanent markers on the lakes to monitor the water level.  Scott is going to contact Amy Loiselle to get some feedback regarding the water level.

New business:

WLSSD recycling program with 2 containers – they would like to know if we are interested.

Scott brought up the issue of low cell phone coverage in the area.  He will contact AT&T to see if they are interested in putting a tower in the area.

A resident asked about the ditches being mowed.  Reply was that it is a county issue.

Meeting adjourned by Mark, 2nd by Scott.

OUT OF MEETING NOTATION: Due to the Primary election scheduled to be held September 9th, 2008, townships are not allowed to hold meetings between 6pm – 8pm.  Therefore the September 9th township meeting will begin at 8:15 for this meeting only.

July 8, 2008 Township Board Meeting

Present:  Mark Freeman, Rick Fry, Scott Mead, Keith Stoneburner

2 township residents present

Next meeting set for Aug 12, 2008

June 10th, 2008 meeting minutes read by clerk April Smitke, approved and 2nd by board.

Old business:

Condition of the West Branch road and fixing it has been started again with the answers given below on the logging.  We are waiting on calls back from asphalt companies.

Logging status: Mark received a 5-6 page notice and will follow-up with concerns/questions to the logging company of 1) Sign notice to those driving on the West Branch road because of the limited shoulders and tight turns; ANSWER – Yes, they will do sign notice. 2) More explanation on the wording of “damage to road”; ANSWER – They have not dealt in the past with township roads and in looking at the current road condition, they have decided to make it a complete winter project. 3) If they re-plant trees; ANSWER – One area of the clearing is Aspen that should come up on their own, the other part that is not Aspen they will not plant on.  They would need to get a 5- year easement from the land owner to follow-up on the re-planting.

Old Resort update is that the land is platted for 2 septic.  The understanding is that one will go on southside, another by the old cabin.  The progress going forward seems legitimate.

Issue of defining the right-of-way of road the last ½ to ¾ mile of West Branch road was briefly discussed with a lawyer.  Township stance at this point is to not progress any further unless brought directly to the board for assistance.

New business:

The water level of the lakes was brought up as a possible point of concern to send to St. Louis County on a request from them to townships.  Scott was to bring up the issue at the next Pequaywan Assoc. meeting.

Meeting adjourned by Mark, 2nd by Scott.

OUT OF MEETING NOTATION: Due to the Primary election scheduled to be held September 9th, 2008, townships are not allowed to hold meetings between 6pm – 8pm.  Therefore the September 9th township meeting will begin at 8:15 for this meeting only.

June 10, 2008 Township Board Meeting

Present:  Mark Freeman, Rick Fry & Scott Mead

Absent: Keith Stoneburner

6 township residents present

Next meeting set for July 8, 2008

May 13th, 2008 meeting minutes read by clerk, approved by board.

Old business:

Condition of the West Branch road and fixing it has been placed on hold due to news that there is expected to be logging off of the West Branch road.  Mark received a 5-6 page notice and will follow-up with concerns/questions to the logging company of 1) Sign notice to those driving on the West Branch road because of the limited shoulders and tight turns  2) More explanation on the wording of “damage to road”  3) If they re-plant trees.

The county attorney and county health dept. seem to be getting involved in the resort property sale on little Pequaywan.  There may be potential issues of splitting the land because of current lot length.

Residents came to the board with information on the discussions they have had with each other on the sale of property on E. Shore Rd. and all seems to be moving along fine.  Verbal agreements were made by residents that there is an understanding of the purchase plan.  The resident group has not heard from the county on status of the purchase.

New business:

Concern brought up on defining the right-of-way of road the last ½ to ¾ mile of West Branch road.  It was discussed to hire a law firm to help with the matter of determining what is public vs. private.

Scott asked the board for their “ok” to have a recognition made to the Pequaywan Township at the Pequaywan Association picnic this summer for the 150 year celebration of Minnesota.  The board approved.

Mention made for the annual Pequaywan Fire Dept pancake feed at Fire Hall on July 6th.

Motion made by Mark Freeman to adjourn the Meeting, 2nd by Scott. Motion approved.

May 13, 2008 Township Board Meeting

Present:  Mark Freeman, Rick Fry & Keith Stoneburner

Absent: Scott Mead

4 township residents present

Next meeting set for June 10, 2008

April 8, 2008 meeting minutes read by clerk.  Motion to approve by Mark, 2nd approval by Rick. Motion carried

Old business discussed:

Rick discussed the condition of the roads and that stripping the cracks may not help much longer.  Mark to call a contractor to speak with Rick.

The resort property on little Pequaywan was mentioned in that it is to be for sale, but still advertising “For Rent” sign. It was mentioned that Planning & Zoning has backed off.

New business:

Resident Mark Cotter came to the board with questions on County sale of property on E. Shore Rd. and his interest in being included in discussion on the property because his land is adjacent.  The board requested that he contact Judy Strom to get involved in the discussions that have and will take place.

Motion to adjourn the meeting Meeting made by Mark, 2nd by Rick. Motion carried.

April 8, 2008 Township Board Meeting

Present:  Mark Freeman, Rick Fry & Scott Mead

Absent: Keith Stoneburner, Treasurer

8 township residents present

Next Meeting set for May 13, 2008

February 12th, 2008 meeting minutes read by clerk.  Approved by Mark, 2nd approval by Scott.

Old business discussed:

Rick discussed the condition of the roads and that stripping the cracks may not help much longer.  Discussion may need to be had on a better “fix” for the roads.

The resort property on little Pequaywan was mentioned in that it is to be for sale, but still advertising “For Rent” sign.

Board of Appeals & Equalization meeting set for April 30th, 2008.

Scott discussed the Hazard Waste pick-up at Northstar Wednesday, May 21, 2008 2pm-7pm. Free of charge

It was asked if there would be interest of having our own recycling drop-off center here to make money, but the response was that we have an agreement with Northstar that the Pequaywan resisdents go down there for recycling.

Motion to adjourn meeting by Mark, 2nd by Rick. All voted aye.

March 11, 2008 Annual Town Meeting

Meeting convened: 8:25 PM after Elections

Attendance

∙ All Supervisors present in addition to Clerk and Treasurer and approximately 24 residents

Clerk Marialice Arndt called the meeting to order at 8:25 PM. A motion was made and seconded to elect Richard Arndt to preside as Citizen Monitor for the meeting. Motion carried. A motion and second was made to wave reading of the minutes from the March 2007 Annual Meeting. Motion carried. A motion and second was made to wave reading of all checks written and received by the treasurer. Motion carried. A financial report was presented for all to review and no questions were asked.

Rick Fry gave road report. He advised that the road is snow covered and a total assessment would not be made until the pavement was bare. Last year’s county assessment was that it was not in good enough shape for them to patch. After assessment later this spring, if it is deemed necessary to patch, a contractor will need to be found to do the job.

The levy for taxes was discussed. Motioned and seconded that the levy remain at $23,000. Motion carried. Of the $23,000 levy $9050 is for fire protection.

A report was given by Clerk Arndt on the Annual Election. Rick Fry was reelected for another three year term of Supervisor. April Smitke was elected as the new town clerk for a two year term.

Motioned and seconded to authorize an amendment to the resolution establishing voting hours. The resolution reads that the hours for polling place to remain open from 5:00 to 8:00 pm for all Annual Town Elections and the polling place to remain open for voting from 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM for Primary, General and Special Statewide Elections. An amendment was motioned to authorize school board election hours to be from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM. Motion failed. An amendment was motioned to authorize school board election hours to be from 7:00 AM until 8:00 PM. Motion carried.

Motioned and seconded that the monthly meetings continue to be held at the PVFD Hall on the second Tuesday of the month at 7:30 PM. Motion carried. Motioned and seconded that the next Annual Meeting be held on the second Tuesday of March 2009 after the Annual Election. Motion carried.

Discussion of locations for postings was had and it was concluded that the current postings are adequate. Posting sites are at the Pequaywan Inn town bulletin board, PVFD bulletin board, Pequaywan.com website and PequaywanTownship.org website. There is however times, such as accepting certain bids, when it is mandatory to publish in a newspaper.

After discussion on whether the Town of Pequaywan should start the process of developing a comprehensive plan, a motion was made and seconded to develop a citizen committee who would develop a letter that would explain what a comprehensive plan, pose the question if the citizens would favor a comprehensive plan being developed and to bring the topic back for further discussion at the April Town Meeting. Motion failed.

It was not necessary to authorize budget for any MAT training sessions as the elected officers have permission to attend any training that they wish to.

When asked if a consideration could be given for higher pay for the head election judge who has more responsible than the other election judges the topic was deferred to a regular monthly town meeting where the supervisors could address the issue.

A request was made by the fire department for all citizens to consider volunteering. The majority of the volunteer firefighters have many years of seniority and some new recruits would be welcome. There are many levels of involvement that a person can consider.

Motioned and seconded to adjourn at 9:45 PM. Motion carried.

Prepared by Marialice Arndt