Year: 2023

Meeting was called to order by Charles Kuettel at 9:51 pm. The meeting was held at Pequaywan Firehall.

Attendance

Officers: Supervisor Donald Swanstrom, Supervisor Douglas Dressen, Supervisor Charles Kuettel, clerk Amber, Cruz, treasurer Carol Nelson, incoming supervisor Douglas Nelson and incoming clerk Lita Wallace

Guests: Ted Wallace, Dale Brooks, Mark Freeman, Steve Mueller

Clerk’s Report

February 14, 2023, Board Meeting Minutes for approval. A motion to approve the minutes was provided by Dressen. The motion was seconded by Swanstrom, motion carried 3-0-0

Treasurer’s Report

 FEBRUARY 2023

Total Funds on hand as of 02/01/2023 (Includes Investments) $ 218,392.12

Plus: Deposits 5,143.53
Interest on Accounts $504.85
St Louis County 2022 Road Tax 1,611.68
St. Louis County 2022 Production Tax 3,027.00

Less: Disbursements 620.16
Payroll $ 289.45
Other Expenses $ 330.71

Total Funds on hand as of 2/28/2023 $222,915.49

Feb Checks Writtten # 1864-1867

MARCH 2023

Deposits – Forfeit Land Revenue
Disbursements – $ 3,365.29
Checks written # 1868-1879
No transfers to the Checking Account will be needed

Motion to approve the treasurer’s report was provided by Dressen. The motion was seconded by Swanstrom, motion carried 3-0-0

Old Business

• Results of Township Election: out of the 151 registered voters 17 votes were received. Douglas Nelson has been elected supervisor with 12 votes.
• Update on training, new board members and election judges: Douglas Nelson will join the board as a supervisor. Lita Wallace was appointed clerk to replace the current clerk Amber Cruz. Amber Cruz will assume the role of co-deputy clerk until after the May meeting.
• Motion was given by Dressen for Lita Wallace to handle the registration details for the training on April 7. The motion was seconded by Swanstrom, the motion carried 3-0-0.
• Motion to add Douglas Nelson to the checking accounts was provided by Dressen. The motion was seconded by Swanstrom, the motion carried 3-0-0.
• Motion to add Lita Wallace to the checking accounts was provided by Swanstrom. The motion was seconded by Dressen, the motion carried 3-0-0.
• Upcoming LBAE meeting: the county has scheduled the meeting to be held on April 20, 2023 from 3-4 pm at the Pequaywan Fire Hall.

New Business

• 2024 Levy motion to accept. Motion to accept the 2024 levy was provided by Dressen. The motion was seconded by Swanstrom, the motion carried 3-0-0
• Board of Canvass: Cruz reported that Douglas Nelson run for the open supervisor position and won the election. The result was motioned and seconded. Motion passed. 3-0-0.

Correspondence Received

• Email reminder from US Census Bureau to respond to the 2023 Boundary and Annexation Survey
• Email from Minnesota Association of Townships (MAT) with broadband/digital connection information
• Email from Cathy Rouleau of St Louis County Association of Townships with the SCLAT minutes for the meeting held on 1/25/2023
• February 2023 newsletter from Minnesota Association of Townships
• Emails from Jonathan Blevins of St Louis County Elections Department with Automark and DS200 access code; election day information; a notice that election rosters are now available for pickup; and roster pickup information
• Invoice from Daisy Wallace in the amount of $30 for website maintenance
• Email from JoDee Poucher of St Louis County Auditor/Elections with the master list
• Email from Alyssa Hanson of Minnesota Association of Townships with a request for updated clerk address
• Email from Minnesota Association of Townships with an Advocacy Alert: email legislators about township priorities
• Email from Minnesota Association of Townships with an invitation: Auditors State of Main Street event

Correspondence Sent

• Email to Jonathan Blevins of St Louis County Elections containing a sample ballot.
• Email to Alyssa Hanson of Minnesota Association of Townships with the clerk’s current address as well as a notice of a new clerk starting in April
• Email to Jonathan Blevins of St Louis County Elections concerning election roster pickup.

Public Comment

• Dressen reported that the Pequaywan Garden Club has weed people that will do the weed reports for the township

Upcoming Meetings

• Township Board Meeting April 11, 2023, at 7pm located at the Pequaywan Fire Hall
• LBAE meeting April 20, 2023, from 3-4pm at the Pequaywan Fire Hall

Motion to adjourn the meeting was provided by Dressen. The motion was seconded by Swanstrom, the motion carried 3-0-0. The meeting was adjourned at 10:12 pm by Kuettel

Respectfully submitted by
Amber Cruz, Clerk

Posted by Lita Wallace

2023 Annual Town Meeting Minutes
March 14, 2023

Meeting called to order: Town clerk Amber Cruz called the meeting to order at 8:30 pm. The meeting was held at the Pequaywan Fire Hall.

Attendance: Amber Cruz, Paul Klassen, Douglas Nelson, Carol Nelson, Douglas Dressen, Donald Swanstrom, Daryll Waldriff, Charles Kuettel, Mark Freeman, Richard Arndt, Marialice Arndt, Katie Dekenbach, Dale Brooks, Todd Abernathy, Alicia Abernathy, Bonnie Dressen, Steve Mueller, Lita Wallace, Ted Wallace and Penny Linn

Election of a Moderator: Richard Arndt was nominated by Charles Kuettel to be moderator. The motion was seconded by Steve Mueller, the motion carried by unanimous vote.

Announce the Agenda for the Rest of the Meeting: (moderator, subject to modification by vote of electorate): No change.

Review and Approve 2022 Annual Meeting Minutes (clerk): The clerk provided copies of the 2022 Annual Meeting Minutes. A motion to approve the minutes was provided by Douglas Nelson. The motion was seconded by Bonnie Dressen, the motion carried by unanimous vote.

Reading of Board of Audit Report as posted prior to meeting (clerk): All were in favor of report.

Annual Board of Appeals and Equalization
Scheduled on April 20, 2023, from 3:00 pm to 4:00pm located at the Pequaywan Fire Hall

Results of the Township Election: Clerk Amber Cruz reported that there was one supervisor position open for election. Out of 151 registered voters, 17 votes were received. Douglas Nelson was elected with 12 votes. The other votes were cast as follows: Don Swanstrom 1, Bonnie Dressen 1, and Paul Klassen 3.

Road Report for West Branch Road: Supervisor Doug Dressen reported that there is approximately 9,095 ft left of the road to complete at approximately $800,000. A1 Blacktop will patch holes with a ton of black top once the snow has melted. All were in favor of the report.

Update, suggestions and discussion
Bonnie Dressen stated that she had placed a call to the owner of the church, Rosefall, about using the church as a town hall. The church is having a meeting Memorial weekend and will report to the township afterwards. The township has decided to form a steering committee to oversee this
proposal. The steering committee consists of the following residents: Douglas Dressen, Bonnie Dressen, Douglas Nelson, and Daryll Waldriff. The steering committee will review the report after the church meeting and will report back to the township at a later date.

2024 Levy: Discussion and motion to approve the general levy and any dedicated levies (road and bridges, plus others determined helpful to treat as designated and not just a budget item.) Pequaywan Fire and EMS in the amount of $25,000.00

Summary                                 2024 Levy              2024 Budget
General Fund                         $26,000.00           $26,000.00
Road & Bridges (on-going
maintenance)                        $2,000.00                 $2,000.00
Building/Property
Maintenance Fund             $2,000.00                  $2,000.00
Fire and EMS                        $25,000.00              $25,000.00
Roads & Bridges
(Capitol Reserve)                $5,000.00                  $5,000.00

Total                                         $60,000.00             60,000.00

 

– It was discussed that Fire & EMS will receive the levied amount in 2 payments.
– Recommended that the Township treasurer and the Fire & EMS treasurer meet yearly to discuss the financial standing of the department.
– Fire & EMS will be more formal in the requests for funds from the Township.
Motion to approve the 2024 Levy was provided by Charles Kuettel. The Motion was seconded by Todd Abernathy. The motion carried 8-7-0.

Other years’ financials
Summary                                             2023 Levy             2023 Budget
General Fund                                     $35,000.00           $35,000.00
Road & Bridges (on-going
maintenance)                                    $2,000.00               $2,000.00
Fire and EMS                                     $18,000.00             $18,000.00
Building/Property
Maintenance Fund                          $2,000.00                $2,000.00
Roads & Bridges
(Capitol Reserve)                            $2,000.00                  $2,000.00
Total                                                    $59,000.00            $59,000.00

2022   

Name of Fund	Levy 2022		Balance 1/1/2022	Receipts 2022	Disbursements 2022	Balance 12/31/2022
General Fund	$18,000.00		$13,639.17	$31,803.57	$18,669.77	$26,772.97
Road and Bridges (On-going Maintenance	3,600.00		9,200.32	5,750.60	3,168.83	11,782.09
Fire & EMS	18,000.00		21,516.08	16,509.20	16,500.00	21,525.28
Building/Property Maintenance Fund	2,000.00		1,500.00	2,000.00	0	3,500.00
Road and Bridges (Capital Reserve)	15,000.00		156,402.96	15,526.19	0	171,929.15
Total Amount	$56,600.00		$202,258.53	$71,589.56	$38,338.60	235,509.49

2024 Annual Town Meeting: the state set the Annual Town Meeting on the second Tuesday of March Following the Township Election. The Annual Town Meeting will be held at the Pequaywan Fire Hall. All were in favor of location.

Motion to set monthly Town Board meeting dates and times: Douglas Dressen motion to set the Town Board meeting on the second Tuesday of each month at 7pm. With the meetings to be held at the Pequaywan Fire Hall. The motion was seconded by Charles Kuettel. The motion carried unanimously.

Motion to set Voting Place:
All were in favor of keeping the primary voting place as the Pequaywan Fire Hall.

Motion to set voting times
7:00 am – 8:00 pm., Presidential Nomination Primary Election, Primary Election and General Election
7:00 am – 8:00 pm.., State Election
10:00 am – 8 pm., Special Primary Election and Special General Election
5:00 pm – 8:00 pm., Township Election
Charles Kuettel motioned to set the voting times as listed. The motion was seconded by Douglas Dressen. The motion carried unanimously.

Posting Areas
– Pequaywan Township website: pequaywantownship.org
– Pequaywan Fire and EMS bulletin board
– Pequaywan Inn bulletin board
– West Branch Road Marque
All were in favor by unanimous vote.

General Discussion of Items of Concern
no discussion

Adjourn
All were in favor by unanimous vote. Meeting adjourned at 9:43 pm.

Respectfully submitted by
Amber Cruz, clerk

Budget Meeting Minutes, February 21, 2023

Meeting was called to order at 7:44 pm by Charles Kuettel.

Attendance:
Town officers: Supervisor Charles Kuettel, supervisor Donald Swanstrom, supervisor Douglas Dressen, clerk Amber Cruz and treasurer Carol Nelson
Guest: Tom Getchell (fire chief), Dale Brooks, and Dan Ahonen (fire dept. treasurer)

Discussed and set-up budget amounts for 2023
Budget in the amount of $ 59,000.00 that was approved in 2022 for 2023 was not changed.

Discussed and set-up budget amounts for 2024
Proposed budget: $60,000.00
General Fund: $26,000.00
Road and Bridges (On-going Maintenance): $2,000.00
Building/Property Maintenance Fund: $2,000.00
Fire and EMS: $25,000.00
Roads and Bridges (Capitol Reserve): $5,000.00
Total Amount: $60,000.00

Dressen motioned to approve the proposed budget in the total amount of $60,000.00 seconded by Swanstrom, motion carried, 3-0-0.

Discussed levy recommendation for 2024 for presentation to the residents at the March Townhall Meeting
Proposed Levy:
General Fund: $26,000.00
Road and Bridges (On-going Maintenance): $2,000.00
Building/Property Maintenance Fund: $2,000.00
Fire and EMS: $25,000.00
Roads and Bridges (Capital Reserve): $5,000.00
Total Amount: $60,000.00

Dressen motioned to approve the proposed levy in the total amount of $60,000.00, seconded by Swanstrom, motion carried, 3-0-0.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:27 p.m. by Swanstrom

Respectively submitted by,
Amber Cruz, Clerk

 

Board of Audit Minutes February 21, 2023

The meeting was called to order at 7:06 p.m. by Charles Kuettel

Attendance
Officers: Supervisor Doug Dressen, supervisor Donald Swanstrom, supervisor Charles Kuettel, clerk Amber Cruz, and treasurer Carol Nelson

Review Clerk/Treasurer’s Reports

• Nelson provided copies of the CTAS Summary of Receipts report from January 2022 to December 2022
• Reviewed treasurer and clerk’s Receipts Ledgers (compare Fund/Account) – do direct deposit have triplicate receipts, verified that deposits are noted on the appropriate bank statement, board members selected and reviewed 3+ receipts.

1. #701/702 reviewed: St Louis County Auditor- Paperwork from the County showing what accounts the money is to be deposited into. Two checks
2. #1101 reviewed: superior Choice Credit Union 18m certificate- bank statements
3. #705 reviewed: State of Minnesota Township Aide- payment advice letter from the state

• Reviewed treasurer and clerk’s Disbursements Ledgers (compared Fund/Account/Object Codes); board members selected 3+ disbursements to review and check

1. #1752a reviewed: Disbursement to Minnesota Association of Townships- Invoice for training and registration letter
2. #1778 reviewed: Disbursement to Payroll (Supervisor Kuettel): Emailed timecard and payroll register
3. #1792 reviewed: Disbursement to Amber Cruz (expenses): emailed time/expense card

• Reviewed Bank Statements to check that Cash Control Statement demonstrates same balance as the Bank Statement
• Verified that clerk and treasurer are balancing and reconciling bank statements (have the same balance), and Schedule 1 matched for both treasurer and clerk.

Swanstrom motioned to approve that all the records show no discrepancy, All the records matched to the penny; seconded by Dressen, motion carried, 3-0-0.

Kuettel adjourned the meeting at 7:37 p.m.

Respectfully submitted by
Amber Cruz, Clerk

 

 

February 14, 2022 Township Board Meeting Minutes

Pequaywan Fire Hall
8764 Pequaywan Lake Road
Duluth, MN 55803

Meeting was called to order by Charles Kuettel at 7:03 pm.

Attendance
Officers: Supervisor Charles Kuettel, Supervisor Donald Swanstrom, Supervisor Douglas Dressen, Deputy Treasurer Ed Potter, Clerk Amber Cruz

Clerk’s Report
January 10, 2023 minutes for approval. A motion to approve the minutes was provided by Swanstrom. The motion was seconded by Dressen, motion carried 3-0-0

Treasurer’s Report
January 2023
Total Funds on Hand as of  01/01/2023 (Includes Investments)                     $236,976.05
Plus: Deposits                                                                                     $892.78
Interests on Accounts                                                    $68.30
St Louis County 12/22 Apportionment                         $1219.41

Less: Disbursements                                                                           $18,405.08
Payroll                                                                           $498.69
Pequaywan Lake Fire Dept                                          $16,500
Other Expenses                                                             $1406.39

Total Funds on hand as of 01/31/2023                                                           $218,392.12
January Checks written #1855-1863

February 2023
Deposits: Taconite Production Tax
State of Minnesota – Town Road Aide

Disbursements – $620.16
Checks written # 1864-1867
No transfers to the Checking Account will be needed

Motion to accept the treasurer report was provided by Swanstrom. The motion was seconded by Dressen, motion passed 3-0-0

Old Business

• Review of the 2022 resolutions: The 2022 Resolutions were sent to the website administrator for inclusion on the website
• Fire Department: Discussion regarding needs for Fire Dept. Building fund and gear. No decisions made at this time
• Upcoming events: review the website and posting

Township Election for Supervisor, March 14^th 7:00 AM – 8:00 PM

Annual Township Meeting, March 14^th 8:30 PM

Board of Canvas Meeting March 14^th 9:00 PM

Township Meeting, March 14^th, 9:15PM

Update Calendar on Website.

New Business

• Upcoming training at the DECC on April 7, 2023 Dressen moved to send Treasurers and Clerks to training this spring. The motion was seconded by Swanstrom, motion carried 3-0-0
• Dressen Moved to provide a letter of support for Cooperative Light and Power in pursuit of a Federal Grant for upgrades to the electrical grid. The motion was seconded by Swanstrom, the motion carried 3-0-0
• Amber Cruz is resigning her position as Clerk April 30, 2023. Board will be looking to fill the position.

Correspondence
Received

• Email from Lora Skarman of St Louis County Assessor’s Office with the tentative 2023 LBAE and open book meeting schedule
• Email from the US Census Bureau on the upcoming 2023 Boundary and Annexation Survey
• Email from the Minnesota Benefits Association with January newsletter
• Email from Susan Vitulli Public Health Supervisor for St Louis County with Public Health guidance for MN Statute, section 151.72 regarding the sale of THC edible products
• Email from Angela Lepak of St Louis County Planning and Community Development on Ordinance 61 Amendments
• Email from the Minnesota Association of Townships with the January 2023 newsletter
• Email from Minnesota Association of Townships with a reminder for the Day in the Capitol event as well as upcoming short courses/training
• Email from Cathy Rouleau of St Louis County Association of Townships with 2023 GO TO MEETING CODES & Tentative Speakers and type of meeting
• Email from Cathy Rouleau of St Louis County Association of Townships SLCAT Meeting at Cotton Town Hall Tentative Agenda for Jan 25, 2023 6:30 PM COTTON TOWNHALL
• Email from Cathy Rouleau of St Louis County Association of Townships with the minutes of the 12/07/2022 SLCAT meeting
• Email from Minnesota Association of Townships with the 2023 Legislative Agenda
• Email from Minnesota Association of Townships with an Alert: Fraudulent MAT Impersonation Email
• Email from Jonathan Blevins of St Louis County Elections containing the master list for the upcoming March elections
• Email from the Minnesota State Auditor on CTAS 2022 Submission, CTAS 2023 Released, and CTAS 2023 Winter Newsletter
• Email from Cathy Rouleau of St Louis County Association of Townships containing the notices from the SLCAT meeting of 1/25/2023
• Invoice from Daisy Wallace in the amount of $30.00 for website maintenance
• Email from Heather Tidmore of Minnesota Association of Townships Insurance and Bond Trust with 2022 WC Audit – Payroll Information Requested
• Email from Minnesota Association of Townships with Township calendar correction for March absentee voting times
• Email from Jonathan Blevins of St Louis County Elections with a notice of the Start of Absentee Balloting for March Township Election
• Email from Kristin Fogard St Louis County AG inspector with 2023 Noxious Weed Updates/training information

Sent

Public Comment

Upcoming Meeting

• Board of Audit Meeting February 21, 2023 at 7pm located at the Pequaywan Fire Hall
• Budget Meeting February 21, 2023 following the Board of Audit Meeting
• Annual Township Meeting March 14, 2023 at 8:30 pm at the Pequaywan Fire Hall

A motion to adjourn was provided by Swanstrom. The motion was seconded by Dressen, motion carried 3-0-0

Meeting was adjourned by Kuettel at 7:40pm

Respectfully submitted by
Amber Cruz, clerk

 

 

 

 

 

January 10, 2023 Township Board Meeting Minutes
Pequaywan Fire Hall
8764 Pequaywan Lake Road
Duluth, MN 55803

Meeting was called to order by Charles Kuettel at 7:05 pm.

Attendance
Officers: Supervisor Charles Kuettel, Supervisor Donald Swanstrom, Treasurer Carol Nelson, Deputy Treasurer Ed Potter, Clerk Amber Cruz, and Deputy Clerk Diana Potter
Guests: Dale Brooks, Dan Ahonen, Steve Mueller and Darryl Waldriff

Clerk’s Report
December 13, 2022 Minutes for approval. A motion for approval was provided by Swanstrom. Dressen Seconded the motion, the motion carried 3-0-0

Treasurer’s Report
December 2022
Total Funds on hand as of 12/02/2022 (including investments)                                $236,976.05
Plus: Deposits                                                                                                 $892.78
Interests on Accounts                                                                $64.78
State of MN – Township Aid                                                    $828.00
Less: Disbursements                                                                                       $2359.34
Payroll                                                                                        $1878.64
MATIT- WC Policy                                                                   $267.00
Other Expenses                                                                          $213.70

Total Funds on hand as of 12/31/2022                                                                       $235,509.49
December checks written #1842 – 1854

January 2023
Deposits:
Taconite Production Tax
Balance of Tax Apportionment

Disbursements:           $18093.86
Checks Written # 1855 – 1863
No Transfers to the Checking Account needed at this time

Motion to accept the treasurers report was provided by Swanstrom. The motion was seconded by Dressen, the motion carried 3-0-0

A memo was created for the Treasurer to have main signature on the accounts so that the treasurer could open and close the Township CDs. A motion to create a resolution giving the treasurer the memo was provided by Dressen. The motion was seconded by Swanstrom, the motion and hence the resolution carried 3-0-0

The treasure is going to roll the current CDs over into new CDs at a 22 month period at 4.3%. She will be looking into purchasing one more in the amount of $25000.00 for an 11- month period at 4.3%    . A motion to approve the CDs was provided by Dressen. The motion was seconded by Swanstrom, the motion carried 3-0-0

Old Business

• Update on West Branch Rd: St Louis County was going to deny plowing to the Township unless some overhanging tree branches were removed. Swanstrom and Kuettel dealt with the branches and the county resumed plowing services
• Upcoming events: Board of Audit meeting February 21, 2023 starting at 7 pm followed by the Budget meeting. Township elections are March 14, 2023 from 7am to 8pm. Annual Township Meeting is March 14, 2023 at 8:30 pm.
• Website review: Continue to fix thumbnails, add resolutions and cash control statement. Update election information under Public Notice

 

New Business

• Review of correspondence received: Contact Raymond Barnes about the repercussions if the township does not respond to the weed inspectors noxious weed report

Correspondence
Received

• Email from Jonathan Blevins of St Louis County Elections containing information on the upcoming township election in March. This information includes deadlines, process for after elections, and use of Automark machine
• Email from the Minnesota Association of Townships announcing the 2023 Scholarship program for high school juniors
• Email from Jonathan Blevins of St Louis County Elections confirming the clerk’s email.
• Email from Kristin Fogard of St Louis County Land and Minerals Dept. with a reminder to submit the year-end noxious weed report
• Email from Jonathan Blevins of St Louis County Elections requesting township clerks to submit notice of elections, what township offices are up for election, automark use, and if the county will be ordering ballots
• Email from St Louis County Community Development with information on how to submit challenges to the FCC broadband map
• Email from St Louis County Community Development with Call for Border-to-Border and Low-Density Pilot Program Broadband Applications
• Email from Minnesota Association of Townships with the December 2022 newsletter
• Email from Minnesota Association of Townships with an ALERT: Managing weather related claims
• Email from Jonathan Blevins of St Louis County Elections with the permanent absentee voter list
• Invoice from Daisy Wallace in the amount of $42.50 for website maintenance
• Email from Minnesota Association of Townships Insurance and Bond Trust informing townships that the MATIT’s 2022 workers compensation payroll audit process is underway
• Email from Holly Olson of the St Louis County Sheriff’s Office with an inquiry to see if Pequaywan Township has any eligible costs from the December 21 snowstorm
• Email from the Minnesota Association of Townships with information on Clerk and Treasurer training in January and February 2023
• Email from Lora Skarman of St Louis County Assessor’s Office on Board of Appeal and Equalization training
• Email from Holly Olson of the St Louis County Sheriff’s Office on Action Item: 2023 Community Wildfire Strategic Planning Requests
• Email from Minnesota Association of Townships with an invitation to join MAT for Township Day at the Capitol February 1-2, 2023

Sent

• Email to Jonathan Blevins of St Louis County Elections with an election notice as well as informing the county that Pequaywan Township will not be using the automark machine nor will the Township be ordering ballots
• Mailed absentee ballot application to residents on the permanent absentee voter list

Public Comment

• Fire Department to possibly ask for more financial assistance at the annual meeting March 14, 2023

Upcoming Meeting

• Monthly Board Meeting February 14, 2023 at 7pm located at the Pequaywan Fire Hall

Motion to adjourn was provided by Dressen. The motion was seconded by Swanstrom. The motion carried 3-0-0

Meeting was adjourned by Kuettel at 8:18 pm

Respectfully Submitted by
Amber Cruz, Township Clerk