Meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m. by Chair Kuettel.
Attendance: Town officers: Supervisor Charles Kuettel, Supervisor Donald Swanstrom, Supervisor Douglas Dressen, Clerk Lita Wallace, Treasurer Raymond G. Barnes, Deputy Clerk Stephanie Teek, Deputy Treasurer Jennifer Maciewski
Clerk’s Report: Since the meeting was conducted via teleconference, the supervisors read the minutes from the March 10, 2020 Meeting, Board of Canvass Meeting and Emergency Meeting from the town webpage. Swanstrom motioned to approve Minutes of the three meetings, seconded by Dressen, motion carried, 3-0-0.
Treasurer’s Report
MARCH 2020
Total Funds on hand as of 03/01/2020 (Includes Investments) – $156,029.13
Plus: Deposits – $204.92
Less: Disbursements (March) – $3,149.56
Total Funds on hand as of 03/31/2020 – $153,084.49
March Check # 1521 – 1529
APRIL 2020
Claims (April) – $3865.58
April Check # 1530 – 1542
No transfers to Checking Account will be needed
SCCU returned $4.00 to our Savings Account (03/09/2020) due to an error in charging a Bad Address Fee. At the end of March, their computer charged our account $2.00 again for a Bad Address Fee. A computer software error is causing the problem. Their IT is in the process of correcting the error.
Our (2) 18-Month Certificates were rolled over and the new interest rate is 1.341 %. The new Maturity Date is 10/10/2021
Swanstrom motioned to approve the March 2020 Treasurer’s Report and Claims for April 2020, seconded by Dressen, motion carried, 3-0-0.
Old Business
- Reminder: LBAE (Local Board of Appeal and Equalization) meeting scheduled on April 29, 2020, from 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Pequaywan Fire Hall: Wallace reported that Joe Odell and Roy Levitt of St. Louis County Assessor’s Office will be participating. Per St. Louis County, physical inspections of properties are suspended until further notice and meetings will be handled virtually by their personnel. Property owners are required to submit their appeal in writing than in-person.
- Update: Due to COVID-19, monthly town board meetings and other meetings to be conducted via teleconference until further notice, see pequaywantownship.org for update
- Update: deputy clerk/deputy treasurer training – training is ongoing
- Update: Option B (appointed position) implementation for deputy clerk and deputy treasurer converting to clerk and treasurer in March 2021 – Wallace contacted MAT (Minnesota Association of Townships) to verify and was advised by the legal counsel that since the township had passed Option B, the township can appoint the next clerk and treasurer until they rescind Option B.
- Update: One-signatory check and adding deputy treasurer on the account – Docu-sign document instead of in-person by town officers as required by the credit union – officers signed the document and was implemented. Addition of the deputy treasurer and deputy clerk on the account will be put on hold until the time it is safe to go to the bank in person.
New Business
- Appointing Chair and Vice-Chair: Dressen motioned to keep Kuettel as Chair and Swanstrom as Vice-Chair, seconded by Swanstrom, motion carried, 3-0-0
- Minnesota Association of Townships (MAT) online town officer training on April 17
- West Branch Road – concern of dead trees near the road and property: Swanstrom suggested to get a map that shows the right-of-way on the township road, Kuettel suggested for the officers to have a discussion with the landowner and attend the April MAT training, “Trees in the Right of Way,” to learn the legality of removing the trees
- MAT informational conference calls for town officers available on April 13 and April 14
- Roster or ballots from the March 2020 Township Election may be kept and stored for the required 22 months so old election files can be shredded
- What meetings deputy clerk and deputy treasurer required to attend: Dressen motioned that the deputy clerk and deputy treasurer may attend any of the meetings they are able to attend, Swanstrom seconded, motion carried, 3-0-0.
- Oath of Office conducted on March 16, 2020 for elected supervisor Don Swanstrom, appointed deputy clerk Stephanie Teek, and appointed deputy treasurer Jennifer Maciewski
- Providing keys to deputy clerk and deputy treasurer for the Pequaywan Firehall door and filing cabinet – keys were made and will be provided to the deputies
- Discussion and adoption of the following Resolutions:
- Resolution for One Signatory Check to Pay Claims: Dressen motioned to approve, Swanstrom seconded, motion carried, 3-0-0. In the case the treasurer is not able to make out the Claims and the checks, the deputy treasurer will enter the Claims in CTAS for supervisor’s approval and the clerk will prepare and sign the checks or any of the supervisors may also sign the checks.
- Resolution for Adopting Teleconference Meetings Due to COVID-19: Dressen motioned to approve, Swanstrom seconded, motion carried, 3-0-0, The deputy clerk will be in-charge of the teleconference set-up.
- Resolution for 2021 Levy: Dressen motioned to approve, Swanstrom seconded, motion carried, 3-0-0
Correspondence
Received:
- Email from Saint Louis County Public Health and Human Services Department re-liaison for township guidance on COVID-19 and continuing follow-up weekly newsletter thereafter
- Email from Saint Louis County Election Department advising that any roster or ballots for the March Township Election may be kept and stored for the required 22 months
- Emails from Minnesota Association of Townships re-training; online seminar, MAT Coronavirus Conference Call; teleconference township meeting guide
- Emails from Lora Skarman of St. Louis County Assessor’s Office re-LBAE meeting instructions, supplies, Assessment book
- Email from St. Louis County Association of Townships Officers (SLCAT) re-March Miniutes, SLCAT Lobby Day, April and May Meeting cancellations
- Email from Phil Chapman of St. Louis County Election Department re-deadline to submit Presidential Primary Election Reimbursement
- Email from St. Louis County Auditor re-dates of Early Distribution of 2020 Tax Collections
- Email from Joe Odell of St. Louis County Assessors Department re-meeting options and guides due to COVID-19
- Email from MN Department of Natural Resources re-Spring burning restrictions begin in Minnesota on March 27
- Email from Minnesota Association of Townships re-the “Stay at Home” Emergency Executive Order by MN Governor Walz effective March 27 at 11:59 p.m. through April 10 at 5 p.m.
- Emails from Katherine Brey of St. Louis County Assessor’s Office in setting up a website for townships that have changed formats of meeting to either telephone or video conference, https://www.stlouiscountymn.gov/departments-a-z/assessor/2020-local-board-format-changes
- Email from Superior Choice Credit Union re-signing document electronically via Docu-sign for one-signatory check approval
Sent:
- MATIT Life Insurance form and payment for officers sent via postage mail
- Presidential Nomination Primary (PNP) Expense Reimbursement form delivered to St. Louis County Auditor’s Office Election Department on March 11, 2020
- Personal delivery of ballots and other election materials from the Presidential Primary Election and March Township Election
Public Comment: Dressen reported that the owner of the short term rental in the township placed the property on the market and converted it to long term rental for 30 days or more. Also, that a resident had contacted him if it is possible to change the Town Resolution for short term rental to the county. Kuettel responded that the Resolution was only Recommendations re-short term rental to the county. Other folks are asking about update on the fiber optics but there is no information available at this time.
Next Meeting, May 12, 2020, 7:30 p.m., via teleconference until further notice or check the town webpage, pequaywantownship.org for update.
Meeting was motioned to adjourn at 8:24 p.m. by Swanstrom, seconded by Dressen, motion carried, 3-0-0.
Respectfully submitted by,
Lita Wallace, Town Clerk