The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Vice-Chair Douglas Dressen.
Town officers present: Supervisors Douglas Nelson, Douglas Dressen, James Wilson; Clerk Lita Wallace, Treasurer Carol Nelson
Town officer absent: Shane Stolp, Deputy Clerk
Guests present: Ted Wallace, Lori Gherna, Bonnie Dressen, Daryle Waldriff, Deb Pomroy, Ray Barnes, Stephen Jones, Steve Mueller, Charles Kuettel, Dorothy Salinsky, Ken Kost Aileen Kost, Chris Jussila, Todd Abernethy
Clerk’s Report:
Copies of the March 12, 2024 minutes were distributed to attendees and they were given time to read it. Nelson motion to approve the minutes, second by Wilson, motion carried. Nelson yay, Dressen yay, Wilson yay.
Treasurer’s Report
MARCH 2024
Total Funds on Hand 3/1/2024 $247,167.83
Plus: Deposits $790.76
-Interest on Accounts 393.76
-Misc Items 397.00
Less: Disbursements $2,533.64
-Payroll 2,206.64
-Other Expenses 327.00
Total Funds on Hand 3/31/2024 $245,424.95
Checks Written 1986-1997
APRIL 2024
Expected Receipts
None Expected
Checks Written 1998 – 2010 $4,722.85
No transfer to checking needed
Nelson motion to approve the Treasurer’s Report, second by Wilson, motion carried. Nelson yay, Dressen yay, Wilson yay.
Old Business
- Result of LRIP (Local Road Improvement Program) grant request – the grant request was
- Update on West Branch Road – An attorney has not been contacted yet as waiting to contact other folks for financing.
- Unemployment insurance discussion – A former employee filed for unemployment and was paid $160.48 so the township will be billed by the Minnesota Unemployment Office. Motion to approve payment is tabled until the invoice is received. Treasurer Nelson reported that the township does not have to pay a monthly unemployment insurance but a bill will be sent to the township if someone claims unemployment.
- Update on open Deputy Treasurer position – nobody has applied for the position
- Last reminder: LBAE (Local Board of Appeal and Equalization) meeting scheduled on May 7, 2024 from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Pequaywan Firehall. The purpose of this meeting is to determine whether property in the jurisdiction has been properly valued and classified by the Assessor. Public Notice posted on posting sites.
New Business
- Appoint Chair and Vice Chair for Township Board – D. Nelson was appointed as Chair and D. Dressen as Vice-Chair. Nelson and Wilson aye for Nelson to be chair, Dressen nay. Three ayes for Dressen as Vice-Chair.
- Upcoming dates for tree/brush burn area drop off and posting – Saturday, June 1, 2024, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. is the next drop-off date to dispose off dead trees. Location is on the township property in the corner of Rossini Road and Pequaywan Lake Road.
Requirements are: maximum diameter must be 10 inches; and 2. branches must be de-limbed or separated from the trunk. - Discussion whether the Town Board Meeting Minutes starting in 1980 be added to the town website. There were 50s 60s and 70s which are Association Minutes. – the cost of the project was discussed and was tabled until next month.
- FYI: Oath of office for elected supervisor James Wilson concluded on March 26. 2024 by clerk Wallace
- Reorganizational Meeting (after the Town Board Meeting)
- Discussion to purchase a pull behind finishing lawnmower. Used one is $900.00 to $1,000.00. Brand new one costs $2,800.00. It will be used in the 1.3 miles Walking Trail in the Rossini area land that the township owns. More discussion next month as additional information is gathered.
Correspondence
Received:
- Letter from MN Department of Transportation re-result of the grant application for (LRIP) Local Road Improvement Program
- Email from St. Louis County Assessor’s Office re-info about the upcoming LBAE (Local Board of Appeal and Equalization) meeting
- Several emails from St. Louis County Association of Townships (SLCAT) and United Township Officers of MN re-upcoming voting for changes in the MAT (Minnesota Association of Townships) Bylaws during Spring Short Course training to various locations.
Sent: None
Public Comment: The Public Comment section is a courtesy extended to persons wishing to address the Board. If you wish to comment during the Township Meeting, follow the protocol below: One public comment per citizen which is limited to two minutes. Submit request by the first Saturday of the month to peqclerk@gmail.com with your full name and comment information. The board can either address the issue, assign someone to address the issue, or do nothing.
Next Meeting, May 14, 2024, 7:00 p.m.
Dressen motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:57 p.m., second by Wilson, motion carried. Nelson yay, Dressen yay, Wilson yay.
Respectfully submitted by:
Lita Wallace, Clerk