Meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m. by Chair Charles Kuettel.
Attendance:
Town Officers Present: Supervisor Douglas Dressen, Supervisor Charles Kuettel, Treasurer Raymond G. Barnes, and Clerk Lita Wallace.
Town Officer Absent: Donald Swanstrom.
Guests: Bonnie Dressen, John Flanagan, Dorothy Galinski, Wes Haberger, Jim Hacking, Lee Kaplan, Paul and Lisa Klassen, Scott Mead, Deb Pomroy, Judy Strom, Tom and Kathy Sykes, Daryle Waldriff, Ted Wallace and John A. Wilson.
Clerk’s Report : The minutes of the Board of Supervisors meeting on July 9, 2019 was presented and reviewed. Motion by Dressen to approve with correction on spelling of Swanstrom’s name, second by Kuettel, motion carried. 2-0-0.
Treasurer’s Report
JULY 2019
Total Funds on hand as of 07/01/2019 (Includes Investments) – $158,720.98
Plus: Deposits – $18,744.67
Less: Disbursements (July) – $1,339.29
Total Funds on hand as of 07/31/2019 – $176,126.36
July Check # 1463- 1468
AUGUST 2019
Claims (August) – $298.95
August Check # 1469 – 1471
No Fund Transfers Needed
Dressen motion to approve the July Treasurer’s Report and August Claims, second by Dressen, motion carried, 2-0-0.
Old Business
- West Branch Road Update: Kuettel reported that the project has been completed. The payment to Elmquist Sand and Gravel was for a total of $14,389.55 (original contract $13,800 + extra work $989.88; i.e., grass covering, mesh, and plant seeds). Kuettel also mentioned that there may be culverts that will need repair in the future.
New Business
- Speed Limit – Dressen reported that to preserve the road in West Branch Road, the township can put weight restriction and/or decrease the speed limit. If driveways are 75 feet apart or closer, speed limit can go down to 35 along the county road.
- Broadband internet service – Dressen will attend a meeting scheduled this month. Cooperative Light and Power is looking for matching funds to support the program.
- Township Resolution webpage – Wallace reported that a new webpage for Town Resolutions was created to accommodate the increasing number of resolutions and two new resolutions were posted this month.
- Township Final Levy Certification Form for taxes payable 2020 – Wallace reported that the form will be mailed this week. Deadline is September 30, 2019.
- Presidential Nominating Primary Expense Reimbursement Estimate – the State of Minnesota will reimburse townships, cities and counties for all expenses incurred during the Presidential Primary Election on March 3, 2020. St Louis County is requesting an estimate of expenses. Wallace prepared an estimate in the amount of $1,243.70 which will be submitted to the county before the August 15, 2019 deadline.
- Presidential Primary Election polling hours – March 3, 2020 at Pequaywan Firehall from 7:00 a.m. to 8::00 p.m.
- Laptop – Barnes reported that both laptops are about five years old and are giving trouble to both the treasurer and clerk. Barnes’ laptop is too slow and Wallace is having problem with CTAS freezing every data entry.
- Variance Request Permit Application for landowner Gregory Planting – will put on hold until supervisors can review the correspondence.
Received
- 2019 Minnesota Election Laws Book
- Email from St. Louis County Election Department re-Presidential Primary Election and requesting township to submit expense reimbursement estimate for the election
- Letter from St. Louis County Auditor’s Office with enclosure of the blank form of the Township Final Levy Certification form for taxes payable 2020. Form is due to the county by September 30, 2019.
Sent: None
Public Comment:
- Scott Mead discussed DNR’s plan for public access to Pequaywan Lake. A suggestion was made to pressure DNR to allow only carry-in to avoid getting the lake infested with invasive species. We must help maintain the pristine lake. Another suggestion was to create a committee that can be called “Save Our Lake Association.” Judy Strom added that Pequaywan Lake Association has been monitoring the issue.
- Walking Trail: Lee Kaplan mentioned that the township might want in the future to consider spraying non-toxic salt pellet on the township land to kill weeds. 50 lbs would cover 100 feet.
- Judy Strom suggested that in lieu of a burnt pile, the township can hire a chipper and residents can then bring their pile. Location will be in an area on the township land. Charge for the chipper is $200 per hour. Maybe designate a time; i.e., 9:00 a.m. -1:00 p.m. for a total of $800.00. Pequaywan Lake Association will chip in and charge $10.00 per family. A cheaper way is suggested to have residents bring their pile, then have the chipper come on a different day to do the chipping. Kuettel was hesitant to schedule it this year due to safety issues for a vehicle with trailer as there is no place to turn around. He is waiting for the County Assessor to tell him the price of the property that the township is hoping to acquire from the county. Hopefully, by next spring.
- Short Term Rentals:There was discussion about concerns for the quality of our lakes and disruption to neighbors and negative impact that short term rentals have in our area. Some of the suggestions were to require a buffer/privacy fence, at the rental owner’s expense. Also, to require a one week minimum stay for guests to reduce turnover and disruption to the neighborhood. St. Louis County is asking the community to submit in writing concerns, comments or input regarding short term rental (STR) regulations to: Planning and Community Development, Northland Office Center, 307 1st Street South, Suite 117, Virginia MN 55792. Deadline to submit is September 30, 2019. Contact person is Jenny Bourbonais at bournaisj@stlouiscountymn.gov or 218-749-0629.
Next Meeting, September 10, 2019, 7:30 p.m., Pequaywan Firehall, 8764 Pequaywan Lake Road
Meeting was adjourned at 9:07 p.m
Respectfully submitted by,
Lita Wallace, Town Clerk