Meeting was called to order at 8:30 p.m. by Chair Nelson.
Attendance:
Town officers: Chair Douglas Nelson , Vice-Chair James Wilson, Supervisor Douglas Dressen, Clerk Lita Wallace, Treasurer Carol Nelson, Deputy Clerk Shane Stolp
Town officer absent: Deputy treasurer Raymond Barnes
Guests: Bonnie Dressen, Dorothy Galinski, Stephanie Jones, Stephen Jones, Marcia Sands, Ted Wallace
Clerk’s Report
Copies of the July 9, 2024 minutes were distributed to attendees and they were given time to read it. Dressen motion to approve the minutes with correction, second by Wilson, motion carried. Wilson yay, Dressen yay, Nelson yay.
Treasurer’s Report
JULY 2024
Total Funds on Hand 7/1/2024 $238,380.53
Plus: Deposits $37,672.88
–Interest on Accounts 402.22
–First Half – Tax Apportionment 35,937.76
–State of MN – PNP Reimbursement 597.90
–State of Mn – Town Aid 735.00
Less: Disbursements $5,060.91
–Payroll 509.92
–US Treasury – 941 taxes 1,543.08
–Fire & EMS 2,500.00
–Other Expenses 507.91
Total Funds on Hand 7/31/2024 $270,992.50
2030-2039 Checks Written
AUGUST 2024
Expected Receipts $5,757.35
MN DNR- payment in lieu of taxes ?
St Louis Cty – Taconite
Void checks 2040-2042 $2,699.61
Checks Writte 2043-2054
No transfer to checking needed
Wilson motion to approve, Nelson second, motion carried. Wilson yay, Dressen yay, Nelson yay.
Old Business
• West Branch Road Update by Chair Nelson.
“A recap of my conversation with Rashma Brewer, Engineer for State of Minnesota in-charge of LRIP (Local Road Improvement Program) grant programs. We scored in the middle of all the applications:
(1) We were strong in noting Safety Issues Now.
(2) Maps.
(3) Pictures.
(4) Letters of support.
Scored low:
(1) Not detailing future maintenance and matching funds available.
(2) Need ability to maintain and operate road in the future.
(3) Need greater community benefits.
(4 Compelling narrative – tourist destination, etc.
(5) Higher traffic counts.
(6) Not project ready.
(7) Right of way acquisition in advance not done.
(8) Joint with county.
(9) Seasonal usage like winter snowmobile trails.
(10) Logging operations using road for access.
(11) Access to state land for ATV’s, etc.
Status of (Subordinate Service District):
(1) Create list of all current landowners along the township West Branch Road.
(2) Send questionnaire to all owner’s requesting their help attendance at a special meeting to discuss details and share ideas.
(3) Create Citizen Task force to work on details.
(4) Secure required 50% approval of all landowners and create signed petition for township clerk to review.
(5) Consult with engineers to determine scope of work to make sure we properly spend money wisely.
(6) Interview several black top companies to get their input.
(7) Determine length of time and amount of annual assessment to budget for the needed replacement.
(8) Work with County Auditor to determine each new levy based on current property values.
(9) Present proposal to Pequaywan Board of Supervisors for their approval.
(10) Present final approval to County Auditor for implementation.”
• Wake boat – a resident presented information about the damages of having a Wake Boat in Pequaywan Lakes with the Pequaywan Lake Association requesting the board to implement to stop the use of Wake Boats in Pequaywan Lakes. There was discussion and was tabled.
• State Primary Election on August 13, 2024: 32 residents voted out of 143. Chair Nelson congratulated the election officials for their hard work and long Marathon Day. A total of 15 hours worked.
New Business
• Shane Stolp as new Head Election Judge – Nelson motion to approve Shane Stolp as the new Head Election Judge, Wilson second, motion carried. Nelson yay, Wilson yay, Dressen yay.
• St. Louis County reclassification of Tax Forfeited Land – Dressen motion to approve, Wilson second, motion carried. Nelson yay, Wilson yay, Dressen yay.
• Dressen motion to approve for the clerk to renew the online snow plowing contract with St. Louis County, Wilson second, motion carried. Nelson yay, Wilson yay, Dressen yay.
• Notice from Pequaywan Firehall re-filing cabinets – Wallace reported that the Pequaywan Firehall requested to dispose of the township filing cabinet that is no longer needed as they need space in the Firehall for upcoming training in October attended by other fire departments. Wallace also reported that Supervisor Wilson took out the filing cabinet for disposal.
• Public Comment request: Chair Nelson’s response: “For Public Comment Protocol, we have established procedure of one comment per citizen of about two minutes at the end of the meeting. Notify the clerk (Lita Wallace, peqclerk@gmail.com) in advance of your desire to speak and specify the topic. As noted at the Public Comment section of the Agenda, Bonnie Dressen has requested that attendees be allowed to speak on each item in the agenda. The answer is NO. We will continue to operate under the current rules voted by the supervisors. That being said, there will be exceptions to the rule when the supervisors decide and agree they would like more information from the citizens on a particular issue. A case in point would be a discussion on the Wake Boat Surfing issue. When we get to that issue I will invite you to comment.”
Correspondence
Received:
• Email from Minnesota Department of Revenue stating the 2025 amounts for Town Aid
• MAT District 10 Meeting scheduled on August 29, 2024 at 5:00 p.m. in Grand Lake Town Hall 5287 Highway 53, Saginaw MN
• Email from St. Louis County Public Works stating that the online snow plowing contract is ready for renewal
Sent:
• Submitted Final Town 2025 Levy to St. Louis County in the amount of $60,000.00
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.
Public Comment Request: Bonnie Dressen requesting that attendees be allowed to speak as each item is addressed on the agenda.
Next Meeting, September 10, 2024, 7:00 p.m., Pequaywan Firehall
Dressen motion to adjourn the meeting at 9:20 p.m., Wilson second, motion carried. Nelson yay, Wilson yay, Dressen yay.
Respectfully submitted by,
Lita Wallace, Clerk