Author: peqclerk

Meeting was called to order at 7:36 pm. by Charles Kuettel

Attendance
Town Officers: Supervisor Charles Kuettel, supervisor Don Swanstrom, supervisor Doug Dressen, clerk Amber Cruz, deputy clerk Lita Wallace, treasurer Lynne Scalzo and deputy treasurer Raymond Barnes
Guests: Gregor Planting, Scott Mead, Ron Lake and Judy Strom

Clerk’s Report
Since the meeting was conducted via teleconference, the supervisors read the April 13, 2021 minutes and the Reorganizational meeting minutes from the town webpage. Motion to accept the April minutes was provided by Swanstrom and seconded by Kuettel, motion carried 3-0-0. Motion to accept the Reorganizational minutes was provided by Swanstrom and seconded by Dressen, motion carried 3-0-0.

Treasurer’s Report
APRIL 2021

Total Funds on hand as of 04/01/2021 (Includes Investments) -$166,048.49
Plus: Deposits (April) – $131.00
Interest on Accounts – $131.00
Less: Disbursements (April) – $3,478.09
Payroll – $1,096.96
Automark Machine – $180.00
Employer’s Federal Tax Form 941 – 1^st Qtr:  $1,806.18
Other Expenses – $394.95
Total Funds on hand as of 04/30/2021 – $162,701.40
April Check # 1652 – 1667

MAY 2021
Claims (May) – $2,366.63
May Check # 1668 – 1677
No transfers to the Checking Account will be needed.

 Old Business

• Update on the West Branch road. Nick Elmquist is inspecting the road over the course of the next few weeks. He is to submit a report and estimate for the June township board meeting.
• It has been requested of residents, Thramer and Planting, to have the county provide proof that the river road is indeed under the township. The township will only get involved upon proof the road is a township road.
• Update for the 66’ easement on Moose Lake road. Supervisors Kuettel and Swanstrom inspected Moose Lake road. It is to be on record, John Wilson has stated that he will pay all expenses and maintenance. He will continue to do so until all the lots have sold. Upon that happening, the expenses and maintenance will transfer to the new landowners. Wilson is still waiting to hear from the county on full clarification and if the township needs to be involved with ownership.
• Resolution for compensation, update. Lynne Scalzo is to look further into comparable townships and their compensation. This will be revisited at the June township board meeting.

New Business

• Tree/Branch disposal for 2021 is to be held from 10 am to 2 pm on June 19, July 17 and August 21 at the township property, weather permitting. The requirements are as follows: the maximum diameter is 10 inches or less, branches must be delimbed/separated from the trunk, and no rotting/decayed wood allowed.
• It is stressed that there is an increased fire danger in the Pequaywan area. It is highly recommended that dead trees and brush be cleared from properties to try and lesson the fire danger. There was a fire in Pequaywan on 5/08/21 that burned 10 acres. This fire had the potential to be much worse.
• The location for future meetings is to be at the Pequaywan firehall. There will be the option of attending via teleconference. For all who attend in person, social distancing guidelines will be followed, and masks will be required at this time.
• There is a St Louis County Planning Commission meeting June 10, 2021 on the application for a conditional use permit for property located at 9038 West Branch Road

Correspondence
Received:

• Email from Katherine Brey from the St Louis County Assessor’s Office containing the 2021 Assessment Book for Pequaywan
• Email from Joell Odell of the St Louis County Assessor’s Office on updates for the Local Board of Appeals and Equalization (LBAE) meeting that was held on May 5, 2021.
• Email from Vaughn Larson about their property’s valuation notice
• Email from the Minnesota Association of Townships – Legislative update and advocacy alert
• Email from Kathy Rouleau of the St Louis County Association of Townships reminding about the meeting held on April 28, 2021.
• Invoice from Daisy Wallace for the total of $157.50 for the township website maintenance
• Invoice from St Louis County Public Works Department for the total of $1121.25 for the AR snowplowing 2020-2021 2^nd half billing
• Minnesota Association of Townships newsletter for April 2021
• Email from Charmin Thramer regarding the vacating of the River Road easement.
• Email from North Shore Title wanting information regarding pending or levied assessments against a property on Pinewood Road.
• Email from Angela Lepak of St Louis County Planning and Community Development regarding an application for a conditional use permit located within Pequaywan Township.
• Email from Joell Odell of the St Louis County Assessor’s Office with the minutes for the LBAE meeting that was held May 5, 2021.
• Email from Charmin Thramer regarding the request to vacate the River Road easement

Sent:

• Email to Joell Odell of the St Louis County Assessor’s Office with the teleconference information for the meeting held May 5, 2021.
• Email to North Shore Title on the request for information on property located on Pinewood Road.
• Email containing the Certification Form for the LBAE meeting that was held on May 5, 2021, to Joe Odell of the St Louis County Assessor’s Office
• Email and phone call to Ron Lake about property located on Pinewood Road.
• Email to John Wilson regarding the request for an easement on Moose Lake Road
• Email to Charmine Thramer regarding the request for vacating an easement on River Road.

Public Comment

• Ron Lake requested permission of the township to extend/create road access to his property off Pinewood road. He was informed that the township has no issue with his plan to extend/create road access.
• Scott Mead, representing the Garden Club, requested township permission to plant a tree and install a plaque on township land, in remembrance of Marylin. Permission was granted under the condition that the plaque be small. Mead will meet with the supervisors to designate a location on the township land.

Next Meeting June 8, 2021 at the Pequaywan firehall with the additional option of attending via teleconference.

Motion to adjourn was provided by Swanstrom and seconded by Dressen, motion carried 3-0-0

Kuettel adjourned the meeting at 8:40 pm.

Respectfully submitted by
Amber Cruz, Clerk

 

 

Meeting was called to order at 7:33 p.m. by Charles Kuettel

 Attendance:
Town Officers: Supervisor Charles Kuettel, supervisor Don Swanstrom, clerk Amber Cruz, deputy clerk Lita Wallace, treasurer Lynne Scalzo and deputy treasurer Raymond Barnes.
Guests: John Wilson

 Clerk’s Report
Since the meeting was conducted via teleconference, the supervisors read the March 9, 2021 minutes from the town webpage. Motion to accept the minutes was provided by Swanstrom and seconded by Kuettel, motion carried 2-0-0. Board of Canvass minutes were also read from the town webpage. Motion to accept the Board of Canvass minutes was provided by Swanstrom and seconded by Kuettel, motion carried 2-0-0.

 Treasurer’s Report
MARCH 2021
Total Funds on hand as of 03/01/2021 (Includes Investments) – $166,038.41
Plus: Deposits – $2,773.68
Forfeited Tax Sale Apportionments – $2,653.90
Interest on Accounts – $119.78
Less: Disbursements (March) – $2,763.60
Payroll – $2,091.22
Officer Life Insurance – $229.00
Other Expenses – $443.38
Total Funds on hand as of 03/31/2021 – $166,048.49
March Check # 1636 – 1651

April 2021
Total Disbursements – $3,478.09
Payroll (April) – $1,096.96
Claims (April) – $2,381.13
April Check # 1652 – 1667
No transfers to the Checking Account will be needed.

 Old Business

• West Branch Road update: There are areas with bad cracking of the road that need to be repaired. Board is requesting that Nick Elmquist inspect the road and submit a bid for the repairs by the May Board meeting. Motion to have Nick Elmquist submit a bid was provided by Swanstrom and seconded by Kuettel, motion carried 2-0-0
• Update on the request to vacate part of the River Road easement: The Board is to contact the Minnesota Association of Townships as well as St. Louis County on having a special meeting to vote on the vacating of the easement and to set a resolution. Owners of the property will need to be present. Motion to set-up a special meeting to be held in May provided by Swanstrom and seconded by Kuettel, motion carried 2-0-0
• Minnesota Association of Townships was contacted about record retention for public notices found on the township website. Old public notices can be deleted as there are hard copies of the notices available. All old election training materials have been shredded. A new filing cabinet has been purchased and installed.
• Reminder-Reorganizational meeting to follow Township Board meeting
• Reminder-LBAE (Local Board of Appeal and Equalization) meeting on May 5, 2021, from 3:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m.

New Business

• Oath of office conducted 3/20/21 for elected supervisor Charles Kuettel
• The May Township Board meeting will be held via teleconference. Motion to hold the meeting via teleconference was provided by Swanstrom and seconded by Kettel, motion carried 2-0-0
• Motion to have the clerk Amber Cruz, create an account on freeconferencecall.com and become the host for all teleconference meetings was provided by Swanstrom and seconded by Kuettel, motion carried 2-0-0
• Website update from Daisy Wallace. IT web support, a new Theme for the website had been created and replaced so you will notice a change in the appearance.

Correspondence
Received:

• Email from Minnesota Association of Townships (MAT) for Spring Short Course and Registration information
• Email from Local Boards of Appeal & Equalization (LBAE) on the LBAE 2021 Assessment for Taxes Payable 2022
• Email from Susan Van Norman of St Louis County Government on a Covid-19 vaccination eligibility update that those all those 65+ and unpaid essential caregivers, food service, fast food, bar and restaurant workers, and grocery and convenience store workers, postal and mail delivery workers, are now eligible for vaccination.
• Invoice from St Louis County for Automark machine maintenance for $180.00
• Emails from Cathy Rouleau from St Louis County Association of Townships (SLCAT) (1) minutes for the February 24, 2021 meeting; and (2) March 24, 2021 meeting agenda
• Minnesota Association of Townships (MAT) March 2021 newsletter
• Invoice from Daisy Wallace for township monthly web maintenance in the amount of $37.50
• Email containing the sales book for the LBAE meeting from Joe Odell, Residential Appraiser for St. Louis County Assessors Department

Sent:

• List of officers emailed to St Louis County Elections, and Minnesota Association of Townships
• Delivered March 2021 town election materials to St. Louis County Elections

Public Comment:

• John Wilson seeks help in getting a 66′ easement from the DNR on the first segment of Moose Lk. Road off Highway 44. Mr. Wilson was requested to get clarification from the state on what role the township is to play, and if a resolution would be efficient. It was also requested of Mr. Wilson to provide a document or letter on what needs to be done for the easement. Supervisors Kuettel and Swanstrom are to do a walk through of the location on April 15, 2021. This is to be readdressed at the May Board meeting.

Next Meeting May 11, 2021, 7:30 p.m. via teleconference

Kuettel adjourned the meeting at 8:27 p.m.

Respectfully submitted by
Amber Cruz, Clerk

 

 

 

Meeting was called to order at 8:32 p.m. by Charles Kuettel

Attendance:
Town Officers: Supervisor Charles Kuettel, supervisor Don Swanstrom, clerk Amber Cruz, deputy clerk Lita Wallace, treasurer Lynne Scalzo, and deputy treasurer Raymond Barnes.
Guests: none in attendance

Discussion of the following resolutions:

• Resolution designating Polling Place for the 2022 election/s as the Pequaywan Firehall at 8764 Pequaywan Lake Road Duluth, MN was approved. The motioned to approve was provided by Swanstrom and seconded by Kettel, motion carried 2-0-0
• 2022 Levy in the amount of $55,100.00. Distribution are as follows: General Fund – $18,000.00; Road and Bridges (on-going Maintenance) – $3,600.00; Building and Property Maintenance – $2,00.00; Fire and EMS – $16,500.00; and Road and Bridges (Capital Reserve) – $15,000.00. The motioned to approve was provided by Swanstrom and seconded by Kuettel, motion carried 2-0-0
• Resolution appointing Chair as Charles Kuettel and Vice Chair as Don Swanstrom was approved. The motion to approve was provided by Swanstrom and seconded by Kuettel, motion carried 2-0-0

Resolutions to be discussed at a later time

• Resolution establishing a Policy for the Compensation and Reimbursement of Town Officers was tabled. Motion to table until the May Board meeting was provided by Swanstrom and seconded by Kuettel, motion carried 2-0-0.

Motion to adjourn meeting was provided by Swanstrom and seconded by Kuettel, motion carried 2-0-0. Meeting was adjourned at 9 p.m.

Respectfully submitted by
Amber Cruz, Clerk