The meeting was called to order by Chair Douglas Nelson at 9:50 p.m.
Attendance:
Town officers: Chair Douglas Nelson, Vice-Chair Jim Wilson, Supervisor Douglas Dressen, Clerk Lita Wallace, Treasurer Carol Nelson, Deputy Clerk Shane Stolp, Deputy Treasurer Raymond Barnes
Guests: Mark Freeman, Ted Wallace, Donald Swanstrom,
Clerk’s Report
Copies of the February meeting minutes were distributed to attendees and they were given time to read it. Dressen motioned to approve the minutes, seconded by Wilson, motion carried. Nelson yay, Wilson yay, Dressen yay.
Treasurer’s Report
FEBRUARY 2025
Total Funds on Hand 2/1/2025 $282,216.85
Plus: Deposits $4,026.59
-Interest on Accounts 607.59
-Taconite Production 3,419.00
Less: Disbursements $1,019.67
-Payroll 559.93
-MAT Dues 313.84
-Other expenses 145.90
Total Funds on Hand 2/28/2025 $285,223.77
Checks Written 2124-2128
MARCH 2025
Expected Receipts
St. Louis County – Town Road 2144.39
Checks Written 2129-2138 $5,402.27
No transfer to checking needed
Wilson motioned to approve the treasurer’s report, seconded by Dressen, motion carried. Nelson yay, Wilson yay, Dressen yay.
Old Business
Wallace read the result of Township Election for one open supervisor position as follows: Donald Swanstrom, 20 votes; write-in John Wilson, 2 votes; write-in Douglas Dressen, 1 vote. Donald Swanstrom won the election.
Since the Fire department is asking for $30,000.00 levy in 2026, the township can pay them $3,000.00 from last year’s Fire and EMS budget balance and ask for $27,000.00 levy for 2026. It was discussed that we should build up this fund in order to be in a better position to apply for matching fund grants for road improvements. After discussion, a motion to approve the 2026 levy in the amount of $70,000.00 was made by Wilson, seconded by Dressen, motion carried. Nelson yay, Wilson yay, Dressen yay.
| 2025 and 2026 LEVY | ||
| Name of Fund | 2025 Levy | 2026 Levy |
| General Fund | $ 5,000.00 | $ 5,000.00 |
| Road and Bridges (On-going Maintenance) | 5,000.00 | 5,000.00 |
| Fire and EMS | 15,000.00 | 27,000.00 |
| Building/Property Maintenance Fund | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| Roads and Bridges (Capital Reserve) | 35,000.00 | 33,000.00 |
| Total | $60,000.00 | $70,000.00 |
Update on progress of Subordinate Service District – a letter was sent out to residents of West Branch Road
Legal opinion from Steve Fenske, Minnesota Association of Townships (MAT) Legal Counsel on subject of fines for weight limit violations: “The town board would adopt an ordinance that sets limits and imposes fines. The town needs to post weight limits they intend to enforce.
Enforcement is the challenge. The township does not have the means by which to stop a vehicle they think is overweight and weigh it. The township would need to contract with the sheriff’s office to do that work period it’s possible the sheriff does not have the equipment to perform that function as well, as I have heard some sheriff’s offices cannot afford the weight equipment.
Some local governments have been more creative in finding ways of measuring vehicles. For example, one was going to the co-ops and places of delivery that suspect vehicles were going to. They would be weighed at their destination and the weight records would be on file with the co-ops or businesses. Such records could be obtained in a criminal prosecution. There may be disputes which usually means costs for the Township to try and obtain the records.
The Township should consult its town attorney for help in creating an ordinance and learning if the town can be effective in enforcing its ordinance if it’s adopted.”
Modify resolution about memorial tree planting to include invasive species information from Pequaywan Township Noxious Weed Inspector (https://www.mda.state.mn.us/plants-insects/minnesota-noxious-weed-list) – clerk Wallace was requested to create a resolution stating that the township will allow people to plant memorial trees at the township land dependent on approved location and species of the trees.
Reminder: Local Board of Appeal and Equalization (LBAE) meeting scheduled on May 13, 2025 from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. at Pequaywan Firehall
Reminder: Minnesota Association of Townships (MAT) Spring Short Course training for town officers is scheduled on April 4 at 9:00 a.m. at the DECC
Follow-up discussion operating a .gov domain by June 1, 2026 (https://get.gov/domains/) – put on hold for now.
New Business
St. Louis County Maintenance Striping, Crack Sealing and Chip/Scrub Sealing Programs giving the opportunity for townships and cities within St. Louis County to participate in the St. Louis County contracts for these projects. Deadline to submit request of participation is June 2, 2025. The cost is $10,000.00 per mile.
Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and Home Investment Partnerships (HOME) Programs Requalification eligibility automatically renews and extend continued participation in the St. Louis County program for the period covering 2026-2028 unless agreement is terminated.
Variance application of a resident with St. Louis County Board of Adjustment for the meeting scheduled on April 10, 2025.
Correspondence
Received:
- Invoice from Daisy Wallace in the amount of $25.00 for February 2025 web maintenance and computer support
- Invoice from Microsoft re-automatic annual renewal of Microsoft 365 Family subscription for $139.58 effective March 9, 2025
- Email from St. Louis County Economic and Community Development offering the opportunity for townships to participate in the St. Louis County contracts for continuation of the Maintenance Striping, Crack Sealing and Scrub Sealing Programs
- Email from St. Louis County Community Development Program advising renewal of the partnership between the county and townships to access funding from the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and Home Investment Partnerships (HOME) programs administered by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
- Various emails from St. Louis County Elections re- March Town Election including roster, master list, precinct finder, absentee balloting
Sent:
- Four Absentee ballots
Public Comment: None
Next Meeting: April 8, 2025, 7:00 p.m. at Pequaywan Firehall
Meeting was motioned to adjourn by Dressen at 10:15 p.m., seconded by Wilson, motion carried. Nelson yay, Wilson yay, Dressen yay.
Respectfully submitted by,
Lita Wallace, Clerk