May 9, 2023, Township Board Meeting Minutes

 Attendance:

Town officers: Supervisors Charles Kuettel,  Doug Dressen,  Doug Nelson; Clerk Lita Wallace (by phone), Treasurer  Carol Nelson,  Deputy Treasurer Ed Potter

Town employee: Bonnie Dressen (Fill in Recording Secretary)

Guests:  Deb Pomroy,  Ray Barnes,  Don Swanstrom,  Dick Arndt, Ted Wallace

Call to Order:  The Meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Kuettel.

Clerk’s Report:

Copies of the April Board Meeting Minutes were presented for approval. Amendment to April Minutes- remove Nick Elmquist’s name as the contact for road emergencies/conditions as Nick is one of several local equipment operators  who can assist the town officers. Dressen motioned to approve the minutes, seconded by Nelson, motion carried, 3-0-0.

Treasurer’s Report

APRIL 2023
Total Funds on Hand 4/1/2023 $220,813.30
Plus: Deposits $493.61
Interest on Accounts 493.61

Less: Disbursements $2,819.91
Payroll 2,158.36
Other Expenses 661.55

Total Funds on Hand 4/30/2023 $218,487.00
Checks Written #1880-#1895

MAY 2023
Expected Receipts None

Motioned by Nelson to accept the Treasurer’s Report, seconded by Dressen, motion carried, 3-0-0.

Old Business

  • West Branch Road update: Inspected by Kuettel and Nelson.  Culverts are running, will still need inspection when water level is lower. Several potholes were noted. Road work will be scheduled, Board agreed to try for Thursday, May 18, 2023.    Dressen will call contractor and see if that date will work.
  • Automark update: Wallace reported that per St. Louis County Elections, Automark will no longer be in use as of 2024 and will be replaced with the OmniBallot system that the county will be providing to all townships for free later this year along with tutorials. The Automark will be collected and returned to the vendor for recycling or reuse.
  • Wallace suggested that Bonnie Dressen be officially hired as Recording Salary to take minutes in the absence of the clerk. Motioned by Nelson, seconded by D. Dressen, with a salary of $50.00 per meeting. motion carried, 3-0-0.
  • Hiring a deputy clerk: tabled for June meeting.

New Business

  • Discussion on the status of the tree/branch burn area at the township property in Rossini Road and if there will be a date for unloading the branches: Saturday, June 17, will be the only brush disposal date this summer. The pile was not burned last year due to the heavy snow we had. The times to bring brush and trees will be from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. The requirements are as follows: (1) the maximum diameter is 10 inches or less; (2) branches must be delimbed/separated from the trunk; and (3) no rotting/decayed wood allowed. Wallace will enter the information on the township website and on the Pequaywan Community page.
  • Ability for officers to purchase office supplies i.e., folders, staples, postage stamps, flash drives, envelopes, paper, paper clips, etc. without prior approval for every purchase: Dressen motioned for town officers to be allowed to purchase supplies for township use without prior approval. Dressen said there should be an amount limit. Seconded by Nelson, motion carried, 3-0-0. Wallace mentioned that she has tax-exempt cards for  Menards and Walmart that officers can use when purchasing supplies for the township and not pay state sales tax in Minnesota. She will distribute a copy to the town officers in the next meeting
  • Wallace requesting approval to attend the St. Louis County Association of Townships (SLCAT) meeting on May 24, 2023 in Cotton Community Center: Dressen motioned to approve Wallace to attend the meeting as well as any town officer wishing to attend, seconded by Nelson, motion carried, 3-0-0. Wallace mentioned that each officer register directly with Cathy Roleau.
  • Noxious weed problem: Kuettel  introduced Deb Pomroy and Ray Barnes as experts on local weed problems.  Deb said that the township is required to submit an annual survey. Wallace said she has two copies of the weed management book. One will go to the Weed Inspector and township will have the second copy.   Purpose of Weed Inspector is for early detection and possible eradication of the weeds. Motion by Nelson that Michelle Kokosh be new Weed Inspector, seconded by D. Dressen, motion carried, 3-0-0.
  • Election judges: Wallace confirmed per a town resolution approved in April that Lita Wallace, Deb Pomroy and Bonnie Dressen have been appointed as election judges for 2023.

Correspondence

Received:

  • 2nd half snow plowing invoice in the amount of $1,121.25 from Rena Johnson of St. Louis County Public Works Department
  • Invoice from Minnesota Association of Townships in the amount of $450.00 for Spring Short Course attendance of six township officers at $75.00 each
  • Invoice from Daisy Wallace for April 2023 web administration in the amount of $92.50
  • Email from Dustin Letica of St. Louis County Public Health re-town hall meeting for Medical Assistance Enrollees and followed-up with more emails from Ryan Bauers with more information
  • April Newsletter from St. Louis County Public Health via email
  • April Newsletter from Minnesota Association of Townships via email
  • Email from Josh Brinkman of St. Louis County Emergency Management Planner requesting for preliminary damage assessments from townships
  • Sample blank LBAE Appellant Letter and minutes of the meeting from Roy Levitt, Principal Appraisal, of St. Louis County
  • Email from Cathy Rouleau re-annual SLCAT Meeting on May 24, 2023, and Election of SLCAT officers
  • Email from Cathy Rouleau re-Minutes of March 22, 2023 SLCAT meeting with list of townships that had paid their dues
  • Email from Heather Tidmore of Minnesota Association of Townships Insurance & Bond Trust (MATIT) re-Overland EXL reaching out directly to townships for property evaluations

Sent:

  • Clerk change of address to MATIT
  • Clerk change of address to St. Louis County Public Works for snow plow billing
  • Appellant letter response on a property owner at Pequaywan Township for an appeal of property tax adjustment granted during the LBAE meeting on April 20, 2023

Public CommentThis is a courtesy extended to persons wishing to address the Board who are not on the agenda. No more than one (1) public comment form per citizen will be accepted per meeting. Your presentation will be limited to two (2) minutes. A complete Public Comment information must be emailed to the clerk, peqclerk@gmail.com, prior to the meeting.

There was no public comment received.

Next Meeting, June 13, 2023, 7:00 p.m.

Meeting was adjourned at 7:33 p.m. by D. Dressen, seconded by Nelson, motion carried, 3-0-0.

Respectfully submitted by,
Bonnie Dressen, Recording Secretary
Lita Wallace, Clerk