June 2021 Minutes
June 1, 2021
Erie Township Regular Meeting Minutes
Supervisor Chuck Chadbourne called the meeting to order at 6:30 pm. All board members were present. List of additional attendees is attached to this report.
The agenda was reviewed by the board, additions were added. A motion was made by Supervisor Joann Splonskowski and second by Supervisor Chuck Chadbourne to approve the agenda with additions as noted on final agenda. Motion carried.
Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Clerk Karen Eifealdt read the minutes of the May 4, 2021 meeting. Corrections were as follows, Supervisor Joann Splonskowski stated that her name was misspelled in meeting minutes, there should not be an upper case (A) used in her first name, it should be a lower case (a). Supervisor Chuck Chadbourne made note that Grant Graham was present on the road trip also for a portion of the time. Supervisor Gerry Schram suggested rather than reading the minutes from the previous monthly meeting, the clerk email each member a copy of the minutes and they read the minutes on their own time, bringing any changes to the meeting that they felt necessary. A motion was made by Supervisor Gerry Schram and seconded by Supervisor Joann Splonskowski to approve the minutes as read with corrections made. Motion carried.
Supervisor Gerry Schram gave a report on the information he received regarding Jerry Kendall’s request to have Andy Nolan’s property cleaned up of the debris. He stated he had talked with County Commissioner, Larry Knutson regarding this issue and Larry stated that the county will handle this issue. Supervisor Gerry Schram will contact the county of the issue and make them aware of what is going on. He will then contact Jerry Kendall to inform him of the next step.
Treasure Becky Renner gave the treasures report with the checking account having a balance of $110,043.33, money market account balance $168,834.95, CD balance of $129,089.64. Total funds as of May 31, 2021 is $407,967.92. Becky Renner stated that a check that has been outstanding for couple of years has been cancelled due to not being cashed. The individual was contacted regarding the outstanding check approximately a year ago per Mary Schermerhorn, previous Erie Township Treasure.
Supervisor Joann Splonskowski suggested checking into moving $50,000 out of the checking account and placing it in a CD, to obtain more interest. Treasure Becky Renner will check on interest rates for a $50,000 CD and report back at next meeting. Supervisor Joann Splonskowski made a motion to approve the treasures report and Supervisor Gerry Schram seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Bills were approved to be paid totaling $27,983.59. Supervisor Gerry Scram made a motion to pay all bills and it was seconded by Supervisor Joann Splonskowski. Motion carried.
Grant or Tom Graham were not present to give a road report.
Supervisor Chuck Chadbourne stated that we will not be receiving anything from the grant that had been applied for.
Dale Renner asked how much the township is paying per yard of gravel? Supervisor Chuck Chadbourne stated that Grant Graham received the contract for this year and whoever Grant Graham subs it out to is his business. Supervisor Chuck Chadbourne stated that Driveway Service had been graveling some of Erie Township roads this past month. Matt Arola asked if Driveway Service was following the weight limits on Erie Township roads. Dale Renner asked about liability issues having a company not contracted to do the work by the township. Dale Renner requested to see Grant Graham’s bill and it was granted that he receives a copy.
The discussion of the Erie Township Hall property was tabled as a request from Supervisor Joann Splonskowski.
Supervisor Gerry Schram gave a report on the MPCA he stated that both contacts gave him no new information.
Clerk Karen Eifealdt read the Joints Powers Agreement Introduction. A motion was made by Supervisor Joann Splonskowski to adopt the Joint Powers Agreement for Planning and Zoning Services and Supervisor Gerry Schram seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Supervisor Joann Splonskowski made a motion to adopt Ordinance 2021-02 adopting a comprehensive plan and official controls for the town. It was seconded by Gerry Schram. Motion carried.
Supervisor Joann Splonskowski made a motion to adopt the Resolution approving summary language for publication of Ordinance Number 2021-02 adopting zoning and subdivision regulations. Supervisor Gerry Schram seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Only correspondence this month was the county Membership cards that were given to each member of the board by Clerk Karen Eifealdt.
Zoning Requests: Supervisor Chuck Chadbourne Spoke with a gentleman this morning in regards to removing the wells at the Highway 34 (4 corners location). The gentleman stated he has all the necessary paperwork needed to remove the wells. Supervisor Chuck Chadbourne stated he will be attending the MPCA zoning meeting regarding wells being removed.
An individual on Cotton Lake is requesting a variance to put up a storage building and the Liquor Store on Highway 34 requested to remove a tree to put up a larger sign. These variances will all be addressed by the county.
Weed Inspection: Supervisor Joann Splonskowski received a call stating that gravel was being hauled out of a Height of Land uncertified pit by Darryl Bergstrom and the lot is covered with Knapweed He stated a permit was not applied for. Joann Splonskowski has been speaking with Mark Palm of where he should be spraying weeds for the township.
The Becker County American Recovery Plan Coordination meeting will be held June 22, 2021 at the jury room, 3rd floor, Becker County courthouse. Clerk Karen Eifealdt will attend the meeting.
It was discussed if there is a need to apply for a Duns # and it was decided that Clerk Karen Eifealdt will apply for a number for Erie Township.
There were no citizens comments.
Supervisor Joann Splonskowski made a motion to adjourn the meeting and Supervisor Gerry Schram seconding the motion. Meeting adjourned at 7:52 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Karen Eifealdt, Clerk
Deb Zachariason, Deputy Clerk