April Minutes 2023
Erie Township
Minutes of Regular Board Meeting
April 11, 2023
Board Members Present: Chairperson Gerald Schram; Supervisors Kyle Vareberg and Neal
Sundet
Officers Present: Clerk Dawn Utke; Treasurer Becky Renner and ARPA Manager
Debra Zachariason
Others Present: Dale Renner, Dan Gustner, Matt Arola, Dave West, Becker County
Commissioner John Okeson, Joe Stenger, Holly Gustner, Debra
Sundet, Blace Schmidt, David Moen, Don Dronen and Kelly Grenier
Chairperson Schram called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.
Chairperson Schram introduced newly elected supervisor, Neal Sundet.
After the agenda was reviewed by the board, Supervisor Vareberg made the motion to approve the agenda, Supervisor Sundet seconded, motion carried, without a dissenting vote.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
The March 7, 2023, regular meeting minutes and the March 21, 2023, reorganization meeting minutes were reviewed. Chairperson Schram made the motion to approve both sets of minutes, Supervisor Vareberg seconded, motion carried, without a dissenting vote.
Treasurer Renner gave the treasurers report ending March 31, 2023, with the checking account having a balance of $73,397.07; the money market account having a balance of $622,857.86; and the CD having a balance of $129,807.61; with total funds ending March 31, 2023, of $826,0652.53. A motion was made by Supervisor Vareberg to approve the treasurers report, Supervisor Sundet seconded, motion carried, without a dissenting vote.
The following is a list of warrants presented to the board for approval:
Becker County Highway Dept.
$513.60
Community Co-op of Lake Park
881.44
Eifealdt, Robert
88.00
Frazee Rescue
10,000.00
Gilbertson, Virginia
132.00
Jerry’s Repair
830.64
Renner, Becky
69.95
Root, Donna
88.00
Stenerson-Eifealdt, Karen
93.50
Utke, Dawn
56.08
Wild Rice Electric
75.00
Zachariason, Debra
55.00
Anderson Septic
75.00
Arvig Communications
199.67
Daggett Trucking
656.06
Internal Revenue Service
940.87
MN Unemployment Insurance
271.30
Total Warrants
$15,026.11
Chairperson Schram motioned to approve the warrants, Supervisor Vareberg seconded, motion carried, without a dissenting vote.
Dave West, Team Lab, gave an overview of what Base One was about and how chloride can be added to it, as well as other options. Mr. West presented some numbers to the supervisors as well as where to view a video on this product. Mr. West also offered to meet with them at a later date after they had viewed the information presented.
Supervisor Vareberg brought to the supervisor’s attention the need for repairs on 182nd Street. Commissioner Okeson talked to them about the lack of preventative maintenance on existing roads. A motion was made by Chairperson Schram, seconded by Supervisor Vareberg, motion carried, without a dissenting vote, to have Mr. Okeson look at our paved roads and report back to them for future maintenance.
ARPA Manager Zachariason talked about the filing of our ARPA funds report due April 30, 2023. Ms. Zachariason brought forth the idea of using her wages as expenses for this year’s ARPA filing. A motion was made by Chairperson Schram to accept this, seconded by Supervisor Vareberg, motion carried, without a dissenting vote.
A motion was made by Chairperson Schram to get more in-depth information about replacing our aging town hall, seconded by Supervisor Vareberg, motion carried, without a dissenting vote.
Quotes were opened and reviewed by the supervisors. A motion was made by Supervisor Vareberg to accept all quotes, seconded by Chairperson Schram, motion carried, without a dissenting vote.
Chairperson Schram wanted to make sure the supervisors would be available at all times regarding calls or road issues. Supervisor Vareberg stated that he returns all calls he receives concerning Erie Township. Supervisor Sundet assured Mr. Schram that he would be attending all meetings, although a couple would be via Zoom, and he would always take and return calls pertaining to our township.
Former Supervisor Chadbourne presented the supervisors with a paper stating that all monies being collected from FEMA for the Summer 2022 storm were accurate.
Former Supervisor Chadbourne presented paperwork for the Erie Township Board to sign regarding him spending township monies inappropriately. Mr. Schram signed; all others refused.
Treasurer Renner presented information on our expiring CD. A number of financial institutions were contacted about rates with the best rate being for an 11-month CD at Midwest Bank. Supervisor Sundet motioned that we go with the best rate at Midwest Bank, seconded by Supervisor Vareberg, motion carried, without a dissenting vote. Supervisor Vareberg wanted it known that in the future we should not be investing township money unless they are made aware of it for certain purposes.
During MAT Spring Short Course, it was brought to our attention that all employees need to have a completed Employment Notice in their employee file. This will not pertain to elected officials. Clerk Utke and Treasurer Renner will get this paperwork done.
Supervisor Vareberg made a motion to approve purchasing a plaque for former Supervisor Chadbourne for his years of service, Supervisor Sundet seconded, motion carried, without a dissenting vote.
Supervisor Vareberg made a motion to extend Michael Johnson’s snowplow contract to May 1, 2023, in case of more storms, Supervisor Sundet seconded, motion carried, without a dissenting vote.
Supervisor Sundet and Treasurer Renner will get together with Web Master Mosher about our website. They will report back at the next meeting with their findings.
Two requests from Planning & Zoning were presented –
1 – Lieberg – County Hwy 32 – Construction of a garage.
2 – Holmstrom – County Hwy 32 – Impervious surface overage
Supervisor Vareberg made a motion to approve both requests, Supervisor Sundet seconded, motion carried, without a dissenting vote.
Audience members brought up dust control. They were assured it would be on next month’s agenda.
There being no further business, Chairperson Schram made a motion to adjourn the meeting, Supervisor Vareberg seconded, motion carried, without a dissenting vote. Time was 8:35 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted
Dawn Utke, Clerk and Gerald Schram, Chairperson