May Minutes 2023
Erie Township
Minutes of Regular Board Meeting
May 2, 2023
Board Members Present: Chairperson Gerald Schram; Supervisor Kyle Vareberg and Neal Sundet
Officers Present: Clerk, Dawn Utke; Treasurer Becky Renner and ARPA Manger, Debra
Zachariason
Others Present: Dale Renner, Dan Gustner, Joe Stenger, Don Dronen, John Okeson,
Terry Larson and Matt Arola
Chairperson Schram called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.
After the agenda was reviewed by the board, Supervisor Sundet made the motion to approve the agenda with the addition of Supervisor Schram’s four agenda items being added to the new business as follows: do we have caution flags for road issues, minimum maintenance signs for West Pickeral, title for trucks and do we have an agreement with Holmesville on NW Pickeral Lake Road. Motion was second by Supervisor Vareberg and motion was carried.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
The April 11, 2023 regular board minutes and Appeals and Equalization Minutes were reviewed Supervisor Sundet made the motion to approve the regular board minutes and Supervisor Vareberg second. Supervisor Schram made the motion to approve Appeals and Equalization minutes, Supervisor Sundet second, motion was carried for both.
Treasurer Renner gave the treasures report ending in April 30, 2023, with the checking having a balance of $62,912.15; the money market having a balance of $623,369.78; and the CD having a balance of $129,807.61; with total funds ending April 30,2023 of $816,089.54. Motion was made by Supervisor Sundet to approve, Supervisor Vareberg second and motion was carried.
The following is a list of warrants presented to the board for approval:
Arvig Communications
$ 96.45
Becker County Highway Dept.
270.00
Community Co-ops of Lake Park
956.53
Frazee Rescue Squad
10,000.00
Mackner Excavating
3,650.00
MN Unemployment
573.36
Amos Mosher
1,705.00
Gerry Schram
55.02
Neal Sundet
58.95
Becky Renner
69.95
Dawn Utke
213.72
Wild Rice Electric
75.00
Deb Zachariason
55.00
Tom Graham
980.00
Minnesota Association of Townships
345.00
Jorgenson Repair
200.00
John Okeson
509.48
Total Warrants
$19,813.46
Payment of Bills: Supervisor Schram made a motion to approve, Supervisor Vareberg second, motion was carried all accept Mr. Mosher’s claim, Supervisor Schram would like him to come to the next meeting.
Road Report: John Okeson gave a Road Maintenance Report for the following: seal coat 2023 West 179th St., 170th St., Otto Zeck, East 179th St and 182 St. Crack seal will need to be done prior to seal coat.
Overlay, West Pickeral Lake Rd and 182nd. Total cost for all $60,036.00. Supervisor Sundet made a motion to accept Mr. Okeson’s quote, Supervisor Vareberg second, motion carried. Supervisor Schram was in favor of all except 182st.
Dust Control – Motion was made by Supervisor Vareberg to approve South Cotton Lake Road and Tiedeman Road, Supervisor Sundet second, motion carried. The rest of dust control was tabled to May 6th Road Tour.
Flags for road issues—Supervisor Vareberg will pick up flags.
Minimum maintenance signs are gone on West Pickeral Lake Road, Supervisor’s will take inventory on road tour.
Old Business:
ARPA Report: 2023 report has been filed. Using ARPA Manager’s expenses was not advised. Mrs. Zachariason gave some quotes through Stenerson’s for town hall. Supervisor Sundet asked what ARPA funds could be used for and Zachariason explained to Supervisor Sundet what it could be used for. Supervisor Sundet made a motion to use ARPA funds for road maintenance, Supervisor Vareberg second, motion carried.
Website—Treasure Renner and Supervisor Sundet talked with Amos. He would like to continue with working on our website.
Snowplowing—Supervisor Schram made a motion to advertise for snowplowing, Supervisor Sundet second, motion carried.
Supervisor Vareberg made a motion to add mowing, class 5 and screened gravel to the advertisement, Supervisor Sundet second, motion carried.
New Business: New quotes—Gustner will do all the blading, other misc. will be done by Gustner, Renner and Arola.
Planning and Zoning—Stenger has been approved and Matter will be next week, no objections were made.
Progress: Supervisor Sundet, as a new supervisor would like to see that we as a board discipline themselves and strive to follow through with items.
Meeting start time: 6:30 p.m. was okay with everyone.
Agenda items. Have them to Dawn the Monday prior to the meeting, meaning a week and a day in order to get the agenda posted to the website. Neal made a motion to have agenda items 10 days prior to the meeting, Supervisor Vareberg second, motion carried.
Notice was given to Supervisor Schram and Clerk Utke of the quick claim deeds on Cotton Lake. They were signed and mailed back.
Annual Budget: Supervisor Sundet would like to know budget and business plan for the next year and to be able to show citizen’s what the proposals will be for the next year. Clerk let Supervisor Sundet know what our budget is for next year. Treasure Renner was going to get information on income.
Citizen’s comments: Would like to know who he could contact or what times the meetings were. There are dates for the township meetings posted on outside bulletin. Clerk has posted new calendar for times and dates as well as township members numbers in case someone has questions.
Meeting was not adjourned and will continue on May 6th, 2023 at 9:00 am with road tour.