July Minutes 2023
Erie Township
Minutes of Regular Board Meeting
July 11, 2023
Board Members Present: Chairperson Gerald Schram, Supervisor’s Kyle Vareberg and Neal Sundet
Officers Present: Clerk, Dawn Utke and Treasurer, Becky Renner
Others Present: John and Margaret Peterka, Dale Renner, Tim Miller, Dan Gustner, Sandy
Torgusson and Matt Arola.
Chairperson Schram called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.
Supervisor Sundet made a motion to move Citizen’s Comments under Payment of Bills and approve the agenda, Supervisor Vareberg second, motion carried.
Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Supervisor Sundet made the motion to approve the June 6th meeting minutes, Supervisor Vareberg second and motion was carried.
Treasurer Renner gave the treasure’s report ending June 30th, 2023 with the checking account having a balance of $227,914.34; the money market having a balance of $621,408.48; and the CD having a balance of $133,077.96 with a total balance of all accounts at $982,400.78. Supervisor Vareberg motioned to approve, Supervisor Sundet second, motion carried.
The Following is a list of warrants presented to the board for approval:
Arvig. $96.45
Community Co-ops. $200.13
City of Detroit Lakes. $24,301.50
Corbin Excavating $29,303.16
D & B Septic & Excavation. $8,186.05
Driveway Service. $26,077.00
Forum Communications. $60.07
Gustner Construction. $9,005.00
Internal Revenue. $2,219.64
Mosher, Amos. $50.00
Okeson, John. $680.95
Renner, Becky. $69.95
Sundet, Neal. $22.27
Utke, Dawn. $76.25
Wild Rice Electric. $75.00
Zachariason, Deb $55.00
Payment of bills: Chairperson Schram made the motion to approve, Supervisor Vareberg second, motion was carried.
Citizen’s Comments: Mr. Miller had concerns about the ARPA funds and no follow through and why we are paying for dust control on some roads and others have to pay for theirs. Another concern was why we treated the end of 335th when it is nothing but cow pasture. Supervisor Vareberg spoke stating that traffic speed, traffic count, and through roads are what determines why they chose to chloride certain roads. Supervisor Schram stated it was not so much for dust control but for road stabilization. Supervisor Sundet explained that there was a threat of losing any ARPA funds that were not used. own l. Supervisor Vareberg stated we used ARPA Funds on approved items rather than the townhall. Sandy Torgusson expressed her concerns as well. She wanted to know why a survey was not done in regards to the follow up from the first ARPA meeting and also expressed the disregard to dust control on some roads. She stated a lot of citizens were under the impression that all roads were going to be done. She also asked what constitutes their decision as they have 3 businesses that are on their road. Supervisor Vareberg told her he was working with MN DOT as they have the equipment to monitor traffic. By next year they should have the data that is needed. Supervisor Sundet also stated that they are working on a budget for roads and what they want to see get done.
Road Report: Tower Road – it was discussed that each township would pay 50/50. The meeting was adjourned at 6:30 p.m. Tower Road will be tabled until next meeting. Clerk Utke will reach out to Burlington Clerk to get meeting minutes. 205th street widening has been tabled Supervisor Vareberg is going to check with Fenske first and then a local attorney to see what are options are.
Old Business: ARPA-we have $98,604.43 left. The snow plow will be coming off of it as well as mowing.
Dust Control—sign’s tabled
Business Plan, Supervisor Sundet and Treasurer Renner are working on the plan. It may take a year to two years but once established it should make the decisions easier.
Patching Pickeral Lake Road—Supervisor Vareberg made a motion that he will contact Jonah from the county as well as driveway services to see if they can do the patch work as well as crack sealing. Whoever is cheaper they will have them do it. Supervisor Sundet second, motion carried.
Storm cleanup—Supervisor Schram made a motion to clean up the root ball on Peterka’s land, Supervisor Vareberg second, motion carried.
Townhall— Supervisor Vareberg needs a base number to start the RFP. Supervisor Sundet motioned to start with $300,000, Supervisor Vareberg second, motion carried.
New Business: Recovering gravel on the shoulders, Mr. Gustner explained he was trying to get a better crown going. He will clean up the gravel.
Tower Road agreement—notifying citizens and Mr. Fenske—tabled.
Planning and Zoning—Hokenson’s withdrew their request, Supplemental Plat Approval for Priority Storage for Swangler, there were no issues. Supervisor Sundet moved to approve, Supervisor Vareberg second and motion carried.
Sale of Snow Plows—Supervisor Schram will check with Chadbourne, Clerk Utke will look in the old clerk’s records and Dale Renner will look in the actual glove compartments for titles. Supervisor Sundet made a motion to get the snow plows to Auction Time, Supervisor Vareberg second, motion carried.
Use of email—we will continue to communicate via emails to prepare for upcoming meetings.
Supervisor Vareberg made the motion to adjourn, Supervisor Sundet second, motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 7:50 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted
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Clerk, Dawn Utke Chair Gerry Schram