September Minutes 2024
ERIE TOWNSHIP
Regular Board Meeting Minutes
September 3, 2024
Board members present: Chairman Neal Sundet, Supervisor Kyle Vareberg, Supervisor Brett
Friesen
Officers present: Clerk Karen Eifealdt, Treasurer Becky Renner
Others present: Jennifer Monson, Timothy Monson, Kari Friesen, Chris Kennedy, Donna
Kennedy, Jan Albanese, Cheri & Jim Muller, Dan Gustner, John Okeson,Dale Renner, Sue Borsted, Matt Quinell, Len Danneure, Brendan Kelly,Mark LeDoux, Matt Arola, Stephannie Knutson
The meeting was called to order at 6:30 p.m. by Chairman Sundet
A motion was made by Supervisor and seconded by Supervisor to approve the agenda as presented. Motion carried.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
A motion was made by Supervisor and seconded by Supervisor to approve the minutes of the August 6, 2024 regular meeting. Motion carried.
Treasurer Renner gave the treasurer’s report ending August 31, 2024 with the checking account having an ending balance of $99,847.14; the Money Market account having an ending balance of $759,386.76; and the CD having an ending balance of $133,077.96; with total funds in the amount of $992,311.86 . A motion was made by Supervisor and seconded by Supervisor to approve the treasurer’s report as presented. Motion carried. Treasurer Renner reported that $250,000 needed to be transferred from the money market account to the checking account to cover claims.
The claims were reviewed and approved by the Board of Supervisors – payroll claims in the amount of $4,929.99 and expense claims in the amount of $241,347.08 for a total of $246,277.07.
Anderson Pumping & Septic
$160.00
Arvig
$96.45
D & B Septic & Excavation, LLC
$12,787.94
Driveway Service
$212,787.94
Gustner Construction LLC
$7,500.00
LM Road Service
$941.50
Mosher, Amos
$50.00
Okeson, John C
$6353,70
Renner, Becky
$69.95
Runquist, Robert
$550.00
Stenerson-Eifealdt, Karen
$86.95
Sundet, Neal
$89.78
Zachariason, Debra
$55.00
Bremer Bank
$181.06
No Citizen Comments
Road Report:
John Okeson reported that the county is still waiting for the equipment to patch West Pickeral Road.
There is not a lot of gravelling left and Dale Renner will provide an update at the October meeting.
Weed Report:
The weeds have been sprayed.
Old Business:
Supervisor Friesen gave an update on the Beaver issue on 330th. Lonny Neuner had set beaver traps twice and both times, they had been tripped, so he will not be continuing to make any more attempts at trapping them.
There was a great deal of public interest in eliminating the minimum maintenance roads in Erie Township. There were many residents in attendance at the meeting in support of doing so. There was a lengthy discussion regarding NW Pickeral Lake Road. Brenden Kelly commented that he has been trying to take care of it, but because he lives in Fargo, he is unable to continue during the winter months and is looking for help from the township. Tim Monson commented on the safety concern if an ambulance, police, or other emergency vehicles needed to get through. Discussion continued with what would need to be done to be able to grade and plow the road. Dan Gustner and Dale Renner said many trees would need to be removed and the dirt built up about three feet. They also said, if it were graded now, snow could be pushed to the east side this winter. The comment was made that there may be utility lines that would need to be identified and easements gotten from the five landowners it would affect. The Board was in favor of moving forward and Dan Gustner and Dale Renner thought getting the west side done and cleared before winter would be do-able and will get an estimate to the Board.
The other two minimum maintenance roads were briefly discussed. The one on 330th has a steep ditch and some wash out. It is passable with a plow. It will be looked at.
The issues with our assessor appears to be resolved, so the supervisors agreed there is no need for a meeting with him at this time.
New Business:
Tim Monson, former president of the Pickeral Lake Association, said that the sign for the Pickeral Lake Watershed needs to be updated and replaced and was looking to the township on clarification on the post and the placement of the sign. After a brief discussion, the board informed them to so what they wanted to do, so they will use the same post and placement and will get a new sign.
Chairman Sundet reported updates from the District meeting that he and Treasurer Becky Renner had attended. He reported on upcoming meetings and the discussion of annexation of township land by cities. Also, by June 0f 2026, township websites must say “.gov” in their website address. When it comes to that, our current website manager would not want to continue. He also reported on the incident that happened a few years ago when the MAT server was hacked and $800,000 taken. They are getting close to identifying the individual however will probably not get the money back.
Clerk Karen Eifealdt brought up the road certification report that needs to be completed by November 1st. Since there have been no changes to the township roads, Chairman Sundet signed the report and the clerk will get it turned in.
Kare Friesen requested a liquor license transfer for Curly’s. It was granted and was signed by Chairman Sundet and Clerk Eifealdt.
Other:
Clerk Eifealdt reported that Erie Township had 25 Absentee voters and 203 in person voters during the Primary held on August 13th. The election went perfectly and much more quickly with the use of the new Poll Pads.
No answer regarding the liability insurance and will be placed on next month’s agenda.
Clerk Eifealdt reported that online training was open for the Local Board oa Appeal & Equalization.
All three supervisors are planning to take the training and needs to be completed before February 1st, 2025.
There being no further business, a motion was made by Supervisor Vareberg and seconded by Supervisor Sundet to adjourn the meeting and the meeting was adjourned at 7:18 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Karen Eifealdt, Clerk