Special Board Meeting April 2024
Erie Township Special Board Meeting
April 30, 2024 Minutes
Board members present: Chairman Sundet, Supervisor Vareberg, and Supervisor Friesen
Officers present: Clerk Karen Eifealdt and Treasurer Becky Renner
Others present: John Okeson, Dan Gustner, Robb Larson, Ann Newgard-Larson, Matt Arola
The meeting was called to order by Supervisor Sundet at 6:30 p.m.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Chairman Sundet presented a map drawn up based on the discussions that took place during the road tour. Those roads highlighted in pink are roads that the board thought should be graveled or spot graveled this year and those highlighted in orange are those the board thought should receive dust road stabelization.
Gravelling was discussed first discussing the roads that were marked on the map. There was discussion on which roads had been done last year. The point was also made that the gravelling on the roads needing it the most should be done as soon as possible before the dust control is put on. Residents Robb and Ann Larson expressed a concern regarding the minimum maintenance road on SW Pickerel Lake Road. It had been maintained by a resident who recently passed away and his wife was worried about keeping it up. They gave the board her number to possibly contact her in the near future. Supervisor Vareberg made a motion to approve the gravel plan as presented on the map. It was seconded by Supervisor Friesen and the motion carried.
John Okeson talked about the benefits of dust control in keeping the gravel stabilized. After some discussion, the suggestion was made to maybe experiment with not doing dust control on a road that had been sprayed previously and just add gravel. The comment was made that the new gravel added would be lost. After considerable discussion, the following was suggested:
NE Pickerel Lake Road
305th Ave
170th St.
330th Ave south of Hwy 34
S Cotton Lake Road and 335th Ave - Half rate
SW Pickerel Lake Road is interested in cost sharing. There was discussion on what that would look like. Suggestion was made that 1000 or more would be 50/50 and under 1000 would e 75/25, The Larsons gave the board some contact information for the Pickerel Lake Association. A motion was made by Supervisor Sundet and seconded by Supervisor Vareberg to approve the plan for road stabilization. Motion carried.
John Okeson presented his recommendations and estimates on the bituminous roads in Erie Township. After reviewing and discussing the list of the roads recommended for crack seal and sealcoat in 2024, a motion was made by Supervisor Sundet and seconded by Supervisor Vareberg to complete this list of projects and to give John the authority to work with Jonah Jacobson at the county. Motion carried.
After reviewing and discussing 305th Ave., a motion was made by Supervisor Sundet and seconded by Supervisor Vareberg to give John Okeson the authority to write up the specs of the project and to put out for bids. Motion carried.
After reviewing and discussing 182nd St, a motion was made by Supervisor Sundet and seconded by Supervisor Vareberg to give John Okeson the authority to get some quotes for that project. Motion carried.
After reviewing and discussing Sunset View Rd, it was decided that this project would be put on hold for now and be looked at in the next year or two.
On W Pickerel Lake Road, the asphalt will just be patched for this year. There was some discussion of how that could be done and by whom. John Okeson made the suggestion to talk to Jonah Jacobson at the county so see if they could use the air patcher for time and material.
Plans will be made to get together with Burlington and Lakeview townships to talk about Tower Road.
A motion was made by Supervisor Vareberg and seconded by Supervisor Sundet to adjourn the meeting and the meeting was adjourned at 7:40 p.m.