June Minutes 2024
ERIE TOWNSHIP
Regular Board Meeting Minutes
June 4,2024
Borar Members Present: Chairman Neal Sundet, Supervisor Kyle Vareberg & Supervisor Brett Friesen
Officers Present: Clerk Karen Eifealdt, Treasurer Becky Renner, ARPA Funds Manager Debra
Zachariason
Others Present: Hank Ludke, Dan Gustner, Matt Arola, Wes Hegna
The meeting was called to order at 6:30 p.m. by Chairman Neal Sundet
A motion was made by Supervisor Vareberg and seconded by Supervisor Friesen to approve the agenda with the addition of Wes Hegna to New Business. Motion carried.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
A motion was made by Supervisor Vareberg and seconded by Supervisor Friesen to approve the minutes of the May 7, 2024 regular meeting with no corrections or additions. Motion carried. A motion was made by Supervisor Friesen and seconded by Supervisor Sundet to approve the minutes of the May 23, 2024 special meeting with no corrections or additions. Motion carried.
Treasurer Renner gave the treasurer’s report ending May 31, 2024 with the checking account having an ending balance of $368,229.68; the Money Market account having an ending balance of $454,439.62; and the CD having an ending balance of $133,077.96 with total funds of $955,747.26. A motion was made by Supervisor Vareberg and seconded by Supervisor Sundet to approve the report as presented. Motion carried.
A motion was made by Supervisor Vareberg and seconded by Supervisor Sundet to approve payment of the bills as presented – payroll claims in the amount of $3,200.95 and expense claims in the amount of $20,026.00 for a total of $23,226.95. Motion carried.
Arvig
$96.45
Becker Co Auditor
$6.00
D & B Septic & Excavation LLC
$5,351.13
Graham, Tom
$700.00
Gustner Construction LLC
$6,307.50
Mosher, Amos
$50.00
Renner, Becky
$69.95
Stenerson-Eifealdt, Karen
$95.17
Sundet, Neal
$174.03
Zachariason, Debra
$55.00
MN Unemployment Insurance
$263.75
MN Unemployment Insurance
$2.00
Okeson, John
$492.70
Hank Ludke from Frazee introduced himself, told a little bit about himself and indicated he would be running for the District 3 County Commissioner seat and asked for our support.
Road Report: Dan Gustner provided an update on the road grading and had talked to Corbin, who indicated he would be getting started the following morning. There was some update of which roads had been crack filled and seal coated so far through observation.
The residents along Sunset View Lane had indicated that they could get by with crack filling and chip sealing on the road. For now. A motion was made by Supervisor Sundet and seconded by Supervisor Vareberg to approve having that completed. Motion carried.
There was some discussion of the procedure of removing downed trees from roadways after storms, etc. It was decided that it would be taken care of by anyone contracted by Erie Township if available or anyone who was available as needed.
There was much discussion regarding installing a speed bump at the Four Corners and the pros and cons of doing that. It was decided that the property owners offer his ideas. A motion was made by Supervisor Sundet and seconded by Supervisor Vareberg to authorize him to handle it. Motion carried.
Old Business: All three supervisors agree that all will take the training in the fall to restore the powers to local board for Appeals and Equalization. The Clerk will make a note to bring up in September.
There was a suggestion that the responsibilities should be separated among supervisors rather than share the responsibilities as previously decided and to come up with a multi year plan for township roads including a budget. Supervisor Sundet and Treasurer Renner will work on a tentative budget and bring to July meeting.
Other townships will be called to get some recommendations for a town attorney.
A motion was made by Supervisor Friesen and seconded by Supervisor Vareberg to table the new town hall project. Motion carried.
New Business: The Planning and Zoning request for Wes Jorgenson has been tabled for now due to an issue with DOT.
Wes Hegna, Assessor, discussed some issues he was having with the County Assessor’s Office and wanted to make the township board aware of what has taken place and assure the board that he has done his job and has the documentation to back it up.
Other: Deb Zachariason, ARPA funds manager reported that the annual report had been submitted and she questioned the need for her to continue. Since reporting has to continue through April of 2025, it was decided that she would continue through that final reporting date unless something changes, but she would not need to attend meetings except when there was something to report. The township will maintain her internet reimbursement through that time.
A motion was made by Supervisor Vareberg and seconded by Supervisor Sundet to adjourn the meeting and the meeting was adjourned at 7:28 p.m.
Respectfully submitted
Karen Eifealdt, Clerk