July Minutes 2024
ERIE TOWNSHIP
Regular Board Meeting Minutes
July 2, 2024
Board Members Present: Chairman Neal Sundet, Supervisor Kyle Vareberg, Supervisor Brett Friesen
Officers Present: Clerk Karen Eifealdt, Treasurer Becky Renner
Others Present: Mike Hanson, James Larsen, Chris Kennedy
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 Sundet to approve the agenda with the addition of Jim Larson. Motion carried.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
A motion was made by Supervisor Friesen and seconded by Supervisor Vareberg to approve the minutes of the June 4, 2024 regular meeting. Motion carried
Treasurer Renner gave the treasurer’s report ending June 30th, 2024 with the checking account having an ending balance of $560,788.70; the Money Market account having an ending balance of $456,441.62; and the CD having an ending balance of $133,077.96 with total funds in the amount of $1,150,308.28 as of June 30, 2024. Supervisor Friesen made a motion to approve the treasurer’s report as given which was seconded by Supervisor Sundet. Motion carried.
A motion was made by Supervisor Vareberg and seconded by Supervisor Friesen to approve payment of the bills as presented – payroll claims in the amount of $2,942.39 and expense claims in the amount of $50,342.46 for a total of $23,226.95. Motion carried.
Arvig
$96.45
Corbin Excavating Inc
$33,835.00
D & B Septic & Excavation LLC
$7,162.29
Gustner Construction, LLC
$6,750.00
M-R Sign Company, Inc
$86.90
Internal Revenue Service
$1,970.10
MN Dept of Revenue
$167.66
Mosher, Amos
$50.00
Renner, Becky
$69.95
Stenerson-Eifealdt, Karen
$86.95
Sundet, Neal
$32.16
Zachariason, Debra
$55.00
Mike Hanson, Detroit Lakes Fire Chief, gave a report on the Detroit Lakes Fire Department including the update on firefighters, equipment, and their operating budget. He also outlined changes that may occur including, increased costs, should the state legislature pass the law they are considering. The public comment timeline to make any comments regarding this law is July 22nd.
Jim Larson asked about putting in a culvert and driveway on the property he purchased to gain his own access. He was granted permission by the board and was reminded that the township no longer provided the culvert.
Road Report:
Crack filling has been completed as has the first roadside mowing. The Four Corners project is looking good. The speed bump put in at the Four Corners should be painted. Gravelling has started on 330th. Chip sealing Pickeral Lake Road was also discussed. Chairman Sundet presented a gravel plan for Erie Township, and suggested that the board re-check the roads before finalizing. The total estimated cost for graveling in 2024 is $213,120 with an estimated cost per mile of $14,800.
Sunset Lane Road will be looked at next year
Chairman Sundet shared that he had received a lot of positive feedback from residents regarding the condition of the roads.
Weed Report:
Chairman Sundet had taken a weed tour on June 11th with the county weed inspector, Brandon Gill, and presented a list of areas that we need to keep an eye on. Further scouting will be done in two weeks when plants are flowering. If weeds aren’t controlled before flowering, it’s getting too late. L&M will be spraying.
Old Business:
The Tower Road project will be projected to begin in the spring of ’25. The suggestion was made with all supervisors in agreement that the project be put out for bids now. Supervisor Vareberg contacted Burlington Township during the discussion to see if they would be in agreement with doing so. They indicated that they were so a motion was made by Supervisor Vareberg and seconded by Supervisor Sundet to put the Tower Road project out for bids in conjunction with Burlington and Lakeview Townships and to give John Okeson the authority to complete the bid process. Motion carried.
On the 305th road project, Supervisor Vareberg had talked to Jona Jacobson, Becker County Maintenance Supervisor about the use of C Oil. It is highly recommended that when you fully re-claim a road used in our climate you should use C oil on the road bed which will prevent cracking. The cost of doing so on 305 Ave would be in the amount on $13,761. A motion was made by Supervisor Vareberg and seconded by Supervisor Sundet to authorize adding C oil to the 305th Ave project at the cost of $13,761. Motion carried.
The supervisors were in agreement that for the time being, hiring a town attorney would not be pursued and we would rely on the MAT attorneys for legal advice.
There was some discussion on the minimum maintenance roads and the section that in the past has been maintained by a resident who has since passed away and the question of the township possibly taking back that part of the road. Common practice is to not take a road unless it meets specs and if it would be worth pursuing. The suggestion was made that possibly Dan Gustner and Dale Renner could come up with a approximate cost to do so.
The culvert on 330th was discussed. It had been replaced last year and has been plugged twice this year possibly due to beaver activity. Supervisor Friesen will talk to someone about checking it out.
Supervisor Sundet commented that ditch mowing and weed spraying could possibly be combined and done by one contractor.
The Board had received a letter regarding our assessor and the work that he has done for Erie Township and the issues that have been noted by the Becker County Assessor’s office. It was suggested that the board discuss those issues with Wes Hegna, Assessor.
Because, there has been several near accidents at the intersection of the Pickeral Lake public access, the suggestion was made to put up stop signs at the intersection. Someone will contact Jim Olson at the County Highway Department to see if permission and approval is needed to do so.
Other:
A thank you from the Frazee Fire & Rescue was read by Clerk Karen Eifealdt.
Clerk Eifealdt also reported that according to the Minnesota State Demographic Center, the population estimate of Erie Township is 1,717 and the household estimate is 689, as of April 1st, 2023.
With 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 7:28 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Karen Eifealdt, Clerk