February Minutes 2025
ERIE TOWNSHIP
Regular Board Meeting Minutes
February 4, 2025
Board members present: Chairman Neal Sundet (via Teams); Supervisor Kyle Vareberg,
(Vice-Chair), Supervisor Brett Friesen
Officers present: Clerk Karen Eifealdt, Treasurer Becky Renner
Others present: Amber Howdahz, Aaron Aslese, Kari Friesen, Tom Thiel, Chris Kennedy, Dale Renner, Dan Gustner, John Okeson
The meeting was called to order at 6:30 p.m. by Supervisor Vareberg (acting chair).
After reviewing the agenda, a motion was made by Supervisor Sundet and seconded by Supervisor Friesen to approve the agenda with no changes or additions. Motion carried.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
After reviewing the minutes of the January 7, 2025 regular meeting minutes, a motion was made by Supervisor Friesen and seconded by Supervisor Sundet to approve the minutes of the meeting. Motion carried.
Treasurer Renner gave the treasurer’s report ending January 31st, 2025 with the checking account having an ending balance of $120,839.28; the Money Market account having an ending balance of $516,418.81; and the CD having an ending balance of $141,807.55 making total funds on January 31, 2025 $779,065.64. A motion was made by Supervisor Sundet and seconded by Supervisor Vareberg to approve the Treasurer’s report as presented. Motion carried.
The Board reviewed the expense claims as presented. Due to an issue with the accounting program, payroll claims could not be processed. A motion was made by Supervisor Vareberg and seconded by Supervisor Sundet to approve all pending payroll claims (total amount to be added when available) and all expense claims in the amount of $6,710.17. Motion carried.
Arvig
$96.45
Column Software
$91.16
Gustner Construction LLC
$5065.00
Minnesota Association of Townships
$959.44
Mosher, Amos
$50.00
Renner, Becker
$69.95
Stenerson-Eifealdt, Karen
$86.95
Wild Rice Cooperative, Inc
$100.00
Zachariason, Debra
$55.00
Bremer Bank
$136.22
Road Report:
Supervisor Sundet gave an update on the minimum maintenance road on NW Pickeral Lake. He shared that all the Suve family members were on board with only one other landowner who was open to the idea but wanted more information. Supervisor Sundet suggested that some of the next steps might be to explain what is to be done, acquire the road specs, then put it out for bids. Supervisor Vareberg had contacted Troy Gilchrest who questioned if it were possible to be done in a way with only one legal description if everyone was in agreement and would sign off.
There was a brief discussion regarding mailboxes that had been damaged or knocked down during snowplowing. Supervisor Vareberg had contacted the county, who will do the replacements following the procedure laid out in the Snow & Ice Control Policy. Posts will be replaced with swing posts as approved by the County. The addresses of those that need to be replaced will be sent to the County.
Old Business:
Dennis from Driveway Service was invited to attend the meeting to address the issues regarding 305th Ave, but was not in attendance. There was some discussion about looking at what could be done differently to avoid or prevent issues like this in the future.
An ad was placed in the Detroit Lakes Tribune asking for bids on the Tower Road project. A meeting has been set for Thursday, February 13th at 6:00 to open and review the four bid packets received so far. The Tower Road project will be placed on the March agenda to make the decision to proceed or not.
New Business:
Representatives from the four businesses – Lakes Corner Liquor, Four Corners, Fishbowl, and D.L. Recreation Area – were present to get township approval for liquor license renewals. After receiving the paperwork from each, a motion was made by Supervisor Vareberg and seconded by Supervisor Sundet to approve all four liquor license requests. Motion carried. Each was signed by Vice-Chair Vareberg and Clerk Karen Eifealdt.
Clerk Eifealdt presented the Resolution for the Snow & Ice Control Policy which had been reviewed and approved at the January meeting. A motion was made by Supervisor Vareberg and seconded by Supervisor Sundet to approve the resolution. Motion carried.
A Resolution to restore Local Board of Appeals & Equalization to Erie Township was presented by Clerk Eifealdt. A motion was made by Supervisor Sundet and seconded by Supervisor Friesen to approve the resolution. Motion carried.
Jess Greene was not in attendance, but Supervisors expressed an interest in hearing about his Cannibus business plan.
Other:
Clerk Eifealdt shared information from the Becker County Association of Townships upcoming meeting on March 27th at 7:00 p.m.
Clerk Eifealdt gave a brief update on the upcoming township election on March 11th Voting will be from 5-8 p.m. The annual meeting will follow at 8:15 p.m.
There being no further business, a motion was made by Supervisor Sundet and seconded by Supervisor Vareberg to adjourn the meeting and the meeting was adjourned at 7:03 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Karen Eifealdt, Clerk
Addition:
Thursday, February 6th
Payroll claims in the amount of $2,236.28 were processed and checks signed.
Total of expense claims and payroll claims were in the amount of $8,946.45.