Minutes: February 11, 2020 Regular Board Meeting

Presented for approval at the March 11, 2020 Board Meeting

     

February meeting was called to order at 7:00 pm by Michelle Meis with the Pledge of Allegiance.  Supervisors present included, Brandon Mell, Betsy Rising, John Paitl and Jared Landon. Clerk Stan Iskierka and Deputy Clerk Kelli Storck were also present. Not present, Treasurer Mary Dillner.

Agenda (Additions or Changes)

Motion by Paitl seconded by Landon to approve Agenda.  Approved.

Approve Minutes

Motion by Mell seconded by Paitl to approve January Minutes. Approved.

                                                                          

Treasurer’s Report

Motion by Landon seconded by Paitl to approve Treasurer’s Report. Approved.

Bills

Motion by Rising seconded by Paitl to approve paying bills.  Approved.

  • DNR Acquisition – The Wild Life Manager with the DNR informed the Board that the DNR is in the process of acquiring a 34-acre parcel (SE corner of East Rush Lake) on Evergreen which will be used as public hunting land. The DNR does pay a PILT tax for this property.
  • Mark Holl (Holl Construction) (850 512th St) – Requesting approval of a preliminary plat of five 6-acre lots out of a 30.12 – acre tract.

Motion by Landon seconded by Rising to approve the preliminary plat to divide into five 6-acre lots. Approved.

Variance

  • Tom Saari (49505 Adonis Avenue) – Requesting a variance to build an additional detached 60 x 40 pole building and be allowed more than the maximum square footage of accessory storage floor area in the RRI Zoning District on his 64-acre property.

Motion by Landon seconded by Mell to approve building an additional pole building on his property. Approved.

  • Kevin Fruetel (50380 Bayside Avenue – Requesting a variance to put two new holding tanks in the right of way.

Motion by Landon seconded by Paitl to approve the installation of two holding tanks. Approved.

Open Forum

  • Michael & Kateri Osbeck (51360 Berry Avenue) – Requesting permission to combine two 75’ parcels into one parcel to build on.

Motion by Landon seconded by Paitl to allow the combining of two parcels. Approved.

Maintenance Report

  • Plowed
  • Plowed/Cut ice on the dirt roads
  • Cleared paved roads
  • Salted roads

Road Committee

  • 515th – Rising received a call from the Sheriff’s Office regarding the DNR Road/515th, she let them know the road is owned by DNR and they maintain their own road.
  • Deerwood – The resident did move his mailbox away from the turn-around as requested by the Board.

   Old Business

  • Annual Meeting Agenda – Approval needed for the 2020 Annual Meeting Agenda. Stan will check with the Township attorney if we need the approval from the residents for the $175,000 bond or expenditure for Anchor Avenue SSD. Mell and Landon will try to meet with CenturyLink and Ehlers before the annual meeting to discuss a timeline for Broadband so that we have more information to pass on to the residents at the meeting.

Motion by Rising seconded by Landon to approve the Annual Meeting Agenda. Approved.

  • Supervisor’s Report – Approval needed for the Supervisor’s Report. A correction for the General Fund from $68,583 to $68,354. Mell asked what questions did the residents have last year at the annual meeting? The questions were as follows: The residents were confused on how to read the budget and they also wanted to know how much per residence would their property taxes go up in regards to the levy. This year, the budget report will be simplified so it is easier to understand and taxes will go up approximately $54.00 average per residence.

Motion by Landon seconded by Rising to approve the Supervisor’s Report. Approved.

  • Audit Minutes – Approval needed for Nessel Township Board of Audit Report 2019 Budget.

Motion by Mell seconded by Landon to approve the 2019 Board of Audit Minutes. Approved.

  • Public Notice – Approval needed to post and publish the Annual Meeting Public Notice.

Motion by Landon seconded by Mell to approve the Public Notice. Approved.

  • Annual Newsletter – The Board reviewed the annual newsletter that will be sent to the residents. Michelle will add information in the existing newsletter in regards to Broadband as follows: The grant was approved, a timeline needs to be established, notices will be sent out regarding public meetings and that there will be a vote by registered voters in Nessel Township to determine if we go forward with this project or not.
  • Broadband – Mell was in contact with Kirstin from CenturyLink in regards to the Township being awarded the entire $1,657,550 grant for Broadband. Mell will contact Kirstin to set up a meeting along with Landon to discuss a timeline for going forward with Broadband. Meis suggested that at this meeting, that they also set a timeline for Public Meeting.
  • Anchor Avenue SSD – A few residents voiced their opinions/concerns and asked a few questions regarding implementing a Subordinate Service District (SSD). Randy Chilson (The representative for the SSD) submitted to the Board, a petition to start the SSD, which is signed by at least 51% of the residents within this Service District. Anchor Ave logistics. Mell asked about the next course of action to this process. Stan said he will review the petition to see that it is legal, he will talk to the Township attorney about the process and to see if we need the residence approval for the $175,000, it will be advertised and then there is a 30-day waiting period. We need to notify Knife River if we want to proceed by the cut-off date in April.

New Business

  • Blue Heron/482nd St. – Stan received an email from Fish Lake Township regarding the recommended maintenance on Blue Heron/482nd. They would like to discuss completely removing the old pavement (which is about 14-years old) which we fixed last year for a cost of $28,000, and they want to put down new pavement in 2022 with a price of $320,000. Mell responded to Fish Lake Township and stated that after the maintenance that was performed in the fall of 2019, it seems a little premature to plan a total reclaim and reconstruct for 2022 and asked if they have considered an overlay or a chip seal option. Stan will coordinate a meeting for him, Michelle and Fish Lake Township to discuss further. Mell will put together a planned schedule timeline to include estimated cost for our blacktop reconstruction/maintenance. This information can then be shown to Fish Lake Township and the Board can start having discussions on this plan.
  • Board of Appeal – The Board of Appeal is sometime in April. We need 3 Board members at the meeting. The Board will leave it up to the County as to what day and time they want to schedule us.

Motion by Landon seconded by Paitl to adjourn at 8:50 pm.   Approved.