Minutes: February 14, 2023 Regular Board Meeting

Presented for approval at the March 15, 2023 Board Meeting

The meeting was called to order at 7:00 pm by Chair Michelle Meis, the Pledge of Allegiance was recited.  Supervisors present includes Stan Iskierka, Doug Johnson and via Skype was Branden Mell.  Absent was Supervisor Betsy Rising.  Clerk Mary Winter and via Skype, Treasurer Mary Dillner were also present.

Agenda

Motion to approve the agenda by Stan Iskierka, seconded by Doug Johnson.  Approved.

Board Meeting Minutes

Motion to approve the minutes by Stan Iskierka, seconded by Doug Johnson.  Approved.

Treasurer’s Report

Motion to approve the Treasurer’s Report by Doug Johnson seconded by Stan Iskierka.  Approved.

Bills

Motion to approve paying bills by Stan Iskierka, seconded by Doug Johnson.  Approved.

MATIT

  • A letter from MATIT was received telling the townships of the fraud that they experienced.  While completing the 2023 reinsurance renewal they became a victim of Business Email Compromise.  The email they received to make the wire transfer needed appeared to be from Alliant.  The funds were sent as requested.  Once discovered, to investigate the compromise, Cyber Advisors was engaged to perform a forensic analysis to identify the cause of the compromise and provide remediation recommendations.  To date, no recoveries of the misdirected reinsurance premium payment of $834,197 has occurred.  Fortunately, the Trust made the reinsurance premium payment to the correct parties without jeopardizing the operations of the Trust or affecting the financial solvency of MATIT.

Preliminary Plat – Zackary Meadows

  • No Show at this time

Open Forum

  • Nothing at this meeting.

Road Maintenance Report

  • A lot of salting and plowing the tar roads.
  • Chipping, gravel and cutting ice.
  • Occasionally here and there a tree down with the snow falling.
  • Will be out of towns for a few days.
  • Back up is in place while John is gone.
  • All intersections that are going onto busy sections are clear that I have been checked.

Committee Reports

  1. Road Committee –
  • Ordered 75 tons of granite
  1. Budget Committee –
    • Nothing at this time
  1. Contract Committee –
    • Century Link – Supervisor Branden stated we will be meeting one more time before we approve the final cost to Nessel Township to go through their cost buildup before we are ready to agree to the final number.  The goal will be to have the final numbers for the Annual Meeting in March.
    • Treasurer Mary D. read the email from Ehlers on what Nessel can possibly do with any excess funds the Township may have from the bond.  It read – Because of the public hearing that was held to give the authority to issue bonds was specifically for broadband, the cleanest thing to do here is to use the unspent, unposted to make bond payments or hold on to it and us it to predate some of the bonds at its cleanest call date.  The monies can only be used for CenturyLink.
  1. Policy Committee –
    • Nothing at this meeting.
  1. Clerk’s Township Update –
    • Clerk present monthly report of township happenings.
    • Clerk requested purchasing a new vacuum for the townhall.
      • Motion to approve new vacuum at a cost of $229.99 by Stan Iskierka, seconded by Doug Johnson.  Approved.

Old Business

  1. Furnace Quotes
    • Supervisor Doug explained that the contractor is having trouble getting the equipment estimates from his supplier due to the Federal government is always changing the efficiency ratings that they give rebates on.  The contractor is hoping to have something this week.  Clerk will add to the agenda for March.   
  1. South Bay Campground CUP
    • Supervisor Branden spoke about the email he received from the county.  Beth from the county wants to speak with the county attorney and possibly bring it up to the board at their next meeting.  Branden’s concerns are the county ordinance that describes the CUP process has right in it a clause, whereas,  if the permit holder changes their use or intensifies their use the county has the ability to do an amendment to the CUP.  If they now use the duplex rather as a residence but as a full time VRBO the owner is basically changing the usage of the property.
  1. Audit Date
  • Audit date is set for Friday March 10, 2023 at 9:00a.m.

New Business

  1. Approve Supervisor’s Report
  • Motion to approve the Supervisor’s Report by Doug Johnson, seconded by Stan Iskierka.  Approved.   
  1. Approve to Publish Audit Meeting
  • Motion to approve to publish Audit Meeting by Stan Iskierka, seconded by Doug Johnson.  Approved.     
  1. Approve to Publish Annual Meeting
  • Motion to approve to publish Annual Meeting by Doug Johnson, seconded by Stan Iskierka.  Approved.
  1. Approve Annual Meeting Agenda
  • Board requested the Clerk to call Dan Dahlberg, 5th District County Commissioner to ask if he will be attending the Annual Meeting at Nessel Township
  • Motion to approve Annual Meeting Agenda with added revision if Dan Dahlberg is attending by Stan Iskierka, seconded by Don Johnson.  Approved.
  1. Approval to Publish LBAE (Local Board of Appeal and Equalization)
  • Motion to approve publish LBAE in March by Doug Johnson, seconded by Stan Iskierka.  Approved.
  1. Approval to Publish Tree and Brush Removal Policy
  • Motion to approve publish Tree and Brush Removal Policy by Stan Iskierka, seconded by Doug Johnson.  Approved.

Follow up to MAT election

  • Only 1 person was running for the Minnesota Association of Townships District 7 seat that was vacated.
  • The meeting/election lasted a total of 6 minutes.
  • Tammy Carlson was elected for this 7-month term that will expire in August.
  • Next election will be for a 4-year term.
  1. Azalea Ave.
  • Chair Michelle gave the Board a synopsis from our attorneys in reference to the requested from residents to re-establish the north end of Azalea Ave. as a township road.  The Board then discussed information from our attorney and information provided by Frank McCrackin (a resident).  Through our attorney’s advice the township has easement rights that has been acquired by use and maintenance since 1959.   The Nessel Township board decided to take no action.
  • Based on the attorney’s recommendation the Nessel Township board has decided to do nothing at this time.  Minnesota Statue 160.05 states that if a Township has maintained the travelled portion of the road in front of the properties in question for at least six straight years after 1959, then the Township will possess road easement under Minnesota Statute 160.05 over the area it has maintained including any land that it used to store snow when it plows the road.
  • Clerk is requested to send email to Frank McCrackin with a recap of the lawyers finding and the boards decisions.

Preliminary Plat – Zackary Meadows

  • Vincent Charles arrived late.  Preliminary Plat was discussed here.
  • Motion to approve Preliminary Plat – Zackary Meadows by Branden Mell, seconded by Doug Johnson.  Approved.

Motion to adjourn by Stan Iskierka, seconded by Doug Johnson at 8:15 pm.   Approved.