Minutes: June 13, 2023. Regular Board Meeting

Presented for approval at the July 11, 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, Branden Mell, and Doug Johnson. Clerk Mary Winter, Heather Sward, and Treasurer Mary Dillner were also present.  Absent: Supervisor Betsy Rising.

Agenda

Motion to approve the agenda by Brandon Mell, seconded by Doug Johnson.  Approved.

  • Request to change/move “Swearing in New Clerk” after special board meeting minutes.

Board Meeting Minutes

Motion to approve the minutes by Brandon Mell, seconded by Doug Johnson.  Approved.

Special Meeting Minutes – PT Clerk

Motion to approve the minutes by Stan Iskierka, seconded by Brandon Mell.  Approved.

  • Oath of Office for Clerk by taken by Heather Sward.   

Treasurer’s Report

Motion to approve the Treasurer’s Report by Brandon Mell. seconded by Doug Johnson.  Approved.

Bills

Motion to approve paying presented bills by Brandon Mell. seconded by Doug Johnson.  Approved.

Banking Update: Treasurer, Mary Dillner is looking for the board’s direction on how to best protect our Blacktop Money Market account and CDs.  Currently, the FDIC protects up to $250,000 by Federal Identification Number within the confines of one bank and we have approximately $900.000 unprotected at this time.  We have been protected through security pledges in the past.   Now that our General Fund is under $300,000, we have recently released the security pledge, however, other accounts are over $250,000.   Specifically, the Blacktop Fund is over $300,000, and we need to ensure that those funds are protected.  The following options have been presented by Treasurer, Mary Dillner:

  1. Open an account with a second bank to move Blacktop funds.
  2. Invest the funds with Ehlers, in addition to the funds we already have with Ehlers.  Ehlers would provide a higher interest rate. It would be a max of 10 days to withdraw funds.
  3. Use IntraFi and CDR’s through Unity Bank. IntraFi is a network of financial institutions where funds are divided into amounts under the standard FDIC insurance maximum of $250,000 and then are placed into deposit accounts at multiple, FDIC-insured banks. Funds would be accessible in the same timeframe as our current funds are.  All funds would be accounted for on one statement.

Motion was made to move the balance of our Blacktop Money Market account over to and invest with Ehlers as recommended by our Treasurer by Brandon Mell, seconded by Stan Iskierka.  Approved.

  • We will revisit this topic at the July 2023 meeting.
  • Updated bank signature cards were completed and Mary Dillner will bring them to the bank.

Open Forum

  • None at this meeting.

Road Maintenance Report

  • Muddy Gap Hollow has been performing regular maintenance and grading of the roads.
  • A culvert was installed and others have been fixed.
  • We have four (4) culverts ordered for replacement.
  • It has been determined that two (2) of the culverts to be replaced on Beech Road have been damaged during CenturyLink work.  John Sutcliff has contacted CenturyLink and the engineer and will follow up on this.  Photos have been taken for evidence.
  • There was a resident complaint that gravel hauling trucks were speeding on Clover Trail.   Law enforcement was involved and requested that John ask employees to slow down and obey the speed limit, in which John complied.
  • Ditch mowing has started.
  • John asked for permission to order six (6) tires through the state bid.  To qualify for reduced state bid pricing, the purchase and payment need to be processed through the township.  John would promptly pay Nessel Township upon receiving an invoice.  Payment would be made prior to Nessel Township having to make payment.

Motion was made to allow Muddy Gap Hollow to order six (6) grader tires utilizing the state tire pricing and that the invoice be issued to Nessel Township. Muddy Gap Hollow is to submit a check to Nessel Township for the invoiced amount prior to the treasurer making the payment by Brandon Mell, seconded by Doug Johnson.  Approved.

Committee Reports

  1. Road Committee –
  • Chip sealing is almost finished.
  • Crack sealing is almost finished.
  • Dust Control: On Bayside Avenue, the south end, there is a dispute among neighbors.  Twenty (20) residents want chloride treatment and are willing to pay for the treatment in full, four (4) residents do not want treatment.  It was confirmed that the township/road committee can chloride a road at their discretion, regardless of the resident’s request.   The concerns are the environmental impact of the chloride to the lake.  It was noted that going forward, dust control is going to be an issue, state-wide.  Alternative methods were discussed such as:
    • Man-made chemicals/eco-friendly, Stan has researched this and found that it can only be shipped in 250-gallon sizing and is 3x the price.
    • Beet juice
    • Water (cannot be taken from the lake without a DNR permit)
  • Can residents get a private chloride treatment?  Yes, with township permission.
  • Will areas of road get graded and touched up if/when we get rain? Yes, dependent on the road.   Clover Trail recently had new gravel applied and it is not set yet.   Muddy Gap Hollow will work on roads when they can, dependent on weather conditions.
  • A 2023, 4-wheel drive, 5.7, Dodge Ram new truck was purchased (board approved ______) from John Hirsch Motors in Cambridge with ARPA funds.  The purchase included a light, running boards, and a bed liner.   It will need to be lettered with Nessel Township.   The need for a snow plow was discussed.
  1. Budget Committee –
  • Nothing at this meeting.
  1. Contract Committee –
  • Confirmed that Nessel Township now has a signed modification to extend the Muddy Gap Hollow contract.  We are currently in year three (3) and will have the option for a fourth year. We will then have to bid again after year four (4).
  • Shorewood Sanitary District (SSD):  Michelle Meis and Brandon Mell met with the SSD board members, Rich Stork (President) and Tina Heidelberger (Secretary) along with two others to discuss the snowplowing issue at hand.  It was discussed that our attorney has recommended that the agreement set up in 2004 is not reasonable and that we would like to discontinue the plowing of Shorewood.  Currently, SSD is paying Nessel Township the Midco royalties in exchange for plowing and it has been determined that this is not reasonable compensation for the service.   They have accepted that it is a private road and they need to take some responsibility for the plowing costs.  The state statute was provided to SSD that disallows the township from plowing private roads for less than the actual cost of plowing (MN Statute 160.21 Subd 2).  SSD is going to get pricing from private contractors and then request to meet again. At this time, we are expecting SSD to reach back out to us to set up a meeting. As of now, this is the Township’s position on the matter.  If we do not hear from them by our July meeting, we will send them a letter.
  1. Policy Committee –
  • Nothing at this meeting.
  1. Clerk’s Township Update –
  • The Clerk presented monthly report of the township happenings.
    • Ordered signs (M-R Sign Co), Training with Heather Sward for the  Clerk position, letters were sent to Mr. Blaisdell and Mr. Paschke, and we are working with GeekSquad for printer issues, we may need to purchase a new printer if they can’t be resolved.

Motion to approve the purchase of a color, laser printer by Michelle Meis, seconded by Brandon Mell.  Approved.

Old Business

  1. Painting Townhall: Bids were received from:

Compiled Quotes – Town Hall Improvements June 2023

 

Company

2023 Quote

Notes

 

1

Lindstrom Painting

$       2,780.00

Same Color – 1 coat

 

$       4,555.00

Different Color – 2 coats

2

Professional Painting Service

$       2,600.00

Complete interior wall repainting to include all rooms material and labor. Color per owner’s selection.

  • A warm cream color is preferred.
  • We have received $1,500.00 from the RLIA to use towards painting.

Motion to accept Professional Painting Service’s quote in the amount of $2,600.00 by Stan Iskierka, seconded by Doug Johnson.  Approved.

  1. Flooring Townhall: Bids were received from:

Compiled Quotes – Town Hall Improvements June 2023

 

Company

2023 Quote

Notes

 

1

Giese Carpet Flooring

$    36,585.43

Cortec Pro Plus has a wood Plank visual commercial flooring.   The floors quoted are 20 mil wear surfaces so they are very scratch resistant. Suggest making sure that they we clean the floor regularly in order to remove dirt and sand and to place felt buffers on the bottoms of all chair legs in order to help against scratching.  Nessel Township must temporarily remove Culligan tank and toilets.  Giese does not rehook up plumbing.

 

$    44,257.93

Cortec Stone has a Tile visual commercial flooring.  The floors quoted are 20 mil wear surfaces so they are very scratch resistant. Suggest making sure that they we clean the floor regularly in order to remove dirt and sand and to place felt buffers on the bottoms of all chair legs in order to help against scratching.  Nessel Township must temporarily remove Culligan tank and toilets.  Giese does not rehook up plumbing.

2

Thomco Carpet & Blinds

$    27,461.50

Vinyl Plank – Nessel Township must temporarily remove Culligan tank and toilets (Review hand written document attached to bid)

 

$    22,629.10

VCT Tile – Nessel Township must temporarily remove Culligan tank and toilets – Add $1,800.00 for 3 coats of finish from another supplier (I do not have quoted for this yet).  (Review hand written document attached to bid)

3

FlorDek Coatings

$    14,158.95

Epoxy – Website for color flakes torginol.com.  – Nessel Township must temporarily remove Culligan tank.  Toilet does NOT need to be removed.    Nessel Township is responsible for disposal of carpet and tiles.

4

Permanent Coating Solutions

$    13,900.00

Epoxy – Nessel Township must temporarily remove Culligan tank.   Tiles will not be removed, will go over tiles in kitchen and bathrooms.  Toilet does NOT need to be removed.   This is a very durable system but it never hurts to put rubber ends on chair legs and table legs. Office roller chair you should put a plastic protector.  Add allowance of $750 to remove and replace all wood trim if needed.

4

Chamberlin Hardwood Flooring

$    35,581.25

Vinyl planking – main room, conference room and office.  Remove glued down carpet with subfloor prep.   Customer to have dumpster on site to dispose of waste materials. Could not
see subfloor due to current flooring.   **Note: removal of tile is dependent on asbestos.

  • It was determined that we want to go with vinyl/wood planking flooring.  Those quotes were reviewed.
  • Noted that we will need to address our chairs and tables to accommodate vinyl plank flooring.

Motion to proceed with reflooring utilizing Chamberlin Hardwood Flooring’s quote in the amount of $35,581.25 by Brandon Mell, seconded by Doug Johnson.  Approved.

Motion to select the color 142 Basketry by Brandon Mell, seconded by Stan Iskierka. Approved.

    • Discussed the possibility of asbestos in the tile, we will discuss once sample is tested.  Funds are available in ARPA funds if remediation of asbestos is required.
    • Clerk Heather Sward will contact the approved vendors.

New Business

  1. Amble Avenue Contract for Professional Services
  • Doug Johnson recapped the contract that was submitted from Widseth Smith Nolting & Assoc., Inc. to provide professional land survey services on part of Government Lots 5 and 6, of Section 28, Township 37, Range 22, Chisago County.   The scope of work would include staking the northerly 100 feet of Amble Avenue according to the existing documented right-of-way limits.  The purpose of this survey is to establish a hammerhead turnaround for future use.   The fee for this service is $1,500.00 and they are approximately three (3) weeks out from the time of acceptance.  It was noted that the adjoining property owners will need to be notified of the plan once staked.

Motion to accept the provided proposal from Widseth in the amount of $1,500.00 to stake the last 100’ feet of Amble Avenue by Brandon Mell, seconded by Stan Iskierka.  Approved.

  • Doug Johnson will contact them to proceed, and Clerk Heather Sward will email a signed copy of the bid.
  1. Chisago County Senior Center (CCSC) Contract Request
  • The Chisago County Senior Center in North Branch has presented a request for a service contract in the amount of $200.00 to support their organization.   The CCSC provides activities for Chisago County senior citizens.  Nessel Township is not allowed to donate funds and considers this a donation.   We will not proceed with the requested contract.  No motion is needed.
  1. Nessel Demographics
  • The Minnesota State Demographic Center provided annual population and household estimates as required by law.  As of April 1, 2022, Nessel Township was estimated to have a population of 1,961 and a total household estimate of 758.  We found no discrepancy or need to challenge those estimates.  No is motion needed.
  1. Other
  • Chair, Michelle Meis thanked Former Clerk, Mary Winter for her service to Nessel Township as clerk.

Motion to adjourn by Brandon Mell seconded by Stan Iskierka at 9:05.  Approved.