Minutes: July 12, 2022 Regular Board Meeting

Presented for approval at the August 10, 2022 Board Meeting

     

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

Agenda

 

Motion to approve the agenda by Stan Iskierka, seconded by Branden Mell.  Approved.

  • Add to agenda – Dumping on Road

Minutes

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

Treasurer’s Report

Motion to approve the Treasurer’s Report by Branden Mell, seconded by Stan Iskierka.  Approved.

Bills

Motion to approve paying bills by Branden Mell seconded by Stan Iskierka.  Approved.

Variance

Motion to pass variance for Vincent Charles by Michell Meis, seconded by Stan Iskierka.  

Approved (Mary Winter signed for Branden Mell and initialed).

Motion to approve variance for Ronald Shoquist by Branden Mell, seconded by Stan Iskierka.  Approved (Mary Winter signed for Branden Mell and initialed).

Motion to approve variance for Gerald Schellbach by Branden Mell, seconded by Stan Iskierka.  Approved (Mary Winter signed for Branden Mell and initialed).

Open Forum

  • None at this meeting

Road Maintenance Report

  • Cutting and hauling trees.
  • Finished mowing.
  • Grading roads.
  • Had gravel laid on 540th.  Not finished will finish this week.
  • Started replacing culverts.  Will do 80-footer tomorrow.
  • 500th has a road counter on it.  This will not affect grading.
  • Put up 911 signs and working on street signs. 
  • Request 6-foot post for street signs.

Committee Reports

  1. Road Committee – 
    • Received quote for blacktopping new salt shed from Knife River for $17,000.00
      • Motion to accept Knife River quote for $17,000.00 with stipulation Knife River will complete work by end of August 2022 by Branden Mell, seconded by Stan Iskierka.  Approved
    • Old salt shed; John will need to remove salt.  We will then have a contractor to look at it and provide quote for repair.
    • Moved Dumping on Road from New Business to here – A contractor was dumping black dirt on the Alpine Road and using a bobcat to move the black dirt.   Supervisor Stan spoke with resident and contractor.  Contractor stated he could do this.  Chisago County Deputy was called.  The Deputy sided with the contractor and stated as long an emergency vehicle can get by the contractor could dump on the township road.  There was no point in continuing to discuss at this point.  Supervisor Stan then wrote a letter to Sherriff Brandon Thyen.  He also provided the statute on blocking roads explaining that a deputy of his said the contractor was ok using the road for dumping temporarily. Sherriff Brandon Thyen agreed that the township was correct and his deputy was wrong.  He will be speaking with his deputy.  
  1. Budget Committee – 
    • None at this meeting.
  1. Contract Committee – 
    • Braham fire contract; Braham has a new city administrator who has been on the job 1 week.  She stated the Braham fire chief had resigned and the new fire chief who was appointed 2 days ago.  When they get their feet on the ground the city administrator will reach out and set up a meeting with the township.  
  1. Policy Committee – 
    • Credit Card Policy.
      • Motion to approve Credit Card Policy by Branden Mell, seconded by Stan Iskierka.  Approved
    • Clover Trail Dust Control.
      • Board discussed the dust on Clover Trail after the township graded the road after it rained.  Flickabirds owner, Jason Davis was present.  An email was received from a resident complaining about the dust on Clover Trail.  The road had been graded by the township after it had rained.  The board stated the road committee will determine if or when to apply an application of chloride from County Road 7 to just past Stenmo’s place or to do the entire road.  Where the sun hits the road, it becomes dustier.  Supervisor Branden will continue to seek out grant money or an SSD for Clover Trail.
  1. Clerk’s Township Update – 
    • Clerk present monthly report of township happenings.  

Old Business

  1. Blacktopping Salt Shed
    • Moved to Road Committee update. 
  1. Chloride Tanker Storage at Townhall
    • Supervisor Stan called chloride vendor to see if they were interested in storing tanker trucks of chloride at townhall.  Vendor is considering doing this.  Supervisor Branden posed a question to Stan for our vendor, if they will let Nessel Township take out of the tanker to spray the roads ourselves.  Supervisor Stan will pose the question to the vendor. 

New Business

  1. Clean up day
    • Board discussed doing a clean-up day this year.  Board determined to plan a clean-up day in in 2023.  Will be on the agenda in May 2023 to discuss.  
  1. August Meeting – Election – Next Day
    • Moved Board Meeting for August to Wednesday August 10, 2022 due to Primary Election on Tuesday.
  1. Siren Maintenance Contract
    • Motion to approve Ready Watt Electric 4-year siren contract (23, 24, 25 and 26) for $2,364.00 by Michelle Meis, seconded by Stan Iskierka.  Approved.
  1. Policy Values
    • Board reviewed insurance policy values.  Board needs clarification on some of the values.  Clerk will call MATT to set up a meeting to discuss insurance.  
  1. Dumping on Road
    • Moved to Road Committee.  

Motion to adjourn by Stan Iskierka, seconded by Branden Mell at 8:38 pm.   Approved.