Minutes: December 13, 2022 Regular Board Meeting

Presented for approval at the January 10, 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, Betsy Rising and Branden Mell via Skype.  Clerk Mary Winter and via Skype, Treasurer Mary Dillner were also present.

Agenda

 Motion to approve the agenda by Betsy Rising, seconded by Stan Iskierka.  Approved.

Board Meeting Minutes

Motion to approve the minutes by Stan Iskierka, seconded by Betsy Rising.  Approved.

Treasurer’s Report

Motion to approve the Treasurer’s Report by Betsy Rising, seconded by Stan Iskierka.  Approved.

Bills

Motion to approve paying bills by Betsy Rising, seconded by Stan Iskierka.  Approved.

Variance

Motion to Approve variance for Todd & Julie Dosch, Brandon Dosch & Tyler Sherden by Stan Iskierka, seconded by Betsy Rising.  Approved.

Open Forum

Dan Dahlberg – Introduced himself to the board as District 5 Chisago County Commissioner.  He asked that if there is anything the board needs of him not to hesitate to call.  He plans to attend board meetings in his district as time allows.  Chair Michelle requested Nessel Township be kept informed on the county decision for distribution of ARPA funds use for broadband within the county.  There are 3 townships not included (Nessel, Fish Lake and Sunrise) not included due to the fact we were proactive and have already installed broadband in our townships.

Rick Daas – Resident of Rushseba Township.  He is requesting the Nessel Township Board create and approve a resolution opposing the proposed solar power plant in Rushseba Township.  Several surrounding townships have already approved resolutions.  The Rushseba Township Resolution was given to the board as an example.  Doug explained the negatives that will impact each surrounding property from building of the solar farm.  Prevents wild life from entering their property, home value will decrease, Rush City will be surrounding by solar farms if this is allowed to go through.  

Road Maintenance Report

  • First time John has ever graded roads, cut ice and plowed all on the same day.
  • Roads are getting slick spots in the shaded areas.
  • Prepared for this coming snow events.  I have applied chip on the intersections already.
  • Plowed all the roads once this winter.
  • Received the second load of 75 tons of salt.
  • Received 75 tons of chip, it was put in the old salt shed.
  • New salt shed is working very well. 

Committee Reports

  1. Road Committee – 
  • Old salt shed – the contractor dug 4 to 5 feet around each beam and found not one was damaged.  The bottoms had shifted over and needed to be moved back.  The contractor spent a lot of time correcting this.  The contractor poured cement on each post and straighten each post.  The damage part of the roof was replaced, only fixed what was needed.  The old salt shed should be good for 15 to 20 years.  Clerk will send invoice to the insurance company for the township to be reimbursed.  
  • John is prepared for whatever the weather will bring us.
  1. Budget Committee – 2024 Preliminary Budget
    • Treasurer, Mary D., provided the preliminary budget to the board the budget committee worked on.
    • Preliminary budget increase 12.00% with levy increase at a 14.63%.  Mary D. proposed additional cuts dropping the preliminary budget increase to 7.4% and the levy increase at a 9.6%.
    • Chair Michelle recommended the board review what has been proposed.  The proposed budget will be on the agenda at the January 2023 board meeting.
  1. Contract Committee – 
    • Nothing at this meeting.
  1. Policy Committee – 
    • Nothing at this meeting.
  1. Clerk’s Township Update – 
    • Clerk present monthly report of township happenings.  

Old Business

  • Nothing at this meeting

New Business

  1. Swear in Seat A and C
    • Stan Iskierka for Supervisor Seat C and Branden Mell for Supervisor Seat A were sworn in as Nessel Township Board Members.
  1. Supervisors Code of Conduct
    • The board discussed if a Supervisors Code of Conduct was needed.  The board determined it was not needed at this time. 
  1. Priorities – ARPA
    • New priorities were discussed for the ARPA funds.  They are as follows;
        1. Furnace / Air Exchange / Air Conditioner.
        2. Street Signs upgrades for roads.
        3. New flooring throughout town hall (vinyl plank, commercial tile or pour on floor.
        4. Painting inside townhall walls.  (Electric registers will stay).
        5. Lockable storage closet or cabinets in townhall.

Inserted into Agenda here – Board of Canvass Meeting Minutes

Motion to approve the minutes by Branden Mell, seconded by Betsy Rising.  Approved.

  1. MAT-U
    • Information for the board – when using MAT-U use the email address of [email protected] 
  1. MATIT Insurance Proposal
    • Proposed Policy Premium of 4,139.00 was reviewed by the board.
    • Board agreed to change the “Agreed Value” for the Stanchfield Building (Townhall) and the Stanchfield Building (Garage) to be “Replacement Cost”.  This will save the township $91.00.  The benefit is there will not be a cap on repair of either structure.
    • The new Salt Shed will be added at “Replacement Cost” adding $240.00
    • Total Premium in 2023 – $4,288.00

Chair Michelle – Attended the meeting regarding broadband on the proposal from the contractor Home Town Source.  

Option 1 – Home Town source will pay $43.4 MM and Chisago County will pay $21.6 MM for a total of $65 MM.  Chisago County $21.6 MM would be at $5.4 MM for 4 years, then debt would be done.  

  • Option 2 – Re-think the whole thing and try to spread the dollars more evenly for all townships.
  • No conclusion was arrived at this meeting.

Branden Mell – Add to January agenda under New Business

  • Committee Assignments
  • Solar Farm Resolution
  • South Bay Campground CUP

Motion to adjourn by Stan Iskierka, seconded by Betsy Rising at 8:29 pm.   Approved.