Meeting Minutes:

Call to Order

Present

Supervisor Items

Treasurer Items

Road Overseer Items

255^th/Willow Project

Clerk Items

Deputy Clerk Items

Motion to Adjourn

Workshop meeting was called to order by Chairperson Nytes at 5 p.m. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

Chairperson Edward Nytes, Supervisor John Wermerskirchen, Supervisor DeAnn Croatt, Treasurer Nathan Hutton, Clerk Heather Taylor DuCharme, Deputy Clerk Kimberly Carlberg, Road Overseer Jeff Haag, and Tom Johnson (Art Johnson Trucking, Inc.).

1.       Scott County has a Multi Hazard Plan Mitigation Plan Update scheduled for 4/1/2025 at the Scott County Government Center

2.       Nearest MAT short course is scheduled for 3/26/2025 in Arlington, Minnesota for those who are able to attend.

3.       Couri & Ruppe legal seminar is scheduled for 6/5/2025 in Albertville, Minnesota for those who are able to attend.

4.       Discussion of damage to grass in SMBE and Willow roundabout islands and planned repairs. It appears residents tried to flatten out damaged grass. Haag advised Supervisors that Johnson said they will fix any plow damage at no charge.

5.       Review of Jordan Fire levy issue. Ruppe will be at SCTA meeting directly following workshop and available to answer question regarding timing of levy in relation to receiving assessment from Jordan Fire.

6.       Croatt reviewed report she received regarding Scott County Board of Equalization and issues related to Scott County providing assessment services for Township.

7.       Gravel/Grading Quotes.

a.       Supervisors reviewed and compared gallon bags of gravel samples from Bryan Rock Products and Kraemer Mining and Materials supplied by Johnson. Supervisors reviewed and compared pricing sheets from both Bryan Rock Products and Kraemer Mining and Materials. On motion by Wermerskirchen/Croatt, both pricing sheets/quotes for materials accepted; carried unanimously. Materials may be purchased from either vendor depending on rock/gravel needs and pricing. Township will keep gravel samples for a period of time for reference.

b.       Supervisors instructed Haag to contact Pentagon Materials regarding its pricing as well.

c.       Supervisors opened sealed quotes from Art Johnson Trucking Inc., Revolution Construction and Consulting Inc., Pfarr Away Trucking, and Klehr Grading and Excavating Inc. On motion by Wermerskirchen/Croatt, Art Johnson Trucking Inc quote for gravel hauling accepted; carried unanimously. On motion by Croatt/Wermerskirchen, Art Johnson Trucking Inc quote for road maintenance and grading accepted; carried unanimously. Taylor DuCharme instructed to notify vendors regarding acceptance/nonacceptance of quotes.

8.       Johnson provided Supervisors with an update Xanadu grading/status and advised that the dry winter was hard on the roads because there isn’t moisture to keep the gravel from going into ditches when snowplowing.

9.       Review of annual meeting.

1.       First Bank & Trust and Riverland account and access updates are complete.

2.       Riverland does not have higher interest options for the money market account. There are higher interest rates available for certificates of deposit of varying lengths. The CD interest rate is 4% for 6, 12, 18, or 24 month CDs. The Township should keep a minimum required amount in the money market to avoid fees. Discussion of how much to place in CD(s) and whether to break up amounts for different terms/durations. On motion by Wermerskirchen/Croatt, transfer of $100,000 from the Riverland money market account to a 6-month CD approved; carried unanimously. On motion by Wermerskirchen/Croatt, transfer of $100,000 from the Riverland money market account to a 12-month CD approved; carried unanimously.

1.       Discuss scheduling of spring road review and Haag obtaining input from Tom and Doug Johnson prior to road review. Spring road review scheduled for 4/14/2025 at 3 p.m. with Supervisors and Haag meeting at the New Prague Fire Hall.

2.       Replaced signs that were damaged/missing and removed trash and tires from Baseline.

3.       Baseline is still in good condition during the process of Great River Energy string lines.

4.       Emailed Vistad about USPS wanting mailboxes clustered still at 255^th/Willow with new swing away posts after project complete.

5.       Supervisors asked about the need for an annual review of the 5-year road maintenance plan completed by Vistad. Haag plans to have Vistad complete a road review with Haag each year to see if any modifications to the 5-year road plan are necessary. Otherwise, annual changes should not be anticipated.

6.       Resident on Columbus and 265^th advised Haag that Lakers told the resident it won’t pick up trash unless it is taken all the way to the end of the curve. Resident inquired if there was any reason Lakers couldn’t use the turnaround closer to the resident driveway. Haag advised resident he can’t speak for Lakers or its concerns about why it won’t come further down the road. Resident has had to hire teenagers to bring the trash bins down and back.

7.       All roads have been graded recently and are in good condition.

8.       There are signs and posts that need to be replaced on Bohnsack. Haag has ordered materials and will complete the work after materials received.

9.       Haag will be out of town 3/20/2025-3/23/2025.

10.   Haag signed up for the Couri & Ruppe legal seminar in Albertville.

1.       Resident on Willow emailed regarding concerns about planned 2025 road project. Taylor DuCharme responded to resident with information about project, contact information for Supervisors and Haag, information about attorney and engineer, and upcoming assessment hearing.

2.       Ruppe advised Taylor DuCharme that in addition to the motion approving the plans and specs at the 3/6/2025 meeting, the Supervisors also need to approve a resolution. On motion by Wermerskirchen/Croatt, Resolution 03192025A approved; carried unanimously.

1.       Discussion regarding preparing and disseminating an updated meeting schedule to the Board pursuant to the approved schedule from the Annual Meeting. Meeting dates have already been added to the website calendar and meeting invitations sent to Board Member’s emails for calendaring.

2.       Building permit received for new home construction on Naylor. Forward permit to Haag for driveway inspection.

3.       ROW permit received from Bevcomm for fiber optic along St. Benedict.

4.       Draft of annual minutes prepared but final won’t be ready until after the continued meeting date in September.

5.       Received pricing sheet from Carr’s Tree Service and will forward to Haag.

6.       Notice of Decision received from SWCD for driveway safety improvement request on  WCLD.

7.       Permit received from Xcel for work along Naylor and 260^th. Email from Xcel states a bond will be obtained by Xcel. Taylor DuCharme to obtain information for bond in case any claims need to be made.

8.       Cedar Lake Township contacted Helena Township regarding pooling Scott County Recycling Grant funds allocated for 2025 for a tire recycling/paper shredding event. CLT stated they could host the event at the St. Patrick Social Hall and had looked into costs. Taylor DuCharme advised the Board that the Scott County grant money from last year that the Township assigned to the City of New Prague was used to install a water bottle filling station at the New Prague Fire Hall just outside the large meeting room. Supervisors are in favor of working together on this project with CLT as long as only grant money is used. On motion by Croatt/Wermerskirchen, pooling of Scott County Recycling Grant funds with CLT for a tire disposal/paper shredding event using grant money approved; carried unanimously.

9.       CLT advised Taylor DuCharme that the additional small proposed changes to the shared road maintenance agreement were a surprise but that they changes were likely to be approved. The CLT Board will not be able to review or make a decision on the shared road maintenance agreement as revised until its April meeting.

Carlberg advised the Board that there the Met Council is accepting applications for grant funds for community tree planting. Applications are due by 4/18/2025 and projects must be completed by July 2027. There is a webinar scheduled for 3/26/2025 with more information. Minimum grant awards are $10,000 and funds could likely be used to plant new or replace dying trees in the Township park or in other areas.

At 6:35 p.m. on motion by Croatt/Wermerskirchen, meeting adjourned; carried unanimously.