Meeting Minutes:

Present

Not Present

Local Board of Appeal and Equalization

270^th Street

Supervisor Items

Road Overseer Items

Clerk Items

Motion to Adjourn

Chairperson Duane Deutsch, Supervisor John Wermerskirchen, Supervisor Edward Nytes, Clerk Heather Taylor DuCharme, Road Overseer Jeff Haag, Mark Fritz (Scott County), Matt Malvin (Scott County), and Brianna Jirik (Property Owner/Resident).

Treasurer Nathan Hutton, Deputy Clerk DeAnn Croatt.

At the request of the Chairperson, the Clerk read the suggested opening statement for the Local Board of Appeal and Equalization meeting. Mark Fritz and Matt Malvin provided a list of comparable sales for 2022/2023. Supervisors asked questions about and discussed with Fritz and Malvin issues regarding property values, annexation, what is happening with other cities and townships, values of agricultural and commercial land (mostly up) versus residential (mostly down), and recent types of land/property sales. At 5:35 p.m. on motion by Nytes/Wermerskirchen meeting adjourned; carried unanimously. Fritz and Malvin left after the close of the Local Board of Appeal and Equalization meeting.

Property owner/resident Brianne Jirik addressed the Supervisors regarding issues on 270^th. Topics included the following:

1.       Increased traffic and traffic speed on 270^th between CR 89 and CR 15 since construction started on the roundabout at CR 2 and Cedar Lane. It is unknown when the construction is likely to be completed.

2.       There is no posted speed limit sig, which makes the road a default 55 mph zone, and the pros and cons of there not being a sign. She was recently passed by another driver while doing the speed limit. Issues related to and possible negative outcomes of speed studies to attempt to lower the speed limit (time to complete, raised limits).

3.       Her conversations with the Scott County Sheriff’s Office (Adam Jessen). The sheriff’s office advised they would provide additional patrols

4.       The possible benefits and detriments of additional dust coating/graveling. The Road Overseer does not have definitive dates from the dust coating vendor.

5.       The new powerline placement.

6.       Garbage being dumped in the ditches with more frequency.

The Supervisors and Jirik decided that the Road Overseer should obtain a “watch for children” or similar sign and install it at a location best suited to make drivers aware. Jirek left after discussion of her concerns.

Supervisors presented the following items.

1.       Nytes saw sign down at Highway 21 and 253^rd. Road Overseer instructed to notify MNDOT to replace/repair.

2.       Deutsch saw stop sign down at 270^th and a county road and contacted Scott County to replace/repair.

3.       Deutsch discussed lot fees and annexation issues, including relating to follow up from MAT Township Day at the Capitol.

4.       Wermerskirchen expressed his appreciation for the good work that the Treasurer, Road Overseer, and Clerk put into the running of the Township.

Road Overseer presented the following items.

1.       Vehicle with expired tabs parked in the easement/ditch on Juniper. Supervisors instructed Clerk to contact code enforcement at Scott County to request assistance with enforcement.

2.       Resident from Koeper/Mark/Lucy neighborhood contacted Road Overseer regarding timing of seal coating and planned graduation parties in that neighborhood this summer.

3.       Road Overseer attended a gravel road class through MNLTAP.

a.       Lots of good information.

b.       Based on the information provided, Helena Township is already conforming with best practices for the most part.

c.       ¾ or less rock recommended for gravel roads and that everything starts with good gravel.

d.       Proper percentage grade for crown and that if the same vendor does the grading/gravel and snow removal they tend to take better care to prep for themselves for each season/need.

e.       The type of material Helena Township uses for dust control is the recommended type.

f.        Some townships/cities use three times the dust control materials to cut down on need to grade, but that has its own costs.

g.       There is an option to purchase a pull behind grader (used behind a pickup) from a company in Iowa. Townships use them to take care of minor grading issues between planned grading.

h.       Additional hazard lights have been ordered because the store in Belle Plaine did not have any in stock when the Road Overseer checked.

4.       Spring road review follow up was in part as follows (full list made by Road Overseer attached to minutes).

a.       Gravel 270^th from Baseline to Drexel/Alton with red rock of a size determined by Road Overseer and Johnson Trucking.

b.       Removal of trees/saplings.

c.       Koeper circle needs grading.

d.       Gravel Baseline from Redwing to CR 8 (red rock).

e.       Gravel Redwing Trail and 233^rd (red rock).

f.        Gravel 245^th between Redwing and Highway 21 (red rock).

g.       Wermerskirchen requested Board meet at Xanadu at 4:30 p.m. prior to the 5/15/2024 workshop to view red cedars in ditch (in and out of easement) to discuss if anything/what needs to be done about them.

Clerk presented the following items/report.

1.       Recap of Township Day at the Capitol and takeaways.

2.       Couri & Ruppe Legal Seminar schedule.

3.       Robert Yost annexation notification and fees. Supervisors approved Clerk to send annexation fee invoice to Yost.

4.       Discussion of email received from realtor asking if manufactured homes allowed as new construction in Township. Clerk advised to tell realtor they are but that the property in question is not in Helena Township (St. Lawrence Township) and they will need to contact St. Lawrence Township.

5.       Cedar Lake Township may send representatives to upcoming meeting regarding maintenance of Baseline. Wermerskirchen advised Board of telephone conversation he had with Cedar Lake Township Chair regarding maintenance completed by CLT last year without prior approval and billed (not paid by HT).

6.       Discussion of roundabout construction on CR 2.

7.       Scott County Townships Association meeting scheduled immediately after 4/17/2024 Helena Township meeting.

8.       Clerk is picking up Schoenbauer Farms mylar from Scott County representative between workshop and SCTA meeting. Supervisors advised Clerk to contact Schoenbauer Farms (Robb Schoenbauer and Randy/Chris Kubes) regarding status of moving drain tile. Discussion of escrow funds availability to pay for moving drain tile if not moved by Schoenbauer Farms.

9.       Discussion of Jordan Independent no longer being published after 4/30/2024. Clerk advised Board that she already contacted Bob Ruppe (Township Attorney) regarding making sure Township has process in place to properly publish notices. Ruppe advised Clerk that publishing in New Prague Times should be adequate to meet statutory requirements for publication but that Star Tribune or Pioneer Press would also be acceptable. Clerk advised Board that publication only required in one newspaper and that Township has only done publication in two because of availability of newspapers in both zip codes that are located in Township. Clerk also advised Board regarding Township Tuesday (Clerk listened to 4/16/2024 recording) coverage of same issue. Clerk advised Board that MAT Township Tuesday presenter stated in presentation that additional questions and specific legal advice regarding meeting statutory publication requirements should be addressed by individual Township legal counsel (not MAT in house).

10.   Discussion of when to utilize Minnesota Association of Townships in house attorneys and Township Attorney Ruppe.

At 6:40 p.m. on motion by Wermerskirchen/Deutsch meeting adjourned; carried unanimously.