Meeting Minutes:

Call to Order

Present

Minutes

Claims/Receipts

Supervisor Items

Other/Resident Concern

Road Overseer Items

Clerk Items

Deputy Clerk Items

Art Johnson Trucking, Inc.

Treasurer Items

Motion to Adjourn

Regular monthly 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, Deputy Treasurer Patricia Peterson, Road Overseer Jeff Haag, Joe Sand (resident), and Tom Johnson (Art Johnson Trucking, Inc. and resident).

Review by Supervisors of proposed minutes for April regular meeting (4/3/2025), local board of appeal and equalization meetings (4/10/2025 and 4/16/2025), workshop (4/16/2025), and public hearing (4/30/2025). Review included discussion of follow up with resident regarding water runoff concerns from previous meeting including implication of Met Council 2026 Plan (Clerk to follow up with resident). On motion by Croatt/Wermerskirchen, all minutes approved; carried unanimously.

Review and discussion of claims, including late received claims, corrections to board member claims, and New Prague Rural Fire Protection Association 1^st half claim and holding 2^nd half claim for October 2025 meeting. After review of claims and on motion by Wermerskirchen/Croatt, all claims were approved as presented for payment, including checks 7041-7055 and one ACH totaling $59,963.72; carried unanimously. Roll call votes: Nytes – yes; Wermerskirchen – yes; Croatt – yes. Pursuant to request by Treasurer and on motion by Wermerskirchen/ Croatt, transfer of $59,963.72 from savings account to checking account approved; carried unanimously.

Supervisors presented the following items/reports.

1.       Review of 4/30/2025 public hearing, including culvert issues.

2.       Croatt reviewed Township website calendar and related publication information.

3.       Discussion of annual calendar of important dates being created by Deputy Clerk.

4.       Discussion of whether any additional board members should become notaries.

5.       House for sale in Township has photos that include images of a 270^th St W street sign. Road Overseer stated it must be older because he hasn’t replaced any since becoming road overseer. Clerk to call listing agent.

6.       A resident on Willow Lane contacted Croatt regarding neighbors dumping yard waste on the lot without a house that has a sign posted for no dumping and that someone had gained entry to the shack located on the lot. This was determined to be a private property owner issue for the owner of the lot regarding the yard waste and the Scott County Sheriff regarding possible break in. Croatt was also advised by the resident that there are cars parked on the cul de sac island. Road Overseer to monitor and record activity and Clerk to send letter to vehicle owners if it continues happening.

7.       There is a noxious weed training planned by the SWCD.

8.       There is a Scott County Planning Commission meeting scheduled. Supervisors determined that Township does not need to be present.

9.       Discussion of who or what entity owns the green space between Willow Lane and Willow Court and regarding tree maintenance for that area.

10.   Nytes obtained information that the reason there are no rails on the bridge on St. Benedict is because they aren’t put in those types of locations/bridges anymore due to causing more problems than they prevent.

11.   Nytes asked if there has been any additional contact from Faith Point regarding building additions and driveway issues. Clerk advised no new emails or calls.

Joe Sand attended the meeting to discuss the snowplowing that has been occurring on his driveway. The Supervisor’s waited for a representative from Art Johnson Trucking, Inc. as well, but Tom Johnson was delayed. Sand’s driveway has an easement for Jim Lambrecht to access his property. Sand had talked to Nytes and Lambrecht about the plowing concerns. Nytes advised the Board that he talked to Tom Johnson who said he was told by Duane Deutsch to plow Sand’s driveway about 12-15 years ago. Sand had to grade after the plowing this year. Sand said he never asked the Township to plow his driveway, he wasn’t sure why it was being done, and can do so himself. Sand requested the Township put down 3 loads of ¾- to replace the gravel that the plow scraped off over the past winters and that Sand can grade the gravel himself. Sand and the Supervisors agreed that the Township will have 3 loads of ¾- placed on Sand’s driveway and that the Township will cease all plowing on Sand’s driveway. On motion by Wermerskirchen/Croatt, Township placing 3 loads of ¾- approved; carried unanimously.

Road Overseer presented the following items/report.

1.       Road review items should be done soon.

2.       Quotes requested from Skluzacek Tree Movers LLC and Axeman Services LLC for trimming/removal (trees/brush) of right of way on Alton, 270^th, Willow, Silver Maple Drive, and 257^th. Only receive a quote from Skluzacek, which was $3,850. On motion by Wermerskirchen/Croatt, Road Overseer approved to have Skluzacek complete the necessary work; carried unanimously.

3.       Ditch on Lucy cleared/cleaned by Road Overseer.

4.       May need chainsaw repair or replacement.

5.       Street signs and chevrons ordered from Safety Signs ready to be placed.

6.       Noxious weed spraying update provided. Road Overseer contacted Meghan Darley to update with additional locations to spray.

7.       Raven Stream Park has 9 ash trees. The ash trees look to be healthy and in good shape. The playground equipment is also in good condition. The unauthorized sign was removed and placed in storage in case someone claims it.

8.       Tree was taken out at 245^th and the culver measured pursuant to instructions from a previous meeting. Nytes and Road Overseer recommend no additional chevrons or markings at this time in part due to interference with farm equipment access.

9.       The utility box on Stevens is a telecom box. Bevcomm said it isn’t their box and so it is likely a Comcast box. Road Overseer couldn’t get a person to talk to regarding the tree leaning over the box. Clerk to email her Comcast contact.

10.   Tom Johnson advised Road Overseer that the turnaround on 257^th/250^th is sufficient for Art Johnson Trucking, Inc.’s needs.

11.   A couch was dumped on 255^th. Road Overseer picked it up and disposed of it at Lakers.

12.   During a recent call, Art Johnson Trucking, Inc. representative stressed the importance of their recommendations regarding roads to gravel.

Clerk presented the following items/report.

1.       Review of emails from, concerns by, and information regarding resident on 255^th regarding planned road project.

2.       Review of bids received for 255^th/Willow project. On motion by Croatt/Wermerskirchen, bid by GMH of $167,218.50 approved and awarded; carried unanimously. Review of construction schedule/plan.

3.       Town Law Review presented by MAT is scheduled for 5/30/2025.

4.       Clerk discussed enforcement of current ordinances regarding parking in right of ways, including on Juniper, with the Sheriff’s Office. Deputy suggested a more specific ordinance may be helpful for situations like this. Supervisors discussed current ordinances and attorney review for additional new ordinances recommended or revisions to current ordinances. Clerk to contact Township attorney.

5.       MATIT emailed regarding coverage. Discussion of whether Township needs to add cell phone as listed property as well as liability coverage for park. Clerk to email MATIT.

6.       Review of cannabis ordinance draft by Scott County.

7.       Encroachment Agreement for Schoenbauer Farms PIDs fully executed.

8.       2025 shared road agreement with Cedar Lake Township fully executed. Determined that the updated agreement does not need to be recorded because the original was recorded and this is a continuation of that agreement with revisions.

9.       Clerk has hard copies of Jordan fire calls for Supervisor review for future meeting.

10.   SCALE meeting scheduled for 5/9/2025.

Clerk presented the following items/report.

1.       Website updates and events review.

2.       Waiting for information regarding emergency planning to add to website from Croatt/Croatt’s contact. Deputy Clerk to follow up with Croatt after meeting.

Tom Johnson was present at the meeting and updated the Board regarding the following.

1.       Supervisors updated Johnson regarding discussion with Sand earlier in the meeting (Sand had already left) and direction going forward.

2.       Johnson, Supervisors, and Road Overseer discussed additional roads needing gravel in addition to those indicated after the spring road review. Supervisors approved additional roads for gravel.

a.       225^th

b.       225/Delmar

c.       Bohnsack (spot filling/sections

d.       245^th (muddy)

e.       Indian Avenue

f.        255^th (21 to St. Benedict)

g.       St. Benedict

3.       Johnson discussed with Supervisors different ways other townships address gravel and maintenance, including setting up zones and rotating which zones are scheduled for gravel annually.

4.       Discussion of which pit Helena Township prefers Art Johnson Trucking, Inc. Bryan has a lot of black dirt mixed in right now. Other townships are using Kraemer. Kraemer cost is similar. Supervisors prefer Kraemer for roads and Bryan for Sand driveway for red rock.

5.       Johnson has information about a company that refurbishes playground equipment and will send that to the Clerk in case the Township ever needs to replace the equipment at Raven Stream Park.

6.       The roads should be ready for dust coating the first week of June.

7.       Road Overseer brought up scheduling the fall/spring road reviews so they occur around grading (weather permitting) so the Supervisors get a good idea of conditions.

8.       Johnson confirmed that the turn arounds on 250^th/257^th work and he has no issues with them. He does also use what he believes is the right of way to turn around in that area.

Treasurer presented the following items/reports.

1.       Review of Wermerskirchen’s 5/1/2025 claim and planned adjustment to 6/5/2025 claim.

2.       Treasurer’s Report.

a.       Sweeps by First Bank and Trust are more complicated than the bank first let on they would be. There is additional interest earned but Treasurer can’t find online statement. Treasurer to investigate issue further.

b.       No statement received from Riverland for April as of meeting on 5/1/2025.

c.       Review of permit fees, escrows, account balances.

d.       Budget appears on track for 2025. Gravel costs will need to budgeted with the understanding that there are no future ARPA offsets.

e.       Discussion of other townships’ cash reserves compared to Helena Township cash reserves.

f.        Review of assessment versus levy for projects for cities versus townships.

g.       Schoenbauer Farms still has $5,000 left from the $50,000 escrow. Clerk to email engineer regarding status for release of the remaining escrow.

h.       Upon request of Treasurer and on motion by Croatt/Wermerskirchen, Treasurer’s report approved and accepted as presented; carried unanimously.

3.       Treasurer introduced new Patricia Peterson, who will be the new Deputy Treasurer. Peterson was sworn in by Clerk and executed an oath of office.

At 7:15 p.m. on motion by Wermerskirchen/Nytes, meeting continued to workshop scheduled for 5/21/2025; carried unanimously.