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TOWNSHIP OF CLAY
CLAY TOWNSHIP BOARD MEETING
JANUARY 26, 2022, 6:00 PM
18650-290th STREET
PARK RAPIDS, MN

• 1. CALL TO ORDER: The January 26th, 2022, Meeting of the Clay Township Board was called to order at 6:00 p.m. by Chair Andy Kietzman, and those present recited the Pledge of Allegiance.
• 2. ROLL CALL: Present: Chair Andy Kietzman, Supervisors Jeff Haukebo and Norm Leistikow, Treasurer Del Holz, and Clerk Margie Vik. Absent: None. Others Present: Alice Holz and Marty Leistikow.
• 3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA: A motion was made by Kietzman, seconded by Haukebo, and unanimously carried to approve the agenda as presented.
• 4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
  A. Clay Township Regular Meeting Minutes-November 17, 2021: A motion was made by Haukebo, seconded by Kietzman, and unanimously carried to approve the Clay Township Regular Meeting Minutes for November 17th, 2021, as presented.
• 5. NEW BUSINESS:
  • A. Sentence to Serve: Kietzman stated Hubbard County Sentence to Serve group mowed the grass at the town hall in 2021. They worked for 17 ½ hours. That work has a net value of $262.50. They would like 25% of that paid into their program, which is approximately $60.00. I will bring this issue up at the annual meeting.
  • B. Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Funding: Kietzman stated Brian Livingston is looking to lock down the township’s funding for the AIS Program for 2022 for the Big Mantrap Lake landing. Last year 60% of the boats launching there had come from infested waters. These inspections are helping to keep Big Mantrap Lake healthy. In 2021 Clay Township provided $3,100.00 towards the boat inspections. The lake association is asking for our support again. The deadline to submit funding is January 31st, 2022. A motion was made by Kietzman, seconded by Haukebo, and unanimously carried to approve a contract for services in the amount of $3,400.00 to support AIS funding on Big Mantrap Lake.
  • C. Land Use Permit: Haukebo stated Mike Maloney, on Bad Axe Lake, is requesting a permit to add on to a bedroom. He does have enough room there to meet all zoning requirements. Hubbard County has reviewed this. A motion was made by Kietzman, seconded by Haukebo, and unanimously carried to approve a Land Use Permit for Mike Maloney, on Bad Axe Lake, to construct an extension on an existing bedroom.
  • D. Land Split: Haukebo stated the county is dealing with a land split on Skunk Lake. They are requesting a letter from Clay Township affirming that there are no zoning issues regarding this split between neighbors Gerald Thomas and the Goplen Living Trust. Thomas’ shed is located on Goplen’s property. They want to transfer that piece of property to the Thomas’. Both landowners have more than five acres and the transfer doesn’t affect the lakeshore measurements. The question is do they meet Clay Township land and shoreline zoning requirements after the proposed split. It does. So, there are no issues. I will write a letter to Hubbard County confirming that. There is no action required by the board.
  • E. Proposed Property Taxes: Vik stated the property taxes are going from $128.00 in 2021, to the proposed amount of $160.00 in 2022, which is a 25% increase. Also, the paperwork to retain the township’s tax-exempt status has been submitted to the Hubbard County Assessor’s Office.
• 6. OLD BUSINESS:
  • A. Supervisor Resignation: Norm Leistikow informed the board that he would be resigning his position, after 23 years of service, because of health reasons, effective January 27th, 2022. The board thanked him for his past contributions, which included the purchase of this land and for suggesting saving money for a future town hall, which has now become a reality.
    Kietzman stated Leistikow is up for reelection in the fall. The board can appoint a replacement for him to serve until the end of Leistikow’s term. Mike Lichter has expressed an interest in serving on the board. He has a background in road construction and can serve as the township’s road supervisor. Also, it was his son that arranged for the construction of the helipad for his Eagle Scout project. Holz stated I would support him because he was involved in all of the meetings regarding the construction of this building.
    A motion was made by Kietzman, seconded by Leistikow, to appoint Mike Lichter to the vacant supervisor position.
    Discussion: Haukebo stated there may be others who would be interested in the position. I didn’t know Leistikow was going to resign so maybe we should wait a month to give others a chance. Vik stated, procedurally, the open position should be advertised. Haukebo stated I agree that Lichter would be the ideal person for the position, but we should see if any others are interested in being appointed to the position.
    Kietzman retracted his first motion. Kietzman motioned, Leistikow seconded, and it was unanimously carried, to advertise for letters of interest for the vacant Clay Township Supervisor position.
• 7. APPROVAL OF TREASURERS REPORT: Holz presented his written treasurer’s report to the board (see attached), and distributed W-2s to the board members. Kietzman questioned what the interest rates were for the money market account versus CD rates. Holz stated CD rates are still terrible. A motion was made by Haukebo, seconded by Kietzman, and unanimously carried to approve the treasurer’s report and to pay the outstanding invoices.
• 8. ADJOURNMENT: A motion was made by Kietzman, seconded by Haukebo, and unanimously carried to adjourn the meeting at 6:51 p.m.

_______________________________ ATTEST: Chair Andy Kietzman
______________________________ Margie M. Vik Township Clerk