Meeting Minutes May 23, 2018

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TOWNSHIP OF CLAY
CLAY TOWNSHIP BOARD MEETING
May 23, 2018, 7:00 PM
MANTRAP VALLEY CONSERVATION CLUB
PARK RAPIDS, MN

  • 1. CALL TO ORDER: The May 23rd, 2018, Meeting of the Clay Township Board was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Chair Andy Kietzman, and those present recited the Pledge of Allegiance.
  • 2. ROLL CALL: Present: Supervisors Andy Kietzman, Jeff Haukebo and Norm Leistikow, Treasurer Del Holz, and Clerk Margie Vik. Absent: None. Others Present: Betty Haukebo.
  • 3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA: A motion was made by Kietzman, seconded by Leistikow, and unanimously carried to approve the agenda as presented.
  • 4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
    • A. Clay Township Regular Meeting Minutes-April 25, 2018: A motion was made by Haukebo, seconded by Leistikow, and unanimously carried to approve the Clay Township Regular Meeting Minutes for April 25th, 2018, as presented.
  • 5. NEW BUSINESS:
    • A. Weed Inspector’s Report: The weed inspector’s report from Hubbard County shows four areas of infestations in Clay Township along County Highway 4. Leistikow stated the county is responsible for spraying there. The board concluded there is nothing the township can do at this point.
    • B. MAT Cards: Vik distributed the new 2018-2019 Minnesota Association of Township’s membership cards.
    • C. MAT Summer Short Course: Kietzman stated Leistikow wants to attend the Minnesota Association of Township’s Summer Short Course in July. A motion was made by Kietzman, seconded by Haukebo, and unanimously carried to approve the expenditure for Leistikow to attend the MAT Summer Short Course.
    • D. Road Issues: Holz stated the last 1/3rd of Jasmine Drive was impassable this spring for approximately two weeks. This is a safety issue for the people that live there if safety vehicles can’t get in there. I don’t have a solution. Kietzman stated we made the decision to switch to class 1 from class 5 gravel. Cumber is just doing what he was told to do. Class 5 holds water and class 1 makes for a better driving surface. It took four years to switch from class 5 to class 1 so it will take time to switch again. Cumber was just following our guidelines.
  • 6. OLD BUSINESS:
    • A. Shooting Range: Haukebo stated a resident has complained about too much noise coming from the shooting range due to the increased activity. He is not in attendance this evening. The state adopted the Shooting Range Protection Act in 2005. The township issued a conditional use permit for the expansion of a non-conforming use to put on a roof over part of the range. Our ordinance does not include shooting ranges. Kietzman stated this range was in existence prior to the township adopting our ordinance and we have not been presented with any new information at this time. The board took no action.
  • 7. APPROVAL OF TREASURERS REPORT: Holz stated $99.76 was received from the money market account interest. A check in the amount of $18,638.89 from Hubbard County was received and deposited for tax forfeited land. There was a 37% decrease over last year’s check. The checking account balance is $1,696.50, and the money market balance is $201,221.90. There is a $50,000.00 CD which matures on March 1st, 2019. The total funds are $252,918.40. There’s $167,457.42 in the building fund. There is $300.00 in outstanding checks. The operating balance is $35,160.98. The outstanding invoices for this month are $2,461.25 for Cumber Construction, $18.00 for Kennedy & Graven, $4,359.72 for SLL Inc. (assessor), $2,200.00 for estimated stipends and reimbursements, and $365.00 for estimated second quarter IRS 941. Total payables are $9,403.97.
  • Holz suggested that the rate of pay for the supervisors be increased to $18.00 an hour, based on how much time was put in by the them over the last few issues faced by the township, the gravel pit and the water retention issues on Jigsaw Drive. The supervisors are not being paid enough. Kietzman stated thanks for the support, but I have a hard time giving myself a raise. Holz stated the tax forfeited land check is substantially smaller this year over last year. He recommended that the levy not be decreased this year as was originally planned. The taxes in Clay Township have not been raised since 2011, and instead should be raised by $3,000.00. Haukebo requested the history of the TFL payments over the last few years. Kietzman stated this can be discussed in July. Holz stated he received a proposal from Daniel Pike of Edward Jones. The rates are terrific and much better than the bank’s rate. A six-month CD is paying 1.9% interest, which is twice as much as the bank. Kietzman directed Holz to call Pike to get all the information and then the board can discuss it at the next meeting. A motion was made by Kietzman, seconded by Leistikow, 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 7:40 p.m.
_______________________________ ATTEST: Chair Andy Kietzman
______________________________ Margie M. Vik Township Clerk