MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING
PALMER TOWNSHIP
August 10th 2026
The regular meeting of the Palmer Township Board was called to order at 7:00 p.m. at the Palmer Township Hall, with Chairman Ganz, Supervisor Demeules, Supervisor Wipper, Amy Bragelman, Township Clerk, and Treasurer Roger Johnson. The meeting was opened with the Pledge of Allegiance.
Treasurer’s Report: Treasurer Roger Johnson read the balances from the Treasurer's report. Supervisor Demeules made a motion to approve the Treasurer’s Report. Supervisor Wipper seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.
Sheriff’s Report: Commander Zawacki was unable to attend the meeting but provided the Sheriff’s Department report to the Board. There were 85 total calls for service during the month of July, compared to 105 calls during the same reporting period last year.
Chairman Ganz commented that there continues to be good law enforcement coverage throughout the township and that deputies are frequently seen patrolling the area.
Residents with questions or concerns are encouraged to contact the Sherburne County Sheriff’s Office directly.
Road Maintenance/Signs: Supervisor Wipper reported that crack sealing continues throughout the township. Due to the amount of work needed and the township’s approximately $10,000 budget for crack sealing, the contractor has been directed to prioritize the larger cracks and areas most in need of repair rather than sealing every minor crack. Work has also included areas of 115th Avenue and previously patched sections, as well as the lake access road where conditions warranted additional maintenance.
A pre-construction meeting was held the previous Wednesday regarding the 90th Avenue road project between County Road 16 and County Road 61. Knife River was awarded the project with a bid of approximately $241,000, which came in significantly below the engineer’s estimate of over $300,000. Construction is anticipated to begin September 18, with the project expected to be substantially completed, including shouldering, by the end of the month. The project will consist primarily of reclaiming the existing roadway, grading the reclaimed material, and paving. The road is expected to remain passable throughout the construction process. Notices will be posted prior to construction.
The Board also discussed necessary brushing and tree removal within the township road right-of-way near 64th/Airport Road. The area has become significantly overgrown, including larger trees, brush, buckthorn, and other vegetation encroaching into the township’s 66-foot right-of-way. Of particular concern is vegetation near the intersection that is restricting visibility of a stop sign and creating sight-distance concerns.
The proposed work will include removing necessary trees and brush, chipping debris, stump grinding, and clearing the area to the township road right-of-way. Healthy and desirable trees, particularly oak trees, will be preserved whenever possible, with limbs trimmed back or raised as necessary to improve visibility and roadway clearance. Supervisor Demeules made a motion to approve the brushing and tree work at a cost not to exceed $6,000. The motion was seconded by Supervisor Wipper, and carried unanimously.
Following completion of the brushing and tree work, the township will evaluate and relocate 911 address signs that are currently positioned too far back from the roadway or otherwise difficult to see. The goal is to move the affected signs closer to the mailbox area where they can be clearly visible to emergency responders and others traveling the roadway.
The Board also discussed fall roadside weed spraying. Spraying is anticipated to take place in the coming weeks, with early September being the preferred timeframe. The township will also contact Herbst regarding mowing of ditches.
Fire Department: A representative from the Clear Lake Fire Department presented the fire report for 7/1/2026 through 7/31/2026. During that time, the department responded to 22 total calls. Nine of those calls were within Palmer Township, 7 of the calls were medical, and 2 were cancellations. The Fire Department reported that it expects to take possession of two new grass trucks sometime during the week. One truck will replace the existing grass truck at Station 1, and the second truck will be added to Station 2.
P.E.C: Nothing to report
Park Report: Supervisor Wipper reported that several dead oak trees were removed from Palmer Park. The remaining stumps will be ground and chipped prior to Palmer Day. A few issues with the park’s sprinkler system were identified and have been repaired. Supervisor Wipper also reported that a few of the newly planted trees at the park were lost due to a combination of deer damage and drought conditions.
Supervisor Demeules reported that work at Two Inlets Regional Park continues to progress. All earthwork and soil disturbance has been completed with tribal monitoring present, and installation of curbing is scheduled to begin. The Northland Reliability project is currently in full swing, with crews removing old structures and setting new structures. That work is expected to continue through the following week.
Final Class 5 and paving of the Two Inlets entrance road and parking area are expected to follow in late August. Trailhead signs, trail signage, and Listening Meadow programming are scheduled to be installed from September through October.
Supervisor Demeules also reported that the County is nearing Phase 3 of the project, which will include deconstruction of the remaining buildings on the property, with the exception of the dairy barn. Deconstruction is anticipated to begin in October and is expected to be completed by spring 2027.
Lake Reports:
Shelly Elgar-Payton reported that the Briggs Lake Chain Association held its August general meeting and approved its 2027 budget. BLCA currently has approximately 218 members, which is an increase from the previous year.
BLCA is currently seeking a co-chair for its Healthy Lakes Committee. The committee oversees a number of lake conservation programs and opportunities for property owners.
Palmer Day will be BLCA’s next major event and is the organization’s largest fundraiser. Volunteers are needed to assist with the event.
Due to Palmer Day, BLCA’s next meeting has been rescheduled to Saturday, September 5th at 8:30 a.m. at the Palmer Town Hall.
Barb Aaberg reported on behalf of T-LID that the T-LID Annual Meeting will be held Saturday at 10:00 a.m. at the Palmer Town Hall. Members will receive updates on current projects, review the proposed 2027 budget, and vote on the budget.
There are also open positions available for individuals interested in serving on the T-LID Board.
The proposed 2027 assessment is expected to be slightly lower than the current assessment, at approximately $70, subject to approval at the Annual Meeting.
Approval of Minutes: Supervisor Demeules made a motion to approve the July minutes. Chairman Ganz seconded, and the motion carried.
OLD BUSINESS: No old business
NEW BUSINESS: No new business
COMMENTS/QUESTIONS:
The Board held a preliminary discussion regarding the possibility of constructing a future maintenance building on the west lot of the Town Hall property. Supervisor Demeules had contacted Sherburne County regarding zoning and size restrictions and reported that there are no specific size restrictions for a government structure; however, the township would still be required to obtain the appropriate permit.
The Board discussed a potential building approximately 40 feet by 80 feet in size that could provide storage for existing township and park equipment, trailers, and future equipment purchases. The township currently has limited storage space, resulting in some equipment and trailers being stored outdoors.
The Board also discussed the township’s future road maintenance and snowplowing needs. While the township currently contracts for snow removal, the Board noted that contractors willing to provide this service are becoming increasingly difficult to find. Future options could include purchasing township-owned equipment and either operating it in-house or contracting with an outside operator.
The Board discussed obtaining quotes and further evaluating the appropriate size and type of building before moving forward. The possibility of establishing a dedicated fund and setting aside money over several years for the project was also discussed.
The Board emphasized that the discussion was preliminary and intended to begin planning for the township’s future maintenance and equipment needs. No action was taken.
Supervisor Wipper made a motion to approve claims #26158- #26177, plus Conexus for a total of $22,433.39. Supervisor Demeules seconded, and the motion carried.
Chairman Ganz made a motion to adjourn. Supervisor Demeules seconded, and the motion was carried. The meeting adjourned at 7:32 p.m.
Amy Bragelman, Palmer Township Clerk, approved as reviewed on September 14th, 2026.