MINUTES

REGULAR MEETING

PALMER TOWNSHIP

March 13th 2023

The regular meeting of the Palmer Township Board was called to order at 7:00 p.m. at the Palmer Township Hall, with Supervisors Ganz, Demeules, and Larson present. Also present was, Amy Bragelman Township Clerk. Roger Johnson Treasurer, was present via Zoom. The meeting was opened with the Pledge of Allegiance.

Treasurer’s Report: Roger Johnson read the balances from the Treasurer's report. Supervisor Demeules made a motion to approve the Treasurer’s Report. Supervisor Larson seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.

Sheriff’s Report: Ben Zawacki read the Sheriff’s for the month of February. 85 Total calls for service as compared to 83 calls for service in 2022. 1 theft and harassment, 3 motor vehicle accidents, 2 medicals, 22 total traffic stops, and 25 security checks. Chairman Ganz talked about moving snow across the road. Ganz stated that even if you own property across the road, we would like to see residents not plow over the road due to safety.

Road Maintenance/Signs: Jake Herbst stated that on 95th at the end by 62 as you get to the top of the hill There is a cable that is getting low, and will probably get taken out if a big truck comes through. Chairman Ganz mentioned that he is aware of the branches on the road right away that need trimming around Lake Julia. Supervisor Larson stated that they didn’t get passed Roger Johnson’s house when they were out trimming. Michael Schendzielos and other residents thanked Jake and John Herbst for all of their hard work. Supervisor Larson spoke about damage to the resident’s property and that if it is moved by the snow and not by the plow Herbst is not responsible for that damage. There is a lot of snow this year and not a lot of room for it around the lakes. If we get more snow, we may need to haul some out. Ganz spoke once again about the proper installation of mailboxes which you can find at https://www.mailboxes.com/united-states-postal-service-mailbox-regulations-and-specifications/#:~:text=By%20USPS%20regulatory%20standards%2C%20your,the%20edge%20of%20the%20road. If your mailbox is damaged but not installed per USPS regulations you are responsible for you damaged mailbox. Ganz reported that he was contacted by a resident whose mailbox was struck in an accident and needs to be replaced. Ganz told the residents that the Township has swing-away posts and that we would sell them to him for cost. Chairman Ganz affirmed that they are aware that roads will be bad this spring. Jake Herbst mentioned that we are missing a bridge sign by Bromenschenkel’s. Ganz reported that we got the bids back from the 109th Culvert low area and also the 42nd Street low area. MJS Dirtwork came in at 54,229.60 for 42nd and 51,030.55 for 109th. There was a lot of discussion about a resident John Koubsky’s well and whether or not a retaining pond could potentially contaminate that, on 109th, who would be responsible? The Engineer stated that the water that is coming through his property now will not increase with the addition of a pond. Mitch Hoffer inquired as to how much water the pond would hold. Victor Kimball the other resident on 109th that this pond would affect said 80 thousand. The pond is to fix the problem, that we currently have, of water flowing over and washing away the road. Mr. Kimball said that with the burms and the distance that the pond is

from Mr. Koubsky’s well, there shouldn’t be any problems. Ganz commented that the addition of a pond may help protect Johns well. Ganz mentioned that they will have a pre-construction meeting so that the neighbors that are affected will be aware of what is happening. Ganz stated that 42nd Street on the north side of Lake Julia will be raised about 2 feet. Construction will not happen until sometime in June and will be done before July 4th. Steve Demeules made a motion to go with MJS Dirtworks for both jobs, Mike Ganz seconded and the motion was carried. Supervisor Larson thanked Joel Brott, Dan Knapek, Andrew Witter, and all the people at Public Works, the driver feedback signs are going in.

Fire Department: No one was present for the Fire department. The monthly report was not given.

P.E.C: Chairman Ganz stated that Palmer Clean-up Day will be tentatively set for May 20th. We will be working this year with Jim’s Disposal, Veit, Midway for iron and electronics, and Liberty for tires. We had Republic last year and were charged $18,854.

Park Report: Chairman Ganz reported that park use is slow. Supervisor Demeules stated that the next meeting for Big Elk Park is March 15th and he will have a report next month.

Lake Association: Supervisor Demeules reported that Healthy Lakes are promoting no mow May. That is when the bees are pollinating. They are also looking at starting an Instagram account and a YouTube channel for educational purposes. The BLCA general meeting will be held Friday, June 9th, and more information on that to come at the next meeting. Water rescue will be held on Saturday at the channel Briggs and Rush from 8 am to 12. There were a couple of fish houses on the lake and they were taken off. Supervisor Demeules warned residents about high water and to tie their belongings down. Shelly Alger- Peyton requested a document holder to be placed under the BLCA informational cabinet for Palmer Directories and membership forms. The board approved Shelly’s request. Supervisor Larson mentioned that he was not in the 2022 directory and would like to be put in the 2023 directory.

Legal Comments: Chairman Ganz mentioned that we will be revising our rental policy, for the park and the hall. All rentals in the hall have been postponed until the rental policy is complete. Supervisor Larson made a motion to follow the Minnesota Association of Township Troy Gilchrist to update the rental policy, there was no second and the motion died.

Approval of Minutes: Supervisor Demeuls made a motion to approve the February minutes as written. Supervisor Larson seconded it and the motion carried.

ARPA FUND: Supervisor Demeules reported that we received about 280 thousand and we have 238 thousand left to spend. We did remodel the office, put in cameras, and had new toilets put in the hall. We still need to put in new floors. We will probably end up using some of these funds for roads. Chairman Ganz reported that we got 2 quotes for floors, but aren’t ready to make a motion on it at this time.

OLD BUSINESS:

NEW BUSINESS:

COMMENTS/QUESTIONS: Supervisor Larson was thanked for his 15 years of service and was given a plaque.

Supervisor Demeules made a motion to approve claims #23037- #23051, plus payroll, and Conexus for a total of 38,970.69

Supervisor Demeules made a motion to adjourn. Supervisor Larson seconded and the motion was carried. The meeting adjourned at 8:26 p.m.

Amy Bragelman, Palmer Township ClerkApproved as reviewed March 13th, 2023