MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING
PALMER TOWNSHIP
April 14, 2025
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, and Supervisor Wipper present. Also present was Amy Bragelman, Township Clerk, and Treasurer Roger Johnson via Zoom. 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: Captain Ben Zawacki read the Sheriff’s report for March. There were 53 Total calls for service as compared to 87 calls for service in 2024. There were 2 accidents involving animals, 1 theft, 15 traffic stops, 3 security checks, 2 extra patrols, 1 death, 1 criminal sexual conduct, and 3 suspicious vehicles, to name a few.
Road Maintenance/Signs: Supervisor Wipper reported that road sweeping will be out on April 22nd. He also reported that we will need to fix a patch of lawn on 64th Street that got damaged by the blade removing snow during our last storm. Jeff Peterson has all of the 911 signs and should be putting them up this week. They have not currently had a preliminary meeting with Dahlke about the project on Briggs Creek. It sounds like that project will start after July 4th, and they hope to be wrapped up with that project in a week.
Fire Department: Chief Koren reported for March. The monthly call report for 3/13/2025 to 4/14/2025 shows 17 calls for the Clear Lake Fire Department. 2 of those calls were for Palmer Township: One fire and one medical.
P.E.C.: We are all set for May 3rd.
Park Report: Chairman Ganz reported that there was a park committee meeting last week up at the park. Mark is making up some signs for disc golf and has made a map for the course. Laura Kangas is working on getting quotes for some permanent garbage cans that will be placed around the disc golf course, ensuring that our park stays clean. The garbage cans may come out of the Palmer Ball fund or the Park fund. They may order a bench for the disc golf course as well. They spoke about buckthorn. Susie Brown mentioned that they had goats come in and get rid of their buckthorn, and she was very pleased with the results. The park committee also discussed replacing some of the picnic tables. Chairman Ganz stated that they plan on doing the concrete for the pickleball courts on April 26th, as long as the weather permits. Then the pickleball courts should be painted the last week in May or the 1st part of June. The new mower for the park will be picked up tomorrow morning. The trees from Briggs Lake Nursery were delivered and are down at the park, ready to be planted. Palmer ball sign-up is on May 3rd and 5th. More information is available at http://palmerball.com.
Supervisor Demeules report on Two Inlets Park. They were supposed to burn last winter for Oak Savannah, but it couldn't be started because they needed four inches of snow and frozen ground. The conditions were never right. There is currently an audio pronunciation of the park name, which is available on the County website in both Dakota and Ojibwe. Northland Reliability has been working with the County and Tribal Partners on pole placement and removal of new power lines. Funding for phase 3 decommission has not been secured.
Lake Reports: Nancy Hahne reported on behalf of the T-Lid. T lid is currently working on educating themselves and members on the Alum feasibility treatment on Briggs and carp management on the upper Three Lakes. The annual T lid meeting is on August 16th.
Shelly Alger-Peyton reported on behalf of BLCA. The owner from Carp Solutions came out and did a presentation at the BLCA’s last meeting. They plan on coming out late May, early June. They will be tagging fish to look at their migrating patterns and see how old they are. They are hoping to remove some of the carp later this summer. It will be a 2 to 3-year process before they get the carp to a manageable number. Water testing will begin on May 13th. On May 10th, the BLCA will have its spring plant giveaway for members. The BLCA is trying to decide what to do with the AED that they have at a property owners shore. Some ideas are to completely get rid of the AED machine, due to the cost of maintaining it. The other options may be to sell it or to move it to another property. Palmer Township currently has 2 AED machines, one at the Palmer House and one at the Store. Palmer Township would not be interested in purchasing the AED machine since all deputies have and carry one, and to use the machine, you need to be on a dry flat surface, so having one at Lake access may not be very practical.
Approval of Minutes: Supervisor Demeules made a motion to approve the March minutes. Supervisor Wipper seconded, and the motion carried.
OLD BUSINESS: Nothing
NEW BUSINESS: Reorganization: Supervisor Demeules motioned for the gopher bounty to stay at $3 per pair. Supervisor Wipper seconded the motion was passed. Supervisor Demeules motioned to approve the tax levy at 5%. Supervisor Wipper seconded, and the motion was passed. Supervisor Demeules motioned that Sherburn State Bank be Palmer Township's official Bank. Supervisor Wipper seconded, and the motion was carried. Supervisor Demeules motioned that the Patriot be Palmer Township's official paper. Supervisor Wipper seconded, and the motion was carried. Supervisor Demeules nominated Mike Ganz to remain the Chair, and Supervisor Wipper seconded. The supervisor discussed wages. Wages stayed the same for Supervisors at $22 an hour, Clerk and Treasurers increased to $25.00 an hour. Maintenance increased to $20.00 an hour. Cleaning stayed at $16.00, and Head judge stayed at $19.50; Election judges stayed at $17.00. Meeting rates stayed the same. The motion was made by Supervisor Demeules and seconded by Supervisor Wipper. This will be in effect on the next pay period, May 12th.
COMMENTS/QUESTIONS:
Supervisor Demeules made a motion to approve claims #25063- #25087, plus Conexus, $29,306.07. Supervisor Wipper seconded.
Chairman Ganz made a motion to adjourn. Supervisor Wipper seconded, and the motion was carried. The meeting adjourned at 7:59 p.m.
Amy Bragelman, Palmer Township Clerk Approved as reviewed May 12, 2025