The Clear Lake Twp. Board met Tuesday evening and supervisor Bud Stimmler provided an update from the meeting he attended in late July at Sherburne County.
Stimmler reported the township has received $40,950 in CARES Act funding, as the total is based on a population formula. He further explained to his colleagues that there are three criteria to be able to use the funds: it has to be used on expenditures that are a result of the pandemic, they must be items that were not already in the budget and the expenses have to be incurred between March of this year through the end of November.
The board held a general discussion about possible spending priorities and ultimately decided that each member will come to the September meeting with a list of spending action items. From there, the group will decide the best way to move forward. Any funds not earmarked by November could be appropriated to a qualifying nonprofit such as the food shelf.
Early discussion centered around cleaning supplies, election expenses and perhaps equipment that could be used to encourage social distancing in the new town hall.
Parks
Stimmler also reported robust usage of the township park and that “the dog park is used all day long.” He has noticed more children in the area of 116th street and all the supervisors reported satisfaction that the area is being used.
Engineer’s Report
Township Engineer Terrance Vander Eyk presented several items to the board, including a partial pay request for $13,585 for the septic system that was installed at the new town hall the last week in July. The board approved this along with a payment to Astech for $33,198 for the seal coating project.
The last item Eyk presented was a change order in the amount of $2,000 for installation of erosion control and landscaping around the north side of the building. Because the area will be seeded with native grasses, this will help keep the building cleaner and will result in less maintenance in the long run. The board approved the order.
Solar Project
Board chair Gary Gray provided an update on the Geronimo Energy Solar Project that seeks to encompass 2,500 acres of property within the township. Gray reported on some of the economic benefits of the project and said that there are plans for him to meet with Clear Lake City Mayor Tim Goenner and Sherburne Commissioner Felix Schmiesing in the near future to discuss the aspects of the proposal.
Several details still need to be worked out, including the current 1,000 foot setback requirement around the environmental lakes in the area. Ultimate approval of the development will rest with the Public Utilities Commission, but the company is seeking positive recommendations from the local governments in the area. Representatives of the company are expected to attend a board meeting in the near future with further plans, as they hope to have the proposal on the desk of the PUC by February 2021. If approved, the plan would be for the solar array to be operational by fall of 2023.
“I’ve been told it takes about a year for a project like this to go through the PUC’s approval process,” said Gray.
In other action, the board:
• Approved adding gutter covers to the new town hall;
• Heard an update on the right of way agreement for 76th street, as legal counsel is now reviewing the document;
• Received a copy of the proposed lease agreement with the Sherburne County Sheriffs Office for space in the new town hall. Gray asked the others to review and bring back any comments next month.
• Heard from Gray that the town hall might be ready for occupancy by late September. However, this year’s general election will still be held in conjunction with the City of Clear Lake and will be held at City Hall.
