Tuesday, incumbents running for re-election at Clear Lake and Becker Townships were re-seated on  their boards with little contestation.

 

Annual meetings followed the elections as well as canvassing of the votes.

 

In Clear Lake Township, Bud Stimmler easily re-captured his seat by getting 31 votes as opposed to two write-ins.

 

The annual meeting followed and featured author Mike Keigan explaining his role in writing and producing the Clear Lake history book. The topic spurred several folks reminiscing about the past and speaking of the town’s history.

 

“It made for a long meeting, but it was very fun and interesting,” said Clerk Mary Mathison.

 

The Clear Lake Township Board meetings are held every third Tuesday of the month at 7 p.m. in the lower level of the Township Hall. If one would like to present an item to the Board, please email the township clerk by noon the Thursday preceding the Tuesday monthly meeting at: clearlaketwp@hotmail.com.

 

At Becker Township, incumbent Joe Danielson received 25 votes for seat #4 with Mark Wimmer garnering 16 votes and Jim Mecklenberg receiving six.

 

For seat #5, incumbent Brian Kolbinger retained his spot on the board with 25 votes as opposed to 15 for Mecklenberg and six for Wimmer.

 

At the annual meeting, Mark Schafer was named moderator and regular business commenced.

 

Becker Town Board supervisors conducted a board of audit Feb. 17.  Clerk Lucinda Messman and Treasurer Danielson calculated total receipts and disbursements and they matched.  Total receipts for the period total $1,113,671.47.  Total disbursements for the period total $1,311,299.00.  Several individual checks and deposits were checked for verification.  Bank statements matched with cash control.

 

Steve Pareja of CentraCare handed out copies of the company’s year-in-review. A  new program was highlighted called the Healthy at Home Visit program.  This program provides home visits with a focus on individuals who had been hospitalized with COPD, Congestive Heart Failure, Asthma and Pneumonia.

 

Pareja said the MN Department of Health released their adverse health events results by hospital.  Monticello had zero this year.

 

Pareja concluded by advising everyone the next board meeting is Nov. 19 and begins at 6:30 p.m.  The meeting location is the hospital and it is open to the public.  

 

Residents were invited to attend.  

 

Town Supervisor Gary Hammer reviewed the road report and Wimmer expressed concern for the township’s “wasteful spending” and suggested there be better oversight.

 

Wimmer said the contractor hired to do road replacement (Hardrives)) does not have the appropriate tools to replace roads and shoulders correctly.  He said the $100,000 is too much to spend for shouldering.  

 

Wimmer also feels the current snowplow contractor is using too much salt/sand on the township roads and is not subject to enough oversight. 

 

New projects for 2015  were examined including reclaiming and surfacing for 103rd St. from Autumn Ridge to Co. Rd. 23; 87th St. from Co. Rd. 11 to 175th Ave and possible improvement to the 137th Alignment at Hwy. 10 in conjunction with the BNSF rail improvements.

 

The township maintains nearly 65 miles of road.  52.80 miles are blacktopped.  There are 4.53 more miles of roadway within developments that are not yet maintained by the township in accordance to the terms of the developer’s agreements. 

 

The proposed township levy numbers for 2016 were presented, along with comparison to 2014 and 2015.  General revenue and fire department funds have decreased.  Road and bridge funds have a proposed increase.  

 

A question regarding special interest funding was asked and Messman read the requests she has received so far. The Becker city parks had a request as well as Freedom Days fireworks and building use, the three cemeteries, and BASC and safety camp.  Messman pointed out the annual meeting is no longer where the requests are made and those requests mentioned are due to the town board meeting in February.  Once money is allocated, the board will decide the final amounts that each group will or will not receive at the March meeting.

 

Mark Wimmer motioned to decrease the road and bridge fund to $735,000, rather than $750,000 as proposed.  It was seconded by Mecklenburg.

 

Discussion ensued regarding tightening up what the Twp. does with road and bridge sanding amounts.  

 

One member  from the public brought up that the board needs to remember that the $750,000 is for the entire township constituency, not just a single area.  

 

Kris Hammer brought up the fact that when she served on the board, she was always impressed with how frugal the board members actually are with tax dollars received.  

 

Wimmer suggested maybe the board should not spend $15,000 on ‘special interests’ if they want 750,000 in the road and bridge fund.  He also brought up his issue with contracts for snowplowing and sanding.  Mark Swanson replied that decreasing road budgets can tie the hands of the town board when repairs are needed.

 

Messman brought up a sample culvert repair project anticipated to cost $40,000, but due to other requirements by DNR ended up costing nearly $200,000.  The project had to be done for safety of township residents.  

 

Sandy Connoy brought up concern that if $750,000 is granted to the board, they will spend that amount no matter what.  Moderator Mark Schafer referred to the road report where it showed in 2013, the budget allowed was $600,000 but the town board only spent $430,000.  In 2014, $650,000 was available and $671,000 was spent.

 

The board does not always spend the entire amount – they do try to act responsibly with the funds available.  After a vote was taken on the motion by Wimmer, eight members opposed and seven approved. 

 

Motion failed.

 

• Treasurer Tanya Danielson presented the 2014 treasurer’s report and the four-page document was approved;

 

• Amanda Outhoudt gave a planning commission/joint planning board update which included a 2013-14-15 YTD summary; 

 

• Mark Swanson motioned to approve $40,000 for the general revenue fund (this amount includes $25,000 for general and $15,000 for ‘special interest’ funding);

 

• Jim Mecklenburg motioned to approve $75,000 for the fire fund;

 

• Wimmer motioned to approve town hall levy at $15,000;

 

• Mecklenburg motioned to approve a new fire hall fund at $30,000. Discussion ensued regarding what this is amount for – treasurer responded debt servicing.  Motion carried, all voting in favor.

 

The Becker Township Board generally meets on the third Monday of the month at 7 p.m..  If a federal holiday falls on the normal meeting date, the meeting is usually held the next available evening.