July Minutes 2025
ERIE TOWNSHIP
July 1, 2025
Regular Board Meeting Minutes
Board members present: Chairman Neal Sundet, Supervisor Kyle Vareberg, Supervisor Brett Friesen
Officers present: Clerk Karen Eifealdt, Treasurer Becky Renner
Others present: Chris Kennedy, Kevin Disse, Dan Gustner, Matt Arola
The meeting was called to order at 6:31 p.m. by Chairman Neal Sundet.
After reviewing the agenda, a motion was made by Supervisor Vareberg and seconded by Supervisor Sundet to approve the agenda as presented with no additions. Motion carried.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
After reviewing the minutes of the June 3, 2025 regular board meeting, a motion was made by Supervisor Vareberg and seconded by Supervisor Friesen to approve the minutes as presented. Motion carried.
Treasurer Renner gave the treasurer’s report ending June 30, 2025 with the checking account having an ending balance of $266,058.33 and the money market having an ending balance of &663,055.15 making total available funds as of June 30, 2025 $929,113.48. A motion was made by Supervisor Vareberg and seconded by Supervisor Sundet to approve the treasurer’s report as presented. Motion carried. After the vote, it was then noted that there was a discrepancy in the totals of the claims and that one claim had not been included. There was a call to do a roll call vote on a motion to table the July treasurer’s report until the August meeting. Supervisor Vareberg – yea, Supervisor Sundet – yea, Supervisor Friesen – yea. Motion carried.
The Board reviewed the expense and payroll claims as presented to them by Treasurer Renner. Despite the discrepancy in the total of claims, a motion was made by Supervisor Friesen and seconded by Supervisor Sundet to approve payment of claims, payroll claims in the amount of $2,300.83 and expense claims in the amount of $51,698.99 totaling $53,999.82. Motion carried.
Arvig $96.45
Corbin $34,416.64
D & B Septic & Excavation LLC
$6,009.50
Gustner Construction LLC
$8,556.50
MATIT $2,332.00
Mosher, Amos $50.00
Renner, Becky $69.95
Stenerson-Eifealdt Karen
$86.95
Town Law Center $26.00
Zachariason Debra. $55.00
Supervisor Sundet read a note from Roger Muench thanking the township for the magnesium chloride that was applied to S Cotton Lake Road.
Clerk Eifealdt read a thank you from the Frazee Rescue Squad for the generous donation.
Road Report:
Supervisor Vareberg gave an update on the minimum maintenance portion of NW Pickerel Lake Road. He has received one quote of $3200 for the surveying that needs to be completed and is waiting for one additional quote. He gave some specifications for Class A, Class B, and Class C roads and the which this road should be. After some discussion, the suggestion was made to put an ad in the paper asking for quotes stating that any interested parties could contact the board for specifications. A motion was made by Supervisor Vareberg and seconded by Supervisor Sundet to place an ad in the paper asking for quotes for making improvements on the minimum maintenance portion of NW Pickerel Lake Road. Motion carried. Clerk Eifealdt will place the ad in one issue of the Detroit Lakes Tribune.
Supervisor Vareberg also had updates on the road projects with Sunset project starting today, and both Tower Road and Pickerel Lake Road projects beginning the week of the 14th.
The graveling in Erie Township will be competed in July.
There was some discussion on tree management on W Pickerel Lake Road.
Old Business:
There was a lengthy discussion regarding the request for 322nd Ave. There were several suggestions regarding the request. It was decided that the board would drive out there after the business of this meeting was concluded. They would take a look at the road and talk about it further and adjourn the meeting there.
Treasurer Renner presented the five year road cost comparison to the board. She will email copies to the board to review.
Supervisor Sundet had talked to Aaron at Lakes Corner Liquor regarding the recycling bins and the fence that the township had offered to put up to control some of the trash around the bins. Supervisor Sundet will contact some fence companies to get some estimates.
New Business:
There was some discussion about developing an emergency preparedness plan in case of a tornado or severe weather and having a list of people who could be called for clean-up. The suggestion was made to have Deputy Adam Douglas come and talk to us at a future meeting.
Other:
Clerk Eifealdt shared information from the Minnesota State Demographic Center which gives annual population and household estimates. The estimates are as of April 1, 2024. The population estimate for Erie Township is 1,751 and the household estimate is 704.
At this point, the meeting was paused while the board left to meet at 322nd Ave. They met with two residents. After looking at the road and after some discussion, a motion was made by Supervisor Sundet and seconded by Supervisor Vareberg to spread two inches of gravel on the road and to grade once a year. Motion carried.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:00.
Respectfully submitted,
Karen Eifealdt, Clerk