July Minutes 2026
ERIE TOWNSHIP
Regular Board Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, July 7, 2026
Board members present: Supervisors Kyle Vareberg; Brett Friesen and Mike Hough
Officers present: Clerk Becky Renner and Treasurer Rhonda Vareberg
Others present: Bruce Adkins; Grant Graham; Dawson Adkins; Emma Althoff; Wyatt Dunham; Dan Gustner; Dale Renner and Tom Thiel
The meeting was called to order at 6:32 p.m. by Supervisor Friesen.
After reviewing the agenda as presented, a motion was made by Supervisor Friesen, seconded by Supervisor Vareberg and carried, without a dissenting vote, to approve the agenda with removal of Luke Sweer presentation and the addition of Tom Thiel, under Citizen’s Comments and under Road Report add discussion of Woodland Trail.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
After reviewing the minutes of the June 2, 2026 regular Board Meeting and Reorganization Meeting, a motion was made by Supervisor Friesen, seconded by Supervisor Vareberg and carried, without a dissenting vote, to approve the minutes as written with no additions or corrections.
Clerk Renner gave the treasurer’s reports ending June 30, 2026 from Midwest Bank with an ending balance in the checking account of $442,226.22 and an ending balance in the money market account of $201,809.50 for a total of $644,035.72. A motion was made by Supervisor Vareberg, seconded by Supervisor Hough and carried, without a dissenting vote, to approve the June 2026 treasurer’s report.
The Board reviewed the expense and payroll claims for June 30 2026 as presented to them by Clerk Renner. A motion was made by Supervisor Hough, seconded by Supervisor Vareberg and carried, without a dissenting vote, to approve payment of payroll claims in the amount of $3,178.18 and expense claims in the amount of $92,700.70 for a total of $95,878.88.
Bowers Lawn & Landscaping. $420.00
Michael Hough. $464.23
Graham, Tom. $5,332.50
Arvig. $96.45
Gustner Construction LLC. $9,480.00
MATIT. $2,322.00
Mosher, Amos. $85.00
Renner, Becky. $69.95
Internal Revenue Service. $1,612.37
MN Dept of Revenue. $275.81
MN Unemployment Insurance. $61.35
Midwest Bank. $437.37
Zachariason, Debra. $55.00
D & B Septic & Excavation LLC $23,538.39
Corbin Excavating, Inc. $48,450.28
Citizen’s Comments:
DMRA General Manager Tom Thiel came to review with the Board the proposed campground for summer use. The intent of the short-term campground is to help generate income in the summer. DMRA is hoping to be fully operational by 2029 at the earliest.
The Board is going to hold off on two projects, NW Pickerel Lake Road minimum maintenance area and Hubble Pond overlay, until a decision is made for a Fire Contract. Clerk Renner was asked to set up a meeting with the city of Frazee to discuss options of fire coverage for Erie Township. After that meeting, a special meeting will be set to discuss costs, coverage and budget.
Road Report:
Bruce Adkins and Grant Graham appeared before the Board to discuss a vacated portion of Woodland Trail from 1998. The consensus is to continue this meeting with both property owners at a future date. Thursday, July 9, 2026 at 9:00 a.m. was the date and time agreed on.
The Board has added Cherry Creek Lane to be graveled this year.
Old Business:
Clerk Renner reported that US Dept of Treasury has reported to us that Erie Township is fully compliant with our final ARPA report, including certification and compliance of final report.
New Business:
A special meeting will be set up with the Frazee City Council.
A motion was made by Supervisor Vareberg, seconded by Supervisor Friesen and carried, without a dissenting vote, to approve Resolution # 2026-07-01, setting Erie Town Hall as the official polling place for 2026.
A motion was made by Supervisor Vareberg, seconded by Supervisor Friesen and carried, without a dissenting vote, to approve Resolution #2026-07-02, authorizing Board Members to contract for employment during elections.
A motion was made by Supervisor Vareberg, seconded by Supervisor Friesen and carried, without a dissenting vote, to approve Matt Arola’s Information Request to receive copies of the 2026-2028 gravel quotes.
Budget discussion has been tabled until after meeting with the Frazee City Council. The budget will be added to the special meeting to be set a later date.
A motion was made by Supervisor Vareberg, seconded by Supervisor Friesen and carried, without a dissenting vote, to approve Clerk Renner and Treasurer Vareberg to attend CTAS Training in Crookston, MN on July 22, 2026.
Other:
Town Aid for 2026 - $2,305
Thank you from Roger Minch for dust control on S Cotton Lake Road
There being no further business of the regular meeting was recessed at 7:21 p.m.
On July 9, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. the Township Board met with Bruce Adkins and Grant Graham on Woodland Trail to discuss the aera under question. There being no further business of the regular meeting, a motion was made by Supervisor Friesen, seconded by Supervisor Vareberg and carried, without a dissenting vote, to adjourn the meeting at 9:28 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
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Becky Renner, Clerk
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Brett Friesen, Chairperson