Minutes of 04-12-2021 Eau Galle Board Meeting
*Minutes are unofficial until approved by the Town Board*
The regular monthly meeting was called to order by Town Board Chairman Lund at 7:35 PM at the town hall.
Chairman Lund indicated that the notice of the meeting was posted as required by statutes.
The Town Board members present were Kevin Larson, Amy Shafer, Jim Lund, and William Peavey.
The agenda was approved and posted on a motion by Amy Shafer second by Kevin Larson, motion carried.
Minutes of the 03-08-2021 Board Meeting were approved on a motion by Kevin Larson second by Amy Shafer, motion carried.
Treasurer’s report was reviewed. Motion by Amy Shafer second by Kevin Larson to approve the bills with the possibility of approving one other check for item #6 (Request from Randall Finstad to recover unlawful real estate tax) in the agenda, motion carried.
Clerk reviewed correspondence and emails. Incumbents Jim Lund, Amy Shafer, and Kevin Larson, as well as newly elected Town Board official, Nicole Olson reviewed and signed oaths of office.
Building and Driveway Permits issued were reviewed.
Randal Finstad made a claim to recover unlawful real estate tax in the amount of $1,429.54. Town Board reviewed claim. Motion by Amy Shafer second by Kevin Larson to accept the claim for unlawful real estate tax in the amount of $1,429.54. Motion carried.
Motion by Kevin Larson Second by Amy Shafer to appoint William Peavey as Deputy Clerk/Treasurer at a compensation rate of $18.00/hour. Motion carried.
Motion by Amy Shafer second by Kevin Larson to set last month compensation for retiring Clerk/Treasurer at 2/3 rate of a full month for the month of April 2021 and set new Clerk/Treasurer’s compensation at 1/3 rate of a full month for the month of April 2021. Motion carried.
Mike Ostlie was present for the planning commission. Updated the town board that the planning commission had passed a resolution recommending the town board approve the updated town plan. The next steps include sending paper copies to the library, and county and to schedule a public hearing. Notice must be posted 30 days prior to the hearing. Public hearing is tentatively scheduled for June 2021.
Road Work:
Weight limits are now off of roads.
The culvert near 20th/ 230th was blown out and needs to be replaced. May also need to haul in more gravel until culvert is replaced since cone keeps washing away. There is also a ditch ¼ mile from culvert location that needs to be cleaned out. County will clean the ditch after culvert repair while equipment is still on site thus saving the town cost of relocating equipment.
Chairman Lund met with the County Highway Engineer to bid 10th Avenue repairs and replace road. Water runs over road near County Rd B and 10th Avenue during heavy rainfall. Two culverts may be needed to alleviate this issue. Ditches also need to be cleaned. The bridge does not need replacement however, the road will need to be widened in some areas. The new bid to complete all the needed road repair/replacement on 10th Avenue is $195,000.
Town Board proposes the following road work for 2021 totaling approximately $335,000.00.
- Sealcoat approximately 6 ¼ miles of roads this year for approximately $125,000.00
- Replace and repair 10th Avenue for approximately $195,000.00.
- Repair 45th (gravel road) for approximately $15,000.00
Current budget available for road construction is $237, 206.00. May be able to access some more funds for road construction out of our snow plow budget which currently has $31,000.00 available.
Town Board proposes to take out a loan for $150,000.00 to be paid back over 2 years to help cover the cost of maintaining the town roads. A formal motion will be made at the annual meeting scheduled for April 20, 2021 at 7:00 PM.
In the interim, the county has asked for a list of roads that will need sealcoat so they can make their schedule for the year. Chairman Lund is notifying the county the following roads need sealcoating this year:
- 250th North of I-94. Approximately 2/3 of a mile
- 50th from 233rd to County Rd BB. Approximately 1 mile
- 230th South of County Rd N. Approximately 1 mile
- Boston Rd. Approximately 1 mile
- 270th from County Rd N to 250th. Approximately 2 miles.
- 60th west of County Rd BB. This is a shared road with Town of Baldwin. Eau Galle Town share approximately ½ mile.
A town resident, Jean Kelly, has requested the county rake and seed her lawn due to the bridge at 250th washing out. Town will not pay for the cost of her lawn to be raked and seeded.
Chairman Report:
Annual Meeting scheduled for Tuesday, April 20, 2021 at 7:00 PM at the town hall.
Spring Clean-up Day Scheduled for Saturday, May 1, 2021 from 9:00 AM- 12:00PM at Murtha Sanitation. Further details are now posted on the town website.
Board of Review scheduled for Wednesday, September 1, 2021, 12:00 PM- 2:00 PM at the town hall.
Open Book scheduled for Wednesday, August 25, 2021, 12:00 PM- 2:00 PM at the town hall.
Town hall is in need of some maintenance and repair work. Bruce Erickson has placed a bid to do needed repairs. Bid is more than $1,000.00 but less than $3,000.00. Repairs include: new door, Mice infestation in the ceiling, Bruce will seal town hall and replace outdoor boards/siding where mice are entering the building. Other miscellaneous work may also be needed.
New COVID package includes $100,000.00 to be given directly to the town of Eau Galle. The parameters for how this money can be spent have not yet been released but be thinking of ideas. Some ideas so far:
- New furnace for town hall
- New air filtration system for town hall
- Generator for town hall
Open Forum:
Nicole Olson is the new Clerk/Treasurer. Her contact info and office hours are:
- Office: (715) 684-3015
- Cell: (715) 410-4598
- Fax: (715) 684-5210
- E-mail: [email protected]
- Office hours: Tuesdays 8:30 AM-10:30 AM or by appointment
After 40 plus years of service, Bill Peavey is retiring! Chairman Lund and the board thanked Bill for all his hard work and dedication. A celebration for Bill will be held Tuesday, April 20, 2021 at 6:00 PM at the town hall. Cake and light refreshments will be served.
A town resident expressed interest in serving on the planning commission.
Date of next meeting:
Monday May 10, 2021 at 7:00 PM
Motion to Adjourn at 8:24 PM by Kevin Larson second by Amy Shafer. Motion carried.
Nicole Olson
Clerk/Treasurer
Approved: 5/10/2021
