Meeting Minutes:

Call to Order

Present

Fire Contract

Road Overseer Items

Treasurer Items

Clerk Items

Deputy Clerk Items

Supervisor Items

Motion to Adjourn

Regular monthly meeting was called to order by Chairperson Wermerskirchen at 5 p.m. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

Chairperson John Wermerskirchen, Supervisor Edward Nytes, Supervisor DeAnn Croatt, Treasurer Nathan Hutton, Deputy Treasurer Patricia Peterson, Clerk Heather Taylor DuCharme, Deputy Clerk Kimberly Carlberg, Road Overseer Jeff Haag, Ted Kornder (Supervisor St. Lawrence Township), Ron Symanitz (Supervisor St. Lawrence Township), Lee Kes (Supervisor Sand Creek Township), Chad Sandy (Supervisor Sand Creek Township), Bruce Hunstad (Supervisor Sand Creek Township), and Tony Kornder (Supervisor Belle Plaine Township).

The Helena Township, St. Lawrence Township, Sand Creek Township, and Belle Plaine Township Supervisors met and discussed issues related to costs, levies, meetings, contract provisions, and options related to fire contracts with the City of Jordan. There was also discussion of mutual aid, regional fire and other matters discussed at SCALE meetings, and a comparison of Scott County/nearby fire districts and contracts.  The Supervisors reviewed the most recent fire contract provisions relating to a Jordan Rural Fire Commission/Association, past bonding/purchases by the City of Jordan, and calculation methods to assess Township fire contract fees. Supervisors agreed to schedule a future meeting with Bob Ruppe (tentatively scheduled for 2/25/2026 at 5 p.m. at the New Prague Fire Hall). The next Jordan Fire meeting is scheduled for 2/4/2026 at 7 p.m. at the Jordan Fire Hall. Helena Township Supervisors may attend. There was also discussion between the Supervisors about charging for fire calls (and having some consistency between Townships for charges), size and use of equipment by cities versus townships, and fire permits.

Haag presented the following items/report:

1.       Tom Johnson contacted Haag regarding a mailbox damaged during plowing. Johnson went back to repair it but the property owner had already cleaned up the debris and appears to be repairing the mailbox themselves.

2.       The empty lot on Willow Lane has been cleaned up and the shack removed.

3.       The contractor (Carr) plans to complete the tree removal for Raven Stream Park and nearby trimming in mid-February.

4.       There is a gas tube very close to Alton Avenue that is within the Township right of way and getting hit during plowing. Taylor DuCharme instructed to contact Greater Minnesota Gas (or other gas company) to address the problem. Wermerskirchen will find out the gas company that services the City of New Prague in case it is that gas company and not GMG.

5.       PERA contacted Haag regarding his eligibility to participate early than he started (4/2022-12/2024). Hutton will contact PERA.

6.       Supervisors updated Haag regarding information provided by Johnson at the last meeting.

7.       Wermerskirchen asked when the Soil and Water Conservation District will reach out for weed control. Haag said in the spring.

Hutton presented the following items/report.

1.       Tax statements (1099s and W2s) will be ready by the end of the month.

2.       Hutton and Peterson are getting ready for the annual audit. Taylor DuCharme advised the Board that the annual audit needs to be rescheduled for more than 30-days before the annual meeting. Supervisors rescheduled annual audit for 2/5/2026 at 6 p.m.

3.       Discussion of updated Schedule of Charges and mileage rate.

Taylor DuCharme presented the following items/report.

1.       Update regarding status of MATIT reporting to Hutton.

2.       Review of updated Schedule of Charges.

3.       Review of resolution to assess unpaid fire call assessment. On motion by Croatt/Nytes, Resolution 01212026 approved as presented; carried unanimously.

4.       Local Board of Appeal and Equalization scheduled for 4/23/2026 at 5 p.m. at the New Prague Fire Hall.

5.       Review of Auditors Combo (Sibbet).

6.       Discussion of federal law changes and future ADA accessibility requirements for the website, including plan and schedule to implement changes.

7.       Contact received from Lennar regarding possible annexation and fee calculation request.

8.       MAT Short Course schedule review.

Carlberg presented the following items/report.

1.       Carlberg will post notice of quorum for Jordan Fire meeting on 2/4.

2.       The new .gov website is live and running. Carlberg and Maximus Marketing Management are troubleshooting any continuing issues. There may be additional costs to MMM due to work necessary outside the scope of previous quote. Discussion by Supervisors of possible additional costs and approval for additional necessary work (including ADA compliance issues).

3.       MMM is working with Carlberg regarding website analytics.

Supervisors presented the following items/reports.

1.       Wermerskirchen stated the Board should expect a large bill for plowing and road maintenance due to the recent weather events.

2.       Nytes advised the Board regarding the recent New Prague Rural Fire Association meeting.

3.       Nytes received a call from a new resident regarding wanting to have a horse on 3.8 acres. Nytes advised him to contact Scott County regarding animal unit zoning.

4.       Wermerskirchen provided an update on the pond scraping project status and emails with the Township engineer.

5.       Croatt brought up the issue of making sure Township emails are being checked regularly.

At 6:57 p.m. on motion by Nytes/Croatt, meeting adjourned; carried unanimously.