Meeting Minutes:

Call to Order

Present

Election of Chair

Minutes

Claims/Receipts

Township Recommendation Form

Road Overseer Items

Art Johnson Trucking, Inc.

Treasurer Items

Clerk Items

Deputy Clerk Items

Supervisor Items

Motion to Continue

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

Chairperson Edward Nytes, Supervisor John Wermerskirchen, Supervisor DeAnn Croatt, Deputy Treasurer Patricia Peterson, Clerk Heather Taylor DuCharme, Deputy Clerk Kimberly Carlberg, Tom Johnson, and Doug Meyer. Not present: Treasurer Nathan Hutton and Road Overseer Jeff Haag.

On motion by Croatt/Nytes, Wermerskirchen elected Chairperson for 2026; carried unanimously.

Review of proposed 12/4/2025, 12/11/2025-12/13/2025, and 12/17/2025 minutes. On motion by Croatt/Nytes, minutes accepted and approved as presented; carried unanimously.

Review and discussion of claims. After review of claims and on motion by Nytes/Croatt, all claims were approved as presented for payment, including checks 7171-7183 and one ACH/EFT totaling $24,192.79; carried unanimously. Roll call vote: Wermerskirchen – yes; Croatt – yes; Nytes – yes.

Doug Meyer attended the meeting to request a Township Recommendation Form for his mother Ann Meyer’s property. The request is to subdivide (3.22 acres and 36.78 acres) and rezone (from A1 to A3) her 40-acre property for the sale of the land and retention of homestead. The Supervisors discussed the matter with Meyer. On motion by Croatt/Wermerskirchen, Township Recommendation Form as requested approved; carried unanimously. Taylor DuCharme to email fully executed form to Meyer for Meyer to provide to Scott County.

Haag was not present at the meeting but emailed the following to Taylor DuCharme to be provided at the meeting:

Haag received an email that was forwarded to me from Scott County. Homeowner on Silver Maple Dr was requesting more salt in front of his house in the future. The homeowner lives on a cul de sac, and when the plow truck slows down to maneuver the turn, Art Johnson Trucking slows the salt sprayer in an effort to not oversalt the area. I discussed with Tom Johnson and he will allow the salt to spray at normal force in front of resident’s home. Haag informed the homeowner of such. No further action required. Note that at our last meeting, we discussed a homeowner who didn't want salt.

Tom Johnson provided an update regarding contacts from bus company and icy roads. There was additional discussion between Johnson and the Supervisors regarding procedure for early morning and emergency road maintenance calls. There was discussion of plowing and salting questions by residents. Johnson also brought up the issues of costs to maintain equipment for use to safely maintain and maintain safe roads for the Township. Nytes advised the Board that he drove some of the Township after the ice Tuesday and the roads seemed to be in good shape. Croatt stated that Art Johnson Trucking has always done a great job taking care of Township roads. There was discussion of contracts, minimums, and the residents at the annual meeting comments.

Peterson presented the Treasurer’s Report and updates. Discussion with Supervisors of Treasurer’s Report, including deposits, and claims. There is no need for a transfer from savings to checking to cover the approved claims. On motion by Croatt/Nytes, Treasurer’s Report accepted and approved as presented; carried unanimously.

Taylor DuCharme presented the following items/report.

1.       Provided updates from emails with Township engineer regarding future plans/schedule for 2027 road projects.

2.       Review of schedule of charges. On motion by Croatt/Nytes, mileage reimbursement amount updated to new IRS amount of $0.725/mile; approved unanimously.

3.       Provided City of New Prague election location and Scott County absentee balloting updates.

4.       Minnesota Association of Townships – Township Day at the Capitol scheduled for 3/2/2026. Carlberg to post notice of quorum at posting location and Taylor DuCharme to post to website.

5.       Update on Auditor Combos.

6.       Update on MVEC permit request.

7.       Certification of assessment rolls completed.

8.       Discussion of Alton Avenue meeting at Scott County Government Center. Carlberg to post notice of quorum at posting location and Taylor DuCharme to post to website.

9.       Discussed Scott County Township Officials attending workshop.

Carlberg presented the following items/report.

1.       Website updates regarding .gov, spam, emails, and the great work Maximum Marketing Management is doing. Wermerskirchen and Nytes asked for statistics at next meeting on number of visits to website.

2.       Review of 4^th notice for fire call invoice. On motion by Croatt/Nytes, certification/assessment of invoice to property taxes approved; carried unanimously. Taylor DuCharme to prepare resolution and documents for certification of assessment.

Supervisors presented the following items/reports.

1.       Wermerskirchen possible discussed agenda format changes.

2.       Wermerskirchen provided update on conversation with Steve Rynda about fire department costs, equipment, budgeting, and burning permits. New Prague is using DNR permitting website while Jordan is continuing to not use DNR website.

3.       Supervisors discussed how New Prague Fire does a great job of including the rural fire associations and townships in decision making and giving advance notice of planned expenses.

4.       Supervisors reviewed holiday cards from Hakanson Anderson and Sheriff’s Department.

5.       Croatt received an email from Coalition Against Bigger Trucks requesting a meeting. Supervisors agreed Croatt will respond and advise person they can attend a Township meeting or email information.

6.       Croatt provided update from retention pond review. Croatt doesn’t believe there are enough ponds to make a maintenance schedule necessary. Issue tabled.

7.        Croatt advised Board regarding upcoming SCALE meeting.

8.       Discussion of Hillman Township litigation.

At 6:25 p.m. on motion by Nytes/Croatt, meeting continued workshop on 1/21/2026; carried unanimously.