Regular Meeting January 4, 2024. Present: Supervisors; John Shockman, Jim Lee, Donald Fix , Clerk Val Anderson, Steve Hass. John called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. Minutes of the last meeting were approved as printed, Motion by Shockman, seconded and carried. Treasurer’s reports given.
OLD BUSINESS: Well is complete with total paid to Ace Well of $10,090.00 Plus $770 looking for well and build shelf and electric bill not yet received.
IRS 2024 Mileage rate $.67 per mile.
NEW BUSINESS: Will work on new contracts for Road, but will use current ones for this year. Checks 7455-7461 , ACH 594-596 were approved, Receipts: -574-576
Meeting adjourned at 8:20 p.m with motion by Lee, seconded and carried.
Regular Meeting February 1, 2024. Present: Supervisors; John Shockman, Jim Lee, Donald Fix, Deputy Treasurer Cindy Shockman, Clerk Val Anderson, Steve Hass, Dale Becklin. John called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. Minutes of the last meeting were approved as printed, Motion by Shockman, seconded and carried.
The 2023 Board of audit was held: After reviewing the books, a Motion by Lee, seconded by Fix and carried to approve and sign the 2023 Receipts and Disbursements Audit Report. Year End Reports completed: Township Road Mileage Certification; PERA Exclusion; Noxious Weed Report; State Report of Outstanding Indebtedness; MATIT Workers’ Compensation Audit Report; W-2/1099; Office of the State Auditor Annual Financial Reporting Form, SAFES Lobby Expense; Census Boundary Annexation Form. Road Work Report is not finished.
OLD BUSINESS: Received signed Fire contract from Braham.
Received information to update our road development agreements and ordinance etc., from Attorney Ruppe. We will continue to work on these updates.
Raised ballfield rent to $300 per year.
NEW BUSINESS: Opened bids at 7:30 pm. After review, Motion by Lee, seconded by Fix and carried to accept the 2024-24 road bid of Dawn Hass Construction.
Reviewed Isanti County Planning Commission Request of Dawn Kraushaar for a firework business on Highway 65. No comments made.
Reviewed pay information. Our monthly meeting rate has not been changed since 2006 and the hourly rate since 2017. Motion by Lee seconded by Fix and carried to raise our monthly meeting rate to $125.00 and the hourly rate to $30.00 with other meetings being a minimum of $60.00 for up to the first 2 hours then hourly after that.
Checks 7462-7472, ACH 597-599 were approved, Receipts: 577-581
Meeting adjourned at 8:35 p.m with motion by Lee, seconded and carried.
Regular Meeting March 7, 2024. Present: Supervisors; John Shockman, Jim Lee, Donald Fix Treasurer Kirstin Schmitz and Craig Betsinger, Clerk Val Anderson, Steve Hass, Residents. John called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. Minutes of the last meeting were approved as printed, Motion by Shockman, seconded and carried. Treasurer’s reports received
OLD BUSINESS: The 2025 Budget to be requested for the Annual Meeting will be $256,005.
Steve Hass gave an update on how the chloride worked on 397th Ave NE. 1,104 yards of gravel was placed on the road prior to the May 12, 2023 application of 7,530 gallons at $8,885.40. The road had been graded 6 times prior to application then not graded until August 10 with only 8 hours of grading after that date. On September 22 106 yards were added at the west end. Not having to grade during the summer months saves a considerable amount in 2023 and should save more if we continue with a routine of chloride each year.
NEW BUSINESS: A verbal resignation has been received from Kirstin Schmitz. Motion by Shockman, seconded by Fix and carried to appoint Craig Betsinger as Treasurer when we receive the official resignation from current Treasurer Kirstin Schmitz. Craig Betsinger will be taking over as treasurer for Kirstin Schmitz effective April 5, 2024. New Signature cards will need to be made. Motion by Lee, seconded by Fix and Carried to have the following names on the signature cards for all the accounts at Frandsen Bank and Trust in Braham, Minnesota: John Shockman Chairman, Don Fix Vice-Chairman, Craig Betsinger Treasurer, Cindy Shockman Deputy Treasurer, Valerie Anderson, Clerk and a Deputy Clerk to be added when acquired. Kirsten Schmidt, Jim Lee and any other persons not listed above will be removed. And for all accounts at Security Bank and Trust Co. in Cambridge, Minnesota: Craig Betsinger Treasurer, Valerie Anderson, Clerk. Kirsten Schmidt, and any other persons not listed above will be removed.
After review of the inflation cost to replace the town hall, Lee motioned, Fix seconded and carried to increase the insurance value from $189,500 to $250,000 beginning with the next renewal date.
Road Check Set for April 6, 2024, meeting at 8 am at the Town Hall.
Checks 7473-7488, ACH 600-604 were approved, Receipts: 582-584
Meeting adjourned at 8:30 p.m with motion by Lee, seconded and carried.
For Information only, Not to be approved until the Annual Meeting 2025 ANNUAL MEETING March 12, 2024
Clerk, Val Anderson, Called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm with 7 residents in attendance. Jim Lee nominated Craig Sundermeyer to be moderator, with no other nominations, Craig was elected. No changes were made in the Agenda. The printed 2023 Clerk’s report was read by Val Anderson. Motion by John Shockman, Seconded by Jim Lee and carried to approve the 2023 Annual Meeting Minutes.
Fund requests were mailed to the board and they will look over those at a regular board meeting. Discussion was made regarding the billing increase for the Fire and Truck Fund because of increase in expenses for the Braham Fire Department. Our bill went from $15,918.68 in 2023 (to 39,629.91 in 2024 which we will cover with our current fund balances) to 40,305.25 for the 2025 budget. We also had to replace our well for the amount of $10,872.85 with an additional electric bill not yet received. The board is requesting the following budget amounts for 2025. Motion by John Shockman, seconded by Craig Sundermeyer and approved for a budget total of $$256,005.
Levy Other Total
Revenue: $50,510 $3,190 $ 53,700
Road & Bridge $136,900 $25,100 $162,000
Fire $40,305 $40,305
Total $227,715 $28,290 $256,005
Next years meeting will be held at 7:00 pm on March 11, 2025. Meeting was adjourned at 7:52 pm with motion by John Shockman, seconded by Jim Lee and carried.
Regular Meeting April 4, 2024. Present: Supervisors; John Shockman, Jim Lee, Donald Fix Treasurer Craig Betsinger, Clerk Val Anderson, Steve Hass, Mike Dennis, Commissioner Steve Westerberg and other residents. John called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. Minutes of the last meeting were approved as printed, Motion by Shockman, seconded and carried. Treasurer’s reports received
OLD BUSINESS: Motion by Lee, seconded by Fix and carried to accept Kirstin Schmitz’s resignation effective April 5, 2024, with Craig Betsinger treasurer’s appointment starting April 5th, 2024. The designated persons will go to the banks to sign new signature cards.
Dale Becklin submitted his road bids to be the same as last year, Motion by Fix, seconded by Lee and carried to accept that bid.
NEW BUSINESS: Mike Dennis was present to submit the Bearded Acres Plat in section 15. There are 2 new 3 acre lots being created with one 23.56 acre lot remaining. Jim Lee has reviewed the area for driveways. There is a field access driveway in existence and if used as a new home, a new driveway permit will be required. All other lots will require either a field access permit or a residential driveway permit when a building permit is requested. Motion by Lee seconded by Fix and carried to accept the Bearded Acres Plat to follow the Isanti county zoning ordinance, and if no changes from this preliminary plat, to give John Shockman the authority to sign off on the Mylar when completed.
Commissioner Westerberg gave an update on the Comprehensive plan progress and information on new buildings for the sheriff and highway departments. All three are work in progress.
A review of our policy for payment of the Deputy Clerks/Treasurer. This will be considered as a contractor and their payments will not have PERA or Medicare withheld. Motion by Shockman seconded by Lee and carried.
Checks 7489-7497, ACH 605-607 were approved, Receipts: 585-587
Meeting adjourned at 8:50 p.m with motion by Lee, seconded and carried.
Board of Equalization: April 15, 2024, 7 pm. Present: Supervisors; John Shockman, Jim Lee, Donald Fix Clerk Val Anderson, Appraisers Jim Warden and Peter Blomquist, Colleen Blackford. Residents/Landowners: Nathan Giese. Mr Warden gave information regarding the sales from October 1, 2022, through September 30, 2023, which is the sales period they review for the 2024 Estimated Market Values. Mr Giese; Parcel #11-003-0200, was concerned regarding the increase in property taxes since he purchased his property a few years ago. There were improvements on the property that has made the value increase which caused the taxes to also increase. No action taken as the value was correct.
An administration correction on a property that had an old home removed on Daniel Boie Parcel # 11-015-0100 and made a reduction in value of $5,000 to $207,300.
After view of the requests a motion was made by Lee, seconded by Fix and carried to accept recommendation of the assessor for both properties. Motion to adjourn at 7:40 pm by Lee seconded and carried.
Regular Meeting May 2, 2024. Present: Supervisors; John Shockman, Jim Lee, Donald Fix Treasurer Craig Betsinger, Clerk Val Anderson, Steve Hass, Residents. John called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. Minutes of the last meeting were approved as corrected, Motion by Shockman, seconded and carried. Treasurer’s reports received with additional information needed from Fransen Bank.
OLD BUSINESS: Road Check report was discussed and projects accepted as present in the report.
SLFRF (ARPA) Funds report and PNP expenses filed and SAMS account renewed.
PERA has been corrected for Cindy Shockman.
NEW BUSINESS: We have the CTAS Program and will begin using it after training.
Motion by Shockman, seconded by Fix and carried to accept Bakken’s Lawncare bid for 2024.
Marty Johnson from the Outback and so to be new owners Darrin and Carrie Davis were present to request the approval of their 2024 liquor license. The date of the sale has not been established so they are requesting to approve the license in both Marty’s ownership of J & J and the Davis’s ownership of Outback Saloon and Grill, LLC. Motion by Lee, second by Fix and carried to approve both liquor licenses so they may continue operation through the sale and for the take over of the new ownership for the 2024-2025 license period
Checks 7498-7505 , ACH 608-611 were approved, Receipts: 688-692 Meeting adjourned at 8 p.m with motion by Fix, seconded and carried.
Regular Meeting June 6, 2024. Present: Supervisors; John Shockman, Jim Lee, Donald Fix Treasurer Craig Betsinger, Clerk Val Anderson, Steve Hass. John called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. Minutes of the last meeting were approved as printed, Motion by Shockman, seconded and carried. Treasurer’s reports received
OLD BUSINESS: We are now doing the books with CTAS.
Chloride has been applied to parts of a number of roads. Steve Hass has worked with the landowners for payments when they have asked for it and the road works for the application. One gravel pit using 381st has paid for the application from his pit to Hwy 65
NEW BUSINESS: Jeffery and Rita Johnson has a Board of Adjustment request for building setbacks from CR 3 ahd Hwy 65. Since it doesn’t involve our township roads, no comment will be made.
2023 Population estimate is 1,217 with 455 Household
A dog park has been made on Polk Street and cars are parking on the road to use the park. Val will contact the owners to inform them they can not park on the township road.
Checks 7506-7514, ACH 612-614 were approved, Receipts: 693-696
Meeting adjourned at 7:45 p.m with motion by Fix, seconded and carried.
Regular Meeting July 11, 2024, 1 week late due to the 4th of July. Present: Supervisors; John Shockman, Donald Fix Treasurer Craig Betsinger, Clerk Val Anderson, Steve Hass, other residents. John called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. Minutes of the last meeting were approved as printed, Motion by Shockman, seconded and carried. Treasurer’s reports received
OLD BUSINESS: PNP payment of $1,171.90 (Submitted $1,988.33)
Dog Park has been stopped by the owners on their own.
Update on road work: First mowing completed; need to repair washout on Polk north of 375th; culvert replaced on Davenport; Asphalt patch on Naples completed; brushing needs to be done.
Paid 2024 Fire Contract $27,314.42 fire and $12,315.49 Truck reserve.
NEW BUSINESS: Approved the 2024-25 election judge list
Checks 7515-7524 ACH 615-617 were approved, Receipts: 697-601
Meeting adjourned at 8:05 p.m with motion by Fix, seconded and carried.
Regular Meeting August 1, 2024. Present: Supervisors; John Shockman, Jim Lee, Donald Fix Treasurer Craig Betsinger, Clerk Val Anderson, Steve Hass, Commissioner Steve Westerberg, Mac Perry, Bill Becklin. John called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. Minutes of the last meeting were approved as printed, Motion by Shockman, seconded and carried. Treasurer’s reports received with the request to close out the Fire Truck Fund as the City of Braham will be holding the Funds for new equipment. The balance of the Fire Truck Fund will be transferred to the Fire Fund.
OLD BUSINESS: Discussion on Election Judge payroll to pay regular hourly wage. Received the 2024 insurance packet. Still working on getting a township credit card. No action needed on PERA contributions.
NEW BUSINESS: Mac Perry was present to explain the rearrangement of High Bridge Forest plat. He has an eight acre lot he would like to bring down to 4 acres with the other 4 acres going to the remainder lot which would bring that lot up to around 40 acres. Both parcels will keep the same driveways. Motion by Shockman, seconded by Lee and carried to allow the rearrangement as requested.
First half of LGA has been received for $1,088 and we received notice of 2025 LGA for $1,859.
Checks 7525-7529, ACH 618-620 were approved, Receipts: 602-607
Meeting adjourned at 8:20 p.m with motion by Shockman, seconded and carried.
Regular Meeting September 5, 2024. Present: Supervisors; John Shockman, Jim Lee, Donald Fix Treasurer Craig Betsinger, Clerk Val Anderson, Steve Hass. John called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. Minutes of the last meeting were approved as printed, Motion by Shockman, seconded and carried. Treasurer’s reports received
OLD BUSINESS: Road report: Gravel has been laid on most of the roads that our road check required. Only one culvert has been put in this year. We are working on getting posts and reflectors for marking the ends of the culverts.
At the Annual District meeting information was given that we will need to transfer over from our .org website to a .gov website. There is a person we can hire from MAT to do the transfer for us. We have a few years left on our current website and we need to start the process by 2026, so we will look into this in a year or so.
NEW BUSINESS: The sheriff’s offices is offering their old radios for township use. M/S Lee/Shockman and carried to decline their offer.
Checks 7530-7544, ACH 621-624 were approved, Receipts: 608-613
Meeting adjourned at 8:45 p.m with motion by Fix, seconded and carried.
Regular Meeting October 3, 2024. Present: Supervisors; John Shockman, Jim Lee, Donald Fix Treasurer Craig Betsinger, Clerk Val Anderson, Steve Hass, Bryce Johnson and other residents. John called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. Minutes of the last meeting were approved as printed, Motion by Shockman, seconded and carried. Treasurer’s reports received
OLD BUSINESS: The report from the fire department meeting shows that they are in need of more money for new trucks. A, at this time, our levy for 2025 is set, so there is no extra available from us. They are working on how they can replace these vehicles.
NEW BUSINESS: Board of Canvas was set for 6 pm on Tuesday November 12 .
The Isanti County Township Officers meeting is at the same time as the 2nd Isanti County Planning Commission meeting. Some of us will go to the Township meeting, others to the county meeting to receive information.
Bryce Johnson presented the township with a plaque of the baseball team that used the township ballfield. They were so excited to have it available and up to 48 children (8-11 years old) used it 4 nights a week from April through mid July. Even the girls softball team was able to make use of it. The teams played 6 games at this field. There is a problem with parking as there is not enough on the field side. Also, we have some funds available that we can redo the bleachers with better material and it was suggested to remove the fence posts in the outfield for safety and a thin coating of lime is needed. They were granted the same 4 nights a week for the 2025 season.
Checks 7545-7550, ACH 625-627 were approved, Receipts: 614-616
Meeting adjourned at 8:45 p.m with motion by Lee, seconded and carried.
Regular Meeting November 7, 2024. Present: Supervisors; John Shockman, Jim Lee, Donald Fix Treasurer Craig Betsinger, Clerk Val Anderson, Steve Hass and residents. John called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. Minutes of the last meeting were approved as printed, Motion by Shockman, seconded and carried. Treasurer’s reports received
OLD BUSINESS: Road Certifications was sent in at the same mileage of 40.277 miles.
NEW BUSINESS: Isanti County is looking at cleaning and repairing Judicial Ditch Number 1 which starts in Braham and ends at County Road (381st) where it goes into Stanchfield Creek between Highway 65 and Stanchfield Road (CR 36). We have a culvert on 411th Ave that we would be responsible to replace if needed. Steve will check into pricing for the current size (48’) and a larger 60” if that is what is required. It is just in the beginning stages so we will not know for a while.
Isanti County Highway Département requested an inventory of all culverts that qualify as bridges. We only have the currently closed high bridge and no culverts that qualify.
Isanti County Board of Adjustment has a request from Joel Pennington for a setback variance. We have no comment as it is on County Road 36.
Motion by Lee, second by Fix and carried for destruction of records according to the record retention scheduled and as listed on the certification form dated November 7, 2024
Consider getting internet at the town hall. No ones phones worked during the election and maybe using wi-fi would be better? A test during the meeting showed T-mobile
Checks 7551-7570, ACH 628-630 were approved, Receipts: 617-620
Meeting adjourned at 8: p.m with motion by , seconded and carried.
Canvass meeting Tuesday November 12, 2024. Present: Supervisors; John Shockman, Jim Lee, Clerk Valerie Anderson, Absent Don Fix. John called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
After a review of the abstract and tapes Motion by Shockman, seconded by Lee and carried to approve the results as tallied, as follows:
Total Registered at 7 am: 790 Number registered on election day: 65 Total in person voters: 622; Accepted Absentee ballots: 117 equal 739 total voters
Supervisor Seat C: William A (Bill) Becklin 290 Dean Bondeson; 325 Write In; 4 Undervote: 120
Treasurer: Craig Betsinger: 541 write in 3 Undervote: 195
We, the legally constituted Stanchfield Township canvassing board, certify that we have herein specified the names of the persons receiving votes and the number of votes received by each office voted on, at the State General Election held of Tuesday, November 5, 2024 as appears by the returns of the election precincts voting in this election, duly returned to, filed, opened and canvassed and now remaining on file in the office of Stanchfield Township Clerk. Witness of official signature at the Stanchfield Township Hall in Isanti County this 12th day of November, 2024
Motion by Shockman, seconded by Lee and carried.
Meeting Adjourned at 6:10 pm with motion by Lee, seconded and carried
I, Valerie M. Anderson, Clerk of Stanchfield Township do hereby certify the within/forgoing pages/tapes to be a full and correct copy of the original abstract from the Isanti County Auditor and return of the votes cast in Stanchfield Township State General Election held on Tuesday, November 5, 2024
Regular Meeting December 5, 2024. Present: Supervisors; John Shockman, Jim Lee, Donald Fix Treasurer Craig Betsinger, Clerk Val Anderson, Steve Hass, Ross Benzen, Craig Sundermeyer. John called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. Minutes of the last meeting were approved as read, Motion by Shockman, seconded and carried. Treasurer’s reports received
OLD BUSINESS: Replat of High Bridge Forest is going to the County Planning Commission. No additional comments.
NEW BUSINESS: Pollution Control Agency and WSB are conducting more well testing on the closed petroleum leak sites around Stanchfield corners. Postcards have been sent out and there will be testing of the wells of those who respond. For Township information only, nothing needed from us.
Signed the 2024 Weed report which shows only roadside mowing.
Approved the 2025 calendar with moving one week later for January (9th) and July (10th).
Ross Benzen was present to explain the situation with the needs for new fire trucks. He has worked hard to find a new truck at a affordable price and is working with the bank for funding. We no longer have a fire truck fund as it was used to pay the increase in the 2024 request for funding over what we had levied. This would also be over what we had levied for 2025 so he is requesting the purchase be in 2026. The expected cost is around $750,000 of which our expected share is 22% to equal $165,000. This is well over what we could levy in one year, so we would need to be a part of the 20 year loan which is estimated to be $12,800 per year over our current levy and would make our interest cost $91,000 over 20 years. The estimate 2026 levy with this scenario would be around $55,400, 37.5 % over the 2025 levy of $40,305. And the costs continue to increase as all of the trucks are over or close to life expectancy and are in need of replacement. We questioned again how we can share the costs of calls to highway 65 as that is making our percentage higher then the other townships with no recouping of those extra costs other than through our residents taxes.
Motion by Shockman, seconded by Lee to accept the following resolution.
Resolution 2024-1 That Isanti County is the authority relating to cannabis retailer and hemp businesses
WHEREAS, Minnesota Statutes, section 342.22, requires the unit of local government issuing a retail registration to a cannabis or hemp business to conduct compliance checks of that business; and
WHEREAS, Minnesota Statutes, section 342.13. provides that only the local unit of government unit that issues a cannabis retailer registration may limit the registrations by ordinance; and
WHEREAS, Stanchfield Township wishes to partner with Isanti County and have the County take on responsibility for the retail registration of cannabis and hemp businesses and conduct compliance checks of those businesses.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by Stanchfield Township in Minnesota, that the Township Board does hereby delegates its administrative powers and registration authority relating to the registration of cannabis retailers and hemp businesses to Isanti County.
Voting Affirmatively: 3 Voting Negatively: 0
Adopted by the Stanchfield Township Board this 5th Day of December, 2024
Checks 7565-7577, ACH 631-634 were approved, Receipts: 621– 623
Meeting adjourned at 8:45 p.m with motion by Lee, seconded and carried.