Local Municipality Minutes

Email Minutes to htnews@icloud.com

Burnhamville Township • June 27, 2023

The regular meeting of the Town Board of Burnhamville was held June 27, 2023 at the Burtrum Community Center. The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Chair Mike Berscheit. Members present include Supervisors Bruce Johnson, Joe Muellner and Mike Berscheit; Clerk Shirley Hulinsky and Treasurer Pam Throener. Also present were Erv Herdering, Delvin Durheim, Joe & Carol Pelzel, Dennis & Patti Midthun, Steve Richter, Joan Ganley, Greg Hegeholz, Mike Legatt, Sue Krippner, and Joe Thomalla

The minutes from the regular meeting of May 30, 2023 were approved on a motion by Sup. Johnson and second by Sup. Berscheit. Motion passed.

For correspondence the township received notice of county planning and zoning meeting, Census information, invitation to Todd County Conservation Tour, partial information on ROW buffer and a notice of some residents seeking a lawyer.

A motion was made by Sup. Berscheit to pay all bills numbered 6463 through 6478 totaling $55,030.65. Sup. Muellner seconded the motion. Motion passed.

Several residents from Big Swan Lake Association /Emerald Trail area were in attendance to comment on run off from field across the turnaround area on Emerald Trail. They are upset about the lack of communication and the smell of the feed lot on 184th St. The township has plans to clean out the ditch and build up the road in the fall. The land owner should be planting a buffer next spring. Lake association representatives would like a 50 foot buffer and county is suggesting a 30 foot buffer. The residents are disappointed they were not aware of the hearing for the feed lot. The permit was for 499 animal units and did not require a notice to all of the neighbors but the president of the lake association was aware. The residents are asking the farmer to follow the rules and clean up the feed lot area. They are concerned about the air quality. The farmer has planted some trees but they are not noticeable yet due to the drought. The Big Swan Lake Association will be asking for a hearing at a county commissioner meeting and would like support from the township board there.

A representative of the Todd County Broadband Association was present to discuss their plans. They would like a letter of support from Burnhamville Township Board and possibly financial support in the future to help get fiber internet to all residents. He said the broadband committee at the state determines what areas get better service.

Burnhamville Township board received an estimate of $373,382.54 to tar Dunlin Road. The county said slim chance of grants available to help with the cost. The county projects have federal money in them so we cannot join those projects. No residents were in attendance to discuss their wishes so the board tabled the issue.

In the road report the board and the contractor discussed helping the city improve 331st Ave. Sup. Muellner made a motion to cost share one half of building up the road 331st Ave. in town. Motion seconded by Sup. Berscheit. Upon vote motion passed. The board did not receive full plan for road right-of-way buffer for Dunlin Road/Enchanted Loop area. When plan is received Sup. Johnson will get quotes.

The board reviewed the ditch mowing bids received. Sup. Johnson made a motion to accept the bid from Mike Berscheit. Motion was seconded by Sup. Muellner. Motion passed with Sup. Berscheit abstaining due to involvement.

Treasurer’s report shows balance of $177,026.87. Many dust control checks have been deposited. The board received a $1,000.00 donation from the Swanville Sportsmens Club for improvements to the fishing access on Bass Lake as motioned by Sup. Berscheit and seconded by Sup. Muellner. Motion passed with Sup. Johnson abstaining due to involvement. Reported approved on a motion by Sup. Berscheit and second by Sup. Johnson.

Meeting was adjourned at 8:10 p.m. on a motion by Sup. Berscheit and a second by Sup. Muellner. Next regular meeting will be on Tuesday, July 25, 2023 at 7 p.m. in the Burtrum Community Center.

Shirley Hulinsky, Burnhamville Township Clerk

Swanville City • July 5, 2023

Minutes of the Swanville City Council meeting held in the Swanville Center on Wednesday, July 5, 2023. The meeting called to order 7:00 p.m. with the following members present: Sandy Lange, Norm Carlson, Jim Molitor, and Tony Maciej. Absent: John Dragseth. Also present: Jon Archer, Danny Thieschafer, Holly Wilson and Clif Allen, and Reporter Terry Lerhke, Minutes of the Swanville City Council meeting Tuesday, June 6, 2023 was reviewed. A motion was made by Tony Maciej to approve the minutes. Jim Molitor seconded the motion. All members voted in favor, motion carried.

The treasures report was given. A motion was made by Norm Carlson and seconded by Tony Maciej to approve the treasurer’s report. All members voted in favor, motion carried.

Danny Thieschafer was present to discuss the land at the end of Second Street to the east. He is planning on buying land there is wondering about putting in water and sewer. Council agreed there is a curb stop at the end of the road and Thieschafer would have to pay from the new house to the curb stop. The land to the east of 103 Swan Avenue, which is in the city limits, would be sectioned off in three parts for now. Council did not see a problem with that.

A land use permit was presented to the council from the Swanville Produce to add a 30’x50’ cement apron to the north onto the existing shed. Tony Maciej made a motion to approve the land use permit for the Swanville Produce. Norm Carlson seconded the motion. All members voted in favor, motion carried Holly Wilson and Clif Allen, city engineers, updated council with the water project. New wells have been drilled and Traut Wells will be back in the next few days to test the pumping and for PFAS. Still waiting for the results of the State Historical Preservation Office (SHPA) and word about funding from Rural Development (RD). A meeting will be set up with RD on July 18, 2:00 pm, probably virtually, in the Swanville Center to discuss funding for the water project. Mayor Lange asked if assessing residents on Second, Fourth, and Sixth Streets tarring project is a possibility. Engineers did advise counsel to consider assessing. Norm Carlson made a motion to assess the residents on these streets getting tarred. Tony Maciej seconded the motion. All members voted in favor, motion carried. Allen stated there will be three bids, with the primary source of funding from the USDA, MN Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) and MN Public Facilities Authority (PFA). The three different bids that will be put out at the same time will include the First as the meter project, replacing water meters. Second is the water distribution system with all the underground work, including 2nd, 4th and 6th Streets and the Berkey Avenue 1st Addition development. The third bid will be for the water reservoir and the wells and the closer of the old wells.

Jon Archer, City Auditor with Schlenner Wenner & Co, was present to go over with council the 2022 city audit. Archer stated it was a clean audit, no issues. Archer explained the audit in detail. Archer advised raising water rates annually would be a good idea. Jim Molitor made a motion to accept the 2022 Audit. Norm Carlson seconded the motion. All members voted in favor, motion carried.

Mayor Lange gave an update on the Central MN Housing loan project. There was a very good showing at the meeting. Residents received paper work and information on all they need to do to receive the loan. Results will be given to the City with in the next month or two.

The Initiative Foundation is asking the council to consider a 2024 contribution. After discussion, Jim Molitor made a motion to contribute $700.00 in 2024. Norm Carlson seconded the motion. All members voted in favor, motion carried. Council discussed getting a new Kubota. City maintenance, Lonny, will get quotes for a new Kubota and trade in on the old one for the next council meeting.

The following claims were presented for payment. Members of the council were furnished with a listing. Jim Molitor made a motion to approve the claims. Norm Carlson seconded the motion. All members voted in favor, motion carried.

The next regular monthly meeting will be held Tuesday, August 8, 2023 at 7:00 p.m. in the Swanville Center.

There being no further business, a motion was made by Norm Carlson and seconded by Jim Molitor to adjourn. All members voted in favor, motion carried. Meeting adjourned 8:45 p.m.

Julie Hollermann, City Clerk/Treasurer

There was a virtual meeting on July 18, 2023 at 2:00 pm with Jeff Scholten, Rural Development, Mary Jane Schultz, PFA, Holly Wilson and Clif Allen, Moore Engineering and present in the Swanville Center was Mayor Lange, Norm Calson and Julie Hollermann with reporter Terry Lehrke and Diane Piekarski. Scholten stated all applications are complete and in place. Waiting game still in place.

Stearns County Offers Septic Upgrade Loans

Stearns County has low interest loan funding available to finance failing septic system upgrades on properties located within Stearns County.

The property that benefits from the system upgrade must have an existing prohibited or failing system. Specifically including but not limited to the following types of failed/ failing systems:

· Systems that discharge to the surface

· Systems that discharge to cesspool, seepage pit, or dry well

· Any system with less than 3 feet of soil separation

The loan repayment will be a special as- sessment levied against the benefited property in the amount of the loan, together with interest at the rate of 3% payable over 7-years. Loans for refinancing of a previously installed septic system, a septic system for a new home, or required upgrades due to court ordered enforcement actions are ineligible for these funds.

Interested parties should contact Stearns County Environmental Services at 320-6563613 for further details. Applications can be obtained by visiting the County website, stearnscountymn.gov/1660, or from Environmental Services.

United Methodist Church Holding Church at Birch

The Grey Eagle United Methodist Church will host its annual outdoor “Church at Birch” worship service on Sunday, August 20, at 9 a.m. at John and Janet Roe’s residence at 11057 County #47, Grey Eagle. Members of Forever Young and Dan Ziegler from Koronis Ministries will provide special music. Following worship members of the church will serve a potluck brunch.

The congregation from the Sauk Centre UMC will be joining us for worship and brunch, and there may be some surprise guests as well.

All are welcome to attend this outdoor worship and brunch fellowship. Communion will be served and is open to everyone. Everyone should park at the church parking lot (30422 County Road 2) and catch a shuttle ride to the worship location or come by boat. This worship service is a continuation of the outdoor worship GE UMC celebrated on Hammarsten Island on Big Birch Lake for 20 years.

Bring a guest and a lawn chair. We are a church growing in faith, open to all, inviting all to know Jesus and going out to serve God by serving others.

For more info. contact Robert Kutter, worship committee chair at 320-491-5604.

Tomato Salsa Mix

Submitted by Joe Lang St. Anna

• Mrs. Wages Tomato Seasoning 4 oz. Salsa mix.

• 18 or so medium size tomatoes. Wash and core tomatoes. Put them in a blender, blend until you don’t see tomato skins. In a kettle add 1/2 cup white distilled vinegar, salsa mix and tomatoes and cook per directions. Cool bag and freeze them. Sometimes I add onions and peppers. It makes a good sauce or dip. Using the skin is much easier than pealing them and it's loaded with vitamins. Enjoy!