$$$ CHANGE/ADJUSTMENT

 Apparently the Board’s compensation per meeting issue from the March 26 meeting needed a resolution to be official. It was newly stated at the April 9 meeting that the Board per meeting pay will stay at $100 for Supervisors and for Chair will stay at $110. The amounts were peeled back to what they had been. THAT resolution passed. 

Why the action was taken differently, I couldn’t say. However, I will say it was a (considered) step in the right direction. 

THEY'RE OFF TO THE RACES! ......WAY OFF!!!

You may or may not be aware that this year at the Annual Meeting in March, the citizens present passed the Board's proposed levy for 2025 by two votes. Sixteen (16) yes votes and fourteen (14) no votes. That's not much, is it? Are you comfortable leaving something so important basically to chance? It could have so easily gone the other way, and there could be significant cuts in your important services. As has been repeated so often, your vote does matter and can make the difference. Why does this happen?

First, a little history. At the Annual Meeting in March 2023, new/now-Board Chair Pete Storlie moved to keep the levy for 2024 at the same amount it had been in the previous year: a 0% increase. That motion passed by a small majority of the citizens who were present at that meeting. It turns out that the average statewide levy increase passed by others that same year was 6.8%.

Fast forward to this year's Annual Meeting. Pete Storlie again moved to keep the levy at the same amount it had been in the previous year. Another 0% increase! This motion failed by a narrow margin. After some discussion, the motion to approve the Board-proposed levy was passed as noted above. The proposed levy was only a little over a 5% increase on the zero increased levy baseline from the year before, 2024. So it is even less than one might at first think.

Does Eureka exist in some fantasy land? Do our costs not go up as the rest of the state's do? Are Township costs exempt from increases even though your household expenses have risen noticeably recently and continue to rise? 

I ventured the opinion at the Annual Meeting that this trend over the years to drastically cut revenue to the Township has been done with the intent of eliminating attorney fees. Cut enough, and the Township is lucky to have money available to maintain the roads. These reductions disable our local unit of government, otherwise known as our Township, in meeting the costs of doing business.

Those who are against attorney input complain and complain about spending any money for it. Attorney advice is necessary if only to keep the Township from being sued! The attorney's services are valuable for adjusting existing ordinances, crafting wholly new ordinances such as the cannabis moratorium, and enforcing the Ordinances. In many instances, some Eureka officials have taken little, if any, of the training available to them. There have been officials who couldn't possibly even have read through our Ordinances. It shows. Officials have unwittingly promoted actions which would have been in violation of State statutes or even local law. I have heard supposedly wise individuals questioning why are we spending money on THAT, referring to enforcement concerning flagrant violations. If those violations suddenly pop up closer to home, that tune quickly changes, believe me. If we protect one landowner through enforcement, we protect all landowners in Eureka.

Road Superintendent Mark Henry polled gravel sources and reported to the former Board that the costs of gravel alone are very likely to go up 8-10%. Never mind costs for delivery, spreading the gravel, fuel surcharges, etc. 

Ironically, at their first meeting as a new Board on March 26, one of the very first things Supervisors Pete Storlie, Mark Ceminsky, Allen Novacek and Tim Pope did was to give themselves a substantial raise in their per meeting payment. Supervisor Lu Barfknecht was not present for the vote as she was out of town for work. 

Before making and approving the motion, Storlie asked Clerk Atwater when these amounts were last raised. The Clerk informed the Board that this had been done just two years ago. This took away any rationale that these amounts haven't been raised "in such a long time," but the four officials gave themselves a significant increase anyway. Per meeting pay for Supervisors went from $100 to $120, while payment per meeting for the Chair (now Storlie) went from $110 to $130.

So we don't have money for a reasonable and even moderate proposed levy, but we do have money to give ourselves a raise.

STAY TUNED FOR MORE UPDATES! 

ARE YOU PLUGGED IN?

 

A lot has been going on in Eureka lately!

The ordinances for Subdivision, Housing Rights, and Mining have been reviewed. Open Houses and public hearings have been and are being held for the public. See Township calendar

All-day rain events have done a number on our gravel roads. When that happens, we get potholes. When we get potholes, the roads are graded when they are not frozen! Some have experienced icy conditions. Our weather has been quite variable and even unusual for this time of year. The Road Superintendent, Mark Henry, and the Road Contractor, TJ Grossman, along with the Road Supervisors, Fredlund and Palmquist, are well aware of conditions. The roads are checked frequently. Please be patient as those with road duties try to serve you.

The Township has been experiencing problems with its website. The Deputy Clerk has been working hard to resolve this. Research for other website managers has been ongoing. Be aware that the Township has always met State law requirements regarding posting and publishing various meetings and public hearings. The requirements involve posting on the outside bulletin board at Town Hall and, in the case of public hearings, publishing in the official newspapers for the Township. The posting on our website is done as a courtesy and a convenience; some townships have NO websites! Information regarding the proposed changes for the above ordinance adoption and other items has been posted faithfully by the Clerk. Because of the website problems, its availability has been spotty. The issues have been resolved at this point. Be assured, the Board wants its citizens to be well informed of current happenings.

If you haven't yet, but would like to avail yourself of email notices about meetings, please give the Clerk your email address. This will get to you regardless of any website problems.

The Township has hired a new Clerk/Treasurer named Elizabeth (Liz) Atwater. Liz has been working diligently with past Clerk/Treasurer, Ranee Solis, training and learning the job. Liz has taken training for these positions through the Minnesota Association of Townships. Please stop in and say hi!

                            CONNECT!

IT'S BEEN A WHILE...

 

The new Eureka Code has been adopted and published and is now effect. It will be added to the Township website. In the meantime, here is a link for your convenience: Code Link Here

At a recent public hearing on the Code update, some questions arose. It was questioned, mainly by two citizens, whether, since the Township Attorney has determined that Eureka does not fit the definition of an "Urban Town," the Township even has the authority to enact any such Ordinances at all. As in, even, going back in time. As in, did the Township ever have such authority?

The question was checked again with the attorney who had already researched the topic for the Board before the hearing, as was stated at the public hearing. There is legislation from 1977 that gives Eureka and all other Dakota County townships such authority. A link to this law is under "News and Notices" on the Township website. Quick Link Here. This law is also quoted at the beginning of the new Code on the Code link above. Also, if you click on "10-27-22 Public Hearing-Ordinance Recodification" you can access more information including an explanation of the recodification, and "Schedule A" which delineates the changes. It was stated at the hearing by one citizen that this information regarding changes proposed was not available, although it was. Quick Link 2 Here.

An even better source for info is the minutes from the 10-27 public hearing found under Town Board Minutes. (The Town Board, not the Planning Commission was the body to properly hold the hearing.) Quick Link 3 Here.

A FEW UPDATES FOR YOU!

The Eureka application for federal funds for broadband was denied.

The Board met with Ben Blomgren from JTN on August 2 regarding an application for an application for state funds for internet connectivity. The app was due August 4. If this goes through, the Township will be able to use ARPA funds for its share of the project. Keep your fingers crossed! Internet access has been an issue in the Township for a long, long time. We suffer from low density and being close to Lakeville as impediments to getting better service.

The Township has received two more house permit applications. Our beautiful community continues to attract. WELCOME!

When requesting a lot split, there are several factors to consider: 

The minimum lot size of two acres must be met.

If there are structures on the property, all setbacks must be met.

If there is a house on the property, the lot must have 250' width at the location of the house.

All houses must have garages, under the Ordinances. This has affected some recent splits.

If there are ag buildings and houses owned by separate entities, the 250' distance between such structures must be met. The ag building does not have to house animals for this setback; it just has to be an ag building. This requirement is to protect from odors, noise, dust, and other such complaints in this Right to Farm state.

Even if not taxed as ag, and therefore, no ag buildings, any enclosure of animals must be 175' from a neighboring residence.

Space for a primary and a secondary septic must be available.

Road access. New Ordinance language coming up, if enacted, will affect this factor.

Be on the lookout for a message from the Township regarding a Special Town Meeting on September 15th. 

The electorate will be asked to vote on an important issue regarding the ordinances and their enforcement. One must be present to vote; you are not eligible to vote via Zoom on this agenda item. Much more information to follow.

AirLake Airport Advisory Committee

In early June, I attended the meeting of this committee which meets four times a year. The committee consists of two groups: "Users" (Those with planes and hangars) and "Public" (Mainly representatives from different agencies and jurisdictions affected by the airport.) 

As part of the "public" segment, Eureka has two representatives: Supervisor Nancy Sauber and Commissioner Randy Wood. This membership allows Eureka to have some input on the airport, albeit in an advisory capacity only. At least there is a means of communication which is believed to be a good thing.

Following are the highlights of my notes taken at the meeting in June:

*33,000 sq. ft. hangar being built for corporate aviation arrivals and departures should be finished in September.

*Flight school is going well. 100 flights a week for schools. Planes available for rent.

*Fuel prices up significantly.

 *Want to have restaurant on site. (Holmen Field) 

*Some Lakeville-based businesses are back to Airlake from other airports.

*Citation 7 is the largest jet allowed on expanded runway. Many variables such as amount of fuel and number of passengers contribute to runway length needed for safe takeoffs and landings.

*Slowing demand for hangars.

*A portion of 225th to be paved in conjunction with runway construction.

*Runway length is 4,850 ft. Asked about expanding further 150 ft. to get to 5,000. Railroad on one end and Cedar Avenue on the other. Huge cost to move Cedar was proposed before. 5,0000 ft. recommended minimum length for safe takeoffs and landings for all light corporate jets.

*MAC update-Lake Elmo runway should be done by August.

*Reliever airports meeting in the summer.

*Like to have open house to strengthen airport/community connection.

*Lakeville Lions hosted breakfast there before during Pan-O-Prog: 1,800 served and 3,000 attended.

*Need to verify that hangars are used at least 50% for aviation use. (FAA requirement.) If not, the lease will not be renewed. Lease renewals are about every five years. Hangar inspections coming up.

*Use MACNOMS as flight tracker.

 *To provide private viewing area and picnic table.

*Next meeting is September 8. Open to the public.

Below you will find links to the resources that were discussed in the meeting:

 

Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC) main website: https://metroairports.org/

MAC Community Connection: https://metroairports.org/community-connection

MAC FlightTracker: https://macnoms.com/

MAC Interactive Reports: https://metroairports.org/community-connection/aircraft-noise

Airlake Airport (LVN) Aircraft Viewing Area location: https://goo.gl/maps/mg21ZKcyYaXDDC8k6

Civil Air Patrol: https://www.gocivilairpatrol.com/

Lakeville Lion’s Club: https://www.e-clubhouse.org/sites/lakevillemn/index.php

Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) Eagle Flights for adults: https://www.eaa.org/eaa/learn-to-fly/introductory-flights-for-free

EAA Young Eagles for youth at LVN: https://chapters.eaa.org/vin25/young-eagles

Aloft Flight School at LVN: https://www.aloft-aviation.com/

 

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BE GONE, BUCKTHORN!

Here's a volunteer happening (from VRWJPO email):

REMINDER: Volunteer Opportunity! Invasive buckthorn removal on the Vermillion River - Saturday, June 4 Rambling River Park, Farmington, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. Bring your loppers, pruners, gloves, safety glasses, and comfortable work shoes to clear out buckthorn around the river. Meet at the Park Pavilion at 10 a.m. for instructions with VRWJPO and the City of Farmington. Please contact Brita Moore-Kutz.

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