Homer Township Board Regular Meeting Minutes

May 13, 2024 at 5:30 pm

Location: Homer Town Hall

Board Members in Attendance: Chairman Harlan Larsen, Supervisor Franklin Fitch, Jr., Supervisor Gordy Nagle, Treasurer Kim Skappel, Clerk Charlotte Roraff

Absent: None

Meeting was called to order by H. Larsen at 5:30pm.

Meeting agenda was reviewed. G. Nagle made a motion to accept the proposed meeting agenda, H. Larsen seconded. Motion carried.

Prior meeting minutes were read by C. Roraff. G. Nagle made a motion to accept the minutes as read. H. Larsen seconded. Motion carried.

Public comments started. Joe Neumann, Michael Busch, Steve Bachler, Nancy Bachler, Amy Cordy, Travis Neumann, JoAnn Moham, Jeanne Nelson and Rita Prodzinski all made public comments.

Aiden Haas presented information to the board regarding his request to host Midwest Hill Fest on Pleasant Ridge Road on August 10, 2024.  This involves partial closure of the road for the event for the timeframe of the races. Discussion was had. G. Nagle made a motion to allow the event as long as all the following is done - 1) Notify local fire/EMS (Pickwick Fire) 2) Provide an updated insurance certificate with Homer Township added as a policy rider 3) Notify Winona County Sheriff Ron Ganrude 4) Notify Winona Health 5) Contact all the neighbors in the area. F. Fitch seconded. Vote taken, 3 in favor. Motion carried. A. Haas will send all the information to C. Roraff to have on file for the Township.

C. Roraff read a draft of “Resolution Establishing Rules & Procedures for the Public Comment Session of Regular Board Meetings”. Discussion was had. G. Nagle made a motion to adopt the resolution as drafted and read.  F. Fitch seconded. Motion carried.

Discussion regarding AcenTek seeking approval for proposed fiber installation in Homer Township.  F. Fitch made a motion to approve AcenTek’s request as long as AcenTek agrees to repair any Township road damage they cause. G. Nagle seconded. Vote taken, 3 in favor. Motion carried.

H. Larsen said there is a cattle pass on Cedar Ridge Drive which is breaking off and narrowing the road.  Township has a culvert on hand to make a replacement.  F. Fitch made a motion to fix. G. Nagle seconded. Motion carried.

K. Skappel informed the board that ARPA Federal Reporting has been completed as well as the PNP State Reimbursement. Additionally, the person moving the lawn at town hall (Richard Bell) has passed away and the back up snowplow driver (Tom Bublitz) has indicated he won’t be continuing with the Township; discussion was had, but no decision on replacements was made.  

K. Skappel read a letter from a vendor the Township has used in the past for roadside spraying indicating contact information for services.  H. Larsen will hold onto the contact information since we are not ready for spraying at this time.

K. Skappel indicated she would collect signatures tonight and update the signature card at the bank for the Township account.

H. Larsen said rock hauling hasn’t started yet and not sure when it will be.

G. Nagle said he’s been contacted by a few township residents about helping Pickwick Fire Department with a new building. G. Nagle made a motion to start exploring the options and gathering information on possibly owning the fire department, building a new building or options for helping Pickwick Fire Department. Discussion was had. F. Fitch seconded the motion. Motion carried. G. Nagle will gather information for the board and will research with the Minnesota Association of Townships. Additionally, Adam Zimmerman, Pickwick Fire Chief will gather information for the board. 

H. Larsen asked if bids should be sought on blacktopping Sebo Hill. G. Nagle indicated he thought we should seek bids on that project. Vendors will be contacted to submit bids.

G. Nagle made a motion to adjourn the meeting. F. Fitch seconded. Meeting adjourned at 6:38pm.

Respectfully Submitted,

Charlotte Roraff

Homer Township Clerk