DRAFT MINUTES OF 2023 ANNUAL MEETING
Split Rock Township
March 7, 2023
The annual meeting of the electors of Split Rock Township, Minnehaha County, South Dakota, was held on Tuesday March 7, 2023 at 7:00 p.m. at the Split Rock Township Fire Department located at 7201 East Arrowhead Parkway, Sioux Falls, SD. The meeting was held in accordance with the notice published in the Sioux Falls Argus Leader and the Brandon Journal.
Present at the meeting were the township supervisors, Marvin Manifold, Todd Egge and Rich Steffen. Also present were Lisa Marso, Legal counsel, Kevin Callies, Township treasurer and Pam Kolseth, Township clerk together with 18 electors in the township.
The meeting was called to order by Clerk Pam Kolseth. Following the Pledge of Allegiance, a motion was made by Todd Egge and seconded by Patty Peterson to select Monte Albertson as the moderator. Motion carried. Don Winckler made a motion to accept the agenda as presented with a second by Todd Egge. Motion carried.
Treasurer Kevin Callies reviewed the Annual Statement of Treasurer’s 2022 Accounts which included the General Fund with a beginning balance of $ 1,210,224.17 with receipts of $ 731,066.03 and disbursements of ($412,030.40) with a total cash balance at the end of the year of $ 1,529,259.80. Kevin presented the Historical Financial Summary and 2024 Township Budget report. After some discussion and questions answered by Kevin, Don Wickler made a motion to accept the Treasurer’s Reports with a second by Randy Postma. Motion carried.
Chairman Rich Steffen submitted a written report of supervisor’s activities during the year. Highlights included 1) Pine Lake Hills issue with Pine Lake Drive. 2) Gravel roads were graded and dust control applied. 3) Some crack sealing on various asphalt roads. 4) Snow removal needed quite frequently this winter. 5) Passes to the landfill were issued to residents. Rich thanked everyone for helping to complete all of these projects.
Joe Egge, Split Rock Fire Department Chief also submitted a written report. They currently have 36 members. They did replace the 22 year old Tender truck. Their wish list includes a “Jaws of Life” and a UTV. Split Rock Fire personnel responded to a total of 124 Calls for Service through 911. 16 Fires – 76 Rescues and 32 Miscellaneous. He also announced because of the weather there have been fewer grass fires. The pancake breakfast will be held on May 7th.
Lisa Marso, legal counsel submitted a recap of the 2022 Legal work which included the loan repayments for developments. Provided legal guidance on jake braking (Rowena) and ASCO resurfacing issues for Pine Lake Hills. Currently working on Arrowhead/Highway 42 reconstruction issues. Xcel/NSP poles in right-of-way agreement. Reminders of township laws included: a. Do not push snow into township roads, b. Do not discharge fireworks on township roads and c. clean up firework debris landing on roads.
The minutes of the 2022 annual meeting were made available to patrons. Don Winckler made a motion to approve the minutes with a second by Gary Peterson. Motion carried.
Don Winckler made a motion to lower the mill levy rate on property to $ .60 for 2024 down from $ .65 for 2023. Todd Egge seconded the motion. The levy will be base + CPI + growth to the maximum allowed by law with the mill levy not to exceed $ .60 mills including the $ 75,000 for fire protection. Motion carried.
Rich Steffen made a motion to not assess any additional levies for: Additional fire protection and Snow removal reserve fund. This was seconded by Patty Peterson. Motion carried.
A motion by Don Winckler to set an additional levy for a secondary road capital improvement fund at $ .01 per $ 1,000 of property tax for 2024. Kevin explained the need for establishing such a fund for the township to be able to be eligible to receive funding for constructing, reconstructing, repairing and maintaining secondary roads, bridges and culverts. Steve Braley seconded the motion. Motion carried.
A motion was made by Don Winckler to make expenditures for an amount greater than taxes levied up to a cap of $ 750,000. This motion was seconded by Dick Funke. After discussion on what future needs there might be, the motion carried.
Greg Johnson made a motion for the purchase of equipment costing more than $ 15,000 with a second by Gary Peterson. Motion passed.
Greg Johnson made a motion to authorize the Supervisors to approve an expenditure for ambulance services up to $ 5,000 for 2024. This was seconded by Patty Peterson. Motion carried.
Dick Funke made a motion for the cost of clean-up of weeds, grass or brush in the right-of-way and for the cost of tree removal in the right-of-way of township roads shall be paid for by the township. Rich Steffen seconded and motion passed.
Joe Egge made a motion to increase the Treasurer and Clerk other meetings from $ 75 to $ 100 with all other compensation to remain the same. Treasurer $ 750/mo. + $100/other meetings. Clerk $ 550/mo. + $ 100/other meetings and Supervisors at $ 100/meeting/road trip. Emergency work (not road trips) $ 25/hour. This was seconded by Dustin Preheim. Motion carried.
Mark Schmidtbauer made a motion for the ratification and approval of all action of the Board of Supervisors at statutory meetings, regularly scheduled meetings, special meetings and executive sessions for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2022. Patty Peterson seconded and motion passed.
Todd Egge made a motion to elect the unopposed Supervisor- Rich Steffen, Treasurer – Kevin Callies and Clerk- Pam Kolseth with a second by Marvin Manifold. Motion carried.
After input by the residents, Todd Egge made a motion to approve the assessment recommendations for the developments as follows: $ 0.00 for Country Gables/Ode’s, Hayes, Indian Hills, Kim Circle and Skyview Circle; $ 0.40 for Pleasant View ; $ 0.60 for O’Hanlon (Gravel); $0.80 for Pine Hills, Rowena, and Split Rock Heights (Gravel); $ 2.00 for Asphalt Developments – Hidden Valley, Iverson Crossing, Mystic Meadows, O’Hanlon (Asphalt), Pine Lake Hills, Rollinger, Split Rock Heights (Asphalt) and Iverson Tract/Red Rock. Rich Steven seconded and the motion carried.
Todd Egge made a motion to set caps for maximum yearly salary/compensation : Clerk $ 8,000, Treasurer $ 12,000 and Supervisors $ 10,000 and to approve mileage at the federal rate. Marvin seconded and motion passed.
A motion was made by Todd Egge to approve the 2024 Split Rock Fire Department Budget request for $ 75,000. This was seconded by Rich Steffen. Motion carried.
Todd Egge motioned for the approval of Township road systems and designation of maintenance levels for roads within the system. (All secondary roads are full maintenance accepted roads except the following which are minimum maintenance roads. Ledge Rock and East Dan Ridge and No Maintenance: 264th Street from 48252 264th St. to 48283 264th St., N Lake View Road and N Horseshoe Pass.) Rich seconded and the motion carried.
A motion to approve legal newspapers of the Argus Leader and the Brandon Journal was made by Todd Egge with a second by Marvin. Motion carried.
Todd made a motion to approve the depository banks of First Natl Bank, U S Bank, Liberty Nat’l Bank, Plains Commerce Bank. American Bank & Trust, Great Western and Edward Jones, and to the extent authorized by law any other financial institutions as in the Treasurer’s discretion. Rich seconded the motion. Motion carried.
A motion was made by Todd for the redeposit of Certificates of Deposit. Marvin seconded this motion. Motion carried.
Todd moved October 1, 2023 as the date for right-of-way clearance with a second by Rich. Motion passed.
Todd made a motion to approve membership in the Minnehaha County Ass’n. of Towns & Townships as well as for the State Association. Seconded by Rich. Motion carried.
Todd made a motion to set the levy at $ .01 per $ 1,000 of property tax for 2024 for the secondary road capital improvement fund and pass a resolution reflecting such motion. Seconded by Rich. Motion passed.
Todd made a motion for the ratification and approval of all actions of the Board of Supervisors at statutory meetings, regularly scheduled meetings, special meetings and executive sessions for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2022. Motion was seconded by Rich. Motion carried.
Public Input: R J Wright brought up the subject of delineators and how they have been damaged due to snow removal. He wondered if they would be replaced. Eric Postma remarked that come spring those that have been damaged and are needed in certain areas will be replaced.
Greg Johnson complimented the Split Rock Fire Department on a house fire in his neighborhood. He said they along with other departments did an outstanding job as a team.
Chuck Park brought up concerns with Maple Street. There was a lengthy discussion about what the future may hold for this street and whether the County would take it over down the road.
R J Wright commented on the snow removal by the Township this winter season. He claimed they were the “Best of the Game”.
Todd made a motion to pay bills with a second by Rich. Motion carried.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:35 p.m.
Pam Kolseth, Clerk