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Purpose, Mission and Resources for Township Officers

2024 Spring Short Courses

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What is the Minnesota Association of Townships?

MAT is a non-profit corporation with 1,772 member Townships in Minnesota.

MAT was loosely created in 1933 as a reaction to Iowa’s townships losing their power and structure. MAT formalized as a non-profit in 1979.

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Education Events

  • Spring Short Courses (March – April)- 15 locations
  • Township Day at the Capitol – April 8th & 9th
  • Town Law Review May 31st - (Otsego)
  • 4 Corners training
  • District Meetings (August) 13 District meetings
  • Annual Conference - 2024 St. Cloud
  • L&R Resolutions – Fall 2024
  • Township Tuesday – 1st & 3rd Tuesday each month

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ADVOCACY

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Legislative priorities

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Legislative Efforts – �MAT supports

HF4914

Annexation

SF4485

SF3757

SF4262

Allow towns to tax pull-tabs

Repeal of the 60-40 rule

Charter rights to townships

Town Aid – Change of formulation (Gary Burdorf testified in favor)

Towns would be allowed to charge franchising fees for broadband

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Legislative Efforts – �MAT opposes

SF4132

HF4120

HF3381

SF4004

attorney/client privileged meetings must be audio recorded and retained. -- Expressed concerns

A right to public comment. Bodies must permit remote monitoring “to the extent possible” – No scheduled hearings

Would prohibit odd-year Nov elections. – defeated

Removes MAT from Statute 366.01

- defeated

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Legislative Efforts – �MAT opposes

SF3480

Transfer of township land to the White Earth Band – laid on the table

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Legislative Efforts – �Bills being monitored

  1. HF2 FMLA
  2. Hf80: County Ag
  3. Hf115: Road and Bridge
  4. HF205: Solicitation near polling places
  5. HF401 MNDoT Policy Bill

6) HF510 Ditch Maintenance

7) HF558 early voting

8) HF 573 photo id

9) HF 825 PILT

10) SF 1065 Road Weight

11) SF 1361 Mail in balloting

12) SF 2825 Local Gov’t Firearm restrictions

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What’s Going on in Your Township?

MAT wants to help.

But you need to call us.

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St. Lawrence Township

City of Belle Plaine

St. Lawrence Township

Welcome sign

St. Lawrence Township

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St. Lawrence Township

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St. Lawrence Township

MnDOT

Sand Creek Township

Bluff Dr. Bridge

Sand Creek Township

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Sand Creek Township

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Association Updates

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MATIT PHISHING SCAM - Update

$834,197 was stolen via a phishing scam that MATIT fell victim to in 2022.

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Investigation is still active and on-going

MATIT case is tied to a much larger case

3 suspects arrested in GA.

Main suspects believed to be in TX

- FBI working to secure more evidence

Victims letter coming soon

MATIT will seek restitution from any conviction

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DEFAMATION CASE

Employment issue. Defendant put MAT in serious legal jeopardy with his reckless statements

This is about protecting directors, staff, and the association. It created accountability on the MAT Board

Case was filed in the Appellate Court.

�MAT is financially supporting the victims and protecting the association

Any settlement award goes directly to MAT

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FEDERAL LAWSUIT

  • Plaintiff – Bob Pickle (former clerk of Halstad Twp in Norman County)

  • Charges are ridiculous and have no merit

  • Motion to dismiss the entire case has been submitted

  • Mr. Pickle has sent emails and letters to MAT demanding a payday for about a year now. An example is below:

  • Past federal case of defamation against Mr. Pickle where the judge found him to be litigious

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