The state does not prohibit use of public waters. Public waters are open for waterfowl hunting and fishing.”

Conservation Officer Steve Chihak

The Grey Cloud Island Town Board met Wednesday, June 10 in the town hall. Among items covered on the agenda were financial matters, development requests, road improvements and long-range planning. Prominetn in discussion meanwhile was a Q and A with state conservation officer Steve Chihak on duck hunting activity near homes along the township's backwater channels. Township officials invited Chihak to clarify state regulations and answer questions from both board members and residents.
Starting things out Wednesday, the meeting began with approval of the township's May financial report presented by Treasurer Keshia Jones.
Jones reported the township's checking account ended May with a balance of $255,785, while the township's investment account held $256,799, giving Grey Cloud Island total assets of $512,584. She noted that monthly expenses were approximately $7,000 lower than they were in May 2025, primarily due to higher legal and permit-related expenses incurred during the same period last year. Revenue was about $1,700 lower than a year ago, which Jones attributed to the timing of cell tower lease payments.
"We received two payments in the month of May last year, and we only received one this May, so we'll see that difference in June," Jones explained. She also reported the township currently shows a year-to-date deficit of $18,453, but noted that the figure closely mirrors last year's financial position and should improve significantly once the township receives its first property tax settlement later this summer.
"We should expect to receive our first half property tax payment probably in July, so that'll reverse that deficit and make us in the surplus for the year," she said.
The board unanimously approved the treasurer's report and later authorized payment of bills totaling $16,320.17.
A brief report from the Planning Commission followed, reporting that the commission had reviewed two applications during their June 1 meeting and forwarded both to the township board with recommendations for approval.
The first request involved a lot split and property boundary adjustment for property located at 10023 Grey Cloud Island Drive South. Planning Commission members had determined the proposal met setback requirements and other township ordinances.
The commission also reviewed a permit request for construction of a deck at 8944 Grey Cloud Island Drive South, finding that the proposal complied with setback and permeable surface requirements and unanimously recommended approval. Both requests were later approved without opposition.
The largest portion of the meeting meanwhile was devoted to questions about waterfowl hunting in the backwater channels surrounding the island.
Town Chairman Phil Dupre said residents have expressed concerns about hunters discharging firearms near homes located along the shoreline. To address those concerns, the township had invited Conservation Officer Steve Chihak to explain how state laws apply to hunting on public waters.
Many residents have long believed hunters must remain at least 500 feet from homes. Chihak explained that while the 500-foot rule generally applies in many situations, state law treats public waters differently.
"In most cases that's true," Chihak said regarding the setback requirement. "On public waters, that's different. The hunter can be on anywhere on that public water and not have to adhere to the 500-foot rule."
He said the reason for the exception is that enforcing a residential setback on public waters could effectively privatize public resources.
"The state does not prohibit use of public waters," Chihak said. "Public waters are open for waterfowl hunting and fishing."
Chihak explained that local governments may adopt ordinances restricting hunting in specific waterways, but enforcement of those ordinances would fall to county law enforcement rather than the DNR.
Board members asked numerous questions about where hunters may legally position themselves and whether they can use shorelines or artificial blinds.
Chihak explained that hunters operating on public waters must be concealed in naturally growing vegetation.
"If it's clear they're not in any vegetation whatsoever, they cannot be there," he said. "They have to be concealed in natural vegetation."
He further clarified that artificial blinds and cut vegetation do not satisfy the legal requirement.
"It has to be natural growing alive vegetation," he said. "If it's not coming out of the water, is it emergent vegetation? Then no."
The officer encouraged residents to call 911 immediately if they observe unsafe firearm activity.
"Time is of the essence," Chihak said. "We want to get somebody in law enforcement out there to freeze the scene, contact these people, and then we sort it out." With 1,200 square miles in his territory, getting local officers there mean things could be sorted out later, after facts had been established.
He also offered to return before waterfowl season begins this fall to answer additional questions and discuss enforcement concerns with residents.
Following the presentation, board members debated whether the township should pursue additional restrictions on hunting activity.
Supervisor Jake Jones argued that adding another ordinance could unnecessarily affect hunters who are already following state law.
"My opinion is I don't want to punish responsible hunters unnecessarily," Jones said. "There's plenty of restrictions in place for those recklessly discharging firearms."
Jones instead suggested the township focus on public education and communication with residents about existing state regulations and reporting procedures.
Other board members questioned whether local ordinances could provide additional protections for residents whose homes sit close to the shoreline.
The board ultimately voted to table consideration of proposed ordinance amendments and continue researching available options.
Also from June 10 meanwhile, the board also took preliminary action on a long-discussed reconstruction project for 105th Street.
Dupre presented an engineering agreement that would allow work to begin on final project design and preparation of bid documents.
"This is a 105th Street without any additional changes to it," Dupre said. "It'll be as is what it is today."
Board members discussed the amount of aggregate base that should be included beneath the roadway and whether additional investment now could extend the life of the finished road.
Jones expressed concern about reducing the amount of road base simply to lower project costs.
"You can have a poor base and four or five inches of blacktop, it'll go bad," he said. "You can have a good base and three inches of blacktop, and it'll stay."
After discussion, the board directed staff to seek bid alternatives that would allow comparison of different base thickness options before final construction decisions are made.
The engineering agreement with WSB was approved unanimously.
The meeting concluded with approval of an agreement between Grey Cloud Island Township and the Metropolitan Council to begin development of the township's 2050 Comprehensive Plan.
Metropolitan Council District 12 representative Mark Jenkins attended the meeting and explained that the council will provide technical assistance and planning expertise at no cost to the township.
“The contract is free,” District 12 Met Council representative Mark Jenkins said. “There are townships and cities where this could be a very burdensome cost, and we recognize that.”
“Don’t think because we’re covering the cost of the work that we get to dictate what Grey Cloud Island Township looks like,” he said. “This is your plan…we are doing it on our dime to help our townships and cities.”
Preparation of the township's previous comprehensive plan cost approximately $70,000 in consulting fees and technical services, with the Metropolitan Council's assistance program meant to help smaller communities meet planning requirements without the same financial burden.
The next step in the process will be reviewing the township's current comprehensive plan and identifying areas that need updating before work on the 2050 plan formally begins.
The board approved the agreement unanimously before adjourning the meeting.