December 18, 2007

Lent Township Board Meeting

Official Minutes

Township Board meeting was called to order by Chair G. Olson at 7:30 pm.

 In attendance were Supervisors Gene Olson - Chair, Larry Peterson, Dave Milles; Treasurer Pam Olson; and Clerk Roxanne Kahler.

 Public in attendance were Bernice Woods, Josh Kopp (Milcon, Inc.), Joan Milles, Ron Chelberg, KimMarie Granger, Don Mudrick, John Stewart, Norm Kahler, Mike Olson, Michael D. Olson, Gordon Anderson, Lyle Johnson, Brad Wilkening, and Char Michael.

 The Pledge of Allegiance was recited..

 G. Olson requested a review of the meeting agenda presented by the clerk. Milles made a motion to approve the agenda as presented, Peterson seconded. Motion passed.

 G. Olson brought the consent agenda to the floor for approval:

G. Olson requested approval of the following items:

   1. Net Pay for Payroll Period ending 11/23/2007 for 2 items in the amount of $1531.65

   2. Net Pay for Payroll Period ending 12/1/2007 for 2 items in the amount of $2831.97

   3. Net Pay for December 2007 payroll 5 items in the amount of $2017.06

   4. Net Pay for FD Bookkeeper Annual Pay 1 item in the amount of $2021.55

   5. Claims List for Approval for 30 items in the amount of $29,854.37

   6. Net Pay for Payroll Period Ending 12/15/2007 for 2 items in the amount of $3386.45

   Milles made a motion to approve the consent agenda, Peterson seconded. Motion passed.

 Minutes from the November 20th, 2007 board meeting were reviewed.

Peterson noted that under the agenda item for the fire department it reads: “…as the membership counselor maybe retiring.” should read as follows: “…as the membership counselor maybe continuing under a new company.”

   Milles made a motion to approve the minutes as prepared with correction, Peterson seconded. Motion passed.

   Minutes from the December 10, 2007 staff meeting were reviewed.

   Milles made a motion to approve the minutes as prepared, Peterson seconded. Motion passed.

 Old Business

 Hakanson Anderson – Brad Wilkening

Brad Wilkening reported that the Erie Lane paving project will be put out for bid and they will receive bids at Hakanson Anderson until February 14^th, 2008. Bid opening will be held at the Lent Township board meeting on February 19th, 2008. Construction on Erie Lane would commence on May 12^th, depending on road restrictions with completion on or before August 29^th, 2008. G. Olson commented that this project should be completed before school starts. Wilkening commented that he would find out when schools starts. Wilkening will be placing ads in the Townships three (3) legal papers on January 21st, 2008. Approximate cost for road project contract will be $190,000.00 not including engineering costs. Additional cost for bituminous was added.

G. Olson and Brad Wilkening will be meeting on December 27, 2007 at 8:30 a.m. to review the specs. G. Olson has a concern about the 3% percent slope that needs to be reviewed.

 Planning Commission

John Stewart reported that the Planning Commission has formed a subcommittee to work on issues. The subcommittee members are KimMarie Granger, Con Christianson, and Dave Milles.

Milles reported that they will meet on Wednesday, December 19^th, 2007, at 6:00 p.m. to put together a work plan for issues that will be presented at the next Planning Commission meeting on January 9^th, 2008.

J. Stewart reported that the Planning Commission has two unresolved Certificates of Land Use Compliances that were “no shows” at the meeting and were given another 30 days to comply:

      Rodney Ebnet on 5448 Emily Lane, Stacy, has a lawn mowing service.

Troy and Marcy Colberg, who live at 31671 Elmwood Trail, are in violation for installing a driveway for a pole barn without a permit.

 J. Stewart reported that Gordy Peterson and Josh Kopp presented a revised preliminary plat for a one (1) lot and one (1) outlot including a 40 foot wide easement. The Planning Commission approved the preliminary plat with a change from a 40 foot wide easement to a 66 foot wide easement. The Planning Commission is recommending the board to approve.

Milles made a motion to approve the preliminary GM Land plat #1, Peterson seconded. Motion passed.

A notice will be placed in the papers for a public hearing to have a final plat presented at the January 9^th, 2008, Planning Commission meeting.

 J. Stewart reported that two (2) complaints were presented to the Planning Commission.

KGM Construction, Inc. is operating a commercial aquaculture pond. McKenzie Fish Co. was contacted to ascertain details on how the pond was being used for fish production. The Zoning Ordinance has no provisions allowing for commercial aquaculture as a land use within the Rural Residential District. The Planning Commission is requesting the Town Board to send an Administrative Order to KGM Construction, Inc. informing them that they are in violation.

Milles made a motion to send KGM Construction, Inc., an Administrative Order to comply with land use regulations within 30 days, Peterson seconded. Motion passed.

Discussion: Lyle Johnson asked how Chisago County allowed this situation to develop. Milles reported that KGM Construction, Inc. was supposed to restore the wetland to its original status in order to comply with the State’s Wetland Conservation Act. Chisago County took no action on the whole situation. The Planning Commission will be addressing all of the issues with Minnesota Board of Water & Soil Resources.

 Richard Carlson - 35902 Grand Avenue has three (3) past zoning violations with the County and is still in violation. The Planning Commission requests to send an Administrative Order to the two (2) mailing addresses that Mr. Carlson has, informing him that he is in violation and must comply within 30 days with the Land Use Regulations.

Milles made a motion to send the Administrative Order, Peterson seconded. Motion passed.

J. Stewart reported that the Planning Commission has a serious concern with illegal driveways in the Township and the Planning Commission would like to see some action on this issue. G. Olson reported that information has been written about driveways for new construction of pole barns. Milles suggested that an article be written for the April newsletter about driveway standards and that a citation can be issued and/or illegal driveway entrances can be removed if residents do not comply. This will be further discussed at the Planning Commission meeting.

 New Building Permits – No action

 Milles reported that the RTC Development Plan work group had their last meeting on December 10^th. A final version of the RTC Plan will be presented to the Planning Commission on January 9^th, 2008 meeting. A public hearing will be held at the February 13^th, 2008 meeting and then presented to the Township board meeting on February 19^th.

 Milles noted that Rick Keller is in the audience and advised him that the Planning Commission is now authorized to be a nine (9) member panel. Keller had submitted a letter of interest and if he was interested he should talk to Milles.

 Park Commission

Milles reported Brian Randt contacted members of the Park Commission and asked if they are

still want to be active on the Park Commission. Two members stepped down and an ad will be placed in the papers for volunteers to serve on the Park Commission Board.

Milles reported that Doug Weekes has with drawn from the Park Commission Board and Milles would contact Weekes to get the information for the park plan.

 Mike Olson – Boys Baseball

Mike Olson requested the use of the town hall from January to the first week in April for boys’ baseball pitching practice for 20 boys. The request is for two (2) nights a week, Tuesday and Thursday, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. There are concerns and needs to be discussed. No action until board meeting on January 15^th, 2008.

 Char Michael – Men’s Handicap Basketball

Char Michael requested the use of the town hall from January to the first week in April for men’s special Olympics basketball. The request is for two (2) nights a week, Monday and Wednesday, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. No action for further discussion.

 Road Report

   1. Peterson presented a written road report.

   2. Dick Stiers – Not present, no action

 Treasurers Comments

P. Olson reported that an ad is prepared for the logo contest and will be going in the newspapers and news letter.

P. Olson received a MAT letter indicting that the liability coverage was increased and the EO policy will be at no additional cost at this time.

P. Olson presented a cash balance statement after all checks were written.

 Clerk’s Comments

Kahler reported that the Boy Scouts would like to use the hall for their Blue and Gold Banquet on Saturday, March 29^th, 2008.

Milles made a motion for the Boy Scouts to use the hall, Peterson seconded. Motion passed.

Kahler reported that the Northwoods Humane Society would like to use the hall on Sunday, May 4^th, 2008 for their dog walk.

Milles made a motion for the Northwoods Humane Society to use the hall, Peterson seconded. Motion passed.

Supervisors

1. Milles requested that the staff meetings continue on the second Monday of every month at an hourly pay rate and not a $45.00 meeting rate. Milles made a motion to keep the staff    meetings on the second Monday of every month at a hourly pay rate. Peterson seconded. Motion passed.

2. G. Olson reported that the employees review needs to be completed by January 8^th, 2008 and needs a day to perform the reviews. G. Olson recommended Thursday, January 3^rd, 2008, one at 9:00 a.m. and one at 10:30 a.m.

New Business

Sunday Liquor License

Lyle Johnson presented information on Sunday Liquor License for a referendum on the annual March 2008 election ballot. Milles commented that this will be presented to the Planning Commission to write up and then present at the January 15^th, 2008 board meeting for approval, to be ready 45 days prior to election. Peterson requested to ask the Township attorney to research the Sunday Liquor Law and how many Sunday Liquor license can be given out. Kahler will research.

Other

G. Olson reported that donations in the amount of $61,021.00 have been received for the training simulator and there is community participation in donating. The remaining balance is $190,850.87.

Rick Keller wanted to acknowledge the Township for the use of the town hall for hunter safety class in November. There were 28 that participated. 16 were from the around the area.

Motion was made to adjourn by Peterson.  Milles seconded. Motion passed. 

Meeting adjourned at 9:03 p.m.