February 19, 2008

Lent Township Board Meeting

Official Minutes

The 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: Jim Berneche, Brad Wilkening, Don Mudrick, Mike Olson, Norm Kahler, John Stewart, Bernice Woods, Clay Zimmerman, Steve Dammann, Brian Randt, Kim Marie Granger, Ashley Granger, Brent Hoernemann, Jim Rue, and Lynn Schultz.

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, L. Peterson seconded. Motion passed.

Minutes from the January 15, 2008 board meeting were reviewed.

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

Minutes from the February 11, 2008 staff meeting were reviewed.

Milles made a motion to approve and accept the minutes as prepared, 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 1/26/2008 for 4 items in the amount of $4293.93

   2. Net Pay for Payroll Period ending 2/9/2008 for 3 items in the amount of $3225.89

   3. Net Pay for PERA reimbursement for 1 item in the amount of $63.49

   4. Net Pay for Regular February Payroll for 9 items in the amount of $3,389.75

   5. Claims List for Approval for 36 items in the amount of $18,339.49

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

G. Olson requested minutes from the Planning Commission meetings be sent over to the clerk to have on file at the township office. D. Milles replied that copies will be sent to the township office.

First at Hand

Erie Lane Bids

Road Project 08-01 – Erie Lane Bituminous Surfacing and Drainage Improvements

G. Olson requested Engineer Brad Wilkening, from Hakanson Anderson, Inc., to open bids for the

Erie Lane project that were received thru February 14, 2008 until 2:00 p.m.

Bidders:

   1. Northwest Asphalt                $181,569.30

   2. Gustafson Excavating            $167,457.70

   3. ASTECH                             $179,190.95

   4. Dressel Contracting              $178,132.40

   5. North Valley, Inc.                 $178,118.50

   6. Knife River Corp.                 $166,732.67

   7. Hardrives, Inc.                      $177,593.52

   8. Rum River Contracting          $167,899.01

Brad Wilkening was excused from the meeting to look over the bids for completeness.

Old Business

Fire Dept

G. Olson reported that on March 3, 2008, at 7:00 p.m., the Joint Powers will be hold a meeting at the Stacy/Lent Fire hall.

G. Olson reported that the fire equipment fund has $133,000.00 and there probably will not be any purchases of equipment. G. Olson requested a CD to be purchased for $100,000.00.

G. Olson made a motion to authorize the treasurer to invest $100,000.00 in a CD in the interest of the township.

Milles seconded. Motion passed.

Planning Commission

D. Milles reported that a public hearing was held at the February 13th Planning Commission meeting, regarding the final adoption of the RTC District Development Plan. A Findings of Fact, Conclusions and Recommended action was prepared, that was signed by Con Christianson, Chairman. The board is asked to adopt the RTC District Development Plan.

Milles made a motion to adopt the Rural Transit Center District Development Plan as presented, Peterson seconded. Motion passed.

Milles requested the clerk to place the current RTC District Development Plan and the Comprehensive Plan on the website.

D. Milles reported that a public hearing was held for a Taxidermy School and Shop for Clay Zimmerman on 4748 Athens Trail. The hours for the school to run would be from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and from 5:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. in the evening. A copy of Mr. Zimmerman’s state and federal license would be furnished to the Clerk. The committee requests the Board to make a motion to approve the Conditional Use Permit.

Milles made a motion to approve the Conditional Use Permit for the Taxidermy School and Shop, Peterson seconded. Motion passed.

Milles reported that the Planning Commission has two unresolved Certificates of Land Use Compliances for owners to bring their properties into compliance:

Rodney Ebnet on 5448 Emily Lane, Stacy, is still cleaning up his property.

Troy and Marcy Colberg, who live at 31671 Elmwood Trail, have not been in contact with the Township. When spring arrives the violation will be re-inspected and an appropriate action will be taken if necessary.

Milles reported on the three (3) outstanding land use violations.

Mark Abramson of KGM Construction sent a letter saying that he will not conduct any commercial aquaculture activities on the pond. A letter will be sent to KGM Construction to say that they have complied with the order.

Troy Wood on 31841 Frontier Avenue, was sent a letter in regards to12 illegal commercial refrigerators stored on his property and was requested to remove the refrigerators to an inside storage, but he has not responded as of yet.

Richard Carlson - 35902 Grand Avenue, has responded by a letter and the Planning Commission has decided not to pursue any enforcement until spring, giving R. Carlson adequate time to come into compliance.

Milles reported on the City of Stacy’s meeting to adopt a Comprehensive Plan to accommodate growth through the year 2030. A public hearing will be on February 26, 2008 at 5:00 p.m.

Milles reported that he was elected to be the chairman for the annexation subcommittee for the legislative research committee of the Minnesota Association of Townships. This will be a subcommittee on annexation to resolve conflicts on merges.

Milles reported that Kim Marie Granger will be presenting a proposal for drafting the necessary ordinance amendments to implement the newly adopted RTC District Development Plan.

Milles reported on the Planning Commission approval for requiring photographs to accompany the final inspection on reproofing, as requested by the building inspector. An ordinance amendment will be presented to the Planning Commission to implement this change.

New Building Permits – No action

Park Commission

Milles reported that Jim Berneche submitted a letter to Brian Randt to serve on the Park Commission and asked the Board to entertain a motion to appoint Mr. Berneche to the Park Commission.

Milles made a motion to accept Jim Berneche on the Park Commission. Peterson seconded. Motion passed.

Milles reported that the Park Commission passed a resolution to change the quorum requirement to allow two (2) members to constitute a quorum. The committee has reviewed the park plans from Amador and Chicago City and Park Commission Board member Bob Schule has revised those plans to work for Lent Township. The Park Commission will finalize this plan at its meeting on February 28, 2008 at 7:00 p.m.. A public hearing will be held at the Planning Commission meeting on March 12, 2008 at 7:00 p.m., to adopt the Park Plan and then present at the Board meeting on March 18, 2008.  After board approval, the plan will be presented to Chisago County for acceptance and approval.

Milles also reported that a questionnaire will be put into the newsletter to solicit input from Township residents for suggestions on parks and recreation issues.

Road Report

   1. Peterson presented the February road report.

Treasurers Comments

P. Olson reported that at the Township audit, a question was asked on what can be done with the gambling donations that has been donated from the years 2001-2004 in the amount of $5157.00. P. Olson reported there is a Public Purpose Doctrine document that says per the Boards discretion, the Board can recommend on how the money can be spent.

P. Olson reported that the Scotsman is not a legal publication and there a lot of money that has been spent on ads. G. Olson commented that he has a suggestion that he will bring up at the annual meeting.

P. Olson reported that at the annual meeting, only the clerk and moderator will receive pay.

P. Olson requested a motion to be made, to give specific names for signatures on the Fire Department CD.

Milles made a motion to have Pam Olson, Treasurer, authorized to purchase the Fire Department CD and Pam Olson, Treasurer and Roxanne Kahler, Clerk, will be the authorized signatures on the CD. Peterson seconded. Motion passed.

Clerk’s Comments

R. Kahler reported the Boy Scouts District Derby has asked to use the township on April 12, 2008 from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

G. Olson made a motion for the Boy Scouts District Derby to use the township hall. Peterson seconded. Motion passed.

R. Kahler requested two (2) software programs be purchased, Illustrator and Photoshop, for the Township computer. These programs would produce newsletters and website graphics in a more efficient method. Tabled for further discussion.

R. Kahler reported that the Short Courses at St. Cloud will be held on March 24, 2008. The supervisors, treasurer and clerk will be attending. Milles questioned if a representative from the Planning Commission should attend the Short Course. G. Olson stated that planning and zoning courses are available as Short Courses deals with only the operations of a township. County Commissioner Lynn Schultz stated that there will be a planning work shop to be held at Carlton, MN and more information will be forth coming.

Supervisors Comments

Milles reported that a letter was received from Chisago County Office of Environmental Services concerning building permits that have expired without final inspection by the County. These residents will have to apply to the Township to obtain a new permit in order to have the Township conduct a final inspection for insurance and/or mortgage requirements.

New Business

Logo Design

P. Olson reported that 32 logos were received and two (2) logos were presented to the board for consideration and asked the board to accept one (1) logo to represent the township. The logo from Michele Johnson of North Branch was the logo winner and will be unveiled at the Annual Meeting on March 11, 2008.

Peterson made a motion to accept the logo from Michele Johnson. Milles seconded. Motion passed.

Peterson made a motion to have the treasurer, Pam Olson, dispose of the other 32 logos. Milles second. Motion passed.

Brad Wilkening Returned to Meeting

Knife River Corp. had the lowest bid with $166,732.67.

Peterson made a motion to award the bid to Knife River Corp. with a contract of $166,732.67 for the Erie Lane project. Milles second. Motion passed.

B. Wilkening will be contacting Knife River Corp. to award them the contract and inform them that they have 30 days to complete the project when started.

Evergreen Recycling

R. Kahler reported that Evergreen Recycling was inquiring if the township would like to have a collection day as of no expense to the residents or Lent Township. In the April newsletter, there would be published a list of items that would not be charged for and items that would have charge. Lent Township residence identification would be needed. Milles volunteered to help at the event. Date and time will be announced at a later date..

Milles made a motion to conduct the service with Evergreen Recycling and to publish in the April newsletter, date and time. G. Olson seconded. Motion passed.

Election Judges

R. Kahler reported that election judge candidates Bernice Woods, Phyllis Mudrick, and Shirley Anderson were contacted and agreed to be March election judges at the annual election.

Milles made a motion to accept Bernice Woods, Phyllis Mudrick, and Shirley Anderson to be the March 11, 2008 election judges. Peterson seconded. Motion passed.

Board of Equalization

G. Olson asked the board if April 17, 2008 at 6:00 p.m. would be an acceptable date to have the Board of Equalization. Board agreed.

Orderly Annexation

G. Olson reported that a meeting with the City of Stacy and Lent Township, for an orderly annexation on eight to nine parcels east of Interstate 35 and south of the City of Stacy, needs to be set up. G. Olson reported a 15 year agreement with no hostile annexation by the City of Stacy and that Lent Township will would not contest annexation that we should have with residents of Lent Township who want to join the City if there land butts up against the City of Stacy. R. Kahler will contact City of Stacy’s clerk with suggested dates of March 10 or March 17 with the time of 6:00 p.m. or 7:00 p.m. for a public orderly annexation meeting.

Annexation Survey

G. Olson reported that the U.S. Census Bureau sent a survey to have boundary adjustments completed.

Milles made a motion to adjourn, Peterson seconded. Motion passed.

Meeting adjourned at 9:05 p.m.