April 17, 2007

Lent Township Board Meeting

Official Minutes

Township Board meeting was called to order by Chair G. Olson at 7:35 pm.

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

The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

G. Olson requested review of the agenda presented by the clerk. Peterson commented that H was duplicated on M. Milles made a motion to approve the agenda with the correction, Peterson seconded. Motion passed.

Minutes from the March 18th board meeting were reviewed. Milles made a motion to approve the minutes, Peterson seconded. Motion passed.

Claims against the Township were presented by Treasurer P. Olson. Peterson commented that P.O. Box fee of $ 38.00 was due and G. Olson asked to have it kept for another year as vendors would not get correspondence to the Township. Milles made a motion to approve.  Peterson seconded. Motion passed.

Blair Joselyn

Blair Joselyn from the City of Scandia gave a presentation on how they in Scandia incorporated into a city. Joselyn gave advantages about becoming a city. There would not be any annexation. They will be able to control there own destiny. Joselyn commented that he would send booklets and pamphlets that Scandia wrote up, (these were received and copies made), why they should and should not become a City.

Planning Commission

John Stewart commented that they had a public hearing to recommend the building permit fees changes in the Land Use Regulations Ordinance. Milles presented the findings of facts for review, to adopt the amendments to the fees schedule as proposed. Peterson made a motion to approve, Milles seconded. G. Olson commented that a motion was made and seconded to adopt the official land use regulations of Lent Township, that the findings of fact conclusions that the recommended action to adopt the fee changes. No discussion. All in favor. All ayes. Motion passed

J. Stewart commented that Josh Kopp was present at the meeting on April 11 for Certificate of Compliance review. Kopp was told that he needed to furnish additional information.

Milles commented that there were six applications for Certificate of Compliance and five are recommended for approval and one is recommended for denial. The board needs to pass a motion to approve the five applications, which include Dave and Joan Milles-kennel, Audrey Olson-kennel, Patrick and Susan Pelzer-kennel, Katherine Olson- sale of corn stoves and related products, and Chris Leuthner –cabinet manufacturer. Peterson made a motion to approve, Milles seconded. Discussion from G. Olson asked if he goes to someone’s home and there is a violation is he required to report to the Lent Township Hall. Milles said there is no procedure to go around find violations. If someone files a complaint or comes and asks for a Certificate of Compliance then the situation will be addressed. G. Olson asked all in favor to approve the five Certificate of Compliances. Motion passed.

The sixth Certificate of Compliance, Rick Keller Excavating, was not recommended for approval and should be referred back to the Planning Commission for review. Milles made a motion to deny the application and send it back to the Planning Commission for review. Peterson asked if R. Keller knows what the specific conditions are for being denied. Milles commented that he has a list of conditions and that they can be given to Keller by Clerk Kahler. Peterson seconded. Motion passed.

Milles commented that a letter was sent from G. Olson to Mary Schimtz, County Director of Environmental Services, requesting them to furnish any current conditional use permits that are to be recertified every year or that are expired. And any outstanding zoning violations they are investigating and to discuss the KGM project. A letter had been sent to them three months ago and they did not respond.

J. Stewart asked the board to have Lyle Johnson be placed on the Planning Commission board. Milles made a motion to approve, Peterson seconded. Motion passed.

J. Stewart commented that Milles would give a complete presentation on the development plan for the Rural Transient Center on Monday, April 30, 2007 at 7:00 p.m. Milles also commented that he was going to suggest a Citizens committee to assist the Planning Commission, with the RTC.

J. Stewart commented that Phil Carlson was elected for Vice Chair.

J. Stewart also commented that he was going back to his minutes, to find out if there were seven or nine members approved for the Planning Commission Board.

Hall Rental

Peterson requested that nonprofit organizations require putting a damage deposit down. G. Olson commented that the nonprofit organizations are only required to put $100.00 for custodian only and there should be a damage deposit. The Boy and Girl Scouts would not to be included as all the money they get goes back into the organization. R. Keller thanked the board for the use of the hall for hunter safety class and that there is only a $10.00 fee and doesn’t believe that there hasn’t been any damaged done by the class. G. Olson said that the fees are fine but there should be a damage deposit. Discussion tabled for further consideration, will be put on May’s agenda.

Dog Ordinance

Peterson commented that Attorney Mark Jennings asked for a Township ordinance to be adopted for dangerous dogs. The County Attorney is working on a uniform ordinance for the County. Peterson made a motion that the Clerk Kahler, write a letter to M. Jennings saying that the Township will not be considering an ordinance, and that the County Attorney is working on a uniform all ordinance for the County. Milles seconded. Motion passed.

Board of Adjustment

Milles commented that the board will be meeting on Wed., April 18, 2007 at 7:00 p.m., and that there are no variances. The BOA will meet to approve the operating procedures and will adopt the procedures.

Board of Equalization

Milles said that the assessors will be at the Township on Thursday, April 19, 1007 at 6:00 p.m.

Urban Town Short Courses

G. Olson asked who would be attending the course on April 26 in Maplewood, MN.  G. Olson, Milles, Peterson, P. Olson and Kahler will be attending and Milles offered to drive and everyone should meet at the Township Hall at 7:15 a.m. B. Woods would be in the office from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Gravel Quotes

Peterson made a tour of the roads and some have a few holes. G. Olson said that the Township is in good shape with gravel and that it costs $35,000.00 to $45,000.00 a year to maintain the roads. Chloride will be put on selected roads.

Park Commission

Milles said that on April 24, there were 3 board members in attendance and they went over to Reiger Field and checked it out. A park plan needs to be done and they will meet Tuesday, May 29, at 7:00 p.m. G. Olson made a motion for Reiger Field to purchase bleachers and have them installed and the Township will pay for the purchase. Peterson seconded. Motion passed.

Bob Gustafson

Is trying to get the local ball program going and is trying to be stopped by an individual. G. Olson revised his contract to appoint Bob Gustafson to run the ball program. Peterson made a motion to change the contract amount from $600.00 to $700.00. Milles seconded. Motion passed.

Road Report

Peterson commented that the roads will need to be graded. All signs are in place except for a stop sign at Falcon and Fir Trail. A cable is lying on the ground that needs to be buried. Milles is calling US cable to have the cables buried. There are many illegal mail box posts that need to be addressed and there will be a column written in the newsletter. G. Olson commented that the grading is being done on the roads and the condition of the roads will be better after the next grading.

City of Stacy Land Ownership

G. Olson commented that a letter from Stacy City Attorney, Peter Grundhoefer, is asking the annexation of two lots, Lots 14 and 15 Block 1 of the Sunrise Estates. G. Olson had Clerk Kahler locate the minutes to show that the two lots have already been annexed in 1978. The document was signed and sent back to Peter Grundhoefer.

Treasurers Comments

P. Olson asked who the check should be made out to for Bob Gustafson. G. Olson said that it should be made out to Bob Gustafson and not to Chisago County. P. Olson asked if the Board of Adjustment is a volunteer or paid position. G. Olson commented that the Planning Commission and Board of Adjustment are eligible to be paid per diem, which is $25.00 for board members and $35.00 for the Chair. A Township Liaison is required to be at the meeting and is paid and reports back to the next Township board meeting.

P. Olson commented that she is changing her Deputy Treasurer from Jonn Olson to Lori Olson.

P. Olson asked what the pay is for Deputy Treasurer. Peterson asked there is going to be a training period and when P. Olson is gone will L. Olson be able to take over P. Olson responsibilities. P. Olson said yes. G. Olson made a motion to pay $15.00 an hour for Deputy Treasurer. Peterson seconded. Motion passed.

Milles asked if staff meetings are to be paid by per diem or hourly. G. Olson said that they are to

to be paid as a per diem as it is a posted meeting.

Clerk’s Comments

R. Kahler commented that Lyle Johnson should be removed from the bank signature card. G. Olson made a motion to remove L. Johnson from the signature card. Peterson seconded. Motion passed. Peterson was nominated to be Vice Chair and to sign bank card as back up, if G. Olson isn’t able to sign. G. Olson made a motion to approve. Milles seconded. Motion passed.

R. Kahler commented that the Rush Line Corridor is having a meeting on April 25 and is any one attending. No attendance.

R. Kahler said that the Minnesota chapter of Public Risk Management is conducting a seminar and would there be anyone attending. No attendance.

The Fire Department Joint Powers meeting needs to be rescheduled from May 7, 2007, as there is a election in Stacy that day. Recommendation is Monday June 11 or June 4 to be forwarded to Stacy.

County Public Health Department

G. Olson commented that he received a letter from the County on who should be contacted in case of a disaster, and G. Olson returned the letter with his name and number.

Road Repair

G. Olson and the Township Engineer are meeting about black topping the road in front of the Township Hall, at 33155 Hemmingway Ave., from Cty Rd 18 to the end of the ball field. The bid for the road work for this summer is $142,000.00, and there maybe $30,000.00 to $40,000.00 unallocated. Linwood and Lent Townships has the same engineer for the Lyons Ave. project, Hakanson-Anderson. The developer of the project in Linwood is going from 316^th to 320^th for a certain amount of money and the Township has set an amount of money to go from 209th to south of 316^th. G. Olson commented that he will meet with the contractor and see if the contractor will apply his money to go south and the Township will pick up the rest in 2008. This would leave a joint venture for 209th-316th-north to 320^th.

Miscellaneous

Peterson commented that the Carlos Avery Management received grant money to lower Mud Lake and will be worked on this year.

Upcoming Meetings

G. Olson commented that he asked Kahler to make a list of up coming meetings and list them on the agenda.

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

Meeting ended at 9:12 pm

___________________________                              ___________________________

Board Chair Signature                                                  Clerk Signature