July17, 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, Larry Peterson, Dave Milles; Treasurer Pam Olson; and Clerk Roxanne Kahler.

The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

G. Olson requested a review of the agenda presented by the clerk. Jim Schehzer asked to have pool safety cover to be added to the agenda. Milles made a motion to approve the agenda with change, Peterson seconded. Motion passed.

Minutes from the June 19th board meeting were reviewed. Milles made a motion to approve the minutes as prepared, Peterson seconded. Discussion: Milles commented under Planning Commission that reads “on off-season boat storage”, should read “no off-season” boat storage. Peterson commented that under Bid Opening, change “Three roads” to “Two roads”, and take out “east of” (in front of Grand from 335^th to 340^th). Motion passed.

Claims against the Township were presented by Treasurer P. Olson. Milles made a motion to pay and approve the claims, Peterson seconded. Motion passed.

Milles made a motion to pay the payroll register. Peterson seconded. Motion passed.

North Branch Hockey

G. Olson asked for Kristin Dennis to speak and there was no response. R. Kahler commented that a fund raiser is to be held on October 13, 2007 and the hockey association is asking to have a gambling permit.

G. Olson asked that the request for a permit to be put on hold until later in the meeting.

Fire Department – Training Structure

G. Olson commented that a check will be issued for $3330.81 for a building permit to the City of Stacy for the building of a training facility.

Chisago City

G. Olson reported that a letter was sent to Chisago City concerning the reimbursement of the annexation taxes for 2006. Kahler commented that there has not been a response.

Planning Commission

Milles reported that a dog complaint was received from Scott Wyman, et al. The complaint was that Troy and Marcy Colberg, living on 31671 Elmwood Trail, have four dogs that are not restrained. Milles said a letter will be sent out to the Colbergs advising a residential kennel permit is needed and to file for a Certificate of Land Use Compliance.

John Stewart reported that the Planning commission reviewed four Certificates of Land Use Compliance. Kevin Westberg was not in attendance for questions to be answered. Kahler will contact K. Westberg to attend the next Planning Commission meeting on August 8.

Debra Winger on 31788 Forest Blvd has a cleaning service and is recommended for approval.

Scott Leibke on 30459 Forest Blvd has a wood working shop and is recommended for approval.

Edward Nieman has an auto repair on 32029 Elk Lane and is recommended for approval.

Milles made a motion to approve the Certificates of Land Use Compliance for Debra Winger, Scott Leibke, and Edward Nieman, Peterson seconded. Motion passed

J. Stewart reported that a Public hearing was held on July 11 to amend the Land Use Regulations, Section 4.08 of Chapter 2, to establish a sliding scale and a cap on quantity of accessory buildings based on acreage. Milles reported that testimony received at the hearing recommended the following standards: Accessory buildings maximum allowable foot print (square footage coverage) would be one percent (1%) of the acreage or 2000 square feet whichever is greatest. For less than 10 acres the number of buildings allowed is 2, 10 to 39 acres would be 3 buildings, 40 or more acres would be 4 buildings. A cap for set backs on buildings 5000 square feet or larger will be determined by the planning commission. Milles commented that acreage needs to be continuous and not separate parcels for 1% of acreage standard.

J. Stewart reported that three percent (3%) of Chisago County homes are in foreclosure, which equals over 500 homes and is the highest amount of foreclosures in the State.

Milles offered a notice to be published for a “request for proposals” to provide consulting service to support the Planning Commission. The notice was written with no set hourly rate or hours and the finale date to receive proposals is August 16.

Milles made a motion to have the notice published, Peterson seconded. Motion passed.

Milles reported that Mary Schmitz, County Director of Environmental Services, sent the remaining Conditional Use Permits from Chisago County. M. Schmitz also gave Milles an informational packet for septic tank pilot program including information about grants.  A joint powers draft was presented for Supervisors to read. Milles made a motion to table, Peterson seconded. Motion passed.

Milles reported that the first Rural Transit Center (RTC) Development Plan meeting was held on Monday, July 16 at 7:00 p.m. There will be a meeting held every second Monday of the month until November to complete a final draft for the Plan. In November, the plan will be ready for review by the full Planning Commission, in December, there will be public hearing and in January the plan will be ready for adoption.

Milles reported that he will be drafting an amendment to section 4.09 of the zoning ordinance, to require a fence not less than five (5’) feet high or a safety cover on all in-ground pools.

G. Olson presented a draft from Chisago County to amend the Chisago County Zoning Ordinance in order to create an Oak Wilt Inspector position. A discussion will be held on July 25 at the CATO meeting and further information will be gathered at that time.

Board of Adjustment

No action.

Park Commission

Milles reported that the bleachers are here and they are to be installed by the first week of August 1^st.  Bleachers are to set on a 4X6 concrete slab. A park plan needs to be completed for reimbursement from the County.

Milles reported that the Park Commission would like to include a one page survey in the next newsletter on what type of recreation facility the Township residents would want to have constructed in the parks. A request was included about placing a post office stamp on the survey for residents to return.

Personal Manual

The board updated the1999 personnel manual.

Milles made a motion to adopt the Work Rules and Personnel Manual for Lent Township and forward the personal manual to the Township attorney for comment, Peterson seconded. Motion passed.

G. Olson reported that on July 11^th, the two Township employees hired on January 8, 2007, had six (6) month probationary reviews. Both were rated above average. Full time employment was offered and a one dollar an hour increase in salary will be effective July 8th. Both employees accepted.

Milles made a motion, Peterson seconded. Motion passed.

Road Report

Peterson presented a written road report.

G. Olson reported that the road work with North Branch on 360^th was completed with gravel and chloride applied.

The joint construction on Lyons Ave 2009 project with Linwood is being discussed. The contractor who is paving Lyons Ave., north of 316^th to 320^th, was reminded that bituminous is to be applied just south of 316^th.

Kahler commented that she has been in touch with the Chisago County about stripping the Township roads. No response as of yet.

Treasurers Comments

P. Olson reported the first half property tax settlement from County was received.

Fire Department fund will be short until the November settlement comes in and will cover February payment.

The Fire Training Simulator funds will stay in the general fund as final loan will be taken from the general fund and all Supervisors agreed. The Fire Department is making an effort to pay for the simulator without requesting money from the tax payers.

Brian Randt commented that the grant from General Mills was not approved. He will try again in the fall when General Mills renews the grant program.

P. Olson reported the Minnesota building permit surcharges are due. She requested a claim be signed, so when the correct state surcharges are figured out, they could be paid. G. Olson made a motion to sign a claim to pay state surcharges when amounts are determined, Milles seconded. Motion passed.

Clerk’s Comments

Kahler reported that Jim Johnson emailed the requested current warranty inspection information on the Township’s projects and developments and is on file for viewing.

G. Olson inquired about when the next Township newsletter will be sent out and Kahler said that the newsletter will be sent out the end of September.

Kahler reported that the first half order for swing away mail box posts will be arriving in September and the second half will be in arriving in October.

North Branch Hockey

G. Olson reopened the gambling permit request with Jennifer Fairbanks from the North Branch Hockey.  G. Olson waived rental fee for non-profit organization but there is a $250.00 cleaning/damage deposit and $100.00 for custodian.

G. Olson made motion to grant the gambling permit request, Peterson seconded. Motion passed.

Web Site

G. Olson commented that the Township cease the current web site and inquire the possibility of getting another web site. Mike Olson commented that he will speak to Jonn Olson about the current web site situation.

Milles made a motion to have the clerk look at other options for a new web site and services for the August 21 board meeting for discussion. Peterson seconded, Motion passed.

Acquisition of A.E.D. Plus

Peterson recommended that a defibulator should be on the Township Hall’s premises and that the Township solicit a donation from the Stacy Lion’s Club. G. Olson said that he would contact the EMS for further information.

Milles made a motion, G. Olson seconded. Motion passed.

Pole Barn Driveways

G. Olson reported that driveways are being put in for pole barns. Milles said that a warning should be written on driveway and building permits that only one driveway is allowed.

Milles made a motion saying that all new building permit applications received be listed under the clerks report. Peterson seconded, Motion passed.

Other

Milles requested that a new land use map be purchased and laminated as the present one needs corrections.

Milles recommended that a weather warning radio is needed in the Township hall.

G. Olson made a motion to purchase a land use map and a weather warning radio, Peterson seconded. Motion passed.

Milles received a call from Oxford Township on driveway permits and swing away mail box posts. Milles told them to contact the Lent Township clerk for information. Milles commented that Oxford Township would like help setting up their planning commission.

G. Olson reported that Chisago County is considering setting up an Adult Entertainment Ordinance and this ordinance can be added to the Lent Township Land Use Regulations.

Upcoming Meetings

CATO  July 25  at 7:00 pm North Branch Senior Citizens

Park Commission  July 31 at 7:00 pm

Joint Powers Meeting  August 6 at 7:00 pm

Planning Commission  August 8 at 7:00 pm

Staff Meeting  August 13 at 9:00 am

RTC  Public Meeting July 13 at 7:00 pm

Board of Adjustment August 15 at 7:00 pm

Town Board August 21 at 7:30 pm

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

Meeting adjourned at 9:10 p.m.