June 19, 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. G. Olson made an addition under item B. Fire Dept., about the board meeting at Stacy City. Milles made a motion to approve the agenda with change, Peterson seconded. Motion passed.

Minutes from the May 15th board meeting were reviewed. Milles made a motion to approve the minutes as prepared, Peterson seconded. Motion passed.

Claims against the Township were presented by Treasurer P. Olson. Milles made a motion to pay and approve the claims in the amount of $231,673.15, Peterson seconded. Discussion: Peterson asked if utility bills that are paid out before the board meeting could be listed and acknowledged when other claims are looked at. P. Olson commented that she would include utility bills paid prior to the board meeting. Motion passed.

The payroll register needs to acknowledge who is being paid and what amount. P. Olson commented that the time sheets can be looked at by coming into the office. Milles made a motion to pay the payroll register. Peterson seconded. Motion passed.

Falcon Ridge Golf

John Hamilton asked to have the liquor license renewed for the year 2007. Milles made a motion, Peterson seconded. Motion passed.

Fire Department – Training Structure

Milles made a motion to request the $20,000.00 from the Stacy/Lent Fire Department, Peterson seconded. Motion passed. Stacy/Lent Fire Department Relief Assoc. presented a check for $20,000.00 for the training facility.

 The Fire Department commented that they where at the Stacy planning commission meeting for the training facility. A public hearing is set for July 10th at 6:00 p.m. at the Stacy City Hall, to make an amendment to the old conditional use permit. A special meeting will follow the public hearing. The special meeting will be to discuss the elimination of the $25.00 charge per board member and Sharon Payne’s (clerk) time from the $500.00 application money that has been paid, with any balance returned. G. Olson commented that he has spoken with Jack Kramer who is the building inspector for both City of Stacy and Lent Township and that he would not get in between the two government bodies since he is employed for both places. A building permit will be applied and paid for on the contingence that the existing conditional use permit is amended. Milles made a motion to pay the building permit that is required before the July board meeting. Peterson seconded. Motion passed. Discussion: The money is coming out of the Fire Department Funding.

Siren

Steve Kringle gave a presentation about the Wyoming emergency warning system and offered to give any information to help set up a system for Lent Township.

Julie Walton

Julie Walton appeared to complain that there is an abandoned truck on 335^th street and has talked to Chisago County in the year 2006 to have the truck removed with other junk left on the property. Chisago County removed everything last year except for the truck. D. Milles said that a letter would be written for a 30 day notice to remove the truck or the Township will have the truck towed and bill the land owner.

Jim Johnson

Jim Johnson asked that the project for 335^th street have a change order on #2 for road control blanket at $3.00 per square yard, which would result in 150 square yards, for a total of $468.00. Milles made a motion, Peterson seconded. Motion passed.

Final payment for 335^th and Hemingway Avenue needed to have 4 inches of gravel instead of 2 inches, for a cost of $22,000.00 higher. Overall the cost of the bid was $9000.00 higher. There is a one year warranty and next spring the 335^th will be examined for any repairs. Milles made a motion to pay a final payment of $182,824.17, Peterson seconded. Motion passed.

J. Johnson asked for a reduction in a letter of credit for Dan Lingren for the Nature Reserve subdivision. G. Olson commented that the culvert is not in Township road jurisdiction area.

Tim Kane

Tim Kane appeared to represent the Pheasants Forever, asking for use of the hall for a March 1, 2008 fund raiser. G. Olson commented that the last fund raiser, held in March 2007, had unacceptable conduct. There was inappropriate language and dumped ticket stubs on the floor, left for the custodians to pick up. Tim Kane, President, apologized for Pheasants Forever and will be sending a letter to the other members to ensure that lewd behavior will not happen again. A damage and cleaning deposit of $250.00 and a $100.00 custodian fee will be charged. Milles made a motion to let Pheasants Forever use the hall rent free and if there is an issue with improper behavior, the hall will not be used again. Peterson seconded. Motion passed.

Bid Opening

Gravel bid from Bjorklund Trucking for material and hauling at $12.39 a ton, with a certificate of insurance. Only bid received. Two roads will be graveled, Grand from 335^th to 340^th and  350^th east about ¼ mile from grand. The rest of the gravel will be stock piled. Peterson made a motion, Milles seconded. Motion passed.

Fire training simulator bid from WHP Training Towers from Kansas for a quote of $238,745.00

and seventeen weeks for completion. Jim Johnson donated engineer time. Milles made a motion to accept the bid for $238,745.00, Peterson seconded. Motion passed.

Dangerous Dog Ordinance

Chisago County is working on the Dangerous Dog ordinance and the Township is waiting for information from the county.

Deb Dubina and Mary O’Brien asked for a leash law as there are dogs running loose and damaging  other owner’s yards. The owner isn’t taking control of his own dogs. They were told to attend the planning commission meeting on July 11^th and present the issue.

Planning Commission

John Stewart commented that there two new certificates of compliance. Approval is recommended for Michael and Wendy Willcoxen of 6949 340^th to have an outdoor boat motor repair business and with no off season boat storage.

Approval is recommended for Ken Bowers of 34950 Grand Ave., who has an in-home Real Estate office.

J. Stewart made a recommendation from the Planning Commission to accept the existing Memoriam of Agreement between Rick Keller and Chisago County until the business leaves Mr. Keller’s ownership or his current use is discontinued. Milles made a motion, G. Olson seconded. Peterson denied. Motion passed 2 to 1.

Milles made a motion to accept the certificate of compliance for Michael and Wendy Willcoxen and Ken Bowers, Olson seconded. Motion passed.

J. Stewart made a recommendation to adopt the amendments to the Land Use Regulations for presented at a public hearing on, June13, 2007. Milles made a motion, Peterson seconded. Motion passed.

J. Stewart reported that the Planning Commission recommends that section 4.08 of Chapter 2 (Zoning Ordinance) for governing accessory buildings, should be amended to have a sliding scale based on size of lot. A public hearing is set for July 11^th at 7:30 p.m.

Milles said that the Sewage and Wastewater Treatment ordinance should also be amended from so that all lots will need 10,000 square feet for an on site sewage system.

J. Stewart commented that the commission is drafting an amendment for abandoned and neglected property.

J. Stewart remarked about the issue concerning the ATV complaints from last June19 boarding meeting and that Chisago County is drafting an ordinance and is waiting to here what is being written.

J. Stewart reported that the Planning Commission recommended that a Request of Proposals be published in order to employ a consultant to assist with Planning & Zoning efforts. G. Olson asked to be postponed until July’s board meeting.

The Planning Commission has appointed a sub committee, consisting of Phil Carlson, Don Bilumas, and Lyle Johnson, to conduct public meetings aimed at finalizing the Rural Transit Center Development Plan. The Clerk was asked to publish notices in the newspaper and the Township newsletter requesting the public’s attendance and input. Milles made a motion to initiate these meetings starting on July 16. Peterson seconded. Motion passed.

Board of Adjustment

There were no Board of Adjustment meeting in June, since there were no applications for variances or appeals.

Park Commission

Doug Weekes reported that he had researched the bleachers for Reiger and Swanberg fields. The Township has not received an invoice or heard from the company as yet. Doug Weekes is working on a park plan and once the invoice is received, the Township will submit an application to the County for reimbursement.

Personal Manual

The board will meet on June 28^th at 10:00 am in the town hall to review changes.

Road Report

Peterson presented a copy of the road report.

G. Olson commented that he went to Oxford Township board meeting last Tuesday and explained that the Elmcrest road was being torn up and that it was three of their residents were involved. Dolf drove 340^th and Elmcrest observed a dune buggy tearing up the road. Five citations were handed out.

G. Olson commented that he DNR asked about renting the grader to grade the access water control levies, damn 1 and 2. G. Olson told DNR that it would be the same price per hour as Chisago City. There wasn’t any response.

G. Olson spoke with Chisago City maintenance and was asked what it would cost to repair Ivywood for 1 mile. G. Olson said that after the bid tonight he will contact the bidder if the cost for another 1500 ton extra be the same.

Treasurers Comments

No comments

Clerk’s Comments

R. Kahler commented that the MAT Summer Short Course is on July 9 and that the cost is $35.00 pre person and pre-registration is due by June 29^th and asked who would be attending. Milles, Olson, and Kahler will be attending. Milles made a motion, Peterson seconded. Motion passed.

Rinke Noonan notice of water law training seminar received no comment.

Kahler said that a petty cash fund is needed. Peterson made a motion for $100.00 petty cash, Milles seconded. Motion passed.

Kahler said that swing-away mail box posts from Mincor won’t be available until Sept 15. Jim Johnson said that he would call with mail box post information from the 335^th project.

Kahler asked about a cell phone that was requested. Request was tabled.

G. Olson commented about the Web site and tabled discussion until July 17 board meeting.

Upcoming Meetings

Park Commission  June 26 at 7:00 pm

CATO  June 27  at 7:00 pm

Planning Commission  July 11 at 7:00 pm

RTC  Public Meeting July 16 at 7:00 pm

Town Board  July 17 at 7:30 pm

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

Meeting adjourned at 9:57 p.m.

___________________________                              ___________________________

Board Chair Signature                                                  Clerk Signature