May 15, 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. Peterson made an addition with miscellaneous to O. Milles made a motion to approve the agenda, Peterson seconded. Motion passed.

Minutes from the April 17th 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 made a motion to pay bills through May15th with one addition to pay custodial bill and approval to pay the withholding of payroll. Milles seconded. Motion passed.

Jerry Schroeder – Lions Club Non intoxicating 3.2 Beer Permit

Jerry Schroeder from the Stacy Lions Club asked for the approval to have a beer permit from July 1, 2007 to June 30, 2008. Milles made a motion to approve the Stacy Lions Club beer permit, Peterson seconded. Motion passed.

Jon Drill – Dirt Bike Trail - Complaint

Jon Drill commented that there is too much dirt biking and four wheeling going on next to his property line. The dirt bikes are making too much noise and dust, as they run from 4:00 pm to dark and after. He commented that the track is 20 feet from his lot line and 50 yards from his house. He would like to know if there is anything written up that says there is a minimal track size and has to be a certain distance from the lot line with hours of operation. Sheriff has been contacted and all they can do is check muffler sound. Jon Drill has tried negotiating with the neighbor. The situation will be put on the Planning Commission meeting agenda for June 13.

Fire Department – Training Structure

Troy Nelson commented that the amount needed for the training structure will be $247,000.00 and for the foundation approximately $15,000.00 to $18,000.00. The future site would be next to the fire station. The current site has been tested for septic system in three areas so should be no problem. Letters have been sent out for donations. Interested departments willing to rent the training structure are from Linwood to Taylors Falls, from Rush City down to Hugo, and Chisago County Sheriff’s department. G. Olson commented that a commitment needs to be given from the Township to front a cap of $240,000.00 for the training structure. Milles made a motion that the Lent Township fund the Stacy/Lent Fire Training Structure not to exceed $240,000.00 and that Lent Township will be sole owner of the training structure. Peterson seconded. The motion passed. Lyle Johnson commented that any revenue be sent to Lent Township. G. Olson said that revenue will remain with the Township during and after construction of the training structure. Two sets of plans and specifications will be needed for a building permit.

Planning Commission

Milles commented that a conditional use permit was presented by Gordy Peterson and Josh Kopp for a gas station/convenience store and car wash on the County Road 17/I35 interchange at the May 9^th meeting. Recommendation for approval from the Planning Committee was presented by John Stewart with conditions as follows: wetlands mitigation plan must be approved by Chisago County, the wastewater treatment system must be certified and approved by the MPCA complying with the Minnesota Rules Chapter 7080 and all signage shall comply with chapter 2, Section 4.14 of the Lent Township land use regulations. All applicable State and Federal regulations must be followed, and commercial business hours will be 5 a.m. to 11 p.m., 365 days a year and security will attend the facility during after hours. Waste water issue was questioned and a reverse osmosis or a recycler system will be installed. Peterson made a motion to approve the conditional use permit for Gordy Peterson and Josh Kopp. Milles seconded. Motion passed.

D. Milles will draft a permit with Clerk R. Kahler after approval is given.

J. Stewart commented that there two new certificate of compliances. Michael and Wendy Willcoxen have an outdoor motor repair business and off season boat storage. The committee tabled the certificate of compliance as there are questions to be asked. M. & W. Willcoxen were not in attendance and will be asked to attend the next Planning Commission meeting on June 13.

Ed LaPlante has made an application for a farm mechanical repair business and is also an authorized Woods dealer with two part time employees. The board is asked to approve the certificate of compliance with the stipulation that no more than 5 tractors or equipment to be stored outside.

Milles made a motion, Peterson seconded. Motion passed.

J. Stewart commented that Rick Keller did supply additional information in the form of a copy of a court ruling from Chisago County on a three way action between R. Keller, neighbor, & Chisago County. The planning commission recommends that the Township attorney go over the court action and then decide if there is an issue or not. G. Olson commented that documentation should be done on what R. Keller has at the site and no future expansion allowed. J. Stewart commented that the Planning Commission did not make a recommendation or voted one way or another on the certificate of compliance. J. Stewart said that the committee left the decision up to the Lent Township board. Milles made a motion to have the Lent Township attorney review and interpret R. Keller’s court order. Peterson seconded. Motion passed.

Jeff Allman requested a second driveway to his pole barn. J. Allman was advised to widen his original driveway from the township road and then add another driveway from the existing one to his pole barn. J. Stewart commented that J. Allman had no hardship and that the width of the driveway can be 24 feet wide.

Bruce Hoppe wants to build a 42’x 80’ pole barn and asked to apply for a variance. The planning commission told B. Hoppe that in the ordinance the largest allowed is 2000 sq. ft and that he did not have a hardship and applying for a variance would not change the decision.

Don Perron asked to sub divide his 39.6 acres into two lots. D. Perron was told he would have to find out if the Chisago County Recorder would record the lots into a 20 acre and a 19.6 acre.

D. Milles commented that if D. Perron would bring a confirmation in from the Chisago County Recorder’s office a variance would be considered. The back lot would have to be 20 acres and the front land would be 19.6 acres.

J. Stewart commented that Milles submitted the purposed amendment in chapter 2 for the Land Use Regulations, and a public hearing would have to be held. A date of  June 13, 2007 was requested.

Milles received copies of conditional use permits from Mary Schmitz, Director of Environmental Services, Chisago County. There are three outstanding violations that the Chisago County is pursuing.

Board of Adjustment

There were no variances. The board approved operating procedures. There won’t be a meeting on May 16, as there are no variances.

Septic Tank Inspection

Milles spoke to Mary Schmitz and she commented that the Chisago County received a federal grant to inspect for surface discharges on septic tanks that would be a threat to public health. The County wants to continue the program in Lent Township. If the County finds a surface discharge, they would advise the Township, and then the Township would send out a letter to inform the owner. A $400.00 grant would be available to the owner to put in a new system and there are low interest loans available. Milles made a motion to allow the County to proceed with the inspections. Peterson seconded. Motion passed.

Park Commission

Doug Weekes commented that he had researched the bleachers for Reiger and Swanberg field. Gopher Sports have bleachers that are 3 rows with aluminum planks for seating with a powder coated steel structure. They are 21 feet in length, weighing 425 lbs costing $1829.00 each. Five bleachers would be placed at the fields. D. Weekes said that a permanent 3” to 4” thick concrete slab would be installed under the bleachers to install permanent steel fasteners to fasten the bleachers permanently. The Park Commission sent in an application for a grant of $1500.00 from General Mills. D. Weekes requested $6800.00 for the Park Commission fund to use towards the bleachers and future park needs. G. Olson made a motion to order the bleachers, Milles seconded. Motion passed.

 Milles commented that Doug Weekes has volunteered to create the Park Plan.

G. Olson said engineer Jim Johnson and himself were at to Reiger field and surveyed for a future site of a soccer field. Jim Johnson presented four layout sizes, girl’s, women’s, boy’s, and men’s, to be built at Reiger field. The girl’s size, 120 feet by 240 feet, would be adequate for a recreational park. Jim Johnson presented layouts of the four layout sizes and survey for Reiger field.

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Sealing Asphalt

G. Olson contacted Sunrise Asphalt and Maintenance to inspect the roads for road crack sealing and there is 5835 lineal feet for sealing. The cost for road crack sealing will be $7300.00. G. Olson said that Sunrise Asphalt will proceed with the crack sealing. Peterson asked about the Lent Town Hall parking area and if sealing will be done. G. Olson said that the cost would be $4000.00 and that sealing fills up to 3 inches and cracks are larger than 3 inches. G. Olson commented that we should consider redoing the parking lot in 2008 as there is a problem with drainage.

Road Report

Peterson presented a copy of the road report. Planning Commission is looking into the business of Cams Auto Repair for a conditional use permit.

Jim Johnson presented ademdums to the 335^th project contract which are: (1) plans for paving 800 feet on Hemmingway Ave, from north of Cty Rd 18 to just past the two private driveways. The cost is $29,700.00 which would add six more days for completion date on 335^th street. (2) Replacement of main line cross pipe to reinforce concrete pipe will be added to the 335^th project. Jim Johnson advised to look into contracting with the Chisago County for street striping. Peterson made a motion to ok change order number 1 on project LT3O7. Milles seconded. Motion passed.

Jim Johnson will donate the services of Hakanson Anderson Associates for staking the Fire Training Center.

Mower Transportation

 A trailer is needed to transport the lawn mower to Reiger field and for other uses.

Milles made a motion to spend $550.00 for a trailer, Peterson seconded. Motion passed.

Hall Rental

Hall rental rates were discussed along with cleanup/damage deposit for non profit organizations.

Milles made a motion to keep the current rental rates and a $250.00 cleanup/damage deposit will be charged to every event holder, but the youth service groups will be exempted effective July 1, 2007. Peterson seconded. Motion passed.

Don Mudrick commented that hall rental people need to be at hall by 9:00 a.m. on following day of rental day to start cleaning so custodians can start cleaning at 11:00 a.m. or there will be a charge.

Treasurers Comments

No comments

Clerk’s Comments

Minnesota Veterans Home asked for a donation – G. Olson made a motion for no action on the donation. Peterson seconded. Motion passed.

Lakes Area Youth Service Bureau and are requesting a donation of $1500.00 – Peterson made a motion to donate $500.00 for 2007. Milles seconded. Motion passed.

Coordinated Business Systems-to attend a seminar on printers-no action

League of Minnesota Cities- No action

Awards in Human Service-No action

Walmart Credit Card-No action

Miscellaneous

Peterson commented about an article on We-R-Able about charging $25.00 a child. G. Olson said that the donation to Bob Gustafson is used for scheduling, umpire fees, advising, and league fees.

 Peterson asked about signature card at bank. P. Olson commented that the official minutes from the April board meeting will be delivered on Wed., May 16, to the bank and signatures can be received.

Up Coming Meetings

Milles commented that the Planning Commission will change their meeting time, from 7:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

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

Meeting adjourned at 9:43 p.m.

___________________________                              ___________________________

Board Chair Signature                                                  Clerk Signature