January 15, 2008
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 - Chair, Larry Peterson, Treasurer Pam Olson, and Clerk Roxanne Kahler. Dave Milles was not in attendance.
Public in attendance were Bernice Woods, Ron Chelberg, Kim Marie Granger, John Granger, Don Mudrick, John Stewart, Mike Olson, John Stewart, Rick Bruce, Mark Ritter, Jim Berneche, and
Jim Johnson.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
G. Olson requested a review of the meeting agenda presented by the clerk. Peterson made a motion to approve the agenda as presented, G. Olson 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 12/29/2007 for 3 items in the amount of $3661.63
2. Net Pay for January 2008 payroll 3 items in the amount of $899.08
3. Claims List for Approval for 41 items in the amount of $154,608.17
4. Net Pay for Payroll Period ending 1/12/2008 for 4 items in the amount of $3721.97
G. Olson made a motion to approve the consent agenda, Peterson seconded. Motion passed.
Minutes from the December 18, 2007 board meeting were reviewed.
Peterson made a motion to approve the minutes as prepared, G. Olson seconded. Motion passed.
Minutes from the January 7, 2008 staff meeting were reviewed.
Peterson made a motion to approve the minutes as prepared, G. Olson seconded. Motion passed.
First at Hand
Pheasants Forever
Mark Ritter requested a gambling permit for the Pheasants Forever fundraiser on February 1, 2008.
Peterson made the motion to approve the gambling permit for the Pheasants Forever fundraiser, G. Olson seconded. Motion passed.
MN Deer Hunters Association
Rick Bruce requested a gambling permit for the MN Deer Hunters Association fundraise on
February 8, 2008.
Peterson made the motion to approve the gambling permit for the MN Deer Hunters Association fundraiser, G. Olson seconded. Motion passed.
Old Business
Fire Dept
G. Olson reported that Lent Township requested gambling funds in the amount of $17,000.00 towards the training simulator from the Stacy/Lent Fire Department Relief Association. G. Olson reported that the balance of the payoff is approximately $176,000.00.
Peterson made the motion to submit the request for the gambling funds in the amount of $17,000,
G. Olson second. Motion passed.
Planning Commission
J. Stewart reported that the Planning Commission has two unresolved Certificates of Land Use Compliances and these were “no shows” at the meeting for the fourth month in a row:
Rodney Ebnet on 5448 Emily Lane, Stacy, has called and reported that he has one pile of mulch to clean up and that he is going to be spreading the mulch on his property in the spring. This would put Ebnet in compliance.
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Troy and Marcy Colberg, who live at 31671 Elmwood Trail, has not been in contact with the Township. There are safety issues with the driveway, as he has installed stones on each side of the driveway. When spring arrives the driveway will be re-inspected and a citation will be issued if necessary.
J. Stewart reported that the Planning Commission will be presenting action to the Township board for illegal driveways in the township.
J. Stewart reported on the two (2) outstanding land use violations.
Richard Carlson - 35902 Grand Avenue, has not responded to the letters sent to him.
Mark Abramson of KGM Construction reported that the aqua culture on his property was not his idea and denies any knowledge or involvement with stocking fish in the pond. Abramson says that Steve Puchtel, McKenzie Fish Co. Inc., is responsible for all action that has been done to the pond. A letter was to be sent by both men to say that there will be no selling of the fish and is only to be used for private use only. A letter was received by Steve Puchtel and Mark Abramson will be contacted for a letter. Puchtel did apply for a sign permit but the permit needs to be for a non-presence sign. Clerk Kahler will look into the sign permit issue.
J. Stewart reported that Gordy Peterson and Josh Kopp were present at the public hearing to present a final plat of the GM Land plat #1. A change was made per the Planning Commission to make the easement 66 feet in width. The Planning Commission commented that the easement may not be access able to the out lot because of wet land issues, but this is the only area that an easement can be made and the out lot will not be land locked.
Peterson made a motion to accept and approve the final plat, G. Olson seconded. Motion passed.
G. Olson reported that a letter was received from the Township attorney, Peter Tiede of Murnane Brandt, saying that Mr. Tiede is also the attorney for the bank that holds the mortgage for Gordon Peterson’s development. He has asked the Township to pass a motion allowing him to represent the bank in case of a conflict with the Township. In that case, another attorney would be contacted to represent the Township.
G. Olson made a motion as follows: Lent Township does hereby waive any potential conflict that may be occasioned by Mr. Tiede and Murnane Brandt serving as township attorneys with regard to the Peterson plat, which has previously come before the Town Board for various approvals.
Recorded in January 15th, 2008 official minutes.
Peterson seconded. Motion passed.
J. Stewart reported that a complaint was received and investigated on 31841 Frontier Avenue. This property has 16 industrial size refrigerators stored outdoors on the property line with doors still on. Dave Milles will be writing a letter of violation.
J. Stewart presented a 2008 work plan approved by the Planning Commission to be reviewed and approved by the Board.
J. Stewart reported that there was a discussion concerning septic tank pumpers dumping on fields within the township. It was suggested they require a license, but not a license fee, for septic tank pumpers operating within the Township. This would put them on notice that NO sludge dumping will be allowed on fields in the township.
Kim Marie Granger presented a proposal for consulting services to support the Planning Commission’s activities. The Board will review the proposal and act upon it at a later date.
J. Stewart reported that the final draft of the RTC Development Plan was presented and a public hearing will be held by the Planning Commission on February 13, 2008.
J. Stewart reported that Lyle Johnson presented information on Sunday Liquor License for a referendum on the annual March 2008 election ballot. Discussion by the Board, felt that a Conditional Use Permit would be a better way to control and enforce rules on a liquor license. No action was taken on placing the question on the ballot. The issue was referred for further discussion.
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J. Stewart reported that Jack Kramer asked for an amendment to Chapter 5 in the Land Use Regulations, to allow the use of photographs for final inspections on roofs. The Planning Commission considered and rejected the request. No action.
New Building Permits – No action
Park Commission
Inactive
Road Report
1. Peterson presented a written road report.
2. G. Olson reported that Erie Lane is on schedule and ads will be in the Township legal papers. Bids
will be received until 2:00 p.m. on February 14, 2008 and will be publicly opened at 7:30 p.m. on February 19, 2008 at the Lent Township board meeting. G. Olson requested a motion to sign a resolution for ads to be published in the township legal papers for bids on Erie Lane.
Peterson made a motion to sign a resolution for advertising in the Township legal papers, G. Olson
seconded. Motion passed.
3. G. Olson reported that bridge number 96970, on Falcon Avenue, had an inspection done by the
County bridge inspector and a couple items needed to be addressed.
4. G. Olson reported that he meet with North Branch City and North Branch Township to discuss
purchasing lime rock jointly. The board agreed to have G. Olson to continue discussion on
purchasing lime rock with North Branch City and North Branch Township.
Treasurers Comments
P. Olson presented CD interest rates from banks to review as the Building Fund CD is due for renewal on January 25, 2008. P. Olson reported that the 1st State Bank of Wyoming will guarantee 4.70% for 12 months.
G. Olson made a motion to renew the CD for one (1) year at 4.70% with 1st State Bank of Wyoming on January 25, 2008, Peterson seconded. Motion passed
P. Olson recommended that the board review interest rates, as the Fire Department will be requesting purchase of a CD at the next fire department budget meeting in March.
Clerk’s Comments
R. Kahler reported We R Able has requested to use the ball field on Tuesday nights from May 13th to June 17th and have access to the facility for equipment storage and inclement weather. A handicap satellite is requested.
G. Olson made a motion for We R Able to use the ball field and the facility as needed. Peterson seconded. Motion passed.
R. Kahler reported that Reid Masloski has requested to use the facility for the 4H Gun Club on Wednesday nights for the following dates: February 20th, March 5th and 19th and April 2nd.
Peterson made a motion for the 4H Gun Club to use the facility, G. Olson seconded. Motion passed.
R. Kahler reported that at the closing time of 5:00 p.m. today, there were five (5) candidates who applied for the three (3) year Supervisor position and Thursday, January 17, 2008 at 5:00 p.m. is the last day to withdraw.
Supervisors Comments
No comments
New Business
G. Olson remarked that a letter from the Chisago County AG Society was received thanking the Township for contributions to the Chisago County Fair and is looking forward to partnering in the future for contributions.
G. Olson reported that the 2008 Federal Standard mileage rates has gone up from $.485 to $.505 and the Township will follow the federal rate change as of January 1, 2008.
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G. Olson reported that yearly reviews were given on January 3, 2008 in a closed meeting requested by the employees. The two (2) full time employees were reviewed and raises were given starting on their anniversary date, January 8, 2008.
Peterson made a motion to approve the raises that were negotiated, G. Olson seconded. Motion passed.
P. Olson requested a budget and audit meeting be scheduled.
Peterson made a motion to have the budget and audit meeting on Tuesday, February 12, 2008,
at 7:00 p.m. at the Lent Town hall. G. Olson seconded. Motion passed.
Peterson made a motion to adjourn, G. Olson seconded. Motion passed.
Meeting adjourned at 8:47 p.m.