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August 13, 2009 Regular Board Minutes
RICHMOND TOWNSHIP BOARD MINUTES AUGUST 13, 2009 The meeting was called to order by Chairman Todd Rehnelt. Supervisors present were Volkert, Knutson, Berquist, Naser. Also present were Clerk Preece, Planning Comm. Chair Derrick, Treasurer Kelly, Town Attorney Scott. New Richmond City Officials signed in were Dave Schnitzler, Glen Van Wormer, George Szotkowski, Chris Blees, Ron Volkert, Bob Barbian, Dan Koski, Jim Zajkowski. Also signed in were John Kelly, Jim Nelson, John Hopkins, John Johnston, George Albert, Sue Moran. With the addition of item #6 under old business ‘Approval of letter regarding Library Formula’, the agenda was approved on a motion by Berquist, second by Knutson. Volkert moved to approve the July 9, 2009 minutes, seconded by Rehnelt, and carried. The treasurer’s report was read and approved on a motion by Volkert and a second by Rehnelt. Public Input: Comments were made on developing bike trails, and also some concern regarding the swine flu. REPORTS: Building Permits: 1 new home, 3 roofing, 2 decks, 2 deck/basement, 1 basement. Animal Control: 9 dog calls, 4 dogs boarded for 4 days. Planning Commission: Bill Stock has resigned effective August 1, 2009. The committee met on August 3 and spent time on the driveway ordinance and transportation section of comprehensive plan. Ellen Denzer will be at next meeting on Sept. 14. Bicycle paths were also discussed. GEN/Library: Todd apprised the board of the Overton report, regarding the use of the middle school property. A copy of this will also be put on our website. All supervisors have copies, as well as the town chair, town clerk, and one copy at the town hall. Ambulance: No meeting. Landfill: Dave Naser reported the city wants to build a new well on Thone property. Both Nordson and the city of NR have 75% authority on this and they are opposed to it. There is also concern that a new deeper well may contaminate the 2nd aquifer. Transportation: Todd passed out Paser manuals to each supervisor to be used this Fall to assess our town roads. Some tree damage on 100th St by Gerrit VanDyk property. A bid of $2,500.00 has been received to remove the downed trees. Gerrit Vandyk suggested we also treat them so they will not grow again in the ditch/right of way areas. Berquist moved to approve tree removal for no more than $2,500.00, second by Volkert. Motion carried. Fire: Next meeting Sept. 16. WTA Meeting: Todd reported our municipal aids for next year will be $31,146.00, down from $37,258.41 in 2009. Recycling grants will also be lessened in the future. Bob Barbian introduced the 140th St./Richmond Way intersection project, and gave the purpose for meeting and the background for this project. This meeting with city officials is an extension of the meeting held in May of 2009. Glen VanWormer, traffic engineer, discussed traffic volume, road profile and sight distances, along with turning movements and turning traffic impacts. He also discussed the 4 options available for this project with design drawings and also cost factors. The preliminary cost estimates and cost comparisons are made a part of these minutes, and available for viewing in the clerk’s office. In a question and answer period, concerns were aired over who is to own the road, the schools concern over doing this now, annexation of this road property.The city and town board will meet again on Tuesday, Sept. 1 at 6 p.m. at Richmond Town Hall to continue work on this project. Updates: A copier has been purchased for the town hall. Willow River Subdivision Shouldering: Tim Scott will draft a letter in an attempt to collect the $3,486.34 cost of this shouldering from David Railsback. OLD BUSINESS: Impact Fee Review: The current town hall facilities are not in our updated needs assessment, and impact fee will continue to be used only for roads. Garbage Hauler Contract: Tim has a standard services contract that we can use for providers. Donna is to contact Stephens Sanitation to see if we have an agreement with them. Zoning on140th St. re: commercial uses in ag-res zoning: Todd has sent a code violation complaint to the county and they are starting a file on this. Consider Selling Town Plow Truck: Tony Trolla has estimated the value at $10,500-$14,500 with plow. If we were to keep this vehicle, a new box is needed at $4,000.00, and the tailgate assembly is rusted. Mr. Trolla will charge a 5-10% commission if he procures a sale, depending on the time spent. Volkert moved to sell the 1994 International plow truck for best offer, with or without the assistance of Mr. Trolla. If Mr. Trolla sells this truck, he will be paid the commission as indicated above. The town board retains the right to reject any and all bids. Seconded by Berquist and carried. Recycling Center and Town Hall Renovations: Board has found a new table and 8 new chairs. Todd is working with Dustin Razback for assistance in preparing bids for this renovation project. Stackable chairs have also been found for $20-$23.00 each. Dave Naser moved to buy 30 chairs at best price, seconded by Rehnelt. Motion carried. A bid document will be published in New Richmond News the 1st week of September. Approval of Letter Regarding Library Formula: Dick Berquist has researched the rationale behind the 71/29 split in library charges to towns. This was enacted in 1997-98 and was done to reconcile the differences between the agricultural tax base of the towns, and the commercial/industrial tax base of the city. The letter will be sent to all county board members, all St. Croix County town chairs, the New Richmond News, Mayor Schnitzler, and the village of Star Prairie. The motion to send this letter was made by Naser, and seconded by Volkert and carried. NEW BUSINESS October Convention: Todd will attend the state WTA convention October 11-14 in Stevens Point. Volkert moved to send him to the convention and pay for his expenses. Seconded by Knutson and carried. Consider Building Permit Fee Change: Naser moved to table this until Sept., seconded by Berquist and carried. New Planning Commission Member: Todd Rehnelt appointed Jim Nelson to the planning commission for a term ending in 2011. This appointed was approved on a motion by Berquist and second by Volkert. Consider Township Ordinances: Tim Scott recommended an obscenity ordinance since we’re so close to the MN border and also recommended some type of subdivision ordinance with a developers agreement. Vacant Home on 172nd Ave.: This home is in foreclosure, has been abandoned and is considered a health and safety risk. The St. Croix Co. Health Dept. has sent a certified letter to the owners and say that anyone who sees them and has a copy of that letter can serve it upon them. Volkert moved to grant R. Berquist the authority to get a dumpster and clean up the garbage in the garage, and also to try to obtain a letter of title. Seconded by Rehnelt and carried. Board of Review: Bd. Of Review has been set for Friday, Sept. 11 from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. Open book is set for Thursday, Sept. 10 from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. These meetings will be held at the town hall. Knutson motioned to pay the bills payable as presented, seconded by Naser, and carried. Todd will be out of cell range from Aug. 20-Aug. 30. Volkert will cover for him from the 20th through the 25th and Naser will cover from the 26th through the 30th. Donna updated the board on an election (early voting) meeting in Eau Claire on the 11th and will attend a budget meeting in Baldwin on the 31st of August. The state estimated population has gone from 2883 to 2869, a loss of 14 residents. The meeting was adjourned on a motion by Naser and second by Volkert. Respectfully submitted Donna Preece,Clerk