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September 10, 2009 Regular Board Minutes
RICHMOND TOWNSHIP BOARD MINUTES
SEPTEMBER 10, 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.
Other attendees signed in were: Ruth Ball, Sue Moran, Warren Bader,
Jim Nelson.
The agenda was approved on a motion by Knutson and second by Volkert.
The minutes from August 13, August 31, and September 1, were approved
on a motion by Knutson and second by Rehnelt.
The treasurer’s report was read. Donna suggested that we move some of
our funds to a different bank as we are over the FDIC insured limit.
The board directed Mary to put together a proposal for the October
meeting. The treasurer’s report was approved on a motion by Volkert
and second by Naser.
Public Input
: Shannon Hagman, representing a non-profit youth center, requested
to be on the October agenda. She handed out brochures on her proposal
and gave a broad overview of what they hope to do. She will have a
more detailed presentation in October.
Ruth Ball, representing the senior center, will also be on the agenda
in October, as they are seeking additional funds for the center.
Randy wondered what would happen in the event the treasurer was
stricken with swine flu.
REPORTS:
Building Inspector/Permit: 3 new homes, 2 window replacements, 1
roofing
Animal Control: 4 dog calls and 1 dog bite.
Planning Commission: No meeting till Sept. 14, and no new
information forthcoming from Ellen Denzer
GEN/Library: Next meeting on September 28. The last meeting was
instead a tour of the new high school. Volkert gave a report on this
tour conducted by Jeff Moberg. All present were impressed with the
building.
Ambulance: The rescue service is to be transferred to the fire
dept. The hospital is making progress on collecting old debt and
showed a profit instead of a projected loss.
Landfill: No report.
Transportation: Todd wants to have no more than 2 persons at a
time on the Pacer road check to avoid a quorum. Naser suggests
getting an estimate on 140th St. from G to GG in order to apply for
the TRIP program and perhaps have 140th St. South of Richmond Way
engineered.
Fire: Next meeting is Sept. 16. Dave Naser will attend along with
Todd Rehnelt, to address some fire dept. budget concerns.
WTA Meeting: None until October.
OLD BUSINESS:
Richmond Way & 140th St.: Fred Horne was present at the meeting
and although he was not speaking for the city of New Richmond, a plan
was discussed that hopefully will lead to some agreement. In a prior
discussion with Todd Rehnelt, they endorsed an agreement whereby the
township and the city would split the cost of the intersection, and
agree that the township would pay for bringing 140th St. up to
township standards from the bridge to Co. Rd. GG. Any improvement
beyond that in that stretch of road would be paid by the city. These
improvements could include building the road wider, adding curb and
gutter, etc. There would also be a 20 year agreement whereby if these
improved roads were annexed, the city would reimburse the township on
a prorated basis, based on the cost to Richmond township when this
street was done. Fred wonders if this model could be used as a model
for working together on all roads shared by townships and the city.
Richard Berquist again brought up the schools reluctance to extend
Richmond Way and is in agreement that this should not be done until
after the new high school has been in use for a time. Berquist moved
to draft a letter to the city agreeing with this proposal, but not to
include the Richmond Way intersection.. Next year we would share, as
afore mentioned, redoing 140th St. North from the bridge to Co. Rd.
GG; Richmond Township will also redo 168th Ave. from that bridge East
to 140th St. Mr Horne stated that if the township approves this
motion, he would encourage the city to delay the Richmond way
intersection at this time. Final details of this project would be in a
signed agreement between the city and township. Naser seconded this
motion and it carried unanimously.
Impact Fee Review: Angela was not present with the final impact
fee updates. This will be presented to the town board at the October
meeting, with final impact fee hearing on Nov. 12
Garbage Hauler Agreement: Tim Scott to contact Stephens Sanitation
regarding a standard operating agreement. The insurance certificate
is on file at the clerk’s office.
Zoning on 140th St. The county zoning office is working with these
violators of zoning laws. and the major offender is the fence
business, where people are apparently living in a shed type building
without an occupancy permit. There was also some discussion about the
2 properties in Boardman previously cited for violations.
Selling Township Plow Truck: We now have a contract with Tony
Trolla from Michigan and there are some prospects out there.
Town Hall/Recycling Renovation and Improvements: A formal bid will
be in New Richmond News on Sept. 17, with a mandatory walk through on
September 24. Bids must be received by Oct. 1, with bid opening on
October 8 at the board’s regular meeting. This bid and accompanying
sections are made part of these minutes. Grants will be applied for,
for this project, which includes LED lighting and central air
conditioning. A motion to hire a grant writer was made by Rehnelt,
seconded by Berquist and carried.
Building Permit/Inspection Fees: The permit costs were presented
along with the inspection fees proposed in June.
Vacant Home on 172nd Ave.: The house is now apparently the
property of a bank and there is some activity going on there.
Library Formula: Dick Berquist, Dave Naser, and Rich Volkert
attended the finance committee of the St. Croix County Board this
morning, Sept. 10, where the library formula was considered. In
attendance were many New Richmond city officials, a number of
librarians. This committee will make a recommendation to the full
county board in October and it will be acted upon in November. It was
felt that the letter sent out clearly changed some minds.
NEW BUSINESS
Spraying Trees to Prevent Growth: Rehnelt stated that rampant tree
growth can be controlled without spraying.
Township Ordinances: Rehnelt moved to draft obscenity and
fireworks ban ordinances, seconded by Volkert and carried.
Building Inspector Contract: Gary Knutson will contact Brian Wert
and Todd Dolan to determine if they are interested in this contract.
Cleaning Person: As discussed at the August meeting, we need to
have a regular cleaning done at the town hall. This task has in the
past fallen to Warren Bader and we need to make new arrangements. Sue
Moran is willing to do this, and Richard Volkert is willing to do the
removal of weeds, etc. in back of the building. Berquist moved to
have the town hall cleaned every 3 weeks at a cost of $20.00/hr. and
this would be paid for removal of weeds also. Motion seconded by
Naser and carried.
125th St. Watermain Project: The city wants permission to bore a
watermain on the east side of 125th St. There would be no cost to the
township for this project. Knutson moved to approve this with the
stipulation that the city fill out a Town of Richmond utility permit,
facilitated by the county. Rehnelt seconded this motion. Motion
carried. Voting yes: Berquist, Rehnelt, Volkert, Knutson. Voting
no: Naser.
Community Service Project: Some younger people are interested in
doing community service projects, and some that were suggested were:
straightening signs, painting bridges, sweeping up. Any other
suggestions from supervisors are encouraged.
Middle School Report: This report from Dr. Overton was distributed
in July. After some discussion about what it all entails, Knutson
moved to endorse it, seconded by Todd. More discussion followed,
primarily about whether or not this would bind us to the multi-million
trust being part of this report. Voting yes: Rehnelt, Knutson.
Voting no: Berquist, Naser, Volkert. Motion failed.
Dog Attack on 172nd Ave.: A pit bull attacked a beagle at 508
172nd Ave. Tim Scott to check into county viscious dog ordinance to
determine what action the township should take.
Rehnelt moved to approve bills presented with the exception of St.
Croix Co. Hwy. Dept. bill, seconded by Naser and carried.
On a motion by Knutson and second by Berquist, this meeting was
adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
Donna Preece,Clerk