REGULAR MONTHLY BOARD MEETING

August 16, 2011

Stanton Town Hall

31186 40th Avenue Way, Cannon Falls, MN 55009

 

Attending: Board Chair, John Miller; Vice Chair, Vince Cockriel, Supervisor, Bob Benson, Clerk, Cheryle Peters; Treasurer, Jennifer Ritzman.

John Miller called meeting to order at 7 pm.

 

Pledge of allegiance was recited.

John Miller called to reveal any conflicts of interest.

None were heard.

 

Approval of Agenda:

Bob Benson requested that road conditions on 325th Avenue be added to the agenda. Bob Benson made a motion to approve the agenda with the addition.   Vince Cockriel seconded the motion. The motion passed 3/0.

 

Approval of Minutes from July 19, 2011:

Vince Cockriel made a motion to accept the minutes of July 19-2011, as amended.  Bob Benson seconded the motion. 

 

 

Approval of June 21, 2011 Town Board Minutes:

Bob Benson made a motion to approve the June minutes. Vince Cockriel seconded the motion.  The motion passed 3/0.

 

Zoning Certificates

  1. Kurt Emery- NC roof repair/replacement
  2. Julie Phelps- NC on roof repairs/replacement on existing house structure- Ms. Phelps requested a Zoning Certificate for the construction of a 20x28ft.garage at an estimated cost of $20,000. Vince Cockriel made a motion to grant Julie and Chris Phelps a Zoning Certificate for the construction on their property, 3037 Highway 19 Boulevard.  Bob Benson seconded the motion.  The motion passed 3/0.
  3. Lee Smith- Mr. Smith requested a Zoning Certificate to construct a 25x25ft. addition to an existing garage on his property at 31444 Oxford Mill Road at an estimated cost of $6,000.  Bob Benson made a motion to grant a Zoning Certificate to Mr. Smith.  Vince Cockriel seconded the motion.  The motion passed 3/0.
  4. Jim Simon- Mr. Jim Simon requested a Variance to the section 24-density threshold stated in the Stanton Township Zoning Ordinance. His request included variance to the quarter, quarter density, as well.  He was advised that the variance would allow only one home to be constructed on his MOL 20 acre parcel located east of Oxford Mill Road. Vince Cockriel made a motion to approve a variance for Mr. Simon’s property.   Bob Benson seconded the motion.  The motion passed 3/0. 

 

 

 

 

Public to Speak: 

Mr. Bob Berge displayed photos of his property and surrounding areas following a significant rain event.  Discussion ensued. The town board acknowledged Mr. Berge’s contention that current conditions on his property have been adequate to protect the township road from erosion. The town board agreed to a wait and see approach, however, stated their intention to hold the property owner responsible if an additional ditch clean out must be contracted. Mr. Berge agreed to contact Mark Henry before the September Ditch Clean Out occurs.  Vince made a motion that the town board gives the contractor (Mark Henry) an approval to commence work on elevations north of Mr. Berge’s property, 33311 35th Avenue, giving him the discretion to contract with Mr. Henry on the work slated for September.  Bob Benson seconded the motion.  The motion passed 3/0.  

Treasurer’s Report:

Jennifer Ritzman reported:

Funds/Accounts

Amount

Notes

Current Investments

$     63,408.42

 

 

                               

Receipts

$   115,631.08

 

 

Disbursements

$      74,021.83

 

Ending Balance

$     202,998.91

Cash Available

 

Jennifer reported that Ken Ebert has been very helpful to her in making the transition and expressed her appreciation.  After doing some research, she reported that she, herself, now creates claims for payroll expenses, rather than, Cheryle. These practices had been reviewed as a result of the MAT Summer Short Course information.  Cheryle will no longer see detailed personal data for payroll.  Account # totals will now be used to create claims that pertain to payroll, PERA and the IRS. Jennifer reported that John Krantz had asked for a house charge at Napa Auto. She will pursue the paperwork.  Bob Benson made a motion to accept the Treasurer’s Report.  Vince Cockriel seconded the motion.  The motion passed 3/0.  Jennifer will check into tax exemption for township purchases. 

 

Tech Report

Dave Garner stated that he had purchased and installed backup hardware for all three of the township’s computers, Cheryle’s, the treasurer’s laptop, and the workstation.  The board expressed their appreciation.  He informed us that we would be receiving a new bill for the township’s .org web site. 

 

 Clerk’s Report:

Cheryle will meet with Cindy Becker on August 23, 2011 to finalize Red Cross paperwork that will designate the Stanton Town Hall as a short-term emergency shelter or administrative facility for the Red Cross to utilize. In order to access the building, cell phone #’s for Stanton Township employees were requested.

Paul Schluter introduced the upgraded maps for review. Section numbers were requested.  An easel was suggested for displaying the map.  E-copies were requested for online purposes.

Cheryle met with Dave Garner and trained for maintenance of the township’s web site.  She will be updating items, soon. Dave has been donating his time to the township.

 

 

Cheryle requested information about submitting the Levi Certification. Vince located minutes that provided the amounts.

 

Road Report:

Bob Benson had a report of fist size rocks in the gravel dumped on 325th Avenue. 

Washouts were discussed. 

Township roads must be maintained or they can be reclaimed. 

Safety issues on Oxford Mill Road were discussed.

 

Old Business:

 

New Business :

The Cannon Falls Bus Garage requested road info from township crews.  The board discussed this request and declined to release road crew phone #’s. 

 

Reports of Meetings Attended:

 

Upcoming Meetings:

Minnesota Association of Townships, 4th District- August 18th, 2011 in Zumbrota

 

Public to Speak: 

Lisa Hanni, Goodhue County Land Use Management, addressed the town board regarding letters that will be sent to residents.  Well and septic locations will be requested from property owners in the correspondence.   A grant from the State of Minnesota has covered intern time to enter the acquired data. 

 

Mail

Vince Cockriel made a motion to read the mail. Bob Benson seconded the motion.  The motion passed 3/0.

 

Claims

Bob Benson made a motion to pay claims.  Vince Cockriel seconded the motion.  Motion passed 3/0.

 

Adjourn

Vince Cockriel made a motion to adjourn.  Bob Benson seconded the motion. The motion passed 3/0.  Meeting adjourned at 8:53PM.

 

Respectfully submitted,

Cheryle A. Peters

*________________________________

Clerk, Stanton Township

 

John Miller

*________________________________

Chair, Board of Supervisors