REGULAR MONTHLY MEETING (April 19, 2005)

 

Chairman, David Garner called the meeting to order.  Other members present included Supervisors Robert Benson and Heather Sharp, Treasurer Kenneth Ebert and Clerk Colleen Thompson.

 

The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

 

Colleen read the minutes of the March 15, 2005 meeting.  Bob made a motion, seconded by Heather to approve the report with corrections.  Motion carried.

 

Ken gave the Treasurer’s Report.  Investments stayed the same at $162,449.21 in the Building Fund and $124,543.27 in the Road and Bridge Fund for a total of $286,992.48.  We had receipts for the month of $233.13 and disbursements of $3,300.02.  Bob made a motion, seconded by Heather to accept the report as read.  Motion carried.

 

Colleen Meyer, 32957 County 24 Blvd., Cannon Falls, MN, Section 25, Oakleaf Estates appeared before the Board to request a building permit for a 32x36 pole building.  Ms. Meyer presented building plans and a site plan.  Paul Schluter, Planning Commission member stated the side setbacks were not being met.  Dave Garner stated he would make a site visit.  Bob made a motion to grant a permit upon Dave Garner making a site visit verifying a 15` setback from the property line.  Heather seconded the motion.  Carried.

 

Goodhue County Public Works represented by Jim Klaven, P.O. Box 404, 2140 Pioneer Road, Red Wing, MN appeared before the Board to request a permit for two picnic shelters at the Goodhue County Park located off Highway 19 in Stanton Township.  Bob made a motion, seconded by Dave Garner to grant a permit for two 28x20x9 shelters with an estimated cost of $14,680.00.  Motion carried.

 

Bill Robinson, 4305 322nd Street Way, Cannon Falls, MN in Section 26 appeared before the Board to request a building permit for a 40x60 pole shed as a replacement building for three existing buildings currently standing.  The three buildings will be removed and the shed placed where the sheds currently stand. Estimated cost is 20,000.00.  Bob made a motion, seconded by Heather to grant a permit for the ag. building.  Motion carried.

 

Lundberg Funeral Home, represented by Sue Klicka, 5839 Highway 19 Blvd., Cannon Falls, MN in Section 13 appeared before the Board to request a permit for expanding the existing funeral home with 20x30 additions to the East side and West side of the existing building and also a 12x26 garage addition to the North side of the building. Ms Klicka also stated they would be expanding the parking lot and placing trees for screening between it and neighboring property. Bob made a motion, seconded by Heather to grant a permit for the three expansions to the existing building.  Motion carried.

 

Robert Berge, 33311 35th Avenue, Cannon Falls, MN, Section 34 would like to request a building permit for a 42x80 pole building.  Construction drawings and site plan were

presented. Estimated cost is $35,000.00  Heather made a motion, seconded by Bob to

REGULAR MONTHLY MEETING (April 19, 2005 cont.)

 

grant a permit.  Motion carried.

 

Steven Edwards representing Verizon Wireless, 501 50th Street West, Mpls., MN 55419 appeared before the Board to request a permit for a 12x30 replacement equipment shed to be located at the communication tower at 311 320th Street (Joel and Diane Fox farm). Estimated cost is $25,000.00.  Bob made a motion, seconded by Heather to grant a permit.  Motion carried.

 

Deb Emery, 34685 30th Avenue, Dennison, MN in Section 33 appeared before the Board to request a permit for a second farm dwelling.  Previously Deb had appeared before the Board asking for a transfer of building site from Stanton to Warsaw Township.  Deb explained that she withdrew her request at the county level due to Warsaw denying her request due to a high CER rating and the section having the maximum number of houses. 

Estimated cost of the house is $154,000.00.  Bob made a motion, seconded by Heather to grant a permit.  Motion carried.   

 

Don Benson, Scout Master for the Phillippo Scout Camp, 30654 32nd Avenue Way, Cannon Falls, MN appeared before the Board to request they renew a building permit before it expired.  Heather made a motion to extend the permit for a six month period.  Dave Garner seconded the motion.  Motion carried. 

 

Marlene Wilson, 32845 35th Avenue, Dennison, MN, Section 33 appeared before the Board to request a permit to build a new home. Site plan, survey and construction drawings were presented.  The home is to be 57x27 with an estimated cost of $97,000.00.  Heather made a motion, seconded by Bob to grant a building permit for a new home on a 160 acre parcel.  Motion carried.

 

Jodi Duden and Dean Clare, 5850 330th Street Way, Cannon Falls, MN appeared before the Board to request a building permit for a 30x40 pole building.  Estimated cost is $12,000.00.  Bob made a motion, seconded by Heather to grant a permit.  Motion carried.

 

Ms. Duden and Mr. Clare asked the Board to gravel 330th Street Way (shown in a plat as a township road but not being maintained by the Township).  They also spoke of water running over the road this spring due to a culvert being plugged because of a former neighbor landscaping and thus plugging the culvert. It was decided to ask the current owner (Steve Stodden) to dig out the culvert.  Heather made a motion to drop rock in a pile at the location agreed upon (intersection of 330th Street Way and 58th Ave. Path) with the agreement that Duden and Clare will spread the gravel on the portion of 330th Street Way, East, and continue to maintain the road.  Bob seconded the motion.  Motion carried.

 

Derek Johnson, 5389 312th Street Path, Cannon Falls, MN appeared before the Board to request a permit to build a 16x12.8 foot deck.  Estimated cost is $1,000.00.  Heather made a motion, seconded by Bob to grant a permit.  Motion carried.

 

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Rich and Jan Elias, 33509 42nd Avenue, Cannon Falls, MN in Section 35 appeared before the Board to request a permit for a new house and barn.  The site plan presented showed a 120 foot front and 270 foot side setback.  Total cost is estimated at $300.000.00. Bob made a motion, seconded by Dave to grant a permit.  Motion carried.

 

Bud Gustafson, Jesse Roberts and Willard Emery appeared before the Board representing the Stanton United Methodist Church, 1020 Hwy. 19 Blvd., Stanton, MN.  Bud stated they are asking for a variance from the required front yard setback for the purpose of an addition to add an elevator to their current building to serve the handicapped.  Jesse Roberts stated there is no other place in their building for an elevator. 

 

The building addition would be twelve feet from the road right of way.  Bob stated he would like them to talk with the MN DOT to verify the DOT has no plans on widening Hwy. 19 and that they would be in agreement to the placement of the addition.

 

Heather stated for the concept, we agree, it is needed and we will put every effort forward to accommodate the request.

 

Dave Garner made a motion to approve a Public Hearing for a variance request on condition we verify with the State they have no problem with the placement being12 feet from the right of way.  Heather seconded the motion.  Motion carried.

 

Bob stated he would contact the State.

 

Scott Gustafson, 2500 330th Street, Dennison, MN appeared before the Board to request a permit for a 30x40 grain bin.  Estimated cost is $23,000.00.  Site plan and construction drawing was presented.  Bob made a motion, seconded by Heather to grant a permit.  Motion carried.

 

Bob asked Scott if he knew what other township a former Stanton Town Board had jointly purchased a road reclaimer with.  Scott suggested looking in the 1995-96 minutes.

 

Colleen stated she had been contacted by Dave Lorentz.  He would like to pour two cement slabs and put small bins on the slabs.  It was agreed by the Board that no permit is needed.

 

Colleen reported that on April 1, 2005 she ordered 140 yards of salt and sand mix from Goodhue County.

 

Bob made a motion to advertise for rock bids with product to be delivered by June 30, 2005.  Heather seconded the motion.  Motion carried.

 

Dave Garner made a motion to provide 150` of chloride free of charge to those persons

 

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living on a gravel road upon their submitted request with the option to purchase additional chloride at cost.  Bob seconded the motion.  Motion carried.

 

It was reported that road inspection was done today by Dave, Bob, Colleen and Tom Kurtz.

 

The Board reviewed the Bridge Inspection Report from County Public Works Dept.

 

Bridge #2104 located on 330th Street over Prairie Creek is scheduled to be replaced in 2007.  It has debris at the SE wing wall.

 

Bridge #25553 located on the Oxford Mill Road over the Little Cannon River.  The paint system has extensive deterioration.  Some paint is flaking off. The North and South slope protection areas are missing rip rap with debris located on the South slope protection area.

 

Bridge #25J11 located on 320th Street over Spring Creek has sediment in both barrels.

 

Bridge #91981 located on 310th Street over Spring Creek has a tree at the inlet between the aprons, brush at the outlet of the West barrel and significant sediment in each of the barrels.  Sediment in the West barrel is forcing the water into the inlet of the East barrel.  There is significant sediment at the inlet of the East barrel.

 

Bridge #L0577 located on 23rd Avenue over Spring Creek is missing bridge railings. The South and North barrels have cracks that are leaching. The NE paddleboard sign is leaning and the NW and SE bridge paddleboard signs are positioned back to far from the corner of the bridge. Colleen will contact Public Works to receive information on railing requirements.

 

Bridge #95478 located on 310th Street over Prairie Creek has the easterly culvert silted in approximately 20%.  The easterly culvert inlet is blocked with sediment.

 

Bridge #L0597 located on 310th Street near the Boy Scout Camp and gravel pit has some sediment in both barrels and brush at the inlet and outlet.  The NW paddleboard sign is missing.

 

Bridge #L0499 located on 335th Street just off CR24 over a stream has prevalent surface rust. There is two feet of exposed rebar at the base of the barrel approx. four feet from the wing wall on the north end. There is some sediment at the outlet.

 

Bridge #L0610 located on 42nd Avenue has prevalent surface rust.  There is exposed rebar on the ceiling of the culvert.  There are small trees in the channel at the outlet.

 

The County asked us to take care of the problems noted in the general notes area of the

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report. Bob and Dave each requested a copy of the report and asked that a report be given to Tom.

 

It was stated that the snowplow wing has damage in need of welding.  Bob will contact Cannon Welding and also check into the cost of wheels for the snowplow.  Colleen will contact Dick Daniels and ask him to wash the truck.

 

A new tractor was again discussed.  Colleen stated she had tried to check what is available thru the State Purchasing Agreement but could not gain access.  She will try again.

 

Mr. Pernic was in attendance and asked if the Board had checked the culvert located under Oxford Mill Road near his home as he had asked them to do at the March Board Meeting.  He stated a hole has worn thru the top of the culvert near the edge of the road and he has marked this with small flags.  Dave Garner stated it was looked at today during the “Road Trip” and the Board determined there is no need for the culvert to be moved.

 

The Board gave reports on meetings they have attended.

 

 Dave Garner reported he met with Nancy Spooner-Mueller regarding ordinances.  He attended the meeting on annexation with the Cannon Falls City Council.  He reported they have put a one year moratorium on any annexation and would not consider annexation until the CR 24 interchange is done. Dave attended the County meeting on bluff land.  Stanton Township was the only township in attendance.  He attended the Ordinance update workshop.  He attended Short Courses in Rochester.  One of the classes was on creating and maintaining roads and determining a road or a cart way.  He attended the Public Hearing at County for rezone of A1 to A2.  Only one or two sections in the County will be changed.  He also attended the Association of Townships Meeting in Zumbrota.  Today he attended the Board of Adjustments and “Road Trip”.

 

Bob stated he also attended the Association of Township’s Meeting in Zumbrota.  Bob attended Short Courses in Owatonna and attended class on roads and signs.  He also attended the Ordinance workshop.  Today he also attended the Board of Adjustments and “Road Trip”.

 

Heather attended Short Courses in Owatonna stating they were very informative.  She obtained a booklet on rules, legalities, bidding process, open vs. closed meetings and Public Hearings.  She also met with Nancy Spooner-Mueller regarding ordinances, the Cannon Falls meeting on annexation and the Ordinance update meeting.

 

Ken stated he had attended Short Courses in Owatonna.  Topics reviewed included youth labor.  Ken is also working with the State Beta Test for CTAS stating we have received a copy for CTAS updates.

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Colleen reported she attended the Board of Adjustments.  We had two attend in person and six written requests.  She also went on the “Road Trip”.

 

Dean Johnson asked if Stanton Township roads are registered stating insurance would be cheaper if they were registered. 

 

John Miller stated this is an expensive process.

 

Colleen will check with MAT on the process of registering township roads.

 

Bob will call Steven VanGuilder to see about obtaining spec information needed to put a notice for bids in the paper.

 

Colleen has not yet found a vender for the needed posting box.  

 

Ken stated a person had inquired about taking State tax out of his check.  Ken checked with the State who will not reissue our State ID number due to not meeting State requirements.

 

Heather and Dave both stated they would be willing to attend upcoming meetings with the Randolph/Hampton Fire Department to discuss a change in the way billing is done for fire protection in the townships covered by them.  

 

Dave Garner made a motion, seconded by Bob to distribute mail.  Motion carried.

 

Dave Garner made a motion, seconded by Bob to pay claims.  Motion carried.

 

Rosie Schluter submitted a written request for notice of special meetings via e-mail.  Also on the list were John Krantz, Vince & Cindy Cockriel and Jack & Cindy Lucking.

 

Jack Lucking brought up annexation stating people in the area are opposed and asked each Board Member “Who on the Board is for annexation?” 

 

Heather stated she is in favor of smart controlled growth that follows the Comp. Plan and Ordinance and wants communication with the County and the City of Cannon Falls following our Comp. Plan and Ordinance.  Heather also spoke of the Cannon Falls Hospital and Cannon Falls School District money needs and how they may benefit by annexation.

 

The Board spoke about the process of annexation which may be initiated by the City or by land owners by petition and that the best procedure to follow assuring the township of compensation of taxes for up to five years is orderly annexation and that if the township did not agree to an annexation request up to sixty acres per year is allowed by law to be taken.

 

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Mr. Lucking proposed having two meetings per year for the public to attend to have communication with the Board on topics such as annexation and land use.

 

It was explained to Mr. Lucking that the Annual Meeting in March is the meeting set up

for the public for such discussion.

 

Mr. Lucking asked what the proper format would be to ask for a public forum. 

 

Colleen will look into this and pass the information on to Mr. Lucking.

 

Joe Vandenheuvel stated there is also a third way for annexation that the Board has not talked about called adversarial annexation.  He stated annexation has nothing to do with the hospital or the school district.  He stated all three Board members are elected as representatives of the township and if he was on the Board he would not agree to any form of annexation and hoped the Board would do the same.  He stated annexation can be delayed if adversarial.

 

John Krantz and Mary Cook both had issues with meetings in which the Board attended.

 

It was explained several times to them of what a Public Hearing is vs. a special meeting or a working meeting and that notice is placed in the Cannon Falls Beacon for Public Hearings and in the posting box for meetings the Board will be attending.

 

Bob made a motion to adjourn.  Heather seconded the motion.  Motion carried.