REGULAR MONTHLY MEETING (December 21, 2004)

 

Board Chair Robert (Bob) Benson called the meeting to order.  Other members present included Supervisors David W. McKeag and David Garner, Clerk Colleen Thompson, and Treasurer Kenneth Ebert.

 

The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

 

Colleen read the minutes of the November 16, 2004 meeting.  Dave Garner disagreed with the reporting of his answer to Wendel Maltby concerning the removal of a dead tree located in a ditch.  Mr. Garner made a motion to change the minutes from “no” to “no, not at this time”.  David McKeag seconded that motion.  Motion carried.

 

Ken read the Treasurer Report.  Investments stayed the same with $160,573.57 in the Building Fund, $124,543.27 in the Road and Bridge Fund giving total investments of $285,116.84.  Cash Control Statement, ending balances:  General Fund $88,975.06, Road and Bridge Fund $21,490.78, Fire Fund $98.00, Building Fund $2,244.00 for an ending balance of $112,807.84.  Receipts for the month totaled $3,947.27.  Disbursements for the month totaled $6,030.58.  Dave McKeag made a motion, seconded by Dave Garner to accept the report as read.  Motion carried.

 

Mr.  & Mrs. Fred Dierking, 32920 57th Avenue Court, Cannon Falls, MN 55009, Section 25 appeared before the Board to request a Bed and Breakfast business to be located in their current home.  Dave Garner stated a Bed and Breakfast is not addressed in our current ordinance and that this is the first B& B request in the township.  Garner thought it would be addressed as a home business.

 

The County Ordinance was reviewed and it was noted the County requires they pass fire and safety regulations, a maximum of 10 guests and 4 rooms designated for guests.  A yearly health inspection is required.  Dave Garner stated he would like to see off street parking.  The Clerk stated parking is addressed in the County Ordinance.  Dave Garner thought we should address Bed and Breakfast in our updated ordinance.  Bob stated he would like to see a condition that neighbors are informed of the proposal. 

 

Mr. Dierking stated they plan on Friday and Saturday guests only.  No additional help would be hired.

 

The Board made the following statement:  Mr.  & Mrs. Fred Dierking appeared before the Stanton Town Board on December 21, 2004.  The Stanton Town Board is aware of the Dierking's proposal to run a Bed and Breakfast Business from their current home located at 32920 57th Avenue Court, Cannon Falls, MN located in Section 25 of Stanton Township. The Town Board understands that currently there are no provisions in the Stanton Township Ordinance addressing Bed & Breakfast’s and therefore will take no further action.  Stanton Township also understands it is a permitted use by Goodhue County with conditions. 

 

REGULAR MONTHLY MEETING (December 21, 2004 cont.)

 

Mr. Dierking stated he would talk to neighbors making them aware of his endeavor.

 

David Lorentz, Spring Garden Nursery, 4900 Scout Ridge Road, Cannon Falls, MN in Section 14 of Stanton Township appeared before the Board to request a Mini Golf Course. Note: A Public Hearing was held by the Planning Commission on December 14, 2004. The Board took time to review the minutes of the Public Hearing that were not available for review until tonight’s meeting.  Mr. Lorentz passed out his proposal and site plan to the Board. He also submitted a letter from Heather Benson in favor of the Golf Course. He stated that a neighbor, Ken Roberts is upset he had torn down buckthorn and a fence which in fact made for better visibility at the intersection of his property and the common driveway he shares with his neighbors.  Mr. Lorentz stated P.C. member, Joyce Moorhouse made a motion to recommend approval of his request with the stipulation of a directional sign.  Concerning traffic and parking, Mr. Lorentz stated the busy season for the Nursery is April and May and that golf would basically be played in the months of June, July and August.  Due to the staggered months that each business is “busy” Mr. Lorentz stated “parking is sufficient”.  He stated trees would obstruct the view from neighbors.  Bob stated that he has done a good job of cleaning up the property and likes what he has done.  Dave Garner stated he has stopped and looked at the property.  He stated signage is needed for parking, directing people away from the neighbor’s private drive. 

 

Bob made a motion to approve a conditional use permit for the mini golf course with the stipulations of proper signage at the driveway, no lights, and no amplified sound outside the buildings.  Dave McKeag seconded the motion.  Motion carried.

 

The Clerk read the ad published in the Cannon Falls Beacon asking for quotes to be submitted for the snowplowing of those roads stated in the ad.  Two quotes were submitted, one by Jay Halbert of Jay’s Quick Lube and one by River Ridge Enterprises, Inc.  The Clerk also was contacted by phone by resident Steve Anderson who was in attendance to address snowplowing in front of his, and the Carl Slifka property on 55th Avenue Way. The Clerk read both proposals.

 

Jay Halbert,

5546 Hwy. 19 Blvd.,

Cannon Falls, MN 55009

  

This is my proposed bid for the 2004-2005 snowfall season for Woodland Heights in Stanton Township.

 

Per snow fall:  plow only 3 – 6 inches $275.00

                                         6 – 10 inches $350.00

                                         over 10 inches $400.00.

 

Per snow fall:  sand only $150.00 per time

REGULAR MONTHLY MEETING (December 21, 2004 cont.)

 

Per snow fall:  plow and sand 3-6 inches $350.00

                                                6-10 inches $425.00

                                                over 10 inches $475.00

 

Loader work for snow removal if needed $85.00 per hour per piece of equipment used.

 

No document of insurance was included with the quote.

 

River Ridge Enterprises, Inc.,

3014-59th Avenue Way

Cannon Falls, MN 55009

 

This agreement made for the 2004-2005 season between STANTON TOWNSHIP and

RIVER RIDGE ENTERPRISES, INC. of Cannon Falls, MN.

 

The contractor shall provide Snow Maintenance to the FOLLOWING ROADS located in: WOODLAND HEIGHTS (1) DEERWOOD DRIVE (2) 55TH AVE. (3) 55TH AVE. WAY (4) 56TH AVE. WAY (5) 311TH ST.

 

It is understood that, RIVER RIDGE ENTERPRISES, INC., is independent contractor and as such shall supply his own equipment and carry his own insurance coverage.

 

            Depth activation                                    3 inch(s) depth

  • 4 x 4 Pickups with 9’ snow blade          $60.00 hr.
  • Skid Loaders with 9’ snow blade          $60.00 hr.
  • 4 x 4 Loaders with 3 yard bucket          $120.00 hr.
  • Sand / Salt mix                         $40.00 yd
  • Sand / Salt truck                                   $60.00 hr.

 

Minimum charge of $120.00 per time, for snow removal on roads located in Woodland Heights

 

Any plow damage done to mail boxes, etc, must be reported within 24 hours or contractor will not be held liable for said damage.  Contractor is not responsible for lawn damage along driveways and curb lines.

 

Any additional handwork, clean-up or general maintenance, and extra time caused by extreme conditions will be an additional charge.  The cost for all work shall be billed (monthly), and owner shall pay such bill within ten days of receipt.

 

Steve Anderson, 3181 55th Avenue Way, Canon Falls, MN was in attendance.  He stated his willingness to take care of 55th Avenue Way as he did last year with his plow on his pick-up in front of his and the Carl Slifka property.  He stated he does not want our truck turning around in his driveway.  He also stated that a stipulation was put on the Slifka’s

REGULAR MONTHLY MEETING (December 21, 2004 cont.)

 

building permit stating he needed to make a turn-around area for the snowplow and emergency vehicles.  This has not been done. 

 

Jay Halbert asked if the truck could back down the road and push the snow out. 

 

Bob thought a letter should be sent to Slifka addressing the issue of a turn-around for the snow plow and a place to push snow.

 

Colleen stated she had talked with our MAT Insurance representative, Troy Gilchrist after being contacted by an independent contractor who asked about liability issues.  Troy advised that it is not in the township’s best interest to proceed as originally thought with contractors opening roads and the township coming in later to completely clear roads and then spreading salt and/or sand, stating the contractor and the township could both be pulled into a lawsuit if an accident occurred.  Colleen reported Troy advised we should table the issue and rethink the situation. Colleen also reported that after giving this information to the independent contractor, he did not submit a quote.  Matter tabled, no Board action taken.

 

There was no road maintenance report as Tom was out of town for the holiday.

 

The township truck needs a DOT inspection.  Bob will call Jim Welt to schedule an

inspection.

 

Colleen reported a “dumped” boat with old tires and oil containers inside located in the ditch along 23rd Avenue, next to the old Henry Luke property driveway that needs to be removed.

 

Colleen reported that after three months, we have not received back a signed agreement by the Davis’ to turn a portion of  59th Avenue over to the Township for maintenance purposes.  Colleen was told to call our attorney for advice on how to proceed in this matter.

 

Colleen reported that she has had no response back from Dan Benham and therefore felt we needed to look for another person willing to be our “back-up” maintenance person.

 

Dave Garner stated that when the time comes that we need him, Dan would provide us with the paperwork and that Dan is not happy with Stanton Township and the requirements we are putting on his employment.  Bob, Colleen and Ken all stated these are government recommended requirements.

 

Colleen asked if she should call Mr. Monte Otterness as we know he is interested in the job.  Bob stated he would prefer someone who lived closer.  Dave McKeag stated he would talk to Dick Daniels to see if he would be interested.

 

REGULAR MONTHLY MEETING (December 21, 2004 cont.)

 

Dave Garner, Colleen and Ken attended the MAT Convention is Saint Cloud.  Dave

reported that he had talked to MAT lawyers about “sharing” a building to be used by the township and a church.  The biggest concern is liabilities.  No public money may go to the church.  Land should be owned by the township.  A breezeway (not attached) could go to each building.  The sharing of septic and water is not an issue.  We would need to rent the building to the church for their use. 

 

Bob asked if each entity could have liability insurance on the same building.

 

Colleen stated the Snow Plow Policy needed updating to include the plowing of a portion of 59th Avenue and also 57th Avenue Court.

 

Bob made a motion to by resolution update, making proper changes to the existing Snow Plow Policy and to adopt the revised policy to be called the 2004-2005 Snow & Ice Control Policy.

 

Dave Garner stated Holt Construction hauled the sand from County to the salt shed. 

 

Colleen stated that due to not having MAT required proof of insurance documentation on file and an IC-134 signed by the State and returned to the Clerk, their submitted bill will not be approved for payment until she receives the proper paperwork.  Colleen then reiterated the need for Board members to contact her, to see if the needed paperwork is on file before hiring private contractors.  (NOTE: Hiring of contractors needs to be done by motion).

 

Colleen stated that the Ordinance update is completed.  She sent a copy via e-mail to Dave Garner and that the other Board members will receive a copy at the January Board meeting.

 

Dave Garner made a motion to sign and send the letter as written to the Randolph Fire Department.  Bob seconded the motion.  Motion carried.

 

Ken reported that the Township switched banks and accounts to be able to get checks returned as required by MAT.  Now the federal law, Rule 21 is in effect and banks will not return checks.  Ken stated our current bank won’t take copies but will provide internet on-line banking.  Ken stated to view and print both sides of two checks took ten minutes.  He stated the bank is willing to let us go to the bank and print checks there.

 

Dave Garner stated that Federal law overrides State law, as long as we can view the checks, we meet the law.  He stated we can print to file and put on a CD, archive off line or have the bank archive, possible for a three month period.

 

Dave Garner made a motion to by resolution, because of the Federal Check 21 Law that states original checks no longer need to be returned to the issuer - The Board

REGULAR MONTHLY MEETING (December 21, 2004 cont.)

 

acknowledges that checks will no longer be returned and due to checks no longer being

returned, Stanton Township will require that the Township Treasurer is to view the checks on-line and report back to the Board each month.  Bob seconded the motion.  Motion carried.

 

Ken stated that three of our C.D’s need to be renewed soon. Ken will try for a one year to thirteen months term to be determined by the best interest rate he can obtain.

 

Colleen reported that filing for township elections will open December 28, 2004 and close at 5:00 p.m. on January 11, 2005.  One Supervisor and the Treasurer position will be on the ballot.

 

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

 

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

 

Dave McKeag made a motion, seconded by Dave Garner to adjourn.  Motion carried.