Stanton Town Hall
31186 40th Avenue Way, Cannon Falls, MN 55009
Board Chair Joyce Moorhouse called
the meeting to order. Others present
included Vice Chair Dave Garner, Supervisor Vince Cockriel, Clerk Betts Top and
Treasurer Kenneth Ebert.
Meeting was called to order at 7:00 P.M
Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Joyce called to reveal any
conflicts of interest.
None were heard.
Approval of Agenda
Joyce asked that Oxford
Sportsman’s Club be added as #3 under Permits
Dave Garner made a motion to
approve the agenda as corrected.
Vince Cockriel seconded the motion
Motion passed 3/0
Dave Garner made a motion to
approve the minutes as corrected.
Vince Cockriel seconded the
motion.
Motion passed 3/0
Dave Garner made a motion to
approve as submitted
Vince Cockriel seconded the motion
Motion passed 3/0
Dave Garner made a motion to
approve as submitted
Joyce Moorhouse seconded the
motion
Motion passed 3/0
Building Permits
Chuck Radamacher came forward. He requested to put a new roof on his barn.
Dave Garner moved to sign off on Chuck Radamacher’s permit request signed off as no zoning required.
Vince Cockriel seconded the motion
Motion passed 3/0
Todd Prink and Doug
Gysbers came forward representing St. Paul’s church.
They requested a
variance to divide their lot. Due to
blacktopping soon they would like the lot to be salable. It was 1.1 acres.
Joyce said the
property would have to be surveyed and given a separate parcel number, then
recorded.
Doug stated it had
already been surveyed. It would have to
be recorded with a new parcel number.
It did have road
frontage on 303rd St.
Dave stated it would be a 3.9 acre variance from current residential zoning of 5 acres.
Vince Cockriel made a motion to approve a public hearing for a 3.9 acre variance for St. Paul’s Church to be held at the next Planning Commission meeting at 7:30 PM, February 12, 2008.
Dave Garner seconded the motion.
Motion passed 3/0
The public hearing fee of $150.00 was paid to the treasurer.
Bob Schlekewy presented a tax exempt permit to be signed for the Oxford Sportsman’s Club.
Dave
Garner made a motion to approve the signing.
Vince
Cockriel seconded the motion
Motion
passed 3/0
Joyce
signed and dated the permit.
Betts
made a copy to be kept on file.
Treasurer’s Report
Ken reported:
|
Funds/Accounts |
Amount |
Notes |
|
Current Investments CD –Road
& Bridge |
$ 71,890.14 |
|
|
Receipts |
$ 88,213.87 |
|
|
Disbursements |
$ 16,680.18 |
|
|
Liquid Assets as of 1/15/08 |
$ 153,724.36 |
|
Dave
Garner made a motion to approve as submitted
Vince
Cockriel seconded the motion
Motion
passed 3/0
Ken
reported that the CTAS software was available for updating. However the old envelopes would not work and
new checks would have to be reordered to work with the newer program. Ken felt it would be a waste of money to do
away with the current checks and envelopes.
Ken continued saying he could keep using the old CTAS program and by
using Word software he could issue the checks as he did last year.
Dave
said he would work with Ken to make sure the printing got done.
Ken also
reported that the Fed increased mileage to 50.5 cents per mile.
Joyce presented a resolution for the Hwy 52 Overpass and its location.
Joyce read the resolution aloud;
“ Resolution
2008-003.Resolution of support for Southern Interchange location to be further
reviewed in EA/EAW
At a meeting of the Stanton
Township Board, held on the 15th day of January,
2008, the following Resolution was offered by Joyce Moorhouse and
seconded by Dave Garner to wit:
WHEREAS, Stanton Township,
partnered with the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MN/DOT), Goodhue
County, the City of Cannon Falls and Cannon Falls Townships, has undertaken the
Highway 52 Cannon Falls Project focused on identifying a preferred interchange
alternative along Highway 52, between Highway 19 and 327th Street in
Cannon Falls;
WHEREAS, The Township with
Mn/DOT, the County, the City and Township (hereinafter called the “Project
Steering Committee”) has since completed a comprehensive study of potential
interchange concepts and locations along with a detailed evaluation of
potential interchange location alternatives;
WHEREAS, the Project Steering
Committee, as a result of this comprehensive study and evaluation did identify
an interchange location at Highway 52 and 324th Street (“southern
interchange alternative” or “concept 2A-RO”) as the preferred interchange
location alternative for purposes of further study and evaluation in the
environmental documents at their September 19, 2007 Project Steering Committee
Meeting;
WHEREAS, two public open houses
were held in Cannon Falls on October 24, 2007 to receive public input on the
preferred southern interchange alternative selected for further review in the
environmental documents;
WHEREAS, after reviewing the
positive public feedback on the study process and the preferred southern
interchange alternative, the Project Steering Committee unanimously agreed to
carry the southern interchange alternative
(concept 2A-RO) into the environmental assessment/environmental
assessment work sheet (EA/EAW) for further analysis;
NOW, THERFORE, BE IT RESOLVED
THAT the Stanton Township Board supports the recommendation of the Project
Steering Committee’s southern interchange alternative (concept 2A-RO) as the
preferred location alternative of the Highway 52/CSAH 24 interchange, and understands
this resolution does not indicate formal Municipal Consent but rather shows
support of the preferred location alternative for further review in the
detailed environmental assessment/environmental assessment worksheet (EA/EAW).
At this time Dave Garner seconded the resolution for the purpose of discussion.
Discussion ensued regarding the different options of location for the over pass including its effects on Cannon Falls city and Stanton Township.
Joyce mentioned the project would possibly be as far away as 2015.
The board at this time did a roll call:
Upon the call of the roll the following Board Members voted in favor of the Resolution:
Dave Garner, Joyce Moorhouse
The following Board Members voted against its adoption:
Vince Cockriel
Attest: Board Chair – Joyce Moorhouse Dated 1/15/2008
State of Minnesota
County of Goodhue
Township of Stanton
At this time the clerk signed and notarized the resolution
The clerk will attach a copy of the resolution to the minutes as Exhibit A
Joyce reported she had met with John Schueller of the county that morning and they had gone out to the Penfield Addition. John said he would have the measurements for each of the roads for the township when the bill was prepared for us. The county showed the end of the township road, 59th Avenue Way, to be at 303rd Street. The road continued on to just past Ryan Rounds driveway and it was there that the measurement estimate was originally made for blacktop. It amounted to 1,267 feet long and 18 feet wide (from 303rd to end of 59th going north). He recommended the township contact a surveyor or attorney to determine the existing township road limits.
It was determined that the length of 59th Ave. Way from Hwy 19 to 303rd Street was 2,534 feet.
Joyce continued saying they had then gone and talked to Mr. Sandstrom, who owns (land) out to the right of way, asking him if he would be willing to give a permanent highway easement to the township to cross the property. At that point our attorney could draw up a document and have Andy sign it and that would become the townships road. Then we could move forward with paving the roads. Mr. Rounds and St Paul’s church currently had easements from Mr. Sandstrom.
Vince asked if Andy (Sandstrom) owned land up to 303rd street then?
Joyce said yes. The current private easements needed to be converted to public easements prior to the paving. She would like the permission of the board to go forward and contact a surveyor.
Dave requested it be run by the attorney.
Joyce added that John had pointed out, by one of the corners, a couple loads of gravel could be put in that area and that the road had moved over into that corner. When redoing the road it would be moved back to where it should have been.
Joyce told him the township would be putting in a culvert in that area. He also suggested that we did not put rock on the edges of the roads but to put in dirt.
It was decided that the dirt would be a part of the cost (of the paving project).
Tom, of Stanton’s road maintenance, stated for plowing and grading he had usually turned in the 2nd north church driveway
It was decided to do the survey first, and then talk to the attorney to make it legal and get Mr. Sandstorm to sign it off.
Joyce added that John had told her this project would, in the end, add about ¼ mile on to the township road total.
Dave Garner made a motion to authorize Joyce to get a survey of 59th Avenue and present the survey to the township attorney to draw up papers to make that a township road and work with Andy Sandstrom to convert the private easement to a public easement.
Vince Cockriel seconded the motion
Motion passed 3/0
Vince Cockriel made a motion to table Resolution 2008-001 until the survey is done and we have talked with Andy Sandstrom and the township attorney.
Dave Garner seconded the motion
Motion passed 3/0
The resolution 2008-001 was tabled until February board meeting.
Joyce read aloud a recap of Resolution 2008-002 which was created from the public hearing of January 10, 2008.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that
all costs, fees, and expenses (collectively “Costs”) incurred by the Town
related to carrying out the purposes of the District shall be assessed against
the properties within the District, except for the fees charged by the Town
Attorney related to the original development of the District, any costs
incurred by the Town to replace the culvert on the intersection of 59th
Ave. Way and 304th St. Way, and any other costs the Town Board
determines, in its sole discretion, to constitute routine road maintenance
costs;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the Costs shall
divided and charged against the properties within the District as follows:
·
The Costs related to the work on 303rd
St. Way and 304th St. Way shall be totaled and divided among the
properties that abut on these streets based on the linear front footage of each
such property; and
·
The Costs related to the work on 59th Ave.
Way shall be totaled and divided according to the following percentages:
o
The Sandstrom, Rounds, and St. Paul’s church
properties shall each pay 20%;
o
The Lundberg funeral home property shall pay 6%;
o
The remaining 34% shall be divided among the
remaining properties in the District;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the amount to be charged against
each property (“District Charges”) shall be subject to the following:
·
District Charges shall be payable in equal annual
installments extending over a period of five years (the “Term”), the first of
the installments to be payable on or before the first Monday in January, 2009;
·
Interest shall accrue and be added to the
outstanding principal amount of the District Charges at the rate determined
when the Town secures financing for the project;
·
Owners shall have a right to prepay District Charges
in whole but not part within 60 days of written notice from the Town informing
them of their assessment. Any owner who
prepays District Charges in whole within 60 days shall not be subject to
interest;
·
Owners may prepay District Charges in whole but not
in part on any date during the Term.
Prepayments must include accrued interest through the end of the
then-current year, provided that if the payment is made on or after November 15th
of Year 1, 2, 3, or 4, it must include interest accrued through December 31st
of the next succeeding year;
·
District Charges and accrued interest shall be a
lien on the property and will be collected together with property taxes.
Dave wanted it made clear that the project involved paving, bringing in
dirt for landscaping, the grading of the road and also the bonding cost.
Vince Cockriel made a motion to
table Resolution 2008-002 until 2008-001 is done.
Dave Garner seconded the motion
Motion passed 3/0
The clerk would attach Resolution
2008-002 as Exhibit C.
Joyce announced that the clerk
could keep a list of peoples’ names who wanted their driveways blacktopped and
the clerk would forward that information to the county who would give it to the
contractor.
Road Report
1.
Maintenance
Person – backup
Tom came
forward.
Salt and Sand
storage was discussed. The topic of
another maintenance person was brought up.
Joyce said John
Krantz had contacted her and was available.
She asked the other board members if they were interested in an
assistant to Tom.
Vince said he had
known John Krantz for 15 years and John had a lot of experience running
equipment. He lived in the township and was around during the daytime
hours.
Dave wanted to make
sure he had the proper licenses.
John Krantz spoke
from the audience stating he had attained his Commercial Class permit and was
about to get his license after taking his test.
Vince Cockriel made
a motion to appoint John Krantz as a backup to the lead maintenance person.
To be allowed
training time and getting his commercial license. Tom would make the decision as to when John would work on his
own. Pay rate would be the same as the previous maintenance person.
Dave Garner seconded
the motion.
Discussion ensued.
It was decided John
Krantz would be a part time employee.
The clerk would give
John the paper work to be filled out for this employment.
John asked about how
long the training would take.
Joyce replied as
long as Tom thinks you need training on the Grader and Truck.
Joyce called for a
vote.
Motion passed 3/0
Dave requested we
get a copy of the Snow Plow Policy to John.
Betts said she
would.
Joyce requested John
ride with Tom as often as possible to help with training.
Joyce asked Tom that
if it snowed again to go down to the area by Rounds and see if that area was
large enough to turn around.
Tom left at this
time.
The board reported
they had only attended the normal board meeting and the public meeting on
January 10, 2008.
Betts reported that
3 applications for candidacy had been received; Bob Benson for Supervisor,
Joyce Moorhouse for Supervisor and Laura Pederson for Clerk. She would send this information to the
county.
Betts reported that
the grant she had received was not from HAVA but from EAID (Election Assistance For
Individuals With Disabilities). Regarding the expansion of the parking lot she
had made a drawing of potential improvements and wanted the board to look at
it. Currently there was very little
space at the rear of the parking spaces.
Adding another 6 feet would allow people to get out of vehicles, get
into trunks without having to walk on gravel.
The van assessable place could also be widened. The current improvements were similar in
square feet to last years improvements.
Drawings
were passed out for the board to look at.
Discussion
ensued regarding the possible combinations of enlarging the handicapped parking
area.
Creating
a pathway in front or back would help people with wheelchairs.
Dave
mentioned that we would be using the grant exactly what it was supposed to be
used for.
Vince
Cockriel made a motion to apply the grant money to the plan provided to
increase the area where there was handicapped parking.
Dave
Garner seconded the motion
Motion
passed 3/0
Betts presented a
letter from the county to partner with their paving projects for 2008.
The letter would
only indicate our interest then another letter would arrive and it would be an
agreement to join in the paving contract.
The fee for this would be 8% of the project, which was the same amount
charged last year..
Dave Garner made a
motion to join the Goodhue County Bituminous paving project.
Vince Cockriel
seconded motion
Motion passed 3/0
Betts said she would
send the plan for the parking lot and the Penfield project to the county.
Ad Hoc Report
John Krantz, chair
of the Ad Hoc Committee, spoke about their last meeting. He said Hilary Ziols (and Beth Kallestad)
from the Cannon River Watershed had spoken at the last Ad Hoc meeting. There were many questions asked and
answered. The next meeting would be on
Monday February 4th at 7:00 PM.
He felt it was time to put a summary together for the Board. The facts would be put down on paper soon to
be presented to the board.
Dave brought the topic of the off peak service being put in the town hall.
Betts said she had talked to AJ Electric and they would be doing it next week.
Dave said he would like an outlet put in by the overhead projector as long as AJ Electric was at the town hall to put up the ceiling fan and do the Off Peak work too. There was an outlet on the other side of the wall so it would be easy to do. This way we wouldn’t have an extension cord running across the floor to the projector.
Dave Garner made a motion to have AJ Electric put in an outlet for the projector at the same time he puts in the ceiling fan and Off Peak meter.
Vince Cockriel seconded the motion.
Motion passed 3/0
Old Business
1. 2008 Budget
Ken passed out the previous years expense report to the board.
The board began discussions with Ken on each of the funds for the township.
It was decided to keep the General Fund the same as the previous year.
It was decided to keep the Fire Fund the same as the previous year.
It was decided to keep the Road and Bridge Fund the same as the previous year.
Dave Garner made a motion to use the same budget numbers for 2008 from 2007.
Joyce Moorhouse seconded the motion.
Motion passed 3/0
General Fund $ 75,000.00
Road and Bridge $100,000.00
Fire Fund $ 30,000.00
Building Fund $ -0-
---------------------------------------------
Total Budget $205,000.00
The choices for the 2009 Levy was to either put it on the agenda for the March meeting or move it to a continuing meeting in September. More people usually showed up for the Annual Meeting in March. It was decided to put 2009 Levy on the February Board agenda to further discuss.
Betts was asked to
talk to Tom and have him report back to the board if he saw anything that
within the next two years could be a major budget item for the township.
Dave said the fire fund
would go up 5% for the next year. He
thought we had a year left on each contract.
Upcoming Meetings
Feb 2, 2008 meeting with Goodhue County Township Association at 9:30 AM. In Zumbrota at the VFW.
Wednesday Jan 30 at 7:00PM at the Stanton Town Hall, Land Use discussions with Cannon Falls Township and Cannon Falls City.
The clerk would attend this meeting and take minutes and make a recording of it. The minutes would be shared with other parties attending. The minutes would be taken by the party holding the meeting in the future.
January 16 at 2:00 PM Highway 52 Project Meeting in Cannon Falls.
Mail
Dave Garner made a motion to distribute the mail
Joyce Moorhouse seconded the motion
Motion passed 3/0
Betts reported she had received a letter from Warsaw Township requesting termination of the Road Maintenance agreement.
The board agreed to terminate the agreement and the clerk was advised to tell Tom.
The clerk would write Warsaw back and acknowledge the termination.
Claims
Dave
Garner made a motion to pay claims
Vince
Cockriel seconded the motion
Motion
passed 3/0
Claims
were paid.
Adjourn
Dave Garner made a
motion to adjourn
Vince Cockriel
seconded the motion
Motion passed 3/0
Respectfully submitted,
Elizabeth Top
Stanton Township Clerk