03_14_2006_TBMinutes_ANNUALMEETINGMarch 14, 2006
On the above date the Annual meeting of New Scandia Township was held. Chairman Dennis
Scefeldt, Vice Chairman Michael Hinz, Michael Harnetty, Blair Joselyn and Nancy Madden were
in attendance from the Town Board. The following Planning Commission members were also in
attendance: Chairman Chris Ness, Vice Chairman James Malmquist, Kevin Nickelson, Peter
Schwarz, and Donnette Ychle.
The Deputy Clerk called the meeting to order and asked for the nomination of a moderator for the
meeting. Bruce Swenson was elected.
The minutes of the 2005 Annual Meeting were read. Peter Schwarz made a motion to accept the
minutes of the 2005 Annual Meeting. Michael White seconded the motion and motion adopted.
The Deputy Clerk reported the expenditures for the fiscal year of 2005 were $2,507.183.28. The
Treasurer reported the revenue for the year 2005 was $2,269,088.44. Peter Schwarz made a
motion to accept the Deputy Clerk's and the Treasurer's report for the year 2005. Michael White
seconded the motion and motion adopted.
DEPUTY C HOWARD
Deputy Chris Howard reported the total number of calls for New Scandia Township for the year
of 2005 was 2,776, a 27% increase in calls from the previous year.
FERE AND RE SCUE/STEVE SPENCE
Fire Chief Steve Spence gave the following report: In 2005 New Scandia Fire and Rescue
responded to 209 emergency calls. 135 of these calls were for medical or rescue assistance and 74
were fire or emergency service related, 2005 was the first year that the number of calls exceeded
200. The department currently has 29 firefighters on its roster. Projects for 2005 included:
Completion of an online course for all fire and rescue officers which allowed them to adopt
N.I.M.S. (National Incident Management System). Hosted the Capital City Regional meeting at
which fire department officials from 32 Metro area departments met to exchange information and
maintain a united and cooperative communication network.
PLANNING COMMISSION/CHAIRMAN CHRIS NESS
Chris Ness, Chairman of the Planning Commission, reported on behalf of the Planning
Commission. The Planning Commission processed two (2) Conditional Use Permits, seventeen
(17) variances, five (5) Minor Subdivisions witli 10 lots created, one (1) Major Subdivision [The
Sanctuary] with 6 lots created. Total building permits numbered ISO, including 33 single-family
homes for an average value of $384,628 per new home.
PARK AND RECREATION/DEBT CAMTOBASSO
Debi Campobasso, Committee Chair of Park and Recreation reported on turnover within the
committee. Four new members were appointed in 2005, for a current total of nine on the
committee. Numerous Park Programs were run throughout the year, with a total of 259 youth
participants. Three Community events were held: A Community Skating Party, a Dodgeball
Tournament, and a Cloverleaf Community Bike Ride, with a total of 455 participants.
Improvements to the Hay Lake Shelter parking lot, resurfacing the Community Center tennis
courts, and adding a basketball hoop inside the tennis courts have been Park Improvement
projects for 2005. The committee has also reviewed the first draft of the Comprehensive Plan.
INCORPORATION COMMITTEE/DAVE HEBERT
Mr. Dave Hebert reported on behalf of the Incorporation Committee. A Public Information
meeting was held in 2005 for public input and questions on the issue of incorporation. it was
decided by the committee to present their findings and recommendation to proceed with the
process of becoming a city to the Town Board. Following a Public Hearing, the Town of New
Scandia has filed with the State Department of Administration to begin the process of
New Scandia Township Annual Meeting
March 14, 2006
page 2
Incorporation. An evidentiary hearing is forthcoming, followed by the case being presented
before an Administrative Law judge.
FOREST LAKE YOUTH SERVICE BUREAU
Brian Alm and Angela Walker represented the Forest Lake Youth Service Bureau. 1N&. Alm
thanked New Scandia Township for their support and asked for a continuation of their contract
for services in the amount of $5,250. The Youth Service Bureau serves youth and their families to
prevent juvenile delinquency.
OLD BUSINESS
Discussion of adding Audio -Visual equipment to the Town Board Chambers resulted in the
following: Jan Hogle made a motion to reinvestigate the addition of a P.A. sound and projection
system to the Board Chambers. Dennis Lofboorn seconded the motion and motion passed.
NEW BUSINESS
Bob Anderson, representing concerned citizens of New Scandia Township, introduced the
following resolutions:
1) Moved to resolve that New Scandia elected officials will vote for measures and policies that
support our traditional rural community, in which the first responsibility of government and
elected officials is to protect the safety and property of cur -rent residents. Jan Hogle seconded the
motion and motion passed.
2) Moved to resolve that New Scandia elected officials will complete a major review of New
Scandia Township zoning, land use, subdivision, development and building ordinances to ensure
that our ordinances comply with the character of our traditional rural community of low-density
residential and small farming/agricultural use in an environment that protects the safety and
property of current residents. Be it further resolved that such review, amendment and addition to
New Scandia ordinances will be completed within 60 days of this annual meeting with an
effective date no later than 90 days from this annual meeting. Jan Hogle seconded the motion.
Motion failed.
3) Moved to resolve that to keep faith with our traditional community and to protect Scandia
residents and those who might live in community residences, our elected officials will vote
immediately to extend and expand the moratorium pertaining to the regulation of all licensed
facilities. Further, our elected officials will vote to suspend immediately any further licensing of
residential facilities of any kind until a task force composed of two Supervisors, two Planning
Commission members and four community members has reviewed relevant issues and issued a
report with recommendations relating to licensed residential facilities, Pam Anderson seconded
the motion and motion passed.
4) Moved to resolve that to support our traditional rural community, our elected officials will
review and put in place in the next 60 days changes to our ordinances which allow accessory
buildings of sufficient square footage to support all legal agricultural activities that current
Scandia residents wish to pursue, including production and hobby farms, including those that
pursue personal and commercial rearing of animals, such as livestock, horses and companion
animals. "Agriculture" will be given an expansive definition, not just limited to "food and fiber".
Jan Hogle made an amendment to this motion to include that the Township consult with Paul
Strandberg, lawyer with the State Agriculture Department, as to what ordinances can be enforced.
Karen Schik seconded this motion and motion passed.
5) Moved to resolve whereas a strong residential community must have houses that meet building
code requirements in order to protect the safety and property values of current residents, Scandia
elected officials will strongly enforce our existing building code and any amendments/additions
to ensure safe homes that maintain their value. Be it further resolved that elected and
New Scandia Township Annual Meeting
March 14, 2006
page 3
administrative Scandia officials will respond to the good -faith concerns, reports and complaints
of apparent violations of our ordinances and policies with timely, professional and unbiased
inspections and with equally timely and strong enforcement, including legal action against
violators. We urge our elected officials to review codes in other areas such as Columbus
Township that have been successful in preserving safety and value. Dan Peterson seconded the
motion and motion passed.
6) Moved to resolve that our elected officials will seek to limit the density of cluster
developments. Be it further resolved that our local government will vote to amend our ordinances
to lower the bonus ,award from a maximum of 100 percent to a maximum of 54 percent. The
density bonus of up to 50 percent will be allowed only if there is showing of permanently legally
enforceable protection of significant natural resources or natural features. Mike White seconded
the motion. Motion failed.
7) Moved to resolve that our elected officials will put in place a rental licensing program such as
the one in the City of Shoreview, MN, allowing Scandia to regulate and inspect all housing that is.
rented within our Township. Thecode will ensure that owners of rental housing take the
reasonable necessary steps to ensure that the citizens who occupy rental housing units may pursue
the quiet enjoyment of the normal activities of life in the surrounding area that are: safe, secure,
and sanitary, free from crimes and criminal activity, noise, nuisances or annoyances; free from
unreasonable fears about safety of persons and security of property; and suitable for raising
children. Mike White seconded the motion. Motion failed.
Jeff Peterson °moved that the Town of New Scandia shall amend the current petition of
incorporation, by requesting that the newly incorporated city be called the "City of Scandia", and
withdraw the request to be called the "City of New Scandia". Jan Hogle seconded the motion and
motion passed.
Jan Hogle moved to discontinue the contracted legal services of Township Attorney Dave Hebert
due to a conflict of interest and to have replaced. within 30 days. Marilyn Hogle seconded the
motion. Motion failed.
James Malmquist expressed a thank you to the Fire and Rescue Department and to the Sheriff's
Department for the fine job they do in serving the community.
Howard Hawkinson extended his appreciation to Dolores Peterson for the many years of service
she has dedicated herself to as serving as New Scandia Township Clerk for the past 32 years, a
position from which she has recently retired.
Wyman Detzler made a motion to reconvene the Annual Meeting to August 15, 2006. Mike
White seconded the motion. Meeting adjourned.
f
Brenda Eklund
New Scandia Township Deputy Clerk