03_21_2006_TBMinutesMarch 21, 2006
Treasurer Colleen Firkus administered the oath of office to appointed Deputy Clerk Brenda
Eklund. Deputy Clerk Brenda Eklund administered the oath of office to elected supervisors
Dennis Seefeldt and Michael Harnetty.
Deputy Clerk Brenda Eklund called the meeting to order. The following Board members were
present: Michael Hametty, Michael Hinz and Dennis Seefeldt. Blair Joselyn and Nancy Madden
were absent.
The election of a Chairman and Vice -Chairman was postponed until a full board is present.
Michael Hinz made a motion to nominate Dennis Seefeldt as temporary Chairman. Michael
Harnetty seconded the motion and motion passed.
PUBLIC FORUM
Bob Anderson informed the Board of a bill being introduced in a hearing to the MN House of
Representatives on March 24, 2006 in regards to community residences. Citizens are continuing
to gather information such as police reports in connection with group homes in Scandia.
Pam Anderson presented a summary of police reports concerning the group home on the east
portion of 240"' Street, On behalf of concerned residents of New Scandia Township, Ms.
Anderson asked the Board to review the summary of repeated 911 calls to this home and use it as
an impetuous to move forward and protect the citizens of Scandia,
Beryl 140-11ADY-Sor.
Btwi!4 UalveFso , as a representative of the Bone Lake Association, presented two requests.
1) That a member of the Board attend the Forest Lake/Comfort Lake Watershed meetings to
present the results of extremely poor water conditions in Bone Lake. Ms. Halverson felt there
could be a better likelihood that action be taken to find ways to improve the water quality of the
lake, as their association has been petitioning the Watershed for two years to take action with no
results.
2) That the Board be conscientious in their approval of homes being built in the vicinity of Bone
Lake. Ms. Halverson felt that too many variances are being granted to lake lots, thus increasing
run-off and potentially harming the water quality.
Board member Dennis Seefeldt suggested that Mr. Larson, the Township representative to the
Forest Lake/Comfort Lake Watershed, be invited to the April 4"' Town Board meeting to talk
about these issues.
Jay Warmington, a property owner adjacent to the newly approved development Serenity, asked
that a deed restriction be placed on each newly developed lot that requires all structures be set
back at least 50 feet from the rear property line. Township Attorney Dave Hebert stated that
restrictive covenants can be written into the Developer's Agreement, which can be made stricter
than the Township Ordinances.
AUDIT REPORT FOR THE YEAR 2005/DAVE STENE, EIDE BAILLY
Mr. Stene reported that New Scandia Township is in good standing in regards to financial
position. The general fund balance increased $23,000 from 2004, As both revenues and
expenditures came in over budget, the Township should consider amending the budget during the
year. Internal control appeared appropriate. In the auditor's opinion, no changes are necessary;
New Scandia Town Board
March 21, 2006
page 2
the estimates in depreciation are reasonable, long term planning is adequate, and the operating
system is working well.
BOARD OF AUDIT
Michael Harnetty made a motion that New SCandia Township acknowledges that the Board
of Supervisors has accepted the Auditor's Report for the year 2005 and has also reviewed
the reports presented by the Clerk and Treasurer for the year 2005. The Board accepts both
reports and approves submittal to the State Auditor. Michael Hinz seconded the motion and
motion passed.
POLICE DEPART NT
Deputy Chris Howard was asked about enforcing Ordinance 85, pertaining to trucks using engine
braking. No tickets have been issued. Howard Hawkinson asked Deputy Howard to patrol Oland
Avenue more frequently, as Mr. Hawkinson has noticed a high amount of traffic using excessive
speed in this area. Deputy Howard will patrol this area more closely.
FIRE DEPARTMENT
Fire Chief Steve Spence informed the Board of a grant application which will be submitted to the
Department of Homeland Security to cover the costs associated with converting to the 800 MHz
radio operating system. All Washington County Fire Departments are participating in the
application, If successful, the cost of the radios will be reduced from $60,000 to S12,000. A
request for Board approval was made, with need of two resolutions from the Board stating these
facts.
Michael Hinz made a motion to approve Resolution 03-21-06-01, Designation of the
National Incident Management System as the Basis for all Incident Management in New
Scandia Township. Michael Harnetty seconded the motion and motion passed.
Michael Harnetty made a motion to approve Resolution 03-21-06-02, Promoting the Use of
Intrastate Mutual -Aid Agreements. Dennis Seefeldt seconded the motion and motion
passed.
TOWNSHIP ENGL\TEER/TOM PETERSON
Final estimates to patch and overlay 350 feet of frontage road at Highway 97 and Olinda Trail,
Ozark Avenue, Ozark Court and Lofton Court and to reclaim Olinda Lane totaled $262,425.
Michael Hinz made,a motion to approve the plans and specs, and to authorize an ad for
bids for the 2006 Street Repair. Michael Harnetty seconded the motion and motion passed.
Discussion on how to repair Melanie Trail included a request to first do soil borings to see if the
road can be reclaimed. Rebuilding would not be done this year.
The ongoing problem of culvert run-off from 182" d Street onto the Greg Wessels property was
addressed. Mr. Peterson will gather quotes to install a pipe to handle the discharge. Estimates may
run between $5,000 - $ 10,000. It was suggested that the Carnelian -Marine Watershed may offer a
grant to cover a portion of the repair.
New Scandia Town Board
March 21, 20006
page 3
Mr. Peterson was asked to ,look into a survey of Pilar Road North to check for easements.
E AMBULANCE COMMITTEE
A letter written by Nancy Madden was read by Michael Hinz stating the committee's
recommendation to not grant the Marine Fire and Rescue a $25,000 donation. It was felt that the
funding should come through bonding, and that the New Scandia Fire Department should come
first if there are extra funds in the budget:
Michael Hinz made a motion to send the Marline Fire and Rescue Department a letter
declining them request for funding. Michael Harnetty seconded the motion .and motion
passed.
HORTICULTURE SERVICES
Mr. and Mrs. Larry Bies expressed their concerns regarding the Horticulture Services business
that Syd Stephan operates from his residence at 22200 Meadowbrook Avenue. Photos were
presented to the Board showing numerous trailers on the property storing equipment for a
possible snowplowing and landscaping business that Mr. Stephan's Certificate of Compliance
does not allow. The constant use of the heavy trucks and equipment is damaging the nearby
roads. The Board indicated that they have the option of revoking the C. C. if necessary. The
Board will further investigate this operation.
CABLE BROADCASTING OF TOWN BOARD MEETINGS
Linda Beyer of Lakes Area Community Television, at the request of the Forest Lake Cable
Commission, presented information in regards to the taping of Town Board meetings for cable:
access TV. Government meetings can be taped twice per month at no cost. Ms. Beyer would first
do a free test taping during;a Board meeting using the LATV equipment. If additional sound
equipment were needed or changes to the meeting room were necessary, those costs would be the
responsibility of the Town,
Michael Harnetty made a motion to allow LATV to tape the April 4th and April 181h Board
meetings as a test at no charge. Dennis Seefeldt seconded the motion and motion passed.
HAY LAKE SCHOOL HISTORICAL SIGN
Washington County Historical Society has requested to move the Hay Lake ;School sign from its
current location at the front of the school to the corner of Old MarineTrail and County Road 3;
As this is a public sign and there are no restrictions in the Sign Ordinance against this, it was
decided to allow the Historical Society to relocate the sign.:
AMENDMENTS TO PATRICK REICHERTS VARIANCE
A variance to construct a home in the Bliss Plat 2" Division was granted to Patrick Reicherts at
the March b, 2006 Planning Commission meeting on the condition that Mr. Reicherts connect
into the 201 septic system. Upon research done by Mr. Reicherts with Pete Ganzel from
Washington County, it would be preferable to have a private system, as there is room on the
property. The variance also read Lot Size from 10.0 acres to 2.0 acres. Due to the lot
combinations that are required to construct the home, the Lot Size variance must be adjusted.
New Scandia Town Board
March 21, 2006
page 4
Michael Hinz made a motion to amend the March 6, 2006 Planning Commission minutes to
allow a private conventional septic system be installed. Michael Harnetty seconded the
motion and motion passed.
CONSENT AGENDA-
Michael
GENDAMichael Hinz made a motion to approve the following consent agenda:
1. Clerk's minutes have been presented for Town Board 02-21-06, 03-06-06, 03-14-06- Annual
and 03-06-06 Planning Commission.
2. Balance January 31, 2006 $2,011,008.19
Receipts 20,972.48
Expenditures 392,236.87
Journal Entry -38,765.98
Balance February 28, 2006 $1,600,977.82
Michael Harnetty seconded the motion and the motion passed.
WASHINGTON CONSERVATION DISTRICT CONTRACT
Michael Hinz made:a motion to approve the 2006 contract with Washington Conservation
District to assist with administration of the Wetland Conservation Act. Dennis Seefeldt
seconded the motion and the motion passed.
SOLUTION TO WATER RUN-OFF OVER THE ENTRANCE TO THE COMMUNITY
CENTER
A proposal to build a gable or roof extension over the front entrance to the Community Center to
better control the icy conditions on the sidewalk caused by snow melt was discussed. It was
decided to have the Deputy Clerk contact local builders Dan Booren and Walter LaRouche to
give construction quotes on bow to direct the water away from the sidewalk.
TOWNSHIP CREDIT CARD ACCOUNT
It was discussed that opening a credit card account through the Township so that purchases can be
made with businesses in which the Township does not have an established credit account would
be a better option to running a single check as needed. It must have a list of authorized users, a
low credit limit, and not be removed from the office. The Treasurer and Deputy Clerk were asked
to look into this.
FOREST LAE E YOUTH SERVICE BUREAU
Michael Hinz madea motion to approve the contract with the Youth Service Bureau in the
amount of $5,250 for the year 2007. Michael Hinz seconded the motion and the motion
passed.
TOWNSE11P LEGAL PAPER FOR THE, YEAR 2006
The following quotes were submitted for the Legal Paper to New Scandia Township: Country
Messenger $5,20 per column inch; Press Publications $6.45 per column inch; Forest Lake Times
$8.00 per column inch.
New Scandia Town Board
March 21, 2006
page ;5
Michael Harnetty made a motion to designate the Country Messenger as the Legal Paper
for the year of 2006. Dennis Seffeldt seconded the motion. Michael Harnetty yes, Dennis
Seef+eldt yes, Michael Hinz no. Motion passed.
WEED INSPECTOR FOR THE YEAR 2006
Michael Hinz made a motion to appoint John Morrison as the Weed Inspector for New
Scandia Township for the year 2006. Michael Harnetty seconded the motion and motion
passed.
DEPOSITORY FOR THE YEAR 2006
Michael Hinz made a motion to designate Security ;State Bank, Mainstreet Bank, and the
t V4 Fund through the League of Minnesota Cities as the legal depositories for New Scandia
Townhip for the year 2006. Michael Harnetty seconded the motion and motion passed.
Michael Hinz made a motion to adjourn..
Brenda Eklund
New Scandia Township Deputy Clerk