12-15-98 tb1
December 15, 1998
The regular Town Board meeting for New Scandia Township was
called to order by Chairman, Dennis Seefeldt. The following
Board Members were present: Dennis Seefeldt, Chairman, Paul
Rasmussen, Vice Chairman, Robert Jensen, Kevin Nickelson and
Bruce McConoughey.
Robert Jensen made a motion to accept the following consent
agenda.
CONSENT AGENDA
1. Call to order
2. Clerk's minutes have been presented for 11/17/98,
12/1/98 Town Board and 12/1/98 Planning Commission
3. Approval of Treasurer's Report
Balance November 1, 1998 $1,177,574.74
Receipts 190,313.33
Expenditures 38,482.80
Balance $1,329,405.27
4. Approval of December vouchers
S. Adjournment
Paul Rasmussen seconded the motion and motion adopted
unanimously.
Steve Spence/Fire Chief
Mr. Spence requested the increase for Fire and Rescue calls in
the amount of $10.00 per call and officers of the Fire and Rescue
$12.00 per call.
Paul Rasmussen made a motion to approve the increase for Fire and
Rescue Calls for the New Scandia Fire and Rescue to the amount of
$10.00 per call and $12.00 for officers per call and the
department submit a written contract specifying the increase.
Robert Jensen seconded the motion and motion adopted unanimously.
Mr. Seefeldt informed Mr. Spence the township has a purchase
agreement for the purchase of Mr. David Nickelson property on
Highway 97, next to the Scandia Farm and Home and the test well
will be discussed at the January 19, 1999 Town Board meeting.
Mr. Spence stated the Fire and Rescue Department will need to
purchase a new truck in the year of 2000.
page 2
Mike White/ Park and Recreation Committee
Mr. White stated that Mr. Steve Frech has given a donation of
$1,000.00 to the Skating Facility for signage. This donation has
not been submitted to the township office. Mr. White was
composing a list of all persons that worked on the Skating
Facility and has plans to have a plague made for the Skating
Facility.
Tom Peterson/Township Engineer
James Conlan and Jeff Dahlberg representing the residents in the
Bliss/Holiday discussed issues regarding the assessment policy
for the 1999 Road Project. The residents petitioned the township
to assess the Bliss/Holiday Addition, separately in the 1999 Road
Project and using the cost of the bituminous surfacing for the
Bliss/Holiday Addition they submitted the following cost figures.
Non -collector road $939.30 and collector road 313.10. Lee Swenson
also had presented a letter showing costs using the township
formula, and figuring each street separately. This increased the
assessments on all streets except the Bliss/Holiday Addition.
Kevin Nickelson informed the residents that this is the
Township's Bituminous Policy and the township must be consistent
and felt this is a fair policy. He informed the residents it is
a benefit to live on a non -collector street as they just receive
local traffic. The township does not assess by front frontage
and the assessments have been very consistent for each project.
Dennis Seefeldt stated there is no such thing as fairness and the
Bliss/Holiday had just been upgraded in the amount of $209,000.00
and this was not assessable to the residents.
David Hebert that the township could not change the assessment
policy as the policy is fair and consistent and the board has a
good policy and in each project the township must have a mix of
heavily used road and the not so heavily used roads.
It was agreed to have a Special Meeting to review this issue
again on January 7, 1999 at 7:00 p.m.
Kevin Nickelson made a morton to designate 185th Street entering
the Holiday/Bliss Addition as a collector road. Robert Jensen
seconded the motion and motion adopted unanimously.s
Public Hearing/Vacation Of Ash Lane In Beckstrom
A Public Hearing was held on the petitioned vacation of Ash Lane
in the Beckstrom Addition.
page 3
Ms. Jessie Lang questioned who is responsible for the policing
and up keep of this area, she stated the property owners have
planted grass and mowed the area over the years. Mr. Lindquist
and Ms. Lang both stated the area is a nuisance and it is not the
local people that use the area.
Letters were read from the Department of Natural Resources and
the Office of Attorney General opposing the vacation of the Ash
Lane.
Kevin Nickelson made a motion to deny the petition to vacate Ash
Lane. Robert Jensen seconded the motion. Robert Jensen, yes,
Kevin Nickelson, yes, Dennis Seefeldt, yes and Paul Rasmussen,
yes. Bruce McConoughey, opposed. Motion passed.
Bluffs Of East Bay/Jeff House
Paul Rasmussen made a motion to sign the final plat of the Bluffs
of East Bay. Robert Jensen seconded the motion and motion
adopted unanimously.
Labor Negotiations
Robert Jensen made a motion to implement the hourly wage,
medical, dental and medical flex for the Public Works Department
as of January 1, 1999. Paul Rasmussen seconded the motion and
motion adopted unanimously.
Kevin Nickelson/Road Supervisor
The following bids were read for the sale of the Tiger Boom Mower
and the John Deere Tractor:
Doyle Equipment for the Tiger Boom Mower ---------- $9000.00
Ridgeland Equipment for the John Deere Tractor ---- $7761.00
Greene Implement for the Tiger Boom Mower --------- $7500.00
William Schwab for the John Deere Tractor------ $7525.00
Ridgeland Equipment for the John Deere Tractor--- $6951.00
Greene Implement for the John Deere Tractor------ $7000.00
Mr. Bruce McConoughy questioned if a cost analysis has been made
for the purchase of this equipment.
Paul Rasmussen made a motion to sell the Tiger Boom Mower to
Doyle Equipment and the John Deere to Ridgeland Equipment,
contingent on the cost benefit analysis for the purchase of this
equipment. Kevin Nickelson seconded the motion. Kevin
Nickelson, yes, Robert Jensen, yes, Dennis Seefeldt, yes and Paul
Rasmussen, yes. Bruce McConoughey, opposed.
page 4
Kevin Nickelson stated that Ridgeland Equipment would want
delivery of the John Deere Tractor immediately.
Paul Rasmussen made a motion to reconsider the previous motion.
Kevin Nickelson seconded. Paul Rasmussen made a motion to
purchase the tractor, loader from John Deere and the Tiger Rotary
Boom Mower from Doyle Equipment for the total package cost of
$70,525.00 and that the cost analysis is favorable fo this
purchase. Kevin Nickelson, yes, Robert Jensen, yes, Dennis
Seefeldt, yes and Paul Rasmussen, yes Bruce McConoughey,
opposed. Motion passed.
Dale Bohn/Pull Tabs For The Trails End
Paul Rasmussen made a motion to approve the renewal of the Pull
Tab sales at the Trails End for 1999 with positive results for
the year of 1999 for the community,- Kevin Nickelson seconded the
motion. Kevin Nickelson, yes, Robert Jensen, yes, Paul
Rasmussen, yes and Dennis Seefeldt, yes. Bruce McConoughey,
opposed. Motion passed.
Mike White/TrailerRemoval,
Mike White stated that in the new Shoreline Ordinance there
should be no permanent structure and that the trailer on 185th
Street and Norell Avenue should be removed and directed the Town
Board to take action on this matter. The Town Board agreed a
letter shall be sent and inform the resident of the Shoreline
Ordinance.
Mr. White stated a committee of the following have been appointed
by the Carnelian/Marine Watershed to view property that are in
violation of the ordinance's Molly Shodeen, Richard Bohrer,
Mark Doneux, Dennis O'Donnell and Mike White.
Option C/Town Administrator
A report was given on whether or not to consider Option C for a
Town Election for a Town Administrator. Mr. Hebert sated the
Town Board would be giving up their administration rights and
most of the townships do not have a administrator. The township
could have a Manager without voting for Option C. It was the
consensus of the Town Board that Option C would not be on a Town
at this time.
Pay Increase For Township Treasurer
Robert Jensen made motion to increase Collen Firkus/Township
Treasurer to $12.50 per hour as of January 1, 1999. Paul
Rasmussen seconded the motion. Kevin Nickelson made the
page 5
amendment to the motion. To increase Ms. Firkus hourly wage to
$12.75, based on merit. Paul Rasmussen seconded the amendment.
Vote on amendment. Kevin Nickelson, yes, Robert Jensen, yes,
Paul Rasmussen, yes, Dennis Seefeldt, yes and Bruce McConoughey,
yes. Amendment, passed. Vote on the motion and amendment, Kevin
Nickelson, yes, Robert Jensen, yes, Bruce McConoughey, yes and
Dennis Seefeldt, yes. Motion and amendment adopted unanimously.
Engineering Fees Increase For The Year Of 1999
Robert Jensen made a motion to accept the General Engineering
Service with Bonestroo, Rosene, Anderlik and Associates,
effective January 1, 1999. Bruce McConoughey seconded the motion
and motion adopted unanimously.
Driveway Permits
Kevin Nickelson made a motion that with new permit process a
$500.00 cashiers check payable to New Scandia Township be
required for new driveways and after inspection and approval the
$500.00, shall be refunded. Robert Jensen seconded the motion
and motion adopted unanimously.
Meeting adjourned.
D ores—ge erson
New Sca- is Township Clerk