1-19-99 tbJanuary 19, 1999
The regular meeting of the New Scandia Town Board was called to
order by Chairman Dennis Seefeldt. The following Board Members
were also present: Paul Rasmussen, Vice Chairman, Robert Jensen,
Kevin Nickelson and Bruce McConoughey.
Consent .Agenda
Robert Jensen made a motion to accept the following consent
agenda;
(1) Call to order
(2) Clerk's minutes have been presented for 12/15/98,
1/5/99, 1/7/99 Town Board and 1/5/99 for Planning
Commission
(3) Approval of Treasurer's Report
Balance December 1, 1998 $1,329,405.27
Receipts 530,470.68
Expenditures 146,355.62
Bank Charges 36.00
Balance $1,713,484.33
Bruce McConoughey seconded the motion and motion adopted
unanimously.
Fire Chief / Steve Spence
Steve Spence presented the Budget Report for the New Scandia Fire
and Rescue Department for 1988 and the Treasurer's Report for
1988. Mr. Spence also distributed compensation information
comparing the old pay scale of $5.00 per call and the new pay
scale of $10.00 per call and $12.00 for officers. The $10,000.00
added to the Fire Department budget at the July 31, 1998 budget
hearing covers the additional compensation expense. Paul
Rasmussen made a motion to confirm the pay increase of $10.00 per
call for firefighters and $12.00 per call for officers based on
the written contract submitted at this meeting by Steve Spence.
Bob McConoughey seconded the motion and motion adopted
unanimously.
Mr. Spence indicated the Fire Department is spending significant
amounts of money on repairs for the pumper truck, and holding off
on some repairs as it is scheduled to be replaced in the year
2000. Mr. Spence will present cost estimates for a new pumper at
the July Budget Hearing.
Regarding the November 16, 1998 minutes from the Forest Lake City
and Township merger talks, Mr. Spence and the Town Board
confirmed that New Scandia Township has not requested fire
coverage from Forest Lake Fire Department and has not requested a
merger with Forest Lake Fire Department.
January 19, 1999
Page 2
Attorney / Dave Hebert
Dave Hebert reported: the Nickelson property has been purchased
the closing has occurred; the medical and dental compensation has
been set for 1999 for the Public Works Department; a letter has
been sent to Northsigns regarding the signs ordered for the
Community Center and Skate Facility with no response - Mr. Hebert
suggested the Town take the matter to conciliation court.
Parks & Recreation / Mike White
Bob Jensen made a motion for continuation of broadleaf control
for ball fields with TrueGreen Chemlawn in 1999 at a cost of
$447.30. $100.00 to be paid by Barton Memorial Park for the ball
field at the park. Bruce McConoughey seconded the motion and the
motion adopted unanimously.
Mike White requested land in lieu of park fees for Sherwood Acres
plat for trail purposes. Mr. White indicated he hoped to
eventually connect up with a landlocked park to the southeast.
Mr. White stated there would be no land request for Croix Crest.
Bids for a sound system at the skate facility were presented.
$3,680 from Kingdom Sound and $1,550 from Music Connection. The
Town Board directed Bruce McConoughey to work with Mike White to
determine what exactly is needed and to shop around.
Engineer / Tom Peterson
Tom Peterson requested and received approval from the Town Board
to present the 1999 road project plans February 16, 1999, have
the plans approved and to authorize bids. Bids to be open March
24, 1999, and awarded at the April 6, 1999 meeting. Kevin
Nickelson requested the engineer keep the TIF costs separate for
the upgrade and subgrading expenses on the 1999 project.
Kevin Nickelson made a motion to approve the third and final
payment to Allied Blacktop for $2,792.30 for patching and seal
costing in 1988. Paul Rasmussen seconded the motion and the
motion carried.
The placement of the street lights on Olinda Trail and Oakhill
Road were reviewed. Bob Jensen made a motion to approve the
street lights plans and advertise for bids. Bids to be awarded
March 16, 1999. Kevin Nickelson seconded the motion and the
motion carried.
Richard Foster reviewed his recommendations from his January 18,
1999 letter for water supply for fire protection. Mr. Foster
recommended Alternative #2 to drill a four inch test well prior
to constructing a larger fire supply well. The smaller well would
then be for domestic water supply. However, a site plan would
need to be drawn up before a test well is done. Bob Jensen made a
motion to appoint Kevin Nickelson, Steve Spence and Tom Peterson
to draw up a site plan for a Fire Hall and Public Works building.
Paul Rasmussen seconded the motion and the motion carried.
January 19, 1999
Page 3
Ken Kopka
Ken Kopka presented the Board with revised plans for an addition
to his dwelling on Big Marine Lake. Bob Jensen made a motion to
approve the revised plans for Ken Kopka's addition to his home.
Findings are a hardship exists as it is the only practical
location for building on the lot and Mr. Kopka is entitled to a
reasonable use of his property. Bruce McConoughey seconded the
motion and the motion was adopted unanimously.
Capital Improvements
Dennis Seefeldt reviewed the Capital Improvement Committee's
recommendations to accomplish the following within the next five
years: l) water supply/well for Fire Department; 2) purchase
property for a fire hall and public works building; 3) remodel
the community center kitchen because of safety issues; and
4)purchase a new graded, which was done in 1988. The Town Board
directed Bob Jensen, Bruce Swenson and Tom Peterson to come back
to the next meeting with plans and cost estimates for kitchen
remodeling. Board also directed Bruce McConoughey, Bob Jensen and
Steve Spence to come up with a time line for Fire Department
needs.
Road Supervisor / Kevin Nickelson
Kevin Nickelson gave three alternatives for storing the new
pickup truck. The Board decided to let Brian Jemelka take the
truck home, be on call, but park the truck in maintenance garage
when the new tractor arrives and there's more room in the garage.
The borrowed tractor with back hoe will be gone then.
The Board discussed the snow plow policy and problems with
residents plowing their snow into the streets. The Board directed
staff to send out a letter from Kevin Nickelson as needed.
Kevin Nickelson reported he rode with both snow plow operators
and thought they were doing a good job and not going over 30 mph.
Several mailboxes were knocked down by snow, not the plow, when
Mr Nickelson was riding in the plow. Mr. Nickelson has directed
Brian Jemelka to slow down to 20 to 25 mph. Mailboxes will be
replaced only if they are hit by the plow.
Gopher Bounty
The Board discussed Washington County's intent to eliminate the
County gopher bounty. No action was taken.
Bob Jensen made a motion to adjourn. Paul Rasmussen seconded the
motion and the motion carried.
Colleen Firkus
New Scandia Township Treasurer
for Dolores Peterson, Clerk