** Draft Copy of Minutes—Subject to approval at next regular meeting
LAKEWOOD BOARD of SUPERVISORS MEETING
December 5, 2007
The December 2007 Meeting of the Lakewood Town Board of Supervisors was called to order by Chair Tim Musick on Wednesday, December 5, 2007 at 7:05 p.m. at the Lakewood Town Hall. Supervisors present: Tim Musick, Phil Halverson, Shannon Ostazeski, Chuck Campbell, and Jerry Larson. Also present were Treasurer Brenda Lagarde, Clerk Gene Bromenshenkel, Office Coordinator Lauren Quigley, Department Heads and public citizens (register attached).
Pledge of Allegiance: The Pledge of Allegiance to the flag of the United States of America was recited by all present.
Review of Agenda:
- Add 1) Animal control contract proposal from City of Duluth, 2) CLUP-revision of contract, 3) County Weed Inspector recommendation on adding noxious weed.
- Motion by Halverson to approve the agenda as modified. Second by Campbell. Motion Carried.
Review of Minutes:
- November 7, 2007 Board of Supervisors Meeting---a typo was noted on page 5---word “contacted”. Motion by Larson to approve the minutes as amended. Second by Ostazeski. Motion Carried.
Financial Report:
Treasurer’s Report: Treasurer Brenda Lagarde reported that three certificates of deposit were renewed for 12 months at a 4.5% interest rate. She gave the report on all receipts, disbursements and balances to date with a total balance of all funds at $117,295.50 which balances with the Clerk’s cash control statement. With deposits in transit and outstanding checks, the statement balances with the monthly bank statement. Motion by Ostazeski to approve the Treasurer’s report. Second by Campbell. Motion Carried. It was also reported that the second half of property taxes were just received but will not show deposit until the next monthly statement.
Bills/Claims: Clerk Gene Bromenshenkel presented the month’s claims and reviewed the amounts and purpose for billings. The Clerk explained a number of the claims in detail. Motion by Campbell to approve the payment of claims #4627 through 4688 in the amount of $64,919.30. Second by Halverson. Motion Carried.
Budget Report: The Clerk presented the monthly budget summary showing receipts and disbursements through November, 2007.
Public Comment:
Tim Huchthausen: Has questions about the survey sent earlier this year on the Comprehensive Land Use Plan. He asked about who did the survey, who determined that there were bogus surveys and how many legitimate surveys were returned. The Board indicated that the Center for Rural Planning who has trained staff did the survey and determined that there were a large number of bogus (not legitimate) surveys.
Town Attorney Report: Attorney Tim Strom sent an e-mail indicating there were no major items to report and that he is working on the final of the Lipe conditional use permit.
Department Reports:
Fire Department – Kurt Rogers
- Five calls during past month---one public assist, two medical, one gas leak and one structure fire.
- Has the new pump primer for the truck.
- Received notice of obtaining a 50/50 matching grant from the DNR to be used for wild fire and other equipment. The match was previously approved.
Recreation Department – Scott Anderson
- New water storage and rink flooding system working very good.
- Concessions at skating building----Supervisor Campbell has a sample contract he will mail to Scott as a format for developing a contract between the Town and the Soccer Association for selling concessions at the Town warming building. It was suggested that some of the monies from the concession sales could be used to purchase new hockey helmets.
Maintenance and Grounds – Don Putnam
- New Water storage tank system for rink flooding is working well.
- The Old Town Site Monument is done.
- He has used his own stripping/waxing machine on the Town Hall floors. He is willing to sell it to the Town for $125.00. No action taken.
Road and Bridge – Don Putnam
- Road grading is done. He was not completely satisfied with the work done.
- Town Welcome Signs---the signs are old and faded. There are a total of 11 signs. The cost to replace through St. Louis County Public Works is approximately $50 per sign. This does not include the posts, of which Don will obtain. They were done previously at Todd Signs but the quality was not adequate as the last ones were installed in 2002. Motion by Halverson to obtain welcome signs through St. Louis County Public Works, estimated at a total of $550.00. Second by Larson. Motion Carried.
Planning and Zoning Commission – Bob Wolfe
- At the November Commission meeting, the Lipe Bros. Construction conditional use permit was completed as a continuation of the public hearing. The Commission will meet on December 18 at 6:30 p.m. to complete the conditional use permit.
- Remaining issues for the Commission:
o Draft proposed language for signage.
o Developing language for fill importation.
o Telecommunications Tower language is being finalized.
o The Commission was approached about possibility of the LIU-10 zone being rezoned to commercial.
Recycling – Merle Abernethy
- Need to have two lights replaced.
- Request an additional set of keys to the facility for assistant to use when that person is on duty.
Zoning Administrator Report – Brennan Mears
- No report.
Committee Reports:
- MPAC---Larson. The next meeting is December 18th. The project has tentatively received approval for an additional one million in funding. The opening may again be delayed.
- NSMB---Musick. At the last meeting, alternate shore land standards were proposed by the DNR. Will be receiving a copy of the proposed standards.
- DAT---Campbell. The DAT Association will begin to assemble issue of townships. The next meeting is January 16, 2008 at 7 p.m. at the Rice Lake Town Hall.
- SLCTA---No meeting held.
- MAT Annual Meeting---Halverson attended the meeting held at St. Cloud. He found it informative on township issues.
At 8:30 p.m. the Chair declared the planned recess to sign checks. The meeting was reconvened at 8:47 p.m.
Unfinished Business:
1. Next Town Newsletter---December edition. Request volunteers to flood ice rink, Information on filing for elected positions, Rescheduled January Board meeting date, Skating rink hours, general items.
2. CLUP update---A letter was received from Terry Frank of the Center for Rural Planning requesting an additional $2,000 to complete the contract to update the Comprehensive Land Use Plan. Supervisors Halverson and Ostazeski, who are on the Steering Committee, feel that the process has moved a bit slowly at times but agreed that it is going quite well in terms of output and it is deliberate. After some discussion, it was agreed that the Chair of the Board should discuss the matter of the process and request for additional monies with the CRP staff.
3. Town Properties Insurance---the MAT Agency has finalized its recommendations and provided another option for the deductible on the auto portion of the policy. The Town could save over $1,000 if it changed the auto deductible from $250 to $1,000. Motion by Larson to change the auto deductible from $250 to $1,000 on the policy. Second by Campbell. Motion Carried. The replacement cost coverage was discussed with a table of values on buildings and content values presented. (See attached). Motion by Halverson for adoption of a resolution to approve replacement cost coverage for Town buildings according to Exhibit A. Second by Larson. Motion Carried by Unanimous Vote.
4. North Shore Sanitary Board---one candidate dropped out so a new recommendation will be forwarded at a later date.
5. Animal Control Contract with City of Duluth---a proposed contract was received from the City of Duluth. There was discussion about the cost and the legalities of the Town being involved in any form of animal control and that the Town Attorney should be contacted regarding the contract and what it means to the Town. No action taken on the contract.
6. Hall Rental Rates and Policy: The current rental rates and proposed rates and language of the agreement with renters were reviewed. There was a recommendation that a hold harmless clause be included and a review of alcohol use. The item was referred to the next month’s agenda with the Chair to contact the Town attorney and other townships on their policies.
New Business:
1. Application for grant to update Zoning Ordinance. A proposed application was prepared by Supervisor Musick. The benefit of updating the Zoning Ordinance following the update of the CLUP was reviewed. The grant is proposed to be submitted to the Lake Superior Coastal Program for $14,900 with a one-third local match required of the township. There was consensus that the application should be made. Motion by Halverson to adopt a resolution to apply for a matching grant of $14,900 from the Lake Superior Coastal Program with a township fund match of $4,967.00. Second by Ostazeski. Vote on Resolution: Larson-yes, Halverson-yes, Campbell-yes, Ostazeski-yes, Musick-yes. The Motion passed unanimously.
At this time, the Chair noted that it was 10:00 p.m. Motion by Larson to extend the meeting for 15 minutes to 10:15 p.m. Second by Campbell. Motion Carried.
2. Filing for Town Elected Positions: Three Supervisor positions are up for election---one regular term and the two elected by special election in May, 2007. It was agreed by consensus to set the positions to be elected in 2008 as: Supervisor Position A-two-year term, Supervisor Position B-three-year term, Supervisor Position C-three-year term. Each position will be listed with candidates who filed on the ballot for the March election.
3. County Weed Inspector recommendation---seeking support to place spotted knapweed on the state noxious weed list. Motion by Halverson to recommend that spotted knapweed be placed on the state noxious weed list. Second by Ostazeski. Motion Carried.
Other:
- Board of Equalization training to be offered in January. Currently four of the five Supervisors are trained.
There was no other business brought forth at the Meeting.
Motion by Campbell to adjourn the Meeting at 10:14 p.m. Second by Larson. Motion Carried.
Respectfully Submitted;
Gene Bromenshenkel
Town of Lakewood Clerk