LAKEWOOD BOARD of SUPERVISORS MEETING June 1, 2005
The June 2005 Meeting of the Lakewood Town Board of Supervisors was called to order by Chair Diane Larson on Wednesday June 1, 2005 at 7:00 p.m. at the Lakewood Town Hall. Supervisors present: Diane Larson, Hugo Leider and Tim Musick. Also present were Deputy Treasurer Carolyn Ernest, Clerk Gene Bromenshenkel, Office Coordinator Lauren Quigley, Attorney Tim Strom, 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: There were no changes to the planned agenda.
Review of Minutes:
- May 4, 2005 Board of Supervisors Meeting---Motion by Leider to approve the minutes as printed. Second by Musick. Motion Carried.
- April 18, 2005 and May 4, 2005 Board of Appeal & Equalization Meetings---Motion by Leider to approve the minutes of the 4-18 and 5-05 Meetings. Second by Musick. Motion Carried.
Financial Report:
Treasurer’s Report: Deputy Treasurer Carolyn Ernest reported the receipts, disbursements and balances in the town account. The total fund balances of $750,663.00 are in balance with the monthly bank statement. The Clerk’s financial records are short of receipts by $200.00 in the general fund. Motion by Lieder to approve the Treasurer’s Report as presented. Second by Musick. Motion Carried.
Bills/Claims: The monthly claims were presented for an amount of $17,016.55. Motion by Musick to approve payment of claims 3022 through 3068 in the amount of $17,016.55. Second by Leider. Motion Carried.
Budget Report: Clerk Gene Bromenshenkel presented the monthly budget report showing receipts, expenditures and balances of all funds in relation to projected budget. Expenditures for many funds are running over budget for the year. The first half of the property taxes should be paid about June 20th.
Town Attorney Report: Tim Strom
1. Zero Alcohol Tolerance Policy—He presented a preliminary policy as a draft. No action was taken. Completion of the policy was referred to the July meeting agenda.
2. Roads, Drives, etc.---Gave a progress report on the statutory definitions and their relationship to the Town’s Zoning Ordinance. He is continuing to work on the topic area and suggested a special Board meeting to discuss the issue. Supervisor Lieder: In reference to the May 31, 1973 parcel of record requirement, he feels the requirement was enacted and put into effect for parcels in the R-1 (now Res-7) area.
3. Motion by Musick to set a special Town Board of Supervisors Meeting for Monday, June 13, 2005 at 7:00 p.m. at the Town Hall for the purpose of discussing legal aspects of section 1.01 J of the Zoning Ordinance. Second by Leider. Motion Carried.
4. Open Meeting Law and E-Mail---is legal and ok with the clarification that no communication on actions or discussions take place among the Supervisors or between any officials.
5. Notice of Request for Vacating Barrington Ave. and Alleys in Dodge Plat---Town along with adjacent property owners received a notice from Roningen and The Sawmill Unpainted Furniture about a District Court Hearing to vacate Barrington Ave. and some alleys in the Dodge Plat. Strom asked if the Town has any objection to the vacating of these paper roads and alleys in the Dodge Plat. Supervisor Larson: As a Supervisor, objects since there is no reason given for the proposed vacation of the roads & alleys. Strom indicated that the Minnesota Ass’n of Townships Insurance Agency may be able to represent the Town in the matter. Motion by Musick for the Town to contact MATIT to represent the Town in reference to the Dodge Plat vacating of roads court process. Second by Larson. Motion Carried. Motion by Musick to request Attorney Strom to contact Bob Roningen to ascertain reasons for the proposed vacation of roads in the Dodge Plat. The motion did not receive a second. Motion by Musick to define the discussion of the Dodge Plat proposed vacation as a part of the purpose of the June 13, 2005 special Board Meeting. Second by Leider. Motion Carried.
Question on driveway width from Road Foreman: Is there a standard width required of private driveways as the public has asked? The Fire Dept. currently has no standards. Question to Strom from Fire Chief Kurt Rogers: Are there legal ramifications for defining a drive width? Strom: Should not be any liability in advising people to have a width adequate for access by emergency vehicles. The Board asked Kurt Rogers to see what other townships are doing and to bring the information to the July Board meeting.
Department Reports:
Fire Dept. – Kurt Rogers
- Seven calls in past month---two medical, one legal, one 1052, one power pole fire, one auto alarm and one structure fire.
- Held two training burns, done through Lake Superior College as a certification.
- Letter of appreciation from LS College on the April Fire School. The Town of Lakewood supported personnel and a pumping unit.
- Have 25 certified personnel in the department.
- Fire Hall Construction – had a pre-construction meeting on May 31st.
- Ceremony for groundbreaking will be held on evening of June 2nd.
- In tapping into well, will likely lose two trees or need to replace the ramp to excavate for access to the existing well located north of the Hall. The public expressed sentiment not to remove the existing trees north of the Hall. This was concurred by the Board.
Planning and Zoning Commission Report – Al Eastman
- Held monthly meeting on May 31.
- Had some discussion on long range plans for interior land parcels, the Commission will explore this further.
- Telecommunication Tower sub-committee is continuing work on revision of the County ordinance.
- For new business, the Commission is continuing to look at the Zoning Ordinance language.
- The LIU-10 moratorium on retail sales was discussed.
Zoning Administrator Report – LeAnn Brown
- Four zoning permits issued in past month.
- Made reference to request for Conditional Use in the LIU-10 zone with Hearing scheduled for June 7th. Has requested applicant to provide adequate information.
Motion by Musick to request a 5 minute recess of meeting at 8:30 p.m. Second by Leider. Motion Carried. Meeting was reconvened at 8:39 p.m.
Zoning Administrator Report Continued
- Has researched the issue of the May 31, 1973 requirement on lots of record. When Ordinance was changed on that date, it was recognized that some people had purchased parcels before June 1, 1973 (date Ordinance revision became effective).
- On Ratke Road---Town filed for a road order for a cart way from McQuade Road to Cant Road. In 1978, the County in doing work on McQuade, in agreement with the property owners, paved a drive and agreed to remove the snow on the portion now called Ratke Road. In 1987, an easement was granted on properties covering 120 acres. Remington was granted a variance in 1997 on his property created as a lot of record in 1987. The Board of Adjustment determined that the first parcel on the Road was a publically maintained road and his would be on the portion determined to be a private drive.
- Has sent a certified letter to property owners on Elm Road for stock piling garbage and trash on their property.
- Board advised that if more than one conditional use is requested on an Appeal application, then a conditional use hearing should be scheduled for each use requested. (Reference to June 7 Public Hearing scheduled for LIU-10 zone where two different uses are requested on the same parcel).
Maintenance & Grounds: Don Putnam
- Have not received a response from Minnesota Power for an energy audit of the Town Hall Building.
- Board advised Don to request Lakeside Construction to meet on plans for Town Hall roof at the July Board meeting.
- Fire Hall Driveway culverts: Town will need to purchase two culverts for the two driveways. Motion by Leider to purchase culverts for Fire Hall driveways to expend the monies from the Fire Hall Construction Fund. Second by Musick. Motion Carried.
- Safety equipment---has purchased and received all of the essential equipment for use in maintenance and road work.
Road and Bridge – Don Putnam
- Elm and Apple Roads---very muddy during recent rains. Will need to upgrade East Elm entirely to correct situation. Estimated cost is $28,000. Supervisor Musick indicated that petro-matting on roads is very useful and results in retaining surface material longer.
- Motion by Musick to modify the road maintenance priority list to elevate East Elm, Apple, Wahl and Centerline Roads as priority maintenance for this year. Second by Leider. Motion Carried.
Recycling – Merle Abernethy
- Everything is in good order.
Recreation – Scott Anderson
- Will start Summer Youth Program on Wednesday, June 15. Will hold sessions on Mon., Tues., and Wed., through August 4th. Program will be held at the Community Center Site – the request for use of the Lakewood School did not materialize.
- Will be hosting a part of a state soccer tournament at the Lakewood Field for three days in June.
Weed Control – No Report
Public Comment:
- Bob Wolfe---The Planning and Zoning Commission work and the Township business is going very well. Is appreciative of how the Town’s business is being conducted.
- Kerry Leider---it might be good for the Town to consider utilizing engineering consulting on major road repair and maintenance.
Committee Reports:
- MPAC – Musick. Leider attended meeting. Are scheduled on the second Tuesday of the month.
- NSMB – Leider. No meeting held.
- DAT – Leider. No meeting held this month.
- SLCTA – All Supervisors. The main topic was on fire protection.
Unfinished Business:
1. Newsletter---items to include: Photos of Fire Hall ground breaking, zoning, Summer youth Recreation Program, road maintenance update, general.
2. Town Web Site---Lauren Quigley completed a trial on GovOffice site and presented a printout of preliminary information put on site. The cost for the service is: $500 for initial setup and $30 per month for hosting fee. Need to do our own loading of information. There was discussion about the local web site loading and managing. Lauren Quigley indicated she is interested. Motion by Musick to raise hourly wage rate of Office Coordinator, Publisher of Newsletter and to include the Webmaster responsibilities in the position, to $12.00 per hour for all responsibilities. Second by Leider. Motion Carried. Motion by Larson to utilize the web services of GovOffice with $500 initial fee and $30.00 per month for the Lakewood Town Web Site to include Zoning Ordinance, Comprehensive Land Use Plan, Names and contacts, Minutes of Meetings, and Township Map with Lauren Quigley to receive training to web site maintenance. The monies to be expended from the General Fund. Second by Musick. Motion Carried.
3. Comprehensive Land Use Plan Update---Musick indicated the next grant cycle for such grants is in December; which are grants to be utilized over a year or more in time. A grant application for matching planning funds will be submitted in December.
4. NRRI Watershed Grant ---no additional information is available.
New Business:
1. Board of Adjustment Vacant Position: (position vacated by death of Wm. Olson). Motion by Larson to appoint Len Johnson to the balance of the term (to March of 2006). Second by Leider. Motion Carried.
2. Don Putnam introduced idea proposed by another community member about utilizing unused Centennial monies for a public shelter on the Community Center Site. The Board requested Don to obtain a plan and costs. There was no other action taken.
Other:
1. A letter from the Duluth School District for donation of aluminum cans from the Recycling Center was read.
2. Digital Camera---Lauren reported on prices of cameras. It was agreed by consensus not to take action at this time.
There was no other business brought forth to the Meeting.
Motion by Leider to Adjourn at 10:10 p.m. Second by Musick. Motion Carried.
The Next Regular Board Meeting is Wednesday July 6, 2005 at 7:00 p.m. at the Lakewood Town Hall.
Respectfully Submitted;
Gene Bromenshenkel,
Town of Lakewood Clerk
Minutes Subject to Approval at the next Regular Board of Supervisors Meeting