** Draft Copy of Minutes—Subject to approval at next regular meeting
LAKEWOOD BOARD of SUPERVISORS MEETING
November 7, 2007
The November 2007 Meeting of the Lakewood Town Board of Supervisors was called to order by Chair Tim Musick on Wednesday, November 7, 2007 at 7:00 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:
- Additions---1)add discussion of January meeting date due to proximity to New Year’s holiday, 2) No. Shore Sanitary District Board of Directors Election
- Motion by Halverson to approve the amended agenda. Second by Campbell. Motion Carried.
Review of Minutes:
October 3, 2007 Board of Supervisors Meeting---On page 5; change word “form” to “from”, on page 6; change word “abut” to “about”. Motion by Larson to approved the minutes as corrected. Second by Ostazeski. Motion Carried.
Financial Report:
Treasurer’s Report: Treasurer Brenda Lagarde reported all receipts, disbursements and balance totals to date with the total fund balances of $164,545/60. With deposits in transit and outstanding checks, the statement balances with the monthly bank statement. The Treasurer’s cash control statement balances with the Clerk’s cash balance statement. Motion by Larson to approve the Treasurer’s report. Second by Campbell. Motion Carried. Treasurer indicated that St. Louis County is requesting direct electronic deposits of property tax proceeds and other funds. It was the consensus of the Board to support this and for the Treasurer to provide the necessary information to the County. Three Certificates of Deposit are due within the month---one for $10,000, one for $16,000+ and one for $10,000+. Agreed to have Treasurer follow the Board policy in renewing. The North Shore Bank has requested a reduction in the insuring of Town funds. Currently the funds are insured up to $750,000.00. The Bank is proposing a change to cap the figure at $400,000.00 since the maximum Town funds on deposit in all accounts have not reached beyond this level recently. The Board supported by consensus, the Treasurer to establish the proposed level of insurance for Town funds with the North Shore Bank.
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 Larson to approve the payment of claims #4565 through 4626 in the amount of $53,105.76. Second by Halverson. Motion Carried.
Budget Report: The Clerk presented the monthly budget summary showing receipts and disbursements through October, 2007.
Town Attorney Report: Attorney Tim Strom sent an e-mail indicating there were no major items and that he was working on a findings of fact for the Lipe conditional use permit review.
Public Comment:
- It was agreed by consensus to suspend the rules to hear public comments at this time in order to hear a presentation by ARDC staff on the North Shore Management Board plans of action. Public Comment to follow.
Presentation by ARDC Staff: Ben Van Tassel and Andy Hubley, ARDC Staff, gave the presentation requested by the Board of Supervisors on the activities and future plans for the North Shore Management Board. They gave a summary of the organization of the NSMB which began in 1987 as an organization of the three coastal counties, four cities, and three townships along the north shore of Lake Superior. Previously, the shore land management of Lake Superior was under the DNR. Local entities expressed a desire to be more involved in the development of the management guidelines for the North Shore. The NSMB Plan was then developed to serve as a substitute for DNR Shore land Standards.
The NSMB is responsible for monitoring compliance with the developed Plan. Areas in Lakewood Township included in the Plan are the area south of the Expressway to Lake Superior in section 24. The NSMB receives input from two committees---the Technical Advisory Committee and the Citizens Advisory Committee in development of plans.
The NSMB continues to work with local governments to implement standards for the Plan.
Recent projects were described which include:
- Host State of the Coast Conference annually.
- Wastewater Forum
- Development Node Identification Project – 5 nodes were identified along the North Shore.
- Ridgeline View Identification Project
The 2008 NSMB Plan includes the following:
- Continue implementation of 2004 Plan standards
- North Shore GIS Assessment Project
- Erosion Hazard Planning Definition
- Innovative Planned Unit Development Research
- State of the Coast Conference – next one to be held in April, 2008.
There was discussion and questions from the audience and Supervisors about the role of NSMB, value the Town is obtaining by being a member of the Joint Powers Board and general information related to what the township can gain from the NSMB including information for the Comprehensive Land Use Plan currently being updated. There was also discussion about five items where the township was identified as not incompliance with the standards of the Plan. The Board noted these will be considered in the next update of the Town’s Zoning Ordinance which will follow the update of the Comprehensive Land Use Plan.
Public Comment:
1. Jerry Norick---referenced the two typos in the October Board minutes. He also requested clarification of the roles of the Planning and Zoning Commission and the Board of Supervisors in making zoning changes. Supervisor Halverson referred to the State Statutes regarding the roles, indicating the role of the Commission is advisory and the role of the Board of Supervisors is that of the decision making body.
2. Tim Huchthausen requested discussion of the decision of the Board in making zoning ordinance changes at the September meeting. Chair Musick indicated that the subject could not be discussed further as that item has been included in the suit brought against the township by Highway 61 Expressway LLC.
Department Reports:
Fire Department – Kurt Rogers
- Completed the training supported by the previous FEMA grant.
- Three calls during month---one medical, one chimney fire, and one communications error.
- Have a problem with a pump, (the primer), on one of the trucks. Looking at replacing the pump with a system which would cost an estimated $1,300 for the parts with the installation to be done by the fire volunteers. Motion by Larson to approve an expenditure of $1,300.00 for the pump primer for the truck. Second by Halverson. Motion Carried.
- Kurt Roger presented a $3,200 check from the Fire Auxiliary as a donation to pay for the balance of the cost of purchasing new pagers. Motion by Campbell to accept the donation from the Fire Auxiliary of $3,200 to be receipted into the Fire Dept. (fund 260) fund. Second by Larson. Motion Carried.
- Don Putnam expressed an appreciation to the Fire Dept. and Kurt Rogers for assisting with a stalled township truck on Strand Road and also removal of the old water heater from the Town Hall on a weekend.
Recreation Department – Scott Anderson
- Had a meeting with Supervisor Ostazeski and Don Putnam---discussed items such as rink flooding, concessions and other operations of the recreation program.
- Supervisor Campbell mentioned that an issue of selling concessions for another group (Soccer Ass’n) needs to be examined. He will bring a recommendation to the Board.
Maintenance and Grounds – Don Putnam
- The monument at the Old Town Site is installed. Had vandalism one day after the initial installation. The installation is nearly complete.
- Completed waxing of the Town Hall main hall floor.
- Did not accomplish the soccer field renovation this fall.
- The water storage tank and pump for the rink flooding is installed; needs to install protection posts.
- Snow Removal Bids---bids were opened at this time with one bid being received. Kurt Rogers submitted a bid for plowing all town properties at $140.00 per time and $55.00 for bobcat work if it is needed in heavy snows. Motion by Larson to accept the bid of $140 plus $55 for per snow event snow removal as submitted by Kurt Rogers. Second by Campbell. Motion Carried.
- Town Hall Rental rates---some information was obtained from the City of Duluth. The Board requested that staff develop a projected rate list for Town Hall rentals and to bring a recommendation to the next Board meeting.
Road and Bridge – Don Putnam
- Had some small wash outs during recent rains.
Recycling – Merle Abernethy
- There has been some drop off of materials at recycling shed when no one is on duty. Need to remind public of drop off days
At this time of the Meeting, the planned 8:30 p.m. recess was declared to sign checks. The meeting was resumed at 8:45 p.m.
Planning and Zoning Commission Report – Dick Bodine
- Reported that Greg Follmer attended the last Commission meeting and discussed the possibility of rezoning the LIU-10 zone to commercial. No action was taken.
- Discussed fill importation – one town citizen interested in serving on a committee to develop recommendations.
- Paperless communications---the Commission has developed the member e-mail list for agendas, minutes, and information to be sent electronically to members. There was discussion and cautions about electronic communication among members and the open meeting law.
- Telecommunication tower proposed revisions were referred to the next meeting.
- Supervisor Halverson advised that the town attorney should be contracted regarding the decisions of the zoning changes in the LIU-10 zone.
Zoning Administrator Report – Brennan Mears
- A variance hearing is scheduled for December 12, 2007 for a non-conforming lot of record.
- The Robertson variance hearing and turn around easement is completed.
- Will be drafting language for the Planning and Zoning Commission consideration on a couple items.
- Will be reviewing the Lipe Bros. Construction site with the Lipe Attorney, Shawn Reed on Tuesday, Nov. 13th.
Committee Reports:
- MPAC---Larson. A meeting was held on October 30th. The open house for the McQuade Access is scheduled for June 10, 2008.
- NSMB---Musick. Town has received letter from the NSMB that there are five items that Lakewood township has not followed through with in relation to the NSMB plan. There was discussion about whether or not the five items were recommendations or mandatory based on the NSMB plan for shore land compliance.
- DAT---Campbell. Attended October meeting. Campbell indicated that the DAT townships agreed to identify current issues and forward to DAT for agenda items. Examples of such issues may be roads, etc. with the County.
- SLCTA---No meeting held.
Unfinished Business:
1. Next Town Newsletter---November edition. Request volunteers to flood ice rink, monument now established, Nov. 6th School Bd. Election recap, general items.
2. CLUP update---the special Supervisor meeting scheduled for October was cancelled due to no need required.
3. Town Properties Insurance---MAT agency staff met with Clerk, Fire Chief, and two Supervisors to review replacement costs and other items of the property insurance policy. They are still reviewing a couple figures and will forward as a recommendation.
4. Animal Control Contract with City of Duluth---no additional information. A proposed contract will be forwarded to the township from the city. Staff forwarded information obtained from the Rice Lake Animal Control Officer which included costs, limitations, and items necessary for Lakewood to partake. No action taken.
New Business:
1. School Board Election on Nov. 6th---305 voters cast votes of 1520 registered.
2. North Shore Sanitary District Election of Board of Managers. Letter received one day ago requesting Board action in form of resolution.
Three candidates recommended for election. Board members indicated they do not know the candidates and requested the Clerk to obtain bio sketches and to act at the December meeting.
3. Holiday Town Office Hours---the staff is recommending closing for the dates of Dec. 24, 2007 through Jan. 1, 2008. Motion by Halverson to close Town Offices for dates of Dec. 24 through Jan. 1st. Second by Campbell. Motion Carried.
4. January Board of Supervisors Meeting – There was discussion about the regularly scheduled meeting falling on Jan. 2nd and the lack of time during the holidays for staff to adequately prepare due to the close proximity to the New Years holiday. Motion by Campbell to reschedule the January Board of Supervisors meeting to January 9, 2008 at 7:00 p.m. Second by Ostazeski. Motion Carried.
Other:
1. MAT Legal Seminar---Supervisor Halverson attended seminar in the Twin Cities in October. He outlined a number of the items discussed which included items such as emergency preparedness, annexation and others.
2. MAT Annual Meeting in St. Cloud on Nov. 16 & 17. The agenda was reviewed and support by consensus of expenses for those who can attend.
There was no other business brought forth at the Meeting.
Motion by Larson to adjourn the Meeting at 10:24 p.m. Second by Halverson. Motion Carried.
Respectfully Submitted;
Gene Bromenshenkel
Town of Lakewood Clerk