LAKEWOOD BOARD of SUPERVISORS MEETING
July 6, 2005
The July 2005 Meeting of the Lakewood Town Board of Supervisors was called to order by Chair Diane Larson on Wednesday July 6, 2005 at 7:02 p.m. at the Lakewood Town Hall. Supervisors present: Diane Larson, Hugo Leider and Tim Musick. Also present were Treasurer Brenda Lagarde, 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: Additions: 1) Community Club request for a memorial plaque at old Town Site, 2) Additional correspondence under public comment and 3) Hall Roof replacement as first item under Department reports.
Review of Minutes:
- June 1, 2005 Board of Supervisors Meeting---Motion by Leider to approve the minutes as printed. Second by Musick. Motion Carried.
- June 13, 2005 Special Board Meeting---Motion by Leider to approve the minutes as printed. Second by Musick. Motion Carried.
Financial Report:
Treasurer’s Report: Treasurer Brenda Lagarde reported the receipts, disbursements and balances in the town account. The total fund balances of $858,013.23 are in balance with the monthly bank statement. It was noted that this amount includes the bond monies for the new Fire Hall. The report shows all funds and totals in balance with the Clerk’s records. Motion by Musick to approve the Treasurer’s Report as presented. Second by Leider. Motion Carried.
Bills/Claims: The Clerk presented the monthly claims for bills in amount of $126,621.62. This includes expenditures of $38,000 for roads, $52,000 on first Fire Hall construction payment, Fire Hall bond interest in excess of $10,000 and general bills. Motion by Leider to pay claims #3069 through #3135 in the amount of $126,621.62. Second by Musick. Motion Carried.
Budget Report: Clerk Gene Bromenshenkel presented the monthly budget report showing receipts, expenditures and balances of all funds. Expenditures are through the June Board meeting and receipts including 70% of the first half of property taxes are through June 30th.
Town Attorney Report: Tim Strom
1) Tisdell Variance---was approved by the Board of Adjustment. There was a lack of clarity in the Zoning Ordinance language for the 1978 Zoning Ordinance. On the Tisdell property, there was no evidence by way of Ordinance language that their parcel was created illegally. The basis for the decision was the 1989 Ordinance.
2) The Olson variance hearing is Thursday, July 7th. Suggests that the appeal language of the Zoning Ordinance needs to be reviewed in regard to the 30-day appeal period and the 60 day statutory rule on decision.
3) Proposed vacation of Dodge Plat areas---At the June 29, 2005 Court Session, the town rejected the proposal. The situation is now up to the petitioner to bring the vacation request to the township/
4) Zero Alcohol Tolerance Policy---Strom will draft language based on the Town’s desires. There was discussion about who a policy might be directed to-employees only or also to include the elected and appointed officials. If elected officials are included there may be some difficulty in determining how a violation might be handled. It was agreed by
Consensus not to pursue the item further at this time. There was discussion about handling complaints on alcohol use in conducting town business. Motion by Leider to establish a process whereby the Chair of the Board of Supervisors will handle any complaints related to drug and alcohol use. Second by Musick. Motion Carried.
Department Reports:
Maintenance and Grounds – Don Putnam
- Hall Roof---Todd from Lakeside Roofing attended to clarify the proposal he submitted on the Town Hall roof. He has two proposals---1) to put a roofing over the existing roof and 2) to remove the existing roof material and replace with new materials. He listed options to remove the fans in the attic and close off. The total costs submitted are: To replace existing roof---$16,600.00 which includes materials and labor including the removal of the attic fans and close those areas and $5,600.00 to add two inches of foam insulation on the underside of the roof for additional insulation value. Motion by Musick to accept the proposal of $16,600 to replace the roof. Second by Leider. Motion Carried. Motion by Musick to accept the proposal of $5,600 from Lakeside Construction to add additional roof insulation. Second by Leider. Motion Carried. Todd of Lakeside Construction indicated he will plan to do the roof work in late August.
Fire Dept. – Kurt Rogers
- Four calls in past month---one boat fire, one structure fire, one auto alarm and one illegal burn. The DNR will be imposing a fine for the illegal burn.
- Fire Hall Construction---good progress being made. The drive to the Hall entrance is to be replaced to put the water line to the new Fire Hall under the driveway. The new drive will need to meet ADA standards as it is the handicapped entrance to the Town Hall. The contractor’s proposal for the cost is $23,683.33. Motion by Musick to accept the proposal for the drive replacement to compliment the ADA standards at a cost of $23,683.33 for the ramp (drive) to the Town Hall. Second by Leider. Motion Carried.
- Don Putnam suggested we look at adding parking in the southeast corner of the Community Site due to a loss of parking lot space due to the Fire Hall location. He obtain a cost estimate of $4,000.00. The Board agreed that we need to monitor the parking availability and to review it periodically before making any decision.
Planning and Zoning Commission Report – Dan McCorison
- Variance Hearings---there was discussion at the Commission meeting about the Commission’s representation on the Board of adjustment in absence of the designated member.
- Telecommunications tower sub-committee is continuing work and study. Are now looking at the health issues raised earlier.
- Supervisor Larson introduced an item for consideration for the Planning and Zoning Commission to review the Ordinance sections on planned residential development. Tim Musick cautioned about development and reviewing the section. It was suggested to request the Planning and Zoning Commission to focus on planned residential development at their August meeting and to invite Mark Johnson of the St. Louis County Planning Department to be available to consult on the topic. The Clerk will contact Mark Johnson to determine his availability.
- McCorison reported there was no other business brought forth at the monthly Commission meeting.
- Don Putnam introduced the issue of number of culverts on properties and that a number of parcels have multiple drives requiring culverts. Motion by Musick to limit the Town
providing and paying for one culvert per residential parcel when the Town does road upgrades which require culvert replacement. Second by Leider. Discussion on motion: Questions were raised about time notification to property owners in that additional costs would have to be borne by property owners who have multiple driveways. Motion Carried.
Motion by Leider to recess the meeting for a brief period at 8:40 p.m. Second by Musick. Motion Carried. The Meeting was reconvened at 8:50 p.m.
Zoning Administrator Report – LeAnn Brown
- Four zoning permits issued during month.
- Three variance hearings are scheduled in the next month.
- Garbage on Elm Road---a notification was given with a July 1 deadline for removal. As of July 5, 2005, nothing has been removed. The Zoning Administrator will call WLSSD regarding the Ordinance on garbage.
- A landscaping business is operating in the township without a conditional use permit. The owner has picked up an appeal request form from the Town office.
- Will request property owners to have a signed permit from Road Foreman when establishing a driveway for a new residence.
- Will be establishing new hours at the Town Hall----Mondays from 2 to 8 p.m. and on Tuesdays from 8 a.m. to Noon. Will utilize the Town telephone number as the contact.
- There was discussion about an Assistant Zoning Administrator. LeAnn Brown will consider this possibility and bring recommendations to the August Board meeting.
Road and Bridge – Don Putnam
- Had 54 calls in one week on road situations. Main concerns were wet roads and recently on dust control. It was suggested that Don contact contractors working on Lauren Road where a major problem of dust is occurring.
- Elm Road is completed.
- West Lauren Road---the property owner at the turn around has blocked the entrance. There are seven residents on the road. The County has indicated they will not plow the snow if there is not a turn around. Supervisor Musick and Putnam agreed to meet with the property owner regarding access to the turn around.
- Plum Ave.---suggested that the property owner put up a private drive sign to solve the problem there.
Maintenance & Grounds: Don Putnam
- Recycling of aluminum cans---the Lakewood School is not picking up the cans at this time. Don is proposing to purchase a trailer and construct a container trailer and he would donate his time to haul the cans away. He is requesting the funds from the can sales to support a proposed pavilion. Motion by Musick to seek resolution to the School’s interest in the aluminum can recycling; if not interested, to proceed with Don’s recommendation. The motion died for a lack of a second. Motion by Musick to have the Town do the aluminum can recycling for the summer months and to use the proceeds to purchase a storage trailer at an estimated cost of $400.00. Second by Leider. Motion Carried.
- New tires for Road tractor. Kurt Rogers gave an estimate of $1,300 to replace tires and one of the rear wheel rims which is badly rusted. The item was referred to the August meeting agenda.
Recycling – Merle Abernethy
- Everything is fine with the recycling, given that the aluminum can removal is done.
Recreation – Scott Anderson
- Twenty-two youth registered for the summer youth program.
- An electronic background check is now available for youth program personnel. Background checks need to be done once for an employee who is continuously employed, otherwise need to be done annually.
- The June Soccer Tournament was cancelled due to wet fields.
Weed Control – Dan McCorison
- Has toured the township with the County Agricultural Inspector, Gary Kuyawa. Some control will need to be done for purple loosestrife. A trial biological control using insects will be done one West Tischer Road.
Public Comment:
1. Correspondence---an unsigned letter was received on dog issues. There was a suggestion on notifying the public and to check into St. Louis County regulations.
2. Received a letter from Kevin and Mary Bovee objecting to the proposed sign request for the Amish furniture in the LIU-10 zone.
3. Correspondence from Duluth Public Schools read – an appreciation for the proceeds of over $2,000 for the 2004-05 School year form the aluminum can recycling.
Committee Reports:
- MPAC – Leider. The Joint Powers Board is now in operation as the guiding authority for the project.
- NSMB – Leider. No meeting held.
- DAT – Leider. Next meeting scheduled for August.
- SLCTA – All Supervisors. No meeting held this month.
Unfinished Business:
1. Newsletter---items to include: to include info. on the motion regarding replacement culverts on drives on township roads, Fire Hall construction progress including photos, new Zoning Administrator hours and phone access, general items.
2. Town Web Site---Lauren Quigley. Has additional information on web page development. Is requesting a review of wage rate. Motion by Leider to approve hourly wage rate of $12.50 for the Town Web Site Manager. Second by Musick. Motion Carried.
New Business:
1. Wage Rate for Zoning Administrator---currently at $11.50 per hour and $40 for meeting fee. Motion by Larson to raise hourly wage rate to $20.00 to begin immediately. Larson withdrew motion when a second was not received. There was discussion on the wage rate with comments made regarding the quality of work, degree of detail necessary to do a quality job. Motion by Musick to raise hourly rate from $11.50 to $18.55 which is equivalent to the St. Louis County Planner I position hourly rate as the work is closely similar. Second by Leider. Discussion on motion: Comment from audience: feels that to raise some employees at this time is not equitable for other township employees. Supervisor Musick: Is concerned about equity. There was no other discussion. Motion Carried.
2. Meeting Fee for Zoning Recorder---The Clerk indicated that no meeting fee has been scheduled and that it would be more equitable for Recorder to have a meeting fee than the hourly rate for recording at meetings. Recommends $40.00 per meeting. Motion by Musick to provide a $30.00 per meeting fee for the Zoning Recorder position. Second by Larson. Motion Carried.
3. Community Club request for a memorial plaque at Old Town Site---They are requesting Board support to establish a plaque as a memorial which is expected to be paid entirely by the Community Club. It was agreed by consensus to support and approve for the Community Club to establish a memorial recognition plaque at the old Town Site located at the intersection of Lester River and Strand Roads.
4. MAT Short Course at Grand Rapids on July 28---The Board of Supervisors go on record to support the joint travel of all Supervisors to and from the Short Course on July 28 at Grand Rapids. Departure time would be 7:00 a.m. and returning at the conclusion of the program. The purpose of the joint travel is to save travel expenditures.
Other:
There was no other business brought forth to the Meeting.
Motion by Leider to Adjourn at 10:20 p.m. Second by Musick. Motion Carried.
The Next Regular Board Meeting is Wednesday August 3, 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