LAKEWOOD BOARD of SUPERVISORS MEETING November 1, 2006
The November, 2006 Meeting of the Lakewood Town Board of Supervisors was called to order by Chair Diane Larson on Wednesday November 1,2006 at 7:00 p.m. at the Lakewood Town Hall. Supervisors present: Diane Larson, Tim Musick, and Chuck Campbell. Also present were Treasurer Brenda Lagarde, Clerk Gene Bromenshenkel, 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) Move Zoning Admn. report to first department report. 2) Announce workshop planned by Center for Rural Planning on Dec. 8, 2006 and 3) under New Business: review request from St. Louis Co. Planning Dept. for letter of support on GIS grant.
Review of Minutes:
- Minutes of October 4, 2006 Board of Supervisors Monthly Meeting: There was discussion about response to letter regarding town road chlorination. Supervisor Musick will follow up on request. Motion by Musick to approved the minutes as printed. Second by Larson. Motion Carried.
- Minutes of October 12, 2006 Special Board of Supervisors Meeting: Motion by Campbel1 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 fund accounts for the month ending on October 31 2006. Total fund balances are $148,988.05. This sum including outstanding checks is in balance with the monthly bank statement and with the Clerk's records. Lagarde reported that the Residential and Agricultural credits were received from the State in the amount of $11,000 plus. It is not shown on this month's receipts and will be apportioned to the various funds. Motion by Musick to approve the Treasurer's report. Second by Campbell. Motion Carried.
Bills/Claims: The Clerk presented the monthly claims for bills in amount of $25,406.04. The claims were reviewed by the Clerk. Motion by Campbell to approve payment of Claims #3942 through 3977 in amount of $25,406.04. Second by Musick. Motion Carried.
Budget Report: Clerk Gene Bromenshenkel presented the monthly budget report showing the expenditures through the October Board Meeting and receipts through October 31, 2006.
Attorney Report: Tim Strom
-- Attorney Strom was not present but submitted an e-mail report with the following suggestions/recommendations:
He commented and recommended on the alternative forms of government under consideration for the past several meetings.
1. On consideration for a 5-member Board of Supervisors. That this be done first. Motion by Campbell to propose to the electors at the March, 2007 Annual Election, to change the Board of Supervisors to five (5) Supervisors. Second by Musick. Vote on Motion: In favor of Motion: Musick, Larson and Campbell. Motion Carried.
2. On Consideration for appointment rather than by election, the position of Clerk and
Treasurer. There was mention made that no one present at the last meeting was in favor of appointment of these positions. Motion by Campbell to propose to the electors at the March, 2007 Annual Election, to change the positions of Clerk and Treasurer to appointment rather than by election. Second by Larson. Vote on Motion: In favor: Larson, Campbell. Opposed: Musick. Motion Carried.
3. On consideration for November Annual Elections---there was discussion about pros and cons and whether or not a proposal should be forwarded to the electors. No Action was taken on this consideration.
Department Reports:
Zoning Administrator: Brennan Mears
- Working with salvage yard issue on Lester River Road. Has sent a certified letter (was received) and has met with the property owner twice. Progress is being made on the cleanup. The property owner is working with his attorney regarding the squatting rights claimed by a relative who is congregating the salvage items.
- Linda Martenson on Riley Road---no progress taking place at this time.
- It was recommended that the Zoning Administrator follow up with a letter to all property owners who were cited for violations of the Ordinance in the past year regarding junk item issues.
- Zoning Administrator instructed to send a letter to Linda Martenson noting that the September 30, 2006 deadline date on her property cleanup has passed.
- Will check on signs near McQuade Safe Harbor which was a report from the public on absence of signs.
- Bruckelmyer property off of Radtke Road---is continuing to work with the property owner on the situation.
- A concern was expressed about lights from the Amish Furniture Co. near the Expressway. Brennan visited the site at night and noted that the lighting is not brighter than that of the property owner who expressed the concern.
- Zoning Administrator provided an updated check list for the Planning and Zoning Commission and the Board of Adjustment to use in considering appeal requests.
- Public Hearing was held on the Lipe Brothers Construction conditional use permit. The Commission voted to retain the permit as it was issued. There was discussion about the questions being raised about the use of the property, especially sub-leasing on the property creating a mini-industrial situation. It was suggested that the Town's Attorney be contacted for definition of the use classification of contractor storage and situtations where it might apply.
- It was mentioned that large amounts of clothing are being stored in the open on Elm Avenue.
Fire: Kurt Rogers
- Ten calls in past month---one auto alarm, one grass fire, one unattended brush pile fire which became a brush fire again two days later, four medicals, one 1052, and one structure fire.
- Working with Lake Superior College to obtain interns to develop a plan with all business in township for fire control.
Did training with 9-1-1 dispatchers; an orientation for new dispatchers on local fire department operations.
- Three members of Dept. don't have pagers. Some pagers are outdated and costly to repair. Estimated cost for purchase of three new pagers is $1,740.00. Kurt recommends purchasing three new pagers with maintenance agreements as a part of the price. He feels it is more economical to purchase new ones compared to the cost of repairing old ones. Motion by Larson to approve the purchase of three pagers with maintenance agreements included, not to exceed $2,000. Second by Musick. Motion Carried.
- The Dept. calendars are mostly distributed throughout the township.
Maintenance & Grounds: Don Putnam
- A couple trees blew down on the Community Site during recent high winds, one damaged the comer of the roof of the recycling garage. Is not leaking and we can fix ourselves.
- The fencing is up for the Town Hall septic drain field for winter protection.
- Water storage tank for rink postponed.
- Painted front doors of Hall entry.
- Snow plowing bids ---agreed by consensus to put a notice in the November Town Newsletter.
Road & Bridge: Don Putnam
- The grading of township roads is completed for the season.
- Completed filling in of a portion of Albert Olson Road and also around the Community Center site.
- Keeping trees that have blown over roads, removed.
- Need to paint all fence posts by culverts for good visibility.
Recreation: Scott Anderson
- Presented a printed summary report of the Summer Youth Program. It shows 29 youth, ages 8-14, registered in the Program and activities provided. Suggested a recap be printed in the Town newsletter.
- Winter Program---Info. to be available for the November Newsletter.
- Water storage tank for rink flooding---a question about the proper pump and the silt problems incurred when pumping, were discussed. Need further review. It was recommended that a well water driller be contacted for additional information.
Planning and Zoning Commission: Angie Dickison Palmer
- The Commission. worked on proposals for text changes at the October meeting; are making progress on developing recommendations for these proposals.
- Comprehensive Land Use Plan Update---a number of members wish to be directly involved with the process.
- Decided to cancel the December meeting due the regular date being close to the Christmas holiday.
- The Board of Supervisors expressed an encouragement for Planning and Zoning Commission members to attend the December 8th workshop on Conflict Resolution. The Town will pay the registration fee of $10.
Recycling: Merle Abernethy - Everything is working fine.
Public Comment: - None
Committee Reports:
- NSMB - No meeting held recently. - DAT - No attendance at meeting. - SLCTA - Not attended.
Unfinished Business:
1. November Newsletter---Items to include: Annual Town Election filing dates, General Election recap, Comprehensive Land Use Plan Update, Hazard Mitigation Plan approved & how to access copy on net, Recreation Summer Program report and plans for Winter Program, Office Coordinator position open, Fire Dept. item on chimney cleaning, Recognition of volunteer fire personnel, Snow plowing bids, Zoning item, Sale of old fax machine.
2. Land Conveyance for property on N. Tischer Road--Chuck Campbell agreed to develop a plan proposal.
New Business:
1. Review of RFP's for Comprehensive Land Use Plan Update--four proposals were received---from ARDC, Center for Rural Planning, Architectural Resources and Community Growth Institute. Five copies of proposals were submitted by each of the four applicants. It was agreed that a special Board Meeting should be held to review the applications in detail. Motion by Larson to set a special Board of Supervisors meeting on November 9, 2006 at 7:00 p.m. to review the RFP's for the CLUP update. Second by Campbell. Motion Carried.
2. Establishment of Fund for the Lake Superior Coastal Grant (for CLUP update). Motion by Musick to establish a fund for the Lake Superior Coastal grant and to transfer the Town's matching share of $5,000 from the general fund to the newly established fund. Second by Campbell. Motion Carried.
3. Resolution on adoption of County Hazard Mitigation Plan. Motion by Larson to adopt Resolution #2-06 to adopt the St. Louis County Hazard Mitigation Plan. Second by Musick. Motion Carried.
4. Town Office Coordinator Position--letter was received from Lauren Quigley indicating she is resigning from the position. The Board agreed by consensus to advertise in the official newspaper and the township newsletter. Applications and resumes to be due in the Town Office by November 22nd.
5. Office Computer---the computer in the second office had a crash and appears not to
be fully recoverable. The Board directed the Clerk to obtain quotes for replacement.
6. Request from St. Louis County Planning Department on GIS grant request. The grant request is to expand the County's GIS platting to include Lakewood and the surrounding areas. Agreed by consensus for the Clerk to write a letter on behalf of the Board of Supervisors, indicating township support for the grant request from the Lake Superior Coastal Program.
Correspondence/Other: - MAT Annual Meeting---is Nov. 16-18 at the DECC in Duluth. Supervisor Musick plans to attend to represent the township.
There was no other business brought forth at the Meeting.
The Next Monthly Board Meeting is Wednesday December 6, 2006 at 7:00 p.m. at the Lakewood Town Hall.
Motion by Campbell to adjourn the Meeting at 9:03 p.m. Second by Musick. Motion Carried.
Respectfully Submitted;
Gene Bromenshenkel Town of Lakewood Clerk
Minutes Subject to Approval at the next Regular Board of Supervisors Meeting