LAKEWOOD BOARD of SUPERVISORS MEETING
November 2, 2005
The November 2005 Meeting of the Lakewood Town Board of Supervisors was called to order by Chair Diane Larson on Wednesday November 2, 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, 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 under New Business, discussion on GIS system for St. Louis County and also under Public Comment; aluminum can recycling.
Review of Minutes:
- October 5, 2005 Board of Supervisors Meeting---Corrections noted---on Page 2- the second to the motion was made by Larson. Motion by Leider to approved the minutes as amended. Second by Musick. Motion Carried.
Financial Report:
Treasurer’s Report: Treasurer Brenda Lagarde reported the receipts, disbursements and balances in the town fund accounts. The total fund balances of $340,733.25 are in balance with the monthly bank statement. The Clerk and Treasurer records are not in balance with the Clerk’s records showing receipts of $150.00 in addition to the Treasurer’s report due to monies received from a zoning permit being receipted but not yet deposited by the Treasurer. Motion by Leider to approve the Treasurer’s Report. Second by Musick. Motion Carried.
Bills/Claims: The Clerk presented the monthly claims for bills in amount of $102,165.32 which includes a Fire Hall installment payment to the contractor for $78,596.16. Motion by Leider to pay claims #3332 through #3381 in the amount of $102,165.32. 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 October Board meeting and receipts through the end of October. The Clerk mentioned that department heads should review balances plus the expected second half of property taxes due to obtain a reflection of the department budgets.
Department Reports:
Maintenance & Grounds: Don Putnam and Tammy Nelson
- The Hall Roof replacement is estimated to be completed in about 11/2 weeks.
- The Contractor for the Hall roof suggesting installing stainless steel collars around the chimneys and roof vents. The estimated cost to do so is $400.00 which is the actual cost to the installer Lakeside Construction. Motion by Leider to approve an expenditure up to $400.00 from the Capital Improvement Fund to install stainless steel collars for the Hall roof chimneys and vents. Second by Musick. Motion Carried.
- Tammy Nelson reported that the ice rink is ready and the skating building ready for use this season.
- Tammy reported that she painted the ceilings in the Hall restrooms.
Road and Bridge: Tammy Nelson
- The turn around easements are being drafted by the Attorney’s associate, Jeff Baker of Hanft, Fride.
- The Wahl Road widening is working well.
- A survey of roads for grading this fall was done on Nov. 2nd. 12 Roads need grading attention yet this fall. It was agreed by consensus that grading should be done this fall where needed.
- Aluminum can recycling---Chuck Campbell: The School will use the bins for recycling, the same as in the past. It was suggested that the garage be used for aluminum can depository when the garage contents are moved to the old fire hall.
- Snow Plowing Bids: Two bids were received and opened.
Kurt Rogers Bid: $190.00 for total bid each time.
Pete Caigle Construction Bid: $290.00 for total bid each time.
Motion by Leider to accept the bid submitted by Kurt Rogers for snow plowing the town facilities for the winter snow season. Second by Musick. Motion Carried.
Town Attorney Report: Tim Strom
- A point of information---on the Dodge Plat Vacation---the Court has dismissed the vacation request as it was determined that this matter is to be done by the Township Supervisors.
- He responded to questions form individual Supervisors on the open meeting law and conditional use permits.
- On the Open Meeting Law regarding meeting with employees---it is the Attorney’s opinion that discussion on employee benefits must be discussed in an open public meeting.
- On conditional use and other appeal requests, Attorney Strom indicated that when an application is received and the check for the fee is receipted, then a public hearing must be held.
- Supervisor Leider: On the Joint Powers Agreement of the McQuade Access Project, he has a question on the requirement that an elected person must be at the meeting for voting purposes. Strom advised that the Agreement needs to be reviewed as to whether a representative needs to be an elected official or it can be a designated representative of the elected Board.
Fire – Kurt Rogers
- Three dept. calls in past month---two for medical, one mutual aid and one for a bus roll over.
- Two fire fighters went to a School for fire awareness.
- Submitted a grant to FEMA for $99,000.00 for fire fighting equipment and training purposes.
- The annual Fire Calendar is out and distributed to all residences in the township.
- Don Putnam: Complemented Kurt Rogers for his work in the planning and construction of the new Fire Hall.
- Fire Hall Construction Update---Is progressing with completion expected by late December.
- The Chair of the Board thanked Kurt Rogers for his time and effort in the fire hall construction.
Recreation: Scott Anderson
- The School District has vans up for sale by bids; the bid due date is this coming Friday. No action taken.
- Winter Youth Program---the skating program schedule will be similar to last year.
- No work received on the grant submitted for water tank and distribution and parking lot renovation.
Planning and Zoning Commission Report: Dan Dexter
- Monthly meeting held on October 27th.
- Telecommunications Tower sub-committee gave a progress report---are still working on revision for the Zoning Ordinance.
- A public hearing for a conditional use request for an assisted living facility is scheduled for November 22nd.
- Dan Dexter indicated a question has arisen about the Zoning Ordinance requirement on day care and day care group homes. The question is related to the request for an assisted living facility which is allowed based on following state regulations for operation.
- A variance hearing is scheduled for November 15th for a request to reduce the acreage requirements on a parcel on the extension off of Radtke Road.
- Dexter read a letter from Steve Wilson of the DNR as a follow up to the Commission discussion on the SNA near Lester River Road.
- A meeting is set with St. Louis County Planning for Tuesday, November 29th at 7 p.m. at the Town Hall. The Dept. will meet with the Town Board, Planning Commission and the Board of Adjustment as an information/discussion meeting on planned unit and Planned residential development sections of the County and Township Zoning Ordinances.
- Attorney Strom suggested that the retyping of the Zoning Ordinance Book show that the Ordinance as amended earlier in 2005 should serve as the basis for the Ordinance.
Zoning Administrator Report – LeAnn Brown
- Effective November 1st, will not hold regular hours at the Town Hall. Work will be completed by appointments as requests are made by the public.
- Had complaint from Whiteside Road where a recreational vehicle appears to being used as permanent housing. Will be drafting a letter to the property owners.
- Three land use permits issued in October.
- The WLSSD has determined that the Riley Road junk situation is a junkyard and therefore a township responsibility.
- LeAnn has submitted a resignation as Zoning Administrator effective 11-16-05.
- The Board of Supervisors expressed an appreciation to LeAnn for her quality of work as Zoning Administrator.
- Resident of Whiteside Road---people are living in more than one travel trailers without any sanitary facilities.
- Zoning Administrator Position---Angie Dikison Palmer will handle the Zoning Administrator responsibilities for an interim period.
Recycling – Merle Abernethy
- Everything operating O.K.
Motion by Larson to recess the meeting for a brief period at 8:41 p.m. Second by Musick. Motion Carried.
The Meeting was reconvened at 8:54 p.m.
Public Comment: None
- Floyd Ferguson and Lawrence Arnold---regarding fence issues on Parkview Road. They discussed the concerns about a fence on Ferguson’s being on the township road easement. Both Floyd Ferguson and Lawrence Arnold had photos showing location of fences. Mr. Arnold had a plat map showing the road right-of-way as 40 feet. It was noted this is wider than the normal 33 feet of township roads. Supervisor Musick agreed to review the road survey of 1986 and the Parkview plat maps and bring a recommendation to the
- December Board Meeting.
- Don Elias---the Board reviewed a letter from Elias about the North Shore Railroad signed by Elias and others requesting the Town to adopt an ordinance regarding the North Shore Train refraining from using its horn signal in the area. The Chair indicated she will check with the North Shore Railroad on the situation. No further action was taken at this time.
Committee Reports:
- MPAC – Leider. Since this is under a joint powers agreement, it can be deleted from future agendas.
- NSMB – Leider. Next meeting is November 22, 2005.
- DAT – Leider. No attendance at this meeting.
- SLCTA – All Supervisors. State Representative Mike Jaros was present and spoke at the meeting.
Unfinished Business:
1. Web Site and Wireless Internet Access---the Town’s computer consultant, Steve Wakefield was present to discuss high speed wireless internet access. He defined the Wi-Fi access (wireless high fidelity access). There are benefits to the Town’s access with the on line access somewhat difficult due to excessive line noise in this area. The Office Coordinator and Clerk indicated it is difficult to upload and download due to the line noise and the time factor is considerable to do the web page work. The monthly cost of $45.00 would be about the same as the extra phone line and the access via Cpinternet.com. The initial installation charge for the hardware would be $1,068.20 which would connect the Town Hall and the new Fire Hall to access via use of an antenna. Motion by Leider to purchase the high speed internet wireless access equipment at a cost of $1,068.20 from FSW Communications (Steve Wakefield) with funds to be expended from the general fund. Motion Seconded by Musick. Motion Carried.
2. Newsletter: Items to include for November edition: Web-site access, Election results, Zoning Administrator position, general. For the Zoning Administrator position: Motion by Larson to advertise in the Duluth News-Tribune newspaper. Second by Musick. Motion Carried.
3. Employee Benefits: The Supervisors reviewed and discussed possibilities of benefit packages offered by local unions, groups, businesses and St. Louis County for vacation, sick leave and holiday pay. The reviewed examples of benefits through the State of Minnesota and St. Louis County. The Supervisors discussed the need to gather more information on pro-rated benefits for less than full-time employees. No action taken—referred to the next regular Board Meeting agenda.
New Business:
1. GIS---(Global Information Systems): Information was received from St. Louis County on the mapping system which would provide various land, water, stream and other types of information for planning purposes. Motion by Larson to support St. Louis County in the GIS proposal. Second by Leider. Motion Carried.
2. Motion by Leider for the Chair of the Board of Supervisors to moderate the Nov. 29th meeting with the St. Louis County Planning Dept. Second by Musick. Motion Carried.
Other:
- Bob Wolfe: Addressed the Board about the interpretation of the Zoning Ordinance and conditional uses. He suggested that the process of use interpretation in a zone be reworded to clarify the process.
- Election: The School Board Election is Tuesday, November 8th. Polls are open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
There was no other business brought forth to the Meeting.
Motion by Musick to Adjourn at 10:40 p.m. Second by Leider. Motion Carried.
The Next Regular Board Meeting is Wednesday November 2, 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