LAKEWOOD BOARD of SUPERVISORS MEETING

January 4, 2006

The January 4, 2006 Meeting of the Lakewood Town Board of Supervisors was called to order by Chair Diane Larson on Wednesday January 4, 2006 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, 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: It was agreed by consensus to move the New Business item of setting a special Board meeting for the Diamond Willow Appeal to the Zoning Administrator’s report.

Review of Minutes: 

-         December 7, 2005 Regular Board Meeting----Motion by Leider to approve the minutes as printed.  Second by Musick.  Motion Carried.

-         December 13, 2005 Special Board Meeting to interview candidates for the Zoning Administrator Position----Motion by Musick to approve the minutes as printed.  Second by Larson.  Motion Carried.

Financial Report: 

Treasurer’s Report: Treasurer Brenda Lagarde reported the receipts, disbursements and balances in the town fund accounts.  Balances for the receipts and expenditures for the month and totals for the 2005 year were read with a final total balance of all funds at $262,629.02.  This balances with the monthly bank statement and with the Clerk’s fund balances.

Bills/Claims:  The Clerk presented the monthly claims for bills in amount of $101,554.70  which includes a Fire Hall installment payment to the contractor for $28,697.12 and a first bond payment on the Fire Hall of $58.207.50.  Motion by Musick to approve payment of claims #3450 through 3493 in the amount of $101,554.70 with the modification of claim #3454 to be paid from fund 235.  Second by Leider.  Motion Carried.

 Budget Report:  Clerk Gene Bromenshenkel presented the monthly budget report showing receipts, expenditures and balances of all funds for the year of 2005.  He referred to the budget printout which is the final of all financial transactions for the township for the year of 2005.  Supervisor Leider mentioned that the State Statutes require that any and all transfers of monies from one fund to another must be approved by a unanimous vote of the Board.  One transfer was made in the year of 2005 with full Board approval.  Leider’s comment was made in reference to MN State Statute 366.04.

Attorney Report:  Memo sent from Attorney Tim Strom

1.      Item of appeal process on conditional use permits---there was discussion on this item on the appeals process to the Town board on conditional use permits and variances.  There was a clarification for information purposes on the date the amendment was made to the Zoning Ordinance---the date was March 7, 2005 at the Board of Supervisors Meeting.

2.      60-Day Extension on Diamond Willow request – Strom advised the Board to ratify the decision.  Motion by Musick to ratify the Chair of the Board’s action to institute the 60-day extension in November 2005 on the Diamond Willow conditional use request.  Second by Larson.  Vote on Motion:  Two in favor, one opposed.  The Motion Carried.

Department Reports:

Fire:  Kurt Rogers

-         The Dept. handled four calls in past month---one structure fire and three medical calls.

-         Assisted the Recreation Dept. in applying 22,000 gallons of water to flood the ice rinks.

-         Fire Hall Construction---waiting for the letter of substantial completion from the architect before moving in.  Looking at a possible 30-45 days to complete the punch list with the contractor; all of which are small items.

-         Transfer of old Fire Hall to other department (s).  Motion by Musick to transfer the Old Fire Hall #1 (on Strand Road) to Road and Bridge (65%) and to Building and Grounds (355) and to transfer the garage on the community center site to the Recycling Department.  Second by Leider.  Motion Carried.

Zoning Administrator Report:  Brennan Mears

-         The Chair introduced Brennan Mears as the new Zoning Administrator.  Brennan began duties in mid-December.

-         Mears reported on auto situations including one of question which is East End Auto which is a home occupation business.  The business is in conformity with the conditional use permit.

-         One zoning permit was issued during the past month.

-         Still checking on the Brucklemeyer certified letter and the Soil & Water Conservation District concern regarding possible wetlands interruption on his property.  The certified letter was not received by Brucklemeyer.

-         Will check into Whiteside Road situation regarding sewer and number of recreational vehicles on the property.

-         Contacted Martensen attorney to introduce self.  There was discussion about setting dates for the removal of the material and items on the property.  Motion by Musick to request Martensen to initiate cleanup of debris on property by June 1, 2006 and to complete the cleanup by September 30, 2006.  Second by Leider.  Motion Carried.  The Board requested that the Zoning Administrator write a letter to Martensen to the dates effected.

-         The property owners of the land on which Diamond Willow has been awarded a conditional use permit consulted the Zoning Administrator about the process.  They cited vagueness in the language of the Zoning Ordinance.  Brennan feels there are sections that could use clarity.

-         Diamond Willow Appeal----there was discussion about changing the proposed date of January 23^rd.  Motion by Musick to confirm the proposed date of January 23, 2006 for a special Board of Supervisors Meeting or for the Clerk to check on other dates available based on the Town Attorney’s ability to attend the meeting.  Second by Larson.  Motion Carried.

-         Gary Hansen has filed a request for a variance for setback for an oversize accessory structure.

Recreation:  Scott Anderson

-         Recreation grant application was not approved by St. Louis County.

-         Rinks will open when weather is suitable for good ice.

Maintenance & Grounds:  Don Putnam

-         Will repair door jam on recycling building which was broken into over the holidays.

-         Will be doing some maintenance painting in the hall area of the Town Hall.

-         Has suggestions to utilize the utility truck with watering tank for hauling water for rink flooding.

Road and Bridge:  Don Putnam

-         Had some trees to cut on township roads following the wind and snow.

Planning and Zoning Commission Report:  No Report.

-         The re-typed Ordinance is complete; needs some spelling corrections.

-         There was no December Planning and Zoning Commission meeting.

Recycling – Merle Abernethy

-   Other than someone breaking into the building during the holidays everything is going fine.  There was no other damage to the building other than the door jam.

Public Comment:

-   Chuck Campbell:  In relation to the budget projections, it would be helpful for the department heads to have some cost projections printed out and available for the Annual Town Meeting.  It would help in setting the levy for each department.

Committee Reports:

-  NSMB –  Leider.   No meeting held this past month.

-  DAT – Leider.  Quarterly meetings held.

-  SLCTA – All Supervisors.  January 23 is the next meeting.

 Unfinished Business:

1.      Newsletter:  Items to include for January edition:  Zoning article, recreation skating schedule, Town Office Election filing, general.

New Business: 

1.      Tax forfeited lands in St. Louis County---one parcel is in section 17, between Jean Duluth and N. Tischer Roads.  The land is surrounded by other public land and private land committed to the forest legacy program.  Motion by Musick for the township to recommend to St. Louis County that the tax forfeited land described in section 17, (25-acre tract) not be sold but rather held in public holding.  Second by Larson.  Vote on Motion :  yes-two, no-one.  Motion Carried.  The second parcel is in Exeter Farms, lots 23 and 24.  No action taken.

2.      Setting of Board of Audit and Budget Meeting Date:  Agreed by consensus to hold the meeting on February 8, 2006 at 6:00 p.m.

There was no other business brought forth to the Meeting. 

Motion by Leider to Adjourn the Meeting at 10:02 p.m.  Second by Musick.  Motion Carried.

The Next Regular Board Meeting is Wednesday February 1, 2006 at 7:00 p.m. at the Lakewood Town Hall.

Respectfully Submitted;

Gene Bromenshenkel,

Town of Lakewood Clerk