LAKEWOOD BOARD of SUPERVISORS MEETING
April 4, 2007
The April 2007 Meeting of the Lakewood Town Board of Supervisors was called to order by Chair Tim Musick on Wednesday April 4, 2007 at 7:03 p.m. at the Lakewood Town Hall. Supervisors present: Tim Musick, Chuck Campbell, and Jerry Larson. 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---under New Business; liquor license renewal request from Breeze Inn.
Motion by Larson to approve the agenda with the one addition. Second by Campbell. Motion Carried.
Review of Minutes:
- March 7, 2007 Special Board of Supervisors Meeting---Motion by Campbell to approve the minutes as printed. Second by Musick. Motion Carried.
- March 7, 2007 monthly Board of Supervisors Meeting---Motion by Campbell to approve the minutes as printed. Second by Musick. Motion Carried.
- March 21, 2007 Special Board of Supervisors Meeting—Motion by Campbell to Approve the minutes as printed. Second by Musick. Motion Carried.
- March 21, 2007 Annual Reorganization Meeting---correction-should read Chuck Campbell, not Chuck Musick. Motion by Larson to approve the minutes as corrected. Second by Campbell. Motion Carried.
Financial Report:
Treasurer’s Report: Treasurer Brenda Lagarde reported all receipts, disbursements and balance totals to date. With outstanding checks accounted for, the report totals with the monthly bank statement. Total fund balances are $162,290.50. The Treasurer’s report balances in all funds and total with the Clerk’s financial statement. Motion by Larson to approve the Treasurer’s report. Second by Campbell. Motion Carried.
Bills/Claims: Clerk Gene Bromenshenkel presented the month’s claims and reviewed the amounts and purpose for billings. Motion by Campbell to approve payment of Claims #4185 through 4230 in the amount of $14,563.55. Second by Larson. Motion Carried.
Budget Report: The Clerk presented the monthly budget summary showing receipts and disbursements to date in relation to the projected budget for each fund.
Attorney Report: Tim Strom
- Attorney Strom sent a report via e-mail as he was not able to attend the meeting in person. Chair Musick read the Attorney’s written report. Strom summarized the discussion he had with Lipe Bros. attorney, Steve Overum. (Details of the report are on file in the Town Office.). In summary, Strom indicated that the conditional use permit issued to Lipe Bros. in 2001 was for “A” construction office and construction storage. There was discussion about whether or not the Board should take any action at this time or possibly request the Board to further check into the legalities and procedures described by Strom, further.,
- Attorney Overum (representing Lipe Bros. Construction was present and indicated that the conditional use permit issued goes with the property and in essence extends to anyone who does similar work/sales on the property.
Bob Mels: Lives next to Lipe Bros. Construction site and questioned the Board about the knit-picking over details of the Lipe Bros. permit.
Steven Kaski: Is concerned about spending tax monies on the Lipe issue.
Kevin Kaski: Questioned how the item has become an issue and involving the attorney as a Board concern.
Supervisor Campbell: The question over the property came up when Great Lakes Stone requested to the Zoning Administrator, about another use on the Lipe property.
Bob Wolfe--Chair of the Planning and Zoning Commission: He indicated that Great Lakes Stone approached the Zoning Administrator regarding the proposed use. Great Lakes Stone also approached the Planning and Zoning Commission and they recommended that the Board of Supervisors seek clarification of the request and the Zoning Ordinance language. The Commission went through a process to review the conditional use permit issued in 2001.
Dick Bodine: Encouraged the Board of Supervisors to have the Town’s attorney further check into the matter.
Member of public: How about looking at the Jean Duluth Road corridor and the current type of operations across the road (from Lipe’s) and nearby.
Supervisor Musick indicated they requested the Comprehensive Land Use Plan update committee to consider looking at areas adjacent to other jurisdictions.
Member of Public: Is there a certain amount of vagueness in the Zoning Ordinance?
Motion by Campbell to request the Town attorney to further look into details of the conditional use permit issue by the May Board meeting. Second by Larson. Motion Carried.
- Martenson Junk Situation: Strom indicated that a meeting was held with Ms Martenson and that another meeting (tentatively for the week of April 23) will be scheduled to view the property and contents to develop a plan to get the property back into compliance.
Supervisor Campbell: Feel the Board should be prepared to discuss consequences with Martenson if an agreement cannot be worked out for a cleanup of the property. He suggests Strom have a recommendation for the May 2 Board meeting.
8:00 p.m. – Opening of Road Bids
- Three bids were received from: Bob Rodda Grading submitted a grading bid only, Greg Kunst Construction, and Scott Olson Trucking.
- Bid Information: Bob Rodda submitted for road grading only, other two bids were for grading, materials, equipment and other.
- Bob Rodda was present and gave a summary of his bid.
- There was concern about one bid (from Scott Olson) on availability and timeliness to do work.
- Motion by Larson to accept the entire bid, including road grading submitted by Greg Kunst Construction Co. Second by Campbell. Motion Carried.
Continuance of Town Attorney Report:
- Indicated he reviewed the State Statutes on details, timelines for the Special Supervisor Election.
- Comments on Cell Tower Suit---Strom advises that a closed Board meeting be held to discuss the matter at a time when the five-member Board is in place. Motion by Campbell to hold a closed Board meeting with attorney’s Strom and Tiede after the two new Supervisors are installed. Second by Larson. Motion Carried.
Motion by Campbell to recess the meeting at 8:40 p.m. for 10 minutes. Second by Larson. Motion Carried. The meeting was reconvened at 8:50 p.m.
Department Reports:
Fire Dept. – Kurt Rogers (by written report)
- Five calls handled by Dept. in last month---three medical and two structure fires.
- New compressor has arrived.
- Board expressed a desire that if possible, when the Dept. is planning to obtain a grant requiring a local match, that the Board be informed in advance of requesting the grant.
- Rogers reported all department equipment is in good operating order.
Maintenance and Grounds – Don Putnam
- Painting of hallway in Town Hall was done recently; need to construct and install new baseboards.
- Plans to strip and re-wax the Town Hall meeting room floor.
- Duct work cleaning in Town Hall---two bids were received—from Tidy Duct and Black Goose Chimney. Tidy Duct submitted a bid of $1,160.00 and Black Goose a bid of $1,280.00 plus additional for wool batting to be used for a total of $1.440.00. Motion by Larson to accept the bid from Tidy Duct for $1,160.00 pursuant to their using a high pressure system. There was no second to the motion. The Board requested Don Putnam to clarify bids; to request more information on sanitation, use of high pressure and, also the use of wool batting in the cleaning process.
- A question was raised about wages and disbursements form which fund (s) for specific work done on maintenance and grounds as well as roads. One question was for the ice rink flooding which was previously designated by Board action, to be expended from the Buildings and Grounds fund. The Board by consensus agreed that specific work such as ice rink flooding should come from the appropriate fund for which the work is being done and that ice rink flooding should be expended from the Recreation fund.
- Question about specialized work such as engine overhaul and major repair. It is proposed by Putnam to pay $1.00 per hour additional wage rate for that type of work. No action was taken. It was the consensus of the Board members to develop a job description for such work as engine overhaul, major repair, etc.
Road and Bridge: Don Putnam
- Filled large holes on the Centerline Road.
- Road Review date – agreed to hold an annual review on Tuesday, April 17 at 5:00 p.m. beginning at the Town Hall.
- Elm Road---a property owner indicated that three culverts on property and turn around were damaged considerably by snowplowing.
Recreation: Scott Anderson
- A draft of the summer youth program flier was presented to the Board. Some suggestions were provided to Scott on the flier.
- Discussion of safety training for recreation employees and other township employees ensued. There was a suggestion that a meeting be held prior to the May Board meeting to discuss training needs and to cover some basics. Motion by Larson to set a safety training meeting for 6:00 p.m. on May 2, 2007. Second by Campbell. Motion Carried.
Planning and Zoning Commission: Dick Bodine
- The Zoning Ordinance proposed text changes are nearly complete. Will be further reviewing some of the proposed changes before presenting the proposals to the Board.
- The Planning & Zoning Commission is recommending a laptop computer for use by the Planning and Zoning Recorder and others. The Board requested the Commission to bring a proposal with prices, etc. to the next meeting.
- Telecommunications tower subcommittee—is working on final draft with proposed changes.
Zoning Administrator: Brennan Mears
- Received a letter from Don and Marie Elias regarding lighting from Amish Furniture. The Board requested Brennan to review direction of lighting; also to review the variance for the signage.
- The Planning and Zoning Commission had suggestions on some properties that have excessive junk. Will be sending letters to those owners.
- Commission recommended that the Zoning Administrator look at costs associated with the issuance of land use permits.
- Brennan reviewed the budget for Planning and Zoning.
o In 2005---budget $5,000; the actual costs for year were $33,260.00
o In 2006---budget of $21,650; the actual costs for year were $19,881.00
- The Board requested that the Zoning Administrator file a written monthly report to the Board, preferably in advance to go out with the agenda.
Recycling: Merle Abernethy
- Everything is operating o.k.
Public Comment:
- Jerry Norick: had questions regarding the Comprehensive Land Use Update Survey. What mailing list was used? Was it a voter registration list? Response to Norick: the Town’s mailing list was used and not a voter registration list.
- Concern expressed over people not getting a newsletter. Suggested the mailing list needs to be reviewed. The Clerk indicated that the Town mailing list is derived. The Board indicated they will discuss the issue of missed households and return date of the survey. Supervisor Larson suggested that for surveys, more than one should be sent to each household.
Committee Reports:
- MPAC – no report.
- NSMB – Meeting to be held later in April.
- DAT – No meeting held.
- SLCTA – No meeting held.
Unfinished Business:
1. CLUP Update- The survey is out, Center for Rural Planning reported at noon today that 200 surveys were returned thus far. The Steering Committee has begun its work.
2. Next Town Newsletter
- Special Election details, Board of Appeal & Equalization meeting, general items.
New Business:
1.Certification of Election Judges for May 8 Special Supervisor Election—the Clerk presented the list of trained judges. Motion by Campbell to approve all trained judges as certified an approved to serve at the May 8 special election. Second by Larson. Motion Carried.
2. Renewal of Breeze Inn liquor license. An application was received for Town action on the renewal request. Motion by Campbell to recommend approval to the St. Louis County Board of Commissioners, the renewal of the liquor license for the Breeze Inn. Second by Larson. Motion Carried.
Correspondence:
- A letter was received from the Duluth School District expressing appreciation for the proceeds from the aluminum can recycling.
There was no other business brought forth at the Meeting.
The Next Monthly Board Meeting is Wednesday May 2, 2007 at 7:00 p.m. at the Lakewood Town Hall.
Motion by Larson to adjourn the Meeting at 10:52 p.m. Second by Campbell. Motion Carried.
Respectfully Submitted;
Gene Bromenshenkel
Town of Lakewood Clerk
Minutes Subject to approval at next Monthly Board of Supervisors Meeting