LAKEWOOD BOARD of SUPERVISORS MEETING
May 2, 2007
The May 2007 Meeting of the Lakewood Town Board of Supervisors was called to order by Chair Tim Musick on Wednesday May 2, 2007 at 7:08 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, 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—under Unfinished Business: request from St. Louis County and Sketch of Officer Candidates.
It was agreed by consensus to approve the agenda as amended.
Review of Minutes:
- April 4, 2007 Board of Supervisors Meeting---on page 5—under public comment; change to “how list is derived”.
- Motion by Larson to approve the minutes as corrected. Second by Campbell. Motion Carried.
- April 17, 2007 Special Board Meeting – Tour of Town Roads---moved to Road & Bridge Department Report.
Financial Report:
Treasurer’s Report: Treasurer Brenda Lagarde reported all receipts, disbursements and balance totals to date with the total fund balances of $148,636.90. This balances with the Clerk’s records. With deposits in transit and outstanding checks, the monthly statement balances with the monthly bank statement. A $16,000 plus certificate of deposit is coming due soon. It was agreed to follow the renewal policy adopted. 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. The Clerk explained a number of the claims, and that the final payment of $34,000 plus for the fire truck is included. Motion by Campbell to approve payment of Claims #4231 through 4274 in the amount of $59,093.47. 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. The final balance in the fire truck loan Fund
was discussed. After the payment of $34,171.02, which is the final payment for
the new fire truck, there will be a balance in the fund of $7,758.94. It was
discussed that the initial (first) payment for the new fire truck came from the
on-going truck fund and was not returned to that fund, thus the balance of the
fire truck loan fund might be transferred there. Motion by Campbell to
transfer the balance in the Fire Truck Loan Fund of $7,758.94 to the On-
Going Truck Fund. Second by Larson. Motion Carried.
Attorney Report: Tim Strom
- 1) Hwy. 61 Expressway Suit---recommended by Attorney Peter to set up a closed meeting. To be discussed later.
- 2) Group Home in Township---request received from the Zoning Administrator to check into details since one began operating recently in the township. State Statutes override local zoning for specific issues on group homes. Strom recommended that the Town discuss with the group home owner/operator the nature of the use and to obtain a copy of licenses for use from the owner. Zoning Administrator Mears indicated that the owner defines the home as housing four residents as an adult foster care home. The Board of Supervisors requested that Attorney Strom write a letter and obtain a written copy of the use and license from the home owner.
- 3) Martenson Property---A meeting was held approximately one week ago (Strom, Musick and Mears represented the Town). The owner was requested to provide a written plan to the Town Board. She agreed to do so.
- 4) Flynn Road—a question arose on the owner ship of the first 500 feet west of the McQuade Road. The Board recommended that Don Putnam explore this further with the County.
- 5)Lipe Bros. Situation---Attorney Strom indicated that there is not a lot of case law related to the issue. He referred to the Case of Mulanar where an appeal was denied and the Court supported the unit of government decision on future uses. Strom cited another case where another use was added not included with the conditional use permit issued. Strom indicated that he received a letter from Lipe’s attorney, Overum. Strom feels the Town is handling the matter with concern and caution.
- Strom’s current thinking on the issue---The conditional use permit provides for the use of “A construction office, storage, etc.” and that he feels a second business is being operated on the property.
- What are the options? Strom suggests holding a conference
- between the property owner (Lipe’s) and the Town to further explore the issue and options.
- Supervisor Musick---Would support a conference.
- Supervisor Larson---would support a meeting to look at options.
- Supervisor Campbell---would support a meeting of the parties so that information is available for a decision at the next monthly Board meeting.
- Attorney Steve Overum (for Lipe Constr. Co.)---In 2001, everything was o.k. for two businesses to operate under the conditional use permit issued; now when Clint Massie (Great Lakes Stone) seeks info., then it is not allowed. It now appears to be a “Gottcha” item on behalf of the township.
- The Board members agreed by consensus for a Board representative and the Zoning Administrator to meet with the attorney’s (for the Town and Lipe’s) to develop a recommendation.
Center For Rural Planning Report---an update on progress. Terry Frank and Dave Miller were present to give an update on the progress of the project thus far. Dave Miller indicated a preliminary report was published on the original 234 responses to the survey and a final report on 254 responses received (a 30% response rate). He indicated there was a strong response which supports and is consistent with the 2002 survey and the original 1979 Comprehensive Land Use Plan. Miller also indicated thee were a number of bogus surveys received and these were not included in the results. There were 272 bogus surveys received, most of them on the Saturday following the receipt of the survey. The CRP staff was able to verify via the paper and print that these surveys were not legitimate after seeking the professional advice and observance of two commercial printers.
Dave Miller reported that the Steering Committee is working well.
Recess: Agreed by consensus to take a 10 minute recess at 8:34 p.m. The meeting was reconvened at 8:47 p.m.
Department Reports:
Fire Dept. – Kurt Rogers
- Six calls in past month---five medical and one illegal burn.
- Red Flag Day declared this past Sunday, so several fire dept. members took trucks home to be on ready alert. This alert is declared by the Dept. of Natural Resources.
- Dept. is in process of applying for two additional FEMA grants in the amount of $202,000 total. Both of the grants require a 5%
- match in funding. The grants are for a new tanker truck and additional equipment. Motion by Larson to approve the 5% funding match of $10,100 for the two grants with expenditures for the matches to come proportionately from the Fire Dept and On-Going Truck funds. Second by Campbell. Motion Carried.
Maintenance and Grounds – Don Putnam
- Getting prepared for Summer Youth Program – setting up nets, etc.
- Eagle Scouts are interested in doing a project for volleyball court. They will give a presentation to the Board regarding plans.
- Cleaned up debris on Center grounds.
- Hall heating system duct cleaning---Tidy Duct does use sanitizer and mats for cleaning the ducts. Black Goose did not respond to the inquiry for more information.
- Motion by Larson to accept the bid of $1,160.00 from Tidy Duct to clean the Hall heating ducts when the new furnaces are installed. Second by Campbell. Motion Carried.
Road and Bridge: Don Putnam
- Roads are in disarray---top material is nearly gone on many roads.
- Supervisor Campbell: grants may be a possibility for additional funding. Need to have a plan to obtain grants and also for the Annual Town Meeting, to obtain additional funding.
- There was discussion about priority road work for the year---it was agreed by consensus of the Board members based on Don Putnam’s recommendation, to give priority to Lauren, Lavis and Maple roads. The Fire Dept. will give a recommendation based on the fire truck access on roads.
- It was suggested that a long range plan needs to be developed.
- Turn Around Easement-question from one property owner, Wendy Robertson about turn around on her property. No action was taken.
Recreation: Scott Anderson
- Summer youth recreation program is ready-flier is done.
- Employees who served last year have agreed to employment.
- Lance Johnson from the Fire Dept. has agreed to do CPR training for the summer rec. staff. It was suggested that Scott needs to check on certification of an instructor.
- Grant proposal for soccer field---The estimated cost for the township is $750.00 as a matching grant to re-do the north end of the soccer field by digging out and applying better material for good sod growth. Motion by Campbell to support a $750.00 grant match for soccer field improvement with expenditure to be made from the recreation fund. Second by Larson. Motion Carried.
Planning and Zoning Commission: Robin Downs
- At the April meeting, worked on and finalized the proposed changes for the Zoning Ordinance.
- Commission has requested that the Zoning Administrator prepare a verification form for use in receipt of petitions.
- Commission is continuing to work on the telecommunications tower section of the Ordinance.
- Board of Adjustment member – one position is open. Suggested this be a newsletter item; seeking interest.
- Laptop computer---have a person interested in donating a laptop computer for the Zoning Recorder. It was suggested the Recorder discuss the computer with the owner.
Zoning Administrator: Brennan Mears
- Shared the tabulation of permits issued over the last ten years.
- Met with Stan Goltz on property which has a stream in close proximity to a desire to add an addition to his home.
- Brought up issue of parcel sizes which are corner parcels which may be just short of the minimum lot size i.e. An example is one which is 4.75 acres as a corner lot when the zone requirement is 4.8 acres.
- Has contacted Amish Furniture Haus about lighting due to complaint of neighbor. Plans to go at night on May 8th.
- Wetland issue on Wahl Road is being referred to the St. Louis County Soil and Water District.
- Requesting Town to purchase a spiral binding machine for binding Ordinances and larger documents. The approx. cost is $125.00.
- Reviewed property of Richard Polinka upon his invitation.
Recycling: Merle Abernethy
- Frame on entry door to building is loose and needs repair. Everything else is fine.
Public Comment:
- None
Committee Reports:
- MPAC – no business to report.
- NSMB – April 26 meeting held. Working on on-incorporated areas that are being developed. Are hosting a May 10th seminar at Beaver Bay on the topic of looking at cluster private sewer systems.
- DAT – No report.
- SLCTA – No report.
Unfinished Business:
1. Next Town Newsletter
- Special Election results, Request from St. Louis County to provide info. On County Fair. Board supported general idea but no business advertising, brought up item of candidate information for township elections---referred item to June meeting agenda, summer youth program, general items.
New Business:
- Board of Canvass of Special Election: agreed by consensus to meet ahead of the recessed Board of Equalization meeting on May 9th with meeting to be held at 5:45 p.m.
Correspondence:
- A letter was received from the Duluth School District expressing appreciation for the proceeds from the aluminum can recycling.
- Special Election for two Supervisors on May 8th.
There was no other business brought forth at the Meeting.
The Next Monthly Board Meeting is Wednesday June 6, 2007 at 7:00 p.m. at the Lakewood Town Hall.
Motion by Larson to adjourn the Meeting at 11:09 p.m. Second by Campbell. Motion Carried.
Respectfully Submitted;
Gene Bromenshenkel
Town of Lakewood Clerk Subject to approval at next Meeting.