LAKEWOOD BOARD of SUPERVISORS MEETING
September 6, 2006
The September, 2006 Meeting of the Lakewood Town Board of Supervisors was called to order by Chair Diane Larson on Wednesday September 6, 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, 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---1) Under Public Comment, request by Clint Massie and 2) Letter on chlorination of township roads.
Review of Minutes:
- August 2, 2006 Monthly Board of Supervisors Meeting - Motion by Musick to approve the minutes as printed. Second by Campbell. Motion Carried.
- August 16, 2006 Special Board Meeting – Motion by Campbell to approve as printed. Second by Musick. Motion Carried.
- August 23, 2006 Special Board Meeting – Motion by Campbell to approve the minutes as printed. Second by Larson. Motion Carried.
- August 28, 2006 Special Board Meeting – Motion by Musick to approve with amendment---to clarify references on page 2 to DNR as U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Second by Larson. 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 August 31, 2006. Total fund balances are $232,097.03. This sum including outstanding checks is in balance with the monthly bank statement and with the Clerk’s records. The report shows $24.75 more than the bank statement due to a charge by the bank for printing checks which has not yet been entered and paid as a claim by the township. There are two long-time outstanding checks---both to Poster Compliance Center in the amount of $139.00 each issued on 10-02-05 and 12-2-05. The account payable to Poster Compliance Center has been paid and the check cleared. Motion by Larson to stop payment of checks to Poster Compliance Center. Second by Musick. Motion Carried.
The Treasurer provided a copy of the current savings assets (copy attached). 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 $72,167.76. It was noted that this includes the final fire hall payment of $32,422.80 and a roads maintenance billing for $18,628.00. Motion by Musick to approve payment of Claims #3819 through 3886 in amount of $72,167.76. Second by Campbell. Motion Carried.
Budget Report: Clerk Gene Bromenshenkel presented the monthly budget report showing the expenditures through the August Board Meeting and receipts through August 31, 2006. It appears that the expenditures for departments in on track according to the established budget.
Attorney Report: Tim Strom
Has information for Board’s interest in exploring alternative options to Board Membership, Appointment of Clerk and Treasurer Positions and moving annual elections to a November
General Election date.
1. Appointment of Clerk and Treasurer Positions: would require a Town Board resolution which would put the item on the ballot for the voters at the March Town Election.
2. Moving Election to November: Strom outlined the process; the same procedure as options for the positions i.e. Requirement of a resolution to place question on Town Election ballot for voter decision.
3. Five-Member Board Option: Strom presented information about the State Statutes allowing for the option for townships. This would also require a resolution to place the question on the ballot for voter decision at the March Town Election. Elections under the option would be held every other year with a November election. Terms for existing and new supervisors would have to be a part of the proposal.
Supervisor Larson: Is supportive of appointment of Clerk and Treasurer Positions and a five-person Board of Supervisors.
Supervisor Musick: Sees there being a lot of details for the positions of Treasurer and Clerk. Is supportive of appointment of two positions and not combining them and also for a 5-member Board of Supervisors.
It was agreed to continue discussion with the item of the three possibilities being on the October Board agenda and an invitation in the Newsletter for the public to provide input.
Department Reports:
Fire: Kurt Rogers
- Six calls handled by Dept. during past month---one 1052, 4 medical and one brush pile fire.
- Final payment is due on the Fire Hall.
- Telephone jack in Fire Hall has not been fixed by computer consultant. It was agreed by consensus to send a letter if necessary to the consultant.
- Had to replace four tires on one fire truck.
Maintenance & Grounds: Don Putnam
- Have removed dead trees from grounds where needed.
- Have painted hockey rink and boards.
- Repaired some of the grounds equipment as a part of regular maintenance.
- Water storage tank for flooding rinks—have an estimate on a 2,700 gal tank; estimated at $1300-1500.00, delivered in place. Installation cost is estimated at $1,000 including excavation, fill, etc. Pump for tank is $293.00. The estimates do not include electrical and hose. Total estimated cost near $5,000.00. Motion by Campbell to authorize Don Putnam to expend up to $5,000 for purchasing of tank, pump, hose, installation and electrical work. Second by Musick. Motion Carried.
- Disposal of old aluminum can bin—it is no longer needed. It was agreed by consensus of the Board to dispose of this property to Garrett Anderson who will remove it and relieve the town of this item no longer useful.
Road & Bridge: Don Putnam
- Have completed work on the major road projects in the road plan for the year.
- Have received some complaints on dust. A letter was received from Tom Abdu about dust on a township road. He will be contacted about the Town’s policy of not applying chloride due to high cost of application.
Zoning Administrator Report: Brennan Mears
- Telecommunication Tower request for conditional use permit from Highway 61 Expressway LLC: Greg Follmer has expressed a concern that the 60-day rule extension was not made in the proper form of a written confirmation. Attorney Strom advised the Board and Zoning Administrator that if there are issues on the part of Follmer and Highway 61 Expressway that they should send a letter to the Town Board of Supervisors.
- Town has received a letter from Linda Martenson. She has shown work accomplished on clean-up of property and feels she has not received any correspondence from the Town. Brennan Mears referred to the letter sent notifying Martenson of the September 30, 2006 deadline date for final clean up. Mears will re-send a certified copy of the letter. Martenson in her letter, indicated she will need a two-month extension to complete the clean-up. Motion by Musick to grant an extension of time for cleanup of the property to November 1, 2006 with the Zoning Administrator to send a certified letter informing Martenson of such. Second by Campbell. Vote on Motion: No votes cast. Motion Failed for a lack of vote. There was no other action on the matter.
- Maxwell/Maple property---owners have made a concerted effort and good progress on cleanup of property.
- Contacted the property owners of approx. 5600 Lester River Road who acknowledged that salvage yard activities is taking place on the property. Mears recommended sending a cease and desist letter with the appropriate sections of the Zoning Ordinance stated.
- Gary Brucklemyer property on Radtke Road---a certified letter was sent and was returned, unsigned. Board requested an update on the matter at the next meeting.
- August Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting---there was not a quorum of members present. Clint Massie had requested meeting with the Commission. Massie manages Great Lakes Stone on the Lipe Bros. Construction property on West Tischer/Jean Duluth Road location. The property is in the MUNS-4 zone. Lipe Bros. Construction has a conditional use permit on the property. Mears is recommending that a review of the conditional use permit be done by the Planning and Zoning Commission at their next meeting. Lipe Bros. Construction is leasing property to another business and Great Lakes Stone is operating a business apparently not allowed in the zone, according to the Zoning Ordinance.
- Clint Massie was present. He indicated he is doing concrete products work which is apparently in violation of the Zoning Ordinance. Jerry Lipe who was also present indicated he feels he is in violation of the Zoning Ordinance and needs help in determining what direction to go from here. No actions were taken.
- Appeal Form---Brennan Mears presented a draft of a Form developed for use in making appeals to the Town regarding Zoning Ordinance decisions.
- Nine permits were issued during the past month.
- Cant Road---a variance hearing was held with the request for a variance denied. The property lot was not a record prior to 1973. The Supervisors requested a letter from St. Louis County on the status of the Cant Road regarding the question of it being a public road.
- The Supervisors requested Brennan to present a monthly list of permits issued to keep them informed to be able to respond to the public.
Planning and Zoning Commission Report: Bob Wolfe
- There was not a quorum of members at the August meeting, therefore no official meeting was held.
- There was discussion about a lack of attendance at recent meetings. Members should be encouraged to contact alternates and/or let the Chair of the Commission know if they are going to be absent.
Public Comment:
Jerry Lipe: Has continued salvage yard license on his property at W. Tischer/Jean Duluth Roads. He would like to sell off part of the property and willing to work with the Town on uses.
Motion by Larson to recess the meeting at 9:12 p.m. Second by Musick. Motion Carried. The Meeting was reconvened at 9:22 p.m.
Recreation: Scott Anderson
- Completed the Summer Youth Recreation Program on August 10th. The finale was a trip to Valley Fair.
- Had a successful summer program, will do a written summary report.
- Soccer will wrap up in September.
- Will likely be doing some upgrading of soccer field, Soccer Association will provide funding for such.
Recycling: Merle Abernethy
- Wasps have continued to be a problem at the recycling center.
- Recycling of aluminum cans will go to the Lakewood School beginning September 24th.
- A company is interested in doing the recycling of aluminum cans and would do on-site pickup of the cans. It was agreed to further check out and determine if the Company will pay competitive prices.
Committee Reports:
- NSMB – No correspondence received about upcoming meetings.
- DAT – No attendance at meeting.
- SLCTA – All Supervisors. Next meeting is Sept. 27
- MAT District Mtg: September 28 at Twig.
Unfinished Business:
1. Newsletter---considerations for possible changes on positions, 5-person Board and November Election-invite public to provide input; election results and information on upcoming November General Election, zoning, general items.
2. Comprehensive Land Use Update Grant—there is a meeting on administering of the grant on Sept. 14, Supervisor Musick and Clerk to attend; grant forms are ready for signature-to be signed by Larson and Musick.
3. Election Judges Trained---list of those trained for next two years was presented to Board.
New Business:
1. County Hazard Mitigation Plan – requires a resolution from Board; referred to October meeting agenda.
2. Tax Forfeited Land – letter presented on land being forfeited in township. No action taken.
3. Disposal of Property – of old election tabulator machine and case. Motion by Campbell to dispose of old voter tabulator machine (Optech Eagle III). Second by Musick. Motion Carried.
4. Communication from Duluth Township –re: intersection of McQuade and Lismore roads. Motion by Musick to support encouraging St. Louis County to install stop signs at west intersection of McQuade and Lismore Roads. Second by Campbell. Motion Carried.
6. Weed Inspection---Supervisor Musick indicated that the Town was contacted by St. Louis County about the concern expressed of Leafy Spurge, a noxious week at a location on Zimmerman Road near the Levine property.
7. Buckthorn problem on Beyer Road. Musick contacted property owner. There is nothing further for township involvement.
Correspondence/Other:
1. Announcement of Primary Election---poll hours are 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Town Hall.
There was no other business brought forth at the Meeting.
The Next Monthly Board Meeting is Wednesday October 4, 2006 at 7:00 p.m. at the Lakewood Town Hall.
Motion by Larson to adjourn the Meeting at 10:01 p.m. Second by Campbell. Motion Carried.
Respectfully Submitted;
Gene Bromenshenkel
Town of Lakewood Clerk
Minutes Subject to Approval at the next Regular Board of Supervisors Meeting