CORINNA TOWNSHIP BOARD MEETING MINUTES                 Unofficial Minutes

Tuesday, March 16, 2004

7 p.m., Town Hall

 

Present:  John Ashland, Harvey Dahl, Helen Allen, Tom Crouch, Scott Enfield, Rick  and Debbie Erickson, Bob Erickson, Dan Erickson, Mark and Debbie Maas, Mike McNellis,  Bill Wegleitner, Pat Meuwissen, Ron and Linda Dircks, Bill Crouch, John Rivers, Shari Deopere and three family members, and Stephen Mann.  Township Board:  Chairman, David Stumpf, Supervisor John Dearing, Supervisor Bill Lieb and Clerk/Treasurer Vi Novotne

Before the meeting opened, Bill Lieb took the Official Oath for Office of Supervisor.

Chairman David Stumpf called the meeting to order at 7:04 p.m.

Motion presented by John Dearing, second Bill Lieb, to accept the March 9, 2004 Meeting Minutes as printed.  Motion carried.

Motion presented by John Dearing, Bill Lieb, to accept minutes as printed for the Special Meeting with Auditor, March 9, 2004.  Motion carried.

With motion by Bill Lieb that John Dearing should be Vice-Chairman of the Township Board, seconded by Dave Stumpf.  Motion carried.  Motion by Bill Lieb to accept the minutes of the Reorganization Meeting as printed with amendment that John Dearing is the Board Vice-Chairman.  Motion was seconded by Dave Stumpf.  Motion carried.

John Dearing presented motion to add John Ashland and Harvey Dahl to the consent agenda and remove Judy Martin that rescheduled to next board meeting.  Bill Lieb seconded the motion and motion carried.

A copy of the three previous meeting minutes and the agenda were available for those attending this meeting.

 

Requests to be on the Agenda: 

1.                  Rick and Debbie Erickson and Scott Enfield, cabin owners on 103rd Street NW.  The Ericksons and Enfields wish to remove existing cabins and replace them with new structures.  In order to obtain a building permit, the road needs to be improved and raised to minimum elevation of 996.20.  Rick Erickson stated that letters were mailed to all home owners along 103rd Street and that nearly 95% were in favor of looking into the road problem.  He requested that an engineer’s study be made in order to come up with a reconstruction cost to upgrade the road to the flood plain.  An earlier survey has shown that some areas will need to be raised 15”.  John Dearing added that only time there was much water over the road was many years previous when a bog became lodged at the Grass Lake Dam.  John continued that a contractor has been asked to present a cost estimate rather than an engineering firm.  Bill Lieb stated that his one concern is that elevating the road does not route water to the property owners.  Scott Enfield replied that at this time culverts do not work and several property owner lands are lower than the swamp. Both Erickson and Enfield stated that they need help in order to pursue this project.  Rick reported that the objective is to have the road in a condition that if flooded, fire trucks and ambulances can drive along the road.  Bill stated that with a DNR permit, a catch basin could be installed and a culvert or pipe could divert the excess water to the lake.    Helen Allen, resident of west end of 103rd Street, asked who would be paying for the cost to elevate the road.  Bill Lieb responded that costs could be $20,000, and would be paid from the Road and Bridge Fund that receives the property taxes.  Everyone in township would share in the cost.  Dave Stumpf concluded that a contractor will be asked to give an estimate of this project.

2.                  Mark and Debbie Maas. 11599 Kramer Ave NW.   Bill Lieb presented motion to approve the construction of a 72x41 house  that is 64’ from the ordinary high water mark of the lake, at the same location as the existing cabin, and not require foundation to move into the wetlands.  John Dearing, second.  All voted in favor and motion carried.

3.                  John Ashland, 11420 103rd Street and Harvey Dahl, 11430 103rd Street.  Discussed the possibility that plow could continue along their road to a turn around area at the bottom of the hill.  John Dearing offered to have the maintenance men investigate if the area has space to allow the plow to turnaround.  Mr. Dahl and Mr. Ashland are to obtain the landowner’s name and notify board.

4.                  Mike McNellis, Real Estate Agent, and Bill Wegleitner, 9182 Kilbury Avenue NW.  Discussion.  John Dearing presented motion to approve variances for a deck 41’ from the ordinary high water mark of the lake and a 14’ 4-season porch.  Bill Lieb, second.  All voted in favor and motion carried.  Bill Wegleitner reported that road water runoff carries sand from road ditch into his garage and considerable erosion is occurring at the road concrete curbing.  He suggested that a catch basin be built and asked that  board make a site inspection.

5.                  Pat Meuwissen, 116th Street and Kramer.  Request subdivision of 4.86 acre lot to create two lots.  Bill Lieb presented motion that as this request is consistent with the Land Use Plan, the board should allow the change in the property parcels of 206-000-061400 and 206-000-052300 from R-2 to R-1.  John Dearing, second.  All voted in favor and motion carried.

6.                  John Rivers, 10547 Hollister and Steve Mann, President of the Sugar Lake Association.  John Rivers reported concern with water runoff and the need to s open neighbor Les Cantin’s driveway culvert.  John Rivers added that over the years, land has been altered and nutrients are flowing in the lake and Sugar Lake is one of three lakes that lake quality is going down and that he would appreciate any help possible from the township.  John Dearing replied that land altering change problems should be dealt with Wright County, Soil and Water, as township does not have jurisdiction.  Bill Lieb stated that at this time any work on the culvert would be trespassing on private property along this dedicated road.  John Rivers replied that he gives permission to raise his driveway culvert and would also desire to obtain a petition for making the road a township road.  John reported that a township road needs a 66’ right of way and this road is now 33’ and a building would be in the new right of way.   Bill stated that the board will help with culverts if property owner gives permission to raise his driveway culvert four inches.  John Dearing offered to discuss the problem with Les Cantin..

7.                  Sheri Deopere, 9688 Ingram Ave NW.   Requested use of town hall for a June graduation party.  Board approved the rental noting that liquor is not to be consumed on the premises and disc jockey music and sound level to be under  control as to not unreasonably disturb neighbors.  Damage deposit would be $100 along with the established $10 rental fee.  A proposed rental contract will be prepared.

 

Other Items and Old Business:

1.                  Joint Resolution and Agreement for future orderly annexation between Corinna Township and the City of Maple Lake.  Board discussed annexations procedures of Chatham and Buffalo and the sample agreement that attorney had forwarded.  The board agreed that the the following insertions to the sample annexation agreement be forwarded to the City of Maple Lake Attorney:

                  Item 3 (1)  For unimproved land, the property owner shall pay                                                        $30/acre per year for six years annexed.                

                 (2)   For improved land, the property owner shall pay equivalent of                                        a $250,000 house tax for six years annexed.

      Item 4 (C)  The entire roadway that borders City and Township as a result of an annexation shall be maintained by township.  For six years from date of agreement, the township will maintain the road including, but not limited to snowplowing, grading, graveling, dust control treatment and any materials.  Township shall bill City for one-half of the cost of any gravel, dust control or materials applied to the Road.

The township board offered to meet with the City of Maple Lake Council the second Tuesday of April, April 13, 2004 or a Monday or Wednesday in early April.          

2.                  Isaak Avenue to 75th and 78th Street Project:  With motion of John Dearing,                 Dave Stumpf, second, the board unanimously accepted the Susan Berwyn parcel owned by Steve Lampi, PID 206-079-0010, as an addition to the assessment rolls.  Bill Lieb presented motion, second by John Dearing, for Resolution 2004-07 declaring intent to reimburse Isaak Avenue to 75th and 78th Street Project expenses with Bond Proceeds.  Project contractor bid is to be awarded at the next township meeting, April 6, 2004.

3.                  80th Street/Hemlock Road Improvement:      Mid-Minnesota submitted a bid and included an item with unit price of $2,550 per 15” RCP Storm Sewer rather than $25.50, an obvious error.  The instructions to bidders stated that discrepancies between the multplication of units of work and unit prices will be resolved in favor of the unit prices..  Mid-Minnesota has retained a legal firm that has responded that Mid-Minnesota bid total was the lowest responsible bidder on the Project.  Town Board had received legal opinion conclusion that the town should not allow Mid-Minnesota to change the unit price contained in its base bid.  Project contractor bid is to be awarded at the next township meeting, April 6, 2004.

4.                  Topfer Road Relocation Project.  Clerk has informed Dorothy Stannard, property owner, that the road and electrical lines are being moved as other property owners needed land for septic systems, garages and other buildings.  John Topfer offered to sell land and township consented to move road.    

5.                  Website:  The proposed new website information will cover services, ordinances, newsletters, meeting agenda and minutes, directory, land use plan and fire warden information.  Brian Munsterteiger, webmaster, is building the new website

6.                  Highway 55 Corridor Coalition:  Wright County Engineer forwarded a revised Joint Powers Agreement.  The primary purpose of this revised agreement remains the same as before.  The most significant change is the removal of the specific annual fees.  Board received and reviewed a copy of the revised agreement.  Bill Lieb presented motion for Resolution 2004-06 to support the revised Highway 55 Corridor Coalition Joint Powers Agreement:  Whereas, the eligible Counties and Cities and Townships are governmental units governmental units of the State of Minnesota; and Whereas,  the primary purpose of the Joint Powers Agreement is for the Parties to jointly and cooperatively work to preserve the Highway 55 Corridor between I-494 in Hennepin County and the western limits of the City of Annandale to increase safety, provide additional capacity, and improve access and transit services along the Corridor, and Whereas, the Wright County Board of  Commis- sioners formally adopted the Joint Powers Agreement; and Whereas, agreement changes were proposed at Highway Corridor Coalition Meeting; 2/20/04, and  NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Corinna Township Board of Supervisors hereby authorizes the Board Chairman and Supervisors to adopt and sign the revised agreement.  John Dearing seconded the motion. Unanimously approved.                                                             John reported that the next Corridor Coalition Meeting will be March 19, 2004, at the Hennepin County Public Works Facility.

7.                  Dan Dan Hinrichs, 6648 75th St NW, E-Mail.  John offered to contact Mr. Hinrichs regarding the 75th Street road mail box installation problems.

8.                  Request  for Bids and Opening Bid Date:  Bid descriptions for gravel, loading, hauling and spreading of Class 5 Gravel on township roads and dustcoating and application will remain the same as for 2003.  Bid announcement will be forwarded to previous bidders,  advertised in advertised in the Annandale Advocate and the Maple Lake Messenger and posted at town hall.  John will obtain road overlay and crackseal quotes for a portion of Ireland Avenue.

9.                  Wright County Auditor and Election Supervisor letter, 3/2/04.  Election Systems and Software will demonstrate M100 voting equipment March 17 at the Government Center.

10.              Seerti Hills Development.  Wright County Planning and Zoning Administrator has informed Maki Development that a letter of credit covering road work in Seerti Hills Development expires 4/17/04.  Letter must be kept in force until the Town Board accepts the road as a Township Road.

11.              Applications for Use and Building Permits:  (Jan.22-Mar 2, 2004 –6)  1-new home; 1-detached garage, 2-alterations, and 2-septic systems.

12.              Clerk and Treasurer Bond Trust.  MN Association of Townships forwarded certificate renewal for 3/01/04-3/01/05 as $100,000 per covered position and $100,000 Annual Aggregate.

13.              Township Officers Spring Short Course is March 22, 2004 at St. Cloud with morning session beginning at 9 a.m.  Dave Stumpf, Bill Lieb and Vi Novotne plan to attend.

14.              Wright County Assessor’s Office forwarded new form for Property Tax Exemption and Purely Public Charity Property Tax Exemption.  Form was forwarded so that township board is aware that institutions of purely public charity must apply for this exemption.

15.              Local Board of Appeal and Equalization:  Tuesday, April 27, 2004 beginning at 3 p.m.

No further business to come before the board, John Dearing presented motion to adjourn, Bill Lieb, second.  The motion carried.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

Vi Novotne,

Clerk