CORINNA TOWNSHIP BOARD MEETING MINUTES

Tuesday, May 18, 2004

7 p.m., Township Hall

Present: (24) Those that signed register: Greg Simon, Rob Jensen, Dan and Bonnie Shay, Karl Leslie, Scott Enfield, Dan Erickson, Debbie Erickson, Everett and Phyllis Staples, Judy Grega, Barbara Johnson, Roger and Gail Bernard, John and Jan Jenkins, Ray and Mary Svoboda, Rita and Bob Crews, Tom and Bill Crouch, and Dean Voss. Township Attorney: Tim Young

Wright County Assistant Planner: Marsha Westover

Town Board: Chairman David Stumpf, Supervisor John Dearing, Supervisor Bil Lieb and Clerk/Treasurer Vi Novotne

Chairman David Stumpf called the meeting to order at 7 p.m. With John Dearing’s motion, Bill Lieb second, the minutes of the Township Meeting of May 4, 2004 were approved as printed. Bill Lieb presented motion to approve this meeting’s agenda with the addition of: items Construction without Permit, Barking Dog Problem and Affidavit Covering Tiger vs Doyle lawsuit.

Requests to be on the Agenda:

1. Greg Simon, 6918 80th Street NW, Mink Lake. Request variance to build a home too close to the lake. Bill Lieb presented motion to approve variance for a 20x20 addition to existing home that is 50’ from the ordinary high water mark of the lake at the closest point. The addition will be 4’ above the OHWM. Value of addition will stay at 50% or less because home is serviced by a holding tank. Dave Stumpf, second. Motion carried.

2. Bruce Prevost, contractor, representing David Leslie, 8783 Ingram Ave NW. Request for a variance to construct a home that would be too close to bluff. John Dearing presented motion, seconded by Bill Lieb, that the board approve variances for a 1,300 s/f new home 18’ from walkout basement to the north side of bluff. Septic system would be 6’ from the north property line. Letter from neighbor states no objection to this placement. Motion carried.

3. Dean Voss, contractor representing Dan and Bonnie Shay of 9362 Kramer Avenue NW, Clearwater Lake. Request variances for updating a cabin. John Dearing presented motion, second by Bill Lieb, that the board approve improving a home that is 43’ from the lake, sewer system 42’ at the closest point from the lake and 5’ from the property line. The road has been raised above 1’ below flood plain requirement. Motion carried.

4. Robert Tregillis, purchasing property at 6310 County Road 39 NW. (Rescheduled for June 1, 2005.

5. Robert Jensen, 6775 Ireland Ave NW, Whispering Pines Paving Project. Robert Jensen expressed that seeding has not been done and a culvert should be extended.

John Dearing responded that Wednesday, May 19, a meeting has been will be held with the Engineer and Mid Minnesota to discuss these issues, the rough paving at Whispering Pines Club House Area, and a curve with cracked paving.

8 P.M. Road Reconstruction Informational Meeting – 103rd Street NW, West Side of Clearwater Lake.

Approximately 24 people attended.

Chairman Dave Stumpf introduced Tim Young, Township Attorney, and Marsha Westover, Wright County Assistant Planner.

Marsha Westover displayed a flood plain map and noted that the road from the entrance to the Larson Residence meets the flood plain requirement of 1’ below the flood plain or 996.2’. Beyond that point the road does not meet the flood plain requirements of a road that must be accessible for fire trucks and other emergency vehicles. This law began to be enforced in 1988 whereby no permits were to be issued for new homes until the road is elevated. Improvements or additions may be added to a home up to the 50% of the value of the home.

Judy Grega stated that her son Bryan’s home burned down February of this year and as Bryan is planning to rebuild, he is working with the Board of Adjustment. Rebuilding the road means trees will be removed. Boats, pontoons, gardens and guest parking areas will be lost. Have adjusted to change over the years but am concerned with the hardship for the property owners. Flooding was an issue when bogs that blocked the water flow were not removed soon enough. Lake had 17” of rain and the property owners lived through it. For the changes to the environment, the DNR must be involved. Judy added that homes had been previously built by following requirements, and just does not seem right that a home cannot be improved because of the road requirement and the rule should be bent.

Barb Johnson read aloud the letter she had written to Tom Salkowski of Planning and Zoning and the DNR.

John Dearing added that the road in some areas needs to be raised 16” and basically the road needs to be widened 18” at places that a garage and other property are on the right of way. Township maintenance men have added stakes along the road marking the approximate 66’ required for the road. Ditching will be built and the road may move toward the swamp. Five garages have been build on road right of way or on another’s private land. The township must do what is right and the board has to desire to upgrade this road for which cost will not be an assessment to the property owner but paid from the entire township fund. The opportunity should be taken now to rebuild this road, treat every property owner the same now and in the future.

In answer to Scott Enfield ‘s question if the level of the lake could be lowered, Marsha responded that takes a DNR directive. In answer to Judy Grega’s question regarding the recent $600,000 home built along this road, Marsha stated that this was a Planning and Zoning error. Marsha continued that more homes around the lake and in this area are becoming year around homes. Property owners are improving homes with additions, garages and nearly every lot requires a variance.

Tim Young responded that law states requirement for building is to receive a permit and not to obtain a permit is in violation of the law. Rules cannot change for a permit which is in part governed by Shoreland Management. Township must follow these laws. Board of Adjustment gives variances to county rules. It is very unlikely that the Board of Adjustment would give a blanket variance. Property owners can ask but the acceptance is slim. In the township, for a road moved further away, the property owner has been able to purchase the original road land. Something to consider is when this project has engineering and Wright County Planning and Zoning is made aware of this project, P&Z can grant relief to any rule of county and P&Z may allow a permit.

Chairman Dave Stumpf responded that the road elevation is a part of a directive from the county which the state dictates and the township is at the end following through with the process. In response to Barb Johnson’s question for assistance to property owners who need to move buildings, Dave stated that issue is something that the board needs to discuss.

Tom Crouch stated that property along this road has $10,000,000 in assets. When several people sell property they will find a way to deal with this issue in order to have assets grow. (several people voiced,” I agree”). To allow a non-conforming road to remain makes for second class citizens. If the word gets out, other areas on this lake will have the same issue.. It is important that property is not locked in where we cannot improve this property.

David Enfield expressed that the township is now being requested to improve this road.

Bill Lieb commented that Merle Anderson, of the CRWD has stated a plan is in place for a quick response when water level is high and bogs break loose and the new bridge should alleviate that flooding problem.

John Dearing continued that the basic cost for a contractor is $61,000 to improve the road, engineering services will be obtained, areas of road will be dug out and the road matted so that the road would be ready should property owners in the future wish the road paved. In response to Barb Johnson, John stated that engineering will state how many feet the road will need to be moved. Engineering will obtain permits from DNR and perhaps at the earliest the road will be reconstructed next year.

Roger Bernard stated that the township is taking the initiative and quite a few property owners wish this road improved.

Bill Lieb presented motion that the board submit the road project to engineering for plans for the reconstruction of 103rd Street and obtain permits and permits for water issues. John Dearing, second. The motion was unanimously approved.

John Dearing added that depending when the engineering plans are finished, another informational meeting may be in October.

Board Meeting continued:

Other Requests:

1. Isaak Avenue to 75th and 78th Street Projects. May 14, Attorney Tim Young forwarded a second easement request to the 8 remaining property owners. John Dearing stated that Ron Freeman had concerns for assessment when in the future improvement is planned for 75th Street. Township has policy of no second assessment for another connecting road. Preconstruction Conference was May 11, 2004. Work may begin Monday, May 24.

2. 80th Street/Hemlock Road Improvement. Preconstruction Conference, May 11, 2004. Work may begin Monday, May 24. Wetland Replacement Conservation Act Application and DNR Application for Permit to extend the 48’ culvert 10’ for this wetland project are on file. Township Attorney Tim Young has forwarded a copy of letters to two remaining property owners that need to sign easement agreements.

3. Topfer Road Relocation Project. Work to begin Friday, May 21.

4. Realign 110th and Gulden. Work to begin 3rd week of May.

5. Overlay for Ireland, Imhoff, Illsley ad Ingram Avenue. When specifications have been determined, bids will be advertised. Two crack fill proposals have been received.

6. Website. Bill Lieb forwarded photographs needed for the layout. Brian Munsterteiger has been authorized to request a government domain website. Registration will be on a two year plan rather than for lifetime.

7. Property with Hazardous Conditions, 11574 103rd St NW. Site has not been cleaned up after a house fire. Building Inspector is to make a site visit.

8. Dog Control. Animal Control Officer’s new telephone number is: 612-366-4370.

9. Lake Center Bar and Grille John Dearing contacted the owner and discussed erecting a fence to deter customer parking from the cemetery area.

10. Clearwater River Watershed District Informational Meeting, Bill Lieb reported that nearly one hundred township property owners attended this meeting. Several persons offered to participate on a committee. CRWD Administrator, Merle Anderson, will prepare a report that will be added to the next township newsletter. As CRWD offered to provide partial payment for this mailing, board determined that CRWD could bear the printing cost for a second page to the newsletter.

11. Additional chairs for township hall. Purchase of 36 stackable chairs will be explored.

12. 2003 Population: State Demographer reported Corinna Township population estimate as 2,441 and 962 households.

13. Permits issued 4/13/04-5/12/04 (24): 2-new homes; 6-garages; 6-new septic systems; 4-additions; 2-land alterations; 2-sheds and 2-pole barns

14. Wright County Sheriff’s Office – 1st Quarter Summary report for law enforcement activity and crimes in Corinna Township was noted and placed on file.

15. Building without a Permit: Site: 7153 Imhoff Planning and Zoning Building Inspector visited site and placed a stop work order.

16. Barking Dog Problem: Clearwater Lake property owner has reported that neighbor’s dog continually barks. This person has discussed the problem with neighbor but no correction has occurred. Board suggested that the property owner should tape this continuous barking as evidence and report the incident to Sheriff Department or the Animal Control Officer.

17. Tiger Corporation vs. Doyle, Inc. Trial date is June 14, 2004.

18. Highway 55 Coalition Meeting for May 21, 2004. Rescheduled for June 18.

19. Flower Bed on Right of Way. Complaint received that property owner, at 9398 96th Street NW, has a decorative flower garden on the right of way that obstructs traffic.

With motion by Dave Stumpf, John Dearing second, the motion carried that a letter is to be written requesting that the flower garden is to be removed..

No further business to come before the board, the meeting adjourned at 10:00 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Viola Novotne,

Clerk/Treasurer