CORINNA TOWNSHIP BOARD MEETING MINUTES

Tuesday, September 6, 2005

7 p.m. Town Hall Unapproved

Present: Victor & Kathleen Birthler, Marianne & Darrell Peterson, Darrell Dahl, Bill Lieb, Jr., Jerry Pitra, Sandra Ransom, Ed and Jan Quinn, Attorney Tim Young, Dale Erdmann and Town Board: Chairman John Dearing, Supervisor Bill Lieb, Supervisor Ken Jude and Clerk/Treasurer Vi Novotne.

Meeting opened at 7 p.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance.

With motion by Ken Jude, seconded by Bill Lieb, the minutes of the August 16, 2005 Town Board Meeting were approved as printed.

Bill Lieb presented motion, seconded by Ken Jude, the agenda was approved with the addition of Jr to the name of Bill Lieb.

Requests to be on the Agenda:

1. Darrell and Marianne Peterson, Part of Gov’t Lots 5,6,7 on Sugar and Indian Lakes (206-000-013200, 70.14 acres and 206-000-013400, 35.9 acres). Petition to rezone from AG Gen Ag and S-2 Residential-Recreational Shorelands to R-1 Urban-Rural Transitional and S-2 (for riparian lots on Sugar Lake) and R-2a Suburban Residential and S-2 for backlots and a Conditional Use Permit for a platted residential subdivision. Proposed are three lakeshore lots on Sugar Lake and 13 backlots. With motion by Bill Lieb, seconded by Ken Jude, the board approved the rezoning of the Lehn plotted properties and the Conditional Use Permit as it is consistent with the Land Used Plan. Approval is contingent upon removal of weeds on the farm. P&Z Hearing, 9/15/2005

2. Victor Birthler, 7487 Ingram Ave NW, Cedar Lake (206-065-000200). Request to build a new dwelling that would be 33’ from deck to lake and dwelling 44’ to lake and 5.2’ from the north property line. Ken Jude expressed concern that deck may encroach view to lake. Bill Lieb noted that side lots should be at least 10’ to access the well on the property. Mr. Birthler stated that moving the home further would encroach on the area for a back up septic system. With motion by Ken Jude, second by Bill Lieb, the board approved the request from Victor Birthler for a setback of a deck that would be 33’ from the lake. The house will be moved further South for a minimum sidelot of 8’. The approval for the sidelot set back is to protect the future placement of a mound system. P&Z Hearing, 9/23/2005.

3. Bill Lieb, Jr., property at 10780 Gulden Ave NW (206-046-000120). Mr. Lieb, Jr, stated that the original 10x35’ deck has been removed and wishes to rebuilt a deck that would be 12’x22’ and 9’x13’ that would be 50’ from the lake. Discussion. With motion by Ken Jude, second by John Dearing, the board approved a 12’ replacement deck that would be 2’ closer to lake. Bill Lieb, Sr. abstained from the vote and discussion.

4. Darrell Dahl, 7630 106th St NW, telephone request of 8/30/05 and attended meeting with Ed and Jan Quinn. Mr. Dahl stated that the nearby holding pond culvert should be raised 2’ so that water could settle before running out from the pond. Mr. Topfer, land owner, has agreed to this change. John Dearing stated that when the pond was built the culvert was placed 2’ above the pond bottom. If culvert placed higher, water from tiles from property behind pond won’t flow. John stated that runoff problem will be be corrected by hiring local excavator, Ron Mares, to clean pond bottom depth to again allow a 4” rain. John noted that someone has tried to tip the culvert angle by placing large rocks on one end of the culvert.

5. Jerry Pitra, 11102 Hoyer Ave NW, near Sandy Lake, attended meeting.. Inquired if township plans to have own Planning and Zoning Department. He intends to level his land for future development. Discussion.

6. Sandy Ransom, 8484 State Highway 24 NW, attended meeting. Sandy stated that Mn DOT has not responded to her correspondence regarding agreements for use of their land in the rebuilding of Highway 24. Sandy presented the board a copy of letter, dated August 26, 2005, which her lawyer confirmed to MNDOT that the Ransoms are not authorizing any access to their property for soil testing for the following reasons:

1. You have failed to reach an agreement with the township on the width of the proposed 91st Street. The township and the Ransoms are asking for no more than a 66’ right of way. MNDOT insists on a much wider right-of-way.

2. You have failed to assure the Ransoms that they will have access to the fields but have rather referred us to the township board for obtaining that approval.

3. We have not been provided with any MnDOT designs that would assure that culverts will be installed in the field accesses that will be reinstalled after the current 91st Street is abandoned.

4. In response to our numerous questions, you repeatedly defer further issues regarding access to the township. That is not acceptable. It is MnDOT that is condemning and taking this property. It is MnDOT’s responsibility to assure access. Therefore until the township has fully reached an agreement with MNDOT regarding these issues and we agree with design changes, no access will be permitted to parcel No. 46.

Sandy continued that she is concerned with the City of Annandale proposed Land Use Plan. Their land has been in the Ransom family since 1856, for five generations, , the Planers for four generations and the Lawlers for three generations. These farmers wish to keep farming. The Ransom land wetlands carry the runoff from the City of Annandale Storm Sewer and grazing grassland growth is being affected These farmers own environmental sensitive land which houses an eagle’s nest and sand cranes in a beautiful protected area.

John Dearing stated he has invited Tom Salkowski, Director of Wright County Planning and Zoning to attend the Public Hearing for the proposed Land Use Plan, Tuesday, September 27, 7 p.m., Annandale City Hall. The board noted that concerned property owners should attend this meeting and also spread the word of this meeting.

Maintenance Men Meeting. Mark Miller and Douglas Smith, absent.

No Meeting

Other Items:

1. 103rd Street Reconstruction. Wetland Conservation inspectors conducted a field visit on August 22 that indicated that the project was under construction and much had been completed. The project did not have a wetland permit filed for approval. Otto and Associates had failed to submit the prepared application for proposed replacement through the BWSR transportation wetland bank. Construction work has been halted until application is approved. The township may receive a fine of $20,000 for failure to receive approval before starting the road work. Board Members will attend the Conservation Application Replacement Plan Decision Meeting scheduled for September 12, 2005.

Contractor, Dale Erdmann, presented claim for work completed on this project, for $89,462.50. Claim approved and paid.

Board stated that in consideration for the property donated along 103rd Street, Stan and Helen Otto is to be receive a letter confirming that they will not be assessed for any future road improvements. o

2. Cedar Acres and 78th Street Project. After discussions with Otto Associates Engineer, Cara Otto, the board decided to place the following requests in a letter:

A. The Town Board has repeatedly asked that a culvert be installed at the Dennis Dircks property, 8660 78th St NW. Project cost should be reduced by that amount.

B. Driveway for Margaret Johnson, 7712 Isaak Ave NW, was omitted on the plan. Request that $4,000 be taken out of project cost.

C. Silt fences have not been removed and areas need reseeding.

All of this work must be done before payments will be issued on this project.

3 Junk Amnesty Report: 239 truck/trailor loads were recycled or salvaged for a total of 59.53 tons. The results were lower than previous year. The board considers the event valuable to the community and will continue as a yearly project. The clerk presented a detailed item list of salvaged items, expenditures and receipts. Volunteers and Youth Workers will receive a letter of appreciation for the work done that day. Community Clean Up Report has been submitted to Wright County Solid Waste. .

4. Junk Violations:

Steve Leinonen, 11718 Kramer Ave NW. August 31, Supervisor made a site visit and determined that at least five new loads of junk had been added onto the property. September 1, Clerk prepared and mailed violation referral to Wright County Sheriff’s Office for Prosecution.

Arnold and Shirley Olson, 11597 89th St NW, Pleasant Lake. Letter, 8/29/05, from Pleasant Lake Improvement Association stated that they have received complaints of neglected property that has abandoned vehicles, falling down fences and rats. September 1, Ken Jude made a site visit. He noted the fence is not falling down and it is solid and appeared to have been recently repaired. Six to eight vintage vehicles can be seen thru a crack in the fence and the vehicles cannot be seen from the lake. The board did not consider this property to contain a violation and Ken Jude offered to contact the Pleasant Lake Association Secretary.

5. City of Annandale Land Use Plan. Land Use Plan draft has been received. A public hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, September 27, 7 p.m., in the Annandale City Hall Council Chambers. After the public hearing, NAC will identify issues raised and prepare a supplementary report to the City Council and a copy for Corinna Township.

6. Ron Worden, 9167 Kilbury Ave NW (Request 8/16/05 town meeting) Ken Jude made a site visit to view road runoff problem. Ken confirmed the problem and the board decided that a curb installed from the bottom and upward 500-600’ should correct this runoff. Board will obtain cost estimates for the installation that will be schedulede for next spring.

7. Don Riley, 8596 Griffith and neighbor, Robert Balogh. Town Attorney, Tim Young, received the survey covering town road in Outlot A of Mink Lake Shores (owned by Balogh) that will be added to Lot 4, Block 2, Van Island Beach First Addition (owned by Riley). Mr. Young will prepare the road vacation.

8. Claudia Aronsohn, lake residence: 11012 118th Street NW, letter, 8/17/2005. Ms. Aronsohn asked that board discuss noise problems and set a limit on the sound of a speaker system The board’s response was that Ms. Aronsohn should call the Wright County Sheriff and ask for a deputy to come to the violating property and enforce the present county noise ordinance.

9. Dog Control: Office received two dog complaints. One complaint was for continuous dog barking, and the other complaint that three dogs are loose and challenge the persons walking along a road. Clerk asked the persons to inform the dog owner of the incidents and if still a problem, to call the Animal Control Officer. The Animal Control Officer picked up two other dogs this month.

10. Isaak Ave Road Improvement Project. Letter, 8/17/2005 from Otto and Associates in response to property owner complaint that steep slopes in ditches make the ditches unmowable, that although the ditches are steeper than what previously had, they are acceptable ditch grades for road safety and for mowing.

11. Building Permits: (33) 7/28-8/17/05: 5-new homes; 4-garages; 2-additions; 3-decks; 1-shed; 1-gazebo; 2-miscellaneous; 1-three season porch; 2-pole buildings; and 12-new septic systems.

12. Use of Town Hall: September 17 – Sugar Lake Association

13. State Auditor Update: 8/25/05. Copies of the Summary Report on Local Government Finances was printed for each board member.

14. New Town Hall: Before obtaining a building permit, the town hall plan will change from a holding tank to a septic system With motion by Bill Lieb, second Ken Jude, the board will publish a request for bids as soon as the specifications are complete.

Attorney Tim Young and board discussed the issue date for town hall construction financing using a Certificate of Indebtedness. Bank bids for the Certificate will be received by the next town board meeting which is September 20, 2005.

Tim Young also advised that board should continue to pay Otto and Associates for other projects but may withhold payment on 103rd and Cedar Acres until projects are acceptable.

15. Payment of Claims: Checks No. 12868-12916 and Electronic Transfers 94-97 for the total amount of $144,699.47 were approved and paid. Check Nos. 12900 and 12901 to Otto Associates covering engineering for 103rd and Cedar Acres were withheld.

Meeting adjourned at 10:15 p.m.

Respectfully submitted, Approved: September 20, 2005

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Viola Novotne, Clerk John Dearing, Chairman