CORINNA TOWNSHIP MEETING MINUTES

Tuesday, April 17, 2007

7 p.m., Town Hall                                                                                 Unapproved

Present:  Charlotte Quiggle, Merle Anderson, Brad Arntson, LaVern Johnson and Town Board:  Chairman Alan Jude, Supervisor John Dearing, Supervisor Dick Naaktgeboren and Clerk/Treasurer Vi Novotne.

The meeting opened at 7 p.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance.

With motion by John Dearing, seconded by Dick Naaktgeboren, the minutes of the April 3, 2007 meeting were approved as presented.

The agenda for this meeting with the addition of Ron Hadler request and Stryzewski cancellation, were approved.  Motion by Dick Naaktgeboren and John Dearing, second.

Requests to be on the Agenda:

1.      Clearwater River Watershed District, Merle Anderson, Administrator.  Request for Easement Agreement between Corinna Township and the Clearwater River Watershed District for the placement of a fish barrier in the stream just south of State Highway 55 and west of Illsley Avenue.  Mr. Anderson stated that the easement area allowing work space will  be 10’x10’ centered on the West end of the culvert through Illsley Avenue.  Easement is for a period of five years and a release of all claims that may arise from water flowage.  John Dearing presented motion to approve the easement to the Watershed for a fish barrier.  Second to motion, Dick Naaktgeboren.  Motion carried. 

LaVern Johnson, Cedar Lake, asked about water clarity in Cedar Lake and the potential value of property.  Merle Anderson responded that an Annandale Realtor, John Perry, has said the biggest factor in value of lakeshore property is the water quality.  Merle added that a study done by Bemidji State revealed that improved depth of clarity makes a substantial difference in property sales. For each 1’ of improved water clarity translates into a $2200 increase in sales price for property (using surrounding lakes in this determination).  In response to Alan Jude’s question, Merle Anderson stated it could be five-seven years before a change in water clarity.  Cedar Lake clarity last year was at 3’ and lake started changing in 2002.  Property owners removing lily pads hurt water clarity.  Removing the sediment is most cost effective.  Septic systems 1980 or older should be updated.  Agricultural property owners have planted alfalfa and have made a most positive effective on the lake’s clarity.

2.   Michael Stryzewski, 6636 80th Street (Cancelled)

3    Gerald Altman, property at 9029 Ingram Avenue (Absent)  No action.

4.   Knife River Corporation, Buffalo Bituminous, Brad Arntson, representative.  John Dearing removed himself from the town board hearing.  Request for a Conditional Use Permit for a Mining/Asphalt Operation using approximately 15 acres of John Dearing’s land along Cy Rd 39 to Ireland.  Specific purpose is for the Highway 24 reconstruction project.  Operation will haul out 50,000 yards of Class 5, 30,000 yards of sand and stockpile of 5,000 yards of mix.  Operation will be from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday thru Saturday.  No Sunday operation. Operation is 1,000’ from residents.  Warm up of equipment would begin at 5:30 a.m. and maintenance could be 24 hours a day. MPCA air quality, and noise quality requirements will be followed.  Haul routes will be treated with water or calcium chloride to control dust.  A brim of topsoil will be stockpiled around mining area to reduce visual appearance to neighboring property owners and noise resulting from the mining operation.   Two year time operation limit that allows stockpiles for future use for a period of one year after expiration of lease.  Restoration will include sloping banks, replacing the topsoil at 3-4” and replanting the area with a pasture mix for vegetative growth within a year after the source is depleted.    Bids are let May 18 and start up could be 2-3 weeks after that.  The plant could be in operation in July and into fall with clean up work the next year.  With a late start time operation time may be a two- year time span.     In response to Alan Jude’s question if 10,000 yards more gravel is needed, the project will not be deeper but more land would be acquired. 

Charlotte Quiggle stated that the gravel moratorium is still in place.  Chairman Alan Jude answered that temporary gravel pits are an exemption to the moratorium rule.

The Conditional Use request will be continued at the May 1, 2007 Town Board Meeting Agenda.

 

Other Items:

1.         Planning and Zoning Administration: 

            A.        Planning Commission, first meeting was Monday, April 16.  Charlotte Quiggle was elected Chairman and Chuck Carlson, Vice Chairman.  Monthly meetings will be the second Thursday beginning at 7 p.m.  May 10, 2007 will be the next meeting.

            B.         Request for legal assistance has been submitted.  Kent Salem, State Association of Townships’ Attorney will be working with Tim Young, our township attorney.

            C.        County Commissioner Karla Heeter forwarded a listing of fees for Planning and Zoning service.  The 2005 sewer and building permits’ income was $65,280 and  in 2006 the income was $46,078.

            D.        Planning Commissioner Compensation.  Discussion.  Dick Naaktgeboren presented motion to compensate Commissioners $50 per month to cover the costs of travel, meetings and site inspection.  Payment would be quarterly.  A review of compensation payments will be made at the first town board meeting in October.

 

2.         Public Hearing:  Wright County Planning Commission, Thursday, April 12, 2007.  Hearing Topic:  Review and Recommend to the County Board of Commissioners the adoption of the Northeast Quadrant Land Use Plan for Wright County.  John and Dick stated that about 65 concerned people attended, with standing room only in the meeting room.  Most townships had representatives. Sixty-nine people in Buffalo Township wished building entitlements of 1 per 20 acres.  Rockford Township did not want 1 for 20 entitlements.  Planning Commission continued the hearing for Thursday, May 3, 2007, at 1 p.m.

 

3.         103rd Street Road Reconstruction: To date, Kjolhaug Environmental Services has not accomplished the request for wetland credits. 

 

4.         Maintenance Building Remodeling.  Partial concrete apron remains to be poured.

 

5.         Wright County Historical Society.  Annual Children’s Days history education program for grade school students.  Request for volunteers, 8-2:30 p.m., April 26, or April 27 and Monday, April 30 through Thursday, May 3 at the Wright County Heritage

 Center in Buffalo.  Three large groups of children are expected to tour.  Call 763-682-7322 or 1-800-362-3667.  Board noted that in previous years, former supervisor Bill Lieb had volunteered to assist with this event.

 

6.         Wright County Commissioner and Township Supervisor Communication Meeting:  June 21, 2007.  Question submittal form is due May 25.  Last meeting minutes of first meeting  were placed on file.

 

7.         Township Officers’ Association Meeting, April 5.  John Dearing was nominated and elected as the Director for District 1 representing Chatham, Clearwater, Corinna, Maple Lake and Silver Creek Townships.  Corinna Township will host the Dinner and Quarterly Meeting Thursday, July 12, 2007.  Mark Mathias, Park Director, stated that park fees should be stay in the county and these fees have not always been in the past. Town Board members were given a copy of a sample resolution to participate in a hazard mitigation planning process.  No action.

 

8.         Annandale Youth First, Inc, letter 4/16/2007.  Letter expressed appreciation for the support of our youth with the donation of $1,000.

 

9.         Building Permits:  (3/14-4/3/2007)  7 permits:  1-home; 2-additions; 1-garage; 1-shed and 2-septic systems.

 

10.       Supervisors:  Submitted 2007 W-4.

 

11.       Hall Rental:  Saturday, April 21, 2007, 8-12 a.m.          Mink-Somers Lake Assoc.                                         Tuesday,  April 24, 2007, 7-10 p.m.     Clearview Acres Assoc.

           

12.       Recycling Bins:  Quotes are being obtained.

 

13.       Ron Hadler, 8363 114th Street:  Four-wheelers are running in the ditches,  “jumping” his driveway and wrecking his lawn.  Mr. Hadler asked if posts could be placed in this area.  Board’s response was that post may be erected 1’ into the property line.

 

With no further business to come before the board, the meeting adjourned at 10 p.m.

 

Respectfully submitted,                           Approved, May 1, 2007

 

 

 

Viola M. Novotne, Clerk/Treasurer                  Alan Jude, Chairman