CORINNA TOWNSHIP MEETING MINUTES

Tuesday, December 4, 2007

7 p.m., Town Hall                                                                                                                                                                                                                  Unapproved

                                                                                                           

Present:  Scott Qualle, Noel Westphal, Branda Rahrlien, Chuck Carlson, Charlotte Quiggle, Chuck Marohn, Peter Tiede and Town Board:  Chairman Alan Jude, Supervisor John Dearing, Supervisor Richard Naaktgeboren and Town Clerk/Treasurer Vi Novotne

 

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

With motion by Dick Naaktgeboren, seconded by John Dearing, the minutes for the meeting of November 20 were approved as printed.

With motion by John Dearing and second of Alan Jude, the agenda was approved for this meeting of December 4, 2007 with the changes:  Requests :  Add Scott Qualle and Noel

Westphal of Waldron Associates and Other Business: Chuck Marohn, Community Growth P7Z Administrator; Peter Tiede, Legal Counsel of Murnane and Brandt; Letter 11/26/07 Tom Salkowski, Wright County Planning and Zoning; Maintenance Plowing Snow; and Filing Notice

 

Requests:

1.         Brenda and Mike Mielke, 6643 80th Street NW (Somers Lake) PID 206-049-001090  Brenda presented the request for setback variances in order to install a new sewer system.  She noted that a 1989 previous request had been approved.  Motion by Richard Naaktgeboren to accept the variances for a new sewer system of pressure bed to be 5’ from the west side lot line, 5’ from the road r/w and 15’ from the corner of the home, 68’ from the lake at the closest point and 4’ from a detached garage. With John Dearing second to the motion, motion carried.

2.         Scott Qualle and Noel Westphal, Waldron and Associates:  Presented brochure for consideration for Building Inspections Services.  Scott noted that the business has conducted inspections in communities since 1984.  He noted that the service also may include commercial plumbing plan review and electrical inspections.

 

Other Business:

1.         Corinna Township Planning and Zoning

            Wright County Planning and Zoning letter 11/26/07:  Request for official township documents such as correspondence which constitute a contract, scope of work and description of services of Community Growth Institute and minutes of discussions regarding planning and zoning issues during 2005  and documents listed in detail within the letter sent to all townships dated March 6, 2006..

            Chuck Marohn, Community Growth P&Z Administrator, stated that a meeting with Wright County Planning and Zoning, legal counsels and Corinna Town Board could not be scheduled and appears to be no such meeting is in the horizon.  Chuck added perhaps the best approach would be to simplify issues. Main separation point is the Land Use Plan.  Wright County wants to insure that all zoning decisions made in Corinna Township meet the minimum requirements of the County.  Corinna Township wishes to exercise local control over land use decisions and take responsibility for those decisions.  Corinna wants the ability to be more restrictive than the County and provide increased inspections and reviews as part of their permitting process.  Our desire is to administer Wright County’s standards locally without a double permit.  Comment was made that following county ordinance with its layers of process is complex and intelligent people find it hard to comply.  Chuck Marohn and Peter Tiede, legal counsel, both noted provisions in the DNR Shoreland Ordinance that if a township could demonstrate to the County Board that they could administer controls for shoreland variances that were as restrictive, residents would no longer need to obtain a permit from the County.  Areas up to 1000’ from a lake are considered shoreland.  90% of township area would be controlled by the shoreland ordinance.  This procedure should be spelled out to the County Commissioners.  Chuck Marohn was directed to present a letter by certified mail to the County Board asking to be on the January Board Meeting Agenda and ask for a response to this issue in 30 days.  Several townships should be encouraged to attend the January meeting to express their point of view.

John Dearing presented motion:

            1.            Opening date for Corinna Township Planning and Zoning has been extended to February 1, 2008.

            2.            In response to Wright County Planning and Zoning Administrator’s request, Community Growth Staff are to send a certified cover letter stating all the items  being forwarded to Wright County Planning and Zoning

            3.            Direct Community Growth staff to forward  to Wright County Board of Commissioners the processing procedure and to request a prompt response.

            4.            Direct Community Growth staff to request that Corinna Township be placed on the County Commissioner’s Board Meeting Agenda for January.  Subject:  Discuss Shoreland Ordinance Procedure.

            5.            Direct Chuck Marohn as Community Growth Planning and Zoning Administrator for Corinna Township to speak at the Wednesday, January 9, 2008 Wright County Township Association Meeting.  John Dearing will contact the association secretary.

            Richard Naaktgeboren, second.  Motion  carried.

            Applications for Building Inspector Position:

            Chuck Marohn reviewed the nine applications received as of 10/31/07 for the Building Inspector position with Corinna Township.  Applications were reviewed with two primary criteria:  Are they adequately qualified/certified to conduct building code inspections and are they available during normal business hours to conduct inspections?

Four applicants and Waldron Associates will each have a one-half hour interview on December 18, 2007 beginning at 12:30 p.m.  Criteria for evaluating packets will be mailed to the town board and two representatives from the planning commission who will be conducting the interviews.   

            Corinna Township Planning Commission Meeting:  Thursday, December 13, 7 p.m. at town hall.

 

2.         Allen and Gloria Schuette, 11141 Hollister Ave NW (Continued)  Township attorney is ordering survey of existing right’of-way and an additional right-of-way for turnaround.  No further update.

3.         City of Annandale:  11/20/07 City had forwarded Petition for Annexation – Ross Danielson Rolling Ridge Acres.  The 27 acres are zoned for a PUD Development.  No further action.

4.         Audit for 2006 and 2007.  John Dearing reported that Rick Borden of LarsonAllen cancelled the final invoice as the audit was late.  Mr. Borden will submit a proposal for the 2007 audit.  John obtained a proposal to furnish audit services from Schlenner Wenner and Co. for a one year engagement at $8,500 or based on a three-year engagement for $7,300.

5.         Office of Minnesota Secretary of State:  Election Division reports that 2008 Precinct Caucuses for Independence, Republican and DFL parties have each selected February 5, 2008 as their caucus date.  

6.            Minnesota Department of Natural Resources:  Forwarded a copy of the Natural Resources Digital atlas.  It is designed to help communities use natural resource information in land use decisions. John Dearing offered to study the atlas.

7.         Budget Review   Board determined that part of the December 18 board meeting will be for starting the budget review.

8.         Pushing Snow On or Across Town Roads:  Maintenance Department has reported that pushing snow across the road is a problem.  Board determined that Maintenance Men should report the name and address of property owners so that a letter may be written stating that removal of snow is an important job of our maintenance crew and safety for the motorist is also important.  Placing snow onto a public road can be a road hazard such as a slippery area or a frozen bump can cause a traffic accident.  The liability can extend to both the property owner and the person who actually placed the now onto the roadway.

A notice will be published in both town newspapers, notice placed on the website and a notice posted on the town hall bulletin board.

9.         Filing Notice:  The township of Corinna will hold its annual meeting and election on Tuesday, March 11, 2008, at the Corinna Town Hall.  The officer to be elected are (1) supervisor for three years, the term of Alan Jude expiring.  Filing dates are Wednesday, January 2 to Tuesday January 15, 2008, 5 p.m.  Candidates may file at the Clerk’s home, 9214 Kilbury ave NW, Annandale.  Filing fee is $2.  The last date for a candidate to withdraw from the election is Thursday, January 17, 2008, until 5 p.m. This notice will be published in the Annandale advocate, Maple Lake Messenger, posted on the town hall bulletin board and website.

10.       Town Board Meeting date change:  Board determined that as January 1 is an official holiday, the meeting date should be changed to Tuesday, January 8, 2008.  Legal notices will be posted and published in the two town newspapers.

11.       City of Annandale, letter November 26, 2007 Annandale Fire Chief Brian Haag’s resignation effective March 1,2008.  Attached to the letter was a copy of Brian’s resignation letter.   

12.            Payment of Claims:  Claims covered by Check Numbers 14119-14171 and EFT 49-52 for the total amount of $109,023.47 were approved for payment.

 

With no further business to come before the board, the meeting adjourned at 11:15 p.m.

 

Respectfully submitted                                              Approved December 18, 2007

 

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