CORINNA TOWNSHIP MEETING MINUTES

Tuesday, February 20, 2007

7 p.m., Town Hall DRAFT

Present: Charlotte Quiggle, Sheila Lindstrom, Jim Dearing, Chuck Marohn and Town Board: Chairman Bill Lieb, Supervisor John Dearing, Supervisor Alan Jude and Clerk/Treasurer Vi Novotne

The meeting opened promptly at 7 p.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance. With motion by Alan Jude, seconded by John Dearing the minutes were approved with one correction:

Item 2, Paragraph 4 - Should read as: Charlotte Quiggle stated that when the budget is presented at the 2007 Annual Meeting, Planning and Zoning costs and benefits and expectations will be discussed.

With motion by John Dearing, seconded by Alan Jude, the agenda was approved with an addition to item 1: Time change to 8:30 p.m. and correspondence was received from Community Growth.

Requests to be on the Agenda:

1. Sheila Lindstrom, property at Outlot A, Lot 39, Bass-Clearwater Shores. Plans to build a cabin on the property. Her abstract copy of Lot 39 shows a road along the shore from north of Lot 32 and through each parcel to beyond Outlot A and Lot 39. Kramer Avenue services all the lots along this shoreline. John Dearing stated that this shoreline road may have been the access road for a farm. The board determined that this shoreline road was never recorded to the township.

2. Chuck Marohn, Community Growth. Chuck Marohn stated he received a letter February 6, 2007 from Wright County Board of Commissioners’ Chairman Mr. Russek, Wright County Attorney, Mr. Kelly and P&Z Administrator, Mr. Salkowski concerning Township Planning and Zoning. The letter listed a number of items that the County is concerned with in regards to a township zoning administration operation and a March 6, 2006 letter which contains the same concerns. Chuck Marohn drafted a letter to the Commissioners stating that he has never questioned the integrity and professionalism of the County Board of Commissioners as there would be nothing gained by himself, and the Community Growth Institute and it would not be in their character to do so. Mr. Marohn continued in his letter that his professional organization provides day to day planning assistance to communities across the state and has served in a planning and zoning administration capacity for many townships and cities as well as counties of Douglas and Todd and his work is well respected. Mr. Marohn wrote that Community Growth makes a series of promises to the communities they work with that Community Growth will reflect the vision and the will of the community and improve community access to planning information and processes thru a service that is friendly, responsive and professional. His hope is that future communications with Wright County will be constructive and cooperative. Mr. Marohn referred to a meeting February 14, 2006 where Tim Young as Township Attorney, Mr. Salkowski and Tom Zims had met for the expressed purpose of understanding and learning.

Mr. Marohn’s proposed a letter to Mr. Salkowski acknowledging receipt of the February 6 letter that listed a number of items the County is concerned with in regards to township zoning administration operations. Mr. Marohn continued that as a previous Wright County letter stated that the county will provide detailed description of minimal requirements, he asks that these requirements be formalized and forwarded as soon as it is prepared and to inform us if the preparation will take longer than thirty days.

Alan Jude, John Dearing and Bill Lieb, Town Board Supervisors, each approved Mr. Marohn’s letters to the Commissioners and the P&Z Administrator.

The Town Board will forward a letter to Russek/Kelly/Salkowski acknowledging receipt of the February 6, 2007 letter. The town board letter will state that the town board construes from the February 6 letter that County has one major concern and that is ensuring that township is capable of managing a township planning and zoning operation; the Town Board has directed staff to answer every question and town board is committed to establishing and operating a township planning and zoning department that meets or exceeds every requirement of state and federal law; the retained quality professionals have successfully gone through this process a number of times and are prepared to meet any legitimate requirement that may be made; and Corinna Town Board is simply looking to assert the legitimate rights of any township in the State of Minnesota as described in State Statutes. The town board will express hope to have the ongoing support of Wright County and Planning and Zoning Department and town board hopes to work with Wright County and Planning and Zoning on this effort.

Alan Jude stated that having a requirement list from Wright County is important as this could be a negotiation process that would last forever. John Dearing added that feed lot and sewer issues are regulated by the state and our township does not wish to participate in that function.

Charlotte Quiggle asked what State Statute 394 covers. Mr. Marohn answered that Section 394.33, Subdivision 2 grants townships the authority for planning functions, including adoption and enforcement of official controls. Section 394-32 states that a township may at any time, by resolution of governing body take over planning functions including establishment of a Comprehensive Plan, and a Planning Commission. Regulations would be published and adopted.

Charlotte Quiggle stated concern that the Board should consult other planning groups just to satisfy the unknowns regarding the costs and methods of administration. Alan replied that the timeline needed is not available and Community Growth has made presentations to the task force and at public meetings that represent the board’s view and board is satisfied with his work. Chuck Marohn added that asking other planners for their options makes political sense and he would be happy to make a presentation. After much discussion, the board agreed to ask other planners for their options. Charlotte Quiggle offered to prepare a list of planners from the American Planner Association and John Dearing offered to approach several of them.

Bill Lieb asked for assistance in preparing costs for planning and zoning. The town board has built into 2007 budget a possible permit income of $10,000 and expenditures for a zoning clerk with additional duties for $9900 and professional services for $31,000.

2008 professional expenditures would be $38,600. Both numbers invision an additional part time clerk not just a P&Z clerk. The truly unknown is how many permits would be requested. Chuck replied that it would be reasonable to suggest that in 2007, 50 permits would be issued for a $15-$18,000 revenue. The $30,000 range should be an adequate expenditure budget. Charlotte Quiggle expressed that in her opinion the board should be prepared to discuss at the annual meeting in detail the anticipated costs and benefits for the township to administer Planning & Zoning. Chuck Marohn offered to attend the Annual Meeting, March 13 and also present the budget needs for Planning and Zoning.

Bill asked how township will access historical records from County for instance, a conditional use request. Chuck Marohn stated that specific parcel data files could be checked out from Wright County, and as this is public information, a specific request could be made. Properties could be scanned by PID and information placed in folders and information would backed up on a server that is outside of the building. Parcels are tied to the data base and restrictions on a parcel could be flagged. Chuck Marohn stated that the training of the planning and zoning clerk is very important for high level planning. A great part of the planning is in the processing and the staff reports.

Chuck Marohn presented a draft copy of the Corinna Township Land Use Ordinance that was modified from the Wright County Land Use Ordinance to fit the parameters of a township. He indicated ordinance is established pursuant to authority granted by Minnesota Statues and the Ordinance adopts in total the Wright County Zoning Ordinance and in exact language. A statement is included that the ordinance is to preserve the rural character of Corinna Township and uses the goals and strategies of the township comprehensive plan. The Planning Commission will review, discuss the ordinance and present recommendations of the ordinance text to the Town Board. A public hearing will be held before Town Board authorizes final approval. The Planning Commission shall have five members and one alternate member. One member of the Planning Commission may be a member of the town board. All members shall be

appointed for a term of three years. The first commission shall have members of one year or two year or three year terms. The Board of Adjustment shall be members of the Planning Commission.

Bill Lieb asked if there was a legal procedure to follow for appointing Planning Commission members. Chuck Marohn responded that a good practice is to select a cross section of people. The township has good intelligent people of different backgrounds, Agricultural property owners, lake property owners, and business owners. The board will ultimately select those that can give good discerning recommendations. A newspaper notice is not required. For each meeting, the commissioner will receive a packet of information to review. John Dearing stated that Barry Schultz, Charlotte Quiggle, Bill Lieb, Steve Huff, Dave Chumley, and Karen Malicheck have stated a willingness to serve on the commission. The board will continue to consider other possible members.

3. Gravel Moratorium: The board determined that where mining is permitted and not less than 1,000’ from shore land, a temporary use permit will be issued for the duration of the specific project of Highway 24 reconstruction.

Other Requests:

1. 2006 Reconstruction of 103rd St NW. Environmental Services has been contacted to start wetland procurement.

2. House Removal, 10815 Highway 24. The Annandale Fire Department has agreed to use the site for fire training.

3. 108th and Highway 24 real estate acquired by Highway 24 Reconstruction.

Corrected Quit Claim Deed has been delivered to Wright County Recorders Office.

4. Corinna Township Audit for 2006. Audit materials were delivered and CPA has been asked to prepare a statement for the Annual Meeting.

5. Township Annual Meeting and Election Tuesday, March 13, 2007.

Clerk prepared brochure for town board review and comment of the listing of the 2006 projects completed, 2007 projects planned and 2008 projects proposed.

With motion by John Dearing, Bill Lieb second, the board approved the list of election judges: Leslie Kruetter, Lorraine Miller, Theresa Pearson, Karen Mol, Pearl Lieb, Helen Sheehan, Andrea Juetten, Leland Novotne and Letitia Peterson.

Bill Lieb plans to have “Corinna News” items written by March 1. The newsletter will have an article on the Corinna Township Planning and Zoning plans that will be as stringent as the county but directed by local people and the people affected will come for assistance at the local town hall rather than Buffalo.

6. Remodel Maintenance Building. Siding has been ordered and work should start soon.

7. Annandale Area Fire Commission Meeting, February 13, 2007. Representative Alan Jude reported that FairHaven has changed services. The commission discussed how parcels were acquired. A fire assessment rate should be expected for 2008. Commission discussed equipment, a ladder truck purchase and the shortage of funds. An Annandale Fire Department Representative will attend township annual meeting.

8. Maple Lake Fire Commission Meeting, Tuesday, February 27, 2007. John Dearing is the township representative.

9. Wright Count Township Representative Communication Meeting, February 15, 2007. Bill Lieb, representative and Alan Jude attended. Alan reported that 8 or 9 townships sent representatives. The discussion covered several township issues of common interest and the process of reporting junk violators and the need to have pictures and letters to build a case against the violators.

10. 2007 Local Board of Appeal and Equalization is Thursday, April 12, 3 p.m.

Township Assessor, Ken Yager, encourages property owners to call him if they have a question about their property evaluation.

11. Wright County Township Officers Association Annual Trip to the Capitol, Thursday, March 22, 2007. Legislators have been notified that township officers are coming. Wright County will be joined by Carver, McLeod and Sibley Counties. Township persons other than township officers may attend. RSVP to Karen McDougall at 763-477-5484 to organize groups

Meeting adjourned at 10:30 p.m.

Respectfully submitted, Approved: March 6, 2007

Viola M. Novotne, William H. Lieb,

Clerk/Treasurer Chairman