CORINNA TOWNSHIP MEETING MINUTES

Tuesday, January 8, 2008

7 p.m., Town Hall Unapproved

Present: Ross Danielson, Charlotte Quiggle, David Wagner, 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 and second of Dick Naaktgeboren, the minutes for the meeting of December 18, 2007 were approved as printed.

With motion by Dick Naaktgeboren and second of John Dearing, the agenda was approved for this meeting of January 8, 2008 with two additions: Letter dated 1/3/08 from Tom Salkowski, Wright County Planning and Zoning and City of Annandale Council Meeting Agenda for January 7, 2008.

Requests:

1. Ross Danielson, Rolling Ridge Acres. Ross Danielson stated that he wishes to discuss the township’s concerns for the land covered in his petition for annexation into the City of Annandale for the city to have land for the wastewater treatment sewer force main. Alan Jude stated that the City Administrator was informed that the township has no problem with annexation with the exception that the property has a PUD attached to it which allowed Ross Danielson to develop two extra lots. Some consideration should be given to the township property owners in that development as part of the development was to be open land. Alan presented a copy of the letter sent to the City of Annandale, December 28, 2007. A 30’ birm with trees and planted trees were discussed to act as a barrier to the commercial businesses that will be built. Anticipated water runoff was discussed. Ross Danielson asked to return to the town board’s next meeting in order to allow him time to review requirements.

Mark Casey, City of Annandale Administrator, forwarded a draft Joint Resolution for the annexation of the Danielson property. The annexation was placed on the January 7, 2008 City Council meeting agenda.

Other Business:

1. Corinna Township Planning and Zoning:

A. Letter 1/3/08, Tom Salkowski, Wright County Planning and Zoning Administrator, in response to township correspondence of December 11 and 12, 2007. Letter acknowledged receipt of requested items and final version of all plans and ordinances, but the county wishes more specific details as to the township’s programs including the Subdivision Controls Ordinance. The letter contained comments on recent correspondence, Township Comprehensive Plan, Land Use Ordinance, Sewer Regulations and Procedures, Feedlot and Other Programs, Record Sharing and final comment that County Board wishes attention be given to details and professional, diligent and consistent administration of planning and zoning services. The County Board is willing to discuss the County’s proposal.

Town Board discussed the frustration when township planner for the town board has presented at least 24 possible meeting dates and the County Board has rejected each date. Members discussed the prolonged process and the need for a compromise. Alan Jude stated that township wishes control of township land by administering the planning and zoning procedures and we must focus on what we can do to obtain this local control. Carla Heeter is our District Commissioner and should come to our meetings and work together on this process.

David Wagner, property owner attending the meeting, commented that he cannot understand the lack of direct communication with the county and the township needs to “sit down together with county for a discussion”. The board declined David’s offer to use his home as a meeting place. David continued that budgets for 2008 are being finalized by both County and Township and the continued costs and possible legal fees that may be needed are a concern for himself and others he has spoken to in the township.

Dick Naaktgeboren presented a copy of the Wright County Planning and Zoning Budget approved for 2008. Total department budget is for $1,197,777. The 2007 budget was $1,173,026. Projected 2008 income from fees, grants, shoreland, score reimbursement and compliance reimbursement is $541,490. A notation on the budget stated that the loss of revenue to Corinna Township could have an even more dramatic impact.

Corinna Township Planning and Zoning services will be administered with “charges per service” not with full-time personnel.

B, Wright County Board of Commissioner’s Meeting, January 15, 2008. 9.a.m. Agenda: Corinna Township’s request to administer planning and zoning, ordinances and specifically the shoreland provisions.

C. Chuck Marohn, Corinna Township Planner, will be a speaker at the Wright County Township Officers Association Quarterly Meeting, Wednesday, January 9, 2008, 8 p.m., at the Wright County Court House. Presentation will be an update on Corinna Township progress in obtaining its own planning and zoning from Wright County.

D. Corinna Township Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting, January 10, 2008, 7 p.m. Agenda: Update on Administration Project and Zoning Administrator’s Report.

2. Annandale Area Fire Commission, ltr 12/31/2007: Fire Chief interviews will be conducted on Wednesday, January 9, 2008, beginning at 7 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers. As of this letter, they have two applicants.

3. Wright County Sheriff’s Office, Chief Deputy Joe Hagerty, Ltr 12/19/07 with enclosure copy of Hanover’s four hour contract.

4. Wright County Assessor, Gregory A. Kramber: Announced Local Board Training Session in Wright County is January 16, 2008, Wright County Courthouse Community Room, 9 a.m.-12 p.m. RSVP: Dawn Anderson, 763-684-4544.

5. Minnesota Association of Townships Agency, ltr 12/18/07: Member Agreement increased coverage for maximum liability towns face for tort claims increased to $1,700,000.

6. Audit for 2007: 1/2/08 Clerk forwarded to Schlenner and Wenner, township auditor, a list of indebtedness and cash accounts.

7. Pay Equity Report for 2006. State returned report for review and wage rate increase for township clerk. Response tabled for research with Association of Townships and Alan Jude to obtain legal advice.

8. Filing Notice: The Township of Corinna will hold its annual meeting and election on Tuesday, March 11, 2008 at the Corinna Town Hall. Candidates may file at the Clerk’s home office until January 15, 2008, 5 p.m. Filing fee is $2. As of this date, no one has filed.

9. Town Hall Rental: Saturday, January 12, 2008, 8:00 a.m.-5 p.m. – family event.

10. Gerald and Jan Altman of Ingram Ave NW forwarded congratulations to Knife River, Corinna Township and Wright County. Road is a big improvement over the road as it existed earlier. The widening of the shoulders and right-a-ways make traveling the route a major improvement and the fact that the work was accomplished with minimum interference with local traffic is a credit to Brad Arntson of Knife River and his planning staff. Township board responded that they appreciated the message and the fact that the road is now much safer and gravel pit has been reclaimed as cultivatable farming land.

11. Payment of Claims: Check numbers 14174-14221, Electronic Fund Transfers 1-7 for the total amount of $339,979.81 were approved for payment.

12. The meeting adjourned to continue review of 2008 budget.

Respectfully submitted, Approved January 15, 2008

Viola K. Novotne, Alan Jude,

Clerk/Treasurer Chairman