CORINNA TOWNSHIP MEETING MINUTES
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
7 p.m., Town Hall Unapproved
Present: Deb Allison, Merle Anderson, Ben Oleson, Charlotte Quiggle and Town Board: Chairman John Dearing, Supervisor Richard Naaktgeboren, Supervisor Chuck Carlson and Clerk/Treasurer Vi Novotne.
Meeting opened at 7 p.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance.
With motion by Dick Naaktgeboren, second of Chuck Carlson, the minutes of the town board meeting of June 3, 2008 were approved.
With motion by Dick Naaktgeboren, second of Chuck Carlson, the agenda was approved with the following: cancel Bob Brobant request for variances; Other Business, add: Peter Ramme letter, Letter to Commissioners, All-Hazard Mitigation Plan Survey, Grant Application Information Request, Change agenda date for County Highway 6 Reconstruction Project meeting to June 19, Complaint of uncut grass and brush not cleared on a property; Wright County Permits Issued, Pay Equity Report, Building Use and Highway 55 Corridor Meeting date change.
Requests to be on the Agenda:
1. Merle Anderson, Clearwater River Watershed District Administrator and Deb Allison, property address, 9940 91st St NW, Clearwater Lake Deb Allison stated that their residence is three houses from the cul de sac on 91st Street. Deb provided pictures to show water runoff across her property and flooded neighbor property. Chuck Carlson reminded her that this area had a recent hail and heavy rain storm. Deb continued that she is concerned as previously the water flow caused erosion at the garage and the water continues to erode areas as it drops into the lake. Merle Anderson stated he wishes to call attention that MNDOT when reconstructing Highway 24 should have for filtration purposes places for water to collect and not let water runoff go directly into the lake. Merle added that the watershed is willing to work with the township and offered the suggestion that township should urge MNDOT to consider areas to hold water for a filtration process. Town Board asked if Merle had any other corrective suggestions. Merle responded a baffle placed at the end of the culvert apron would cause water to stand. Dick questioned the location of the culvert and stated the need for ditches on the field side of the road. John Dearing added that the township plans to work on 91st Street this summer and there is a need to communicate with MNDOT as soon as possible. Merle Anderson stated he would forward the name of a MNDOT contact person.
2. Bob Brobant, 11920 Gulden Ave NW (CANCELLED)
3. Wright County Board of Adjustment Response Form: Falde Brother Construction for property owner – Gage, 8038 Griffith Ave NW. No one attended. No action taken. Dick Naaktgeboren stated that this is the same property that neighbors have complained about neighborhood safety as the house has windows broken and unknown people have used the building. After notifying the owner, the township has just recently boarded the windows and doors. Chuck Carlson added that if the house is torn down, then an open basement will be a safety problem particularly if construction does not start immediately. Dick added that when property owner does come before the board, we may grant the request, but it should be contingent that the township service is paid.
Other Business:
1. Corinna Township P&Z Commission Meeting, June 12. Agenda covered discussion of Orderly Annexation Agreement with City of Annandale; Alternative Shoreland Standards, National Flood Insurance Program Application and Update on Negotiations with Wright County.
2. Corinna Township Planning and Zoning:
CGI Township Planner, Ben Oleson, discussed his meeting with Wright County Administrator, Tom Salkowski, Monday, June 9. Ben stated that his emphasis was the stating of the strengths of both township and county. Corinna has adopted a plan that is as restrictive as Wright County. Ben stated that he expressed all the efforts that Township has made to work with the County and the need for the County to accept Township as being the place where people apply for permits and have permits issued. To allow time for county and township to build trust, the township has offered to phase-in our administration over a time period so that procedural issues that may arise may be worked out, Tom indicated that he didn’t feel a phase-in made much sense especially with the slow economy and there are not many applications that the County or Township would be able to feel comfortable that the process is working smoothly. Tom seems “dug in” to the fact that county will remain as the primary location for accepting applications and issuing permits. Ben reemphasized to Tom that to counter loss of permit revenue, that Township has offered to contract with the County for building inspections and sewer system inspection services rather than contracting with private inspectors. Tom Salkowski agreed on most practical things such as routing large-size building plans for scanning by building inspector staff, coordinating feedlot applications and adding lines on inspection forms to review/inspect items for erosion control measures Ben stated that he feels that Corinna is at the edge of negotiating and now is looking for a decision.
Charlotte Quiggle commented that board should make a decision and over come lack of trust that township will adhere to the township comprehensive plan that is as restrictive as the county.
The Town Board reviewed the suggested timeline for Township Zoning/Subdivision Administration.
Ben presented a proposed letter addressed to the Wright County Board of Commissioners. The letter states that residents and property owners of Corinna have made it clear to Town Board, as elected representatives, that they desire local control of land use administration. The letter continues that since 2006 town board has worked with qualified professionals to develop a Comprehensive Plan and an administrative program. The letter includes that after a meeting with County Board we were referred to a committee that cancelled their meeting and after that; professional staff has met with Tom Salkowski, Administrator for Planning and Zoning, to develop solutions. Proposals that were offered were rejected and township has been informed that local administration will be by double permitting. The letter concludes township is looking for a formal action to recognize proposals to administer land use administration that will be effective and as restrictive as Wright County and direct county staff to coordinate with Corinna Township on the details of assumption of this administration. Town Board member will request Corinna Land Use Administration to be placed on Wright County Board Agenda for a July meeting.
Secondly, Ben presented for approval a letter addressed to all township supervisors in Wright County. Letter states that Corinna has been seeking ability to administer land use controls locally. A plan has been prepared, local ordinances have been adopted and staff retained to assist. Corinna has been informed that to go forward with our own program, county will impose double permitting upon our residents. We are asking support to the notion that townships have the right to do local zoning without county applying a double charge to that township’s residents. Letter asks for consideration of statutes that give townships right to administer land use controls locally. A draft resolution will be enclosed for the township to consider that would lend support to township governance.
Discussion covered both letters. With motion by Dick Naaktgeboren, second of Chuck Carlson, the town board approved the letter to the Wright County Commissioners and Resolution 2008-14 to Support the Authority of Townships to Enact and Enforce Official Controls Free of Duplicative Permitting. Motion was approved unanimously.
Copies of the township letter to Wright County Board members will be sent to Wright County Townships, the Association of Townships, Newspapers and Elected State representatives from the area.
John Dearing noted that Wright County Township Association is having a Pork Chop Dinner preceding meeting, Wednesday, July 9 at Clearwater Township. As a good representation of supervisors usually attend, Corinna Town Board members should be prepared to discuss the history of our progress towards local land use control.
A letter to property owners regarding assumption of local land use control and the township review of permits are planned. A workshop/open house will also be held for residents to come and ask questions.
Peter Ramme, letter 6/11/08, Wright County Corinna Township Land Use Plan. The board reviewed his letter and responded that board appreciates the concern for low density growth in areas near the lakes but until the township has its own Planning and Zoning service, we have no control.
Community Growth Options Program Application for Grant: Town Board reviewed the additional data request and provided line item responses.
NW Quadrant Aggregate Committee, June 5, 2008, Wright County Government Center.
Charlotte Quiggle attended. No Comment.
NW Quadrant Annandale/Maple Lake Transition Committee Meeting, June 9. Dick commented that County is interested in how large lot feedlots will affect transition areas. July 8 meeting committee will discuss sewer systems and future hook up for property owners around the lake.
In response to his request, a copy of Corinna’s Orderly Annexation Agreement with Maple Lake has been forwarded to Tom Salkowski, Wright County P&Z Administrator.
3. All-Hazard Mitigation Plan Survey. Chuck Carlson asked and board approved that as the town board does not understand the details that the township is to supply, that Steve Berg, Emergency Management of Wright County Sheriff’s Office, be invited to attend a town board meeting to explain this documentation.
4. Union of Operating Engineers, Local 49 Agreement. Union Officials signed and returned one copy of the agreement for Corinna files. Effective July 1, 2008, Local 49 union dues will increase by fifty cents.
5. Orderly Annexation Agreement with City of Annandale. Chuck Carlson presented motion for Resolution Number 13-2008 that the Township of Corinna enter into a Joint Resolution and Agreement for Orderly Annexation with the City of Annandale. Motion included two insertions added to Agreement Paragraph 5: (A) – Contractors or Developers shall be required to maintain gravel roads used during construction, including but not limited to, dust control, coating, grading, and repair of any damage caused and shall be required to post a performance bond in an amount agreed by township and city and (C): The entire roadway that borders City and Township as a result of an annexation shall be maintained by township.. Motion seconded by Richard Naaktgeboren. Motion received unanimous approval. The approved and signed Agreement will be forwarded to the City of Annandale and recorded at the Office of the Wright County Recorder.
6. County Highway 6 Reconstruction Project. Project Memorandum is available for review and comment. Open House is June 19, at 4:30 p.m. at the Annandale City Hall Community Room.
7. Violations:
Milo Vail, 8008 Griffith Ave NW. Letter, June 4, 2008, stated that junk must be cleared and for safety concerns that the windows and doors must be boarded by June 14, or township will board these windows and doors and property owner will be charged for the expense. Another letter confirming this action is to be sent by certified mail and receipt requested.
Tawny Gage, 8038 Griffith Ave NW. Letter June 4, 2008, that for safety concerns the abandoned house will have its windows and door boarded by the township maintenance department and property owner will be charged for the expense. The township maintenance men boarded the windows and doors and invoice covering the expense was mailed to property owner. June 6, an e-mail received from Gunter and Catharine Zickerman stated that they were the owners of the property. The board directed that a copy of the service invoice be mailed to the Zickermans by certified mail with return receipt requested.
Steve Leinonen, 11718 Kramer Ave NW. John Dearing made a site visit and reported that the property has been cleaned up. June 13, 2008, township received a letter from Steve Leinonen stating that the wood piled on his property is used as the sole source of fuel to heat his home and the other items on property are tools used to cut and process the wood.
Rick Kullberg, 7990 Grunwald Ave NW. Mr. Kullberg is to provide the town board with a valid survey that the bushes are on the Kullberg property or he is to remove the bushes by July 5, 2008.
Magdy Hanna, 10955 108th Street: Complaint received that Mr. Hanna has not cut his grass this year. The grass is over 2’ high. Branches remain in the yard from the recent storm of May 25. Motion by Chuck Carlson to inspect the property, seconded by Dick Naaktgeboren, and the motion carried. John Dearing offered to make a site visit.
Wright County Planning and Zoning, letter 6/5/08, provided a sample format to follow for good success with prosecution when the landowner refuses to heed the Township’s violation warnings.
8. Town Buildings Hail Storm Damage. Chuck Carlson is requesting bids. Two repair estimates for the maintenance building side and roof, salt shed roof and town hall roof and side are to be obtained.
9. Fireworks Sales Permit. Board discussed the fireworks sales permit procedure followed by Wright County and the City of Annandale.
10. Wright County Officers’ Association Plans for Parades. Due to lack of volunteers, Wright County Association cancelled participation in area parades.
11. Junk Amnesty, July 26, 2008. Website to have announcement and a newsletter will be mailed mid-July.
12. Election Equipment Maintenance. The M100 and Automark machines were delivered to Wright County facility where technicians from Election Systems and Software will perform maintenance. This is a one time opportunity prior to fall elections that maintenance will be done without cost to townships.
13. State Demograher Annual Population and Household Estimate for Corinna Township:
April 1, 2007 – 2007 population estimate is 2,388.
April 1, 2007 – 2007 household estimate is 988.
Board noted that the 2006 estimate for population was 2402 and households as 985.
14. Easement Deed for Mr. and Mrs. Elton Schuette. 6/4/08, Town Attorney, Tim Young, forwarded letter with original recorded Easement Deed and Deed of Apportenant Easement from Schuette to Ramme. Mr. Young considers matter complete. June 6, Statement for township services was forwarded to Mr. Mrs. Schuette
15. Road Vacation for Kevin Blohm and Veda Vargo. After recorded copy of the road vacation was received, statement for services was mailed to Blohm/Vargo. 6/12, Mr. Blohm called that he was told at a township meeting that the township would share $300-$400 of the cost as township received a road benefit. As the March 5, 2008 township meeting minutes do reflect sharing the cost, Dick Naaktgeboren stated that Mr. Blohm should receive a corrected statement allowing $350 as the township share of expenses.
16. Wright County Permits (5/7-5/30 (9): 1-single dwelling; 1-deck; 2-garages; 3-reroof; 1-septic system; 1-storage building; and 1-fireplace.
17. Pay Equity Report: 6/16/08, as required by the Department of Employee Relations, the clerk forwarded an updated Pay Equity Report that as of May, and as the clerk-treasurer is in the same range of work points, the clerk-treasurer receives the same wage as the minimum salary of the road maintenance person.
18. Highway 55 Corridor Coalition Meeting has been changed to Friday, June 27, 2008. The meeting will still be at 9:30 a.m. at Hennepin County Medina.
19. Building Use. The renter reported that during clean up after their event, June 14, 2008, a small damage to the town hall wall occurred when a table was being lifted and the leg hit the wall in two areas. The renter offered to pay damages. The board viewed the wall area and determined that s $25 damage fee will need to be requested.
20. Township Audit. John Dearing will contact Schlenner, Wenner, Public Accountants, to request date when the audit will be presented to the town board..
With no further business to be presented, the meeting adjourned as 11 p.m. Motion by Chuck Carlson, and a second by Dick Naaktgeboren and motion carried.
Respectfully submitted, Approved July 1, 2008
________________________ _____________________
Viola Novotne, Clerk/Treasurer John Dearing, Chairman