Minutes of the Public Hearing
Corinna Township
Hall
Unofficial
Present: Donald Bayerl, Jerry Bruns, Jim Diorio, Pat
and Carol Schomaker, Russell Vetsch, Kelly and Steve Bruggeman, Allen and Debs
Dubbeldee, Tab Ashwill, Bryan McCreight, Cheryl Olson, Kathryn Brevik, Bud
Garthe, and Gladys Bandemere
Marty Campion, Engineer, Otto and Associates
Rhonda Pagel, Attorney, Young, Brown and Pagel
Township Board: Dave Stumpf, Chairman; John Dearing
and Bill Lieb, Supervisors
Vi Novotne, Town Clerk/Treasurer
Chairman David Stumpf opened the meeting at 7 p. m.
The Chairman introduced Marty Campion, and asked that he present the scope of
the proposed project
Marty Campion stated that this project has been petitioned
by the majority of people owning property on a section of 89th and
Linn. The proposed project will consist of removing the existing
bituminous, correcting subgrade, and widening the roadway, where needed, and
paving. In 1995, Linn Avenue was reconstructed and this road will be
paved as is and upgraded to a 24’ wide, 7-ton road with 10” of gravel, 3 ˝”
bituminous with 2’ gravel shoulders and ditches.
The estimated construction costs for this 3100’ project is
estimated to be $177,000. In addition to construction costs, indirect
costs for engineering, surveying, legal, administration and financing cost are
estimated to be 25% making the total cost of $220,000. The intent is that
if a property owner received two hearing notices that means that property owner
will receive two assessments. After on site research, the area has 24
assessable units. The township assesses on a per unit basis or any size
parcel is one unit assessment. Mr. Campion reminded the property owners
that they must notify the township of any reason why they should not have an
assessment for instance, the consolidation of lots. This $220,000 project
of 24 benefiting property owners will each have a $9204.00 assessment.
Mary Campion asked that Rhonda Pagel continue by discussing the assessment
payment.
Rhonda Pagel stated that the improvement project will be by
special assessment that applies only to the properties receiving a
benefit. Township usually considers a ten year assessment period.
Property owners have the ability to prepay in one lump sum or the assessment
may be added to the property tax with interest which is typically 6% spread
over ten years. If the project goes forward and bids are received then
the board can assess.
Ms Pagel announced that the meeting was now open for
questions. Everyone was allowed to speak once by standing to identify
with name. After everyone had a chance to speak, other questions were
received. Questions were to be directed to persuade the board and
questions or comments were received by Mr. Campion and Ms. Pagel.
Jerry Bruns,
Jim Diorio,
Marty Campion: Cost should be considered to rebuild a road that
will not always be necessarily in the center because of the swamp and
road. In Mr. Diorio’s area, the road needs to be moved to NW. In
adding a dry pipe, a concern is the drying out of gaskets and when pressure
tests are done, areas may need to be redug. If pipes are filled with
water and flushed over a period of time, maintenance would be expensive.
Pat Schomaker, 8845 Linn:
Asked if plan was for other areas along
Tab Ashwill,
Marty Campion: Issue is wetland area and slope and area would be
outside of right of way. Easements would be feasible.
John Dearing:
Contacts with the City of
Steve Bruggeman,
Marty Campion: Understand that the Bruggemans gave the town a
strip of land 50’ in length and 16’ wide. That does not allow moving the
600’ or 700’ of road in the wetland area.
Jim Diorio: This
could help five homes.
John Dearing: A
possibility would be if someone would talk to the local land owner, Lyndon
Johnson.
Don Bayerl,
Bill Lieb: In this part of
Bud Garthe, 8909 Linn Ave:
Talked to council in the 1980’s, when many property owners were
opposed to a road paving project. When the work was done, these same property
owners felt that paving their road was the greatest thing they had ever done.
Marty Campion: Board and engineers hear the opposition, but later
indirectly hear differently.
Gladys Bandemere, 11747 89th
St: Stated that sewer is in front yard.
Marty Campion: A site inspection revealed that driveway is East of
Linn Avenue and property has been removed from the assessment rolls.
Cheryl Olson, 11995 89th
St: Will trees and fences be moved?
Marty Campion: Trees in the right of way will be removed.
Contractor will temporararily remove and reinstall fences.
Jim Diorio: Stated
he had many reasons for the paving project but the project must be done
right. What is best for the lake is a property owner concern. It is
important to consider a sewer project along with the road improvement.
The intersection of 89th and Linn must be realigned. Any work
in the wetland should be done right even if it involves more work.
Pat Schomaker: Will
the township share in part of these costs as in some projects.
Marty Campion: The 80th Street project from city to Cy
Rd 6 was a cost entirely borne by the entire township with no
assessments. In the Isaak Avenue and 78th Street Project, the
entire cost was by the residents. Costs were lower due to the home
density.
Steve Bruggeman: More
information regarding sewer and water plans should be obtained from the city.
Tab Ashwill: That
sewer/water project could be 10 or 20 years from now.
Marty Campion: A collector or common sewer could be
something to consider.
Another consideration when moving
the road is the construction of a “T” intersection.
Jim Diorio: Farther
west along 89, the road should be moved into the right of way. No road
correction for a “T” appears in the plan. Property will need to be
purchased near the “T”.
Pat Schomaker:
Property owners need a feasibility study for a sewer project. The city
appears to be not promoting sewer-water in this area.
Cheryl Olson: Length
of construction time?
Marty Campion: For this simple project, two and one-half
months. There will be the inconvenience of 1-2 hour road closures, but by
the end of day the road will be passable.
Bill Lieb: Jim
Diorio, are you suggesting that Marty Campion pursue a dry line installation?
Jim Diorio: The
study will add to the cost.
Steve Bruggeman:
Could two week’s time be allowed for someone to ask Lyndon Johnson if he would
be willing to sell “X” amount of property. This purchase will affect the
next step in the specs.
John Dearing: Town
board can authorize at this time and could expect a response by February 1 or
February 15 town board meeting.
Pat Schomaker:
Please give an approximate cost for this additional project?
Marty Campion: Around $23,000.
Jim Diorio: If City
allows sewer to any area that is not a part of the city, the service area
should be on the tax rolls.
Bill Lieb: The mayor, Sam Harmoning, has stated that no sewer
service is possible except for city parcels. The township does not wish
to spend money for the project if the land is annexed in two years.
Jerry Bruns, 11859 89th
Street: This area was dealing with the State for rebuilding Highway
24.
John Dearing: Road plans are done for construction in 2006.
The State will not be moving the road along the East Side of Pleasant Lake and
the City then dropped plans for sewering that area.
Jim Diorio: Township
could be bargaining with the city for collection of taxes for perhaps the next
year.
Marty Campion: Should bargain for ten years of tax value.
Rhonda Pagel: Agreements between the City and the Township should
be made and the city can access without an agreement. A valid concern for
the township is to have an agreement with the city. Strongly urge an
agreement to be in place before this improvement.
Kay Brevik (representing her
mother Ella Johnson, 11607 90th Street: Stated assessment
payment concern.
Marty
Campion: The suggested assessment has been removed.
Jim Diorio: Would a
future development of a lot receive the benefit of one unit?
Marty Campion: Developments require internal roads to be
built. The township does not think about future parcel division. If
a home covers a double lot, the lot can be consolidated. No reversal of
consolidation is possible.
Tab Ashwill: Several
years ago at the informational hearing, many property owners were hostile and
argumentive when the assessment per parcel was $5,000.
Marty Campion: The assessment cost at that time for Pleasant Lake
was $2700 per parcel but the bid covered two other larger projects. The
cost per parcel is higher now but the cost per parcel five years ago included a
higher density of properties.
Jim Diorio: Stated
that he did not like the overtone of possible annexation.
Rhonda Pagel: In response to Pat Schomaker’s question,
Rhonda Pagel stated that property owners do not vote, but that the board
listens to the people’s input, and board decides whether to proceed.
Marty Campion: Stated that a dry line installation cost
would be a conservative estimate of $32,000 per property owner. The pipe
would be placed under the road. Marty added that a consideration should
be for small pressure sewers. He referred to an effluent collector system
installation for 24 homes in Stearns County. As homeowner associations
should not be considered to handle line maintenance an electrical coop in
Sherburne County offers maintenance contracts, or Wright Hennepin may have a
sewer line maintenance contract at a cost of $15,000 per property owner.
Technology has allowed directional lines and other sewer alternatives to be
available. Marty offered to obtain a copy of a study and acquire costs
for a drainfield system that may be $15,000 per property owner. Polyethlene
pipe could be considered for a collector system with a lift and the system
which should be ready to connect to property owner. Obtaining a MPCA
Permit may be a six month process. Otto Associates will ask assistance of
another firm for preparing this study.
Steve Bruggeman:
Offered to be one of the persons to contact Lyndon Johnson as to the purchase
of a couple acres of land for local property owner use as drainfield.
Jim Diorio: Asked
Marty Campion to also consider an estimate per foot for a dry line either on
West of road or in the center of the road, which may be the same cost.
The system will be used eventually. He is concerned of the cost for
feasibility study and purchase of land. Jim offered to ask
Merle Anderson, Administrator for the Clearwater River Watershed District, to
discuss the Watershed’s proposed sewer systems with the property owners.
Dave Stumpf: In response to feasibility and land costs, Dave
replied that he feels money spent for a study and land may be money better
spent than for a dry line.
Pat Schomaker: Sewer
line installed in 10-15 years, may cost less than at today’s costs.
Bernard Garthe:
Let’s get this road project started and done.
Rhonda Pagel: Stated that the hearing is now closed.
Bill Lieb stated that at this
time the board would order specs but even with the constraint of a time limit,
there is still time to explore options. He stated that he chooses not to
propose a resolution until board receives more input about sewer systems.
If a decision were made now, the information may make a decision that would be
quite different.
John Dearing added that
additional information will need to be presented at the February 15 town board
meeting.
Marty Campion added that property
owners should contact owners of property East of Linn Avenue and ask if they
are interested in a petition to improve their portion of 89th
Street. The assessment would be less as this section of road has been
recently reconstructed.
John Dearing responded that more
properties being benefited with a road improvement will bring the individual
expense down.
Dave Stumpf added that in Cedar
Acres Project, property owners on
In conclusion, Jim Diorio will
obtain a copy of the City of
With motion by Bill Lieb. John
Dearing, a second, the meeting adjourned at
FOR THE TOWNSHIP BOARD
Vi Novotne,
Clerk/Treasurer