AUGUST BOARD MEETING MINUTES

AUGUST 11, 2009

The meeting was called to order by Chairman Jeff Bachke at 7:00 p.m.  The “Pledge of Allegiance” was recited.  Present for the meeting were Chairman Bachke, supervisor Greg Andrews, Treasurer Holly Herstad, clerk Patti Alander and deputy clerk Cammy Hansen.  Supervisor John Werner, fire Chief Matt Frantz and animal control officer Gloria Dallum were absent.   No residents were present.

I.                    Jeff went over the upcoming meetings:

August 18, 2009 5:30 PM  Planning & Zoning Commission conducts Annual Review of Conditional Use Permits

August 20, 2009 7:00 PM  Duluth Area Township

August 25, 2009 6:00 PM Utilities Committee

September 1, 2009 7:00 PM Agenda Meeting

September 2, 2009 9:00 AM Mediation session with Utility Systems of America at Fryberger Law Office

September 8, 2009 7:00 PM Board Meeting

September 15, 2009 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM Primary Election

September 16, 2009 6:00 PM Utility Committee

September 22, 2009 7:00 PM  Planning & Zoning Commission  (NOTE DATE CHANGE)

October 6, 2009 7:00 PM Agenda Meeting

October 13, 2009 7:00 PM Board Meeting

Patti mentioned that a meeting has been added:  Mediation on September 2, 2009, 9:00 at the Fryberger Law Firm

II.                  A motion to approve the July 14, 2009 Board meeting minutes and the July 29, 2009 Lift Station #1 pre-construction meeting notes was made by Greg and seconded by Jeff.  All vote in favor; minutes to be placed in file.

III.                The July financial report was presented:

July Receipts                                     $602,689.81

July Expenditures                           

General Fund                                    $11,751.04   

Administration                                  $36,317.85

Public Works                                      $19,144.28 

Road & Bridge                                   $61,689.10

Fire                                                        $12,814.32       

Building Inspection                          $10,948.89    

Lift Station #1 Improvements     $ 1,360.73

Water Tower                                     $ 2,728.75

2007 GO Sewer Bond                     $97,252.50

W. Calvary Road project                                $39,647.93

Lift Station #3 Improvements     $ 5,406.35

Communication Tower                  $     580.00    

Total Expenditures                         $299,641.74

August Expenditures thus far

General Fund    $31,792.81

Utilities                                 $16,651.21  

Payroll                                  $20,000.00  

Fair Housing                       none

Patti mentioned that July is a high expense month as liability insurance, bond payment, and workers compensation insurance all comes due.  Also, Road and Bridge expenses are over budget by $33,000.00.  We will need to make an adjustment for this.

IV.                CORRESPONDENCE:

“Minnesota Township News” July August issue

“Grand News” Summer/Fall issue

State Auditor’s e-update August 7^th issue

Metropolitan Interstate Council & Transportation Advisory Committee notice of August 19^th meeting and agenda

Charter Communication notice of address change

“Business North” August issue

League of MN Cities “Cities Bulletin July 29^th issue

Hartel’s Disposal Companies notice of rate increase for garbage

Northeast Service Cooperative letter with $73.00 interest payment for January through June 2009.

Metropolitan Interstate Council Meeting Notice/Conference Call August 3, 2009, agenda and Transportation Improvement Program 2010 through 2013.

Auditor’s e-update July 31^st issue

MSA Professional Services “Municipal update” August issue

MN State Auditor’s July “Pension Division Newsletter”

Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis  “fed gazette”

Minnesota Safety Council notice of upcoming seminar July through December 2009

Auditor’s e-update July 24^th issue

USDA “Rural Development Newsletter” summer issue

League of MN Cities “Cities Bulleting” July 15^th issue

Auditor’s e-update July 17^th issue

MSA Professional Services “Municipal Update” July issue

“Minnesota Counties” July issue

Charter communication notice of channel changes

Minnesota Historical Society notice of 29^th annual statewide historic preservation conference September 17^th and 18^th.

V.                  DEPARTMENT REPORTS:

A.      Building Report:

Total valuation of projects $281,756.00

Total fees collected $5,797.61

B.       Planning & Zoning Report:

A second variance hearing for Gary Grew was held on July 8, 2009 at 6:00 p.m. at the Rice Lake Town Hall.   The variance was for a lot area of 2.4 acres in lieu of 2.5 acres.  Variance was denied.   This matter was heard in Duluth District Court on July 21, 2009 and is currently under advisement.

There was a Planning and Zoning meeting held on July 21, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. at the Town Hall.  The next meeting of the Planning and Zoning Commission will be held on Tuesday, August 18, 2009 at 5:30 p.m. and annual Conditional Use Permit inspections will be done by the commission.

C.       Public Works/Road & Bridge Report:

Gravel projects were completed on July 2^nd

26,642 gallons of calcium chloride were applied to town roads

First Avenue South and Fayre Roads were patched

Roadside mowing was completed on all town roads

Six yards of sand were hauled to the #1 Fire Hall for their work project

Hydrant flushing has continued on West Calvary and Stavanger Roads

A water curb stop at 4157 W. Calvary Road was repaired after it was damaged during a new hook-up

A water meter was installed and the water was turned on at 3967 E. Calvary Road (Bill Raymond properties)

All lawns were mowed and trimmed

Water samples were collected and sent in to the State Lab

Sy-Com replaced the telephone dialer on lift station #3

Commercial water meters were read

Dakota supply group gave us training for the new radio meter reading system

Two legal postings were put out

28 Gopher One locates were completed

Six loads of aluminum cans were hauled to the recycler

Water usage was 2,559,943 gallons (85,331 gallons per day)

Wastewater collected was 1,035,800 gallons (34,526 gallons per day)

D.      Fire Department Report:

Matt Frantz submitted the July fire department responses as follows: 

Three structure fires

Five medical calls

E.       Animal Control Report:

1.       Gloria submitted the following information:

2.       Worked 34.5 hours

3.       Drove 207 miles

4.       Collected fines totaling $452.44

5.       Issued four citations

6.       Brought four dogs to the pound

7.       No license fees were collected

F.       Utilities Report:

1.       Larry Shelton will be installing the second pump in lift station #4.  He has some used parts and rails that he will be able to use for installation.  Jerome will check on this when he returns from abroad.

2.       Jerome also spoke with Larry regarding the sewer repair work.  He has ordered the manholes and expects to begin work around the 19^th of August.

G.     Park Report:

1.        Brett Ballavance is not able to attend the irrigation training he told us about.  We will ask him for details to see if this is something we would like Gary to attend.  Brett is also going to contact Scott Twining regarding setting up a meeting with the Town, Twining Electric and Brett regarding the issues with the irrigation system.  The Ballavance family will also be spreading the wood chips that the Town has ordered in the park areas.

2.       Greg suggested that a light be installed part way up the flag pole.  Patti is awaiting a cost estimate for the light.

H.      Sherriff’s Report:

1.       May:  Three twelve hour shifts were worked.  Eighteen vehicles were stopped resulting in 15 warnings and five citations.  They also responded to and investigated a reckless driving complaint.  Total cost for coverage:  $660.00.

2.       June:  Four shifts of 16 hours.  Stopped 22 vehicles resulting in 21 warnings, seven citations and one DWI.  Deputies also responded to 911 calls, a domestic assault call, a stolen vehicle and an additional DWI arrest.

3.       July:  Four shifts of 16 hours.  Stopped 16 vehicles resulting in 13 warnings and three citations.  One 911 disturbance call was responded to.  Total cost for June and July was $1,760.00.

I.        Rice Lake Fair Housing Authority

1.        Some applications have been sent out, but none yet returned.

VI.                 OLD BUSINESS

A.      Rice Lake Dam Road Project:  Nothing new to report

B.      Fire Department By-laws changes:  Have been approved by the fire department and now need to be presented to the Board of Supervisors.

C.      Bow hunting in Rice Lake Township:  Waiting to hear from Phil Lockett regarding review of draft ordinance.

VII.              NEW BUSINESS

A.      A motion to pass Resolution 09-08-25 adopting election judges for the 2009 elections was made by Greg and seconded by Jeff.   All vote in favor; motion carried.

B.      The board discussed the judge’s decision regarding the Gary Grew variance.  The judge ruled in favor of the plaintiff, thus requiring the Town to grant the variance.  The town may appeal the judge’s decision within 30 days.  Jeff asked what the money judgment that the judge referenced would be.  Patti will check to see what this is, but assumes that it is the plaintiff’s attorney costs.  Before John Werner left for active military duty, he expressed his opinion that the town should appeal.  Greg agrees and makes the motion to appeal.  Jeff seconded the motion.  All vote in favor; motion carried.

C.      A motion to approve the purchase of a 4x20 foot culvert for the property at 4252 Fayre Road was made by Greg and seconded by Jeff.  The culvert was damaged during road repairs that were made by the Town.  The property owner will have the responsibility to install the culvert.  All vote in favor, motion carried. 

D.      Cozzi property on 5^th Avenue South:   Mr. Cozzi asked for permission to ditch the east side of 5^th Avenue South in order to alleviate water problems.  The Town is fine with that with the caveat that Mr. Cozzi is required to obtain any required permits and take responsibility for any consequences.  Patti will draft a letter to Mr. Cozzi outlining the terms agreed upon.  We will have Gary take before and after pictures for our records.

VIII.        A motion to approve and execute the following claims was made by Greg and seconded by Jeff.  All vote in favor; motion carried.

A.      General fund checks #50096 through 50130

B.      Utility fund checks #4114 through 4120

C.      Payroll checks #9975 through 9980

D.      Rice Lake Fair Housing – none

IX.       Having no further business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned at 7:25 p.m.