Sand Creek Township

Monthly Meeting Minutes

October 6th, 2022

DRAFT

Officers Present

Chairman Chad Sandey, Supervisor Bruce Hunstad (via Zoom), Treasurer Myron Pauly, and Clerk Maggie Gallentine. Deputy Treasurer Kevin Nordick and Deputy Clerk Emily Nordick did not attend.

Others Present

Matt Stordahl – Stantec, Christian Morkeberg – PLSLWD, Todd Dvorak – Dvorak Excavating, Det. Muelken – Sheriff’s Department, Lee Kes, Amy Mullen, Amy Bedeaux, Nate Heinz, and Deb Pauly.

Called to Order

The regular monthly meeting was called to order at 7:00pm by Chairman Chad Sandey. The Pledge of Allegiance was said.

Due to COVID-19 we are practicing safe social distancing.

Chad explained that Bill Schneider passed away last month (September) had some health issues. Bill came on board in 2015 during our last set of tragedies when we lost Cy Wolf and Les Thill. Bill took on not only the Supervisor role but also the Road Supervisor role. He brought a unique perspective. He said what he did and did what he said. There was a moment of silence.

Minutes

Minutes for the September meeting were presented to the Board. Motion to accept the September Meeting Minutes by Chad, second by Bruce, Unanimous at 7:05pm. Continuation of Annual Meeting Minutes for the Levy were presented to the Board. Motion by Bruce to accept the Levy Minutes, second by Chad, Unanimous at 7:06pm. Motion to delete the September recording of minutes by Chad, second by Bruce, Unanimous at 7:06pm.

Treasurer’s Report

Treasurer’s Report for October was submitted by Myron. Bruce asked about the ARPA fund. Myron put $150,000 from ARPA in a CD for a year. Our CDs now include Road and Bridge, Park Fund and ARPA Funds. Motion to accept the Treasurer’s Report by Bruce, second by Chad, Unanimous at 7:10pm.

Monthly Claims

Dvorak Excavating (gravel, grading roads, culvert) $ 15,699.90

Bryan Red Rock Products (gravel & rock) $ 1,684.91

Stantec Consulting Services (Eng, Berkshire, Bluff) $ 2,115.50

RE2 Tech (township computer security) $ 128.85

New Prague Mini Storage (October rent) $ 116.00

IRS 3^rd Qtr. Payroll Taxes $ 1,637.10

Xcel Energy (Return of escrow) $ 3,356.00

Maggie Gallentine (cell phone) $ 47.97

Emily Nordick (general election supplies) $ 243.37

Kevin Nordick (treadmills: pick up & disposal) $ 117.42

Northern Salt (dust coating) $ 400.00

Payroll $ 1,050.00

Payroll $ 555.00

Payroll $ 230.00

Payroll $ 615.00

Payroll $ 660.00

Total $ 28,657.02

Motion by Bruce to accept the monthly charges as read, second by Chad, Unanimous at 7:15pm.

Public Comment: Amy Mullen’s brother Jeff is in the process of purchasing the parcels owned by Shakopee Sands. The parcels are mostly in Louisville Township. It is unknown what the intention is for the property.

Chad discussed Bill’s Supervisor position is on the ballot for re-election. It is the Township’s responsibility to be proactive in finding a write-in candidate for that position now that Bill has passed away. We cannot have signage at the polling place. We are interested in finding a candidate or two that could fill that position.

BUSINESS/DISCUSSION:

Sheriff’s Department: Det. Muelken spoke about this month’s Report that listed 66 calls for service, up from 65 last month: 12 medical, 4 welfare checks, 17 traffic stops, 3 disturbance, 3 alarms, 3 accidents, 2 noise complaints, and 1 vehicle fire. Renaissance Festival is done for the year.

Prior Lake Spring Lake Watershed District: Christian Morkeberg thanked the Board for letting him share information and thanked Det. Muelken for his work. He mentioned they completed the budgeting for 2023. He asked for some small projects that would help the Township. They have been working with the Water Conservation District and Troy Kuphal. Christian got a tour of Chad Sandey’s land. They are working on prioritizing Watershed projects and want to work on the upper part of the district.

Stantec: Matt Stordahl provided updates on the following Projects/Topics: Unofficial detours caused by TH 282 road project: Matt worked with Bob Ruppe on the letter sent to MNDOT protesting their new math for determining unofficial detour reimbursement. Will need to follow up with them to ensure it does not languish. Twin Oaks Circle and Sand Creek Drive: Matt checked the condition of the roads to help determine estimate for CIP. He updated quantities and will need to get quotes from Contractors but timing is a factor due to petroleum prices are fluctuating and an upcoming election which can affect prices. Future activities: Spring Lake Township is considering a Rural Industrial Park on the South side of 282 and the County Highway Facility. Steve Hentges and Butch Ames each own property there. Bruce asked Matt to provide a map with property lines to show Hentges and Ames properties. Berkshire Extension Project: Nearing the finish line in the final phase. Center Point Energy has utilities in the ditch at the Bluff Drive intersection and need to be lowered. Then SM Hentges can complete the ditch area grading, seed everything. Completion may be week of October 18^th. TH 169 Overpass Project: The Project is deep into detailed design and land acquisition. We are working with Continental Lift (166^th extension to Jordan Avenue). Had a meeting with Mullen Trucking about 166^th extending to Jordan Avenue. Layout of the site showed how it would affect their fueling station area and add to safety. Mullen Trucking may want another driveway access to 166^th, east of the fuel and maintenance garage. The businesses will be receiving right-of-way offer letters in late November/early December. Property value assessments and legal descriptions take a long time to process. MNDOT will need a bridge agreement. Bob Ruppe will need to attend the next PMT meeting to review agreement. Bruce commented that SRF will help get bridge sign setup. Other: Matt noted that the Township was not selected for this year’s LPP Grant to extend Jordan Avenue to 173^rd Street. Lisa Friese thought we may need to look at other ways to find money for that project. Mark at JMH Land reached out to Chad to discuss properties from a couple of years ago for next Thursday (October 13^th). Chad will report back to the Board next month about the meeting. Matt said MNDOT sent a request with information they are quoting about a round-about on Hwy 21. Instead of using the 3-year average of maintenance program, they want to use traffic counts for local traffic and regional traffic (neighbors to the south). We need to consider a different approach to figure out which short cuts will be taken vs the official detour.

Kes Rezoning: Tom & Kathy Kes own property at 282 & Pueblo Avenue and want to rezone 40.44 acres from A-1 Agricultural Preservation District to A-3 Agricultural Preservation Density District. All criteria have been met. Motion by Chad that based on the criteria for approval listed in the staff report I recommend approval of the rezoning of 40.44 acres from A-1 Agricultural Preservation District to A-3 Agricultural Preservation Density District noting that this is subject to the conditions of the staff report, second by Bruce, Unanimous at 7:53pm.

Liquor License Application: Ridges at Sand Creek needs their renewal. Chad read the Resolution. Motion by Chad, now be it resolved by the Sand Creek Town Board of Supervisors that pursuant to MSA 340.11, that we will grant a liquor license for the next year to Ridges at Sand Creek, second by Bruce, Unanimous at 7:55pm.

2022 Township Certified Mileage: The Township has 41.646 miles of road in the County. A mileage certification needs to be filled out each year. We just finished the Berkshire extension this month. Chad asked Maggie to work with Heather Jenness about the new section of road. Scott County can tell us the length of the new section. Bruce noted there is a typo in the spelling of Golfview Drive. Golfview Circle and Ridgeview Circle are not listed on the document – only in the map. Motion by Chad, authorize signature of this document pursuant to the answers of the county, second by Bruce, Unanimous at 8:02pm. Bruce noted there is a typo in the spelling of Golfview Drive. Golfview Circle and Ridgeview Circle are not listed on the document – only in the map.

Dvorak Excavating Contract Renewal: The contract is up as of November 1^st. The new contract has updated hourly rates based on fuel surcharge which has increased since the last contract. The previous surcharge was enacted if gas went above $3.50 per gallon, the new surcharge is if gas goes above $5.00 per gallon. Labor increased $1.00 per hour from the previous contract, to be $5.00 per hour. There is more equipment added – front end loader and other equipment. Motion by Chad to approve the renewal of Dvorak Excavating Contract as presented, second by Bruce, Unanimous at 8:06pm.

Road Report: Todd noted that he had started grading South Sutton, 170^th, Harlow, and Bluff Drive. By the time he got to Zumbro there was a lot of traffic. When he turned around there were pieces of plastic all over the road from the cars that didn’t know how to drive over the windrow. Bluff Drive is in bad shape again. They patched all of the blacktop roads and patched the hole on Valley View. Cleaned the bridge deck on 173rd and put light blacktop over the cracks and holes. They finished patching Sawmill Road. Todd trimmed the trees on Sawmill as a resident was complaining about them. Culverts were cleaned out on Deerwood and Golfview. Todd suggested on working with Scott County to reserve 40 tons of treated salt (for certain roads with no sand residue) and 75 tons of salt. Bruce liked the idea there would be less sweeping needed.

CIP discussion: Bruce agrees with Matt about timing for getting updated estimates for the mil and overlay work needed for top priority projects Sand Creek Drive and Twin Oak Circle in 2023. Need to hear back from Bob Ruppe on the legality part of a Subordinate Service District (SSD). Bob replied to Marty Schmitz about Covia and Q-Prime on restoration work. Kevin to work with Myron on the CIP planning and budgeting spreadsheet.

Website Update and Task List: Emily added Bill’s Obituary to the News section. Task List: Workshop meeting on Thursday, October 20^th at 5pm.

REPORTS/DISCUSSIONS:

Bruce Hunstad: Bruce attended the PMT meeting on Bluff Drive overpass. Minnesota Valley Electric Coop maintenance agreement is needed. Chad has spoken with Eric at MVEC. MVEC’s logistics and legal will be managing the agreement. Chad will call Eric to find out its status, and will get Bob Ruppe involved. The one-pager sheet was given to 169 Corridor Coalition to take to Washington DC (was not updated) but was added to the brochure to show Minnesota and Scott County projects. Is there something that can be tweaked to show completed Berkshire Avenue and new costs? Include the 3-4 Township projects that need funding help. Long range trail master planning with Nathan and Patty Freeman. Chad would like to be included in the meetings. Need to remind that trail access is included in the Bluff Drive overpass. We have other ideas about trails, including taking over the railroad. An intern added a bunch of trails across resident’s properties caused a lot of concern.

Chad Sandey: Chad attended the Scott County Township Association meeting and informed them Bill had passed away. He attended the SCALE meeting, right-of-way meeting(s) and has been keeping the local businesses up to date.

Motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:44pm by Bruce, second by Chad, Unanimous.

Submitted By: _____________________________________________________

Emily Nordick, Deputy Clerk

Approved by ______________________________________________________

Chairman, Chad Sandey