Sand Creek Township

Monthly Meeting Minutes

December 7th, 2023

DRAFT

Officers Present

Chairman Chad Sandey, Supervisor Bruce Hunstad, Supervisor Lee Kes, Treasurer Kevin Nordick, Clerk Maggie Gallentine, and Deputy Clerk Emily Nordick

 

Others Present

Matt Stordahl – Stantec, Meghan Darley – Scott County SWCD, Ursela Bedeaux, Travis Cherro, Chad Bohnsack and Deb Pauly.

Called to Order                                                                                               

The regular monthly meeting was called to order at 7:03pm by Chairman Chad Sandey. The Pledge of Allegiance was said.                                                                                                                                                                                

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

 

Minutes

Minutes for the November meeting was presented to the Board. Bruce noted that we need to add to the CIP Update: 1. To redefine process timing as Projects time out by November 1st to meet the following tax year, 2. Completion of construction in September, 3. Wording for landscape allowance to note that personal aesthetic items in the right-of-way are the responsibility of the resident. Motion to accept the November Meeting Minutes by Bruce, second by Lee, Unanimous at 7:06pm. Motion to delete the November meetings recordings of minutes by Chad, second by Bruce, Unanimous at 7:06pm.

 

Treasurer’s Report

Treasurer’s Report for November was submitted by Kevin. We did receive the Settlement but will be shown next month. Motion to accept the Treasurer’s Report by Bruce, second by Lee, Unanimous at 7:07pm.

 

Monthly Claims

 

Dvorak Excavating (gravel, grading, ditch cleaning)    $  16,331.50

                        Stantec Consulting Services (planning & zoning)         $    6,645.50

                        Bryan Rock Products (gravel & rock)                           $       673.87

                        Dem-Con Companies (waste disposal)                         $         15.00

                        Couri & Ruppe (city/town attorney)                            $    5,406.25

                        Scott County SWCD (weed control)                              $    2,676.00

                        New Prague Mini Storage (storage unit rent)              $       120.00

                        City of Jordan (fire service contract & fire truck)         $170,522.55

                        Prior Lake Blacktop (Sand Creek Dr. & Twin Oak Cir)   $  14,601.34

                        Victor Lundeen Company (Twp checks & envelopes)   $       408.38

                        Maggie Gallentine (cell phone & zoom license)           $       212.53

                        Lee Kes (November mileage – 167 miles)                     $       109.38

Chad Sandey (grass seed mix for ditch repair)             $       608.92

Payroll                                                                         $       980.00

Payroll                                                                         $       400.00

Payroll                                                                         $       500.00

Payroll                                                                         $       560.00

Payroll                                                                         $       560.00

Payroll                                                                         $       640.00

 

 

                                                            Total                                         $221,971.22

 

Motion by Chad to accept the monthly charges as read, second by Bruce, Unanimous at 7:13pm.

 

 

Public Comment:  None

 

BUSINESS/DISCUSSION:

 

Sheriff’s Department: Det. Muelken provided the Sheriff’s Report. It stated there were 52 calls in November, up from 49 calls for October. Calls included: 13 medical calls, 3 suspicious, 1 property damage (JAF), 1 welfare check, 2 missing persons (resolved quickly), 5 traffic, 3 alarm, 3 accidents, 1 fire (controlled), and 1 assault (JAF).

 

Prior Lake Spring Lake Watershed District:  Christian Morkeberg did not attend but he noted they are expecting the final analysis of the Swamp Lake feasibility study at their board meeting next week.

 

Township Cooperative Weed and Brush Management (Scott County SWCD):  Meghan Darley provided an update from the spraying done in June and September. The handout included pictures of sprayed weeds and maps of the Township with areas of weeds and brush. There is a no-spray program available but residents need to do their own spraying or mowing and call Meghan to notify her of the decision.

 

Stantec: Matt Stordahl provided updates on the following Projects/Topics: Sawmill Road Roundabout: Will be getting closed out soon. TH 169 Bluff Drive Overpass Project: The railroad has approved the plans. The railroad crossing at Continental Lift needs a new agreement to change from a private crossing to a public one. The Railroad will be submitting the agreement. Scott County is trying to define when the Project can be sent out for bids. There has been no update from MNDOT about the bridge maintenance percentage owned by the Township. Sand Creek Drive and Twin Oak Circle Project: Project is complete. Final cost is $262,266.73 with resident assessment of $2,713.10. LPP Grant Project: No change in progress. This project connects Jordan Ave. to 173rd Street and closes the two TH 169 access points and their railroad crossings. We are looking for guidance on the level of approval from MNDOT and the railroad to remove the access points. LRIP Submittal: The potential project includes paving Valley View Drive from Mendoza Avenue to the SCALE facility and straightening the railroad crossing. The maximum awarded amount is $1.5 million. Estimated cost of this project is $1.7 million. The Grant does not include the cost of design or right-of-way acquisition. Motion by Chad to pass Resolution for LRIP Funds, Chad read the Resolution, second by Bruce, Unanimous at 7:59pm. Travis asked if the asphalt will be coming up the driveways on Valley View or if the contractor would replace driveways. Matt responded that it depends on the contractor.

 

Comp Plan Amendment Discussion: Chad attended the Scott County Board meeting (December 8th) where they voted to approve the Comp Plan Amendment unanimously 5-0.  The amendment goes to the Met Council next for their vote. The Met Council will vote on it next, then returns to Scott County for the final vote. Chad mentioned it was a tough process as it was a lot of work for many people. Some residents didn’t want anything built on the developable lots, the Township wanted to manage and balance the smaller developments and eco corridor, and City of Jordan wanted to maximize the development in the area to get the highest revenue out of it.

 

Ethel Pieper Trust Rezone and Administrative Subdivision: Bob Ruppe and Chad spoke about Ethel Peiper being Chad’s mother-in-law. Bob informed Chad that he can proceed with the discussion and motion without conflict. The property is currently 80 acres and the trustee(s) wants to sub-divide it into a 70-acre farmland/woodland parcel and a 10-acre home and agriculture buildings parcel. The request to rezone 80 acres from Urban Expansion Reserve District (UER) to Transition Reserve Cluster District (TR-C). Motion by Lee based on the criteria for approval listed in the staff report, I recommend approval of the rezoning of 80 acres from UER, Urban Expansion Reserve District, to TR-C, Transition Reserve Cluster District, second by Bruce, Unanimous at 8:18pm.

 

Automobile Nation CUP: Automobile Nation owner has approached Scott County to get changes to their Conditional Use Permit (CUP) to allow for more flexibility. There will be a phone call between Chad and the Scott County Planning next week to review and discuss proposed changes. Chad noted the property is non-conforming and grandfathered in for zoning and had a CUP in place when it was purchased by the owner.

 

Long Range Trail Plans: Bruce was notified that the regional trail will not be coming through Sand Creek Township. There is a Public Comments period open now which Bruce would like to respond that we have a plan to include a trail path on the Bluff Drive overpass that could be linked to regional trails in the future.

 

Xanadu Avenue: It was recently discovered that the Township’s historic claim of Xanadu Avenue’s right-of-way at 168th Street is now in question as several properties over which Xanadu Avenue crosses are registered (Torrens) land since 1967. The Township has been maintaining the road since the mid 1980’s. A letter has been sent to the affected property owners to inform them that a special meeting will be held on Thursday, January 4th. The meeting will discuss options to resolve the matter and allow the public to use and the Township to maintain Xanadu Avenue.

 

CIP Updates: Bruce included the final numbers for Sand Creek Drive and Twin Oak Circle project. Mileage of paved roads is accurate now. Todd Dvorak said no more culvert work will be done for the rest of the year.  Tree trimming is still possible. Bruce and Lee to determine locations and to send tree trimming letters to affected residents. Gravel roads have a couple inches of frost on them and does not advise grading the roads unless they get wet. Bluff Drive does need grading.

 

Website Update: Emily added pictures from the completed Twin Oak Circle and Sand Creek Drive project to the website. Task List: Emily marked Allocate ARPA Funds as completed and added FEMA paperwork to the Task List.

 

REPORTS/DISCUSSIONS:   

 

Lee Kes Road Report: Lee reported Scott County will be installing signs at 173rd Street & Deerwood Circle and at Hwy. 10 and Forest Ave. The snow fence has blown over and he purchased new materials. Bruce will help with the install. Lee called Northern Natural Gas Company.

 

Bruce Hunstad: Bruce attended 169 Corridor Coalition planning meeting as they want to include mileage into Plymouth. They want have an aggregated list of all projects along the corridor to be prioritized and have a handout created for lobbying. Bruce also attended the Scott County Comp Plan Amendment meeting.

 

Chad Sandey:  Chad presented at the November SCALE meeting about bridge and maintenance. He helped Lee plant the Township wildflower seed mix in the Redwing ditch cleanup. He attended the Scott County Board meeting vote on the Comp Plan Amendment.

 

Motion to adjourn the meeting by Bruce, second by Lee, Unanimous at 9:14pm.

 

Submitted By: _____________________________________________________

Emily Nordick, Deputy Clerk

 

Approved by ______________________________________________________

Chairman, Chad Sandey