Township of Sand Creek

Regular Monthly Meeting - MVEC

7:00 pm –  February 2, 2017

Officers Present:           Chairman Chad Sandey, Supervisors Bruce Hunstad and Bill Schneider, Treasurer Michelle Rutoski

                                       and Clerk Shelley Pauly.

 

Others Present:             Rita and Dennis Tauer, Thom Boncher, William Hentges, Mike Kahn, Joe Frey, Chuch DeVaney,

                                        Mark Pauly, Phil Nawrocki, Hans Givens, Mark Skluzacek, Curt Hennes, Travis Cherro,

                                        Herb Baldwin, John Engler, Yvonne Perkins, Manley Krueger, Les Thill, Emily Nordick,

                                        Richard Stocker, David Stemig, Kathy Kreuser and Peggy Jo Dunnette.

 

Called to Order:            The regular monthly meeting was called to order at 7:00 by Chairman

                                    Chad Sandey.  The Pledge of Allegiance was said.

 

Minutes:                       Minutes for January were presented to the Board.  A motion to accept the minutes made by Bruce seconded by Bill.  Unanimous.  A motion to erase the December recording made by Bruce, seconded by Bill. Unanimous.

 

Treasurer’s Report:      The Treasurer’s Report was reviewed by the board.  A motion made to approve the Treasurer’s Report by Bruce, seconded by Bill.  Unanimous.

 

Monthly Charges:         Dvorak Excavating                                                                           $28,807.50

                                    Road Kill Animal Control                                                                $      79.00

                                    Shelley Pauly Reimbursements

                                      Computer and insurance, printer, cell phone,

                                               and office supplies.                                                                        $  1,294.38

                                    Dennis Tauer (Hard Drive/flash drives for clerk/treasurer)              $       86.84

                                    Bill Schneider Mileage Reimbursement                                          $       82.93

                                    Payroll                                                                                      $     346.31

                                    Payroll                                                                                      $  1,038.94 

                                    Payroll                                                                                      $     392.49

                                    Payroll                                                                                      $     531.01

                                    Payroll                                                                                      $     303.60

                                    Payroll                                                                                      $     501.88

                                   

                                    Motion by Chad to accept the claims as read, seconded by Bruce, Unanimous.

BUSINESS:

 

Sheriff’s Office:          Sheriff’s Deputy Phil Nawrocki informed the Board there were approximately 45 calls in January.

                                   Some of the calls included 11 traffic, 8 accidents, 3 false alarms, 1 DWI, 1 drug, and 1 stolen

                                   vehicle.  Phil stated the calls are usually lower in the winter months.

 

Prior Lake/Spring Lake: Curt Hennes from the PL/SL Watershed District discussed the process of Seine Fishing that was completed on Spring Lake. They hired a company to come in and remove large quantities of Carp.  Some of the Carp were even shipped immediately to the East Coast and sold.

 

 

Long Range Planning:  The public was invited to attend this meeting to discuss setting up a committee for Long Range Planning for the Township.  Approximately 20 residents attended and broke up into smaller groups for about 45 minutes and could write down some of their concerns. The residents’ stated some of their concerns were the website, annexation, roads, and keeping rural.  Bruce will put together all the information and bring to the next meeting. A second meeting is set for February 23, 2017, at the Library Meeting Room in Jordan at 7pm. Bruce will put together the information from this meeting also.   Herb Baldwin said this is the townships opportunity to come together and have a voice in what is happening and preserving what we have.

 

Board of Audit:             The township Board of Audit Meeting is set for February 22, 2017, at MVEC at 6 pm.  At this meeting the Clerk and Treasurer will have balanced out the financials for the previous year and present them to the board.  This report will be filed with the State Auditor’s office by March 31.

 

Board of Appeal:          The township Board of Appeal and Equalization Meeting is set for Wednesday, April 26th, at 6pm at MVEC. 

 

Menke Solar Garden:    The driveway permit has been approved and signed.

 

2017 Seal Coat:            Chad asked the supervisor’s if the township had any roads that needed Seal Coating/Crack Sealing. Bill thought the only road that he remembers from the Road Tour last year as a possible concern was Sawmill Road. Not necessarily this year but soon. Chad stated that no roads were highlighted on the Road Tour.  The board decided to pass on any road repairs this year and to discuss a budget for next year.  Chad asked Shelley to add this item to a fall meeting agenda to get a list of possible road needs for 2018 and to report the decision to pass for 2017 to the county.  The supervisors both agreed with this decision.

 

Annual Meeting:          Annual Meeting Date is set for March 14, 2017, 7 pm at MVEC. It is a meeting for all of Sand Creek Township residents to voice their concerns and guide the board in what they would like to see done within the township. Chad asked the board to go to the Minnesota Townships Association’s website and look at the information regarding Annual Meeting preparation.   

 

Transition:                   Chad acknowledged Shelley’s transition has been going good with Rita’s help.  He went on to discuss the transfer of records and retention periods.  Minnesota Townships Association Website has some valuable information regarding this topic. Chad asked Shelley and Rita to do some research in the next month or two and decide what will be transferred to Shelley and what could be stored elsewhere so that we are abiding by the State’s policies.  Discussion will be held later on where items will be stored.

 

Spring Short Courses:  Chad asked board members to attend the short courses in Mankato on March 22, at the Verizon center if their schedules allow.  At this time, all members are hoping to attend.  Registration is not needed; board members can just pay when they attend. The township will get a refund for Bill and Shelley attending from MAT as this is their first time attending.

 

Joseph Keenan DRT:     Mr. Keenan purchased the Vig property and is a professional horse trainer. Two hired men are living in the second story of the riding area during the off season and when needed to help with the horses. Mr. Keenan went to the county to get a permit to improve the second story of the riding arena.  Right now, the ordinance states that it is only for 1 hired man/family.  After much discussion regarding the property, Mr. Keenan has decided to fill an application out for a Conditional Use Permit. A resident asked if they would be notified by the county if this was to go through.  Chad stated anyone within a quarter mile should get a notification from the county.  The township board will be notified once the paperwork is filed and Mr. Keenan will need to come before the Township Board to state his case and the Board will need to make a recommendation to the County.

 

 

Auto Nation Update:  Auto Nation is still working on becoming compliant with the Conditional Use Permit.  The last conversations with the County were that Auto Nation is moving forward with many of the items and the county believes they are making a good faith effort to meet the deadline.

 

 

Tree Trimming Update:  Bill has received bid numbers for the township from Carr’s Tree Service.  The Board has parceled out the township and will go over the numbers and set a plan for the trimming process. Taking into consideration the most serious for 2017 and areas that can wait until 2018.  Chad assured residents that before any work will begin, the residents affected will have the opportunity to discuss what is being done and when.  Bill stated that the cost can be quite high on this type of process, but it needs to be done correctly.  Naylor Ave is a prime of example of what a right of way should look like.  Therefore, the board needs to take the time to address these issues the right way. 

 

Website Update:           Chad stated we have a registered website now.  Rita and Dennis Tauer have agreed to spearhead the process.  There is a skeleton website started.  The website address is sandcreekmn.org.  Dennis and Rita thought they could have more available the next meeting and hopefully everything up and running by the Annual Meeting.  The board appreciates all the time they are putting into getting it done. 

 

Escrow Upate:               Rita and Michelle are working on getting the Escrows up to date.  Chad asked if they could have all the balances ready by the March Meeting; then the bills or refunds can be worked on and sent out.

 

WMO Survey:               This county survey regarding natural resources will be available until the end of February so please go out and give the county your input.  The communication to the county is very important for both the residents and the county. 

 

REPORTS AND DISCUSSION:

 

 Bruce Hunstad:            Blood Drive for Cy Wolf will be on Thursday, February 9th.

Bruce attended the Semi-Annual Fire meeting.  At this meeting, Bruce reported that the Fire Department is looking at replacing their Pumper Truck – which would be a substantial amount of money and the Township would be responsible for 27% of it.  Instead, they are going to look at purchasing a Fast Attack Truck which would be about 50% less cost and still do almost the same thing.  This truck would be more useful and efficient.

Scale Meeting:  Talked about the Scott County Proposal on what to do with the excess funds. Transportation and Natural Resources were their main concerns.

They are applying for Grants for the work that will begin on Hwy 169 and Hwy 41 in 2018.  They will be putting in what is called a Diverging Diamond Interchange. 

 

 Bill Schneider:              Bill would like to see more participation with all the townships at the Scale meetings. 

Bruce mentioned that one reason why scale works so well is all the elected officials of the county are there and everything that is being talked about is heard by all of them. 

 

Bill’s Road Report:      Todd has been out grading some of the roads already that are in bad shape.  Seems to be going good.  Trying to keep up with the snow and ice. Bruce made a motion to approve the road report, seconded by Chad. Unanimous.

 

Chad Sandey:              Chad attended the WMO meeting and received information on the Governor’s Buffer Rules and Chad stated that the County has until November 30, 2017, for the ponds and ag land and until November 30, 2018, for the ditches to be compliant.   As of now, 85 percent of Scott is in compliance and the county has been in touch with 93% of the residents and so far there has been very little resistance in becoming compliant.

                                   Rita asked Chad to speak regarding Highway 21.  Chad stated Highway 21 speed limit will be raised to 60 mph.  Also, the speed limit coming back into Jordan will be raised to 40 mph.

           

Motion to adjourn meeting by Bill and seconded by Bruce.  Unanimous.  Meeting adjourned 9:35.

 

 

____________________________________________            _______________________________________

Submitted by Shelley Pauly, Clerk                                         Approved by Chad Sandey, Chairman