SAND CREEK
TOWNSHIP
ANNUAL MEETING MINUTES
Jordan Fire Hall
March 9th, 2021
DRAFT until March 8th 2022
Annual Meeting
The Sand
Creek Township Annual Meeting was called to order by the Township clerk Maggie
Gallentine at 7:02pm; everyone stood for the pledge of Allegiance. The clerk called for nominations for a moderator. A
nomination for Chad Bohnsack to be 2021 Annual Township Moderator made by Deb
Pauly, second by Bob Wolf, Unanimous at 7:03pm.
At that time, the meeting was given to the 2021 moderator, Chad
Bohnsack, to conduct all of the township business.
Chad
accepted the nomination and welcomed everyone to the meeting. The 2020 Annual Meeting
Minutes were distributed to all in attendance prior to the meeting; time was given
to read and review the minutes before the meeting continued. A
motion to accept the minutes as written was made by Deb Pauly, second by Bob
Wolf, Unanimous at 7:06pm.
The
Treasurer’s Report for 2020 was also reviewed by all and noted the receipts
and disbursements were posted in a blue binder for all to view. A summary of the Township accounts was given
to all before the meeting for their review.
A motion to accept the Treasurer’s
Report was made by Jennifer Jensen, second by Al Busch, Unanimous at 7:09pm.
Sheriff Deputy’s Report – Chad B. noted
that the Sheriff’s Report is available for review. Det. Sgt. Phil Nawrocki explained
that due to COVID, calls are down overall. The Top 3 Calls for Service are Traffic,
Medical, and Car Accidents.
Chad
Sandey Reports:
Chad welcomed everyone to the
meeting. Chad introduced himself as Chairman and started in 2004, Bruce Hunstad
(joined in Fall of 2015) and Bill Schneider (who replaced Less Thill in the
Spring of 2016 and is Road Supervisor). Maggie Gallentine is our Clerk started
in the Spring of 2019. Myron Pauly is our Treasurer and was elected in November
of 2018. Emily Nordick is Deputy Clerk as an assistant to Maggie, who works on
the website and started in 2018.
COVID-19: COVID has affected
our monthly meetings (socially distanced) and how we have to conduct our
elections safely. We now have the ability to include Zoom meeting access as a
part of the CARES ACT spending.
Township 101
– Radio segment: Chad was interviewed at KCHK and discussed Sand
Creek Township typical business activities and the link can be found on the
website. Sand Creek Township 101 document found on our website explains some
history and facts. Township meetings are the first Thursday of every month. We
attend training through Minnesota Association of Townships. The month of April
has a Board of Equalization meeting where residents can discuss their property
taxes with the Board and Scott County.
Solar Garden
Scholarships: NextEra (solar company) gives $2,000.00 per year
and landowners Mehnke and Hauer each provide $1,000.00. $3,000.00 is sent to
Jordan High School Dollars for Scholars and $1,000.00 is sent to Shakopee Dollars
for Scholars. The schools will list the criteria to be met to be eligible for
the scholarship. These scholarships will be provided every year for 25 years.
Jordan
Fire Contract: Jordan Fire Department
covers the entire Sand Creek Township. We attend two meetings a year. Our cost
for 2021 Levy is $135,000. Sand Creek township pays about 26.97% of Jordan’s Fire
District’s Budget. $110,000 goes to Services and the balance goes to debt on the
vehicles. Jennifer Jensen asked about the fire contract. The contract was
$135,000 and we had 6 fires. Is that the cost of a public place that would have
a fire? Chad responded that the Township charges the resident or business $500
which would likely be paid by their insurance company. The contract also
encompasses any new purchases of equipment.
Internet
Provider: CARES ACT money went towards a portion of the cost for the elections due
to COVID, and a large amount went to Scott County’s project to get booster
towers installed to provide better broadband access to underserved areas of the
Township/County. NetWave Broadband was the provider and they worked directly
with Scott County on the project. Before COVID, we had 60.2% broadband internet
coverage. We are now at 95% plus in coverage.
Levy
Update: We have
three accounts; Road and Bridge, Fire, and General Expenses which includes the Jordan
Avenue and Bluff Drive Levy. In 2021, there is no change for the Fire account
$135,000. We have been keeping small 2 - 5% overall increases. Road and Bridge Fund
this year is $373,000. A $20,000 increase due to upcoming road projects.
General Account for salaries/training and other expenses is $62,000 (no change),
15-year Bond is $20,000 per year.
Prior Lake-Spring
Lake Watershed District Sutton Lake Project: Chad’s property is being used
to construct a controlled outlet structure to store stormwater in Sutton Lake. The
Project is to be completed about March 20th. Sand Creek Township did
not pay for this work.
Bruce
Hunstad Reports:
TH 169
Corridor Coalition: Bruce reported that the Township is a member of
the TH 169 Corridor Coalition. The Coalition is made up of communities and
counties from south of Mankato to 694. They help solicit and prioritize
projects. Bruce volunteers on the Executive Board. The Township conducted a TH
169 Corridor Study in 2018 which was finalized in 2019. He brought the TH 169
Corridor Study and Fact Sheets to the State Capital on 2019 Legislative Day and
to Washington DC with the MN Transportation Alliance to lobby for Federal funding
for our Road and Bridge projects.
Berkshire
Project: This project came from our TH 169 Corridor Study. We received an HSIP
Grant from MNDOT to enable us to connect Berkshire Lane to Bluff Drive. In
addition, we will be creating acceleration lanes going North and South on 169.
Eventually we will be closing down the entrance to 166th Street and
routing traffic to Bluff Drive. MNDOT wants 169 to be an expressway – not a
freeway which means crossovers need to be removed or minimized. This project is
scheduled for 2022. The Township is heading up the project along with Scott County
and our Township Engineers at Stantec.
Overpass
Project: This also came out of our TH Corridor 169 Study. The project has been
soliciting the Study to Scott County, MNDOT, State of Minnesota have all been
involved with funding. The upcoming 282/169 Project is also adding pressure for
area business traffic trying to get on and off 169. We have applied for
multiple Grants and have received business letters of support. Scott County has
prioritized this Project with $6.5 million dollars. Frontage and backage roads
are also needed to complete this project. We had an Open House for businesses
in January. The Overpass Project is on Scott County’s docket for as early as
2024 because of MNDOT’s 169 re-pavement project.
JMH
Proposal: JMH were asking for the property to be rezoned
from Business Reserve to Industrial through an amendment to the 2040
Comprehensive Plan through Scott County and Met Council. They were looking to divide
it up into 5 lots to be re-sold to various businesses. Those businesses would
require to go through the CUP process with Scott County. The Township Board has
met with them once mainly to discuss the Overpass Project. Once they learned
about the 2022 Berkshire Project and the 2024 Overpass Project they decided to
wait and pulled their application back.
Capital
Improvement Plan: We realized that we had
some bigger projects and needed to start saving for them. We break up the budget – 80% is
for roads maintenance and 20% goes into a savings account (CIP). Of the 80%, we
break it up into 2 plans – January through August uses 60%, September through
December the remaining 40%. We have a list of every road which review and
prioritize projects during our Annual Road Inspection. We use the PACER Rating
system for ranking our bituminous roads and will be working on the PACER Rating
for our gravel roads next. The CIP account will be used for bigger planned projects
like culvert replacements, major road improvements, mill and overlay projects,
etc. These funds are only used for Township roads. TH 169 is owned by MNDOT. Bill
Scott asked if MNDOT is going to work on Hwy. 282 this year. Bruce replied that
yes, 282 will undergo re-surfacing from Hwy. 13 into Jordan. Bill Scott asked
if there are plans to help traffic flow for the residents. Bruce explained that
the Township is responsible to manage expenses to roads if we see any increases
in grading or other maintenance. MNDOT will reimburse the Township. A resident
asked about the timing of the 282 Project. Bruce said that they are scheduled
to start in the Spring and finish in the Fall. Another resident said that the
dates were on the MNDOT website.
Website: Our website
address is www.sandcreekmn.org and very active with updates happening every
month. We have Meeting Minutes, Agendas, and the Calendar lists every meeting
we attend. The News section is where we add information affecting the Township
including any Resolutions that are passed. Subscribe to the website for monthly
notices with links to the Meeting Minutes and Agenda.
Bill
Schneider Reports:
Scott
County Association for Leadership and Efficiency (SCALE) Service Delivery
Committee: We meet with other officials from all around
the area – Township Boards, City Mayors, Sheriff, etc. The Committee drives
studies and activities for SCALE. More Townships need to get involved for
proper representation. There are different topics at every meeting and
opportunities for training.
2020
– 2021 Road Maintenance Update: We installed a snow fence
for the first time to help keep snow from blowing and creating snow banks/drifts
along specific roads. We used a new
gravel last year based on granite instead of red rock. People couldn’t tell their
roads had been dust coated because the granite doesn’t absorb the coating as
well as red rock. Granite is harder and lasts longer. Granite runs about $10/yard
vs. red rock at $19/yard. Granite also doesn’t work as well on sandy roads. The
Spring Road Inspection will show us if we use the granite gravel or not. Very
little tree trimming happened last year as we are trying to make a tree
trimming maintenance schedule. Weed spraying happens most years. Trash pickup was
extensive with many tires, refrigerators, furniture, rugs, and televisions.
Culvert assessment was done so we can avoid costly repairs like the one on
Akers Lane. Frost boils are being managed in a new way by trenching and laying
down PVC piping to allow the water to flow out into the ditch. Last year crack
seal and seal coating were done. Jennifer Jensen commented about the
requirement to make an appointment in order to drop-off at the Hazardous Waste site.
Dust
Coating: Dust Coating on gravel roads will be $75.00
for an 18-foot wide by 300-foot length. Last year’s cost was $97.00. Al Busch
asked who owns Sawmill Road from the creek bridge to the where the blacktop ends
going east? Bill replied that Sand Creek owns from the bridge to the gravel and
Jordan owns from the bridge to 21. Al Busch asked is there a chance that there
will be a stripe put down on the road? Bill explained that we will get it done
this year now that the contract is sorted out. Al Busch asked if anyone had
heard about a roundabout at 21 and Sawmill Road? Bruce knew that it is a high
priority but it still needs funding.
United
Transit Management: The group is
trying to get the transportation situation organized for those residents who
don’t have vehicles or can’t drive so they have a way to get to the doctor’s
appointments, get downtown, or to Mankato, etc. They will be able to call for scheduled
pickups and drop-offs.
Old
Business: None
New
Business:
Dust
Coating – Set percentage paid by residents: Chad
B. reiterated the cost of the dust coating for 2021 if split between residents
and Township would be $75.00. If any additional footage is needed the resident
would pay for it. Al Busch commented that when the work was being done on 21 on
the bridges, we had tons of traffic. When the dust coating was ok why don’t all
of the residents of Sand Creek Township have to pay for it? When everybody was
getting advantage of it? Chad B. noted that more than Sand Creek Township residents
were using the road. Motion by Yvonne
Perkins, for a 300-foot stretch in front (of a residence) for gravel dust
coating, one-half of the cost which is $75.00 would be paid by the resident,
the other half would be paid by the Township, second by Mike Lusic, Unanimous
at 8:24pm. Bill asked residents to keep their red stakes
for use each year.
Open
to authorized residents who wish to address a township topic or issue:
Peggy Jo Dunnette expressed her
appreciation for the Board. She also spoke of her concerns about the property owned
by JMH/Jordan Gravel along Valley View Drive. The property is sitting atop the
aquafer the we get our water from and the soils filter the contaminants that
are added every time the area floods. JMH/Jordan Gravel wants to amend the 2020
Comprehensive Plan to rezone from Business Reserve to Business Commercial/Industrial.
They have currently withdrawn their proposal but have a window of time which
they can re-submit it. Jennifer Jensen asked about an Environmental Impact
study. Peggy Jo further commented that there will be an article in the Jordan
Independent about this topic and asked residents to be aware of the project.
Mark Jensen said an unsolicited
caller (broker) representing Xcel Energy asked if they wanted to install a
solar garden. Chad Bohnsack had heard about other solicitations. Scott County
changed the ordinance after the two solar gardens were constructed on Hwy. 282.
The Ordinance restricts the size to 1 MW, plus requires ½ mile radius (or more)
between solar gardens. Chad Sandey explained that Xcel is targeting areas where
their power lines are located.
Yvonne Perkins thanks the Board
for responding to issues. There is a dog issue where she walks and is hoping
for laws to be put in place. Bill asked her to tell the Sherriff’s Deputy that handled
her first call was not well informed about Scott County’s Dangerous Dogs Ordinance
No. 27. Chad Sandey further explained details about the Ordinance.
Bill Scott asked if the Board had
any input or review of Xcel Energy transmission lines replacement. Chad Sandey
confirmed our Township Engineer was involved. We entered into a County wide agreement
between all of the Townships affected. Xcel has an Escrow in place for us and
for other Townships for potential damages to roadways, etc. Our Township
Engineer is on retainer for the project, and is paid through the Escrow.
Chad Bohnsack is concerned
about 4 different garbage haulers servicing 20 houses on a dead-end street and
how it is affecting the condition of Sand Creek Drive. A selection of one or
two haulers may be considered.
Bank for Deposit of Funds and
Investments – Frandsen Bank
Motion by Bob Wolf to have Frandsen Bank as the Township
bank, second by Deb Pauly, Unanimous at 8:51pm.
Official Township Newspaper – Jordan
Independent
Motion by Jennifer Jensen to have the official
newspaper as the Jordan Independent, second by Bob Wolf, Unanimous at 8:52pm.
Official Posting Sites – Website
and Clerk’s Residence
Motion by Deb Pauly to have the website and clerk’s
residence as the official posting sites, second by Al Busch, Unanimous at 8:53pm.
Setting of Levy:
The Levy
will be set at the continuation of the Annual Meeting on September 2nd, 2021,
at 6pm at Jordan City Council Chambers.
2021 Annual Meeting: March 8th, 2021 at Jordan Fire Hall at 7pm.
Regular Monthly Meeting:
Monthly
meetings are set for the 1st Thursday of every month at the Jordan
City Council Chambers at 7pm. Exceptions will be posted and published.
Motion
to recess the annual meeting until 6pm on September 2nd, 2021 to set
the levy by Mark Jensen, second by Jennifer Jensen, Unanimous at 8:55pm.
_________________________________________ _______________________________________
Township Deputy Clerk, Emily Nordick Township Moderator, Chad Bohnsack