SAND CREEK
TOWNSHIP
ANNUAL MEETING MINUTES
March 12, 2019
DRAFT until Sept 5th Levy
Meeting
The Sand
Creek Township Annual Meeting was called to order by the Township clerk at 7:03pm;
everyone stood for the pledge of Allegiance.
The clerk called for nominations of a moderator. A
nomination for Chad Bohnsack to be 2019 Annual Township Moderator made by Chad
Sandey, all were in favor, Unanimous. At
that time, the meeting was given to the 2019 moderator, Chad Bohnsack, to
conduct all of the township business.
Chad
accepted the nomination and welcomed everyone to the meeting. The 2018 Annual
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 Chuck DeVaney, second by Gary
Frey, Unanimous.
The
Treasurer’s Report for 2018 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 Victor Weiers, second by Travis Cherro, Unanimous.
Sheriff Deputy’s Report – Chad noted
that the Sheriff’s Report is available for review.
Chad
Sandey Reports:
Chad welcomed everyone to the
meeting. He spoke of the multiple personnel changes over the last four years. He
introduced Bruce Hunstad (joined in Fall of 2015) and Bill Schneider (who
replaced Less Thill in the Spring of 2016 and is Road Supervisor). Shelley
Pauly started in the Fall of 2016. Shelley recently resigned and will be
replaced by Maggie Gallentine. Emily Nordick is Deputy Clerk as an assistant to
Shelley. When Shelley resigns in April, Emily will not be Deputy Clerk unless Maggie
appoints her as such. Myron Pauly is our new Treasurer and was elected in
November of last year. Michelle Rutoski was the Treasurer, but had to resign as
she was moving out of the township. Michelle is the Deputy Treasurer until the
April meeting. Chad thanked both Shelley and Michelle for their service to the
community.
Change
of Venue: Both Shelley and Michelle are also employees of MVEC, and with their
departure from the Board, Sand Creek Township needs a new venue for meetings
and polling place. City of Jordan approached the Township about using their
City Council Chambers and History Center. Effective the April 4th
meeting, our new meeting venue will be at the Jordan City Council Chambers.
Notices will be sent out to all residents that it will also be our new polling
place in November.
Sample
of a Regular Township Meeting: Chad explained
that we conduct the public meeting and conduct the business of the Township.
Each Supervisor attends Watershed, SCALE, and County Planning and Board meetings
on behalf of the residents. We pay the bills, represent the Township’s best
interests, issue Utility and Building Permits and Liquor Licenses, and report
back to the Township on our activities. We give recommendations back to the
County on Planning and Zoning. We take care of road maintenance and repairs
year-round. We discuss upcoming meetings and continue our training. The Monthly
Meeting is for public discussion of Township business. They are posted so that
the residents know Township business is being conducted. There is an open
meeting law where if there are two Supervisors that happen to show up at a same
location, they cannot discuss any Township business outside of the public Monthly
Meeting.
Mark Jensen asked if Bill can
call Chad and tell him something about the roads. Chad replied that yes, they can
share information but are not allowed to talk about how they are going to
address it. There are times when things happen – a tree has fallen or some kind
of emergency. We have special provisions where we can take care of something
quickly. Bruce commented that Bill is the Road supervisor and can make certain decisions
without Chad and Bruce.
Jennifer Jensen suggested that
the Monthly Meeting summary could be sent out to the residents so they know
what happens. Chad replied that we are trying really hard to keep the
information on the website up-to-date. We also use the Nextdoor app for notifying
residents of activities. Jennifer also asked if we could have a mailing or post
items in the Scott County Scene. Chuck DeVaney asked if we would put it in the
Jordan Independent newspaper. Chad explained that the Township requirements
have changed as so we haven’t done the mailings or newspaper postings as much.
Hentges
Mining: There was a ruling by the Court
of Appeals that upheld the County’s decision to deny Hentges mining and Interim
Use Permit. There can still be a new design or proposal brought before the
County. There has been a recent inquiry about the test wells that were put in
at that site and are now technically vacant. We are checking with the County environmental
staff to see if they should be capped since they were a part of the original
mining proposal.
Shakopee
Sands: The facility
was mining a lot of sand when we met at last year’s meeting. The Board was
going to monthly meetings at the County with Fairmount Santrol (who is the
developer). Fairmount Santrol eventually merged with Unimin to become Covia. Covia
idled the plant last September. The County requires specific activities to be
conducted while they are idled.
Solar
Gardens: There are three Solar Garden Scholarships
that will be going to high school seniors.
Tru North will give $2,000, and each land owner will give $1,000. $3,000 will go to Jordan High School and
$1,000 will go to Shakopee High School.
Encourage any seniors you know to apply for them. The schools will list the criteria to be met
to be eligible for the scholarship.
Jennifer asked how someone would
apply for the Scholarships. Chad explained that there is an application period.
It started in March and is open until early April. Bob Wolf said that they
should contact the High School guidance counselor directly. Check for Sand Creek
Solar Garden Scholarships. Chuck DeVaney asked about the trees surrounding the
Solar Gardens and what happens when trees die. Chad said that since it has been
a full year of growth, we can now see if any of the trees come back in the
Spring. If the they don’t come back then they will be replaced. Chuck further
asked if he could sell Tru North some trees. Chad will give him some names and
phone numbers. Jennifer asked how many more solar gardens are coming to Sand
Creek? Chad said that there are none right now. Gene Hauer owns the ones that
are coming in on Hwy. 13. The new solar gardens going in cannot be over 1 megawatt.
Jordan
Fire Contract: Jordan Fire Department
covers the entire Sand Creek Township. Our cost for 2019 Levy is $135,000.00. A
new truck was purchased and Sand Creek township pays about 26.9% of Jordan’s Fire
Budget. Ten to fifteen thousand dollars a year goes toward the truck
acquisition. As one vehicle acquisition expires, another one comes up.
Jennifer asked how many fire
fighters are full time, part time, etc. Chad explained that they are all
volunteer. On average, there are 18 fire fighters that respond to a fire call.
In 2018 there were a total of 196 incidents – Sand Creek Township had 40 of those.
TH
169 Corridor Study: After the Township was told about the TH 169 / 41
intersection project, we had Stantec create the Issues and Opportunities Map.
We had concerns about the unfettered flow of traffic through our area of 169. The
will no longer be a gap in traffic for residents and commerce to have safe access
on or off the highway. The map from Stantec caught the County’s and MNDOT’s
attention. The County suggested that we apply for a grant to further study the
area. Scott County Community Development Agency had a matching grant where we provided
$12,500.00 and the County provided $27,500.00 for a total of $50,000.00. The
grant matched total was $100,000.00. Stantec assembled a team to start the TH
169 Corridor Study which started last summer and ran through last year. The final
report was completed in January. There are 367 pages that confirmed our concerns
and gave us 3 conclusions. It lists priorities and options based on budget.
Chad Bohnsack asked about the
Engineering costs for each of the options. Chad explained that the costs are
listed on the one-page summary (fact sheet) made for sending out to residents
and businesses. We also gave it to our Legislators in our district so they can
talk about it with the Transportation bonding bills, etc.
Bruce
Hunstad Reports:
Bruce reported that the
Township is a member of the TH 169 Corridor Coalition. The Coalition is made up
of members from Edina to Mankato. There is a brochure that explains their
mission and current projects. The TH 169 / 41 project also has a brochure. It
includes two overpasses and 169 accesses are limited to right-in and right-out.
TH 169 has 22% heavy truck traffic – which is high and a big safety concern. Bruce
volunteered to be on the Executive Board and brought the TH 169 Corridor Study
and Fact Sheets to the Capital on February 20th. They met with over
20 Congressmen. There was a lot of interest in the Study. There is also a link
on the website.
Gary Frey asked about trail
access for snowmobiles. Bruce said that there is space on the new CR 14 overpass
that has space for biking and snowmobile access.
Capital
Improvement Plan: The CIP was started in the Fall of 2017. Levy for
Road and Bridge was $295,000.00. 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 discuss the priorities at every Monthly Meeting. Last year we put
$59,000.00 into the CIP and had a large project come up that we ended up splitting
between the regular and CIP account. The 2019 Levy is $305,000.00 and will
follow the same structure as last year. The CIP spreadsheet lists every road in
the Township. During the Spring Road Inspection, we comment on every road and
prioritize the projects. Some estimates for crack filling and seal coating were
added to the spreadsheet for this year as we are joining the Joint Powers Association
in Burnsville to get better pricing on those types of repairs.
2040
Comp Plan: Every 10
years the County and Met Council has an extensive forward planning process based
on data, such as how many homes are needed and roads that need to be connected,
etc. The Township Long-Range Planning Meetings started in 2017 and discussed
several topics. Those conversations were reviewed by the Board and added to the
Township’s 2040 Comp Plan for the County. In the input to the county, we
changed the Land Use and Growth Management boundaries of the annexation with
the City of Jordan. It was far reaching, but we reduced the size and made it
Urban Transition zoning. The other item was the Map of Issues and Opportunities.
We also included the Draft copy of the TH 169 Corridor Study added by the end
of December (cutoff period). We were then able to revise it with the finalized report.
We do have long-range Parks and Trails input, but the potential overpass concepts
are still being defined. Also, the train track along TH 169 we would like pushed
back to the west to the other existing track so we can use it for a walking/biking
trail.
Website: Most of all
the items we have talked about tonight are listed on the website. It is fully
up and running. There were issues initially getting people signed up. Please go
to www.sandcreekmn.org
to see News, Calendars, Minutes and Agendas, Departments, including Roads
and Maintenance, Planning, Permits, and Town Board Contact information. We
really want to communicate with the residents. Please let the Clerk know if you
have any questions or suggestions.
Gary Frey asked about the Department
of Transportation brochure regarding 145th Street and how access is
going to change for people coming from the north on TH 169 and turning onto 145th
Street. Bruce explained that there will likely be a right-in and right-out access.
And that people who need to go north on 169 from Renaissance Festival will take
the CR 14 overpass. Gary also asked if there is going to be a stop light under
TH 169 and 41? Bruce showed a picture of the Diverging Diamond intersection where
there is a light approaching TH 169 on either side. That concept removes the
need for people having to make a second stop before making left turns.
Bill
Schneider Reports:
Scott
County Association for Leadership and Efficiency – SCALE: People who attend
the meetings are representatives from the state, county, townships, cities, schools,
SMSC, Mdewakanton Sioux, etc. There are different topics at every meeting and
opportunities for learning and conversing with people from all over. Bill has
learned about funding and grants to provide services to the township. Bill currently
serves on the Service Delivery Committee
which guides the executive committee in needs and topics in the SCALE
meetings and on the SCALE Regional
Public Safety Training Facility Joint Powers Board which helps define needs
at the SCALE Facility and watches the budget.
Chuck Devaney asked about the
property that the Mdewakanton Sioux purchased in the township. Did Bill know
anything about their plans about their property? Bill replied that the recycling
/compost activities don’t fit with property due to the flood plain. Chad
explained that he had a conversation with John Weckman from Louisville Township
last week and they have a proposal on the other side of the highway.
Jennifer asked if the SCALE
meetings are available to the public. Bill responded that yes, they are always open
to the public.
Dust
Coating: The cost of
dust coating this year will remain the same as last year. There has not been a raise in price from the contractor.
The process went very well last year with
this contractor. Motion
by Bob Wolf to have a 50/50 split of the Dust Coating between the residents and
the township, second by Mark Jensen, Unanimous.
Right
of Way Clearing – Tree trimming and Farming: There was no tree
trimming last year as we had some big road expenses. This year we have spent a
lot of money on snow removal. We have already doubled what we spent last year
on snow. We still have plans to do some tree trimming later this year. Farming
in the right of way has become an issue with farmers being too close to the
road and creating safety concerns for drivers.
Bill plans on talking to the individual farmers and have them change how
close they farm to the road.
2018
Road Project Update:
Golfview Drive was our largest project
last year. We spent close to $80,000.00 to maintain the roads all around the golf
course. They were in very poor shape.
Jaguar Communications had
damaged a culvert on 173rd Street. It will be replaced this spring.
A resident asked why the
township is responsible for paving in front of the club house? Chad explained
that the developer turned the property over to the Township and we collect taxes
from those residents. We have 41 miles of roads in the Township. Seven of those
miles are paved. Two of the seven miles go around the golf course. Another
resident asked what percentage those residents pay in taxes. Chad Bohnsack explained
that those residents pay approximately $75,000.00 a year. A resident tried to talk
to the county about their taxes. Chad Bohnsack explained that he works for the
taxation department at the County. Residents will be getting a tax statement notice
in the next couple of weeks. It will tell you what your rates will be for 2019.
It is too late to appeal that value this year. In the statement, it will have
another form that says what your taxes will be for next year (2020). You can appeal
that valuation for next year. There will be phone numbers on the form for you
to contact the residential assessors. He highly encourages residents to call
them. He added that he can talk with residents after the meeting.
Gary Frey asked what happens if
grandfathered driveways are causing problems on a township road? Bruce replied
that you will get a letter stating that your driveway is not in compliance.
Chad explained that it is one of those things that happen, and we have to get a
strategy together to resolve the issue. A resident talked about dust coating their
road 2 years ago to have the 3 driveways done and had the County do it. There
was some confusion on if the Township would do it or not. The residents did get
the road dust coated by a different company. Bill asked the resident to put a
note on the dust coating paperwork this year so we know what the situation is.
Chuck Devaney asked if there is
an estimate if they decide to blacktop Pueblo Ave. Bill responded that a brand-new
estimate would be needed. A discussion would be needed on percentage paid and ensure
that the standards (State and Township) are met as once a road has blacktop, the
township needs to keep it up. The Township choses companies by quality and the
cost. The company will estimate on the whole project. Gary Frey asked about costs
and staking for dust coating. Bill reminded the residents to not get rid of the
stakes, but he will have more available when the time comes. Travis Churro
asked if Scott County is still planning on dust coating Valley View? Bill
explained that Yes, they are, and should be dust coating it from now on. Gary
Frey explained that there were problems last year on Pueblo and there were too
many stakes on the road.
Old
Business: None
New
Business:
Jaguar
Communications: Chad explained that Jaguar came in because they
received a State of Minnesota Department of Economic Development a grant to
provide high speed broadband to an area that was challenged for service. They
found the area from the back of Jordan down Valley View, to Bluff and 173rd
Street. They also found that there were many other areas underserved. They decided
to work in the areas they could be most effective in – Xeon, South Sutton, and Redwing.
Jaguar will continue to work in the township areas they can.
NetWave
Broadband: Chad reported that NetWave is a tower-based transmitter with a range of approximately
6 miles. They have already installed their equipment. Residents should have
received mailings from them. Chuck Devaney asked how their prices compare with
other providers. Chad explained that it depends on needs and the packages available.
Open
to authorized residents who wish to address a township topic or issue:
Chuck Devaney – On ramps and
off ramps on Pueblo and 282, and on Bluff Drive and 169 are a concern. Is MNDOT
going to do anything about that area? Chad explained that the Bluff Drive and
169 intersection was addressed in the TH 169 Study. Gary Frey also commented
that the turn from 282 to Pueblo is a very sharp turn and that it is also on a
curve. There is no turn lane to be able to slow down before making the turn.
Chad explained that 282 is to be re-surfaced in 2021. The Township can talk
with our MNDOT contact into looking at getting more room added at that
intersection. Bruce said that they are going to close 282 completely while
resurfacing. Chad explained that they are going to take the top four inches off
the surface. Karen Kreuser asked if MNDOT is going to add a slow lane up the Jordan
hill? Chad Bohnsack said that they are going to be narrowing part of the road, putting
curb in and adding a trail. Chad said that there are drainage issues and they will
be doing drainage improvements from the top of the hill.
Karen Kreuser – When is the Board
of Appeal meeting to talk about property taxes? Shelley answered that the
meeting is Wednesday, April 24th at 6pm at the City of Jordan City
Council Chambers and History Center. Chad Bohnsack explained that you do not
have to wait for the meeting, you can call the County assessors on the tax notice.
Chad commented that you should contact Scott County first, they will try to
take care of it right away. The Township Board does not have the ability to
change your taxes. We do try to keep the yearly Levy as minimal as best we can.
Our 2019 Levy was certified last September, it was a 2.36% increase from the previous
year. Bill explained that you should look at your tax statement for what goes
to Jordan, what goes to the Township, etc.
Gary Frey asked about the
Jordan Fire Department. We are paying $135,000.00 are we able to save some
money from that amount? Chad explained that we have a few extra funds from over
the years so if we get hit by unexpected expenses, we have a little bit to pull
from.
Bill mentioned that the gravel
roads are really bad with the rain and ice and that we have road crews out
putting rock chips down for traction.
Bank for the Township – Frandsen
Bank
Motion by Bob Wolf to have Frandsen Bank as the
township bank, second by Travis Cherro, Unanimous.
Official Newspaper – Jordan Independent
Motion by Gary Frey to have the official newspaper as
the Jordan Independent, second by Bob Wolf, Unanimous.
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 Jennifer Jensen, Unanimous.
Setting of Levy:
2020 Levy
will be set at the continuation of the Annual Meeting on September 5th, 2019,
at 6 pm at the Jordan City Council Chambers.
Annual Meeting: March 10, 2020 at Jordan City Council
Chambers at 7 pm.
Regular Monthly Meeting:
Monthly
meetings are set for the 1st Thursday of every month at the Jordan
City Council Chambers at 7pm.
Motion
to recess the annual meeting until 6 pm on September 5th, 2019 to
set the levy by Chuck Devaney, second by Manly Krueger, Unanimous.
_________________________________________ _______________________________________
Township Deputy Clerk, Emily Nordick Township
Moderator, Chad Bohnsack