Sand Creek Township

Monthly Meeting Minutes

June 6th, 2024

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, Det. Muelken – Sheriff’s Department, Todd Dvorak – Dvorak Excavating, Ursula Bedeaux, Jennifer Jensen, Travis Cherro, Amy Bedeaux, Deb Pauly, and Bob Wolf.

Called to Order

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

Minutes

Minutes for the May meeting and Board of Appeal Meeting were presented to the Board. Motion to accept the May meeting minutes by Bruce, second by Lee, Unanimous at 7:05pm. Motion to accept the Board of Appeal meeting minutes by Bruce, second by Lee, Unanimous at 7:05pm. Motion to delete the May meeting and Board of Appeal recordings of minutes by Chad, second by Bruce, Unanimous at 7:06pm.

Treasurer’s Report

Treasurer’s Report for May was submitted by Kevin. There are four remaining residents who have not paid for their portion of Twin Oak & Sand Creek Drive project. Maggie to send letters to pay by September 1^st. Motion to accept the Treasurer’s Report by Bruce, second by Lee, Unanimous at 7:08pm.

Monthly Claims

Dvorak Excavating (grading, gravel, tree trimming) $ 33,056.50

Stantec Consulting (Planning & Zoning, Bluff, LRIP) $ 2,484.50

Bryan Rock (gravel & rock) $ 30,920.08

Pentagon Materials (gravel & rock) $ 3,844.39

Dem-Con (waste disposal) $ 136.59

Couri & Ruppe P.L.L.P (city/town attorney, Bluff Prj) $ 2,993.75

New Prague Mini Storage (storage unit rent) $ 122.00

Contech Engineered Solutions, LLC (culvert) $ 1,147.41

SW News Media (publish meeting/notices) $ 141.46

Maggie Gallentine (cell phone, copier paper) $ 110.77

Bruce Hunstad (refreshments for 169 Coalition mtg) $ 72.98

Lee Kes (May mileage – 243 miles) $ 162.81

Nate Heinz (2 hours of labor) $ 40.00

Payroll $ 1,160.00

Payroll $ 340.00

Payroll $ 420.00

Payroll $ 640.00

Payroll $ 680.00

Payroll $ 1,170.00

Total $ 79,643.24

Motion by Chad to accept the monthly charges as read, second by Bruce, Unanimous at 7:12pm.

Public Comment: Travis Cherro has noticed an uptick in vehicle traffic that doesn’t belong along Valley View. His neighbor is digging in the wetland and flood plain again. Travis can’t get a response from the Scott County Compliance Officer. Address is 18031 Valley View Drive. Township Board will visit the property. Chad mentioned that the Compliance Officer needs guidance on prioritization as there are many issues.

Jennifer Jensen at Sutton Ridge Farm is once again host Military Appreciation Day at the Farm on Saturday, September 7^th. They are seeking veteran-owned businesses to showcase their products on that day. The Jensen’s are hosting Country line dancing and chuck wagon food in July and August.

BUSINESS/DISCUSSION:

Sheriff’s Department: Det. Muelken provided the Sheriff’s Report. It stated there were 61 calls in May up from 46 calls in April. Calls included: 9 medical, 9 traffic, 1 noise, 8 suspicious (vehicles/people), 3 information, 2 alarm, 2 fraud, 5 hazard, 2 assist, 1 harassment, 3 domestic, 1 rescue, 4 animal (loose & lost) and 1 fire (tree fell on power line). He also commented that there is asphalt fraud where people visit properties and explain they have left over asphalt from a nearby job and try to sell a job that may never come to fruition. Jennifer Jensen asked about the motorized paraglider(s) and why they fly so low over the properties in her area. Det. Muelken said they land off of 9, but he doesn’t know if there is a flying height restriction.

Prior Lake Spring Lake Watershed District: Christian Morkeberg noted that the Watershed District secured easement access by Gene Hauer for the iron-enhanced sand filter to help with water clarity. They plan to do a drone survey of Sutton Lake. Chad noted there are a lot weeds and only about 30% open water. An assessment was done and the Watershed District would like Chad’s input. Chad mentioned there are fewer lily pads – a benefit of dry conditions. There is other vegetation - cattails (invasive) and wild rice and some good plants. Christian explained they will keep up with drone surveys. Lee mentioned they have a beaver problem on Swamp Lake. Christian suggested speaking with Soil & Water Conservation to take care of them. Chad noted that his neighbor has a ditch system filling from flooding from Swamp Lake and Sutton Lake. The tile outlets are not allowed to discharge until the water moves downstream. Christian mentioned that they hope to install an iron-enhanced sand filter further downstream. Lakes are very high right now and they are trying to avoid flooding the Prior Lake residents. Spring Lake gets high first, then Prior Lake starts filling up.

Stantec: Matt Stordahl provided updates on the following Projects/Topics: TH 169 Bluff Drive Overpass Project: We have received the railroad agreement for the 166^th crossing. Bob Ruppe is reviewing it as it affects the Township. There are fees included and need to be defined for “who” and “when”. We may need to do an addendum to the Township/Scott County Agreement to minimize impact to timing with the railroad agreement. A By the Yard pond agreement is still needed. LPP Grant Project: Survey process to be kicked-off, along with land acquisition. Working on initial design and need to contact railroad to start that conversation. LRIP Grant Project: Stantec provided a Proposal for paving Valley View. They are looking at shifting the crossing 150 feet to the north. Will need a conversation with the railroad. This change will also affect the lot lines on their parcel. Bruce asked if we can stack up the railroad information when we meet with them. Proposal for project for total completion is $269,179.00 which includes 8% for field inspection (aligning with Grant). Motion by Chad to approve LRIP Grant Project Engineering Proposal, second by Bruce, Unanimous at 8:16pm. Bruce mentioned 40% of this amount will be rolled out this year and 60% is for next year. Xanadu Easement Update: Chad said Bob Ruppe will be sending information to the resident(s). May need to engage in cartway process. Sawmill Roundabout: Matt will be attending a meeting last week with MNDOT. He is working with Kevin and Maggie to get receipts for road maintenance. Chad mentioned that Project Manager Allison said “Ok” to grade and dust coat. Chad said we have emails validate every activity. Matt will respond to Bryant with email conversations copying Diane, Bryant and Allison. The Township did not want to go through this again with MNDOT after the 282 closing and unofficial detours. SCALE Planning Meeting (Urban Expansion Planning with Brad Davis): The meeting went ok with significant concern from the Township side. There were four (4) City Planners in attendance. Jeff Krueger (MAT Executive Director) has major concerns. The group is trying to understand city planning and see perspective from the Township. They are looking to make smoother transition for Comprehensive Plans. Hwy 282: Retaining wall is leaning in and will have to do a short road closure to repair it. TH 169 Road Repair: They were making great timing but the rain has slowed them down and are no longer ahead of schedule. FEMA: Matt is working with them to align activities with the charges. Bruce asked Matt to check if there will be compensation following paperwork completion.

Write-in Resolution: Maggie explained the Resolution is for governing the counting of write-in votes for elections. Motion by Chad to adopt Resolution 2024-4 Resolution governing write-in vote counting for the Township of Sand Creek, Whereas, Minnesota Statute 204B.09, Subd.3 authorizes a Township to adopt a resolution governing the counting of write-in votes; and whereas, a Township that adopts a resolution must do so before the first day of filing for office; and whereas, Township and County election officials spend considerable time and resources to count and individually record write-in votes cast, many of which are frivolous; and whereas, in order to Township and County time and resources, it is in the best interest of the Township of Sand Creek, to enforce restrictions on the counting of write-in votes consistent with the provisions of Minnesota Statute 204B.09 Subd. 3, Now therefore be it resolved by the Town Board for the Township of Sand Creek, that votes for write-in candidates will only be individually recorded if the total number of write-in votes for an office is equal to or greater than the fewest number of non-write-in votes for a ballot candidate for that office, second by Bruce, Unanimous at 8:40pm.

169 Corridor Coalition Project Input: The Board reviewed Bruce’s notes on projects. Suggestions include looking at priorities, better signage along 169, Bluff Drive overpass will have trail connection to Louisville Swamp trailhead, add acceleration lane going north on 169 from 173^rd Street, etc. Bruce will forward the sheets to Louisville Township for their input too.

CIP Updates: Bruce has updated the priorities and marked items 1 (reclaim shoulders), 6 (ROW tree trimming) and 8 (add red rock as needed) as complete. Item 4 (replace missing signs) will be called in to Scott County tomorrow (June 7^th). No sweeping has been done yet on Golfview Drive and Ridges Drive. Chad has a different contact for sweeping if needed. Chad found pictures of sweeping and shared with Bruce. Bruce to contact Roger and discuss the work done so far. We want more sweeping on Valley View and 173^rd. Bruce has marked potholes for Todd to fill. Culverts are ready to be picked up at Contech. Lee can pick up stakes from dust coating so mowing can be done. Chad noted Tim Sarafina needs to send Compliance emails at the end of the month so they can be included in the Board packets. Todd has been given list of pot holes that need repair.

Website Update: Emily added private pages for Board only access for Emergency information and Board specific documents. She created website accounts for the remaining board members. She updated the Sand Creek Township 101 document to update Met Council population numbers. Bruce and Emily provided information about updating the website to be ADA compliant and the domain to .gov. Emily provided pricing from Catalis who would transfer everything to the new site. Bruce and Emily to provide more information at the meeting in July. Task List: Matt to review charges for Xcel Energy and Northern States Power to ensure they align with CTAS.

REPORTS/DISCUSSIONS:

Lee Kes Road Report: Lee mentioned that dust coating was completed in one day and the roads are in great shape. There is some seeding needed by Pat Pitlick’s. Chad acknowledged the effort it takes to organize dust coating and thanked Maggie and Lee.

Bruce Hunstad: Bruce attended the 169 Corridor Coalition meeting at By the Yard. He and Emily worked on the Emergency Training page on the website. He also attended the SCALE meeting on cyber security.

Chad Sandey: Chad received the Met Council population updates and shared with Maggie and Emily. He explained about the Cambria 4^th Amendment Agreement documents signed by Sand Creek and Louisville Townships, and Covia. Cambria didn’t like the draft language Developer’s Agreement. They want the development responsibilities only for their portion of the land. The Township would still need their share of the letter of credit for $715,000. The Sand Creek Township actual amount is somewhere between $300- $350,000. Messenbrink and JMH L (Hentges) have submitted applications paperwork. Need a coordinated effort between LPP and LRIP Projects to be addressed through developer’s agreements. We need to define allocations to Jordan Avenue project development. We have provided $2 million and they need to contribute to those areas. Bob Ruppe is reviewing developer’s agreements.

Todd Dvorak: Todd mentioned there are trees down by Valley View bridge, and piles of tree branches. Todd to break them loose.

Motion to adjourn the meeting by Chad, second by Bruce, Unanimous at 9:45pm.

Submitted By: _____________________________________________________

Emily Nordick, Deputy Clerk

Approved by ______________________________________________________

Chairman, Chad Sandey