Sand Creek Township

Monthly Meeting Minutes

August 5th, 2021

DRAFT

Officers Present

Chairman Chad Sandey, Supervisor Bruce Hunstad, Supervisor Bill Schneider, Clerk Maggie Gallentine, and Deputy Clerk Emily Nordick

 

Others Present

Matt Stordahl – Stantec, Curt Hennes – PLSLWD, Herb Baldwin, Marilyn Hentges, Paul Hentges, Alex Hentges, and Robert 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.

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

 

Minutes

Minutes for the July meeting were presented to the Board. Motion to accept the July Meeting Minutes by Bruce, second by Bill, Unanimous at 7:04pm. Motion to erase the July recording of minutes by Chad, second by Bruce, Unanimous at 7:04pm.

 

Treasurer’s Report

Treasurer’s Report for August was submitted by Myron.  Bruce commented on the starting and ending CIP balance. Bruce to discuss with Myron when he is back from vacation. Bill mentioned the Fieldstone Escrow situation. Motion to accept the Treasurer’s Report by Bruce, second by Bill, Unanimous at 7:06pm.

 

Monthly Claims

 

                        Dvorak Excavating (grading, gravel)                            $ 37,044.50

                        Bryon Rock Products (gravel)                                       $   1,589.56

                        Northern Salt, Inc. (dust coating)                                 $   8,103.00

                        SIR Lines-A-Lot (street markings)                                 $      475.19

                        Stantec Consulting (general engineering)                    $ 13,412.90

                        Seamless Construction Services (return Escrow)           $   1,000.00

                        Superior Construction – Chris A (return Escrow)          $   1,000.00

                        New Prague Mini Storage (Aug rent)                           $      111.00

                        Maggie Gallentine (cell phone, ink cartridges)             $      252.57

                        Bruce Hunstad (water & cookies for Open House)       $        20.72

                        Bill Schneider (mileage: road inspect/spray weeds)     $      349.88

Payroll                                                                         $      975.00

Payroll                                                                         $      600.00

Payroll                                                                         $      555.00

Payroll                                                                         $      480.00

Payroll                                                                         $      660.00

Payroll                                                                         $      525.00

 

 

                                                            Total                                         $ 66,679.13

 

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

 

 

Public Comment:  Herb Baldwin alerted the Board that the intersection at Naylor and Akers Lane is a safety issue especially with the growing corn and blocking views.

 

 

BUSINESS/DISCUSSION:

 

Sheriff’s Department: Deputy Strack spoke about the Report that listed 53 calls, down from 74 last month. There were medical calls and the missing person and vulnerable adult are the same person. There is getting to be more traffic. Based on Herb Baldwin’s comment, Deputy Strack will ask for more patrol on Naylor and Akers Lane.

 

Prior Lake Spring Lake Watershed District:  Curt Hennes mentioned the Watershed District is looking for office space and have signed a contract with City of Prior Lake from July 2021 to July 2022. Maggie Karschnia (Project Manager) has resigned effective August 11th. She will be teaching at the University of Minnesota. The 2020-2030 Watershed Plan Executive Summary includes work in Sand Creek Township. They will be installing two iron-enhanced sand filters at Sutton Lake. Chamber Fest Days is on Saturday, August 7th. The Watershed District is planning on winter carp seining.

 

Paul Hentges Variance Request: Alex Hentges explained the location for their new accessory building is in the same general location of a previous barn which was 74 feet from the road centerline instead of 100 feet. The barn was built prior to county setbacks. The elevation at that point of the lot makes it the best location. Motion by Chad to recommend the variance for approval based on the variance listed in the staff report. Recommend that Sand Creek Township give the recommendation for the required 100-foot setback to change it to 74-foot setback to construct their proposed building. Second by Bill, Unanimous at 7:37pm. There will be no change to driveway width.

 

Stantec: Matt Stordahl provided updates on the following Projects/Topics: TH 169 Overpass Project/Open House for Residents (July 21st): Open House went well with the results favoring the new option where the overpass is located on Bluff Drive. The entrances will be open at 166th Street (east and west sides on 169) with an extension to Jordan Ave. (west side). The local businesses and residents are much happier with this design. The costs are comparable with the previous design. In the future, Bluff Drive overpass could have entrance/exit ramps or cloverleafs. Scott County created a webpage for the TH 169 Bluff Drive/Jordan Ave. Overpass project. The schedule for construction has not changed (2023). “Sand Creek Township” or logo can be added to the overpass design. Berkshire Extension: Cemstone, Sport Wheels and By The Yard driveway designs need to be shown to them. Right-of-ways have been marked for the affected properties. Clearing of the right-of-way’s needs to be completed soon. Herb Baldwin asked what the ratio was of developed to undeveloped properties. Matt explained that most of the properties are developed but Camping World has an area that could yet be developed. The SMSC property is undeveloped. The Sand Pit (Covia) is an area that could eventually be developed, and the area south along Valley View. Herb asked, how we do anticipate the crossing serves the potential for future development. Matt further explained the greater project would include realigning 173rd to get to the Bluff Drive overpass instead volume traffic trying to get on or cross over making the dangerous left turn. Herb and Matt continued the conversation about priorities of the project., your p is what the County Plans have for the consideration of the industrial area. Matt explained that the biggest consideration is how to reduce the number of access points onto 169, and reduce the number of potential cross-over conflicts. It is a safety driven project that may have some development opportunities. ARPA Funds: Sand Creek Township has applied for the funds. There may be gravel/bituminous/culvert uses. The corner of Jordan Ave. and Bluff Drive needs slope, larger turning radius for trucks, improvement of sight distances, and better drainage. Bruce asked Matt to come up with an estimate. Pave remaining gravel areas on Jordan Ave. What can we get done and use our funding (ARPA or other). We can take advantage of construction timing with the overpass project and work with the county to save money with other projects going on at the same time. Board to prioritize work and partner with the County. See if the funds can be used for Berkshire and 166th. Bruce mentioned the spin-off projects that are to be funded by Sand Creek and asked Matt to work on estimates.

 

District 4 Meeting: Chad asked for the whole Board to be there on Wednesday, August 11th at 6:30pm in Zumbrota. The Board will carpool.

 

Website Update and Task List: Emily added the TH 169 Open House and Flyer, and Local Businesses discussion (and Open House info and pdf) to the News section. Creation of TH 169 Projects and subsections are to be added to the Departments area of the website with links to News and Scott County’s TH 169 Bluff Drive /Jordan Ave. webpage. Task List: Marked completed items on the list. Reviewed the updated list and found several new Tasks completed in the TH 169 Corridor/Overpass Project, Erickson’s Driveway, Scott County, and Road Inspection items.

 

REPORTS/DISCUSSIONS:   

 

Bruce Hunstad: Bruce attended TH 169 Open House and PMT meetings on Bluff Drive and TH 169 Overpass. He attended the 169 Corridor Coalition Board meeting and noted that the 169 Corridor Coalition is having a boat tour and meal at the Windmill Café on September 9th.

 

Bill Schneider:  Bill attended the TH 169 meeting.

 

Road Report:  Bill commented that the roads have gotten better by adding dust coating and grading. He has been inspecting culverts and weed spraying. He has a need for hot patching. Motion by Chad to approve the Road Report, second Bruce, Unanimous at 8:45pm. Todd Dvorak added that grass cutting in the ditches need a larger brush head because the trees are getting too big. Bill said that hot patching needs to be priority.

 

Chad Sandey:  Chad attended multiple meetings.

 

Motion to adjourn the meeting at 9:10pm by Bruce, second by Bill, Unanimous.

 

Submitted By: _____________________________________________________

Emily Nordick, Deputy Clerk

 

 Approved by ______________________________________________________

Chairman, Chad Sandey