Sand Creek Township

Monthly Meeting Minutes

September 6th, 2018 

 

DRAFT

 

 

Officers Present

Chairman Chad Sandey, Supervisor Bill Schneider, Supervisor Bruce Hunstad, Treasurer Myron Pauly, Deputy Treasurer Michelle Rutoski, Shelley Pauly, Clerk and Emily Nordick, Deputy Clerk

 

Others Present

Deputy Adams – Scott County Sheriff Dept, Curt Hennes, Herb Baldwin, Kyle Renneke – Stantec, Deb Pauly, Beverly Koehnen, Barb Weckman Brekke, Todd Dvorak, Bob Wolf.

 

Called to Order

The regular monthly meeting was called to order at 7:05 pm by Chairman Chad Sandey. The Pledge of Allegiance was said.

 

Minutes

Minutes for the August meeting were presented to the Board. Motion to approve the minutes by Bruce, second by Bill, Unanimous.  Motion to erase the August recording of minutes by Bill, second by Bruce, Unanimous.

 

Treasurer’s Report

Treasurer’s Report for August was submitted by Myron. After reviewing the report, Motion to accept the report by Bruce, second by Bill, Unanimous. 

 

 

Monthly Claims

 

                        Bryan Rock                                                                  $   5,659.21

                        Couri & Ruppe                                                             $      285.00

                        Dvorak Excavating                                                       $   6,499.50

                        Scott County – Signs and Installation                          $      189.10

                        Shelley Pauly – Election Supplies and Cell                   $      189.74

                        Election Judges (plus Training/Mileage):

                                    Myron Pauly                                                    $      175.00

                                    Deb Pauly                                                        $      205.58

                                    Annette Chlan (plus catering)                          $      650.00

                        Bill Schneider – Mileage                                              $        73.58

                        Payroll                                                                         $      277.05

                        Payroll                                                                         $        69.26

                        Payroll                                                                         $      288.59

                        Payroll                                                                         $      992.76

                        Payroll                                                                         $      438.66

                        Payroll                                                                         $      461.75

                        Payroll                                                                         $      536.78

 

                                                            Total                                        $ 16,991.56

 

                        Motion by Bruce to accept the monthly charges as read, second by Bill, Unanimous.

 

                       

Public Comment – Bruce mentioned that MAT website is currently accepting applications about

DRAFT

railroad closing and crossing money being allocated and how it can apply to the Bluff Drive/169 Corridor project. Bruce wondered if the county can help with the paperwork. Chad suggested that Stantec can also help. The time limit for applications is September 14th. We may not be ready by then, but can plan for the next year. We can consider changing the railroad track close to 169 to show a bike trail on the 2040 Comp Plan and Stantec concepts.

 

 

BUSINESS/DISCUSSION:

 

Sheriff’s Department:  Two major calls during the month were the SCALE Facility CSC (Criminal Sexual Conduct) and Morlock Drive (Medical call which involved a child) incidents. Since they are ongoing investigations, direct any general questions to investigation Sargent Phil Nawrocki. Deb Pauly asked why the residents along Valley View were not notified (code red alarm) like they normally are when something happens at the juvenile facility. The Deputy explained that the code red circumstances were not exactly the same in the SCALE facility situation. Other calls were security alarms, traffic/driving, and sporadic IRS fraud (ghost phone numbers).

 

Prior Lake Spring Lake Watershed District:  Curt Hennes explained about the massive small crappie fish kill in Spring Lake on August 28th. DNR officials explained that it may be from a mixture of cold rain and warm water mixing with dissolved oxygen from the bottom of the lake. Collection of crappies both live and dead shows there was visible gill damage and infection in the fish. A dumpster has been placed at the public access for disposing of dead crappies.

 

Stantec – TH 169 Corridor Study:  Kyle reported that they have had workshops about concepts and issues: Safety and Accidents. The concept designs have been reduced down to 3, with one overpass that goes over 169 or 169 is raised up and the crossing traffic would go underneath 169. Having some acceleration and deceleration lanes on the east side of 169 is a better concept due to the railroad tracks on the west side or a right in or right access, and some access closures. These concepts have been looked at with the county highway department and MNDOT and discussions about next steps. He shared concept plans with the board and those present at the meeting. We are in good shape regarding the current scope of work for this year. Stantec is continuing to work with the county and MNDOT about potential study funding for next year. If there was a recommendation to move with a specific concept with dedicated right of way and land acquisition(s). Commissioner Weckman Brekke acknowledged the work on the plan so far and how the important funding is for future dedication of right of ways, and communicating with the businesses. Chad explained that the businesses have been involved from the beginning. Louisville Township has some big changes coming (developers are interested in the land) that will affect the frontage roads all the way to the township line. Beverly has explained that she still hasn’t had her questions answered from the meeting in July. Kyle answered some of them, Pat (Stantec) will need to respond to the remaining ones. Herb Baldwin asked about study scope of work, funding, and schedule. Bruce replied that the documents are on the township website. Also, how do we get these concepts to maturity? Chad explained that when the final report comes out from the study, we will find out what the next steps are and to ensure we engage the public and businesses again. Kyle would also like to have a draft presented for the next month’s meeting with recommendations so the Board and the county can add their comments to the 2040 Comp Plan.

            -Bluff Drive Project: They met with the Contractor to look at the project. The slope looks ok, they will clean up the ragweed and the Willows. Will also do more seeding if needed next year.

            -Fee structures: If Stantec is required for DRT meeting attendance, the fee structure is around the $300-400 range. They review documents beforehand, travel to the county government center and spend time in meetings and follow up. They can also have a fixed fee or by the hour. Township Board will need to decide.

 

Capital Improvement Plan: Bruce updated the report and explained that we would set aside 80% of the Road and Bridge levy for maintenance ($295,000) and 20% for CIP ($59,000). If can keep the spending below 60% until September, then 40% would go towards the rest of the year. The big project is Golfview Drive and we have received some bids back. Discussion about the area on Golfview Circle with the issues of drain tiling. It doesn’t make sense to do the work now because the road will need new blacktop and we don’t know where to run the water. It’s not a very good investment at the moment. The money could go for crack seal and chip seal. The golf course is also planning on doing some work (re-surfacing the parking lot) and would like to piggyback on our work. Motion by Bill to accept the bid from Bituminous Roadway Incorporated for $66,100 with the understanding that there may be added expenses - but minor ones. Second by Bruce, Unanimous.

 

City of Jordan 2040 Comp Plan: Chad explained that there are handful of items on the plan that affect Sand Creek Township: annexation, boundaries map, higher population agreement with Met Council on the population for 5 and 10 years, and the ring road. There is still time to for approvals. Chad explained again how the City of Jordan explained how they perceived the ring road even though it is all in Sand Creek Township. Chad suggested to Kyle that the City of Jordan be notified about the results of the 169 Corridor study because they are still communicating with MNDOT about the 169/282 intersection and need to be aware of our future plans. Bruce made a comment the we need to get our changes made before the 169/282 intersection changes so we can still get out on to the highway. Chad commented again about how the annexation process with the City of Jordan has gone so far and the reasoning of the annexation agreement for the new school property. Sand Creek Township worked with Brad Davis at the county to move the 2040 Comp Plan boundaries on the east side back to closer to Jordan.

 

2019 Infrastructure Projects Monthly Update: This was discussed in the Capital Improvement Plan. This topic will be included in the CIP discussion going forward.

 

DRT Meetings Invoicing to Applicants:  Marty at the county said our fee schedule is old. Chad explained that the new fee is invoiced at $150 for 2 supervisors. Fairmount Santrol closed the plant a couple of years ago and reopened this year. They have combined operations with Unimin and now go by Covia. Now that they are a new entity, we need a new fee schedule with them. Covia will have to fund a large escrow with the county and we bill the county, or with the township. Scott County will let us know by the December meeting.

 

Scott County Weed Management: Bill explained that Scott Co-operative Weed Management has access to a grant that is available for the whole state for $400,000. Any county can apply for the grant by showing how much money you have spent on weed management and they will do a 3:1 match. It doesn’t cost us any money to join. This allows us to get better pricing on herbicide, education, and to share equipment. There is paperwork to fill out. Bill ended up on the steering committee. Louisville Township, Belle Plaine, and Scott County have joined the co-op. Motion by Chad to execute the Scott Co-operative Weed Management agreement memorandum of understanding. Second by Bruce, Unanimous. A discussion about wild parsnips moving into the area and that they are highly poisonous. Weeds are typically spread by trains and trucks (blowing seeds around) and mowers if the blades aren’t cleaned afterwards. We are trying to limit or stop the mowing to stop the spread of weeds from area to area.

 

Menke Solar Garden Drainage Update: Chad explained again about how the drainage of the water has changed since the installation of the solar garden. County has reviewed the topographical maps, saw that the drainage was wrong and has sent a letter to NextEra. NextEra has submitted new drawings and the county has approved them. They area will be fixed in the next few weeks with the water runoff moving as how it was before the solar garden went in. Joe Menke has been informed of the work and his happy with the progress.

 

Annual Township Conference:  The conference will be held in Duluth in November. The topic this year is Powering our Future: Energy to Build on in your Township.

 

Monthly Timeline of Agenda, Minutes, Claim Forms, and Website Posting: We schedule the agenda and meeting minutes to be completed the Thursday before the next township meeting. The meeting minutes will need to be a draft until they are approved at the monthly meeting. Also, the agenda can be amended in the public comment section the day of the actual meeting.

 

Website Updates: Bruce thinks the most important item is to get the email notifications working so subscribers can see when the website is updated. The training for the bulk email tool is Monday, September 10th. Small changes have been happening in the last month. Shelley has a list of emails from the Annual Meeting. Chad has some pictures he can send to add to the Gallery.

 

 

Reports and Discussions: 

        

Bruce Hunstad:  Bruce has worked on the website and CIP.

 

Bill Schneider:  Bill went to the Weed Management meeting, and 2 township meetings: District 4 to meet the local townships to see how they are doing things, and State Association meeting about protecting our roads from heavier truck traffic.

 

Road Report:  Bill said there were a lot of washboard roads, and holes. The cause of these are due to not grading through the dust coating as requested by the residents. Grading is beginning today. Todd mentioned seeing paving trucks using the township road. It seems that no one sees the weight signs. More material is needed from the tracks or Circle Drive to the City of Jordan. Bill asked if it was too late to put material down before snowplowing. Todd explained that if there is rain it will have a better chance of getting worked in. Motion by Chad, second by Bruce to approve the road report from Bill for August.  Unanimous.

 

Chad Sandey:  Chad went to the Shakopee Sands (Fairmont Santrol + Unimin = Covia). Attended the District 4 meeting, it was well attended by all the entities that make up the District. Primary Election: Shelley explained it went very smoothly. The Poll Pads and the transmitting at the end of the night went well. Shelley requested another Poll Pad for the General Election. We will also be short election judges for the general so we need to get more people trained. Shelley explained that the Supervisor A and Supervisor C open positions have Bill and Bruce running, and the Treasurer position is open with Myron Pauly, Annette Chlan, and Kirsten Theis running. Escrow Accounts: Linderlake Corporation was a sub-contractor to run the services to the little AT&T transmission station near Bluff Drive across from the sub-station. Rita tried to send them back the remaining amount of their escrow, but it was returned (not found). The attorney explained that an effort must be made to look them up (google). If they still exist, we need to contact them. If they have gone out of business we need to send out a public notice saying we have an X amount of money. If no one claims the money it is supposed to be allocated to the Roads and Bridges account. Larry Siderov had a driveway put in but died and didn’t pay Dvorak. The township still has his escrow money. We need to find the heirs or put in a public notice. Further conversation discussion on upcoming meeting for the month.

                                                                                   

Motion to adjourn the meeting at 9:55 pm by Bruce, second by Bill, Unanimous.

 

Submitted By: _____________________________________________________

Emily Nordick, Deputy Clerk

 

 Approved by ______________________________________________________

Chairman, Chad Sandey