April 14, 2003 Regular Monthly Meeting
Township Officials Present: Bob Cupit
Larry Freedlund
Diane Larkin
Sharon McAndrew
Andrea Nekowitsch
Township Officials Absent: None
Chairman Cupit called meeting to order at 7:00 PM, all in attendance stood and recited the pledge of allegiance.
Public Comment
John Fox (Cambridge Drive) asked to have the Township grade the road so he can apply his chloride. Cambridge Drive is up for discussion to be graveled this year. Chairman Cupit asked if Mr. Fox would be willing to wait until May to chloride. Mr. Fox can apply the chloride now but the Township does not guarantee it won’t be graveled over.
1. Full Moon Bar and Restaurant – Liquor license approval. After some discussion with Beverly and Ryan Thole concerning compliance with license, Chairman Cupit made motion to approve liquor license for April 2003-April 2004, Supervisor Freedlund 2nd, all in favor.
2. Don Hanson (West Goose Lake Estates II Developer), presented hard-shell plat (see January 2003 minutes). Chisago County asked for a covenant on lot 3 that there will be NO building within part that lies within government lot 1 as shown on plat map. Chairman Cupit made motion to accept hard-shell, Supervisor Freedlund 2nd, all in favor. Chairman and Clerk signed hard-shell plat for West Goose Lake Estates II, Township Section 9.
3. Sno-Barons Snowmobile Club – John Seviola The Sno-Barons are purchasing 270 acres off of Hwy. 95 and Little Pine Lake Trail, in section 33. They are anticipating moving “Hay Days” (currently being held in Lino Lakes) to Fish Lake Twp. Hay Days draws approximately 50,000 to 60,000 people. The event is held the weekend after Labor Day. The Sno-Barons are a non-profit organization and they make donations to charities and grants. Hay Days has been an annual event for 36 years and they feel that Lino Lakes is growing too rapidly and would like to move their event to a more remote location. They are also currently leasing space in Lino Lakes, where as they will purchase their own property in Fish Lake Twp. The Sno-Barons showed a video of the event. They attended the meeting to let the Township know of their intentions. There was lengthy discussion with the board regarding many issues including, safety issues, traffic conditions, noise pollution, resident notification, permits and licenses. The Sno-Barons employ the local sheriffs department, have 2 ambulances on the grounds, their grounds are patrolled 24 hours a day during the event. Traffic coming to and from the event, may warrant a turn lane to be installed on Hwy. 95, also they will chloride the dirt roads for dust control and possible black top them in the next few years. The drag races are from 9:00am to 6:00 pm on Saturday and Sunday. During the event they sell 3.2 beer and raffle tickets. Chairman Cupit told them that a decision from the township would not be made tonight. There is a lot of information that needs to be gathered and a separate public meeting will need to be held with the township residents with a presentation from the Sno-Barons Club. The proposed opening will be 2005. Chairman Cupit asked that the Sno-Barons keep the township informed throughout their process.
4. Jerry Carlson – Prairie Fields, Chisago County originally turned down this plat. It then went to appeals court and it was determined this plat could go through as planned. Chisago County gave approval two weeks ago. Warren White was present for the meeting and has some issues with the roads.
a. Road requires a dedication for a turn around for the grader. Jerry provided drawing for turn around and Warren agreed the hammerhead will be 40’ on each side with a 20’ radius. Warren would also like the road to be 24’ wide black top on a 30’ street due traffic speeds.
b. Warren recommends that soil borings for the roadbed be submitted 2 times during construction, Jerry agrees.
c. A drainage easement will be necessary across lots 2 and 3 to follow a natural drainage way from lots 12, 13 and 14, Jerry agrees.
d. An easement is required 33’ north of lot 1, 2, 3 and 4 for a future road, if a future road is needed.
e. Warren recommends deferring on the need for a pond until after seeing an analysis from Hult and Associates. This issue will be brought back during the construction phase; Jerry agrees to work with the Township on this issue.
f. Warren recommends a $140,000 bond for the road in the developer’s agreement. Jerry has received a copy of the developer’s agreement from Clerk, but does not have it completed. He will send it back with the $140,000 letter of credit from bank.
Gary is to try the turn around on Andee Court (another development of Jerry Carlson) the turnaround was not constructed to Township specifications.
Jerry also stated that the comment in the court decision regarding the Fish Lake Townships engineer’s comments about the “curved road” Jerry was referring tot Prairie Hills and it was misinterpreted by the court.
Section 2.1.7 of the developer’s agreement states that the developer agrees to pay costs associated by the Township engineer. Warren will estimate his costs after studying the plans.
A special meeting will be held on April 29, 2003 to finalize developer’s agreement.
Sharon McAndrew read the treasurer’s report.
Driveway Fund $ 20,228.90 Savings $ 63,420.39
Equipment Fund $ 20,763.87 Checking $ 1,778.23
Blacktop Fund $ 20,976.77 Receipts $ 51.13
Disb. $ 9,606.82
Supervisor Larkin made motion to transfer $12,000 from savings to checking, Chairman Cupit 2ns, all in favor.
Gary Guse presented the road report. Supervisor Freedlund made motion to accept the road report, Supervisor Larkin 2nd, all in favor.
Clerk asked if prices for North Branch Township’s annual bill for border road maintenance should be increased. Supervisor Freedlund made motion to increase all rates by $10 and mowing by $12 per hour, Supervisor Larkin 2nd, all in favor.
A charitable donations request will be made to the National Ataxia Foundation (pull-tabs at the Full Moon) and the Rush City Jaycees for $2000 each to purchase a new copy machine, padded chairs for township office and computer equipment.
Supervisor Larkin made motion to give Chairman Cupit O.K. to appropriate funds for charitable donation, Supervisor Freedlund 2nd.
Supervisor Freedlund made motion to make Chairman Cupit Road Supervisor for March 2003 to March 2004, paying $100 month, Supervisor Larkin, 2nd.
Annual reorganization - Supervisor Larkin made motion to accept numbers 2, 3, 5, 6 and 7 listed on this months agenda as discussed from March 2003 to March 2004, Supervisor Freedlund 2nd, all in favor.
After discussion and review of the equipment need assessment for a utility tractor, Supervisor Freedlund made motion to purchase a John Deere 6400 Tractor for $31,000 with a 7,000 trade in value for the Belarus Tractor for a total purchase price of $24,000, Supervisor Larkin 2nd, all in favor.
Two bids have been received for the closing of the monitoring wells. Schoeffer for $700 and Johnson Bros. for $770. Chairman Cupit made motion to accept the bid from Schoeffer for $700 with condition to request notification from supplier when work has been registered with proper authorities, Supervisor Larkin 2nd, all in favor.
Spring road tour scheduled at 4:00 PM on Monday, April 28, 2003 and at 5:00 PM on Tuesday April 29, 2003 to review the road tour and to meet with Jerry Carlson regarding Prairie Fields.
Supervisor Larkin made motion to adjourn at 11:00 PM, Supervisor Freedlund 2nd, all in favor.