July 28, 2009  Regular Meeting

The Crow Wing Township Board of Supervisors held its Regular Meeting on Tuesday, July 28, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. at the Crow Wing Town Hall.  Present were Chairman Greg Smith, Supervisors Mark Platta and Dave Schultz, Clerk Virginia Rogers and those on the attached roster.

Greg called the meeting to order.

GOPHER BOUNTY: None

PLANNING & ZONING:

Brad Arnold gave the planning and zoning report. Planning Commission members had a follow-up meeting with  the owners of Big Woods Timber. Brad reviewed information from that meeting. He noted that they have been working on the violations and progress has been made toward meeting the August 1^st deadline.

Brad read the Planning Commission Report for application 09-3155 for a variance to leave a pole shed that was constructed 11 feet into the right of way setback - applicants are Jim and Joanne Munsch. Additional information explaining how the error in placement was made by following the covenants of the plat, rather than the township ordinance and a decision by the Planning Commission to include more complete information regarding changes to the site plan on paperwork given with the land use permit. Planning Commission recommendation was for approval. Neighborhood opposition is in regard to aesthetics. A verbal agreement by the property owners to provide trees or shrubbery to improve the appearance of the area has been received.

Discussion followed regarding the fact that there is no hardship to justify a variance, the building does not appear to pose a risk to safety where it stands, the concerns were not about safety, but about appearance, the township needs to be careful in allowing things that do not comply with the ordinance as well as the fact that this is a very difficult decision to make. A letter from Bruce Kennedy, a resident of Atwater Court, was reviewed. He expressed opposition to the variance. Expressing his regret in having to do so, Greg made a motion to deny the motion. The motion was seconded by Mark. Discussion followed. The motion carried with Dave opposed. Jim Munsch expressed frustration in having spent money on a variance that he felt he was led to believe would be approved. Greg expressed his regret over the situation and noted the considerable opposition to the variance.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

The Nature Path project was next addressed. Dave shared information about problems he experienced with the foreman of the project regarding the shouldering. Since then, the shoulders have shown considerable washing out. The paving was done without the requested notice to Dave, who was the project supervisor and he was therefore not able to be present when the work was performed. Tim Otremba was present from Tri-City Paving. He said he was not aware of the problems that had occurred. Tim also stated that he believed he was supposed to communicate with the Rounas, not the Town Board. The award letter and a phone call directly from Dave to Tim were both cited as having specifically asked that Dave be contacted. Tim provided load tickets for the project and discussed the method of compacting the shouldering with a tire instead of a rubber roller. Dave asked that the shouldering be repaired and packed with the roller. Tim agreed to this. He said it can be done the beginning of next week.

Greg shared information about the conference call held with the surety company. Kelly Hazelwood was to have been part of it, but could not be reached. The surety company had also been unable to reach her. The Rounas asked when the township will take over the roads in the plat. A resolution will be considered at the next regular meeting.

Jackson Street

Paul DeChaine was present and asked to discuss the petition for vacation of Jackson Street. He had not been aware that a public hearing had been held prior to the regular meeting. Paul asked how many roads that only access one property are maintained by the township. He was informed that Jackson Street is the only road maintained by the township that accesses only one property. Paul stated that Zack Jackson visited him personally and told him that if he did not rescind his signature on the petition and  Jackson Street was vacated, that he could be held personally responsible if emergency vehicles were not able to reach a downed plane on Jackson’s airstrip due to poor road conditions. He expressed to Zack his frustration over what he now believed to be false information which led him to rescind his siganture. He also stated his opinion that we should not be spending tax dollars on what is primarily used as a private driveway. He was informed that Jackson Street is a public road, even though it only goes to one home and there are no other property owners who have adjacent land. It was also explained that the board no longer has a valid petition to act upon due to the rescinded signatures.

Various road issues were discussed. Ginny was asked to send another letter to St. Mathias Township about 60^th Avenue with a copy of Dale’s proposal for tree removal and to call the County Highway Department again about the sign that we were billed for in error.

The 2010 tax levy was considered. Greg asked if the board should consider lowering the road and bridge levy before the deadline. Discussion followed. It was decided that the levy would be left as it is.

The minutes of the July 7, 2009 Regular Meeting were read. Mark made a motion to accept the minutes as read. The motion was seconded by Dave and carried by unanimous vote.

The minutes of the July 31, 2009 Reconvened Meeting were read. Mark made a motion to accept the minutes as read. The motion was seconded by Greg and carried by unanimous vote.

Correspondence was reviewed and payroll was reviewed and approved.

The meeting adjourned by general consent at 8:45 p.m.