Town Board Meeting Ju1y 17, 2008

Chairperson Ray Knapp convened the Regular Town Board meeting on Thursday, July 17, 2008, at 7:00, p.m.. Gloria Wahrenbrock, Jan Cuccia, Dan Pearson and Brian Schwab were present.

 

The following people signed the attendance sheet:  Phil Cernohous, Mel Hermansen, Mark Swanson, Tim Erickson, Randy Lau, Diane Delf, Gary Parent, Jill Berke, Charlie Macdonell, Mary Ellice and Fred Barr.  Others were present who did not sign in.

 

R. Knapp invited those present to join in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

 

APPROVE MINUTES - Minutes of the June 19, 2008 Town Board meeting had been distributed to the board. Jan Cuccia asked that the last sentence on page four under “Code Book Project Update” be changed to read J. Cuccia will make the requested changes. After a brief discussion, the sentence was changed to read Requested changes will be made to the draft ordinance.”  Dan Pearson moved to approve the minutes, seconded by Gloria Wahrenbrock.  Motion passed, all in favor.

 

CITIZEN INPUT – Mark Swanson, 208 Glenmont Road, stated that St. Croix Electric had clear cut trees on his property, which is located in the Riverway.  This will be added to the Plan Commission site visit scheduled for Saturday July 26th.

 

Resident Mel Hermansen requested that a center stripe be painted on Tower Road because of the increase in traffic caused by the business park.

 

AWARD SEAL COATING BID – Bids for seal coating were received from Scott Construction in the amount of $54,019 and Fahrner Asphalt Sealers in the amount of $69,722.  R. Knapp asked if the construction specifications were the same for both companies.  Gary Parent, Town Road Crew, explained that they were both bid per the spec sheet.  G. Parent was asked if he was familiar with the contractors and he stated that Scott Construction has done the seal coating in the town for the past 20 years.  D. Pearson moved to approve the bid for Scott Construction for $54,019 as the lowest bidder and the one the town has experience with, seconded by G. Wahrenbrock.  Motion passed, all in favor. 

 

PARK BOARD REPORT – Copies of the June Park Board minutes and Park Board Report were distributed to the board.   Jill Berke reviewed the Park Board report with the board.  She also expressed concern over an address sign located in the Glover Park trail easement.  It may be confusing residents, and giving the impression that the trail is private property.  D. Pearson will talk to the homeowner.

 

PLAN COMMISSION REPORT – Copies of the Plan Commission minutes had been distributed to the board.  J. Cuccia gave a brief summary of the Plan Commission meeting.

 

PARK BOARD APPOINTMENTS – J. Berke stated that the Park Board recommended the reappointment of Charlie Macdonell, Park Board member #3 and Jim Freund, Park Board member #4 each for a three year term.  J. Cuccia moved to reappoint Charlie Macdonell, Park Board member #3 for a three year term and Jim Freund, Park Board member #4, for a three year term, seconded by B. Schwab.  Motion passed, all in favor.

 

DISCUSS AND APPROVE PLAN AND FUNDING FOR GLOVER PARK BASEBALL FIELDS PROJECT – Copies of the Park Board proposal for Glover Park Baseball Fields Project had been distributed to the board.  Charlie Macdonell gave a brief overview of the 2 year collaborative effort by the Town of Troy, the Hudson Boosters Club(HBC) and the River Falls Youth Baseball Organization (RFYBO)  He reviewed the proposed parking, small maintenance shed, fencing and financing.  The total projected costs are $53,555 with the Town of Troy paying approximately $36,752 and in-kind donations of materials and labor of $16,803.  The board reviewed a draft of the Outline of Understanding concerning arrangements for future use of Glover Park baseball fields by the HBC and RFYBO.  The board went through a review of the proposed project.  The board agreed with the physical layout of the field, construction plans and the financial worksheet presented.  However, after a lengthy discussion, board members felt that the Outline of Understanding needed additional work to coordinate scheduling usage of Glover Park to accommodate both residents and the ball organizations. 

 

J. Cuccia moved to move forward on approving the Glover Park Baseball Fields Project including construction of facilities and purchase of materials and equipment for the Glover Park Baseball Fields Project as specified in the proposal presented.  This includes expenditure of capital funds by the Town of Troy as explained, after allowing for in-kind donations to the Project, not exceed a net total of $39,000 to the town.  And further to move that Chairman Knapp and Supervisor Schwab would be authorized to negotiate on behalf of the town, a legal agreement with the ball teams that would reflect a letter of understanding as presented, but also allowing for long range planning of weekends for our citizens and reserving some parking space for our citizens as well, during tournaments, seconded by D. Pearson.  Motion passed, all in favor.

 

CONSTABLE & SHERIFF REPORTS – Copies of the Constable report, the Sheriff’s report and the Animal Control report were distributed to the board.  Constable Hermansen was at the meeting to answer any questions from the board.  R. Knapp asked Constable, Mel Hermansen to work with the county sheriff to clarify who has the authority to tow vehicles parked at Pembles Access.  M. Hermansen noted the comment in Fred Miller’s Park Ranger report asking if foliage could be removed to improve visibility at the intersection near the boat ramp.  R. Knapp will work with the road crew and property owner C. Macdonell to determine what foliage could be removed to create better visibility. 

 

The board reviewed the Sheriff’s report and the Animal Control report.

 

DISCUSS & CONSIDER PARK RANGER CELL PHONE STIPEND –Currently the town is reimbursing the constables $25/month for cell phone usage but not the park ranger.  Since the park ranger is allowing his cell phone number to be given out to the residents, J. Cuccia felt it appropriate to reimburse him too.  J. Cuccia moved to approve reimbursement of cell phone at the rate of $25/month for the park ranger effective immediately, seconded by G. Wahrenbrock.  Motion passed, all in favor.

 

ONE LOT CSM – JULIA CERNOHOUS, 487 VIRGIL ROAD – Rob Jones, Cedar Corp., reviewed the following changes recommended by the Plan Commission regarding this CSM:

  1. Removing unnecessary language referencing a shared driveway.
  2. Showing the location of the driveway to lot 9.
  3. Removing any indication of future subdividing in unplatted lands.
  4. Altering the rear and side setbacks to 50’ and seek an exception to design standards to reduce the front setback to 100’.
  5. Requesting that the town attorney review the status of Virgil Road.

 

Following the Plan Commission meeting, the applicant provided Cedar with a revised proposal.  R. Jones stated that after reviewing the new proposal, Cedar Corp. feels it adequately incorporates the changes recommended by the Plan Commission.  Cedar Corp. also discussed the status of Virgil Road with the town attorney.  There is a judicial determination as to the availability of the road for public use.  Essentially, Virgil Road is a public road to the extent shown on the 1998 CSM for lots 7 and 8, and ending in the cul-de-sac laid out on that CSM which appears to match the cul-de-sac on the proposed CSM.  Phil Cernohous was present to answer questions from the board.  G. Wahrenbrock moved to approve the one lot CSM – Julia Cernohous, 487 Virgil Road based on the changes that were made by the applicant and that the exception to design standards be granted for a 100 foot front setback and 50 foot side and rear setback on lot 9.  The reason for the exception to design standards is that it is consistent with ordinances and other relevant policies of the town, seconded by J. Cuccia.  Friendly amendment to the motion “strike side and rear setback from the motion”  Amended motion passed, all in favor.  The CSM reviewed and approved by the board has a date of 7/14/08 on the bottom left of sheet 2.

 

REVIEW OPTIONS FOR COULEE TRAIL SPEED LIMIT SIGNS – Tim Erickson, Hudson School District explained that due to lack of support for a 24/7 speed limit reduction by the City of Hudson, the district is now requesting that the speed limit on Coulee Trail only be reduced 4 hours a day during the school year.  The reduction would take place between 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. and from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.  He distributed pictures of the proposed speed limit signs.  They would be solar powered and programmed to flash during the hours the speed limit is reduced to 35mph.  The school district will pay for the signs and ongoing maintenance.  St. Croix County will write a letter to the state requesting approval of the speed limit reduction.  The town board supported the plan and asked that they receive a copy of the letter the county sends to the state.  The signs would be placed on Coulee Trail just southeast of Nordic Trail approximately 1/5 mile before the school entrance.

 

UTILITY PERMITS: The following permits were submitted by Cedar Corp.:

U08-003     Xcel Energy               Underground electrical Old Hwy 35.                 $  50.00

U08-005     St. Croix Gas             Underground gas Coulee Trail                          $  50.00

U08-006     Xcel Energy               Underground electrical Tower Road                  $  50.00

 

D. Pearson moved to approve utility permits U08-003, U08-005 U08-006 as presented by Cedar Corp., seconded by J. Cuccia.  Motion passed, all in favor.

 

DISCUSS & CONSIDER SPEED LIMIT ON RED BRICK ROAD – R. Jones stated that the town may reduce the speed limit on Red Brick Road to 35 mph in areas defined under Wis. State Statutes 349.57(4)(j) which states that along any 1,000 foot segment of a town road that buildings fronting that road have an average separation of less than 150 feet.  According to the study done by Cedar Corp. the average building separation along the entire 1.1 mile of Red Brick Road is 260 feet.  However, in the most intense 1,000 foot segment of the road, the average separation is only 140 feet.  Based upon that, Cedar Corp. feels the town has the authority to reduce the speed limit to 35mph.  B. Schwab moved to reduce the entire stretch of Red Brick Road to 35mph, seconded by D. Pearson.  Motion passed, all in favor.  Chairman Knapp directed R. Jones to update the official speed limit map for review at the September Town Board meeting.

 

BUILDING PERMITS:  The following permits were submitted by the Building Inspector and reviewed by the town board.

PERMIT #

APPLICANT

ADDRESS

PROJECT

08-125

Willaim Casey

43 Sunview Dr

Alteration

08-137

Cingular Wireless

554 Chinnock Ln

Antenna/shed

08-139

Ken Baumann

517 West Ridge Cir

Storage shed

08-142

Eric Cook

313 Meadow Ridge Ct

New home

08-145

Amy Benedict

643 Tribute Pkwy

Deck

08-146

Brad Richter

537 Briana Ln

Porch

08-147

Ryan Van Nurden

153 Bjerstedt Ct

New home

08-148

Tom Magill

347 Lindsay Rd

Repair

08-149

Linda Anderson

371 Tower Rd

Deck

08-150

Eric Bennett

676 Coulee Tr

New home

08-151

John Eral

418 Jordyn Ln

New home

08-152

Anthony Schauer

464 Dylan Ct

New home

08-153

David Screation

315 South Glover Rd

Electrical

08-154

Peter Skinner

577 Oak Dr

Addition

08-155

Josh Cowan

533 Gilbert Rd

Alteration

08-156

Sean Coffey

510 Orchard Dr. 

Storage shed

 

 

 

 

 

DRIVEWAY PERMITS – The following permits were submitted by the Building Inspector and reviewed by the town board.

08-108

Eric Cook

313 Meadow Ridge Ct

08-109

Ryan Van Nurden

153 Bjerstedt Ct

08-110

Eric Bennett

676 Coulee Tr

08-111

John Eral

418 Jordyn Ln

08-112

Anthony Schauer

464 Dylan Ct

 

CODE BOOK PROJECT UPDATE –G. Wahrenbrock moved to table the Code Book Project update until August, seconded by J. Cuccia.  Motion passed, all in favor.

 

UPDATE AND AMEND FORFEITURE PROVISIONS OF THE TOWN’S CITATION ORDINANCE – R. Knapp distributed copies the proposed changes to the Citations Chapter of the Town Code.  The board reviewed the proposals and made additional changes.  R. Knapp will make the additional changes and bring it back for approval next month.

 

APPROVE OPERATORS LICENSES – The following operator licenses were submitted for approval:

Kaleena Hoffman, Kristi Kelly, Alyssa Klund and Kalen Watters.  J. Cuccia moved to issue operators licenses for Kaleena Hoffman, Kristi Kelly, Alyssa Klund and Kalen Watters, seconded by B. Schwab.  Motion passed, all in favor.

 

DISCUSS & CONSIDER CLASS B RETAILER’S LICENSE – KINNICKINNIC HEALTH FOUNDATION – S. Provos explained that the Kinnickinnic Health Foundation will be hosting its third annual Harvest Moon Barn Dance on Saturday, October 4th.  They have applied for and received a class B retailers license from the town for the dance the previous two years.  D. Pearson moved to approve the class B Retailers license for Kinnickinnic Health Foundation Harvest Moon Dance on October 4, 2008. seconded by J .Cuccia.  Motion passed, all in favor.

 

CLERK/TREASURER REPORT – Copies of the cash reconciliation impact fee summary and budget summary were distributed to the Board.

 

BILLS: Checks numbered 020119-20168 and the Elan bill were presented in the amount of $38,278.83.  J. Cuccia moved to approve checks 020119-20168 and the check to Elan for $365.19, for a total of $38,278.83, seconded by G. Wahrenbrock.  Motion passed, all in favor.

 

CORRESPONDENCE –

St. Croix WTA will be having its cracker barrel meeting in Hammond on July 24th at 7:00 p.m..

 

At its next meeting, St. Croix County Board of Adjustments will clarify its ruling to grant a special exception permit to Heartland Montessori School as it relates to driveway location.

 

St. Croix County is following up on a potential zoning violation (unlicensed B&B) at 315 West Grove Road.

 

R. Knapp & G. Wahrenbrock will work on submitting an application to the Wisconsin Good Government Award Program on behalf of the town’s TDR program.

 

COMMITTEE REPORTS –

R. Knapp and C. Macdonell met with Town of Hudson Chairperson, Jeff Johnson to discuss how the Town of Hudson administers its zoning code.

 

R. Knapp met with Mark Mitchell to discuss Town Code updates.  They will be scheduling a special Plan Commission meeting to go through the Town’s Subdivision Ordinance.

 

R. Knapp asked board members to review material regarding objects in the right-of-way for next month’s board meeting.

 

The Riverway Committee hopes to have a revised Riverway Ordinance ready for review in August.

 

G. Wahrenbrock stated that the Rural Fire Association started using Lifequest in January, for all of its billing. 

 

 

G. Wahrenbrock moved to adjourn, seconded by J. Cuccia.  Motion passed, all in favor.

 

The meeting adjourned at 10:15 p.m.

 

These minutes were taken at a meeting

of the Troy Town Board held on the

17th day of July, 2008.

 

________________________

Sharon Provos, Clerk/Treasurer