Town Board Meeting June 19, 2008

Chairperson Ray Knapp convened the Regular Town Board meeting on Thursday, June 19, 2008, at 7:00, p.m.. Gloria Wahrenbrock, Jan Cuccia, and Brian Schwab were present. Dan Pearson arrived later.

The following people signed the attendance sheet: Jill Berke, Sean Coffey, Susan Holt, Bruce Schulze, Anne Schulze, Michael Marsollek, Rich Gerczak, Steven Canniff and Charlie Macdonell. 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 May 8, 2008 Town Board meeting had been distributed to the board. Gloria Wahrenbrock moved to approve the minutes of the Town Board meeting for Thursday May 8th, seconded by Jan Cuccia. Motion passed, all in favor.

CITIZEN INPUT – None.

PARK BOARD REPORT – Copies of the May Park Board minutes and Park Board Report were distributed to the board. Jill Berke reviewed the Park Board report with the board. The Park Board is in the process of getting bids to replace several signs that have been stolen from Glover Park. The “Public Walking Trail” sign at the Omaha Road access to Glover Park has been replaced. The Park Board plans to attend the July Plan Commission meeting to discuss future acquisitions of park land. Both Hudson and River Falls ball organizations will attend the June Park Board meeting to discuss the plan for a second ball field at Glover Park.

PLAN COMMISSION REPORT – Copies of the Plan Commission minutes had been distributed to the board. J. Cuccia stated that the majority of the Plan Commission meeting was spent updating a portion of the Comprehensive Plan. The exception to design standards application submitted by Shawn and Kim Coffey is on tonight’s agenda.

CONSTABLE & SHERIFF REPORTS – Copies of the Constable report, the Sheriff’s report and the Animal Control report were distributed to the board. J. Cuccia stated that according to the park ranger’s report, he would prefer that his home phone number not be given out. Most calls are related to people wanting to have their citation cost reduced or voided. There was general agreement that if citations are issued, the town does not want to get into a routine of reducing the fine. S. Provos explained that she had talked to him about this and he was ok with giving out his cell phone number. Currently, the constables are paid a stipend for their cell phones, the park ranger is not. The possibility of also paying a stipend to the park ranger will be put on the agenda for next month.

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

DECISION ON ISSUING EXCEPTION TO DESIGN STANDARDS UNDER SDO SEC. 135-12 – SHAWN & KIM COFFEY, 510 ORCHARD DR. – Sean Coffey identified himself as the applicant’s father and offered to answer any questions if needed. R. Knapp gave a brief summary of the application stating that the applicant is requesting an exception to design standards to reduce the side building line setback to allow for the construction of an out building for additional storage. The existing side building line setback is 50 feet. They are requesting a reduction to a 25 foot side setback. The property drops off severely and a 50’ setback isn’t feasible. The neighbor does not have a problem with a side setback reduction on the Coffey’s lot, as long as his lot is not encumbered in any way. Rob Jones, Cedar Corp., reviewed the comments from Cedar Corporation, which supported the recap given by R. Knapp. J. Cuccia moved to approve a 25’ set back to build a garage at 510 Orchard Dr., because the adjacent landowner has no objection and as it does not put additional restrictions or encumbrances on the adjacent landowner’s property, that there are topographical issues with the lot, that the homeowner agrees to maintain the existing vegetative buffer between the garage and the lot line and it will not harm adjacent property values. Seconded by G. Wahrenbrock. Motion passed, all in favor.

DISCUSS & CONSIDER SPEED LIMIT ON RED BRICK ROAD – R. Knapp stated that the town had received a petition from the residents on Red Brick Road requesting a speed limit reduction from the current speed of 55 mph to 35 mph. Rob Jones, Cedar Corp. outlined the following two options available to the town: 1. reduce speed limit by 10 mph pending a traffic study analysis or 2. if driveway spacing can classify the area as a semi-urban district per town ordinance, the speed limit on that portion of the road could be reduced to 35mph. Driveway spacing would have to be less than 150’. Residents Jack Anacker and Sue Holt spoke in favor of a speed limit reduction. A letter presented from residents Jane and Peter Dreis was also in favor of the reduction. After a brief discussion, the board asked Cedar Corp. to review Red Brick Road to see what portions could be reduced per state statute and town ordinance. This item will be on the Town Board agenda next month.

DISCUSS & CONSIDER SPEED LIMIT ON COULEE TRAIL – Tim Erickson, Hudson School District and Angela Popenhagen, Stevens Engineers gave a brief update on the new River Crest Elementary School and a request for a speed limit reduction on Coulee Trail. They are also asking St. Croix County to reduce the speed on County F. A. Popenhagen stated that the county is willing to submit a letter to the state requesting the speed limit reductions if the town supports the reduction. G. Wahrenbrock moved to endorse this reduction of the speed limit by asking the county to do an engineering study and to complete a letter, with the town’s endorsement, to go to the State Department of Transportation for a reduction of the speed limit between Nordic Lane and CTH F on Coulee Trail, seconded by J. Cuccia. Motion passed, all in favor.

ADDRESS POTENTIAL FIRE WORKS PERMIT VIOLATION – R. Knapp referred to a letter submitted by resident Scott Klancke stating that he does not feel that a commercial grade fireworks display is appropriate in a residential neighborhood, that Mr. Canniff (his neighbor) feels that he can shoot fireworks off anytime he wants, there is still litter left from last years firework display and Mr. Canniff has no consideration for the neighbors. S. Klancke was not present. Steve Canniff stated that the items listed in S. Klancke’s letter were not true. R. Knapp invited the neighbors present to speak. After hearing neighbors Rich Gerczak, Brian Muroff and Mike Marsollek speak in support of S. Canniff and of continuing the fireworks display the town board felt they had heard enough and saw no reason to pull the fireworks permit. There were a total a eight neighborhood residents present at the meeting and in support of the permit.

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

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

U08-004 St. Croix Electric Underground electrical Boundary Rd $ 50.00

R. Jones stated that payment has not been received for permit U08-003 for Xcel Energy. J. Cuccia moved to approve utility permit U08-004 for St. Croix Electric for work under Boundary Road, 2100’ south of CTH N, seconded by G. Wahrenbrock. Motion passed, all in favor.

DISCUSS & CONSIDER BUILDING INSPECTION FEES – R. Knapp directed the board’s attention to a request from Brian Wert for proposed changes in building inspection fees. R. Knapp suggested that a couple of the board members get together and contact surrounding communities to see what they’re charging for inspection fees and then bring a recommendation back to the board. After a brief discussion, R. Knapp moved that Brian Schwab and Jan Cuccia acting as a committee of 2, put together a recommendation to the town board in regards to a proposal by the Brian Wert Inspection Agency, seconded by G. Wahrenbrock. Motion passed, all in favor. They agreed to have the recommendation ready for the town board in July, August at the latest.

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

PERMIT #	APPLICANT	ADDRESS	PROJECT
08-117	Seok An	430 Red Brick Rd	Porch
08-121	Richard Laidlaw	573 Chinnock Ln	Storage shed
08-124	Erik Bergmanis	314 Meadow Ridge Cir	Deck
08-126	Dean Rodewald	532 Gilbert Rd	Deck
08-127	Jennifer Price	320 Empire Builder Dr	Deck
08-128	Denny Porter	332 Soo Line Rd	Pool
08-129	Roland Janetski	35 Pine Ridge Terrace	Storage shed
08-130	Steve Gianoli	276 Cove Rd	Alteration
08-131	Jerome Anderson	21 Serenity Ct	Storage shed
08-132	Dave Smith	548 Trillium Ln	Storage shed
08-133	Paul Gertenbach	438 Stag’s Leap Ln	Alteration
08-134	David Sebesta	475 West Omaha Rd	Storage shed
08-135	Ted Weaver	296 Townsvalley Rd	Storage shed
08-136	Karl Myhre	618 Glover Rd	Addition
08-140	Alan Weiszel	512 Valley View Dr	HVAC
08-141	Mark Handlos	468 County Rd U	Pool
08-143	Paul Madsen	208 North Ilwaco Rd	Alteration

DRIVEWAY PERMITS – The following permit was submitted by the Building Inspector and reviewed by the town board.

08-107

Erik Bennett

674 Coulee Tr

DISCUSS & CONSIDER PLAN COMMISSION APPOINTMENTS – R. Knapp recommended appointing George Duerre, 240 Cove Road, to the Plan Commission to complete Chris Mueller’s term that expires in 2010, seconded by G. Wahrenbrock. Motion passed, all in favor.

BOARD OF APPEALS (BOA) APPOINTMENTS – R. Knapp moved to appoint Pat Delaney, 304 Cove Road and Dave Hense, 282 Cove Road to the Board of Appeals with Pat serving a one year appointment and Dave serving a two year appointment, seconded by G. Wahrenbrock. J. Cuccia reminded the board that Dave Hense had been appointed to the BOA last month. She had also been temporarily appointed to the BOA until R. Knapp could find a resident interested in serving. R. Knapp withdrew his motion. R. Knapp moved to appoint Pat Delaney, 304 Cove Road to replace Jan Cuccia on the Board of Appeals for a term of two years. The purpose for replacing a town board member is to create more balance with citizen members. This replacement is being done with Jan’s full support. Seconded by J. Cuccia. Motion passed, all in favor.

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

Class B liquor and Class B Beer licenses:

Kilkarney Hills Golf Course, Inc.

163 Radio Road

River Falls, WI

Class B liquor, Class B Beer & Tobacco licenses:

Troy Burne Golf Club

295 Lindsay Road

Hudson, WI

Operator Licenses:

Brookshaw, Jacob

Elling, Mike,

Funk, Travis

Hanson, Sarah

Hedin, Sarah

Huftel, Noelle

Loy, Joshua

O’Malley, Kristin

Skidmore, Jenna

Stoffa, Sarah

J. Cuccia moved to issue a class B liquor and class B beer license to Kilkarney Hills Golf Course and a class B liquor, class B beer license and tobacco license to Troy Burne Golf Club, seconded by B. Schwab. Motion passed, all in favor.

J. Cuccia moved to issue operators licenses to Jacob Brookshaw, Mike Elling, Travis Funk, Sarah Hanson, Sarah Hedin, Noelle Huftel, Joshua Loy, Kristin O’Malley, Jenna Skidmore and Sarah Stoffa, seconded by B. Schwab. Motion passed, all in favor.

DISCUSS & CONSIDER REQUEST FOR DNR LEGAL OPINION – R. Knapp asked the town board for direction in sending a letter to the DNR asking for legal opinions regarding ss 30.27 and NR118. Draft copies of the letter were distributed to the board. G. Wahrenbrock explained that the Riverway Committee compiled seven legal questions for Rick Prosise, Director of the Bureau of Legal Services for the Wisconsin DNR. J. Cuccia asked if Town Attorney, Gwen Kuchevar, had reviewed the questions. R. Knapp replied that she’s aware of questions, but hasn’t reviewed them. He stated that he would ask G. Kuchevar to take a look at the questions to see if there may be any legal issues, but not to change the substance of the questions.

Dan Pearson arrived.

Charlie Macdonell explained that the committee is trying to clarify the role of the county and the town in regards to jurisdiction in the Riverway. G. Wahrenbrock moved to incorporate this letter and questions into a document that can be submitted to the Wisconsin DNR and also that the letter and questions be reviewed in general by Gwen Kuchevar prior to its issuance, seconded by J. Cuccia. Motion passed, all in favor.

DEVELOP PROCEDURE FOR ADDRESSING OBJECTS IN ROAD RIGHT OF WAY – At the request of the town board, the town road crew compiled a partial list of addresses with encroachments in the town right-of-way. Board members briefly reviewed this list and discusses different methods to achieve compliance by residents in removing objects in the right-of way. The board also concurred that they are most interested in the objects that pose a safety risk to drivers or to town snowplow equipment.

G. Wahrenbrock left.

The board members decided to first educate the residents of what’s not allowed, by placing an article with pictures in the next town newsletter. R. Knapp will work with the road crew to draft the article. The hope is that many residents will voluntarily address non-compliance issues. Then it was suggested that the town will send out warning letters to those in violation sometime this winter. If the encroachments are not removed, a follow-up letter/citation will be sent out in the spring, giving the landowner 30 days to comply.

UPDATE AND AMEND FORFEITURE PROVISIONS OF THE TOWN’S CITATION ORDINANCE – Mark Mitchell has compiled a lot of the information necessary to update the town’s citation ordinance. He will work with R. Knapp to have something ready for the next town board meeting.

CODE BOOK PROJECT UPDATE – R. Knapp and M. Mitchell agreed to review the Animal Control Ordinance outside of the meeting and have it ready for town board review next month. J. Cuccia led the town board through a rigorous review of the proposed Parks and Recreational Facilities Ordinance. Requested changes will be made to the draft ordinance.

DISCUSS HUDSON LIBRARY REFERENDUM – R. Knapp gave the board members a brief update on what’s been happening with the proposed new Hudson library and its joint members. R. Knapp asked the board members if they are willing to put a binding library referendum question on the November ballot. R. Knapp needed this feedback to share Troy’s position at a special library planning meeting being held next Monday. A lengthy discussion ensued where concerns were raised about 1. whether Troy residents understood what the impact of the library referendum question meant to Troy taxpayers, 2. whether the town board members have enough information to make a decision tonight regarding placing a referendum question on the November ballot, 3. and how future capital expenditure requests by surrounding municipalities will be handled by the town.

R. Knapp moved that the Troy Town Board supports letting the residents of the town, decide in November whether they would like to financially support a new library in the City of Hudson based on a ballot question which is phrased very similar to the question earlier posed as a nonbinding referendum question after the town board ensures that there is significant information distributed in both our town newsletter and by town meetings where people clearly understand what they’re voting for in terms of a tax increase and how this interplays with other future capital questions which may affect other municipal improvements. Seconded by B. Schwab. Friendly amendment to the motion: this support is contingent upon the fact that this question would be on the November ballot where we would expect a high percentage of residents to turn out to vote and this support is contingent on the four joint library partners all agreeing to move forward with the new library project. B. Schwab agreed with the amendment. Motion passed 3 – 1 (J. Cuccia opposed).

CLERK/TREASURER REPORT – Copies of the cash reconciliation, impact fee summary and budget summary were distributed to the Board. S. Provos explained that she had met with Wendy Sander, Cedar Corp. and C. Macdonell to discuss impact fees. They are in the process of computing eligible impact fee expenditures.

BILLS: Checks numbered 020042-20118 and the Elan bill were presented in the amount of $116,969.82. J. Cuccia moved to pay bills 020042-20118, including the Elan payment of $59.00, for a total of $116,969.82, seconded by B. Schwab. Motion passed, all in favor.

CORRESPONDENCE –

Board members discussed WTA summer training sessions.

A phone call was received from resident John Salmon, complaining about thistles on neighboring property. R. Knapp will follow-up with Derrick Construction.

A letter was received from River Falls Fire Department regarding an inspection violation at Kilkarney Golf Club. S. Provos is following up with G. Kuchevar.

The St. Croix County Board of Adjustments will reconsider the Heartland Montessori School’s special exception permit on June 26, 2008. R. Knapp will represent the town at this meeting.

COMMITTEE REPORTS –

D. Pearson updated the board regarding items being collected at the town’s Recycling Center. There have been complaints about accepting tires in the summer due to the increase in mosquitoes. The Recycling Center employees have found someone to take antifreeze for a fee. They would like to start charging a fee for both antifreeze and florescent bulbs to recover the cost of disposal. The board asked D. Pearson to work with the recycling employees to resolve these questions.

R. Knapp gave the board a brief update on the last Comprehensive Planning meeting. He also asked if the board felt the 5% growth calculated into the draft of the Comprehensive Plan was too high. Board members concurred that 2 to 3% was more realistic.

J. Cuccia moved to adjourn, seconded by R. Knapp. Motion passed, all in favor.

The meeting adjourned at 11:05 p.m.

These minutes were taken at a meeting

of the Troy Town Board held on the

19th day of June, 2008.

________________________

Sharon Provos, Clerk/Treasurer