Town Board Meeting November 12, 2009

Chairperson Ray Knapp convened the Regular Town Board meeting on Thursday November 12, 2009, at 7:00 pm.  Jan Cuccia, Gloria WahrenBrock, Dan Pearson and Brian Schwab were present. 

 

The following people signed the attendance sheet:  Matt Sparks, Larry Kneyendorf, Jill Berke, Ronnie Avery, Shelly Patterson, John McLevis, Charlie Macdonell, Mel Hermansen, Brian Estrew, John Schultz, and Tim Krug.   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 October 8, 2009 Town Board meeting and October 19, 2009 Special Town Board meeting had been distributed to the board.  J. Cuccia moved to approve the October 8, 2009 regular Town Board meeting minutes, seconded by B. Schwab.  Motion passed, all in favor.   

 

The minutes of the Special Town Board meeting on October 19, showed that Dan Pearson was present, however he wasn’t.  The minutes will be corrected to reflect his absence.  G. WahrenBrock moved to approve the minutes as corrected, seconded by J. Cuccia.  Motion passed, all in favor.

 

CITIZEN INPUT – Ron Avery, Shelly Patterson and John McLevis, residents of the Fox Trailer Court, addressed the board regarding what they feel are unsafe/unhealthy living conditions in the homes they are renting.  They brought pictures of the premises, copies of an inspection report from HUD and sample building codes from surrounding municipalities.  This topic will be placed on the December Town Board meeting agenda.

 

Lyle Elenkiwich, 287 Day Farm Road, explained he had received a letter from the building inspector, Brian Wert, stating that his unpaid renewal building permit was going to be put on his taxes.  He was under the impression that the building permit only expired after twenty-four months if the exterior was not completed.  He had completed the exterior within the two year timeframe.  Troy Town Code does state that the permit expires two years after issuance.  R. Knapp will follow up with B. Wert and L. Elenkiwich.

 

PRESENTATION BY ST CROIX ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORP – R. Knapp had not contacted SCDC so they were not present.

 

PARK BOARD REPORT – Copies of the Park Board Report and the Park Board minutes had been distributed to the board.  Jill Berke stated that the Park Board had reduced their 2010 opertating budget to $45,000 and capital expenditures to $10,000, as directed by the Town Board.  She also reported that the dock and gangway at the boat launch were moved to winter storage, the bathrooms at Glover Park were closed for the season,  new Glover Park signs were placed along CTH F and the new playground equipment had been installed at Glover Park.  Vincent Thao completed his Eagle Scout project at Glover Park.  He paid for the project through troop fundraising efforts and area business donations. 

 

PLAN COMMISSION REPORT – Copies of the Plan Commission minutes had been distributed to the board.  J. Cuccia explained that the majority of the meeting was spent discussing possible options related to permitted densities within a proposed future commercial district.

 

 

CONSTABLE & SHERIFF REPORTS – Copies of the Constable report, the Sheriff’s report and the Animal Control report were distributed to and reviewed by the board.  Mel Hermansen, constable, commented that the bathrooms at Glover Park were not closed yet.  He also explained that the gas company had locked the gate at Pembles incorrectly and he had to cut a couple of links off of the chain on the gate to resolve the situation.

 

The board reviewed the Sheriff’s report. 

 

The Animal Control report included an updated summary of the ongoing VeVang dog problem. 

 

DISCUSS & CONSIDER APPLYING FOR BROADBAND STIMULUS FUNDING – Warren Vollmar distributed copies of his High Speed Initiative presentation.  W. Vollmar gave a presentation to the board regarding the benefits of high speed internet, provider options, why fiber optic, the stimulus grant options, the application process, the investment necessary, ownership and management, the possible roles of U-Reka and Baldwin Telecom and the town’s broadband committee’s recommendation.  He was joined by representatives of U-Reka and Baldwin Telecom.  The broadband committee is suggesting that the town spend abut $20,000 in developing an application for $10,000,000 in stimulus funds.  After a lengthy presentation and discussion, R. Knapp recommended getting a legal opinion on whether town ownership of fiber optic infrastructure would require a vote of residents. This would make it almost impossible to apply for a grant by the end of January.  This topic will be placed on the December Town Board agenda to allow R. Knapp and Balwin Telecom to meet and discuss this with legal counsel. 

 

DISCUSS & CONSIDER 2010 ROAD PLANS – Rob Jones, Cedar Corp., stated that the northern segment of Townsvalley Road is scheduled for 2010.  If there is enough money, then an overlay of the cul-de-sac on Plainsview Drive could also be completed.  R. Jones also asked that the town release the checks for the second and third pay requests for Antczak Construction, Inc., He stated that the payments cover all of the work completed to date, minus a 2 ½% retainer of about $9,000.  That $9,000 should be enough to cover any unresolved restoration problems.  There is a performance bond that covers all work up until the final payment is released.  Once the final payment is released, there is a one year warranty on the project.  R. Knapp stated that the town road crew is satisfied with the progress made by Antczak since the town decided to hold the check for the 2nd pay request.  Antczak is also aware of the town’s displeasure regarding the restoration work.  Using the authority granted by the Town Board at its September meeting, R, Knapp authorized the release of the check for the 2nd pay request.  The check for the 3rd pay request will be handled under agenda item “APPROVE BILLS” later on the agenda.   

 

BUILDING PERMITS:  The following permits were submitted by the building inspector and reviewed by the Town Board.

PERMIT #

APPLICANT

ADDRESS

PROJECT

09-154

Bob Vince

105 Black Bass Rd

Deck

09-157

Chris Anderson

395 Eagle Bluff Ct

New Home

09-158

Tanner Turnquist

Lot 6 Boundary Rd

Storage Shed

09-159

Hokeness Const

400 Red Brick Rd

Fireplace

09-161

Cline Hickock

315 Lindsay Rd

HVAC

09-162

Bob Vince

105 Black Bass Rd

Storage Shed

09-163

Mike Lien

371 Milwaukee Rd

Storage Shed

09-164

Derrick Homes, LLC

468 Meadow Ridge Tr

Alteration

09-165

Jerry Barriault

464 Townsvalley Rd

Alteration

 

DRIVEWAY PERMITS – The following permits were submitted by the building inspector and reviewed by the Town Board.

PERMIT #

APPLICANT

ADDRESS

09-110

Chris Anderson

Eagle Bluff Ct

 

UTILITY PERMITS:  The following permit was submitted by Cedar Corp.:

U09-008     St. Croix Gas             Underground gas @ 372 E. Cove Rd.               $   50.00

U09-009     St. Croix Elec Coop    Underground electrical @ 576 Boundary Rd.     $   50.00

 

J. Cuccia moved to approve utility permit U09-008 to St. Croix Gas for installation of underground gas service at 372 E. Cove Rd. and utility permit U09-009 to St. Croix Elec Coop for installation of an underground electrical service at 576 Boundary Rd., seconded by D. Pearson.  Motion passed, all in favor.

 

DISCUSS & CONSIDER PROFESSIONAL REVIEW FEE DEPOSIT REFUND – KERNON BAST, COTTONWOOD SUBDIVISION – R. Knapp read Kernon Bast’s formal withdrawal of his preliminary plat application for Cottonwood subdivision.  R. Knapp moved to refund the remainder of the professional review fee deposit for Kernon Bast for Cottonwood subdivision in the amount of $3,598.25, seconded by D. Pearson.  Motion passed, all in favor.

 

DISCUSS & CONSIDER HUDSON FIRE/EMS CONTRACTS – S. Provos explained that the town hasn’t received the contracts from Hudson yet.  G. WahrenBrock moved to table this until next month, seconded by B. Schwab.  Motion passed, all in favor.

 

DISCUSS & CONSIDER PLAN COMMISSION SECRETARY – J. Cuccia discussed the position with Deputy Clerk, Sharon Weide.  Current compensation for the secretary is $100 for meetings lasting 2 hours or less and $20/hr for each hour thereafter.  S. Weide would like to receive $40/hr for each hour after the first two hours.  The Town Board concurred with the increase.

 

CLERK/TREASURER REPORT – Copies of the cash reconciliation, impact fee summary, legal and engineering fee summary and budget summary were distributed to the board.  S. Provos reminded the board of the budget meetings scheduled for November 17th.

 

BILLS: Checks numbered 022147 – 022205 and the Elan bill were presented in the amount of $108,816.52.  G. WahrenBrock moved to approve bills with checks numbered 022147 – 022205, including the Elan bill which brings the total to $108,816.52, seconded by J. Cuccia.  Motion passed, all in favor.

 

DISCUSS & CONSIDER TOWN FEE SCHEDULE – The board reviewed the current town fee schedule.  R. Knapp moved to alter the following fees for the Town of Troy:

(24)a.  Standard service line or single jack bore connection to $100,

(25)a.  Concept application in the Riverway to $400,

(25)b.  Permits, conditional use permits and variances in the Riverway to $600.00

(26)     Fire call to $700 base charge, plus any other expenses and charges incurred on the fire call,

(32)a.  Change from Growth Mgmt Plan to copy fee $.25/page.

Motion was seconded by J. Cuccia.  Motion passed, all in favor.

 

CORRESPONDENCE –

Letters from Buck Malick, St. Croix County Board Supervisor and Julie Bergstrom, City of River Falls Finance Director were briefly discussed.

 

Board members were encouraged to attend the WTA December Northern Tours Seminar.

 

COMMITTEE REPORTS –

R. Knapp stated that Mark Mitchell will be working on the code updates during December.

 

 

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

 

The meeting adjourned at 10:22 p.m.

 

These minutes were taken at a meeting

of the Troy Town Board held on the

12th day of November, 2009.

 

________________________

Sharon Provos, Clerk/Treasurer