Town Board Meeting October 11, 2007

Chairperson Ray Knapp convened the Regular Town Board Meeting on Thursday, October 11, 2007, at 7:00, p.m.  Dan Pearson, Jan Cuccia, Gloria Wahrenbrock and Fritz Anding were present.

 

The following people signed the attendance sheet:  Charlie Macdonell, Paul Cooper, Kathy Halberg, Lee Halberg, Gary Parent, Bob Setzer, Jill Berke and Jim Fitzpatrick.  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 September 13, 2007 Town Board meeting had been distributed to the Board.  Jan Cuccia asked that the minutes clarify that Fritz Anding was to determine the appropriate fee for tire collection.  “Appropriate fee” was added to the following sentence under agenda item Discuss & consider fee schedule:  F. Anding was asked to follow up with the recycling employees concerning accepting tires year-round and appropriate fee and how the fluorescent bulb collection is going.  F. Anding moved to approve the minutes, seconded by J. Cuccia.  Motion passed, all in favor.

 

PARK BOARD REPORT – Copies of the Park Board meeting minutes had been distributed to the board.  Charlie Macdonell gave the board a brief summary highlighting the following:  There is still a vacancy on the board, the dock at the boat launch will be removed in late October, the Windmill Marina contract was approved, the board is still working on the trail map for Glover Park, Pembles is closed for the season, buckthorn removal and finishing the trail in Glover Park are addressed in the 2008 budget and the board is in favor of continuing the assistant park ranger concept.

 

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

 

CITIZEN INPUT – Resident Rick Hagar spoke in support of reducing the speed limit on Old Highway 35 to 45 mph.  The reasons he cited were:  The road is more of a frontage road than a thoroughfare, there has been an increase in the bike and pedestrian traffic and Town of Hudson has lowered the speed limit on their portion of the road to 45mph.

 

Resident Bob Setzer discussed the letter he sent to the town regarding his concerns about the washout at his property.  R. Knapp stated this would be reviewed at the next site review.

 

CONSTABLE & SHERIFF REPORTS – Copies were distributed to the board.

 

CARPENTER NATURE CENTER PRESENTATION – Jim Fitzpatrick, Carpenter Nature Center, distributed copies of the initial release of the Carpenter St. Croix Valley Nature Center Master Plan.  He gave a brief summary of the plan.

 

DISCUSS & CONSIDER REQUEST FOR ADDITIONAL PHASE – DCCI, MEADOW RIDGE OF TROY –. Jon Sonnentag, S&N Land Surveying, distributed copies of a map of Meadow Ridge of Troy detailing the proposed phases.  He explained that phase I is finished and they are requesting that phase II be split into two phases.  The Developer’s Agreement has been amended and signed.  R. Knapp read the Plan Commission motion recommending the approval of the additional phases for DCCI.  Rob Jones, Cedar Corp. explained that from an engineering standpoint, there aren’t any structural changes being proposed, it’s just a change to the construction phases.  D. Pearson moved to approve an additional phase, making it three phases for DCCI, Meadow Ridge of Troy, seconded by F. Anding.  Motion passed, all in favor.  The board clarified that it was not setting a precedent with this decision because all developments are reviewed on a case by case basis.

 

DISCUSS & CONSIDER SPEED LIMIT – OLD HWY 35 – R. Knapp received a letter from Jeffrey Johnson, Town of Hudson Chairperson, stating that the Town of Hudson had lowered the speed limit on their portion of Old Highway 35 (Stageline Road to Hanley Road) from 55mph to 45 mph.  The portion of Old Hwy 35 in the Town of Troy is from Hanley Road to Coulee Trail.  F. Anding moved to reduce the speed limit from 55mph to 45 mph on Old Highway 35 from Coulee Trail to Hanley Road, seconded by J. Cuccia.  Motion passed, all in favor.  The road crew was asked to install signs and Cedar Corp. will update the official speed limit map.

 

2007 ROAD RECONSTRUCTION PROJECTS – Bryon Motszko and R. Jones, Cedar Corp. updated the board on the current status of the 2007 road projects.  Townsvalley Road is scheduled to be paved this week with the shouldering and restoration continuing over the next several weeks.  Plainsview Drive will not be paved until next spring.  The projects are over budget, due in part to poor soil on Townsvalley Road.  There is also a soft spot on Plainsview Drive.  The recommendation from Cedar Corp. is to wait and see what happens in the spring in regards to the soft spot on Plainview.  If it is still a problem, it can be fixed then.  B. Motszko recommended approval of F&K Trucking & Excavating, Inc. first pay request of $232,146.18.

 

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

PERMIT #

APPLICANT

PROJECT

FEE

U07-009

St. Croix Gas

Natural gas-north side of Bjerstedt Ln.

$200.00

U07-010

St. Croix Gas

Natural gas south & west side of S. Glover Rd.

$200.00

U07-011

AT&T

Telephone north side of Bjerstedt Ln.

$200.00

 

J. Cuccia moved for approval of utility permits U07-009, U07-010 and U07-011, seconded by D. Pearson.  Motion passed, all in favor.

 

DISCUSS & CONSIDER ZONING WITH ETZ – R. Knapp distributed a report on the town’s zoning in the River Falls Extraterritorial District drafted by Robert Rolle.  R. Rolle’s recommendation is to get the town’s legal counsel involved.  After discussing the issue, D. Pearson moved to enable Charlie (Macdonell) and Bob (Rolle) to meet with the town attorney to look into what the status is with the zoning within the ETZ (Extraterritorial Zoning) area as far as the town is concerned, seconded by F. Anding.  Motion passed, all in favor.

 

CODE BOOK PROJECT UPDATE – Mark Mitchell reviewed the changes the board made to the ordinance revisions last month.  He also reviewed the following ordinances with the board: 

1. Building and Construction

2. Board of Review

Next month, the board will review the following ordinances:  Park Board, Officers and Employees, Outdoor Burning and Plan Commission.  M. Mitchell will get copies of these ordinances with the proposed changes, to the board members so they can review them prior to the meeting.

 

OBJECTIVES FOR JOINT MEETING ON COMPREHENSIVE ZONING CODE – C. Macdonell distributed copies of and reviewed the objectives and goals for a joint meeting between the town’s Plan Commission, Comprehensive Zoning Code Committee (CZCC) and Town Board.  The meeting is scheduled for January 8, 2008 at 6:00p.m.  The alternate date is January 22, 2008.

 

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

PERMIT #

APPLICANT

ADDRESS

PROJECT

07-161

Linh Tran

618 Tower Rd

New Home

07-174

Amad Abuheeh

238 Plainview Dr

Addition

07-175

Dale Reschke

687 Deerwood Dr

Storage Shed

07-176

Dennis Hewitt

439 Sunset Dr

New Home

07-177

Ann Maule

25 Dry Run Rd

Alteration

07-178

Ray Wertz

420 Eagle Bluff Dr

Deck

07-179

Gary Lidgerding

489 Meadow Ridge Ln

New Home

07-180

Bill Veeneman

287 St. Annes Pkwy

Repair

07-181

Steve Metcalf

331 Soo Line Rd

Alteration

07-182

Scott Ferrell

827 Tower Rd

Storage shed

07-183

Derrick Construction

468 Meadow Ridge Tr

New Home

07-185

Mike Musto

339 Lindsay Rd

New Home

07-187

Larry Peterson

548 Omaha Rd

Storage Shed

 

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

07-115

Linh Tran

618 Tower Rd

07-116

Dennis Hewitt

Sunset Dr

07-118

Gary Lidgerding

489 Meadow Ridge Ln

07-119

Derrick Construction

468 Meadow Ridge Tr

07-120

Mike Musto

339 Lindsay Rd

 

DISCUSS & CONSIDER FEE SCHEDULE – S. Provos updated the fee schedule with the changes suggested at last month’s board meeting.  Copies were distributed to the board.  After a lengthy discussion, the following additions were made:

 

(25) Town’s Lower St. Croix Riverway Zoning Ordinance Fees:

Concept application - $300

Riverway permit application - $500

 

(30) Recycling & Garbage:

Tires (car/truck only) - $5.00

 

J. Cuccia moved to adopt the other fees and charges, Town of Troy as presented with the two additions, seconded by D. Pearson.  Motion passed, all in favor.

 

DISCUSS & CONSIDER NEW CONTRACTS FOR ENGINEERING, BUILDING INSPECTION AND LEGAL SERVICES – Copies of new contracts for building inspection, engineering and legal services were distributed to the board.  R. Knapp moved to approve the contract with Brian Wert agency through June 30, 2009, seconded by D. Pearson.  Motion passed, all in favor.

 

D. Pearson moved to approve the Agreement for Professional Services with Cedar Corp. for the next year, including the 2007 rate schedule, seconded by F. Anding.  Motion passed, all in favor. 

 

J. Cuccia and F. Anding agreed to meet with the town attorney to get a better understanding of how the attorney fees are computed/determined.  The legal service contract will be on the agenda next month.

 

DISCUSS & CONSIDER 2008 RIVER FALLS AMBULANCE SERVICE CONTRACT – The 2008 contracted rate for ambulance service with River Falls will be $8.00/capita.  The board had a lengthy discussion about rates, service area, and the percentage of time paramedic service is provided.  R. Knapp questioned the percentage of time that a paramedic responds with the River Falls Ambulance service.  R. Knapp will check on that percentage for Hudson EMS and G. Wahrenbrock will check with River Falls.  This will be added to the agenda next month.  D. Pearson moved to approve the Ambulance Service Agreement contract with River Falls for $8.00/capita for 2008 for the area of Troy that is under contract to be serviced by the City of River Falls Ambulance Service, seconded by F. Anding.  Motion passed, all in favor.

 

WISCONSIN DOT MILEAGE CERTIFICATION – Gary Parent, Town Road Crew, distributed copies of the Pavement Rating Spreadsheet for the roads in the town and the State of Wisconsin Department of Transportation Information System for Local Roads.  He gave a brief summary of the report to the board.  If Peaceable Hill Road is approved by the town board next month, it will be added to the report.  The report is due to the state by December 15th. 

 

CLERK/TREASURER REPORT – Copies of the cash reconciliation, budget summary and impact fees collected were distributed to the Board.  The budget working session meeting time was changed from Wednesday October 17th at 7:00p.m. to Thursday October 18th at 8:30a.m.

 

BILLS: Checks numbered 020510 – 020561 and the Elan bill were presented in the amount of $114,519.22.  D. Pearson moved to approve checks numbered 020510 – 020561 for $114,410.67 and the Elan bill in the amount of $108.55 and a check to F&K Trucking and Excavating for $232,146.18 for a grand total of $346,665.40, seconded by F. Anding.  Motion passed, all in favor.

 

COMMITTEE REPORTS – J. Cuccia reported she is working on the newsletter and has 3 of the 4 pages done. 

 

CORRESPONDENCE –

R. Knapp reviewed the following correspondence with the board”

 

UW-Madison letter regarding Safe Routes to School Grants – R. Jones will check into.

 

City of River Falls and Town of Troy Vision Statement of Cooperation – R. Knapp will send response.

 

Brilliant Cities is still interested in providing broadband to St. Croix County.

 

2008 funding request from St. Croix Economic Development is $2,216 to continue membership.

 

The Western Wisconsin Intergovernmental Collaborative is requesting membership dues of $50.  Board consensus is to pay it.

 

In response to burning barrel complaints, the town attorney stated that residents have to follow Wisconsin State Statutes per our burning permit.

 

Bob Rolle wrote a summary regarding Managed Forest Land within the Riverway District and determined this issue is handled by the DNR and the town doesn’t need to get involved.

 

St. Croix County wrote a letter to Cedar Corp. regarding Tribute (Walnut Hills)  The town & county will work together on the issues surrounding this development.

 

Joe Merchak asked that the town work with him so when he applies for a building permit, he doesn’t have to apply under the new Riverway Ordinance.  Board consensus is that he must apply under the new ordinance.

 

The town attorney is in the process of pulling the bid bond for Precision Excavating. 

 

An attorney for Jay & Sheila Thompson wants the town to get involved in flooding issues on their property.  This is not a town issue.

 

Bob Setzer is concerned that the improvements at the boat launch are causing washouts at his property.  This item will be addressed at the next site visit.

 

Steve & Janine Peterson, Delander Dr. want to start a neighborhood watch program.  This will be on the agenda next month.

 

Heartland Montessori School is disappointed with the Plan Commission’s decision and is still interested in operating a school on the Feyereisen’s property on Townsvalley Road, if the town reconsiders.

 

 

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

 

The meeting adjourned at 11:15 p.m.

 

These minutes were taken at a meeting

of the Troy Town Board held on the

11th day of October, 2007.

 

__________________________________

Sharon Provos, Clerk/Treasurer

 

 

__________________________________

Ray Knapp, Town Chairman