Town Board Meeting October 8, 2009

Chairperson Ray Knapp convened the Regular Town Board meeting on Thursday October 8, 2009, at 7:00 pm.  Jan Cuccia, Gloria WahrenBrock, Dan Pearson and Brian Schwab were present. 

 

The following people signed the attendance sheet:  Mel Hermansen, Steve Weekes, Jill Berke 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 September 10, 2009 Town Board meeting had been distributed to the board.  J. Cuccia moved to approve the Town Board minutes from September 10, 2009, seconded by G. WahrenBrock.  Motion passed, all in favor.

 

CITIZEN INPUT – None.

 

PARK BOARD REPORT – Copies of the Park Board Report and the Park Board minutes had been distributed to the board.  Jill Berke reported that the Park Board has finished its 2010 budget.  She also reported that the Park Board is working on a park brochure and new signage prohibiting power launching at the boat launch, Vincent Thao has completed his Eagle Scout project, the new playground equipment for Glover Park has been delivered and Pembles Access is closed for the season.  J. Cuccia has seen picture signs in other parks and suggested that the Park Board look into that for the “no power launching” signage.

 

PLAN COMMISSION REPORT – Copies of the Plan Commission minutes had been distributed to the board.  J. Cuccia reported that the Plan Commission had reviewed a field entrance on the Janet Hunteman property, an exception to design standards for Brent Lother, a riverway permit application for Steve Weekes, an after the fact riverway variance application for Robert and Maggie Allison and a riverway concept application for Steve Gianoli.  The Plan Commission approved the field entrance for Hunteman, recommended approval of the riverway permit for Weekes, tabled action on the Lother property contingent upon him getting a signed affidavit from the owner of the adjoining property and asked the Allisons to come back next month with more information.

 

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.  Constable Mel Hermansen commented that it had been a good summer.  Next summer, he would like to work with the county sheriff department to coordinate schedules.  He would like to see the sheriff’s department spend more time patrolling Pembles Access and perhaps spend less time at the boat launch and Glover Park.

 

Troy Burne residents have approached Park Ranger, Fred Miller about patrolling their park.  F. Miller calculated the approximate cost at the town chair’s request.  At this time, the Town Board is not interested in pursuing patrolling private parks. 

 

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

 

FIELD ENTRANCE RELOCATION – JANET HUNTEMAN PROPERTY, CTH F –  The county wants to relocate the field access off of CTH F and on to Glenmont Road for safety reasons.  Janet Hunteman is the property owner and has agreed to the relocation.  The Plan Commission approved the request.  No Town Board action is necessary on the request.


EXCEPTION TO DESIGN STANDARDS, SETBACK – BRENT LOTHER, 441 WINDY HILL RD. – Brent Lother had requested an exception to his side yard setback from 25 feet to 10 feet.  The Plan Commission tabled the request until B. Lother is able to contact the owner of lot 25 and get a signed affidavit agreeing that lot 25 would be encumbered by an increase setback.  This would keep the fifty foot setback distance between the two lots.  This update was informational only and the Town Board did not take any action on this matter.

 

DISCUSS & CONSIDER IMPOSITION OF PENALTIES FOR VIOLATION OF CHAPTER 171: LOWER ST. CROIX RIVERWAY ZONING ORDINANCE – ROBERT & MAGGIE ALLISON, 277 COVE RD. – R. Knapp noted that the Board of Appeals meeting originally scheduled for tonight was cancelled because the Plan Commission asked the Allisons for more information before they make a recommendation on the Allison application.  Therefore, the Town Board will not take action on this agenda item tonight.

 

RIVERWAY REVIEW FOR PERMIT FOR RECONSTRUCTION OF CONFORMING STRUCTURE (GARAGE) – STEVE WEEKES, 342 COVE RD. – Rob Jones, Cedar Corp. summarized that the application was for the reconstruction of a conforming accessory structure with habitable space.  The Plan Commission reviewed the application and recommended approval of the permit with the contingency that the applicant provide a statement from the county that the wastewater system on the property will still be adequate after the proposed changes are made.  R. Jones also stated that the square footage of the new structure will be about the same square footage as the old structure with a slightly different configuration. 

 

Steve Weekes explained that the old structure was destroyed by a lightening strike on August 8, 2009.  It contained a 2-car garage, shop, guest room, bathroom and an exercise room.  He has started the application process with the county and doesn’t foresee any problems with getting a permit from them or a statement regarding the adequacy of the septic.  He plans to move the current holding tank to a new location on the property, but will still be using the current drain field. 

 

After a brief discussion, J. Cuccia moved to approve the riverway permit for reconstruction of a conforming structure, garage/guest house for Steve Weeke, 342 Cove Road, subject to it being constructed subject to our riverway ordinance standards and contingent upon county approval of the wastewater sanitary system before issuance of the building permit.  Recognizing that we have taken into consideration the preservation of the view and use of the river, the maintenance of safe and healthful conditions, the prevention and control of water pollution, the location of the site in respect to floodways, flood plains, slope preservation zones and blufflines, the erosion potential of the site, the impact of terrestrial and aquatic habitat, the location of the site in respect to existing or future roads, we have a contingency on the adequacy of the proposed wastewater treatment and the compatibility with adjacent land uses.  Seconded by B. Schwab.  Motion passed, all in favor.

 

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

U09-007     St. Croix Gas             Underground gas @ 342 N. Cove Rd.               $   50.00

 

D. Pearson moved to approve utility permit U009-007 for St. Croix Gas at 342 N Cove Road, seconded by J. Cuccia.  Motion passed, all in favor.

 

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

PERMIT #

APPLICANT

ADDRESS

PROJECT

09-148

Tom Markowski

445 Brick Cir

Alteration

09-149

JG Glasnapp

268 Troon Ct

Alteration

09-150

Jeff Ginn

273 St. Annes Pkwy

Deck

09-151

Jeff Bailey

518 Marson Ln

Electric/HVAC

09-152

Steve Derrick

259 Troon Ct

Addition

09-153

David Paulson

618 Tower Rd

Renewal

09-155

Brad Richter

537 Briana Ln

HVAC

09-156

James Ellis

307 Lindsay Rd

New Home

 

 

 

 

 

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

PERMIT #

APPLICANT

ADDRESS

09-109

James Ellis

307 Lindsay Rd

 

BOARD OF REVIEW – ALTERNATE MEMBER – R. Knapp stated that since the Board of Review date has been changed to November, Art Feyereisen cannot serve as a alternate member because he will be in Arizona.  R. Knapp has talked to resident Steve Rinta and he has agreed to serve as an alternate Board of Review member.  R. Knapp moved to appoint Steve Rinta as an alternate to the Board of Review in place of Art Feyereisen, seconded by D. Pearson.  Motion passed, all in favor.

 

DISCUSS & CONSIDER RIVER FALLS 2010 AMBULANCE SERVICE CONTRACT – Copies of the contract were distributed to the board.  The contract rate of $8.00 per person is the same as it was in 2009.  G. WahrenBrock moved to accept the contract as presented for the ambulance service between the City of River Falls and the town for 2010, seconded by J. Cuccia.  Motion passed, all in favor.

 

ROAD CREW PERFORMANCE/CONTRACT REVIEW – D. Pearson and R. Knapp agreed to meet with the town road crew to review their performance and negotiate a tentative contract to present to the town board. 

 

COUNTY TAX COLLECTION AGREEMENT – Copies of the agreement were distributed to the board.  The rate of $.75/parcel is the same as last year.  D. Pearson move to accept the Tax Collection Agreement between the town and St. Croix County, seconded by G. WahrenBrock.  Motion passed, all in favor.

 

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 reported that the town has received $550 in utility permit fees, but has paid out over $1,500 in utility permit engineering review fees.  The board asked that this be put on next month’s agenda for review.  S. Provos also explained that Becky Lopez has resigned as the Plan Commission secretary.

 

BILLS: Checks numbered 022092 – 022146 and the Elan bill were presented in the amount of $48,992.05.  The board discussed the check for the annual membership dues for St. Croix Economic Development Corp.  The consensus was to continue its membership.  J. Cuccia moved to approve checks numbered 022092 – 022146, including the amount to Elan of $114.26 for a total of $48,992.05, seconded by B. Schwab.  Motion passed, all in favor.

 

CORRESPONDENCE –

R. Knapp received a letter from Friends of Freedom Park asking the town to join its efforts in a new project titled the Great Rivers Confluence Project.  B. Schwab will bring the information to the Park Board.

 

COMMITTEE REPORTS –

J. Cuccia and R. Knapp have been attending the Rural Fire Association meetings.  R. Knapp has agreed to serve on a negotiating committee set-up by the Rural Fire Association to meet with the City of River Falls to negotiate the 2010 RFA contribution.

 

R. Jones stated that the guidelines for TRIP and TRIP D grant applications have been released and applications are due by November 1st.  The board asked that this be placed on the Town Board budget workshop meeting agenda scheduled for October 19th.

 

 

B. Schwab moved to adjourn, seconded by G. WahrenBrock.  Motion passed, all in favor.

 

The meeting adjourned at 8:36 p.m.

 

These minutes were taken at a meeting

of the Troy Town Board held on the

8th day of October, 2009.

 

 

__________________________________

Sharon Provos, Clerk/Treasurer