4111 11th Avenue SW - Rochester, Minnesota 55902 - Tel. (507) 282-6488

ROCHESTER TOWNSHIP BOARD - MEETING MINUTES

Thursday, March 10, 2011

Board Minutes

Members Present: Gary Donovan, Jeff Orth, Douglas Butler, Lenny Laures, Brian Mueller and Gary Swenson.

Members Absent: Brenda Dicken,

Guests: Deputy Val Coe, Steve Nickle, Art Reckinger, Ronald Betts, Wayne Gunderson, Ray Dee, R Sexton, P Suchie and Gary Pedersen

Douglas Butler called the meeting to order at 7:01 PM.

Jeff Orth made a motion that we start all meetings with pledge, Brian Mueller seconded the motion; it was voted on passed.

Minutes - Jeff Orth made a motion to approve the minutes as amended. Gary Donovan seconded the motion; it was voted on and passed.

Val Coe - Val Coe updated the board on what was going on in the township. It was a quiet month.

Douglas Butler recessed the regular meeting at 7:17 pm

Planning and Zoning

Steve Nickle and Gary Donovan reported at the last planning and zoning meeting they reviewed the draft of the Rochester Township Zoning Ordinances and presented them to the Rochester Town Board for action.

Public Hearing is opened for discussion of the revised Rochester Township Planning and Zoning Ordinance. Gary Pedersen said most of the changes in Rochester Township planning and zoning ordinances were due to changes that the county planning and zoning ordinance has made in the past ten years. Art Reckinger asked if the county’s planning and zoning ordinance was more restrictive than the townships. Gary Pedersen said that the township’s planning ordinance was more restrictive than the county’s.

Art Reckinger asked if the future we couldn’t put the proposed changes on the web site; and asked if we could postpone action on this for 30 days and let the public review it.

Gary Donovan made a motion that we continue the public hearing on April 14th at 7: PM. Jeff Orth seconded the motion; it was voted on and passed.

Douglas Butler closed the Planning and Zoning Meeting and opened regular board meeting.

Head Wall Letter and Proposed Meeting - Gary Donovan updated the residents on what has happened so far on the Head Wall ordinance and letter. Art Reckinger asked why the township proposed this Headwall Ordinance? It was suggested that we have an educational / instructional meeting. The board will conduct its annual road tour to identify maintenance needs, right of way obstructions and other matters.

Road Tour will be Monday, April 25th.

The board set a meeting on May 23rd at 7 PM to discuss the Head Walls. Jeff Orth made a motion setting the Head Walls Meeting for May 23rd at 7PM. Brian Mueller seconded the motion; it was voted on and passed.

Jeff Orth said we have limited resources; we don’t have funds in the budget for spending a lot on removal of headwalls.

Annual Meeting Recap - It was suggested that we add the pledge to our agenda, Jeff wants to talk about false alarms next year, and we should introduce board members.

Board of Audit - Jeff Orth and Gary Donovan mentioned the Board of Audit was done on the 4th of March and the books were in good order. They will also be audited by Smith and Schafer and reported on in June.

Treasurer’s report - Jeff Orth made a motion to approve the Treasurer’s Report as presented. Brian Mueller seconded the motion; it was voted on and passed.

TREASURER's REPORT- February 2011

RT Claims - Jeff Orth made a motion to approve Rochester Township claims # 1936 –1948 for $23,954.90.

Brian Mueller seconded the motion; it was voted on and passed.

JPB - Brain Mueller made a motion to approve JPB claims # 2001 – 2029 for $60,152.19. Gary Donovan seconded the motion; it was voted on and passed.

Board of Adjustment - No meeting

Planning & Zoning - Headwall Meeting scheduled for next month

TCPA - Jeff Orth reported that business was down this last month, but up for the first three months.

Lenny’s Report – Lost a part-time employee to the county. We purchased a broom for the bobcat and it is here. Monday the new one-ton Ford Truck is ready to be picked up.

March 26th - Olmsted County Township Association Banquet, Gary Donovan made a motion to provide two $25.00 gifts as door prizes. Jeff Orth seconded the motion; it was voted on and passed.

Board of Appeals – The board of Appeals is April 21st at 9 AM.

Meeting Adjourned - Brian Mueller made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 9:24 PM. Gary Donovan seconded the motion; it was voted on and passed.

Rochester Township - 4111 11th Avenue SW - Rochester, Minnesota 55902 - Tel. (507) 282-6488