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

ROCHESTER TOWNSHIP BOARD - MEETING MINUTES

Thursday, February 10, 2009

Board Minutes

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

The meeting was called to order by Brian Mueller at 7 PM.

Douglas Butler made a motion to approve the minutes of the January 8, 2009 board meeting as amended. Gary Donovan seconded the motion; it was voted on and passed.

Custom Alarm Security System - Joe Week, Security Consultant from Custom Alarm presented a proposal for a security system for the town hall. The installation will be $1,745 + about $85 for an additional door with a monthly charge for monitoring. Douglas Butler made a motion to purchase this security system. Brenda Dicken seconded the motion; it was voted on and passed. Swenson will check with our insurance agent to see if we would get a reduction in our insurance with the security system.

Old Business:

CPDC Update - Brian Mueller & Brenda Dicken received a planning department notice of a request from Homer Tompkins (CPDC Development) to annex 2 parcels into the city. One parcel was 81.96 acres along Salem Road adjacent to the sand pit with plans for a residential development to be called Autumn Shores. The second parcel was about 13 acres along Salem Road on the west side of Mayowood Road. Brenda expressed concern about annexation of the 13 acre parcel which is adjacent to Township large lot development and had no immediate development plans but stated that Bill Tointon of McGhie & Betts told her by phone the annexation of the smaller parcel would be dropped. Gary Swenson was asked to call Bill Tointon for written verification of just the 81.96 acre annexation. Douglas Butler made a motion that we approve the annexation of 81.96 acres of CPDC land in Rochester Township into the city. Brenda Dicken seconded the motion; it was voted on and passed.

Old Valley Road - Gary Donovan updated the board on the vacation of Old Valley Road process. The board members discussed and determined the value added, because of the improvement (rebuilding and paving), was at least $5,000 per land owner. The one remaining landowner out of seven land owners, will be given another opportunity to sign off on the improvement.

SWPPP Update – Brenda Dicken will work on completing the SWPPP annual report.

Debra Poire – Brenda Dicken has not heard back from Debra Poire about cleaning up her property. Brenda discussed the situation in general with MATS Attorney Eric Hedke who agreed we had so far followed proper procedure and could carry out enforcement at whatever level we felt was appropriate. She will now consult with our township attorney what our next action should be as a township.

Cairnbrae cul-de-sac – Gary Donovan wrote a letter reducing the bond for the amount of the work that is completed.

New Business:

Board of Audit met and found the books to be in order.

Reorganization meeting - The board met set the salaries for 2009 at the same rate as 2008, Jeff Orth was determined to be the next chair with Douglas Butler as vice chair. Gary Donovan made a motion that we establish two-year term limits on both the variance and the Planning & Zoning Commission with an option to be re-appointed. Motion died for lack of a second.

2010 Budget – The board met and set the Proposed Budget for 2010 at $698,449 an increase of $24,664 over the approved 2009 budget. Brenda Dicken moved approval of the proposed township budget for 2010 of $698,449. Jeff Orth seconded the motion; it was voted on and passed.

Roger Carlsen – Lenny Laures reported that Roger Carlsen was billed and paid for blacktopping on West Hill Drive and does not owe the township for that project. When checking into the billing Rochester Sand and Gravel found they were not paid and did not bill us for our share about $4,000 of work. However, Roger Carlsen was billed in January for $3,755.76 for the homeowners’ fee for maintenance on Westhill Drive, which he has not yet paid.

Heritage II – Swimming Pool Issue - Ask Gary Pederson to respond to swimming pool concern and copy us.

Annual Meeting & Newsletter – Annual meeting and agenda was discussed, Brenda Dicken and Jeff Orth will work on it.

Reports:

Deputy Valerie Coe - Valerie Coe reviewed the incidents during the past month in Rochester Township.

Treasurer - Gary Donovan made a motion to approve the treasurer’s report. Brenda Dicken seconded the motion; it was voted on and passed.

 RT Claims – Brenda Dicken made a motion to approve Rochester Township claims #749 to 759 for $25,599.46. Douglas Butler seconded the motion; it was voted on and passed.

JPB Claims – Brenda Dicken made a motion to approve JPB claims #1322 to 1352 for $25,046.01. Douglas Butler seconded the motion; it was voted on and passed. Brian Mueller abstained from voting.

Maintenance Supervisor – Lenny Laures reported that they have waxed and cleaned the equipment. He cancelled the additional sand/salt order after checking on the weather.

Board of Adjustment -No meeting

P&Z Commission - No meeting

TCPA – Brenda reported TCPA has decided to accept our offer to let them move into our town hall. They have requested a four-year commitment from us and have agreed to pay us $150 per month. Jeff suggested that we review the compensation annually with possibly a $25 annual increment. Gary Donovan made a motion that we offer TCPA a four-year agreement for office space with an annual review of the compensation. Jeff Orth seconded the motion; it was voted on and passed.

Douglas Butler made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 11:25 PM. Jeff Orth seconded the motion; it was voted on and passed.

Respectfully Submitted,

Gary Swenson, Clerk

Brian Mueller, Chair

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