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

ROCHESTER TOWNSHIP BOARD - MEETING MINUTES

Rochester Township

Board Meeting

October 9, 2008

Members Present: Gary Donovan, Douglas Butler, Brenda Dicken, Brian Mueller, Jeff Orth and Gary Swenson. Members Absent: Lenny Laures, Dale Hayes, Mike Reiland, Roger Ihrke

Guests: Deputy Valerie Cole, Dale Hayes, and Roger Ihrke

Brian Mueller called the meeting to order 7:04 PM

Brenda Dicken approved the September 11th 2008 minutes. Douglas Butler seconded the minutes; they were voted on and approved.

CPDC Update – Roger Ihrke said there is some issues with the grading plan that need to be discussed. There are some trees within the roadway that the owners would like to save. He suggested that we should consider a policy on trees in the right away. If the roadway is there by prescription, trees over 6 in. in diameter can stay by owner’s wishes. If the road is by dedication, the township has the right to remove the trees. In this case the roadway is by dedication, the trees are in our right-of-way, so it is our decision to keep or remove the trees

Jeff Orth said that we should be consistent in allowing or not allowing things in the right-of-way. Gary Donovan said they have recognized the liability of the trees, and to mitigate the liability they have suggested a guardrail be put up to protect the public.

The Board is going to consider a resolution declaring this section of the road as a rustic road. Roger said he would ask the township engineer, Mike Opat and the township engineer Mike Sheehan if this would be possible.

Letter of Credit - Roger said the letter of credit for this project is only $45,000 because only a small section of the road is public. The $45,000 is 125% of the engineers estimated cost of the public portion of this project.

Reconstruction of Stenbrae Court SW – Jeff Orth made a motion for the township to pay for the reconstruction of the Stembrae Court SW estimated to be $2,400. Brenda seconded the motion; it was voted on and passed.

Regrading the north section of old valley Rd. - Gary Donovan made a motion to have McGhie and Betts survey the section of old valley road leading up to the Woodlands, Jeff Orth seconded the motion; It was voted on and passed.

Salt Sand Shed – The wood for the shed is on its way, the drainage rock is in. The quote from Chatfield Lumber was accepted at $46,300 and required a 10% payment for confirmation.

SWPPP Update - Brenda Dicken and Gary Donovan worked on completing the report and sent the report in. Brenda received confirmation back that it was accepted. Brenda sent out information to the various legislators in our area prior to a meeting with them to discuss this report.

Smith Schafer Audit - Gary Donovan made a motion to have Jeff and Gary S. decide what plan to accept, the one year or 3 yr agreement. Douglas Butler seconded the motion; it was voted on and passed.

Sheriffs Contract - Jeff Orth made a motion to accept the 2009 Sheriff’s contract. Brenda seconded the motion; it was voted on and passed.

2nd Access Agreement – Peter Tiede has sent the first draft of an agreement which would address both the Meadow Crossing Cost Share and the 2nd Access proposal. This was passed out to the board members and will be reviewed at our November meeting.

Reports:

Deputy Valerie Coe - Valerie Coe reported on the activities in Rochester Township this past month. Discussed a speeding issue on 8th Street, Val will talk to the individual.

Treasure’s Report -

Gary Donovan made a motion to approve the Treasure’s Report.

Brenda Dicken seconded the motion; it was voted on and passed.

TREASURER's REPORT

RT Claims – Brenda Dicken made a motion to approve Rochester Township claims # 675 – 691 for $38,988.66. Gary Donovan seconded the motion; it was voted on and passed.

JPB Claims – Brenda Dicken made a motion to approve the JPB claims # 1211 – 1235 for $18,452.79. Douglas Butler seconded the motion; it was voted on and passed.

Road Maintenance – Mike Reiland gave an update on what the crew was working on. Jeff Orth said he met Larry Nigon and he wants a delineator up on the east side of 31st avenue. He had a water problem with erosion in the field, but it wasn’t in the town’s right away.

Board of Adjustment – No Meeting.

P & Z Commission – No Meeting.

TCPA – No Meeting

South Port - Brenda Dicken and Jeff Orth did their annual survey of South Port for zoning violations relating to junked cars. There was one place that had an above ground swimming pool that looked like it was abandoned behind one house. Several of the past problem areas do look better.

Meeting adjourned – Gary Donavan made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 9: 40 pm, Brenda Dicken 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