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

ROCHESTER TOWNSHIP BOARD - MEETING MINUTES

ROCHESTER TOWNSHIP BOARD Rochester Town Hall Thursday, December 10, 2009 Board Minutes

Members Present: Gary Donovan, Brenda Dicken, Douglas Butler, Brian Mueller, Jeff Orth, Lenny Laures and Gary Swenson. Members Absent: Guests: Steve Thoreson, Bruce Borgerding and Deputy Val Coe

Jeff Orth called the meeting to order at 7PM Minutes – Gary Donovan made a motion to approve the November 12, 2009 minutes as amended. Douglas Butler seconded the motion; it was voted on and passed.

Deputy Report – Deputy Val Coe reported that an individual was scammed out of some money on 40th street. She also investigated a report that someone threw something into the water from a bridge.

MN pollution Control Audit - Brenda Dicken said that our MPCA audit is scheduled for January 12th at 9AM till 12:30PM.

Land Use Plan - Brenda Dicken updated the board on the latest draft of the county’s land use plan.

Southern Rail Advisory Group - Steve Thoreson updated the board on what is happening and possible mitigation concerns.

Paving of Meadow Crossing Road - Lenny Laures reported the 1st lift of the payment is on Meadow Crossing Road, power poles are gone, seeding is done, rip rap is in for erosion. Doug asked if we planted the prairie grass? Lenny said yes.

Review of MATTs meeting - Lenny Laures, Brenda Dicken, and Douglas Butler attended and reviewed the highlights of the meeting for the board. They voted and passed an increase in dues by 5 cents per resident.

Drifens – Gary Donovan said they would be out of compliance in January. The board discussed having a special public hearing in February on repealing the CUP.

Update on Swimming Pool Issue - Brenda went to the county meeting for the update on the swimming pool issue. The group decided not to change the ordinance. Phil Wheeler suggested he write an addendum to the ordinance that would grandfather in those families that have already purchased a pool cover and that action was missed by our inspector. For everyone else the ordinance stands as written.

Audit engagement letter - Board approved the clerk signing the engagement letter to Smith-Schafer Associates for the 2009 audit.

Employee appreciation dinner – Douglas Butler said the annual appreciation dinner would be January 22nd at 6 PM at the Willow Creek golf course. We will participate in the Willow Buffet. 

TREASURER's REPORT

Treasure’s report – Brenda Dicken made a motion to approve the treasure’s report. Gary Donovan seconded the motion; it was voted on and passed.

Rochester Township Claims – Douglas Butler made a motion to approve the claims #903 – 923 for $344,199,00 Brenda Dicken seconded the motion; it was voted on and passed.

JPB Claims – Gary Donovan made a motion to approve the JPB claims # 1613 – 1640 for $30,018.98. Brenda Dicken seconded the motion; it was voted on and passed. Brian Mueller abstained from voting.

Maintenance Supervisor report – Made it through the first snowfall with little damage except for one mailbox. The part-time road employees worked out well.

TCPA - Brenda Dicken reported on the TCPA meeting. Two items were discussed, Roger Ihrke’s contract which was increased by $5,000 to $95,000. Two years ago it was reduced by 10,000 to $90,000. Discussed also increasing the fees on new construction. Last year the fees were raised by 6%, this year they approved increasing the fees on new construction by 10%.

Outside Burners - Jeff Orth suggested the board look into outside burners and see if the township should get ahead of this potential problem.

Brian Mueller made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Gary Donovan seconded the motion; it was voted on and passed.

Respectfully Submitted,

Gary Swenson, Clerk

Jeff Orth, Chair

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