June 8th , 2006

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

ROCHESTER TOWNSHIP BOARD - MEETING MINUTES

June 8th, 2006

Gary Donovan called the meeting to order at 7:00PM

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

Guests: Sheriff Borchardt, Matt Hiley,

Douglas Butler made a motion to approve the May 11th minutes, Jeff Orth seconded the motion, it was voted on and passed.

Community Policing Proposal - Sheriff Borchardt explained that he was approached by a few of the townships that surround Rochester about contracting for additional service. He brought this request to the County Board and they agreed to split the cost 50/50. Sheriff recommended that we add two deputies and under the proposal those two would be assigned to the townships that collar the City. This would give the townships some consistency and familiarity with the officers serving the townships. Rochester’s share of the cost for would be about $12,500.

After Sheriff Borchardt answered several questions from the residents, Gary Donovan asked for a show of hands of those that wished the board to proceed on the negotiations. The show of hands was unanimous in favor of the proposal.

Gary Donovan invited the residents present to our first annual picnic on July 13th.

Speeding on 8th & 45th Ave SW – Matt Hiley read notes from neighbors in the 8th street and 45th Ave SW that are complaining about spending in that area. He said that it is only a matter of time before someone gets hurt because of the excessive speed. Jeff Orth said this is one of the reasons we wanted to increase sheriff protection. Brenda Dicken suggested that we talk to Mike Sheehan and see what can be done with signage in that area to reduce speed.

Reports and Old Business:

Treasurer’s Report –

Checking and Money Market
Opening bal	$575,400.66
Checks	$19,152.02
Deposits	$2,325.55
Closing bal.	$596,878.23

Brenda Dicken make a motion that the board authorize the clerk to transfer the money between the money market account and the checking account on a monthly basis and report those transactions on a monthly basis to the board. Douglas Butler seconded the motion and it was voted on and passed.

Douglas Butler made a motion to approve the treasures report. Brian Mueller seconded the motion, it was voted on and passed.

Rochester Township claims- Brenda Dicken made a motion to approve the claims #257 through #270 for $93,006.86, Douglas Butler seconded the motion, it was voted on and passed.

Joint Powers Claims- Brenda Dicken made a motion to approve the claims #550 through #566 for $7,308.55, Brian Mueller seconded the motion, it was voted on and passed.

Maintenance Supervisor’s Report --- Lenny said once they finish mowing the Cascade roads they will work in Oronoco Township. Lenny met with the new owners (Don Jensen 651-556-4536) of Mayo Woodlands and they have a new plan for the recreational area. They are asking if they can put in all the culverts at one time. The consensus is that we don’t have a problem with that. Lenny suggested that we invite them to the August Meeting.

TCPA --- Brenda Dicken - No Meeting

LGA---Brenda reported that House File 3302 passed. It recommends the City and Township officials sit down and discuss annexations. It also changed the 60 acre annexation rule to a 120 acres annexation once a year.

Planning and Zoning Commission – Douglas Butler – No Meeting

Board of Adjustment -Jeff Orth said a application was submitted for a Variance to allow a garage to be constructed up to the road right-of-way line along 40th Street SW. The applicant is also requesting to construct the proposed garage 12 feet from the septic drain field. The township ordinance requires buildings to be set back at least 45 feet from a county road right-of-way; and the setback from the septic drain field as provided in MN Septic Rules 7080 is to be at least 20 feet.

After some discussion, the request was tabled and Brian Kreifels was going to explore a couple of alternatives. One, was connecting with the city sewer that runs along 40th street. Two, explore moving the garage back to the east and south over part of his drainage field or move the garage to the west side of the house.

Eighth Street report- Lenny said that 8th Street is now black topped and the shoulders were in. Gary Donovan said that we owe them $30,000 for our share of the road.

Fire Contract-annual review – Gary Donovan said there is a meeting next Tuesday with the Fire Department representatives.

Meeting at South Port re: 29th St – Jeff orth reported on a meeting he had with the neighbors that bordered the proposed 29th Street and the developer. Lenny suggested that we invite Mike Sheehan to the meeting Tuesday June 13th at 6PM )

Annual Picnic – The picnic will be July 13 - 3PM till 7 PM.

8th Street traffic study - Gary Donovan will check and see what it would cost to use the state speed recording machine.

Meeting adjourned at 11:00 PM. Douglas Butler made a motion to adjourn the meeting, Brian Mueller seconded the motion and it passed.

Respectfully Submitted,
Gary Swenson, Clerk
Gary Donovan, Chair

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