Town of Cooks Valley

Regular Town Board Meeting

April 9, 2012

Chairman Darrel Fehr called the meeting to order on April 9, 2012 at 8:00 pm.   The supervisors present were:  David Clements and John Sykora.   Other officers present were:  Victoria Trinko-Clerk and Judith A. Prince-treasurer. See attached list for delegation present. 
Certification of proper posting for the scheduled town board meeting:  The notice for the April town board meeting was duly posted on April 4, 2012 in the 3 designated places within the Town of Cooks Valley. 
PUBLIC COMMENT:  Mark Berge stated points he will be presenting more specifically at the plan commission meetings:

• Sound proofing via buffers for township residents along the haul routes and the township residents where noise from the mine is a problem
•   yearly testing of water for all substance used in mining and groundwater depth out to ½ mile from the mine site
• limits on how much water can be used on a daily basis by the mining companies
• Air monitoring throughout the township.  Opacity limit lowered from 20% to 10%.
• Property tax relief for all township residents and along with that-compensation for township residents along the haul routes
• Hauling limited to 8 hrs. per day-Monday through Friday
• Mining operations limited to 12 hrs. per day.
• Blasting only at midday with a limited number of blasts per week.
• Yearly housing inspection for possible damage done from blasting out to ½ mile.
• No mine expansion for 5 years with a limit after that time; limit of how many mines can operate at any one time.  No more than 10 acres open at any one time.
• Fencing along haul route on properties where there are small children and farm animals, paid by the mine operators.
• Property guarantees for all properties located up to ½ mile from the mine site.
• Hire an independent qualified specialist paid for by an assessment to the mine operator to assure there is compliance of all local, state, and federal regulations and permits.

Scott Johnson asked where it stated in the March 27, 2012 minutes about public comments be submitted in writing and when it would be appropriate to make comments.  He would like the issue of proof of the mining companies’ financial security to be addressed and when this proof should be submitted.
Darrel Fehr made a motion to move item #12 to item #4.  David Clements seconded the motion.  The motion carried 3-0.
Discussion and possible action on bids for the reconstruction of 40th Street:  The sealed bids were opened from Senn Blacktop and Monarch Paving.  It was anticipated by the board that the TRID grant would have been awarded at the time of the April meeting.  The chairman of the Dept. of Transportation has the names of the recipients of the TRID money but has not released the names at this time.  David Clements made a motion to postpone the acceptance of bids for the reconstruction of 40th Street until the TRID money is awarded or until the May 14, 2012 monthly board meeting.  John Clements seconded the motion.  The motion carried 3-0.  The bids will remain closed until the announcement of the TRID recipients or the May 14, 2012 meeting.  The board thanked the representatives from Senn and Monarch for their cooperation, patience and indulgence in this bidding process.
Discussion and possible action on budget categories:  no action was taken
Approval of the March 12, 2012 regular monthly town board meeting minutes and special meeting minutes of March 27, 2012:  John Sykora made a motion to approve the  March 12, 2012 regular monthly town board meeting minutes and the special meeting minutes of March 27,  2012.  David Clements seconded the motion.  The motion carried 3-0. 
Approval of the April financial Report:   David Clements made a motion to approve the April financial report.  John Sykora seconded the motion.  The motion carried 3-0.  Judith A. Prince reported the lottery credit from the state will be direct deposited on April 16, 2012 in the Town of Cooks Valley’s checking account at the Peoples State Bank.
Reading and Approval of the March bills:  David Clements made a motion to approve the March bills.  John Sykora seconded the motion.  The motion carried 3-0.  The clerk reported there is $5554.52 remaining in the prepay to the Chippewa County Highway Dept.  
Building Permits:   Mary Kay Fanetti-remodeling of kitchen; Tom Short and Tony Pecha-barn and garage.
Discussion on progress of mining applications:  Chairman Darrel Fehr reported the meetings have been scheduled and posted.  All meetings are in open session during negotiations and public comment will occur prior to negotiations.  The agenda for the April 11, 2012 plan commission will be reposted and the meetings with the mining companies will be reposted to include the tours only by board and plan commission and the limit on time per comment.
Discussion and possible action on traffic signs:  Darrel Fehr reported the Chippewa County Highway Dept. has begun placing new sign on the western side of the township.  There was discussion about continuing the replacement with remaining money in the prepay and the continuing cost of the replacement.
 
Discussion and possible action on 60th Street between County Highway A and State Highway 40-culverts:  Wayne Krejci, Chippewa County Highway Dept. has not had the opportunity to inspect the culverts.  This item will be postponed until the May monthly meeting.
Discussion and possible action on the replacement of residential culverts on 40th Stet reconstruction:  The town will replace existing residential culverts, if needed, during reconstruction of 40th Street.  Darrel Fehr made a motion to place bids for residential culverts after inspection of the culverts and determination of the length of culverts needed.  David Clements seconded the motion.  The motion carried 3-0.
Discussion and possible action on ditch mowing/brushing:  David Clements made a motion to accept Dave Huse’s bid on the mowing and brushing of the Town of Cooks Valley ditches.  John Sykora seconded the motion.  The motion carried 3-0.
Discussion and possible action on ambulance/fire reimbursement:  Due to the Town Of Eagle Point withdrawing from the Bloomer ambulance service the remaining towns have to make up the difference.  There is an outstanding bill of $65,000.00 due to individuals not paying for transportation and Medicare/Medicaid only paying for a portion of the transportation bill.  This readjustment in price will align the Ambulance service with other ambulance services.  This item was postponed until the May monthly meeting.
Discussion and possible action on fire/ambulance committee representative:  If an issue needs to be addressed, the Chairman of each township will be the representative on the committee.  David Clements made a motion the chairman may delegate one the supervisors to attend the fire/ambulance committee if the chairman is unable to attend.  John Sykora seconded the meeting.  The motion carried 3-0.
Discussion and possible action on road evaluation committee:  David Clements, Darrel Fehr, and possibly Vernon Steinmetz will be on the committee.  When the road evaluation is scheduled, the possible quorum of the town board will be posted.
Discussion and possible action on a draft for extension of terms of office:  the draft will be posted by the town clerk and this item will be placed on the May monthly meeting.
Discussion and possible approval of Jean Meinen for election inspector:  David Clements made a motion to accept Jean Meinen as an election inspector for the Town of Cooks Valley.  Darrel Fehr seconded the motion.  The motion carried 3-0.
Chairman’s Report:

• Fire/ambulance report-there was one fire call in the Town of Cooks Valley, a grass fire at Barry Quinn’s.
• Mine road work progress-Dan Fedderly finished the design for 186th Avenue, which he submitted to Chippewa County.  The County had concerns, which Dan Fedderly is tweaking and will send back to the County.  The road bans are off on town roads south of County Highway A, but remain on the town roads north of County Highway A.  Preliminary plans on 135th Avenue are nearing completion.  Trucks have been stacking behind each other form County highway DD to Don Sarauer’s to avoid meeting between the hills.  There were observations that all trucks were not tarped.  There were reports of trucks continuing to engine brake on County Highway A. 
• The Chairman attended the county highway safety meetings.

Dissemination of Information: 

• Election materials needed were an altered flag holder, a new door handle and power strip for election machines.  John Sykora indicated he would donate a power strip.
• Chairman Darrel Fehr signed the recycling expense certification from the County.
• Brochure on a Frac Sand workshop on April 18, 2012 in Eau Claire
• Application for a Non-Metallic Reclamation permit filed by Kevin & Timothy Rogge-Wayne & Judith Rogge
• Master list for participants in Managed Forest Law
• Mark Rihn-withdrawal of 65 acres from Managed Forest Law

FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS AND BUSINESS

• The next regular monthly town board meeting will be May 14 2012 at 8:00 pm.
• Discussion and possible action on budget categories
• Building permits
• Discussion and possible action on traffic signs
• Discussion and possible action on  residential culverts on 40th Street
• Discussion and possible action of bids on 40th Street-grinding, paving, and shouldering
• Discussion and possible action on ordinance for extension of terms of office.  
• Discussion of mine applications
• Discussion and possible action on road evaluation committee
• Discussion and possible action on culverts on 60th Street between County Highway A and State Highway 40

ADJOURN:  John Sykora made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 9:38 pm.  David Clements seconded the motion.  The motion carried 3-0.
Typed:  April 10, 2012                                                                            Respectfully submitted,
Approved:   May 14, 2012                                                                                   Victoria Trinko, town clerk