Chairman Darrel Fehr called the meeting to order on August 13, 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 August town board meeting was duly posted on August 10, 2012 in the 3 designated places within the Town of Cooks Valley.
Public Comment: the Cooks Valley town board welcomes public comments on matters pertaining to township issues. Because it is important to maintain order during the meeting, it is the policy of the town board that all public comments on an issue shall be limited to three (3) minutes per person, no person may make more than one (1) comment per subject and the session is no more than thirty minutes long. (We apologize for the tight time restrictions. They are necessary to ensure that we complete our business). Comments may be made on any subject pertaining to township issues, however, comments on matters not appearing on this agenda can only be discussed but may not be acted on at this meeting. If the board desires, the matters may be placed on a future agenda for action. No debating between residents. Sheila David asked if the board has heard about future sand mines to the south in the Town of Cooks Valley. Supervisor David Clements said he has heard about talks with property owners ranging from Jim Schmidt’s property to Eugene Sarauer’s, but nothing concrete has been submitted to the board.
Discussion and possible action on budget categories: no action was needed on this item
Approval of the July 9, 2012 regular monthly town board meeting minutes and the July 19, 2012 special meeting minutes: David Clements made a motion to approve the July 9, 2012 regular monthly town board meeting minutes and the July 19, 2012 special town board meeting minutes. Darrel Fehr seconded the motion. The motion carried 3-0.
Approval of the August financial report: Darrel Fehr made a motion to accept the August financial report. David Clements seconded the motion. The motion carried 3-0. On August 20, 2012, the tax settlement of $52,116.86 will be direct deposited into the Town of Cooks Valley checking account.
Reading and approval of the July bills: David Clements made a motion to approve the July bills. John Sykora seconded the motion. The motion carried 3-0.
Building permits –David LaGesse-siding of barn, enclosed porch; Dennis Schindler-reshingle house and cabin in woods.
Discussion of concerns of the plan commission- After the presentation of a time line and lengthy discussion, the committee recommends to the Town Board of Cooks Valley to grandfather David LaGesse’s non-metallic mine based on the date the reclamation plan was permitted at the county level. The plan commission proposes two changes to Chapter 20: a sentence addition of ‘This is to be done by contacting a member of the plan commission within 30 days of issuance of a permit at the county level’ under CHANGES FOR THE COMPREHENSIVE MAP OF COOKS VALLEY TOWNSHIP. The addition of # 5 in THE LAND USE CLASSIFCATIONS ON THE COMPRENHENSIVE MAP to read ‘All unmarked or un-shaded areas would remain as they currently are. That would include farmland, swamp, forest, etc. This does not mean that their use cannot be changed. If the use were to change, the land owner would be required to present their case to the Plan Commission and Town Board. Two additional changes to the “Land Use Change” form to help the land use change form paperwork to proceed.
Change the wording on the town board meeting agenda to concerns pertaining to the plan commission. Future Agenda for the plan commission will be to discuss Chapter 7 –minimum lot size. There was discussion that a 10 acre parcel can not be split into 2 lots due to exclusion of the road right-of-way in future lots. The plan commission would like to include the road right-of-way in the lot size. There was discussion of various cases in the town.
Discussion on progress of mining applications: The board is hoping to have a final draft back from Preferred Sans this week, which will then be placed on the website. EOG will be scheduled after the Preferred Sands permit is completed. There was discussion of a timeline for the completion of the permit. This will be placed on the September agenda if the permit is not completed.
Discussion and possible action on road evaluation/ committee: postponed until the next meeting.
Discussion and possible action on the installation of stop signs-40th & 135th, 20th and 135th: John Sykora made a motion to install the stop signs and stop ahead signs at the intersection of 40th Street and 135th Avenue and at the intersection of 20th Street and 135th Avenue. David Clements seconded the motion. The motion carried 3-0.
Discussion and possible action on brushing in the town: It was decided an aggressive plan for brushing should be implemented by taking sections of the town roads each year in need of brushing, perhaps starting with 50th Street, then 46th Street, and 55th Street. Chairman Darrel Fehr will research individuals to do the brushing.
Discussion and possible action on ambulance reimbursement: There has been no response from Eagle Point’s withdrawal and reimbursement needed by remaining towns. The defibrillators will remain at the Bloomer Fire Dept. for use in training.
Discussion and possible action of operators application: David Clements made a motion to approve Randy Rihn’s application for an operators license. John Sykora seconded the motion. The motion carried 3-0.
Discussion and possible action on Certified Survey Maps- Dan Stiehl: John Sykora made a motion to approve the CSM of Dan Stiehl. David Clements seconded the motion. The motion carried 3-0.
Discussion and possible approval of election inspector: Darrel Fehr made a motion to approve Beth Pagel as an election inspector. David Clements seconded the motion. The motion carried 3-0.
Discussion and possible action on purchase of posting cabinet: David Clements will research information on a posting cabinet.
Discussion of humane association contract, facility, and officer training: Clerk Victoria Trinko reported representatives from the Humane Association spoke at a clerk association meeting. They presented facts about the number of animals housed at the facility, the budget, and future contracts. They will have amounts for the future contracts before annual budgets need to be presented to the public. Calvin and Sue Swartz indicated interest in Animal Control Officer recertification. The chairman will contact Calvin and Sue Swartz about this matter.
Chairman’s report –
Dissemination of Information- clerks report- The clerk attended a Chippewa County Clerks Association meeting with a presentation from the Humane Society and information about the August 14, 2012 election. Ryan Brown from Chippewa County contacted the clerk with information about the census report. The county will submit changes in the census due to annexation. The preliminary census estimate for the Town of Cooks Valley in 2012 is 819 residents.
Future agenda items and business:
Discussion and possible action on ambulance/fire reimbursement
Discussion and possible action on road evaluation/committee
Discussion and possible action on budget categories
Building permits
Discussion and possible action on concerns pertaining to the Plan commission
Draft of changes to Chapter 20
Discussion and possible action on lot size
Posting cabinet
Discussion and possible action on bids or estimates for brushing
Discussion on progress of mining applications
Darrel Fehr made a motion to move the next town board meeting to Thursday September 13, 2012 at 8:00pm. David Clements seconded the motion. The motion carried 3-0.
Adjourn: Darrel Fehr made a motion to adjourn at 9:04 pm. David Clements seconded the motion. The motion carried 3-0.
Typed: August 20, 2012 Respectfully Submitted,
Approved: September 13, 2012 Victoria Trinko-town clerk