Chairman Darrel Fehr called the meeting to order on March 12, 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 March town board meeting was duly posted on March 9, 2012 and reposted on March 10, 2012 in the 3 designated places within the Town of Cooks Valley.
PUBLIC COMMENT: Mark Berge stated he had read Glenn Stoddard’s comments that the Town of Cooks Valley could reject further mines in the Town of Cooks Valley in regards to the health, safety, and welfare of its residents. Mark Berge urged the town board to deny further mining in the town as he feels this is one of the beautiful parts of the country and it is being turned into a sand pit. He read a paragraph from a letter written in the Colfax Messenger that reflected his sentiments about the changing of the country side with no guarantees about air and water quality. In addition, Mark Berge would like the mining companies to pay for inspections to determine if mining companies are conforming to the Non-Metallic Mining Ordinance and for mining companies to provide tax relief for property owners adjacent to mines. Supervisor David Clements commented he has broached this idea of money per tonnage to Paul McLean of Preferred Sands and he did not seem adverse to the idea. Also mining companies have retained private companies for inspection services in the area which has forced the Town of Cooks Valley to go as far as Hudson to hire an inspector to avoid a conflict of interest. Gene Pagel commented about the mining companies giving money to various clubs and towns and he hopes the town board and others would take into consideration the people of the town and not be swayed by donated money. There was further discussion about how additional mine sites would impact the roads with more trucks and affect the air and water quality. With discussion turning to blasting, Mark Berge said he could feel blasting in his house but it depends on the direction the blast is facing as to the strength or feeling of the blast. Beth Pagel questioned how many mines are in the area, how much area will be open and when will the reclaiming of land begin? Supervisor David Clements said Preferred Sands has started reclaiming in the lower area and on the upper level. Chippewa County does not have specifications in the reclamation plans regarding the number of open acres. As for inspections, David Clements commented DNR personal inspected the installation of an outside privy 2x in three days when they were not within a hundred feet of the water table but have not inspected mine sites that are digging within 10 feet of the water table one time.
Discussion and possible action on budget categories: no action was taken
Approval of the February 13, 2012 regular monthly town board meeting minutes and special meeting minutes of February 27th & March 1, 2012: John Sykora made a motion to approve the February 13, 2012 regular monthly town board meeting minutes and the special meeting minutes of February 27th and March 1, 2012. David Clements seconded the motion. The motion carried 3-0.
Approval of the March financial Report: David Clements made a motion to approve the March financial report. John Sykora seconded the motion. The motion carried 3-0.
Reading and Approval of the February bills: David Clements made a motion to approve the February bills. Darrel Fehr seconded the motion. The motion carried 3-0. The clerk reported the check sent to the Colfax School District for the February settlement, [not delivered, voided, and other check issued] was returned to the clerk’s office on March 9, 2012. A dividend check from Bloomer Farmers Union was transferred to the town treasurer. Judith A. Prince, town treasurer, explained various steps to take or been informed about the collection of unpaid personal property.
Building Permits: no building permits were issued.
Discussion on progress of mining applications: Chairman Darrel Fehr reported EOG indicated they will have their application in this week, Chippewa Sands next week, and David LaGesse will not be turning in an application but would like a variance. Supervisor David Clements reported Preferred Sands will turn in their application by the indicated date with a check.
Discussion and possible action on traffic signs: Darrel Fehr made a motion to place this item on the agenda for next month’s agenda. John Sykora seconded the motion. The motion carried 3-0.
Discussion and possible action on placement of road bans: Chippewa County Highway Dept. placed bans on the roads on March 9, 2012. The County suggested the Town of Cooks Valley place bans on the town roads. Darrel Fehr suggested the Town of Cooks Valley place bans on the town roads and in the future the town will place the bans on the town roads when the county places the bans on the county roads. Darrel Fehr and Calvin Swartz will place the road ban signs. The clerk will publish a notice in the Bloomer Advance about the placement of bans on the town roads. County Highway A is in the design stage for three months and then bids will be accepted from private contractors for the reconstruction of County Highway A. Chippewa Sands is paying for the patching being done on County Highway A. There are no designs from Dan Fedderly for 186th Avenue or 135th Avenue. Plans by EOG are to begin hauling from Dennis Schindler’s mine site at the end of April or beginning of May. EOG may want to acquire land to widen 135th Avenue, place a retaining wall or install culverts.
Discussion and possible action on placement of a notice for bids for the reconstruction of 40th Street from County Highway A south to 155th Avenue to include grinding, paving, or shouldering: Darrel Fehr said Dan Fedderly wants the board to wait to see if the TRID money will be granted for the reconstruction of 40th Street. There was discussion if the TRID grant did come through, new bids could be noticed. David Clements made a motion to publish bids in the Bloomer Advance about the road project on 40th Street from County Highway A to 155th Avenue. John Sykora seconded the motion. The motion carried 3-0. David McCabe, Chippewa County Highway Dept., will be asked to assist in measuring the length of the road and writing the bids.
Discussion and possible action on 60th Street between County Highway A and State Highway 40-culverts: There was discussion about the culverts by Earl Hassemer’s. Darrel Fehr made a motion to have Chippewa County inspect the culvert and make a bid for a new culvert and the replacement of the old culvert. David Clements seconded the motion. The motion carried 3-0.
Chairman’s Report:
Dissemination of Information:
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS AND BUSINESS
ADJOURN: John Sykora made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:55 pm. David Clements seconded the motion. The motion carried 3-0.
Typed: March 14, 2012 Respectfully submitted,
Approved: April 9, 2012 Victoria Trinko, town clerk