Town of Cooks Valley

Regular Town Board Meeting

October 20, 2014

 

Chairman Darrel Fehr called the meeting to order on October 20, 2014 at 8:00 pm.   The supervisor present was John Sykora.   Other officers present were:  Victoria Trinko-Clerk and Judith A. Prince-treasurer.  See the attached list for delegation present.
Certification of proper posting for the scheduled town board meeting: The notice for the October town board meeting was duly posted on October 16, 2014 in the 3 designated places within the Town of Cooks Valley. 
Public Comment:  Victoria Trinko read a statement concerning trucking hours.  See attached statement.  Mark Berge  stated after talking with people from the Town of Howard he would like a temporary moratorium placed on further mining permits to allow the Town of Cooks Valley  board time to make amendments similar to the Town of Howard mining ordinance to the Town of Cooks Valley Chapter 19 Non-Metallic Mining Ordinance.  The Town of Howard ordinance is more precise as it states exactly what is expected of the company wanting to mine.  It has a Chapter 17 called Mine Operators License in which Section 17.07 Minimum Standards of Operation [Standard regarding off Site Impacts] 2e-deals with hours of operation, 2:2 –if there is a processing plant the company must monitor for ambient level of 2.5 micron in size and total suspended particulates. 2-j-stockpiling of product shall be fully enclosed in a structure.  The Town of Howard also has separate ordinances for blasting and mine exploration where bore holes are required to be registered with the DNR and the town so they can be monitored.
Chairman Darrel Fehr made a motion to move item 11 to item 4.  John Sykora seconded the motion.  The motion carried 2-0.
Discussion and possible action on resolution for natural gas pipeline in the Town of Cooks Valley road right-of-way along 186th Avenue to 60th Street then south on 60th Street State Highway 40 to 60th Street and then east on 160th Avenue and then south on County Highway F as requested by Xcel Energy:  Bob Schultz, community service manager of Xcel Energy introduced Matt McFarlane and Amada Olsen.   Darrel Fehr asked about the highline poles that are in the road right-of-way on 50th Street.  Bob Schultz would take a drive past on 50th Street and look into the removal of the poles from the road right-of-way.  The Gas extension Project is for Preferred Sands who asked for natural gas at the proposed wet/dry plant to be located in the Town of Bloomer near Willie’s Trailer Court.  Xcel Energy is asking for a resolution to allow other people to tap in the proposed gas line.  The gas line would tap into the Town of Wheaton border station and lay a 19 mile line, but they need permission from the towns for approval to take area to lay the 4 inch gas line.  There will be no impact to existing customers as the gas line is justified.  The people can ask to tap into the line once it is approved.  The first 100 ft. is free and after the 100 ft. the cost is $4.06 per foot.  Matt McFarlane procures the state and DNR permits from the Public service Commission in Madison.  Matt Skorskawg is the designer.  Amanda Olsen keeps information in order for the marketing group.  They would use a backhoe with 30 inch bore, with wetlands directional borings to minimize environmental impacts, avoid fiber optics and bore under asphalt driveways.  John Sykora made a motion to approve the resolution 002-2014 as a certificate of authority to provided natural gas service to the Town of Cooks Valley.  Darrel Fehr seconded the motion.  The motion carried 2-0.
 Discussion and possible action on budget categories:  John Sykora made a motion to move $200.00 from non-allocated funds to U-138 Town Maintenance and Repairs, leaving an amount of $8000.00 in non-allocated funds.  Darrel Fehr seconded the motion.  The motion carried 2-0.
Approval of the September 15, 2014 regular monthly town board meeting minutes and special board meeting minutes of September 23, October 1-186th project and Chippewa Sands annual permit review:  John Sykora made a motion to approve and place on file the September 15, 2014 regular monthly town board meeting minutes and special board meeting minutes of September 23, October 1-186th project and Chippewa Sands annual permit review. Darrel Fehr seconded the motion.  The motion carried 2-0. 
Reading by the Treasurer of the September financial report:  The ending check book balance was $145,540.04 as of September 30, 2014.  The total cash assets for the Town of Cooks Valley were $317,757.01.   The last payment of the transportation aid will be on the next monthly bank statement.    
Reading and approval of the September bills:  Darrel Fehr made a motion to approve payment of the September bills.  John Sykora seconded the motion.  The motion carried 2-0.  
Building permits:  Chad Arendt-concrete slab for pre-built garage, Kevin Ruff-addition to east side house, Mike & Emily Seidling-open wood shed, Mark Smith-wood shed, Dean Schwartz- deck on west side of house.
Discussion and possible action of concerns pertaining to the plan commission:  no action was needed.
Discussion and possible action of Humane Association contract:  Darrel Fehr made a motion to approve the Humane Association contract for 2015.  John Sykora seconded the motion.  The motion carried 2-0. 
Discussion and possible action on a resolution in support of Midwest Environmental Advocates petition to the Natural Resources board:  no action taken
Discussion and signing Memorandum of Understanding with the county clerk’s office:  Darrel Fehr made a motion to sign the Memorandum of understand with the county clerk’s office re. Relier/provider for voter registration.  John Sykora seconded the motion.  The motion carried 2-0.
Discussion and possible approval for the purchase of a computer and printer for the treasurer:  The treasure’s printer and computer are outdated and non-compliant with the county computer or program for dog licenses.  Darrel Fehr made a motion to move $1000.00 from non-allocated funds to T-092 Treasure office supplies, leaving an amount of $7000.00 in non-allocated funds.  John Sykora seconded the motion.  The motion carried 2-0.  Darrel Fehr made a motion to heed Earl Hassemer’s advice concerning the purchase of a computer and printer for the treasure not to exceed $1000.00.  John Sykora seconded the motion.  The motion carried 2-0.
Discussion and possible action on a request for lowering the speed limit on 10th Street:  There was discussion on road impact, stop signs, contour of the road, pet control and speed on 10th Street.  No action was taken.
Chairman’s report – Fire Dept.-no fires were reported in the Town of Cooks Valley in the month of September.  Mine Road-the 186th Avenue road construction is still a mess.  Soft spots need continued fixing as the trucks are packing the road and soft spots keep appearing.  Monarch prefers not to pave until the soft spots are fixed. 
Dissemination of Information- clerk’s report –WTA-Chippewa County will have a meeting Tuesday October 21, 2014 at the town of Eagle Point; minutes of the semi-annual fire/ambulance meeting, insurance update-premium may change due to renewal or cancellation of terrorism clause.
Future agenda items and business:
Discussion and possible action on budget categories
Building permits
Discussion and possible action on concerns pertaining to the Plan commission
Cigarette application –Jimmy’s Juke Joint
Chairman’ report
Dissemination of information
 Next regular board meeting will be November 10, 2014 at 8:00 pm.
Budget hearing November 11, 2014 at 7:30 pm with special meeting of the electors and special board meeting to follow.
Adjourn:  Darrel Fehr made a motion to adjourn at 9:31 pm.  John Sykora seconded the motion.  The motion carried 2-0.                 

Typed:  October 28, 2014                                                                   Respectfully Submitted,
Approved: November 11, 2018                                                         Victoria Trinko-town clerk