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October 19, 2009 October 19, 2009 Regular Monthly Meeting
TOWN OF APPLE RIVER
REGULAR MONTHLY BOARD MEETING
October 19th, 2009
Present: Rick Scoglio, Chair; Ansel Johnson, Supervisor; Dave
Waterman, Supervisor; Tom Sykes, Clerk,
Linda Peterson, Treasurer.
Meeting called to order by Rick Scoglio, Chair at 7:00 p.m.
Verification of public notice was declared by the Clerk and affirmed
by the Chair.
Minutes of the Sept 8th 2009, meeting read by the Clerk. Motion made
and seconded to approve the minutes as read. Motion carried.
Public Input:
A resident expressed concern regarding a “vicious” dog problem on
Mains Crossing and what could the town do to protect the citizens; she
stated that it has been reported to the sheriff twice and that another
resident has also had problems. A compliment was made regarding the
work that was completed on 70th St. The question was asked if the
board would return to a more consistent meeting schedule and the Chair
explained why the past three months didn’t follow the normal schedule
but that we will get back to the normal second Monday of the month
routine.
Clerk Report:
There is scheduled a Polk County Towns Assoc. meeting on Oct. 29th at
Balsam Lake. Year-to-date 22 building permits have been issued. The
Clerk attended the all day workshop in Cable but missed the election
certification session in Balsam Lake; will have to find another one to
attend before our next election.
Report by Treasurer:
The Treasurer made the following financial report: Beginning balance
of $231,769.32; income was $29,306.09; interest earned $31.40;
submitting vouchers in the amount of $32,199.60. Balance on hand is
$229,967.21. Linda had a question regarding the Treasurer’s insurance
bond for tax collection. Carl Thomfohrda, our insurance agent,
explained that most towns of our size carry coverage on the treasurer
to the amount of $250,000; we currently have $175,000. The increase
would amount to about $50 in premium. He stated that the County may
request us to increase because the minimum is $250,000 currently.
Motion made and seconded to accept Treasurer’s Report as read. Motion
carried.
County Report:
In County Board Supervisor Sample’s absence, Chair Scoglio reported
that the County has found 2 of the 2.75 million budget short-fall.
Vouchers:
The Treasurer presented vouchers to the town Board. Board reviewed
the expenditures. Chair and supervisors reviewed the vouchers and
Chair read all vouchers aloud. The Motion was made and seconded to
approve vouchers as presented in the amount of $32,199.60. Motion
carried.
Election Committee Report:
No report .
Ambulance Committee:
No report, chair was out of the area at the time of the meeting.
Cemetery:
No report.
Fire Department:
Jamie reported that during the past month the department’s activities
included: one carbon monoxide alarm, two vehicle roll-overs, and one
furnace fire (not suppose to be there). Three burning permits were
issued. Members of the fire dept. have installed new address/fire
signs; the town hall mailbox has been installed; a tree removed from
the cemetery, and materials have been secured for the flag pole
fabrication. Very positive comments were made by town officials
regarding the willingness on the part of the fire dept. to help out
with a variety of tasks and the high quality of work they perform.
Loud applause followed.
First Responders:
There were two medicals and one regular 10-50.
Highway:
In Greg’s absence, the chair reported that when the road-grader showed
up to provide a drainage ditch as suggested to solve Tiny’s water
problem, Tiny decided not to have it done. The street signs are
installed. The chair said that he had received a phone call stating
that the signs “were wrong” but is not sure what the specifics are
because the caller has not gotten back to the Chair. There is one sign
that should have been marked differently according to a resident.
Planning Commission:
Steve Arduser reported on the commission’s Oct 7th meeting where they
discussed several topics. They do not think that they will need money
for next year.
Items to Be Reviewed:
Rural Mutual Insurance annual update: Carl Thomfohrda, Agent:
Gave the board a general update as to our coverage and reiterated the
treasurer’s tax bond recommended increase. We have our Workers
compensation and the business owner’s policy with Rural Mutual.
Accept the right-of-way for the extension of Belisle Court and to
accept the construction and future maintenance of a water treatment
pond:
The Plan Commission has reviewed and is recommending this proposal for
approval. After much discussion and deliberation the motion was made
and seconded to accept the proposal as presented with the following
conditions: that the town will accept the right-of-way for the
extension of the Belisle Court and that the asking (requesting)
parties will be responsible for the maintenance for the one year
bonding period after which the town will assume maintenance not to
exceed our normal average routine maintenance cost of town roads.
Proposal to accept subdivision request on behalf of Dale and Teressa
Jensen:
The Plan Commission has reviewed and is recommending this proposal for
approval. After discussion the motion was made and seconded to approve
the subdivision request as presented. Motion carried.
Liquor license application: Gary and Nancy Searle applicants/owners of
Cricket’s Bar and Grill (the Tac);
The owner’s presented a seller’s permit as requested by the clerk.
Motion was made and seconded to issue the license. Motion carried.
Clerk commented that a criminal check has been done (required by State
statute) but because of Nancy’s somewhat common name, the agency has
to do a mechanical check which takes more time to process.
TRIP: identify possible projects and feasibility:
After some discussion, the motion was made and seconded to submit a
proposal to TRIP for funds to provide reconditioning and resurfacing
of 120th avenue, between 60th and 80th. Motion carried.
2009 Road Projects-continued: Bid opening; Dead-ends:
One closed bid was submitted by Monarch Paving for road work as
published. Chair read the bid as presented. After discussion the
motion was made and seconded to accept the bid as presented. Motion
carried. There was continued discussion regarding the dead-end issue
which will be evaluated further because of concerns regarding who has
responsibility and to what extent.
Town hall utilization;
Steve Arduser reported on the Plan Committee’s recommendations. The
committee came up with specific costs and responsibilities i.e. $100
for rent, who provides the key etc. After further discussion, and a
request from the chair for a paper document it was suggested that we
utilize the town of Beaver’s document for final review next month.
Special meeting for preparation of 2010 budget scheduled for Oct 26th
2009, 7:00pm: Chair made note.
Supervisor Waterman Report: no LP tank yet.
Supervisor Johnson Report: no report
Chair Scoglio Report: no report
Next Month agenda items; 2010 budget, dead-end roads, TRIP status, dog
concern, town hall rental
Public Comments:
Dan Carlson asked questions about one of the bid items and also about
the parcel mapping; is it complete? There was also more discussion
regarding dead-ends. The question was asked if the dog problem needs
to be on next month’s agenda and is clean-up being addressed with our
rental arrangement. The supervisors responded to these concerns.
Next Month’s meeting will be on November 9th, 2009, at 7:00 p.m.
Motion made and approved to adjourn meeting at 8:27 p.m.