TOWN OF BARNES

MINUTES OF THE REGULAR

TOWN BOARD MEETING

MARCH 18, 2008

 

The meeting was called to order at 6:30PM.  The Pledge of Allegiance was said.

Chairman Collyard called for a Roll Call to establish a quorum, and Verification of Public Notice and a Motion to approve the March Agenda.  Roll call: Meinke-present, Webb-present, McGee-present, Porter-present, Collyard-present. Quorum is established. Clerk-Treasurer verified the Notice was posted as required.  Motion (Meinke/Porter) to approve the March agenda. Motion carried. The Agenda is as follows:

AGENDA

Call the Regular Board Meeting to order at 6:30PM

Pledge Allegiance to the Flag

Roll Call to establish a quorum/Verification of Public Notice/Motion to approve the March Agenda

Approve minutes of the Last Regular Board Meeting and Motion to dispense with reading of the minutes.

Open Bids for Tractor Mower

Discussion and approval of Business Insurance rates for 2008-2009.

Treasurer’s Report

                Request by Jim Breuer to delete excessive assessment amount from 2006 tax bill     

Voucher’s Approval

Clerk Correspondence

                Re-Appointment of Clerk-Treasurer for three year term

Department Head Reports:

                Highway                                               

                Cemetery                                             

                Fire and Ambulance Department                  

                Constable

Committee and Commission Reports:         

                Recreation Committee

                New Town Community Center Committee

                                Presentation of Committee’s findings

                EWM Committee

                                Request for Slow-No Wake Ordinance on Tomahawk Lake

                Land Use Planning Commission

Jon Harkness – Property Owners Association, comment on Zoning Variance

Zoning   1) Variance and Special Exception Request for property owned by Pollock Lake LLC for approval to build a cabin and garage on a lot with 50.77 lake frontage  on Pickerel Lake and requests approval for reduced side yard setbacks and placement at 10 feet from right-of-way and 35 feet from centerline of Walters Road.

ATV Trail Amendment to Ordinance Request by ATV Club

Operator License Request – 2 Year Operator License for Angela Arseneau

Public Comment Session – 5 minute limit for those not on the Agenda

Issues Timeline Update

All Department Heads are encouraged to be at the Regular Board Meetings

All Department Heads and Committee Heads are to submit a written report to the clerk

by Friday evening prior to the Board Meeting.

The Town Board reserves the right to solicit information from

Department heads and Committee heads only, without opening the floor to discussion.

Any persons requiring special needs for handicap services please contact the Clerk-Treasurer

Elaine J. Brustad    Barnes Town Clerk-Treasurer

Dated this 14th Day of March, 2008

 

Motion (Porter/Meinke) to approve the minutes of the last Regular Board Meeting and to dispense with reading of the minutes. Motion carried.

 

Open Bids for Tractor Mower – Chairman Collyard explained the Board would open the bids, and then he would give them to Jerry Witt to look over.  Hopefully he would have time to check them over before his Department report; otherwise they will make the motion at a later time.

 

Discussion and approval of Business Insurance rates for 2008-2009.

Doug Eklund from Wausau Insurance passed out copies of his proposal to the Board members and the Clerk-Treasurer.  Their total proposal for renewal was $24,742.50. 

Mike Sherry from Holden Insurance presented the Board members with copies of his proposal as well.  Their total was $22,163.00 with a higher rate for Worker’s Comp than Wausau’s.  This is state rated so would be the same with each insurer.  Wausau’s liability was $3,000,000.00. Holden’s was $5,000,000.00.  If an umbrella policy was desired it could be added, and he provided the additional amounts in his proposal.  Collyard said he felt the board should meet after looking at both proposals.  They will call a Special Town Board meeting for next week. 

 

Treasurer’s Report

Checking Balance from last meeting

 

$35,118.10

Receipts

 

 

 

 

$4,515.38

Check #'s 22441-22505

 

 

($195,707.08)

Transfer from Money Market Account

 

$175,000.00

Service Charge February

 

 

($12.84)

Interest Earned February

 

 

$35.23

 

CHECKING BALANCE

 

 

$18,948.79

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Money Market Gen'l Fund Balance from Last Meeting

$2,172,733.07

Interest earned February

YTD Interest $10,334.04

$5,267.91

Transfer to Sinking Funds

 

 

($35,000.00)

Ck#'s 1073-1077

February settlement of taxes

($1,315,172.18)

Ck #' 1078

Transfer to General Fund

($175,000.00)

Service Charge

 

 

 

($5.00)

 

Sub-Total Money Market Gen'l Funds

$652,823.80

Highway Dept. Sinking Fund

Dep Sinking-$15,000.00

$31,072.92

BES Sinking Fund

 

Dep Sinking-$20,000.00

$52,677.07

Park Savings

 

 

 

$13,021.85

Ski Trail Savings

 

 

 

$726.61

Parade-Event-Calendar Fund

 

 

$1,842.60

Town Hall Complex Fund

 

 

$19,298.20

Act 102 Fund

 

 

 

$5,902.54

 

Sub-Total Money Market sub accounts

$124,541.77

Total all Money Market Funds

 

 

$777,365.57

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TOTAL ALL ACCOUNTS

 

$796,314.36

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Motion (Porter/Meinke) to approve the Treasurer’s report as read.  Motion carried.    

                Request by Jim Breuer to delete excessive assessment amount from 2006 tax bill – Clerk-Treasurer Brustad received a request from Jim Breuer for a refund due to an over assessment by the Assessor on his properties on his 2006 tax bill.  The Assessor, Charlotte Johnson has indicated she will give Mr. Breuer a credit on his 2008 tax bill, but he needed the monies now to pay back taxes.  Brustad read part of Statute 74.33(2) to the Board with her recommendation not to issue a refund to Mr. Breuer.  Collyard said Mr. Breuer should continue to work with the Assessor on this matter. 

 

Voucher’s Approval

Motion (McGee/Porter) to approve the voucher’s as presented.  Motion carried.

 

Clerk Correspondence

Brustad reminded everyone of the change in the April Board meeting date from the 15th to the 22nd of April.  Collyard said this was due to the Clerk-Treasurer being gone the week of the 15th, and although she had contacted the deputy to work for her he felt the Board would rather change the meeting date so she could be present. 

Brustad read a letter from the Department of Transportation in which the Town will receive $50,707.00 for use on Island Lake Road. 

A letter from mark Holm was received thanking the Board for approving his variance.

Brustad told the Board she had received an email from Gene Miller regarding a maintenance contract proposal for the Barnes web site.  He proposed charging a fee of $100.00 per year to cover the first four hours of his time if needed for a larger project.  She explained gene does so much yet on the website and she felt the $100.00 per year was well worth what the Town gets in return. Although not on the agenda for approval Collyard said he could approve up to $500.00 without Board approval and thought it was a good idea also.  The rest of the Board concurred. 

She received 9 Notices to Cut on property owned by Plum Creek Section 1& 7 of 43N,R9W,  14, 15, 23, 32, 35, and 36, 44N, R9W, and Section 29, 45N, R9W.

 

                Re-Appointment of Clerk-Treasurer for three year term – Per statutes this should be done at least every three years.  Motion (Webb/Meinke) to re-appoint Clerk-Treasurer Elaine Brustad another three year term.  Motion carried.

 

Department Head Reports:

 

                Highway

Since the last meeting we have had one full snow plow, with all the equipment out, and three blacktop plows. We have been continuously sanding roads to combat the black-ice on our blacktops.

I have started the preplanning work for the reconstruction of Marten Rd. I have met with Bayfield Electric, contacted Chequamegon telephone, and have had the road engineer draw up a typical section of the new road to meet minimum design standards as required by State Statutes. The typical section given to me, by the engineer, shows a 50 foot right of way, with a 20 foot driving surface, with 1 foot shoulders on both sides. I am planning for the reconstruction to take place after Labor Day weekend to minimize inconvenience for summer users.

As soon as the weather allows, I have three emergency repairs to address

#1-   The frost has heaved the cement slab at the Upper lake boat landing onto shore. The landing will be unusable until it is repaired.

#2-   The wing walls at the Lock’s bridge must be repaired ASAP. This is mandated by the bridge inspection report from last year, and also from the frost more than doubling the lean on the piling walls since last fall.

#3-   The road just past the River Rd. bridge to the east, has been sinking into the muck. The shoulders on both sides are dropping and falling into the water.

I had a meeting with John Spangberg from the DNR last week to look at and discuss these problems. We do not need a permit to repair the Upper Lake boat landing. We also do not need a permit to repair the wing walls at the locks. The River Rd problem is a different story. Permits to temporarily repair the edges with riprap will cost the Town 500 dollars.

I have a meeting scheduled with a reputable bridge contractor to look at the wing wall problem, and also the River Rd problem. The Upper Lake boat landing problem will be repaired as soon as the ice allows.                    

Collyard asked Jerry what the costs will be to repair the wing walls.  A temporary fix would be around $5,000.00 to $6,000.00.  The River Road problem is a much larger problem.  He will see what the contractor will say on that one.  Webb said we need to do some long range planning.  Collyard said they will need to do the temporary fixes for this year and then see what the experts advise that will need to be done. 

Motion (Porter/Meinke) to open the floor to discussion. Motion carried.  There were questions on the bridge work that needed to be done. 

Motion (Meinke/Porter) to close the floor to discussion.  Motion carried.

                                               

                Cemetery

Bud Pease reported there had been no activity since the last Board meeting.

                                               

                Fire and Ambulance Department  

Brustad read the Fire and Ambulance report for Tom Renz, who was not in attendance.

Fire :  we have had no Fire runs in the last month.  Several times we were called to assist the ambulance.  Several members of my staff and I met with Doug Quam from Jefferson Fire, the representative of  Rosenbauer Truck, the company that obtained the winning bid.  As a result of this we signed the contract for the truck and reduced the cost an additional $554.00.  Spring Fire Season is coming so once the snow melts I want to remind residents and others that burning permits will be required.  There is a new permit process in place and you will need to check with your Fire Warden as you will only need one permit but then will have to call a number the day before you burn to let them know you are burning.  Also presently scheduled on September 6, 2008 there is a large Mock Fire Exercise coming to the area.  The exercise will be in Cooperation with the DNR, US Forest Service and the other Departments from around the area.  The last one that I was involved with in Minong involved approximately 300 people.  The goal of the exercise is to practice operating on a large fire that would involve a lot of structures and how to manage all the resources using the ICS system as well as tactics in dealing with those issues.  It would be a great opportunity for the Town Board to become involved, to see where they fit in this type of operation and to observe.

 

 

Ambulance :  We have had two runs since the last meeting.  Both were not only on the same day but at the same time.  Great Divide was called in for transport of one patient.  EMT’s went to the scene and cared for the patient until Great divide arrived and transported the patient to Duluth.  The other patient was cared for by a second ambulance crew and transported to Hayward. 

The Ambulance crew is purchasing a new Stairs Chair for the ambulance which will be paid for out of our ACT 102 funds.

I also applied for an inoperability radio grant out through the Wisconsin Hospital Emergency Preparedness program with the assistance of Jan Victorson from Emergency Government.  The current radio in the ambulance is a VHF and non compliant P-25 or Narrow band Standards.  If we receive the grant the radio will be replaced with a VHF narrow band Dual head radio.  If we receive this grant the cost of the radio will be $4368.96 of which we will have to pay $868.96 and will be paid out of ACT 102 funds. 

Also Fred Barnes would like to hold Basketball camp through out the summer for any kid that wants to participate during the summer time.  He has made this request to be sponsored by the Barnes Fire and Ambulance Department and use the Town basketball courts for this.  Mr. Barnes will do this at no cost to the Town and wants to do through the summer. 

                 

                Constable

Brustad read the Constable’s report: 2 alarms from the sheriff, 3 alarms from alarm company, 2 assist motorist, 2 animal complaints, dogs running at large, 1 deer hit on highway 27, found nothing, 1 domestic firearm complaint on Idlewild Lake Road, detailed report on file.  Escorted the St. Paddy’s day parade on the 15th.

 

Committee and Commission Reports:         

 

                Recreation Committee

Will be meeting Wednesday night, will decide on the purchase of a couple of trees for the park.  Webb explained the swimming lessons were subsidized by donations the last few years and will continue to do so.  Need to send a request to Potawatomi for swimming on their Island.  The Clerk-Treasurer will send a letter to request the beach area again for the swimming lessons.   

                New Town Community Center Committee

                                Presentation of Committee’s findings – Committee Chairperson Brustad read the findings of the committee to the Board:  It is included here in its entirety.

 

Town Community Center Complex Committee

 

Objective:   To provide direction to the Town Board in determining the feasibility of creating a Community Center Complex and to provide the Town board with facts needed to make a determination whether to remodel the current Town Hall or construct a new building.

Phase I:  Current Facility -

Inadequacies of current facility:

                Office Space – Too small, 2 offices are shared by the Clerk-Treasurer, Board Chair, Board members, Constable, Deputy Clerk, Zoning Administrator, Assessor, Plan Commission members and others.

                Storage – Public Records storage and basic office storage – inadequate and not secure.

                General Public Area Space –in need of updating and remodeling. Large hall area is adequate but needed are additional rooms for media center, reading, scrapbooking, card playing, senior meals, board closed sessions, private areas for nurse and other health related duties, assessor. The building was constructed in 1937.  There were no records found on any major update.

                Civil Defense-Incident Command Center – Not structurally sound for Civil Defense center. The Hall is a designated center for people to come to for safety in case of a catastrophic event such as a tornado. 

                Parking- Problematic and Hazardous, parking in front of the building should not be permitted; it is an accident waiting to happen. Highway right-of-way ends approximately 6-8 feet from the steps at the entrance to the Hall.

 

Maintenance Costs of Current Facility

Rising gas prices are out of sight.  This will only get worse.  We need to build efficiently with energy savings in mind.  New, larger building would not cost more than what we pay now in utilities.  Maintenance costs for 2006 were $19,036.97.  Costs for 2007 were $23, 546.85. Projected costs for 2008 are $24, 573.00.

 

Use of the Current Facility –Declining use because of the inadequacies of the facility.

WHAT WE HAVE LOST -  Community health fair, groups who need technological facilities such as computer hook-ups, DSL, PowerPoint, more electrical outlets for presentations, Groups who want a more comfortable atmosphere, updated furnishings, updated kitchen facilities, Youth group activities, WITC classes, hunting courses, Weddings, funerals, dances.

What we currently use the facility for: Town Board Meetings, Committee meetings, Potawatomi annual meeting, DNR meetings, Property Owners meetings, senior meals, craft group meetings, card players, Mason’s,  VFW Auxiliary, and the Garden Club. Which will we lose next?

 

Current Needs – Media and technology facilities, private rooms for health nurse, Assessor, updated kitchen, more friendly and comfortable atmosphere, energy efficient building and appliances.

 

Future Uses/Needs  Current population growth is approximately 2% per year.  Census approximation as of 2007 is 693, which is low.  Current registered voter number is 674.  The number of children in the Drummond School system is approximately 74, so a better estimate of full-time population would be closer to 950 to 1000.  Using these figures would project a population in 2020 of 1230.  Future demands would be more computer related, more efficient use of heating and cooling systems and larger area of space.

 

Comparison with other Municipalities with similar population and tax base  Barnes has the largest Equalized Value in the County, with fourth largest Town’s full-time population according to the census. We’ve been the LEADER in the past, the most PROGRESSIVE municipality in Bayfield County.  

 

Public views of current building (Historical Significance, location etc)

We have not heard from anyone viewing the building as a historical building. I would think there are some in the community who feel that way.  The location of the building is too close to the highway.

 

CONCLUSION:

Office space is about 50% of what is currently needed.  The Hall area is sufficient size although it needs updating along with the kitchen.  There is no Technology Center, Library or Reading room, no separate eating area or separate meeting rooms. There is no separate room for a display of historical Artifacts. The bathrooms are not in a private area.  It is lacking adequate electrical outlets, there is no wiring for computers or cable, and lighting is fair to poor, very drafty and cold in winter.  The handicap accessible door in the hall has no outside handle so cannot be considered handicap accessible.   

 

PHASE II

 

Objective:  To provide direction to the Town Board regarding possibility of building an entirely new building.

                Identify Stakeholders 

Those who have a vested interest in various functions within the new Complex.

                Improvements

Full insulation in the new structure will save on heating and cooling expense.  Selection of energy-efficient units for heating and cooling would also realize a savings on energy costs.

Lighting fixtures and light bulbs used would be more energy efficient

Building to LEED specifications would cost approximately 4-5% extra but savings in energy would be recouped easily. We would be a leader in the area to become LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) registered.  Leed considers building orientation, location, storm water control, energy systems and more. 

Better layout will create more convenient use of the offices and multi-purpose rooms.

Careful planning and landscaping will keep the “Up North” flavor

Planned off-street parking

Single ground-level footprint would mean all entrances would be handicap accessible as our population continues to age.

More secure storage of the Town’s records

Privacy for town functions such as Open Book and tax payments

Secure building for safety of the employees and property

 

                Identify Separate Areas Needed for Specific Use

 

Media Center with 2-3 computers for use of the residents.  School aged children and young adults would be able to do research papers online, take online college courses, and check emails while away from home. 

Reading Room/Lending Library with comfortable chairs and good lighting.  Computer access could be made available for citizens with NWLS library cards to order books to be delivered to the Center where they could pick them up the next day.  A T-1 line would be needed for this purpose. 

Exercise Area with equipment for residents to use instead of traveling to Hayward.  Equipment could be donated.  A separate locker area would be available in this room. Future classes in Yoga, Pilates and other exercise could be held here for residents.

Kitchen with dining area for senior meals to be served in a warm and inviting atmosphere, encouraging friendlier meal-time conversation.  The kitchen area would be much smaller than the current kitchen with updated appliances for energy-efficiency.  The dining area could be used also for smaller banquets, parties, meetings, and craft club.

Museum Display Area similar to the Drummond Library Museum display, which could be changed periodically to allow residents to see new samples of our rich history.

Large Hall for use during Board meetings, other large group meetings and training sessions.

Restroom facilities located in a more private area.

Town Offices would be double the current size and have 4 separate offices with twice the current storage.  A counter with work area at the entrance would separate the Clerk-Treasurer’s area.  A separate office for the Clerk-Treasurer would ensure privacy when she is speaking with Townspeople on private matters.  One office would be a designated “conference room” for use by the Town Board during closed sessions and also for individual Town Board members while working on Town business.  Individual file cabinets would be available for each Board member.  One office for the Chairperson to use for daily activities.  One multi-use office for Constable, Zoning Administrator assistant, Assessor and other personnel as needed.  Storage area would have shelves and locking file cabinets to store the historical files of the Town.

               

                Alternatives for the current building- Tear-down, move back at least 100 feet to incorporate into the new facility or find a possible buyer or donate it to a needy organization that will pay to have it moved off-site.  BAHA has indicated they would still be interested in the building and would move it to their location. 

 

                What other Towns have incorporated into their newer Town Halls

Each community has different needs and most have put a greater emphasis on energy-efficient lighting, heating and cooling sources.

 

                Location of new building – Ideally the Quonset hut and ice-rink should be moved to another location to allow the new building to be set back off the right-of-way of highway N.  In this location the new building would have excellent views of the town Park and plenty of room for off-street parking.

 

                Size needed-  The current facility is approximately 3200 square feet.  The Committee recommends a minimum of 6000 square feet now with a design that could be added on to at a future date if needed. 

 

                What is the public’s feeling toward a new community center – Most people feel a new facility will be too costly and taxes will increase dramatically.  A one-time levy of $600,000.00 using 2007’s mill rate would increase the mill rate by  $1.86 per thousand dollars of value. The tax bill on a property assessed at $150,000.00 would be increased only $279.00.  If a loan was obtained for $600,000.00, the payments could be structured to whatever the townspeople wanted, up to twenty years in term. Cash needed to finance a new Community Center would be close to the same amount as the $600,000.00 loan obtained 3 years ago for roadwork that met with very few objections.

 

CONCLUSION:

In addition to remedying the many deficiencies and inadequacies of the current building mentioned above, a new facility, with its many improved features could be the catalyst for renewal of a healthy sense of community that once blessed this town.

 

PHASE III

 

Objective:  To provide the Town Board with alternatives based on size, needs, pricing, etc for presentation to the voters at an Annual Meeting.

 

                Remodel current facility or build a new facility

A major block in remodeling the current facility is the extreme closeness to County Highway N.  To move the building would be a major expense.  Remodeling is close to the same cost for new, therefore it doesn’t make sense to endure the expense of moving the current building and remodeling it once placed in its new site unless the public feels it necessary to keep the building for historical value.   Current construction costs are between $140-$150/per square foot.  Remodeling would cost around $134/per square foot.  The new facility based on those figures would cost approximately $850,000.00 to $900,000.00.  Construction costs will only increase with time.  The Committee does not recommend trying to save all the monies necessary to build the facility, with construction costs rising so rapidly. The town of Barnes would be eligible for a Community Development Block Grant.  The maximum grant under this program for any single applicant is $750,000.00.  Few grants in this area and anticipated amount needed would exceed $250,000.00.  USDA Rural Development will make loans to Municipalities for this type of project.  The Board of Commissioners of Public Lands also has loans available for this purpose.  This program is used most because of the minimal information and qualifications needed.  Current rates for either program is 4-5% depending on length of time.

In the interim, the committee would recommend at least starting a sinking fund in addition to the funds currently being deposited for the Community Center from timber sales.

 

                Combination of Town offices, hall, library, and technology center  With rising energy costs it makes sense to combine all facilities under one roof.

 

                Preliminary design, architect, and plans for surrounding grounds –If approval by the Town Board and Townspeople is obtained for a new facility the committee would be happy to support the Board in finding qualified people to prepare preliminary designs for the new facility, and updated design for the surrounding grounds. The committee generally recommends having a building that would preserve the “Northwoods Flavor” we all so enjoy here in Barnes. Placing it back off the right-of-way of County N within the park area on the east would also provide an aesthetically pleasing area for the new “Center of Town”.

                               

                Preliminary Operating Costs General maintenance costs would be low due to the building being all new.  Operating costs such as heating, air conditioning, lighting would be similar or lower to what the costs are for the current building.  The committee would recommend doing everything possible to guarantee energy efficiency.  We recommend building to become LEED registered to let our citizens know the Town is doing its part to preserve the environment.   

 

                Preliminary Policy for use of Building

This would be developed once construction is underway, in the meantime the current policy would be in force for general use.

 

                Conclusion

Remodeling of the current facility would be too costly if the building has to be moved.  A new facility would cost approximately $850,000.00 to $900,000.00.  A grant could be obtained for about $200,000.00 to $250,000.00, but in order to apply for a grant the balance of the funds needed for the project would have to be obtained.  A one time levy based on 2007 taxes would increase the levy amount by $1.86 extra per thousand.  A loan obtained for the same amount would be felt much less because the loan payment for that particular year would be the only amount added into the budget.  Loans can be structured for a payout of up to twenty years.  The committee recommends building sooner rather that saving the entire amount because construction costs will only increase with time.  Maintenance costs on the current facility since it is not energy efficient will increase at a faster rate also.  The committee feels it is necessary to better educate the public on the needs of a new facility.  As Chairperson of the Committee I would recommend starting a sinking fund of $25,000.00 to $50,000.00, budgeting monies for preliminary design of a new building so townspeople could see the concept of an actual building and would recommend building new within five years. 

Collyard asked the Board where to go from here.  Webb said the Board should go along with the committee’s recommendations to discuss this at the Annual meeting.  A resolution for a sinking fund would at least start the process. 

Motion(Webb/Porter) to open the floor to discussion.  Motion carried.  Several people expressed their opinions on the various rooms recommended for the Community Center.  There was a Library in Drummond and one in Hayward which was thought to satisfy the needs of the townspeople.  The Community Church also has a library open to the public.  Bob Oberstar said it was never the committee’s intent to have a super library but a media room, and perhaps a lending library.  Lanny Neider, also a committee member said there are many people who don’t want to go to the church for their library, they also don’t want to go to the church for the health fair.  He feels the committee’s purpose was to consider needs that weren’t being met.  We can’t accommodate everyone, we must go with the majority and what the majority’s needs are. A question was brought up if this would go to a referendum or be voted on at the Annual meeting.  Supervisor Webb said that is one option, to put it on a referendum, especially if we don’t have many people show up for the Annual meetings.  Webb said the real question is this, should we continue with the option of building new, remodeling what we have, or do nothing at all.  If the townspeople decide it is worth looking into, then we can decide what to put into each room.  Linda Kofal wanted to know how we could be talking about this when we have bridge work that needs to be done and we can’t find the money for that.  Collyard said that is true, but we can also be looking at other topics at the same time.  Why this committee came about is the Board had heard we are lacking in our facilities and the Board’s answer to that was to create this committee to study that.  Brustad said when the committee was formed we started immediately asking people what they would like to see in a community center.  This is what we got.  We had a lot of people mention wanting a room for exercise, a technology center and a media center.  We asked for ideas and this is what we got. Dave Pease said with the Land Use Planning Committee a rather comprehensive survey was made of tax payers and all these items being discussed tonight were brought up numerous times in the responses from the survey which indicates there is a significant number of people who have interest in this topic.  Supervisor Meinke thought the committee did an excellent job.  It is good to get more than the usual few people coming to a meeting and especially at the Annual Meeting.   

Motion (Porter/Meinke) to close the floor to discussion. Motion carried.

 

                EWM Committee

                                Request for Slow-No Wake Ordinance on Tomahawk Lake

Ingemar Ekstrom talked about the research project on Tomahawk Lake which will be starting around the end of April or 1st of May.  The lake temperature needs to be at 55 degrees.  Signs will be posted at the lakes, and there is a notice advertising the project that should be published in the newspaper as soon as possible. 

The second item discussed at the meeting the night prior was to have the Town Board adopt a slow no-wake ordinance on Tomahawk Lake at least for this summer.  The research has shown it is necessary to keep the milfoil in check.  The ordinance will be prepared and put on the agenda for the next Town Board meeting to address. The Constable would have to be available to enforce the ordinance.

 

                Land Use Planning Commission

Gene Ratzel said the Commission denied the request based on the thought that it would create too high a density and have a negative effect on the quality of Pickerel Lake.  Public input shared this view.  Ratzel said considerable public oral and written input contained inaccurate information concerning the requirements of this application. 

 

Jon Harkness – Property Owners Association, comment on Zoning Variance Collyard said before Jon begins he wanted to let the audience know this was the only public input they would take tonight on this subject.  The public was allowed to speak at the Comprehensive Land Use Planning Commission Meeting and now it was the Board’s turn to talk about the application.  The hearing will be at the County level next week. Jon was speaking on behalf of the Property Owners Association to state their opposition to the application.  He is the Chairman for the zoning committee in the Property Owners Association, and wanted to let the Board know the Property Owners Association wholeheartedly supports the Plan Commission’s decision to deny the request.  They would like to urge the Board to follow the recommendations of the Comprehensive Land Use Plan Commission. 

 

Zoning   1) Variance and Special Exception Request for property owned by Pollock Lake LLC for approval to build a cabin and garage on a lot with 50.77 lake frontage  on Pickerel Lake and requests approval for reduced side yard setbacks and placement at 10 feet from right-of-way and 35 feet from centerline of Walters Road.

 

Motion(McGee/Webb) for approval of the request for the variance.  Discussion followed.  Meinke was unsure of the meaning of the motion.  Clerk-Treasurer Brustad read the motion back to the members of the Board as stated.  McGee agreed that was how he had intended the motion to read.  Webb said the board’s duty is to take the recommendation of the Plan Commission, Zoning and others and look at all the pieces.  The Plan Commission vote wasn’t unanimous.  This guy has a legal lot of record, it is being taxed at 76,000.00.  It is not fair to the owners to now say it isn’t  worth anything.  What she really would like to see on these lots is for the adjoining land owners to get together and buy these lots to split them between themselves, or have a local organization work with the Conservancies to buy them and leave them as green space.  She thinks that is where we need to go with these lots.  This isn’t the only small lot on that lake.  She also feels that if zoning does approve this request the Board should put certain restrictions on it as to what a person can build on the lot.  Collyard agreed everyone has rights.  Meinke said he had spent considerable time with zoning that morning, and had spent time going over all the written comments he had received and he supports the Plan Commission’s recommendation.  Collyard asked for a roll call vote:  Collyard –no to the motion for approval of the request for variance, Meinke-no, Webb-yes, Porter-no, McGee-yes.  Motion denied with a vote of 3-2 to approve the variance request.  Collyard said he felt the density was the main issue and the effect it will have on the lake.

 

ATV Trail Amendment to Ordinance Request by ATV Club

Brustad said this should be tabled until the next meeting because Russ Cater couldn’t attend tonight’s meeting.

 

Operator License Request – 2 Year Operator License for Angela Arseneau

Motion (Webb/McGee) to approve the 2 year Operator license application for Angela Arseneau. Motion carried.

 

Public Comment Session – 5 minute limit for those not on the Agenda

Ingemar Ekstrom wanted to compliment Jerry Witt on taking such good care of Ellison Lake Road and George Lake Road intersection this winter.

 

Issues Timeline Update

Town owned land – DNR permit and ready to start at Potawatomi

Fire Department – SOG’s and Billing – work in progress

Cemetery – can be taken off

Constable – will be brought up at Annual meeting

Health Insurance – work in progress

New: Re-appointments      Dick Webb-Plan Commission – 2 year term up 4-30-08

                                                Dave Pease-Plan Commission – 2 year term up 4-30-08

                                                Donna Porter-Plan Commission – 2 year term up 4-30-07(not done)

                                                Diane Rupnow-Plan Commission – 3 year term up 4-30-09

                                                Gene Ratzel –Plan Commission – 3year term up 4-30-09

                                                Elaine Brustad-Clerk-Treasurer – 3 year term up 4-1-11

Collyard – will rotate Chair position every two years & rotate Board position every two years on the Plan Commission

Zoning review       Oberholtzer-Board to contact for onsite inspection this month

                                Fick- to be reviewed at next meeting but Furtak says so need as cabin has been built.

                               

There were no other matters to discuss, so Collyard asked for a motion to adjourn.  Motion (McGee/Webb) to adjourn the meeting of March 18, 2008.  Motion carried.   The meeting adjourned at 9:45PM.

 

 

Respectfully Submitted,

 

 

 

Elaine J. Brustad

Clerk-Treasurer

Dated this 28th day of March, 2008