Although its construction is not a done deal, the Clear Lake Twp. Board approved funds Tuesday evening for engineering specifications for a picnic shelter that could be located at the township park.

At last week’s annual meeting, the residents of the township had approved of the concept of the shelter which could also receive the support of the Clear Lake Lions Club.

Chairman Gary Gray looked further into the issue and found that because it is going to be a public structure, there needed to be an engineer’s architectural plan accomplished before the plan could come to fruition.

The supervisors unanimously approved $2,500 to get the plan finished and even if construction doesn’t happen soon, the plan would be available for whenever the process moved forward.

Preliminary construction estimates for the structure are in the $25,000 range, meaning that the township would be footing the bill for approximately 10% of the project costs.

Supervisor Bud Stimmler asked that Twp. Engineer Terrance Vander Eyk provide a site drawing for the location of the shelter, as well as several parking stalls that could service the area.

Eyk stated that he would secure a topographic survey of the area to aid in the exact placement of the shelter and he also added that fencing would need to be done around the drain field area of the septic system.

The supervisors agreed to move forward with the project as it could add a nice amenity to the park and additionally provide a service to township residents looking for a place to hold a gathering outdoors.

Roads

Eyk’s report to the board included information that the LRIP grant had been submitted, but the State of Minnesota had postponed a final decision on awarding funding until perhaps the end of June because the state had received 471 applicants for the program.  Because $75 million had been allocated by the state for this year, it is expected that there will be fierce competition for the funds.

Eyk said that the bid letting for the Sherwood Shores road construction had listed a July 6 approximate start date, but he is hoping to work with the contractors to accelerate that timeline because it will be a full depth complete reclamation and that process is more efficient when it is done when the road mat is at colder temperatures.

April 15 and 16, the township is planning to hold meetings with the residents of Sherwood Shores to discuss the road project in detail.  All affected property owners will be receiving a letter around the 1st of April regarding the meetings and they will be asked to sign up ahead of time for an in person or Zoom registration.  The board is hoping to have as many of the 77 affected residents attend as possible so there is clarity around this summer’s project which will rebuild the roadway in the Clear Lake Twp. portion of the development.  As of now, Haven Twp. does not appear to have plans to reconstruct their portion of the road.

Next, Gray spoke of his efforts to gain some clarity on the Co. Rd. 53 project that involves Sherburne County and the City of Becker.  There have been conflicting reports of some of the plans for the road so Gray is working with Commissioner Felix Schmiesing to arrange a meeting to discuss how the project could affect all participating entities.

In the last bit of road news, it was decided that Eyk would join Stimmler to conduct this spring’s road tour and report back to the group.  Usually, the tour involves the rental of a van and as many as 10 people participating in the meeting.  However, because of covid it was felt that the two men could accomplish the task this spring and the fall tour will be re-evaluated for safety and social distancing needs at that time.

Variance

Township residents Brent and Tamara Benson appeared before the board seeking a variance for the partial tear down and construction of their home on Long Lake Lane.  The variance is needed because of the home’s proximity to the lake, however the new construction will be within the same existing footprint and no closer to the lake that the current structure.  The Bensons have planned several improvements to their property, including reducing the percentage of impervious surfaces and also augmenting their erosion control. 

The board approved a favorable recommendation which will be sent to Sherburne County zoning authorities.

Clerk Position

In a final agenda item, Gray announced that Clerk Peggy Berger will be leaving the position after two years of service.  Berger has accepted full time employment elsewhere and both she and Gray stated they had a discussion and felt that the time commitment would be too much for her to continue in the role.

Gray thanked Berger for her service and wished her well in the future before appointing Gary Anderson to be the temporary Acting Clerk until such time as a future course of action is decided upon by the board.

The board will meet next at its Local Board of Equalization April 7 at 10 a.m.