The Clear Lake Twp.Board met Tuesday in its final meeting of 2020, and supervisors discussed several items which will have an impact on residents for the upcoming year.
Deputy Clerk Gary Anderson presented the board with a pair of options for bringing the township up to date with teleconferencing capabilities for its meetings.
Zoom and Webex were the two platforms reviewed and they both offer similar capabilities and pay structures. With the new town hall and its upgraded electronics package and high speed internet, Anderson reported that the township is positioned favorably to be able to have a seamless transition to offering remote capabilities as needed.
Board Chair Gary Gray and Supervisor Bud Stimmler voted to have Anderson make the final decision between the companies (less than $20 difference in cost for the year) based on ease of use for the host, as well as the participants of the meeting. The financial impact will be less than $200 for the year regardless of the platform. Supervisor Ross Imholte was unable to attend the meeting.
Gray reviewed the Sheriff’s Report for the month which indicated 54 calls for service, seven each for medical and traffic stops.
Stimmler updated the board on the parks and trail report, noting the lack of snow is allowing for continued use of the property by area residents.
“There’s a lot of people walking on the trails,” said Stimmler. “There’s been a lot of activity down here.”
He also reported on a website inquiry the township received from resident James Kaye, who relayed concerns about some of the things going on at the park property.
Kaye reported that there had been issues with noise and disturbances, sometimes after dark, which are violations of the township’s ordinances on park operations. In addition, there were concerns about the dog park and loud barking coming from unattended dogs.
Stimmler detailed plans for additional signage in the area and a complete review of the park’s rules. Signs will be ordered to display that the trails are not to be used by motorized vehicles, including golf carts. With the sheriff’s office satellite station coming soon to the building, Stimmler further believes this will have an impact on people complying with the rules.
Engineer’s Report
Twp. Engineer T. “Eyk” Vander Eyk presented several items to the board, including a resolution to finalize the title issues on Long Lake Lane. Eyk has been working on the situation for several months and spent time reviewing legal descriptions and right of way issues to ensure a comprehensive package that will settle the issue. As a result, several quitclaim deeds will be issued to area homeowners, while still ensuring there was still plenty of right of way available to the township for future roadway needs.
Eyk also reported on the water permits he had applied for over the past summer to install culverts to solve a water issue between several wetlands and Crescent Lake. After six months of review, the DNR finally emailed Eyk back and informed him the township doesn’t need a permit to install the culverts, which he designed to allow for water management at the high water mark near 92nd Ave. and 97th St.
Gray indicated that the project will be reviewed next year for available funds after other roadway projects are completed in the spring.
The board next moved to approve Eyk’s suggestion of having an as-built survey done for the town hall site to identify locations of electrical, sewer and internet infrastructure. Once the survey is complete, a drawing will be completed and this will be a key piece of information to have in the future for items such as parking lot lighting installation.
Sherwood Shores
Chairman Gray then updated the board about the plans for public meetings to be held in early 2021 regarding the Sherwood Shores reclaim and re-surface project. Because of the scope of the project, which Gray called the biggest roadway improvements since he has been on the board, the township wants to present a plan for maximum transparency to the Clear Lake residents of the development. Letters will go out within the next several weeks to affected homeowners, who will be invited to a public meeting to ask questions or receive information about the project.
“We want people to be able to ask questions and understand what we are doing before equipment starts rolling in,” said Gray.
Bids are expected to be let in early March and the township will decide upon the scope of the project and a timeline based on their available funds.
In other business, the board:
• Passed a resolution to identify the town hall as the polling location for the 2021 election;
• Discussed a plan to finalize details governing the use of teleconferencing for meetings, including public participation, in the first months of 2021;
• Approved a donation to the Sherburne History Center in the amount of $500, as has been done in the past.
