During their meeting Tuesday, the Clear Lake Twp. Board opened bids for their 2019 sealcoat projects and reviewed the quote for the River Road fill station.

 

Three bids were submitted for the sealcoat projects. Allied Blacktop came in at $23,250, Astech at $24,000 and Pearson at $25,270. A motion carried for approval contingent upon the engineer reviewing all three bids.

 

The board next opened the bid for the River Road fill station; one quote was received from Schendzielos for $13,827. A motion carried to accept the bid. 

 

 

Andy Stahlman from IPS Solar approached the board to discuss three solar gardens the company is proposing in the township. Each will be one megawatt. 

The first will be located on the Robert Monk property off Hwy 24. Reviewing the plans, Supervisor Gary Gray asked about the road access, which is also an access for a neighboring resident, stating he believes it will be a conflict.

 

A discussion was held on possible alternatives, with Twp. Engineer Terrance Vander Eyk stating he is doubtful the state will allow another access onto the highway, and suggesting they speak to MnDOT to explain the problem.

 

Gray said the township wasn’t really okay with the company using the access, but wants to see them at least talk to MnDOT and work with the current easement holder about building the access up and repairing any damage that occurs.

 

Neighboring residents attending the meeting had questions for Stahlman, including whether there would be a buffer zone between properties, what percentage return is seen from solar gardens, and potential damage to neighboring farmland.

 

Stahlman answered their questions and assured residents the company would work with them and if there was damage to anything, such as crops, they would be compensated.

 

There were no concerns regarding the second location on the Ernest and Angela Goenner property off Co. Road 8. However an issue with road access was again brought up at the Hinterland Family property, also off Co. Rd. 8.

 

That solar garden will be located behind an existing one owned by another company. Stahlman indicated they planned to use an existing access, but Gray informed him the county had declared that access was to be removed. If that’s the case, ISP will need to work with the first company to discuss using their access.

 

The township agreed to send positive comments to the county on the second and third solar gardens, but indicated they were going to wait to send comments on the first until they had further information on the easement.

 

 

Deputy Clerk Gary Anderson reported he had been in contact with Becker Furniture World regarding disposal of mattresses collected during cleanup day. The company will provide a truck and charges $15 per mattress. The township will also be charged $20 per item with springs (such as couches) through another company.

 

Treasurer Paul Goenner estimated higher disposal charges and not being able to recycle items will cost the township around $800. 

 

A discussion was held on whether to raise costs to residents to help cover the loss; it was ultimately decided to raise the price of mattresses and other items with springs to $15 and leave the rest the same as previous.

 

“It’s a form of community service,” said Gray. “If we raise the cost too much people won’t bring it in and it’ll end up in the ditch.”

 

 

Gray reported annexation with the City of Clear Lake was moving forward.

 

The spring road tour was set for April 10 at 5 p.m.

 

The sheriff reported 75 incidents for February, including 30 traffic, seven public assists, two property damage and one search warrant for drugs that was started in St. Cloud and is still being investigated.

 

The next Clear Lake Twp. meeting will be April 16 at 7 p.m.