A building code violation, minor plat request and summer road contract were on the agenda for Lynden Township’s May meeting.

 

Supervisor Jerry Finch recommended the board sign the summer road contract with Schendzielos as costs haven’t increased, and indicated he would obtain another contract for snowplowing.

 

Resident Dennis Niemi asked why the work wasn’t put out for bids. A discussion was held regarding public safety and the necessity of retaining a contractor who prioritizes the township.

 

A decision was made to sign the current contract and consider putting gravel roadwork out for bids next year. The township isn’t obligated to go with the least expensive bidder, but instead looks for the lowest responsible bidder.

 

The owner of a newly constructed home on Eaglewood Road moved in before final inspections were completed and a Certificate of Occupancy was issued. Because of this, Building Inspector Nancy Scott issued an administrative citation under Ordinance 10, which gives the owner until May 6 to achieve compliance, and included an administrative fine of $200.

 

Finch spoke with the owner regarding the second driveway access that was created, and a removal date of June 15 was agreed upon. 

 

Once all required inspections are complete, a temporary certificate of occupancy will be issued until the second driveway is removed. A final certificate of occupancy will be issued after verification of its removal.

 

Jeff Brunner presented the board with a preliminary plat to reconfigure the property lines of his existing parcels; he plans to sell a portion of his property to a neighboring property owner.

 

As Stearns County Environmental Services (SCES) considers it to be a minor plat, Supervisor Anne Ackerman made a motion to waive the requirements for the township’s subdivision ordinance.

 

A second motion was made to approve the preliminary plat and defer the process to Stearns County, and a third was made to approve the final plat contingent upon no changes from the preliminary plat. 

 

A motion was passed adopting Resolution 2017-04, a Resolution Adopting an Interim Ordinance Enacting a Moratorium on the Establishment of Commercial Kennels within Lynden Township. 

 

The township will determine if changes should be made to the current kennel standards within the next year. 

 

Ackerman informed the board she had reviewed the 146th Street property in which a property nuisance complaint had been issued to determine if progress on cleaning it up had been made. Some work has been completed, however there is still a lot to be done. Additional enforcement options will be discussed at the June meeting if necessary.

 

The township declined a joint maintenance agreement for St. Augusta’s portion of 13th Avenue; the current agreement remains in effect.

 

Finch informed the board he had received a quote from Authority Fence concerning the addition of fencing along both sides of the town hall. After discussion it was decided fencing is only needed along one side of the building to protect the septic system; a new quote will be obtained.

 

The garbage that was dumped on 200th Street has been removed.

 

The next Lynden Township meeting will be June 5 at 7 p.m