During their July and August meetings, the Lynden Twp. Board of Supervisors discussed road projects, permits, and the Clearwater fire contract.

Fire Contract

A Zoom meeting was held between Lynden Twp., Clearwater Twp., and Twp. Attorney Mike Couri to discuss negotiations on the fire contract with the City of Clearwater.

Discussions and proposed changes included that in the absence of dollar amount on the original contract, the annual total budget is not to exceed $350,000, and approval of the agreement is contingent on an accurate Exhibit B – mapping out the fire service areas within both townships.

A motion carried authorizing the clerk and chair to sign the contract with the changes and accurate Exhibit B.

Couri suggested a regular meeting time for the fire study commission and to appoint one supervisor to the fire advisory committee; Clearwater Twp. Supervisor Scott Miller and Lynden Twp. Supervisor Tom Plaggerman were appointed.

Regular meetings for the fire study commission will be scheduled for the second Monday of the month at the Clearwater Twp. Hall beginning in August.

Road Report

Supervisor Dennis Niemi informed the board he had received a quote from Knife River for the 200th St. and Edison Circle project to raise the weight limit from seven to nine tons; the quote came in at $416,360. Over $203,000 of the project estimate is for the section of 200th St. from 21st Ave. to Co. Road 44. He is waiting on a second quote.

Grant information for the project was received from State Rep. Lisa Demuth. A motion carried authorizing Niemi to research further grant applications.

The board discussed the restrictive speed sign request for 17th Ave. E. Supervisor Tom Plaggerman informed the board the road meets the requirements under 169.011sb. Niemi agreed a 35mph zone is appropriate for the area.

A motion carried to adopt Resolution 2020-07 to Establish a Speed Zone in a Residential District, along 17th Ave. E. between Stearns Co. Roads 145 and 46.

Niemi informed the board a culvert has been installed directly over a gas line on Matthew Smart’s Eaglewood Road property. He has requested it be moved and the required permit be submitted.

The township’s road maintenance study group met on July 23; discussions included the double dust application that was applied to 200th Street and 6th Ave. and continued monitoring. The group is comparing costs of dust application and other options for the road.

The group determined an overweight permit form isn’t cost effective; neither Fairhaven Twp. nor Clearwater Twp. use one. Niemi will follow up with Couri.

Also on the group’s agenda was the speed limit inquiry for 200th Street west of 6th Ave., which is pending; Niemi will follow up with a traffic counter over several weeks.

CUPs

Twp. Building Official Nancy Scott was present to challenge Stearns Co. to show where it says that a warehouse in an industrial district needs a CUP to have office space in its building in their zoning ordinance 439.

Jennifer Buckentine from Stearns Co. Environmental Services replied via email that Stearns Co. Ord. 439, Section 9.11 is up for interpretation by the township. The board will make a determination on the issue so there is consensus going forward. Chairman Dave Johnson will follow up with Couri.

A Conditional Use Permit application was submitted by Michael Nadeau of Newport Leasing Group for office space, outdoor sales lot, and truck space leasing at 20041 Edison Circle along with the $750 fee. A public hearing was held July 29.

Other Business

A discussion was held on the building inspection services contract with AllSpec, which states the company will investigate any building code related issues. Scott agreed she will do so when requested by the board with the understanding a billing will be generated when no permit is actually needed; there will be no billing if a building permit is issued. The board agreed.

Jeanne Schermer, appointed by Twp. Treasurer Dan Torgersen, accepted the township’s deputy treasurer position.

Planning Commission Member James Kantor may not be a township resident as of September 1. Because of this, he cannot be a voting member of the planning commission but will continue as an ex-officio member and will be available as administrator and IT support.

Clerk Jenny Schmidt and Torgersen will compile all COVID related billings by the November deadline; preliminary amount available to the township is approximately $53,000.

A motion carried changing the township’s official newspaper from the Citizen-Tribune to the Patriot.

Cleanup day is set for Oct. 3 at the Clearwater Twp. Hall on State Hwy. 24.

The next Lynden Twp. meeting will be Sept. 14 due to the Labor Day holiday.