Lynden Twp. met for their regular monthly meeting and to reconvene their recessed annual meeting this month.
Annual Meeting
Lynden Twp.’s recessed annual meeting was reconvened Sept. 16 with 10 voting members in attendance.
Deputy Treasurer Dan Torgersen reviewed the components and methodology of the proposed 2022 levy, with Supervisor Dennis Niemi reviewing the proposed road and bridge budget number. The board received the projected fire budget number from the City of Clearwater along with a reminder that the contract has a true up clause included.
Anne Ackerman spoke about the draw down on the road and bridge account over the past 10 years with no cushion for the types of projects outlined by Niemi. Chairman Dave Johnson said the township has had an increase in building valuation over the last few years that will impact revenue and the funding mechanism for the proposed road projects hasn’t been determined, with options including tax levy, bonding, or tax levy plus assessment to benefitted landowners.
A motion carried unanimously to certify the final levy at $602,425, an increase of 21% over 2021.
Sept. Meeting
The Lynden Planning Commission met previously to review James Klaverkamp’s request to rezone the south 30 acres of his 40-acre parcel from A-40 to R-10 and made a recommendation to not approve the request as it’s inconsistent with current comprehensive plan goals, future land use designations, and factors.
Klaverkamp since amended his request to rezone without specific acreage splits. Johnson expressed concern with the request, stating he considers it to be spot zoning with the A-40 portion. Supervisor Tom Plaggerman also expressed concern, stating there would then be one PID with two different zoning classifications.
A motion to send a recommendation to the county failed to carry 1-2.
Road Report
Niemi presented his recommendations for road and bridge expenditures for the remainder of the year, including chip coating Birchwood, 17th Ave., and town hall, soil borings on 200th Street and 6th Ave., and repair asphalt on 200th St. E. Johnson requested he have an engineer look at the sloughing situation on 200th St. and 6th Ave. to confirm the proposed work will correct the problem.
Niemi informed the board he has fixed the traffic counter and placed it on 200th St. and 6th St., and has received three estimates for core drilling, recommending they proceed with Independent Testing Technologies as their bid came in lowest at $3,540 for the core drilling. Johnson stressed the township is still in discussion stages and a decision hasn’t yet been made on whether the road will be tarred.
The Stearns Co. Ditch 10 information meeting will be Sept. 22 at 6:30 p.m. at the Warner Lake Nature Center.
Other Business
A motion carried tabling the alleged camper violation on Co. Rd. 145 as the site has been reviewed and no violations found; the township has no jurisdiction over septic issues. The issue will be tabled indefinitely as the complainant won’t identify themselves or provide further information.
A motion carried authorizing the issuance of a Certificate of Compliance for the Jack and Carol Kritzeck administrative split.
A letter specifying outdoor storage screening compliance was sent to Dirkson LLC on 197th St. E. with a Sept. 30 deadline.
A motion carried authorizing the submittal of the township’s application for funds from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).
The fall road tour will be Oct. 6 at 1 p.m.
The next Lynden Twp. meeting will be Oct. 4 at 7 p.m.
