Tuesday night’s Clear Lake Township meeting had a short agenda consisting of the road report, a variance request and supervisor updates.

 

Engineer Terrance Vander Eyk informed the board the curb and gutter project on the south end of 37th Ave. had been completed Oct. 10 with the exception of backfilling and seeding, which was scheduled to be done this weekend.

 

He explained one half yard of riprap should also be laid down to provide erosion control and was given approval to proceed.

 

The project’s partial pay certificate in the amount of $1,975 was approved for payment.

 

A survey crew has been out to 71st street. project area. After researching how the road was originally constructed in 1912, Vander Eyk is creating a detailed estimate to present to the board at their next meeting.

 

As discussed at last month’s township meeting, he said they were still looking at excavating to the water line and installing a geogrid and culvert. 

 

Chairman Gary Gray asked what could be done to stop the flow of water coming down the road; Vander Eyk indicated he was looking at stabilizing the corner. 

 

Jeff Rhodes brought up the option of dropping the adjacent property owner’s driveway and adding an angle to stop the water prior to it heading down the road.

 

Vander Eyk explained the county will be concerned with the project as the area is considered a natural environment, however he didn’t feel there would be any issues with the DNR. 

 

Gray asked him to inform the various entities involved that the road was critical to area agriculture operations as well as local residents.

 

Vander Eyk advised the board he recommended against vacating a drainage easement, which a potential White Farm Estates property buyer had inquired about. He reiterated vacation of an easement was a fairly lengthy and expensive process which the property owner would need to cover.

 

Gray said he would inform the potential buyer of the recommendation.

 

Vander Eyk indicated he would present estimates for next year’s recommended road projects at the next township meeting.

 

Chad Lashinski approached the board to request a setback variance for a septic tank. 

 

He is unable to put in a drainfield on his property due to its size, so an additional holding tank is needed. 

 

The board had no issues with the request and indicated they would send in the comment form.

 

Gray informed the board he had attended Saturday’s meeting for the residents of Clear Lake to discuss leaving the St. Cloud School District.

 

He said the meeting was not well attended, with only 15 to 16 residents showing up. Around half were in favor of staying with District 742 with the other half in favor of seceding.

 

He feels the mayor and council need to come together and make a determination, as they have a lot of work to do if they decide to leave the district.

 

Stimmler met with residents concerning posting speed limit signs at White Farm Estates.

 

He informed them they would need a petition signed by at least 75% of affected property owners, although this wasn’t an automatic yes to their request as it would need to go through legal, the sheriff and engineering to determine specifics.

 

Gray and Stimmler met with the attorney to begin discussing annexation with the City of Clear Lake. They were advised to determine their requirements and create maps of how they want to see things happen.

The sheriff reported 80 calls for service for the month of September, including 39 traffic, three accident, three medical, one domestic and two shooting complaints.

The next Clear Lake Township meeting will be Nov. 15 at 7 p.m.