A county zoning department amendment application, an annexation issue and the Clear Lake history book project were on the agenda for the January Clear Lake Township meeting. 

 

The sheriff reported that there were 94 incidents in December, including 51 traffic violations, two thefts, three personal incidents, one property damage, and three domestics.

 

An application was made to amend the County Zoning Department Sec. 16.2 Interim Use Permits (IUP). In it, a developer requested that the wording in Subdivision 2: Permit Expiration and Transferability that states, “No IUP of any sort granted pursuant to this Ordinance is transferable to any other person or premises,” be amended to add the words, “with the exception of a solar farm.” 

 

The board had a number of concerns with the application and discussed making the amendment more detailed in order to hold businesses accountable. It was unanimously agreed the original IUP criteria must still be met, and before any change of ownership, they need proof that it is current. If a problem were found the transfer wouldn’t be allowed to occur.

 

Vice Chairman Stimmler also voiced concern about the county being stuck with waste during solar farm decommissioning. “I think there must be strong wording in the ordinance concerning this,” he said.

 

Chairman Gray said that he would discuss the issues with the city attorney to ensure the amendment was worded the way the board requested it.

 

Clear Lake City Mayor Tim Goenner spoke with the board concerning the annexation of the lift station to the City of Clear Lake. There is conflicting information that shows the holding ponds are part of the city while the lift station is part of the township, however both should be part of the city. 

 

“The entire sewer system should be the City of Clear Lake,” said Chairman Gray. “It was annexed in a while back so we’ll need to do some digging.” 

 

He said he would speak with the attorney who should have a record of the information and then meet again with Mayor Goenner to clear up the issue.

 

Vice Chairman Bud Stimmler reported on the Clear Lake History Book project. He met recently with the author and a time frame was discussed. 

 

Between now and June the information currently compiled will be researched, proofed and edited as needed. The author will insert additional information on topics the committee requests. Photographs are being scanned, enlarged, identified, and information about them catalogued to be used in either the book or for future reference. Photographs will also need to be chosen to go along with the author’s narratives.

 

Articles will be placed in the Citizen-Times asking the public to send in stories and photographs to be added to the book and asking for more committee volunteers.

 

Between June and August the narrative will be fine-tuned by the committee and the town board. A printer will create galley drafts to be proofed for changes and approval. During August and September costs will be looked into and the Township will need to decide how many books to print and how much each will sell for.

 

Some time in October or November the final draft will be sent to printers for quotes. The goal is to have the book completed and printed by January 2017.

 

 “We’ve got a long way to go,” Stimmler said, “but we’ve got a good start.”

 

The board approved a 2016 Bingo permit for Travelers Country Club.

 

Resident Jessica Treptau approached the board to ask where she and her husband could place their driveway on their River Rose Retreat property due to a potential easement issue. The township made a trip to view the property earlier and had no concerns on where they decide to place the driveway, although they recommended a culvert be added. Chairman Gary Gray indicated that he would look into any potential issues and get back to her.

 

An updated agreement of understanding was received by Monticello Animal Control Services, but the board didn’t feel that it met their needs for picking up dogs. Chairman Gray said he would call them to discuss before it was signed.

 

Bids will be out in early February for seal coating. The upcoming meeting for the Board of Audit was set for Tuesday, March 1 at 9 a.m.

 

Vice Chairman Stimmler informed the board the quarterly meetings of the Sherburne County Association of Townships (SCAT) would now be held at the History Center versus at individual township halls. Each township will be responsible for hosting the meetings on a rotating basis by providing the lunch, which the association pays for. Clear Lake Township will be hosting the upcoming meeting April 20, and the board decided that a local caterer would be hired for the event.

 

Treasurer Paul Goenner informed the board he had received a bill for the cost of the porta potty the township rents because it has disappeared and is presumed stolen. After a brief discussion, the board agreed that because the porta potty isn’t their property and an agreement had never been signed stating they would be responsible for it, the bill would not be paid and would be sent back to the company.

 

Treasurer Goenner also informed the board the 2016 Clean Up Day will be May 7 and he has made the necessary contacts in preparation for it.

 

The next Clear Lake Township meeting will be held on Feb. 16 at 7 p.m.