Members of the Santiago Twp. Board met Wednesday to discuss roads, zoning and get a report from Sheriff Joel Brott on annual business with the township.

 

Last month, the board discussed with an engineering firm and an attorney in consideration of establishing and adopting a resolution for a zoning plan in Santiago.

 

Wednesday, they invited Nancy Riddle from Sherburne County to help answer some questions in regards to implementing an alternative standard not in accordance with the county.They explained to Riddle that Big Lake has done so and then they proceed to turn it back to the county.

 

Santiago was also curious about the costs associated with drafting documents, engineering fees and publishing costs.

 

Riddle explained she wasn’t sure what the advantage would be for the township to handle these things.

 

“Looking at alternative standards, it is pretty complicated,” said Riddle. “It’s costly and you’d need sign-offs by the engineer even before issuing the building permit.”

 

Riddle said for the township to do their own zoning, they would have to maintain an ordinance that mirrors the county’s — meaning anytime and every time the county makes a change, the township would have to do the same.

 

“You would do the decision-making but we’d need a joint powers agreement established between you guys (Santiago) and the county.”

 

Chairman Stuart Nelson explained the whole issue on zoning emerged because a certain landowner, who has a home on a multi-acre property, is interested in parceling out 40 acres each to family members and split out the current house.

 

“This is why we wanted to look into this,” said Nelson.

 

Riddle explained she certainly has the right to split the property as long as they have an alternative septic site.

 

More discussion ensued, then Riddle suggested she put something together in writing that would help the board when situations with residents occur like this one.

 

“That would help tremendously,” said Nelson. “that way, we will know what we can tell them they can and cannot do.”

 

The board decided to table the zoning issue for further review as needed.

 

Dave Jehoich said a road identified as “Jeff Andersons” had not been plowed. Herbst will look into the situation.

 

The 7th Street brush issue has been held up while waiting for a permit from the DNR,” Jehoich said. “Otherwise, the roads look good — a bit slushy but good.”

 

Jehoich and the board made the decision to not hold a spring road tour since they just had one in October.

 

Matt Weber said he’s pleased to report he has “quite a few” rental bookings of the hall for the year.

 

“I think it’s around eight and we have one coming up this weekend,” he said. “That looks really good.”

 

After some discussion on costs associated with renting the hall, the board decided to keep the rates the same.

 

It was reported the parks committee is looking at several projects for the park including putting lights in at the pavillion, updating the concessions area or adding playground equipment. It was suggested the township could continue to save the money they’ve already accrued or spend now. The committee is looking for suggestions from residents.

 

Brott said the his office responded to 980 calls for service in 2017. He mentioned there was an increase in traffic stops which he attributes to the increased awareness of speeders along Co. Rd. 11.

 

Brott said there were three assaults in the township, up by two in 2017. He said there were four burglaries (down by three), three DUI’s (no change), 16 thefts (up by two) and eight criminal destruction to property (by two).

 

He added he has four new deputies in his department. The Sherburne County Jail has been nationally accredited and he has hired a communications expert to handle the department’s communications including Facebook and other social media outlets.

 

• Santiago Clean-Up Day is April 28 from 8 a.m. to noon at Centra-Sota Co-op;

 

• The Santiago Lions Club will be holding their annual garage sale April 28 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. outdoors at Bailey Rays. The club is accepting gently-used items with the proceeds benefitting local communities;

 

• The Board of Equalization meeting is tentatively scheduled for April 9 at 9 a.m.

 

The next Santiago Twp. Board meeting is April 11 at 7 p.m.