Town of Arena – Regular Meeting

April 9, 2007

PRESENT: Bob Murphy, Bill Gauger, Dave Lucey, KayDee Maxwell, Minnie Gauger, Louis Carpenter, Dick Lockman, Mary Lockman, David Meudt, Terry Denruiter, Wally Rose, Ron Kvamme, Ingmar Nelson, Tim Reimann

The meeting was called to order. Lucey moved to approve the minutes of the March 12 meeting, Gauger seconded, motion passed. Lucey moved to pay the bills presented through 4/9/2007, Gauger seconded, motion carried.

Brian Albrechts land division was denied by the Planning Commission and Town Board. The land is all agriculture work land.

Larry Anding wants to add .18 acre triangle of AR-1 land to his existing land zoned A-1. Then he would take .18 acre of his existing property and add it to on the north end. Schutte moved to rezone .18 acre. Hottmann seconded, motion passed. Anding paid $250.00 for the rezoning. Gauger motioned to approve Anding's land changes, Lucey seconded, motion passed.

Pam and Scott Gauger requested a building and driveway permit. Lucey motioned to approve the building and driveway permit for Gauger's. Murphy seconded, motion passed.

Ron Kvamme had easement questions about his driveway and a future development on adjoining land.

Louis Carpenter's wages for 2007 were discussed. His current wage is $11.60 per hour. Gauger motioned to raise Carpenter's pay to $13.00 per hour retroactive as of January 1, 2007. Lucey seconded, motion passed.

Reimann Road project contracts were discussed. Meisie Construction was the lowest bidder. All bids came in over the estimated amount. If the town would bid the project again we could loose our state funding. The cost to the township for this project will be about $23,000.00 of the $76,000.00. Meisie plans to start construction in a few weeks. Lucey motioned to accept Meisie Construction's proposal for the culvert on Reimann Road with the understanding that the amount of water on the road will stay as is until we can get funding to control drainage from the ditch. Gauger seconded, motion passed.

Tim Reimann was concerned about his fields still flooding even with the new culvert on Reimann Road. He states that the water comes out of the ditch onto his field more than onto the road. He believes the ditch needs to be cleaned out and his concerned with who is going to pay to do so. Murphy stated that the hydrology and drainage report says that the development in the east helps slow the water runoff. An alternative would be to block the drainage area of the box culvert on Reimann Road; no additional water way opening at this time will be passing through the Reimann Road structure.

A revision date of June 2, 2007 for the Town Clean Sweep day was chosen.

Ethanol plant update. They have about half of their funding for the project. The only way the project will not be finished is if there is not enough funding for the project. Operation is projected for the first part of 2009. We have an agreement with River Valley Energy, LLC, David Cramer, President/CEO to fund up to $50,000 for a turning lane and fresh blacktop for Helena Road and Hwy 14.

Annual meeting is tomorrow April 10, 2007.

Eric Drachenberg requests a temporary beer license for May 4 & 5 for the Arena Fire Department. They will be attending the Falmouth Stables trail ride. Gauger motioned to approve the temporary beer license contingent on receiving the paperwork. Lucey seconded, motion passed.

There is an on going problem with red clay and cow manure on the road from Jackie Peterson's farm. He does not own the farm any more, his daughter Sandy Peterson does. Additionally there are hay bales stacked in the right of way. The town is responsible if this is not taken care of and there is an accident. The town has sent letters and is charging Peterson $50.00 for each clean up occurrence.

The Town of Spring Green is interested in the truck for sale.

The town received the loan for the new truck accessories.

Board of Review Certification. Murphy is currently the only person certified.

Swearing in for the new Town Board took place.

Bids for seal coat and gravel were opened.

Kowalsi-Keeler - ¾ road rock $5.30/yard, breaker run $5.30/yard, sand and chips $8.90/yard; Bindl Bauer Limestone - gravel $6.34/yard, seal coat ships $8.60/yard; Fahrner Asphalt Sealers - single seal coat $11095.00 per mile, double seal coat $22190.00 per mile; Scott Construction - $10850.00 single seal coat and $19750.00 for double seal coat.

Gauger motioned to appoint Mark Hottmann and Cheryl Schmidt back to the Plan Commission. Denruiter seconded, motion passed. Denruiter motioned to appoint Bob Murphy to the vacant Plan Commission seat to replace Terry Denruiter. Gauger seconded, motion carried.

The question was brought up that in case of an emergency would the Town have to plow a private driveway for an ambulance or fire truck to get through?

Gauger motioned to adjourn the meeting, Denruiter seconded, motion passed.