Town of Arena – Regular Meeting - Unofficial Minutes

May 14, 2007

PRESENT: Bob Murphy, Bill Gauger, Dave Lucey, KayDee Maxwell, Minnie Gauger, Louis Carpenter, Dick Lockman, David Meudt, Terry Denruiter, Dennis Arneson, Eric Drachenberg, Judy Roller, John Halverson

The meeting was called to order. Gauger moved to approve the minutes of the April 9 meeting, Denruiter seconded, motion passed. Gauger moved to pay the bills presented through 5/14/2007, Denruiter seconded, motion carried.

Murphy gave an update on Riemann Road. Everything is about done to date. There are a few trees left to remove. We don't have the sign off yet from Westbrook Engineers who are doing the inspection. There are not any guard rails currently. The project cost went over the estimated amount by approximately $20,000.00 because the skew angle was changed.

Eric Drachenberg gave an update about the fire station. The township and fire board are trying to put together a new agreement. The agreement was extended last fall for 6 months and needs to be renewed or updated by the end of this month.

Judy Roller commented her concerns on the rezoning and land division of the Richard Schoenberg property on Blynn Road. She brought a letter from a neighbor, Ed and Kris Noeldner, voicing their concerns as well. Animal life is dwindling and the noise and vandalism are apprehensions of theirs. Lucey suggested voicing her concerns at the county as well before they approve the rezoning.

Gauager motioned to accept the Bindl-Bauer Limestone gravel bid for 2007. Denruiter seconded, motion carried. Gauger motioned to accept the seal-coat bid from Scott Construction. Denruiter seconded, motion passed.

Gauger motioned to rent a tractor mower from Simpson's for $35.00/hour as we have done in the past. Denruiter seconded, motion passed.

The town opened the bid from Clary Building for the town 1996 Ford dump truck. They offered $15,000.00. Gauger motioned to reject the offer. Denruiter seconded, motion carried.

Gauger motioned to rezone and divide land off of Blue Ridge Road for Don Winch subject to the $500 payment. Denruiter seconded, motion carried. Winch paid the fee of $500.00

Gauger motioned to rezone 15 acres and land divide 15 and 40 acres for the Richard Schoenberg property subject that they pay the $750.00 fee. Denruiter seconded, motion passed. Schoenberg paid the fee of $750.00

Lucey, Gauger, Denruiter, Wayne Schutte Rod Anding looked at the driveway for Steve Deal.

Gauger motioned to approve the driveway permit for Steve Deal. Denruiter seconded, motion passed.

Denruiter motioned to approve the conditional use policy for Gauger Properties/Gauger LLC for storage of sand. Lucey seconded, motion passed.

Gauger motioned to approve the building and driveway permit for Dennis Arneson. Denruiter seconded, motion passed. Arneson paid the $1500 fee.

The town board discussed hiring Bob Murphy as a consultant to help out the township part-time with grants and bridge work. Gauger motioned to table this discussion till next month. Denruiter seconded, motion passed.

Bill Buckridge's zoning for his sawmill states that his sawmill should be used inside and it is currently being used outside. Lucey will stop in and talk to Bill about this. Guager motioned to table this discussion till next month. Denruiter seconded, motion carried.

The mileage rate for town reimbursement was discussed. Currently the mileage reimbursement rate is 48.5/mile. Gauger motioned to leave the mileage rate at 48.5/mile. Denruiter seconded, motion carried.

The 2006 annual report was reviewed. The 2006 tax collection number looks low because the deposits did not clear the bank until 2007. Gauger motioned to approve the annual report. Denruiter seconded, motion carried.

The town board believes a reasonable bid for the town dump truck is between $20,000 and $25,000. The truck will be put on eBay.

Gauger motioned to adjourn. Denruiter seconded, motion passed.