Minutes of the March 13, 2023 Town of Eau Galle Board Meeting
*Minutes are unofficial until approved by the Town Board*
The regular monthly meeting was called to order by Town Board Chairman Lund at 7:00 PM at the town hall.
Chairman Lund indicated that the notice of the meeting was posted as required by statutes and noted no additional items were added since the March Agenda was posted at the Town Hall and on the official Town website.
The Town Board members present were Kevin Larson, Amy Shafer, Nicole Olson, and Jim Lund.
The agenda was approved as presented on a motion by Amy Shafer second by Kevin Larson, motion carried.
Minutes of the February 13, 2023 Town Board Meeting were approved on a motion by Kevin Larson second by Amy Shafer, motion carried.
Spring Valley School Superintendent John Groh gave a presentation regarding the 2023 referendums.
Treasurer’s report, and bills were reviewed. Motion by Amy Shafer second by Kevin Larson to approve the bills as presented, motion carried.
Building and Driveway Permits issued were reviewed.
Clerk reviewed correspondence and emails. Clerk to sign-up Chairman, one Supervisor, and clerk/treasurer for BOR virtual training.
Town board discussed amending the 2023 budget to reflect carryover of 2022 brushing funds to the 2023 brushing funds of $13,615.00. Motion by Amy Shafer, second by Kevin Larson to amend the 2023 budget to increase brush cutting by the amount discussed and decrease the 2023 Road Construction by the same amount, motion carried, budget amended.
Amendments to the town’s current building ordinances will be an agenda item next month.
Road Work:
A) A Town land owner requested 12th Avenue be paved this summer. The road is ½ mile long and services 6 houses. To pave it would cost the town approximately $120,000 for a 22ft wide road or $108,000 for a 20 ft wide road. Chairman Lund opened the meeting up for discussion:
- Dane Rasmussen is concerned the town does not have the money to spend on a dead end road that services 6 houses.
- Chelsey Steinbach is in favor of paving and stated although the road has only 6 houses it is also an ATV route and has extensive winter damage. She would also be in favor of a cul-de-sac at the end of the road.
- Bill Peavey asked if the cost to pave 12th Avenue also includes the cost to replace the culverts or if that would be an additional expense
- Justin Weber asked if recycled blacktop would be an option. Chairman Lund believes that would be a temporary solution and would rather not spend money on a temporary fix.
- Sally Dresdow added that the road sees a lot of truck traffic for liquid manure and logging trucks and the maintenance of the gravel road is terrible, the county has been using huge gravel rocks to try and fix the road.
- Clinton Meyer sent an email stating he is in favor of paving 12th Avenue and also noted the Spring Valley bus driver refuses to drive down 12th Avenue so he has to drive his kids to 10th Ave for bus pick-up daily. He further stated in his email that the bus driver is concerned about getting in and turning around in the snow because the road isn’t plowed in the morning. The driver will drop-off in the evening most of the time.
- Chairman Lund stated that the town could cut back on sealcoating this summer in order to pave 12th Ave.
- Supervisor Kevin Larson wanted to know how much of the big truck traffic is Schmidts and Schlegel’s. He does not think the funds are available in this year’s budget.
- Supervisor Amy Shafer believes the new standard for town roads has been set in the updated ordinances and believes the road should be brought to standard but it is not in this year’s budget.
- Chairman Lund stated he believes 12th Ave services enough houses and needs to be paved.
- Board consensus is paving of 12th Avenue is not in the budget for this year but it will be considered for next year’s road work projects.
B) Road bans are on all town roads.
Chairman’s Report:
Spring Election is April 4, 2023.
Spring Clean-up day will be scheduled for May.
Agenda items for next meeting:
- Two Planning Committee members’ terms are up. Will be an agenda item at the next meeting.
- Town Board to review a CSM from 2003 for Terry Wamstad to determine if lots/driveway locations are grandfathered in under the old Town Comprehensive Plan.
- Amendments to the town’s current building ordinances (2021-03/2021-04) will be an agenda item next month.
Public Comment/Open Forum:
None
Date of Next Meeting:
The next regular monthly Board Meeting will be held on Monday April 10th at 7:00 PM.
Annual Town meeting will be held Tuesday April 18th at 7:00 PM.
Adjourn:
Motion to Adjourn at 7:53 PM by Kevin Larson second by Amy Shafer, motion carried.
Nicole Olson
Town Clerk/Treasurer
Approved: 04/10/2023