Regular Meeting
03/04/2013, 7:00 pm
Members present: Ken Selzler, Chairman; Kerry Olson, Supervisor; Paul Zent, Supervisor; Terry Mauch, Weed Board; JP Moszer, Road Supervisor; Roger Thompson, Assessor; Greg Hillig, Building Inspector; and Elizabeth Patterson, Clerk/Treasurer
Members absent: Jerry Kunz, Zoning Board Member; and Rick Solberg, Zoning Board Member
Supervisor Zent made a motion to approve the minutes of the previous meeting. Supervisor Olson seconded the motion. The motion passed with Supervisors Olson and Zent and Chairman Selzler voting in favor.
School Board report: Shawn Whitney, Apple Creek School Board Member, was present but said there was nothing to report.
Zoning Board: Chairman Selzler opened the Zoning Board.
The board considered the application for abatement made by Brandon Rost claiming a new construction property tax exemption due to being a first time homebuyer. Supervisor Zent said the abatement could only be for $75,000, not the whole amount as was requested in the application. Mr. Thompson recommended the application be tabled so he could look into it further.
The board considered the application for abatement made by Edwin C. Moser. Mr. Thompson recommended the assessment be reduced by $8,600.
The board considered the application for abatement made by Robert & Pearl Kiefer. Mr. Thompson said he had looked into this and the home is a double wide manufactured home and was assessed as a single family home instead of a manufactured home. Supervisor Zent said the home was assessed that way in order to allow it to be placed under the regulations for that development. Supervisor Zent said the zoning should not be changed, but a change in the assessment to $180,000 should be made. Mr. Thompson said he will work on a new application for abatement for this property.
The board considered the application for abatement made by Mason W. & Nicole K. Mikkelsen. Mr. Thompson said the Mikkelsens are in the process of finishing the home and told them to have it finished within two years.
Supervisor Zent made a motion to approve the applications for abatement made by Edwin C. Moser, Mason W. & Nicole K. Mikkelsen, and Marv Abraham (considered at a previous meeting) and to put on hold the applications for abatement made by Brandon Rost and Robert & Pearl Kiefer. Supervisor Olson seconded the motion. The motion passed with Supervisors Olson and Zent and Chairman Selzler voting in favor.
Chairman Selzler closed the Zoning Board.
Assessor’s report: Mr. Thompson said he has been assessing the new homes within the township.
Building Inspector’s report: Mr. Hillig said he has been doing some inspections.
Road Supervisor’s report: Mr. Moser reported that trees over roadways need to be trimmed and since the county does not trim trees on township roads, he has requested bids for this work.
Supervisor Zent reported that the township received a letter from the county indicating that the county would like to take over 80th Street as a county road. Supervisor Zent made a motion to approve the request and sign the agreement with the county. Supervisor Olson seconded the motion. The motion passed with Supervisors Olson and Zent and Chairman Selzler voting in favor.
Supervisor Zent announced that a township road inspection should be done the end of April or beginning of May.
Treasurer’s report: Ms. Patterson said the starting balance was $263,404.90, checks written totaled $15,170.07, deposits totaled $32,130.10, and the ending balance was $280,432.68.
Supervisor Zent made a motion to pay bills. Supervisor Olson seconded the motion. The motion passed with Supervisors Olson and Zent and Chairman Selzler voting in favor.
Other business: Jim Murray said he would like to erect an 8’x8’ business sign on his property and was wondering what sort of regulations the township has regarding the sign. Supervisor Zent said it could not be in the right of way. Mr. Moser said the setback needed to be the same as for trees on the property.
Chairman Selzler said he had received a call from a Mrs. Klein who owns 10 acres north of the Mees Addition and may want to subdivide that land. He said he told her that the township only allows 5 acre lots and that she would need to apply for a variance if she wanted the lots smaller than that.
Mr. Moser said he had contacted the county and the State Department of Health regarding lots in the township that have become a health issue. He was told that the township should notify the property owner in writing to request the property be cleaned up. If it is not taken care of, a complaint can be brought to the township board and the board can contract with a third party to clean the property and can charge the property owner for twice the cost of cleanup.
Mr. Moser brought up to the board the fact that there are many businesses being run out of residences in the township and that the township regulations do not allow for that. Supervisor Zent said it has been the policy of the township board that if the board receives a specific complaint, the board will act on it. Supervisor Zent requested the clerk prepare a form letter to have in case complaints of this nature are brought to the board in the future.
Respectfully submitted,
Elizabeth Patterson