Regular
09/08/2014, 7:00 PM
Regular Meeting September 8th, 2014 7:00 PM
Members present: Paul Zent – Chairman, Kerry Olson - Supervisor, Ken Selzler - Supervisor, Jerry Kunz - Zoning Board Member, Greg Hillig - Building Inspector, Ann Willoughby – Clerk, Chad Schneider – Road Supervisor
Members absent: Cole Shantz – Assessor, Terry Mauch - Weed Board, Mark Ezell – Treasurer, Rick Solberg - Zoning Board
Chairman Zent opened the meeting. Supervisor Selzler made a motion to approve the minutes of the previous meeting. Supervisor Olson seconded the motion. The motion passed with Chairman Zent and Supervisors Selzler and Olson voting in favor. Motion passed.
School board Report: Larry Rohde gave report. Two north portables have siding and bathrooms are usable. Play ground improvements have been made to include swings, monkey bars, new frames and nets for soccer field. New post and hoops have been placed on the basketball court. Concrete has been poured for sidewalk to the portables and portables are now handicap accessible to the bathroom. Currently 59 students enrolled.
Zoning Board Report: No report.
Assessor’s Report: Mr. Cole Shantz has left the state. Board will look at options for this position.
Weed Board Report: Report given by Kathy Mauch as a representative for Terry Mauch. Leafy spurge is blooming. The blossoms are lime green and it is better to spray this time of year. If there are any areas that are suspected to have leafy spurge contact Gary Hartman, Weed Control Officer at Burleigh County at 701-222-6763. No spraying has been done this last month (August) due to rain. 25 spots are marked along the roads in the township and they were sprayed in July. The bugs spread last year in the spurge do not appear to be present. Creeping Jenny and worm wood is also a problem along the roads and this is the best time to spray. Property Owners are responsible to spray their own property. Burleigh County will cost share; contact Gary Hartman for more information.
Building Inspector’s Report: 4 final inspections completed. 3 permits written and trying to collect on the fees. Been a busy month for inspections overall. Greg Hillig gave his 30 day notice that he will resign due to changes in his job duties and will no longer be the building inspector for Apple Creek Township. Board is looking at options for his replacement.
Road Supervisor’s Report: Chairman Zent talked to Loren Wolf about the approach on North Gate Drive near the Sunrise Addition. It will be moved to be in line with the steep road coming out of Sunrise. The road becomes very slippery in winter and people are unable to stop. When completed citizens will be able to drive onto the approach instead of the ditch if needed. Culvert is being looked at intersection of 119th and Hillard to see what causes water to go over road. Yield sign is being requested at the intersection of 66th street and 62nd Avenue.
Culvert is requested on 72nd Ave by Mr. Pat Richter; Mr. Matt Miller is his neighbor. The road in question has flooding issues and prevents access to property. He is willing to do most of work to including laying gravel. Gravel will come from McKenzie Pit at $6.00 a ton. In order for township to cost share the purchase of the culvert; its diameter must be at least 18”. The cost to township would be $612.50. Township will ask Burleigh County to blade this road twice a year. Supervisor Selzler made a motion to cost share the cost of the culvert and to ask the county to blade 72nd AVE twice a year. Supervisor Selzler seconded the motion. Supervisors Olson and Selzler and Chairman Zent approve. Motion passed.
Trees branches are growing over the road on 72nd Ave. Only becomes an issue when two cars meet. When each vehicle gets over the branches along the road scratch the cars. It is recommended that the trees be sprayed so they don’t grow back. This matter will be addressed again in the spring.
Treasures’ Report: Bank balance from July was $173,040.16 and statement from August was $183,852.89. Salaries paid last month. Over $93,000 has been spent putting gravel down in the township. This dollar amount does not include the gravel on Omar Street. Supervisor Olson made a motion to pay bills, Supervisor Selzler seconded the motion. Supervisors Olson and Selzler and Chairman Zent all agree. Motion passed
Other Business
Abatement for Mr. Curtis Richter was received asking for reduction in taxes on his property as a disabled veteran. The request needs clarification and will be sent back to the county for clarification.
Other Business.
Mr. Marv Abrahamson brought up an issue with the Omar Street extension. According to century code Chapter 58-18 “Special Assessments by Township” before citizens can be assessed for improvements there must be a meeting and a vote with 60% in favor of the assessment. A special meeting will be set to discuss options of payment for the gravel on Omar Street extension. It is not known at this time if this part of the Century Code applies to the current situation. Board members will be checking with Township Attorney, Tom Moe of the ND Township Association, for additional information concerning this matter.
Cyndy Medinger stated she has called Burleigh County and complained about gravel being left in windrows alongside the road when the operator grades the road. When it rains this cause the edges to erode as the runs along the windrow. Chairman Zent stated the windrow is left as a cost saving measure as it cuts down on the number of passes on the road to remove the windrow. The windrow makes it easier for the operator to pull gravel back onto the road when needed. Board will talk to county about not leaving a windrow on the gravel roads in the township.
Paul Tischmack would like to put up a building on his property (24’x24’ with 16’ sidewalls); he will need to obtain a variance to construct the building due to its size.
Dorris Yarborough Would like a permit to build a house on his property. Chairman Zent denied the house permit until after the special meeting was held to discuss options for payment of the extension to Omar Street.
A citizen of the township asked what the rules were for storage of campers on property. Board members stated they would check Burleigh County ordinances for the answer. The property size is 4.25 aces.
Chairman Zent asked Mr. Rick ? if the issues with the 1 acre owned by Mr. Volechenko was resolved. The issue brought to the township meeting previously was that Mr. Volechenko’s property is surrounded by Mr. Hessinger’s land. Recent flooding has made the Fish and Game prairie trail impassable; Mr. Volechenko previously the prairie trail. His property can only be accessed by crossing Mr.Hessenger land. Mr. Hessinger stated he allowed a friend of Mr. Volechenko to remove a van from the one acre property but would not let him take haul anything across his land to the property. Mr. Volechenko asked for $20,000 for the one acre; the offered was declined. Mr. Volechenko believes a judge will rule that Mr. Hessenger has to allow access. Mr. Hessinger expects to go to court over the matter.
Continued discussion about the road extension near Omar Street. Chairman Zent asked that Mr. Yarborough write a check in the amount of $3598.50; this is half the cost of the gravel. Mr. Yarborough’s concern is that if he writes the check it won’t be held in good faith. Supervisor Olson encouraged Mr. Yarborough to wait until the time of the special meeting. Special meeting date and time was not set at this regular meeting.
No other business.
Meeting adjourned.