Regular Meeting
05/07/2012, 7:00 pm
Members present: Ken Selzler, Chairman; Paul Zent, Supervisor; Kerry Olson, Supervisor; Jerry Kunz, Zoning Board Member; and Terry Mauch, Weed Board Member. Roger Thompson, Assessor; JP Moszer, Treasurer/Road Supervisor; Greg Hillig, Building Inspector; and Elizabeth Patterson, Clerk, were also present.
Member absent: Rick Solberg, Zoning Board Member.
Supervisor Selzler opened the meeting.
School Board report: No report was given.
Supervisor Zent said the township should contact the school board about a joint effort to paint the exterior of the building. There was general consensus among board members that this would be a good idea.
Road Supervisor’s report: Mr. Moszer said the county recently used remilled asphalt on a road in the township--the same method being utilized in McKenzie County--and reported that the process is actually cheaper than gravel at present. Mr. Moszer indicated that the remilled option may be a good upgrade for other roads within the township.
Mr. Moszer updated the board on the issue of Vince Gabel draining water into the right of way. It seems this is now a city ETA vs. township ETA issue, and the Burleigh County Water Resource Board will need to be involved. The county believes the development of the subdivision actually put the Gabel residence under duress. The State Department of Health tested the water draining into the right of way and confirmed there is no septic water being drained.
Mr. Moszer also updated the board on the Beacon Drive home under duress. The county has agreed to a cost-share project to fix the drainage issue.
Chairman Selzler announced that Supervisors Zent and Olson would be conducting the township’s road and gravel survey in the next week.
Supervisor Zent said the township will soon need to find a permanent road supervisor. He asked Chairman Selzler if he would help Mr. Moszer with the increasing number of approach permits, and Chairman Selzler agreed.
Zoning Board: Chairman Selzler opened the Zoning Board meeting.
The board reviewed an application for abatement from Justin Paul, 6801 Derek Drive. The applicant is asking for a two-year tax exemption. Ms. Patterson said she received a call from Burleigh County checking on the status of the application. According to Burleigh County, Mr. Paul is eligible for the exemption. Discussion ensued regarding what options political subdivisions have in approving abatements and whether they need to exempt the total amount or a percentage of the total. Supervisor Zent made a motion to grant Justin Paul a two-year exemption for $100,000. The motion was seconded by Supervisor Olson. The motion passed with Supervisors Olson and Paul and Chairman Selzler voting in favor.
Assessor’s report: Mr. Thompson said the books have been turned into the county since the township’s tax equalization meeting. He said he looked at every notice of tax increase that increased more than 20% and adjusted the increase. He will send out the new assessments soon. He said the county will look at the adjustments made and contact the assessor if there are any questions.
Chairman Selzler reminded the assessor that the notices of increase need to be sent out 15 days prior to the tax equalization meeting.
Building Inspector’s report: Mr. Hillig issued the following permits:
• Nadir Torres - new home at 11009 Lakeview Drive.
Valuation of work - $431,601.25
Permit - $1,853.89
• Vasiliy Prokulevich - new home at 11600 Elsa Rosa Drive.
Valuation of work - $189,051
Permit - $1,026.05
• Dan Vonbarchek - addition at 117 Fairway Court.
Valuation of work - $7,155
Permit - $111.09
• Bernie Southam - new home with attached garage at 9616 Creekside Drive.
Valuation of work - $218,060
Permit - $1,124.85
• Vladimir Prokulevich - wood frame storage shed at 11533 Herman Drive.
Valuation of work - $2,560
Permit - $72.75
Weed Board report: Mr. Mauch said he has received a couple of calls regarding weeds in the township. The leafy spurge has started and he received a call to check on wormwood.
Treasurer’s report: Mr. Moszer said the starting balance was $279,834.50, total deposits were $29,812.11, and total checks written were $4,844.84 for an ending balance of $281,897.29. Supervisor Zent made a motion to approve the bills. The motion was seconded by Chairman Selzler. The motion passed with Supervisors Olson and Zent and Chairman Selzler voting in favor.
Other business: Supervisor Zent announced that the liquor license for Apple Creek Country Club has been signed for the upcoming year.
Loren Gobbs addressed the board to seek a variance in order to build a storage shed/garage on his property. Mr. Gobbs has two lots--4.29 acres on which his home is located and 10 acres to the south and west. He would like to build the 32’x80’ structure on the 4.29 acres. Supervisor Zent made a motion to grant the variance. The motion was seconded by Supervisor Olson. The motion passed with Zoning Board Member Kunz, Supervisors Olson and Zent, and Chairman Selzler voting in favor.
Erich Kroh addressed the board to seek a setback variance in order to build a 30’x34’ shop/garage on his property. The setback regulation is 125’, and Mr. Kroh asked for a variance of 75’. Chairman Selzler said that setback variances are usually not approved by the board. After discussion, the consensus of the board was to not grant the variance, but the board suggested that Mr. Kroh work with Mr. Hillig to figure out where to locate the structure and still be in compliance with the 125’ setback.
Chairman Selzler asked if there was any other business before the board. Seeing none, Chairman Selzler closed the Zoning Board and adjourned the meeting.
Respectfully submitted,
Elizabeth Patterson
Clerk, Apple Creek Township