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Linwood stays tough on junk |
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Wednesday, 30 January 2008 |
Alice Pickering
Linwood Area Reporter
Linwood Township officials continue to encourage property owners to maintain their properties, but the town board ready to use a sometimes-long legal process to enforce property clean-up at lots with junk and debris.
Formal action to encourage Kevin Ryan put some order into the equipment and vehicles stored on his lot began in November 2005. This came after a series of complaints were made to the township, building inspector, supervisors, and attorney had inspected the site, and a specific list of violations was given to Ryan.
After a number of delays and postponements a pre-trial hearing for Ryan has been set for March 5. Originally, he had been assigned a public defender, who was later taken off the case. It was determined Ryan had enough assets to hire his own attorney.
Ryan has chosen to represent himself and his petition for a time extension was granted by the court. He attended the Oct. 9 town board meeting and requested a copy of the minutes and a copy of the audio tape made of the meeting. Attorney Gerald Randall said both have been made available but Ryan has not taken possession of them, nor indicated how he wants to use the information.
“He doesn’t seem to want it (the tape) now,” Randall said.
It has been frustrating trying to work with Ryan and “even pushing to the max does not get the place cleaned up,” Randall said. He proposed an ordinance similar to those used by several local communities, where a township gives the property owner notice about action, but then just cleans up the up, gets the job done and costs are assessed to the property. Supervisor Howard Holm wants to look at some these ordinances to see if there are ways to speed the process along in Linwood.
Annual business
Tuesday, Jan. 22 was also the annual organizational meeting for the Linwood Town Board. Mike Parker was reelected chairman for 2008. Phil Osterhus was elected vice-chair.
Liaison responsibilities for 2008 were determined at the meeting. Osterhus will be township liaison for road and bridge committee, fire department, recycling, and the quarterly Anoka County Partners meeting.
Robert Johnson’s responsibilities include insurance, park and recreation and building maintenance. Supervisor Scott Bailey is representative for citizens’ advisory board, Sunrise River Watershed Management Organization, and weed/tree inspector.
Parker will be board representative on the Linwood Family Fun Day Committee, Linwood Community and School Forest Committee.
Holm will represent the board on the building study committee, cemetery committee, personnel committee, and senior transportation Committee.
Board approved a three percent increase in wages for all employees and an increase of $25 a month in medical benefits. The action is effective as of the first full pay period in 2008.
While Holm supported the increase he said he is “frustrated that there is no evaluation system” for employees. Instead of just routinely giving the same percentage cost-of-living-adjustment, he wants to “come up with some kind of plan.”
Randall told the board setting up the process would reference job descriptions and evaluations could be made annually or semi-annually. The evaluation needs to be in writing so it is not capricious. The Minnesota Association of Townships would have resources which should help. Wage increases could be based on results of evaluations
Rudi McCurdy suggested supervisors should be evaluated as well as employees. Osterhus supported more than one person making the evaluation. There was no decision about this last week. “We’re going to bring it up again,” Parker said.
The board unanimously approved township fees for 2008. With a policy of setting fees to cover the cost of providing service, most fees remained the same. There was one change; the platting fee was increased from $100 per lot, to $200 per lot with a $1,000 minimum for a development.
Clerk Judy Hanna explained the request to the board. The “$100 doesn’t cover Gerry looking at the plat and doesn’t come anywhere near covering the costs incurred” by the developer. The general fund ends up covering those costs until letters are sent to the developer requesting additional funds in the escrow account.
A decision about the building permit fee was tabled until the first meeting in February. There are varying opinions about whether the fee is too high or comparable to the building permit fees in neighboring communities.
Among other business, the regular meetings will continue to be held on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of the month. Forest Lake Times was designated the official newspaper for the township. First State Bank of Wyoming continues as the official depository. Posting places for official news are the town hall, Dolphy’s Automotive, and The Country Store.
Officials designated to sign checks are Parker, Judy Hanna (Clerk), Vicki Erickson (Treasurer), and Linda Anderson (substitute clerk). It was determined there are no conflicts of interest of board members and businesses. The board set the reimbursement for official mileage to $.485 per mile, up from .445 per mile, to match federal rates.
There had been discussion about changing the nature of recycling gifts this year. Supervisor Osterhus proposed ordering and distribution of recycling bags, made of recycled plastic, instead of seedling trees which has been traditionally done. Cost of the bags is about $1 each. Holm said those he has planted, most did not survive.
Others on the board still supported the bare-root seedlings. Bailey said residents asked for the trees. On recycling day they go quickly and those available during the pet clinics quickly found homes. The board voted to cut the tree order in half and to order 600 bags with the recycling logo on them.
An appraisal of the 40-acre parcel owned by Allen Grinde has been completed. While no offer has been made for the land, nor has Grinde offered to donate the land to the township. Randall will continue to work with Grinde’s attorney to determine if a deal can be made for the land.
If the township secures the property, it will be added to the acreage of the Linwood Community and School Forest. Grinde had his attorney approach the township to determine interest in the land.
Other business
In other business, the town board:
•Alerted residents to the local board of appeal and equalization meeting at 6 p.m., April 22. Residents can ask questions about their property tax bills, perhaps getting some explanation or adjustments.
•Approved the board of audit for 2007.
•Authorized signing of the OSHA contract for township maintenance workers Ray Broadbent and Mike Budde.
•Authorized Osterhus to attend a road design seminar in Brooklyn Park on Feb. 5.
•Authorized payment of the township bills in the amount of $22,627.71.
•Approved 2009 budget workshop minutes and Jan. 8 town board meeting minutes.
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