Town Commissioners Minutes — 2021-09-07
Minutes September 7, 2021 · 3 page(s)
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The Queenstown Commissioners met Sept. 7, 2021 and heard a resident complaint from Rosemarie O'Rourke about a new drop-off at her Second Ave parking spot; Commissioners agreed (Hardee motion) to have a paving contractor inspect the area with Commissioners and Ms. O'Rourke. The meeting reviewed several public-works items: a prefabricated speed bump option for Charity Lane (approx. $500 vs. $3,000 for asphalt) to be ordered after width verification; current road standards (ROW minimum 50 ft) and a need to measure Thompson Ave for possible parking restrictions; proposed water/sewer standards to be finalized for the next meeting; and removal of a partially dead tree at 113 Wick Ct. Planning items included submission of Wheatland's forest conservation plan to Rauch, Planning recommendations on boat-trailer and Thompson Ave parking, and an MDE inspection request for a pole building at 116 Dudley. Finance and operations updates: General Fund $101,840.59 and Water/Sewer Fund $161,037.41; Towerpoint cell-tower lease offers were declined for now; Sheriff will enforce town parking violations if requested; slipholders using town water will be billed first, then landowners if unpaid. Infrastructure actions included continuing work on the I&I RFP and interim financing ordinance, ordering concrete panels for boat-ramp work (delivery week of 9/20) with MDE permit expected around 10/1, approving the Stabil Solutions bulkhead proposal, putting dredging and a control-room project out to bid, and introducing Ordinance 21-06 (fence regulations) with a public hearing set for the Oct. 27 meeting.
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QUEENSTOWN COMMTSSIONERS
September 7,2021
PRESENT: President Tom Willis, Commissioner Al Hardee, Commissioner Bryon Callahan, Town
Manager Amy Moore, Town Clerk Aaron Horney
REGULAR MEETING CALLED TO ORDER AT 4:01 PM
GUESTS
o
Rosemarie O'Rourke RE: Second Ave paving issue
Ms. O'Rourke spoke about her concerns regarding a parking issue previously discussed with the
Town. Town attempted to correct the issue of a drop-off area near her car when parked on the
shoulder in front of her house. Stated area was flat and did not tilt before recent paving of Second
Ave.- now not safe to park there as is diffrcult to exit her vehicle. Town's attempts to correct by
building up pavement in area to eliminate drop-off not satisfactory to Ms. O'Rourke. Does not agree
with Commissioners' recent decision that issues had been sufficiently addressed. Would have liked
to have been more involved in deciding how to correct issues beforehand. After discussion, Hardee
motion to have a paving contractor inspect the area with Commissioners and Ms. O'Rourke to
PI]BLIC WORI$
o
Several options for prefab speed bump to be placed on Charity Lane presented to Commissioners for
review. Prefab bump approx. $500 vs. $3,000 for an asphalt bump. After reviewing, Callahan
. Town Manaser or Clerk will
verify width and place order accordingly.
Current standards for road widths, etc. presented to Commissioners for review. Current minimum of
ROW is 50ft. Standards being reviewed in relation to questions about road width at Thompson Ave.
and related parking issues. Thompson Ave. believed to be under minimum width- will need to
verifii.
Proposed water/sewer standards developed by Rauch presented to Commissioners for review as
possible updates to current standards. Final version for possible adoption should be ready for review
for next meeting
Resident reporting of family of skunks in areas near house. Has called wildlife hotline- was provided
list of trappers to contact. Feels Town should cover costs of trapping. Commissioners agree with
current Town policy of not removing nuisance wildlife in the town unless they are
dangerous/suspected rabid, etc.
Tree reported by resident of 113 Wick Ct. Tree is in open space but appears to be partially dead.
Dropping branches/debris in property. Has asked Town to inspect for possible removal or pruning.
Tree was inspected, Commissioners agree tree should be removed.
PLAI\NING
DMS submitted forest conservation plan for Wheatland's. Plan sent to Rauch to be reviewed by their
in-house forester.
a Planning has reviewed and made recommendation regarding boat trailer driveway parking issues.
a Planning has reviewed Thompson Ave. parking issues. Commissioners concemed about increased
parking on street as more houses are occupied on Thompson. Travel lanes very naffow. Peter
Johnston suggests keeping on-street parking on Thompson as it serves as a traffic-calming feature.
Should keep if emergency vehicles can pass through- not necessarily turn around easily. Road width
usually determined by having 8 ft on each side for parking and l0-1lft for travel lanes- 26-27 ft road
width should be sufficient. If Thompson under, then consider restricting parking on street. Street will
be measured to verifu width.
Planning Commission Member Paul Cain concerned about pole building under construction at 116
Dudley- appears to be higher than principal structure which is against zor;ing ordinance codes.
Owner Lonnie Anthony stated structure is not higher than principal structure. Town will have MDIA
inspect to confirm there is no violation.
FINAI\CE COMMITTEE
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No updates
HARBOR]VIASTER
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No updates
TOWI{ CLERK
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TreasurerVFinanceReport
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General Fund: $101,840.59 Water/Sewer Fund: $161,037.41
o
Minutes
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August 25, 2021 Regular Meeting - Willis motion to accept minutes as written. Callahan
second. VOTE: 2 qte - 0 nalt. Hardee abstainedfromvote.
TOWN MANAGER
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DNR currently has Waterway Improvement Grant period open- anything to apply for? Floating
Docks? Meeting is planned with Isaac Wilding at DNR to discuss grant funding potential for channel
dredging project. Would not fully qualifu for Waterway Improvement grant as spills would be
placed on private property areas.
o
Towerpoint proposal to buy tower cell leases submitted- was in process at time Commissioners
decided to only hear proposals in January ofeach year. They suggest taking offers in fall vs. January
due to market conditions. Offer is $1.4m lump sum or $1.5m over 5 years. Commissioners agree to
not accept offer and continue to hear offers in January. Town consultant Hugh Odom still suggests
waiting until new tower is built before soliciting interest from cell companies for leasing space.
o
Contacted by Sheriff Hoffrnan regarding recent questions regarding Sheriff s Office enforcement of
Town parking violations. Sheriff Hoffman confirmed his office would enforce parking violations,
etc. by issuing citations/warnings, etc. if requested by Town officials. Will also speak to deputies to
insure all are aware of policy.
o
Willey Comegys not happy about plan to send bill for Town water use at private slip he occupies.
Other slipholder to be billed informed he will be paying shortly- prefers to be billed directly instead
of landowner. Both slipholders rent slips from private landowners. Commissioners agree the fees
if
should be paid as the 2 slips are using town water, also agree to give slipholders option to pay first,
do not pay then bill landowner directly.
o
COG meeting to be held Wednesday Sept. 8 at 6:30pm. Queenstown will be hosting. Commissioners
should attend if possible.
OLD BUSINESS
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I & Iproject
Bob Rauch working on RFP. Not complete yet.
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Water Tower & Infrastructure project
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Interim Financing - to be adopted by Ordinance - pending
Waiting on Town Attorney Lyndsey Ryan to draft ordinance. Will contact for update.
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Wheatland's Project (Forest Conservation Plan)
Previously discussed
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Speeding on Main St
Sheriff s Office still conducting radar in Town occasionally.
o
Boat ramp improvements
Concrete panels ordered from Gillespe. Currently short a few so will need to order more to fulfill
Town order. Looking to deliver week of 9120. Wlll inquire if delivery can be held offuntil ready to
proceed with work. Army Corps of Engineers ready to issue permit however will not be effective
until October l. Rauch has staked area to be sprayed for phragmites as mitigation for project. Has
been sent to MDE to approve. Expect to receive MDE permit around l0/1.
o
Town Dock projects
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Stabil Solutions bid
Had M&M Marine rep inspect bulkheading, not in bad shape- should expect another 5-10 years
of life. Does not believe terra-lok is needed as part of work. Recommends going with original
proposal and prepare for new bulkheading in 5-10 years. After discussion, Willis rnotion to
work. Hardee second. VOTE: 3 ave - 0 nav.
o
Construction/dredgingupdates
Dredge work ready to put out to bid. Looking to start in December at earliest. Will have to
notiff slip renters of need to move during work.
Water tower maintenance
After previous discussion,
VOTE:3ave-0nalt.
Review and updates to Town Codes and Ordinances
Waiting until Fall to review.
Control Room
Put out to bid- bids due 9127.Have had 5 inquiries so far.
Zoning Ordinance violations - Boats/trailers in yards and driveways
o
Recommendation from Planning Commission submitted for review- possible amendments to
the Zoning Ordinance defining recreational equipment/recreational vehicles and establishing
new regulations for each.
American Rescue Plan Act
No updates
Draft fence regulations - ORDINANCE NO. 2l-06 AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN OF
QUEENSTOWN TO AMEND SECTION 94 OF THE QUEENSTOWN ZONING ORDINANCE
TO ESTABLISH HEIGHT, AREA, AND BULK REQUIREMENTS FOR FENCES WITHIN
TOWN (eligible for introduction)
Willis motion to introduce Ordinance 21-06. Callahan second. VOTE: 3 aye - 0 nay. Public hearing
will be scheduled for October 27 Commissioners Meetine.
Channel Dredging
Previouslv discussed
NEW BUSINESS
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Commissioner Callahan discussed bids for work at the Town Office to construct a separation wall in
upstairs office area. Stated he had one bid for the work. Ms. Moore stated she is waiting on a bid
from Paul Cain for the work as well. Will also have Town Attorney Lyndsey Ryan review to verify
no conflict of interest as Mr. Cain serves on the Planning Commission. Would like to have bids by
next meeting to review.
o
Commissioner Hardee stated trash is still an issue at Royal Farms. Asked to make sure Code
Enforcement Officer Harold Veasel stays on the issue, send letters whenever needed to address.
ATTORNEY T]PDATES
No updates
PI]BLIC COMMENT
o
Christina Palmer - Inquired about the Town's water/sewer consumption rates. Was the recent rate
increase of 5Vo the last increase? Commissioners stated increase was the last of the previously
approved three scheduled increases (one increase per year). However, future increases could be
approved if deemed necessary to maintain required water/sewer budget balances.
There being no further business,
VOTE:3 ave-0nav.
ron Hornev