Town Board Minutes for January 23, 2006

Posted: January 23, 2006

The Town Board of the Town of Sun Prairie met on Monday, January 23, 2006 at 7:30 P.M. at the Town Hall, 5556 Twin Lane Road, Marshall, Wisconsin.

Call to Order. The meeting was called to order at 7:30 P.M. by chairperson Lyle Updike. Supervisors Vernon Pogue and Doug Yelk, clerk Claudia Quick and deputy clerk Joan Rademacher were present. Nine additional people were present at the meeting.

Statement of Public Notice. The chair directed that the minutes show notice of the Town Board meeting was published in the January 19, 2006 issue of the Star and a copy was faxed to the Capital Times. Copies were also posted on the three town bulletin boards on January 19, 2006.

Pledge of Allegiance. Claudia Quick led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Approve Minutes of Prior Meetings. Moved by Vernon Pogue, second by Doug Yelk to approve the minutes of the January 9, 2006 Town Board Meetings as presented.
Voting AYE: Updike, Pogue and Yelk
Voting NAY: None
Absent: None
Motion carried.

Presentation from the Public. None

Discussion re: Operation of 4-wheelers, mini-bikes and go-carts on right-of-way and private property in the Town of Sun Prairie. Residents from Betlach Road were in attendance to express their concerns with kids on the road and right-of-ways with their 4-wheelers, mini-bikes and go-carts. Concerns are for the children’s safety, liability if hit by vehicles traveling the roads and the damage to roads. There is also a considerable amount of mud/dirt that is thrown up on vehicles, homes and driveways from these vehicles. They have called the Dane County Sheriff’s office and an officer has been to the area; however, no one was riding these vehicles at the time. Anyone can ride on their own property but no one should be operating these machines on another’s property or in right-of-ways. Also, no one is permitted to run on another’s property even if they have permission because that would require a zoning district to allow a racetrack. Discussion centered on how this should be handled. The Board decided to have Supervisor Pogue contact the Community Deputy and set up a meeting with the parents of those involved. The Board feels it would be most effective to go through the Community Officer to address the major problems of safety and irresponsible behavior.

Consider and Take Action re: Request for 2nd access to residential lot located at 2311 Manley Drive, M. Kempfer (added 1/17). Mark Kempfer asked the Board if he could place a 2nd driveway on a lot he would like to purchase at 2311 Manley Drive. He would like to put up a shed and would need the 2nd access to get to it. Discussion centered on placement of the shed as the specifications are different for an over 200-foot length driveway. Moved by Doug Yelk, second by Lyle Updike to approve the request for a 2nd access to a residential lot located at 2311 Manley Drive.
Voting AYE: Updike, Pogue and Yelk
Voting NAY: None
Absent: None
Motion carried.

Mr. Kempfer was informed he would need to get a driveway permit from the Town and that highway patrolman Dennis Farrell would meet with him to determine location and size of culvert needed. He will also inspect the culvert and driveway when installed to make sure the specifications were followed.

Allow Public Comment, Consider and Take Action re: Petition #9440 by J. Werner to correct legal description and provide zoning compliance (added 1/17). Moved by Doug Yelk, second by Vernon Pogue to approve petition #9440 by J. Werner to correct legal description and provide zoning compliance.
Voting AYE: Updike, Pogue and Yelk
Voting NAY: None
Absent: None
Motion carried.

Allow Public Comment, Consider and Take Action re: Petition #9416 by K. Crothers to change the zoning from RH-3 Rural Homes and R1-A Residential to R-1 Residential on property located west of 2311 Manley Drive (added 1/17). Moved by Vernon Pogue, second by Doug Yelk to approve petition #9416 by K. Crothers to change the zoning from RH-3 Rural Homes and R1-A Residential to R-1 Residential on property located west of 2311 Manley Drive.
Voting AYE: Updike, Pogue and Yelk
Voting NAY: None
Absent: None
Motion carried.

Consider and Tentatively Adopt Ordinance re: Prohibit Sale of Fireworks in the Town of Sun Prairie. Clerk Quick presented various drafts of fireworks ordinances for the Board’s review. After discussion the consensus of the Board is to have Supervisor Yelk coordinate with Clerk Quick to work on a draft ordinance for the next meeting.
Consider application for Operator License by T. Hamrick The Board reviewed the application, history check and class certificate for Tanya Hamrick. Moved by Doug Yelk, second by Vernon Pogue to approve the above mentioned operator license.
Voting AYE: Updike, Pogue and Yelk
Voting NAY: None
Absent: None
Motion carried.

Discussion re: Future Treasurer position. Treasurer J. Rademacher will not be running for another term when the current term ends in April, 2007. The Board discussed the various options regarding this position, whether the position would continue to be an elected position or an appointed position. Discussion is occurring at this time, as a referendum would be required to ask the electors to vote to change to an appointed position.

Audit and Pay Bills. The Board reviewed the invoice payments and Vernon Pogue made the motion, second by Doug Yelk to approve payment as presented with the addition listed.
Voting AYE: Updike, Pogue and Yelk
Voting NAY: None
Absent: None
Motion carried.

Old Business/New Business. The following items were discussed.

  • Towers on Bailey Road – regarding lights on top of the 3 towers. A C.U.P. (conditional use permit) by the Town asked for a white strobe light during the day and red light at night on the highest tower. Harv Henderson of Saint Paul who works with the company owning the radio towers said that FAA and FCC rules say lights are not needed on towers less than 200 feet. The 3rd tower that is over 200 feet does have lights.
  • A question was asked regarding the barn being remodeled on the Manley farm. Chris Butschke, building inspector said that the barn is on Ag land and gatherings are allowed. An electrical permit will be required if a new service is installed.
  • New constructions in Savannah Valley are having a great deal of fill hauled in. A complaint was made about the dirt left on the road. Building inspector, Chris Butschke said the tracking pads/large stone placed for egress from the lot is sufficient and the road is cleaned with a blade at the end of the day.
  • Data Warehouse called asking for all poll lists from 1991. Chairman Updike stated that the Town could charge a reasonable cost after 1 hour of research. He suggested informing them to send a written request stating what they want and the clerk should give an estimate of the time needed to do the research at the hourly rate set.
  • Clerk Quick informed the Board that the State is buying the election machines mandated for voter registration. The State received an $18 million grant to provide an election machine at every voting location.
  • A doorbell or push button on a door to help the handicapped enter/leave the Hall was discussed. Chairman Updike stated that the push button door located in his building appeared to be a maintenance problem. Clerk Quick will look into a doorbell.
  • Pat Anderson, Dane County Zoning Inspector has not been scheduled to inspect in the Town since September 2005. Therefore, the question of a business being operated on a residential lot on Garden Court has not been addressed.
  • Chairman Updike reported that at the Dane County Towns Meeting the new Dane County Board Chair presented a draft of a transfer of development rights ordinance. He is looking for this to be integrated into the County’s Smart Growth Plan. This would provide a mechanism for the Towns to structure a program and the County would do the administration. This is not mandated for the Towns; however, it does provide structure that the Towns could find limiting. Also, American Transmission gave a presentation on the projected routes for getting around the County in their long-term plan.
  • Chairman Updike reported on the Fire Unit year-to-date report on runs, training sessions, times, etc. for 2005. He also stated $100,000 will be spent on turnout gear that includes face gear, helmets etc. for 45 firefighters to be at the Westside station. Each firefighter would have 2 full sets of gear and a backup. This equipment is in the 2005 budget. The City is adding a repeater station just for fire at a cost of $30,000. There will be no capital cost to the Towns for this; however, operating costs for license renewal fees and pagers will be cost shared with the Towns in the 2006 budget.
  • Chairman Updike, Plan Commission Chairman Fetterly and Clerk Quick attended a meeting with the City of Sun Prairie and the City of Madison regarding boundary agreements. Chairman Updike stated that the Town would like to have a 30-year boundary agreement. Another meeting will be scheduled and specific proposals will be presented from the Cities of Madison and Sun Prairie.
  • Chris James a planner with Dane County Parks would like to be on a future agenda to present a brief update on parks and open space plan in the County.
  • The teen center at the YMCA needs tables for the students to have a study area. This will be placed on the next agenda under disposal of equipment.

Correspondence. None

Set Next Meeting Date/Adjournment. Moved by Vernon Pogue, second by Doug Yelk to set the next regular Town Board meeting for Monday, February 13, 2006 and adjourn the meeting.
Voting AYE: Updike, Pogue and Yelk
Voting NAY: None
Absent: None
Motion carried.

The chairman declared the meeting adjourned at 11:15 P.M.

Correct Attest,
Joan M. Rademacher, Deputy Clerk