Garfield Town - Special Meeting and Board Meeting
July 12, 2011
Present: Chairman: Ed Gullickson
Supervisor: George Stroebel
Supervisor: Donald Mork
Treasurer: Valerie Anderson
Clerk: Sue Knutson
Special Meeting called to order by Chairman, Ed Gullickson, at 7:10 pm.
Ordinance 2-2011 – Dog Nuisance Ordinance
Nolan Wall from Stevens Engineers spoke about the Dog Ordinance and why the Town
is looking into implementing this ordinance.
Ordinance requires dogs to be licensed. Town Animal Warden was changed to Animal
Control Officer.
Vivian Hillebrandt asked what if dogs are chasing cattle. Wall stated that the Animal
Control Officer would take care of it.
Mary & Joe Greiser inquired about barking dogs. Gullickson stated that the ordinance
would cover that issue.
Gullickson stated the he receives about 50-75 calls a year. Dogs have been taken into
Arnell Humane Society and that some have not made it that far due to dog issues in
Gullickson’s personal vehicle.
Wall commented on #4 of the ordinance. Gullickson stated that there is a fine noted in
Section”I”.
Gullickson stated that Dan Hooverman has been interviewed for position as Animal
Control Officer. Towns of Alden, Farmington, Osceola, and Garfield will be hiring Hooverman.
Final approval will be done at the Town Board Meeting immediately following this Special
Meeting.
Jim Ellefson asked how does the Town know what the residents of the Town want or
how it was decided who wanted these ordinances. Gullickson stated that the Comprehensive
Plan led to these ordinances.
Ordinance 3-2011 – Junk Vehicle Ordinance
Wall stated that approximately two years ago the process for this ordinance led to
complaints that arose. The initial ordinance was declined. This new/revised ordinance is to
enforce the State Statute 175.25.
Carolyn Lumsden inquired about boats. Boats are not included in this Junk Ordinance.
Wall commented on Section G and the Exemption Section.
Antique vehicles licensed or of value are not considered junk vehicles, please refer to
Ordinance’s definition of junk vehicles and antique vehicles.
Wall stated that commercial businesses are not included under this Junk Vehicle
Ordinance.
Ellefson asked what the fees and permits costs. Orval Johnson stated that the fees are
$50.
Carolyn Lumsden is concerned about the Town implementing too many ordinances.
Gullickson stated that the ordinances are to protect and control Town residents.
Copies of these draft Ordinances and other final Ordinances are available on the Town’s
website (www.townofgarfield.com) or at the Town Hall.
Board Meeting called to order by Chairman, Ed Gullickson, at 7:56 pm.
Minutes of last meeting: Motion made by Stroebel/Mork to approve Board minutes as
submitted. Carried-unanimously.
Public Comments: Gullickson introduced Dennis Cotter, Farmington Town Chairman.
Vivian Hillebrandt asked why Mark Knutson, maintenance employee, mowed her ditch but left
the poison ivy. Gullickson stated that Mark Knutson will spray the poison ivy but advised
Hillebrandt that the chemical to kill poison ivy will kill everything in the ditch. Hillebrandt stated
that she understood and was okay with that.
Jim Skemp from Polk County addressed the issue of the building and parking/driveway
permits. Parking lot issued for driveway to be placed off of Wanderoos Road and the parking
lot was installed off of Minneapolis Street. The restroom in Deronda was installed without a
permit. Gullickson inquired about Big Lake Drive with vehicles parking on the road to use the
trail causing a hazard issue—road has a curve. Mork stated that if you go one way down the
road you are on the curve and the other way you are going up a hill. Gullickson stated that the
Town will consider putting in some No Parking signs. Mark Knutson inquired about the parking
lots having lime rock being to code and meeting handicap requirements. Mark Knutson
inquired about signs for trail leaning and who is going to do the up keep of the signs.
Gullickson stated the Diane Stoneking resigned from her position as County Supervisor. A
special meeting was held to appoint someone to fill her position. Marlin Baillargeon, Mark
Kopp, and George Stroebel applied for the position. Stroebel was approved and appointed to
fill the position as County Supervisor. Gullickson stated that Supervisor’s district is now 10
miles.
Approval of Bartender’s License: Motion made by Gullickson/Mork approved Robyn Carter
for an Operator’s License (Bartender’s). Carried-unanimously.
Road Construction: Gullickson stated that some roads are being blade patched. Black
topping 140th Street and 180th Street will take place the end of July.
Zoning Appeals Board: Gullickson wants to know if anyone would be interested in being
appointed to the Zoning Appeals Board. This Board will consist of 3-5 people.
Junk Vehicle Ordinance 3-2011: Motion made by Gullickson/Mork to approve Junk Vehicle
Ordinance 3-2011. Carried-unanimously.
Dog Nuisance Ordinance 2-2011: Motion made by Stroebel/Mork to approve Dog Nuisance
Ordinance 2-2011 as amended to change Animal Warden to Animal Control Officer. Carriedunanimously.
Presentation of Donation from Dave & Vi Nelson for Garfield Park Playground
Equipment: The Town has accepted the donation from the Nelsons to be used for a merrygo-
round for the Wapogasset Lake Park.
Presentation of Donation from Lake Wapogasset & Bear Trap Lake Association of $3500
for Garfield Park Playground Equipment: Town has accepted $3,500 donation from the
Lake Association for a merry-go-round for the Wapogasset Park. The new equipment will be
installed for the 100th Anniversary of the Association to be held at the park on August 13.
Closure of Garfield Park on August 13 for the 100th of Lake Wapogasset & Bear Trap
Lake Association Celebration: Boats will not be able to launch at the Wapogasset Lake
Park on this date. Boaters can launch their boats at Sunrise Beach boat landing. Dave
Nelson gave a verbal invitation to everyone to come to the Lake Association’s celebration.
There will be games for the children. Gullickson stated we can close the park three times a
year as required by the State. Dave Nelson will be in charge of parking issues.
Appointment of Animal Control Officer to be shared with Osceola, Farmington, and
Alden: Gullickson stated the four Towns will get together to determine the charge fee for the
Animal Control Officer. Dennis Cotter stated that they will be approving Hooverman as their
Animal Control Officer at their next meeting.
Motion made by Gullickson/Mork to approve the appointment of Dan Hooverman as the Animal
Control Officer and that the Towns of Alden, Osceola, Farmington, and Garfield will be sharing
said Officer. Carried-unanimously.
Placement of Driveway for H. Stower Trail and Building Permit Issue Pertaining to
Above Trail: County is in the process of completing the papers and permits.
Clerk’s Report: Submitted and reviewed.
Approval of Vouchers: Submitted, signed and approved. Motion made by Gullickson/Mork
to approve submitted vouchers. Carried-unanimously.
Treasurer’s Report: Submitted and reviewed.
Adjourn: Motion made by Mork/Stroebel to adjourn meeting, 9:40 pm. Carried-unanimously.
Submitted by: Sue Knutson, Clerk