REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING, March 18, 2025

The regular meeting of the Town Board of the Town of St. Croix Falls was called to order by Supervisor Will Bergmann at 6:03 p.m. on Wednesday, March 18, 2025, at the Town Hall.  Proper notice was given as the agenda was posted at the town hall and on the town’s website March 14, 2025.  The Pledge of Allegiance was said.  Present by roll call were supervisors Katie Appel, Will Bergmann and Brent Priebe.  Also present were town clerk/treasurer Janet Krueger, public works employee Steve Jacobs and legal counsel Adam Jarchow.  Others in attendance were Joel and Barb Enochs, Mike Swiontek and Mike Erickson.

Appel/Priebe moved to approve the agenda; motion carried. Appel/Priebe moved to approve the minutes as printed for the February 19, 2025, town board meeting; motion carried.

No public comment was had.

Committee, Commission and Employee Reports: Mr. Jacobs gave the highway report.  Mr. Jacobs stated the snowmobile trail along 160^th Avenue damaged the ditch when the snow was packed by the groomer and 180^th Street was damaged at the snowmobile crossing.  Supervisor Bergmann will contact the snowmobile club.  New tires and a rim are needed for the tractor.  Approval for the rim and tires will be placed on next month’s agenda and Mr. Jacobs will get additional quotes.  Ms. Krueger presented the clerk/treasurer’s report.  Appel/Priebe moved to approve payment of vouchers #25-054 through #25-080 in the amount of $43,236.04; motion carried on a unanimous roll-call vote, 3-0.  The 2025 year to date budget summaries were reviewed.  Receipts for the period ending February 28, 2025, amounted to $222,877.88, cash balance on February 28, 2025, was $741,330.49.  The plan commission minutes, zoning logs and building permit log were reviewed.  There were no supervisor or chairman reports.

New Business:  A minor subdivision request to create three parcels from a 40.4 acre parcel at 2196 180^th Avenue was reviewed.  Appel/Priebe moved to adopt Resolution 25-05 approving a minor subdivision of parcel #044-00084-0000 located at 2196 180^th Avenue with conditions; motion carried on a unanimous roll, 3-0.

Resolution 25-05

A RESOLUTION APPROVING A MINOR SUBDIVISION IN THE TOWN OF ST. CROIX FALLS – MARK ROBINSON PARCEL

WHEREAS Mark Robinson, owner of real property in the NW ¼ of NW ¼  of Section 4, T34N, R18W, identified as Tax Parcel No. 044-00084-0000 and located at 2196 180^th Avenue; and

WHEREAS the owner has proposed dividing the current 40.4 acres, more or less, into three parcels, new parcel (Lot 2) consisting of 3 acres; new parcel (Lot 3) consisting of 3 acres; and the remaining 34.39 acres (Lot 1), more or less.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town of St. Croix Falls, Polk County, Wisconsin, approves the creation of a minor subdivision from Tax Parcel No. 044-00084-0000 into three parcels, one new parcel (Lot 2) consisting of 3 acres; another new parcel (Lot 3) consisting of 3 acres; and the remaining parcel (Lot 1) consisting of 34.39 acres, more or less; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Town Board authorizes a Town Representative to sign the “Polk County Subdivision Ordinance Town Board Check List”, and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Town Board requests the Polk County Land Information Office to review and approve the creation of this minor subdivision, and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the subdivider provides the Town with a copy of the Certified Survey Map after same has been recorded in the Polk County Register of Deeds Office.

A request to operate a veterinarian clinic in a non-conforming structure due to the setback from the road located at 2201 US Highway 8 was reviewed.  Priebe/Appel moved to adopt Resolution 25-06 approving a special exception for a veterinarian clinic at 2201 US Highway 8; motion carried on a unanimous roll-call vote, 3-0,

Resolution 25-06

A RESOLUTION GRANTING A SPECIAL EXCEPTION

TO DANIEL HOCHBERG, DOR2DOR REALITY LLC TO OPERATE A VETERINARIAN CLINIC IN A NON-CONFORMING STRUCTURE IN THE COMMERCIAL DISTRICT

WHEREAS agent Daniel Hochberg, Dor2Dor Realty LLC has filed an application with the Town of St. Croix Falls Zoning Office to operate a veterinarian clinic at 2201 US Highway 8, located in the SE ¼ of SE ¼ of Section 29, T34N, R18W and identified as Tax Parcel #044-00819-0000, and

WHEREAS Chapter III, Section C, 3. Commercial District, c. 2 – a change of use in a non-conforming structure or property due to setback from town road right of way requires a special exception; and

WHEREAS the Plan Commission did conduct a public hearing on the matter and did recommend approval on March 12, 2025, for the special exception with conditions to operate a veterinarian clinic in the SE ¼ of SE ¼ of Section 29.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town of St. Croix Falls, Polk County, Wisconsin, does hereby concur with the Town Plan Commission to grant a special exception to Daniel Hochberg, DOR2DOR Reality LLC to operate a veterinarian clinic at 2201 US Highway 8, located in SE ¼ of SE ¼ Section 29 and identified as Tax Parcel #044-00819-0000 subject to the following conditions:

• Any formal complaint lodged against the use in the first year of operation will lead to an automatic review of the special exception by the plan commission and/or town board at the next possible meeting;
• The special exception shall terminate upon the sale or transfer of ownership of either the parcel of land or the business itself except if the agent is a member, partner, officer, etc. with the organization purchasing the property;
• The special exception shall be contingent upon the agent’s organization purchasing the property;
• The ownership and use of this property including possibly drilling a new well does not interfere with the operation and use of the existing well; and
• The business will obey all laws and maintain all proper licenses and permits.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this special exception is conditioned on the applicants obtaining the necessary and required permits, if any, from Polk County and various agencies of the State of Wisconsin; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this special exception must be exercised by application for the necessary permits within twelve (12) months of the date of this Resolution.

A plan was presented for alterations that exceed seventy-five percent of the equalized assessed value of the structure at 2201 US Highway 8.  Appel/Priebe moved to adopt Resolution 25-07 approving the commercial design plan for alterations at 2201US Highway 8; motion carried on a unanimous roll-call vote, 3-0.

Resolution 25-07

A RESOLUTION APPROVING COMMERCIAL DESIGN SITE PLAN FOR 2201 US HIGHWAY 8, TAX PARCEL #044-00819-0000, SEC. 29

WHEREAS agent Daniel Hochberg, Dor2Dor Realty, LLC has submitted a commercial design site plan for the structure at 2201 US Highway 8, located in the SE ¼ of SE ¼ of Section 29, T34N, R18W, and identified as Tax Parcel No. 044-00819-0000, and

WHEREAS Chapter III, Section C, 3. Commercial District, a. All new commercial development and commercial development involving a structural alteration, addition, or repair to a structure that exceeds seventy-five (75%) percent of the equalized assessed value of the structure over a two year period shall be subject to the Town Commercial Design Guidelines as set forth in Section F of this Chapter III including site plan review and shall not be allowed unless recommended by the Plan Commission and approved by the Town Board; and

WHEREAS the Plan Commission did conduct a public hearing on the matter and did recommend approval of the site plan for alterations as proposed on March 12, 2025.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town of St. Croix Falls, Polk County, Wisconsin, does hereby concur with the Town Plan Commission and approves the commercial design site plan for alterations to the structure at 2201 US Highway 8, located in the SE ¼ of SE ¼ Section of 29, T34N, R18W and identified as Tax Parcel No. 044-00819-0000.

An application for a flea market license was reviewed.  Appel/Priebe moved to adopt Resolution 25-08 approving a flea market license for Pea Pick’in Flea Market; motion carried on a unanimous roll-call vote, 3-0.

Resolution 25-08

A RESOLUTION APPROVING A FLEA MARKET LICENSE FOR THE TWO-YEAR PERIOD ENDING APRIL 30, 2027

PEA PICK’IN FLEA MARKET

WHEREAS Wisconsin Statutes 134.71(9) requires the licensing of secondhand article dealer mall or flea market by the local municipality, and

WHEREAS Judy E. Hansen doing business as Pea Pick’in Flea Market 1977 US Hwy 8, St. Croix Falls, Wisconsin, has made application for a license under the provisions of Wis.Stats. 134.71(9), and

WHEREAS the required license fee of $165.00 as specified in Statutes, and criminal history background check fee of $7.00 has been received and deposited with the Town Treasurer; and

WHEREAS a criminal history check has been conducted pursuant to Wis. Stats. 134.71(6).

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town of St. Croix Falls approves the license application of Judy E. Hansen, dba Pea Pick’in Flea Market 1977 US Hwy 8, St. Croix Falls, Wisconsin; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Town Clerk be authorized to issue a flea market license to the same for the two-year period ending April 30, 2027.

Appel/Priebe moved to adopt Resolution 25-09 approving the rental of town property to Rick Wester for agricultural crop purposes; motion carried on a unanimous roll-call vote, 3-0.

Resolution 25-09

 A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE RENTAL OF TOWN PROPERTY TO RICK WESTER FOR AGRICULTURAL CROP PURPOSES

WHEREAS the Town of St. Croix Falls owns property identified as parcel id # 044-00767-0300 in the SE ¼ of SE ¼ of Section 27 and located at 1305 200^th Street; and

WHEREAS approximately 3.2 acres is crop land and most recently farmed by Will Bergmann; and

WHEREAS Rick Wester would like to rent and farm this crop land; and

WHEREAS the Town Board at this time does not have any plans for development of these lands.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town of St. Croix Falls, Polk County, Wisconsin wishes to rent the approximately 3.2 acres of crop land located at 1305 200^th Street and identified as parcel 044-00767-0300 in the SE ¼ of SE ¼ of Section 27 to Rick Wester for an annual fee of one hundred fifty dollars ($150.00); and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this rental agreement remain yearly in effect until cancelled by either of the parties.

Mr. Swiontek with Paragon Excavating was present to discuss potential options for 210^th Street.  An estimate for work on 210^th Street will be considered next month.  A quote of four thousand, six hundred dollars from 4 Control, In was reviewed for spraying invasive weeds in the road right of way.  Appel/Priebe moved to have 4 Control, Inc. spray for invasive weeds in the road right of way according the map supplied by the Town not to exceed five thousand dollars; motion carried on a unanimous roll-call vote, 3-0.  The clerk was asked to advertise for bids to spray patch and mastic seal the cul de sacs; Summit Street, Traprock Drive and 220^th Street.

No closing public comment was had.

The April town board meeting will be held April 16, 2025.  There being no further business, Appel/Priebe moved to adjourn the meeting; motion carried and the meeting was adjourned at 7:15 p.m.

Minutes prepared by town clerk Janet Krueger.