REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING, July 16, 2025

The regular meeting of the Town Board of the Town of St. Croix Falls was called to order by Chairman Michael Dorsey on Wednesday, July 16, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. at the Town Hall.  Proper notice was given as the agenda was posted at the town hall and on the town’s website July 11, 2025.  The Pledge of Allegiance was said.  Present by roll call were Chairman Michael Dorsey, supervisors Katie Appel, Will Bergmann, Jeremy Hall and Brent Priebe.  Also present were town clerk/treasurer Janet Krueger and public works employee Steve Jacobs.  Others in attendance were Anthony Kreft, Scott Hasselquist, and Fran McLaughlin.

Hall/Priebe moved to approve the agenda; motion carried. Bergmann/Hall moved to approve the minutes as printed for the June 18, 2025, town board meeting; motion carried.

No public comment was had.

Committee, Commission and Employee Reports: Mr. Jacobs gave the highway report.  Ms. Krueger presented the clerk/treasurer’s report.  Hall/Appel moved to approve payment of vouchers #25-170 through #25-195 in the amount of $251,081.44; motion carried on a unanimous roll-call vote, 5-0.  The 2025 year to date budget summaries were reviewed.  Receipts for the period ending June 30, 2025, amounted to $15,734.95, cash balance on June 30, 2025, was $511,852.62.  The plan commission minutes, zoning logs and building permit log were reviewed.  There were no supervisor reports.  Chairman Dorsey inquired on the cemetery donation and the process to amend the donation.

New Business:  A request for a special exception for the display and sales of storage sheds at 1942 US Highway 8 was presented.  Appel/Priebe moved to adopt Resolution 25-27 approving the special exception for display and sales of storage sheds at 1942 US Highway 8; motion carried on a unanimous roll-call vote, 5-0.

Resolution 25-27

A RESOLUTION GRANTING A SPECIAL EXCEPTION

TO TIMOTHY CROFT/DAKOTA STORAGE BUILDINGS FOR DISPLAY AND SALES OF STORAGE SHEDS IN THE COMMERCIAL DISTRICT

WHEREAS Timothy Croft/Dakota Storage Sheds, lessee of property owned by R&D Rental Properties has filed an application with the Town of St. Croix Falls for the display and sales of storage sheds at 1942 US Highway 8, located in the NW ¼ of NE ¼ of Section 35, T34N, R18W, and identified as Tax Parcel #044-00965-0000; and

WHEREAS Chapter III, Section C, 3. Commercial District, c. 18 – requires as special exception for retail of storage sheds, mobile homes, manufactured homes and modular homes provided a permanent structure for retail sales and business is located on the property; and

WHEREAS per Chapter I, Section I, 3, (b) the Plan Commission did conduct a public hearing on the matter and did recommend approval on July 9, 2025, for the special exception with conditions for display and sales of storage sheds at 1942 US Highway 8, located in the NW ¼ of NE ¼ of Section 35.

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 Timothy Croft/Dakota Storage Buildings for the display and sales of storage sheds at 1942 US Highway 8 in the NW ¼ of NE ¼ of Section 35 and identified as tax parcel number #044-00965-0000 subject to the following conditions:

• No storage sheds shall be displayed in the road right of way;
• There shall be no office space for sales/business in sheds;
• Signage shall be added to existing ground sign not to exceed a total of 100 square feet per Town’s Zoning Ordinance No. 1, Chapter V, Section L, 2. b.;
• The special exception shall terminate upon the sale or transfer of ownership of either the parcel of land or the business itself;
• 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; and
• The business will obey all laws and maintain all proper licenses and permits.

BE IT FURETHER RESOLVED that this resolution replaces Resolution 25-16 and Resolution 25-16 is hereby revoked; and

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 necessary permits, if any, or business activity as approved within twelve (12) months of the date of this Resolution.

A request to waive the Town Subdivision Ordinance Section 9.7(4) relating to the 3:1 ration of depth to width requirement for the proposed lot line amendments for parcel #’ 044-00374-0000; 044-00377-0000; and 044-00379-0000 specifically the driveway portion of Lot 4.  Hall/Bergmann moved to approve waiving the subdivision ordinance 3:1 ratio of depth to width requirement for the driveway portion of the proposed Lot 4; motion carried on a unanimous roll-call vote, 5-0.  Ordinance 25-01 amending the Town’s zoning ordinance #1 was presented for the second reading.  Appel/Bergmann moved to approve Resolution 25-28 adopting Ordinance 25-01 entitled “Amendments to the Town’s Zoning Ordinance No. 1; motion carried on a unanimous roll-call vote, 5-0.

Resolution 25–28

A RESOLUTION ADOPTING ORDIANCE 25-01

AMENDING ZONING ORDINANCE No. 1

WHEREAS the Town Board of the Town of St. Croix Falls has village powers under Section 60.10(2)(c), Stats., that grants police powers as set forth in Section 61.34(1), Stats., to act for the good order of the Town, for its commercial benefit and for the health, safety, and welfare of the public; and

WHEREAS the Town of St. Croix Falls adopted Zoning Ordinance No. 1 on August 5, 1965, amended in its entirely on May 12, 1994 and subsequent amendments including the amendments on March 20, 2001; January 16, 2008; February 18, 2009; May 20, 2009; October 21, 2009; March 17, 2010; April 21, 2010; August 18, 2010; March 16, 2011; April 20, 2011; October 19, 2011; November 16, 2011; August 21, 2013; March 18, 2015; March 15, 2017; June 20, 2018; October 17, 2018; January 16, 2019; March 20, 2019; October 16, 2019; December 16, 2020; July 21, 2021; March 16, 2022; November 16, 2022; April 19, 2023; November 15, 2023; December 18, 2024; and

WHEREAS the Town Board of the Town of St. Croix Falls deems it advisable and necessary to amend Zoning Ordinance No. 1, Chapter II – amending the definition of kennel by removing the number of animals and defining the use; Chapter III – General Zoning, Section C, 2 – Agricultural District and 5 – Transitional District amending the special exception use for kennels by removing the 1,000 foot set back from residential structures; and 3 – Commercial District with the addition of a special exception use for kennels; and

WHEREAS the Plan Commission of the Town of St. Croix Falls held a public hearing on the proposed amendments on July 9, 2025, the first reading of the proposed amendments was held on June 18, 2025, and a second reading was held on July 16, 2025.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town of St. Croix Falls, Polk County, Wisconsin, does approve Ordinance 25-01 amending Zoning Ordinance No. 1, Chapter II – amending the definition for kennel by removing the number of animals and defining the use; Chapter III – General Zoning, Section C, 2 – Agricultural District and 5 – Transitional District amending the special exception use for kennels by removing the 1,000 foot set back from residential structures; and 3 – Commercial District with the addition of a special exception use for kennels.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town of St. Croix Falls hereby petitions the Polk County Board of Supervisors to concur and ratify the amendments; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Ordinance 25-01 become effective upon passage and publication and/or posting according to Wisconsin State Statute and approval of Polk County Board of Supervisors.

Ordinance 25-01

AMENDING ZONING ORDINANCE No. 1 ENTILTED “TOWN ZONING ORDINANCE”

ORDINANCE 25-01

Section 1:  Purpose

The purpose of this ordinance to amend:

Chapter II – Definition for Kennel to read as follows:

Kennel.  Any person who owns, harbors, or keeps more than five (5) dogs is presumed to be operating a kennel.  A dog is any canine more than five (5) months of age.  Means the use of land with related buildings or structures for the breeding, rearing or boarding of household pets 5 months of age or older.

And

Chapter III – Districts, 2. Agricultural District, f. Special Exceptions for “Kennels” to read as follows:

Kennels, when located not less than three hundred (300) feet from any lot line shared with premises devoted to residential use.  , nor closer than one thousand (1,000) feet from any residential building other than that of the owner of the kennel, his agent or employee.

And

Chapter III – Districts, 3. Commercial District, c. Special Exceptions with the addition of the following:

Kennels, when located not less than three hundred (300) feet from any lot line shared with premises devoted to residential use. 

Chapter III – Districts, 5. Transitional District, f. Special Exceptions for “Kennels” to read as follows:

Kennels, when located not less than three hundred (300) feet from any lot line shared with premises devoted to residential use., nor closer than one thousand (1,000) feet from any residential building other than that of the owner of the kennel, his agent or employee.

Section 2:  Effective Date

This ordinance shall take effect from and after its passage, Polk County Board of Supervisors approval and legal publication.

A letter to the Polk County Environmental Committee regarding the County shoreland ordinance was reviewed.  Supervisor Hall recused himself.  Appel/Bergmann moved to approve and send the letter to the Polk County Environmental Committee; motion carried on a unanimous voice vote with Supervisor Hall abstaining from voting.  A quote was presented for parts to repair the mower and discussion continued on potentially replacing the mower.  Discussion continued on road work.

There was no closing public comment.

The Town Chairman read the call for an executive session per Wisconsin Statute 19.85(1)(c) for an annual employee performance review.  Bergmann/Priebe moved to adjourn to closed session at 7:27 p.m.; motion carried on a unanimous roll-call vote, 5-0.

The Town Board reconvened in open session at 8:32 p.m. with the board members present.

The board announced an annual performance review was conducted for the highway employee.

Discussion continued regarding the mower.  Bergmann/Hall moved to purchase the parts from Serwe Implement in the amount of $2,803.34 to repair the mower; motion carried on a unanimous roll-call vote, 5-0.

The August town board meeting will be held August 20, 2025.  There being no further business, Bergmann/Hall moved to adjourn the meeting; motion carried and the meeting was adjourned at 8:34 p.m.

Minutes prepared by town clerk Janet Krueger and Supervisor Katie Appel.