Minutes 8-21-13

Twenty Three Mile Slough RSA meeting on August 21, 2013
Call to order at 7:05 pm by Chairman, Stu Davies, at 4800 Eielson Farm Road
Present: Commissioners: Stu Davies, Dean Lawson, John Tobin Residents: Ed Arobio, Bill Blockcolsky, Gail Chagnon, Robyn Davies, Frank Duncklee, Marji & Ron Illingworth, Paul Paden, Dan Rees, Warren Smith
Agenda - John moved to approve agenda with addition of signage to old business and Improvements on Skila to new business, 2nd by Dean
Stu Davies - yes Dean Lawson – yes John Tobin - yes
Minutes from last meeting. Motion by John to approve without any changes, 2nd by Dean
Stu Davies - yes Dean Lawson – yes John Tobin - yes
Financial report – $100,000 +/- in savings, turned back $5,592.68 to savings from last years budget. Had potholes filled and handclearing this budget cycle but have not yet seen bill.
Old Business
1. Commissioner Vacancy – Welcome to new commissioner Dean Lawson. Thank you to Ed Arobio for serving as a commissioner for many years. Still have alternate vacancy.
2. AAA site – Stu reported chip seal done at the discretion of the Corps without consultation of RSA. Work is complete
3. Signage – Reported that signs are falling down by Illingworth house. Bill Blockcolsky volunteered to set them up and make sure they are in the ground. Frank Duncklee volunteered to contact Ann Worhatch and find out the status of the signs Stu ordered. Need to add 7 mile marker sign.
New Business
1. Election of officers – Dean nominated Stu as Chair and District Rep and John as Secretary. Stu seconded nominations.
Stu Davies - yes Dean Lawson – yes John Tobin - yes
2. Maintenance work completed this summer – brush clearing from Sawmill to end of RSA on main road. Hand clearing also done. One truck of pothole/edge repairs on EFR.
3. Repairs/Maintenance needing to be completed this summer- Stu will evaluate need to clear right of way on Old Valdez Trail #1. Will clear Seabaugh. Will grade gravel roads in RSA.
4. Commercial vehicle traffic – Stu reported ARSAC information on how to collect additional funds to protect road from heavy commercial traffic, ie septage trucks. Borough lawyer reported on 4 options 1)ordinance for local roads 2)permit 3)increase taxes 4)enter into road use agreement. Consensus road use agreement is the easiest solution. Discussion on need to come up with clear reasons and criteria. Stu will develop draft to vote on at winter meeting.
5. Project request submittals- After discussion and consensus of residents present John moved to submit the number one priority as safety upgrade to Eielson Farm Road and OVT#3. Replace existing RAP with chip seal, upgrade surface on OVT #3, clear the right of way on curves and widen road if necessary. Project not to exceed $500,000. 2nd by Dean.
2. Stu Davies - yes Dean Lawson – yes John Tobin - yes
Further discussion resulted in John making the motion to submit the following projects in order of priority, 2nd by Dean
2 upgrade Swede, Skila and Prince to the minimum required standard to allow access by emergency vehicles and school bus
3 Chip seal remaining main road of EFR & OVT #3
4 upgrade all roads in RSA not currently in compliance with Title 17 standard, includes Old Valdez Trail 1&2, Sawmill, Cowpie, Sebaugh
5 Acceleration & Deceleration lane on Richardson highway to NP

Stu Davies - yes Dean Lawson – yes John Tobin - yes
1. Tax Cap – After discussion and review of money spent for last 4 years consensus reached and John moved to leave the tax cap at the level it currently is. 2nd by Dean.
Stu Davies - yes Dean Lawson – yes John Tobin - yes
2. Improvements on Swede, Skila and Prince- Frank suggested add gravel to bad areas of these 3 roads in March when ground is frozen. Discussion on need to upgrade Skila and Swede to make it easier for residents to access their parcels and start process of bringing roads up to standard which will allow school bus to travel down this road. This year up to mile 3 of RSA is in the Salcha elem school district. Motion by Stu to spend $10,000 to improve surface of Skila and Swede. 2nd by John.
Stu Davies - yes Dean Lawson – yes John Tobin - yes
Public Comments- discussion on 35MPH enforcement on EFR. Majority of residents present want road to remain 35 MPH. Reminder by past commissioner Ron Illingworth that an area wide vote was done and approved to decrease MPH to 35.
Commissioner Comments - none
Next Meeting – Saturday, February 15th, 5-7 at 4800 Eielson Farm Road.
Meeting adjourned at 9:19

Final 2012/13 Budget

Operating Budget FY 2012/13

Routine summer maintenance $7,000.00
~ 8/10 brush clearing -$2,145.00)
~ 10/10 Grade gravel -($2,241.00)
~ 6/29 clearing -($3,465.00)
Misc repairs and upgrades $10,000.00
Snowplowing $12,000.00
~ 10/30 truck plow -($842.80)
~ 12/13 ttruck plow -($1,274.00)
~ 12/11 truck plow -($1,274.00)
~ 1/22 grader -($2,451.00)
~ 1/26 truck plow -($1,274.00)
~ 1/23 truck side roads -($278.32)
~ 2/19 grader -($2,823.40)
~ 3/29 grader -($3,420.00)
~ 2/22 truck plow -($842.80)
~ 4/8 truck plow -($1,176.00)
Mailing supplies $100.00
Direct cost to borough $9,930.00
~ -($9,930.00)
Balance $5,592.68