August 7, 2017 minutes

Alexandria Township

Alexandria, Minnesota 56308

Minutes of the meeting of August 7, 2017

A regular meeting of the Board of Supervisors of Alexandria Township was held on the 7th day of August, 2017 at the Alexandria Township Conference Room, 324 Broadway.

ROLL CALL:  Supervisors present were Jeff Oberg, Joel Dahlheimer, Rod Eldevik and Linda Dokken-McFann.  Also present were Gregg Raisanen, Clerk, and Mona Billmark, Treasurer.  As said members formed a quorum and the meeting was called to order by Chairman Eldevik at 6:00 p.m.

Oberg, seconded by Dahlheimer, made a motion to adopt the agenda as presented.  Motion carried unanimously.

Oberg, seconded by Dahlheimer, made a motion to appoint Jerome (Jerry) Wright as a supervisor to replace the position vacated by Russell Niskanen.  Motion carried unanimously.

Clerk Raisanen administered the oath of office to Supervisor Wright.

Oberg, seconded by Dahlheimer, made a motion to approve the minutes of the 7/19/2017 regular board meeting as written.  Motion carried unanimously.

Dahlheimer, seconded by Oberg, made a motion to authorize payment of claims 17136-17150 in the amount of $62,431.07, net payroll $2,941.19 totaling $65,372.26 with no transfer of funds.  Motion carried unanimously.

CITIZEN’S CONCERNS:  none

PLANNING AND ZONING:  Zoning Administrator Oleson sought to clarify the billboard amendment that had been tabled at the last meeting.  In 2012 the county decided to allow electronic messaging signs in parts of the county; the township chose to be more restrictive and allowed none throughout the township.  The county is in the process of updating its sign ordinance.  At its public hearing on the proposed amendment, the planning commission recommended that the town adopt the current county’s sign ordinance language with changes to the electronic messaging portion, limiting digital signs to the commercial and industrial districts only.  Oleson noted that a CUP is required.  Dahlheimer, seconded by Dokken-McFann, made a motion to table further discussion until the next meeting.

Oleson reported he had been in contact with the MPCA regarding JFRC and the clean-up effort.  He noted there were concerns expressed about potential pollution of groundwater.  He explained that the MPCA said options for registering a complaint included private citizens filing a complaint or an environmental covenant being recorded with a deed.  The board discussed whether an option would be for the town to file a complaint with the MPCA.

Kevin Baumann, whose homestead abuts JFRC, voiced his concern about potential groundwater contamination and the effect on his property.  He asked if the town could direct the zoning administrator to contact the MPCA and require them to come out and conduct the testing.

Oberg, seconded by Dokken-McFann, made a motion to direct the zoning administrator to file a complaint with the MPCA and request that they test the property.  Motion carried unanimously.

ENGINEER’S REPORT:  Engineer Kuhn reported on drainage and erosion issues after the rains last month.  Kuhn said he had compiled a list of reasons contributing to the drainage issues:  1)  people are disturbing the ditches; 2) the township should perhaps require more temporary erosion control; and 3) people are changing the topography of their lot.

Zoning Administrator Oleson reported that currently the township contracts with Douglas County to perform their sewer inspections.  He noted that extra paperwork is required by the MPCA.  He recommended contracting with Douglas County to fulfill the MPCA obligations since the county already has a tracking mechanism in place.  He stated that the county is willing to provide this service if they can retain 90% of the sewer fees (this is the same protocol the township currently has with the City of Alexandria).  Dahlheimer, seconded by Dokken-McFann, made a motion to have the county prepare a formal agreement for sewer inspections which would cover the required tracking for the MPCA.  Motion carried unanimously.

Oleson updated the board on the two outstanding junk violations.  He stated that letters had been sent to both parties requesting an August 1st site visit.  To date, there has been no response from either party.  The board instructed Oleson to do a drive by inspection in lieu of an onsite.

OLD BUSINESS:  none

NEW BUSINESS:  In response to the town engineer’s request for aggressive crack filling, Clerk Raisanen provided a budget review and provided a summary of Receipts, Disbursements and Balances for the year.

Engineer Kuhn stated that the town needs to be more proactive than just crack filling.  His recommendation is to route and seal.  Overall, he felt this method would be less costly than seal coating; i.e. putting on a thin layer of asphalt, and could be applied once every five years.  He had already secured one quote.  The board directed the engineer to obtain another quote, find out what time of year is appropriate to do the work, and bring back a recommendation.

Kuhn reminded the board about the upcoming pre-construction meeting regarding the 2017 road improvements.

Chair Eldevik and Clerk Raisanen will contact the town attorney regarding the status of the Zunker agreement.

Clerk Raisanen will contact possible appointees to fulfill the vacancy on the planning commission.

Being no further business, Dahlheimer, seconded by Oberg, made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Meeting adjourned at 7:46 p.m.

Respectfully submitted….

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Gregg Raisanen, Clerk

Approved this ____ day of ________, 2017

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Rod Eldevik, Chairman