December 4, 2017 minutes

Alexandria Township

Alexandria, Minnesota 56308

Minutes of the meeting of December 4, 2017

A regular meeting of the Board of Supervisors of Alexandria Township was held on the 4th day of December, 2017 at the Alexandria Township Conference Room, 324 Broadway.

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

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

Oberg, seconded by Dokken-McFann, made a motion to approve the minutes of the 11/20/2017 regular board meeting with a correction to the third condition under the Zunker motion to read as follows: “…at the expense of the landowner.” Motion carried unanimously.

Dahlheimer, seconded by Oberg, made a motion to authorize payment of claims 17217 – 17225 in the amount of $21,610.87, net payroll $5,434.94 totaling $27,045.81 with a transfer of funds from savings of $27,000.00. Motion carried unanimously.

CITIZEN’S CONCERNS: none

PLANNING AND ZONING: Zoning Administrator Oleson reported that the planning commission had received an application from Evan Amundson to rezone a five-acre tract of land along Geneva Road from Urban-Residential to Commercial-Urban. The planning commission recommended approval for the rezoning of the property, currently owned by David Nelson. Oleson asked the town board to consider rezoning the property to Commercial-Rural rather than Commercial Urban due to the distance to the nearest sewer line. He explained that the main difference between Commercial-Rural and Commercial-Urban is the availability of sewer. He said that the applicant would not need ALASD sewer service. Oberg asked if the same type of uses is allowed in both districts and what restrictions would apply. Wright inquired why planning commissioner Hacker voted no to the recommendation. Oleson stated her concern was the impact upon surrounding residential area. Dokken-McFann, seconded by Dahlheimer, made a motion to rezone the 5-acre tract of land along Geneva Road from Urban-Residential to Commercial-Rural. Roll: Wright – yes, Oberg -no, Dahlheimer – yes, Dokken-McFann – yes, Eldevik – yes. Motion carried.

Oleson reported that the MPCA had contacted him and said they were unable to attend either December board meeting. They suggested a daytime meeting instead. Consensus to direct Oleson to contact the MPCA and set up a daytime meeting with the board.

Clerk Raisanen reported that he and Chairman Eldevik met with Viking Bank officials to ascertain the current status of the JFRC property. Bank officials told them that the rolloffs were moved back to the site for the purpose of resale. The bank intends to put the property up for sale “as is” and do not plan on any additional testing. Raisanen and Eldevik informed them that the property is zoned residential and, if a business wanted to be established, it would need to apply for a conditional use permit.

ENGINEER’S REPORT: Engineer Kuhn provided an update on the E. Lake Jessie Road situation. He reported that he had spoken with Jerry Haggenmiller of Douglas County Soil and Water regarding drainage issues. Kuhn proposed raising the road elevation as a safety precaution and is recommending installing a culvert at the existing road surface elevation. Dahlheimer, seconded by Dokken-McFann, made a motion to move forward with the wetland mitigation application. Motion carried unanimously.

OLD BUSINESS: none

NEW BUSINESS: Raisanen reported that the town’s representative sewer board appointment expires in 2018. Dahlheimer, seconded by Dokken-McFann, made a motion to reappoint Rod Eldevik to the sewer board for a 4-year term. Motion carried. Eldevik abstained.

Raisanen reported that the township currently utilizes the Humane Society to implement our animal control ordinance for impounding services. We pay LAHS on a case by case basis monthly, dependent upon the number of animals impounded. LAHS is proposing an annual contract fee ($15,250 annually for 2 years), the fee to be paid bi-annually in January and June. Dahlheimer, seconded by Wright, made a motion to contract with LAHS for animal impounding services for two years beginning January 1, 2018 in the annual amount of $15,250. Motion carried unanimously.

Being no further business, Dahlheimer, seconded by Dokken-McFann, made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Meeting adjourned at 6:49 p.m.

Respectfully submitted….

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Gregg Raisanen, Clerk

Approved this ____ day of ________, 2017

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Rod Eldevik, Chairman