Alexandria Township
Alexandria, Minnesota 56308
Minutes of the meeting of 3-14-2017
The annual meeting of Alexandria Township was held on the 14th Day of March 2017 at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Hwy. 29 North, Alexandria, MN.
Clerk Raisanen opened the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance at 8:00 PM.
Rod Eldevik nominated Bernie Van Zomeren as moderator for the meeting. Nominations ceased. A unanimous ballot was placed for Bernie Van Zomeren as moderator.
The meeting was turned over to Bernie Van Zomeren at 8:03 PM.
Jeff Oberg, seconded by Larry Steidl, made a motion to approve the agenda as presented. Motion carried.
APPROVE MINUTES: Russell Niskanen, seconded by Rod Eldevik, made a motion to approve the minutes of the March 8, 2016 annual meeting as written. Motion carried.
CLERK’S REPORT: Clerk Raisanen reported that the Township was in sound financial condition at the end of the year. The draft audited financial statement shows that the township’s total assets at the end of 2016 were $2,340,513. The ending fund balance for the year was $993,332 compared to a beginning fund balance of $1,167,068 a decrease of $155,506. Total Revenue for the year was $836,826 and total expenditures for the year were $992,332.
Major road improvements included paving a portion of Neewana Beach Road and overlaying Apache Lane, Colorado Circle, Pinewood Lane and Lake Crest Road.
Clerk Raisanen reported that building activity in 2016 has increased significantly. More than 20 new home building permits were issued in 2016 and it appears that in 2017 the pace will continue.
Clerk Raisanen reviewed the 2016 actual spending vs budget and presented a proposed 2018 budget in the amount of $827,758. He explained that the board has proposed a levy increase of approximately $40,000 for 2017 as a result of no additional payments from the City of Alexandria. The final phase of the annexation was completed in 2012 and the township will not have any revenue from the annexation agreement.
Joel Dahlheimer, seconded by Jeff Oberg, made a motion to approve the Clerk’s report as presented. Motion carried.
Clerk Raisanen reported that Mark Watkins, Alexandria Township’s representative to the Alexandria Area Economic Development Commission, has resigned and the town board will be appointing a replacement at a future township meeting.
Clerk Raisanen presented a proposed levy for the following amounts: General Revenue- $145,125, Road & Bridge- $172,000, Blacktop- $69,875, ALASD- $107,500, Snow & Weed- $53,750, Parks & Recreation- $24,725, Fire Protection- $45,758, Total recommended levy amount for 2017 is $618,733. Rod Eldevik, seconded by Jeff Oberg, made a motion to approve the 2017 Levy, payable in 2018, in the total amount of $618,733. Motion carried.
2018 MEETING DATE: Rod Eldevik, seconded by Jeff Oberg, made a motion to set the 2018 annual township meeting on March 13, 2018 at 8:00 PM at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church. Motion carried.
Moderator Van Zomeren opened the floor for any items. Several individuals expressed concern that the Echo Press did not publish anything in regard to the township elections. Russell Niskanen, seconded by Rod Eldevik, make a motion to have the regional township association and Alexandria Township contact the Echo Press expressing their disappointment in the lack of coverage for the township elections. Motion carried.
Clerk Raisanen reported that Russell Niskanen has been reelected to a three-year term as supervisor. He also reported that for the vacant supervisor position that no one filed for office, Jul Feuling received the most write-in votes.
Being no further business, Rod Eldevik made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Meeting adjourned at 8:21 PM.
Respectfully Submitted…..
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Gregg Raisanen, Clerk
Approved this _____ day of _________, 2017
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Bernie Van Zomeren- Moderator