October 2, 2017 minutes

Alexandria Township

Alexandria, Minnesota 56308

Minutes of the meeting of October 2, 2017

A regular meeting of the Board of Supervisors of Alexandria Township was held on the 2nd day of October, 2017 at the Alexandria Township Conference Room, 324 Broadway.

ROLL CALL: Supervisors present were 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 Dokken-McFann, made a motion to adopt the agenda as presented. Motion carried unanimously.

Wright, seconded by Dokken-McFann, made a motion to approve the minutes of the 9/18/2017 regular board meeting with the addition of Jerry Wright under Roll Call. Motion carried unanimously.

Dahlheimer, seconded by Wright, made a motion to authorize payment of claims 17177 – 17183 in the amount of $20,303.58, net payroll $3,059.16 totaling $23,362.74 and a transfer of funds from savings of $20,000.00. Motion carried unanimously.

CITIZEN’S CONCERNS: none

PLANNING AND ZONING: Zoning Administrator Oleson reported that Indigo Signworks had applied for a conditional use permit on behalf of the Rainbow Rider Transit Board. They propose to lower the existing 5’ x 10’ sign cabinet on the existing pole sign and install a new free-standing pole sign with a 3.67’ x 8.08’ two-sided electronic changeable copy sign. The recommendation from the planning commission is to allow for a 32 square foot sign with two conditions: 1) that the sign meets all requirements (if any) of the Minnesota Department of Transportation, which retains some regulatory authority over signage along County Road 82; and 2) that the sign lighting be automatically dimmed during periods of darkness so as not to be a distraction to motorists.

Bob Wolfe, representative for Indigo Signworks, stated that the sign will have a built-in photocell to automatically dim.

Supervisor Wright asked if the sign met all requirements. Oleson answered affirmatively.

Supervisor Dahlheimer asked why the existing sign would be lowered. Mr. Wolfe stated it was necessary so as to not exceed wind load.

Wright, seconded by Dokken-McFann, made a motion to approve the conditional use application submitted by Indigo Signworks with the two conditions stated above. Roll: Wright, Dahlheimer, Dokken-McFann, Eldevik – yes. Opposed: none. Motion carried unanimously.

Oleson reported that Rose City Canopy & Sign had applied for a conditional use permit on behalf of Poepping Properties, Inc. The applicant is proposing to install a free-standing pole sign with a 4’ x 9.8’ two-sided sign face that will be lit from the interior of the sign cabinet. The planning commission recommended approval with three conditions: 1) that the brightness of the lighting elements not be such that it creates a distraction for motorists or neighboring residential property owners; 2) that the sign must meet all required setbacks from property lines, unless a variance is granted; and 3) that the sign meets all requirements (if any) of the Minnesota Department of Transportation, which retains some regulatory authority over signage along County Road 82.

Jaime Feldhake and Lindsey Berger, 5314 County Road 82 SE, expressed their opposition to the proposed lighted sign. They contend that the light will potentially shine into their home. They asked that the owner consider a different location for the sign.

Bruce Strandskov of Rose City Canopy & Sign said the sign would face east and west with a closed cabinet north and south and, since the sign would be lit internally, a minimal amount of glow would be presented. Dahlheimer, seconded by Dokken-McFann, made a motion to table until more information can be obtained and a site visit be conducted. Motion carried unanimously.

Oleson noted that the township attorney has been notified of outstanding violations.

Wright, seconded by Dokken-McFann, made a motion to send a letter to a landowner on Newman Road regarding a violation of the town’s nuisance ordinance, notifying the landowner that if not compliant within thirty days, the matter will be turned over to the township attorney. Motion carried unanimously.

ENGINEER’S REPORT: Engineer Kuhn reported overtopping of E. Lake Jessie Road during significant rainfalls. He requested authorization to conduct a hydraulic study. Dokken-McFann, seconded by Dahlheimer, made a motion to authorize additional studies not to surpass the sum of $5,000. Motion carried unanimously.

OLD BUSINESS: none

NEW BUSINESS: Clerk Raisanen reported that the summer road maintenance contract expired September 30th and asked for an extension until November 1st. He stated that the road contractor has agreed to the extension. Dahlheimer, seconded by Dokken-McFann, made a motion to extend the road maintenance contract until November 1, 2017. Motion carried unanimously.

Raisanen requested authorization to solicit quotes for the winter road maintenance contract, which would run from November 1, 2017 – March 31, 2018. Dahlheimer, seconded by Wright, made a motion to solicit requests for proposals for a winter road maintenance contract. Motion carried unanimously.

Raisanen reported that currently all of our deposits are at Bremer Bank. The bank has to secure deposits over $1,200,000.00. We have historically had the bank pledge collateral for an amount equal to 120 percent of our deposits. It costs the bank .5 percent to have our money secured. He stated that Bremer can use the federal home loan bank in lieu of pledging securities. If the township secures the deposits through the federal home loan bank, the current rate of return would be 0.91% which is greater than our current return. Based on the difference in return, there would be a potential gain of $5,000.00 in revenue. Wright, seconded by Dahlheimer made a motion to authorize Bremer bank to secure a line of credit with the federal home loan bank. Motion carried unanimously.

The board reviewed the proposed 2018 budget. Clerk Raisanen reported that the amount owed ALASD for debt service is less than the original proposed budget and recommended that the budget be adjusted. Dokken-McFann, seconded by Dahlheimer, made a motion to approve the budget for 2018 in the amount of $811,887. Motion carried unanimously.

Being no further business, Dahlheimer, seconded by Dokken-McFann, made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Meeting adjourned at 7:11 p.m.

Respectfully submitted….

______________________________________

Gregg Raisanen, Clerk

Approved this ____ day of ________, 2017

_______________________________________

Rod Eldevik, Chairman