Alexandria Township
Alexandria, Minnesota 56308
Minutes of the meeting of December 21, 2015
A regular meeting of the Board of Supervisors of Alexandria Township was held on the 21st day of December, 2015 at the Alexandria Township Conference Room, 324 Broadway.
ROLL CALL: Supervisors present were Jul Feuling, Jeff Oberg, Joel Dahlheimer, Rod Eldevik and Russell Niskanen. Also present were Gregg Raisanen, Clerk, and Mona Billmark, Treasurer. As said members formed a quorum and the meeting was called to order by Chair Feuling at 6:00 p.m.
The Regular Board meeting was recessed and the Board of Adjustment meeting was opened at 6:01 PM.
The board heard the request by Matthew Radford and Carol Nelson to grant a variance to allow a lot line adjustment that will combine an unplatted lot and a platted lot. Zoning Administrator Oleson reported that the township zoning ordinance followed the county’s ordinance which required a variance in regard to this type of request. The county recorder’s office in the past was not in support of this type of lot line adjustment; however, because of internal policy changes it is no longer a concern. This proposed lot line adjustment would make the smaller lot wider and allow it to be more buildable. Staff recommended approval of the variance with two conditions as outlined in the staff report. The applicant acknowledges the two conditions in the staff report.
The board of adjustment meeting was closed at 6:14 p.m. and the regular board meeting was reconvened.
Oberg, seconded by Niskanen, made a motion to adopt the agenda with the addition of discussion regarding an LAR update. Motion carried unanimously.
Eldevik, seconded by Oberg, made a motion to approve the minutes of the 12/07/2015 regular board meeting as written. Motion carried unanimously.
Dahlheimer, seconded by Niskanen, made a motion to authorize payment of claims 15245-15259 in the amount of $95,528.95, EFTPS of $2,535.35, Net Payroll of $7,441.85, totaling $105,506.15 and a transfer of funds from savings in the amount of $70,000.00. Motion carried unanimously.
CITIZEN’S CONCERNS: none
PLANNING AND ZONING: The board discussed the variance application submitted by Matthew Radford and Carol Nelson for a lot line adjustment on the property located at 2716 LeHomme Dieu Heights NE and an adjoining lot to the south. Eldevik, seconded by Niskanen, made a motion to approve the variance application to allow a lot line adjustment for Lot 1, Block 1, Van Kempen’s Addition and Tract N of Van Kempen’s addn of Gov. Lot 4 with one condition, that the lot line adjustment be recorded and deeded in a way which ensures that no new parcels or lots are being created and that there will only be two parcels after the lot line adjustment, just as there are only two parcels now. For: Eldevik, Niskanen, Oberg, Dahlheimer, Feuling. Against: none. Motion carried unanimously.
ENGINEER’S REPORT: Supervisor Niskanen reported that there were no complaints regarding snow removal after the last snow event.
OLD BUSINESS: Supervisor Oberg provided an update regarding LAR. He shared that LAR is increasing user fees in 2016 because of a projected $50,000 budget shortfall due to the Douglas County lease increase. Fee increases are going to be up to 40% and in 2017 there will be an 18% increase to each member of the joint powers of LAR.
NEW BUSINESS: Marty Schultz, Alexandria City Administrator, was present to request a letter of support from the Alexandria Township Board for the City’s request for bond funds from the 2016 legislature for the purposes of building a third hockey rink to the Runestone Community Center. Mr. Schultz discussed the proposed plans and need to expand recreational opportunities to the area and the prospect of hosting additional events with a third rink. The board directed Clerk Raisanen to draft a resolution in support of the request for their consideration at the next board meeting.
Clerk Raisanen reported that both the Zoning Administrator contract and the Engineering Services contract were due to expire at the end of the year. Feuling, seconded by Dahlheimer, made a motion to direct Clerk Raisanen to solicit proposals for Zoning Administrator and Engineering Services for 2016. Motion carried unanimously.
Clerk Raisanen reported that the Planning and Zoning fund balance is currently negative and recommended transferring $20,000.00 from the general fund. Dahlheimer, seconded by Eldevik, made a motion to transfer $20,000.00 from the general fund into the planning and zoning fund. Motion carried unanimously.
Being no further business, Dahlheimer, seconded by Eldevik, made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Meeting adjourned at 6:55 p.m.
Respectfully submitted….
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Gregg Raisanen, Clerk
Approved this ____ day of ________, 2016
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Jul Feuling, Chair