Alexandria Township
Alexandria, Minnesota 56308
Minutes of the meeting of July 6, 2015
A regular meeting of the Board of Supervisors of Alexandria Township was held on the 6th day of July, 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.
Niskanen, seconded by Oberg, made a motion to adopt the agenda as presented. Motion carried unanimously.
Dahlheimer, seconded by Oberg, made a motion to approve the minutes of the 06/15/2015 regular board meeting as written. Motion carried unanimously.
Niskanen, seconded by Oberg, made a motion to authorize payment of claims 15122-15141 in the amount of $34,739.42, net payroll $4,583.34 totaling $39,322.76. Motion carried unanimously.
PLANNING AND ZONING: Zoning Administrator Oleson reported that the township received an application for final plat approval for Victoria Estates First Addition. He stated that the preliminary plat was approved on November 1, 2010 with conditions of approval. Normally final plat is brought before the town board within one year of preliminary plat approval, which in this case would have been November 1, 2011. On March 2, 2015 the town board had authorized the applicant to proceed directly to final plat despite the long time period since the approval of the preliminary plat based upon previous input from the township attorney and the fact that the subdivision ordinance had not changed since the preliminary plat was approved. The proposed plat has a different layout than what was originally approved. The applicant is currently proposing reducing the lakeshore lots from 8 to five; one back lot (as opposed to six) and one roadway (as opposed to two) ending at the property line with a temporary turnaround. Oleson indicated that the park dedication fee has not yet been paid. The applicant, Ben Zacher, stated that the escrow agreement and bonding have been completed and the developers agreement signed. Dahlheimer, seconded by Niskanen, made a motion to approve the final plat of Victoria Estates First Addition provided all conditions as outlined in the staff report are met and that all approvals be made before obtaining the chair’s signature. Roll: Niskanen, Oberg, Dahlheimer, Eldevik, Feuling – yes. Opposed: none. Motion carried unanimously.
Oleson presented a conditional use permit application for property located at 4353 County Highway 82 East (John Keener, applicant; Gerald and Sandra Krebs, property owners). The request is for the operation of a dual purpose shop to house automotive repair and floor coating systems. Oleson stated that only the automotive repair portion needs approval since the floor coating systems would be a permitted use under the zoning ordinance. The property is currently zoned Commercial – Urban and has historically been utilized for commercial painting, auto body repair and (used) automotive sales. The planning commission has recommended approval with three conditions. Motion by Niskanen, seconded by Eldevik, to approve the conditional use application of John Keener for a dual purpose shop to house automotive repair (and floor coating systems) with the three conditions as outlined in the staff report. Motion carried unanimously.
Clerk Raisanen reported that he and Chair Feuling met with the township attorney and expressed concern that the deadlines for cleanup on the Zunker property may not be met. The township attorney will send a letter reminding Mr. Zunker of the extension expiration of August 1, 2015. He is also proceeding with obtaining a court date in the event compliance is not met. Clerk Raisanen stated the town board needs to locate a company who would be able to complete the cleanup process.
ENGINEER’S REPORT: Engineer Kuhn reported he has final construction plans for the Neewana Beach Road project. The final plans encompass minor road grade adjustments and minimized fill. He is seeking authorization from the town board for bid opening around the week of August 10, 2015. Engineer Kuhn stated Mr. Thompson has agreed to pay up to $55,000 for the box culvert and installation. Mr. Thompson has also agreed to pay for landscaping and retaining walls at the ends of the culvert. Clerk Raisanen reported that the township attorney will draft an agreement indicating the breakout of costs between Mr. Thompson and the township. Anticipated township’s share of construction costs is $130,000. Supervisor Oberg asked if the long term plan is to tar this road. Raisanen responded yes. Dahlheimer, seconded by Oberg, made a motion to approve the final construction plans and authorize Engineer Kuhn to obtain bids. Motion carried unanimously.
Lee Lindquist, representing the Geneva Estates Golf Course Association, stated that last year the association made a presentation to the town board regarding ditch improvements to increase drainage. At that time, the association made a recommendation to address half of the drainage issues in 2015, which would encompass grading the ditches and re-seed. Total project costs were estimated at $8,150, to be split between the township and the association. He has requested that the township engineer obtain the ditch elevation on the opposite side of the road when construction is occurring. Consensus of the town board is to authorize Engineer Kuhn to ascertain elevations on the opposite side of the road during construction.
NEW BUSINESS: Clerk Raisanen reported that during the township short course for clerks and treasurers it was recommended that townships who have employees maintain an employee manual. Clerk Raisanen will research.
Being no further business, Dahlheimer, seconded by Eldevik, made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Meeting adjourned at 7:15 p.m.
Respectfully submitted….
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Gregg Raisanen, Clerk
Approved this ____ day of ________, 2015
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Jul Feuling, Chair