Alexandria Township
Alexandria, Minnesota 56308
Minutes of the meeting of February 2, 2015
A regular meeting of the Board of Supervisors of Alexandria Township was held on the 2nd day of February, 2015 at the Alexandria Township Conference Room, 324 Broadway.
ROLL CALL: Supervisors present were Jul Feuling, Lyle Hammerschmidt, Joel Dahlheimer 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 Vice-Chairman Dahlheimer at 6:00 p.m.
Feuling, seconded by Hammerschmidt, made a motion to adopt the agenda with the additions of Land Stewardship Project letter under “New Business” and road striping under “Engineer’s Report”. Motion carried unanimously.
Hammerschmidt, seconded by Niskanen, made a motion to approve the minutes of the 01//21/2015 regular board meeting as written. Motion carried unanimously.
Niskanen, seconded by Feuling, made a motion to authorize payment of claims 15025 – 15031 in the amount of $12,652.97, net payroll of $2,870.39 totaling $15,523.36 and a transfer of funds from savings in the amount of $15,000.00. Motion carried unanimously.
CITIZEN’S CONCERNS: none
PLANNING AND ZONING: Clerk Raisanen reported that Douglas County had held a public hearing on the ordinance change for temporary 2nd dwellings. The township’s planning commission had submitted proposed changes to the county for the section of the ordinance entitled temporary 2nd dwellings during construction. The county chose to go forward with their original draft. Zoning Administrator Oleson will provide a summary once the ordinance has been adopted.
ENGINEER’S REPORT: Vice-Chairman Dahlheimer reported that Douglas County Public Works is requesting information to compile their annual striping needs. Engineer Kuhn to provide a schedule for 2015.
OLD BUSINESS: Clerk Raisanen reported that at its last meeting, the town board had granted Richard Zunker an extension of his agreement until August 1, 2015 for total removal of materials from his property. He noted that Mr. Zunker expressed his gratitude to the town board for the extension. He also stipulated that Vice-Chairman Dahlheimer has agreed to be the liaison between the town board and Mr. Zunker. Vice-Chairman Dahlheimer indicated his intention to start monthly monitoring of the cleanup process beginning in April.
Clerk Raisanen reported that at its last meeting, the town board had appointed Mark Watkins as its AAEDC liaison. After that appointment was made, the town was notified that Jason Murray, Executive Director for the AAEDC, had submitted his resignation. Clerk Raisanen to verify with Mr. Watkins his intention to serve in this capacity in light of the new developments with the AAEDC.
NEW BUSINESS: Clerk Raisanen recommended that Verla Schwendemann, Barb Sather and Paul Stennes be appointed as election judges for the upcoming annual township election with Darlene O’Brien serving as head judge. Feuling, seconded by Hammerschmidt, made a motion to accept the clerk’s recommendation. Motion carried unanimously.
Clerk Raisanen presented the budget for 2016 forwarded by the budget committee. He explained the $8,000 difference in administrative salaries was due to the state’s mandate of PERA contributions for the clerk and treasurer, retroactive to the date of their appointments. The overage in the Road and Bridge category was due to the application of the Base One product. He stated the levy will be on the agenda for board approval at the next meeting.
Supervisor Hammerschmidt reported he had received information from the Land Stewardship Project based out of Minneapolis. In summary, he stated the organization indicated there are potential feedlot changes being put forth by the legislature which would weaken the township’s position on controlling feedlots. Clerk Raisanen suggested a formal resolution could be submitted. The information will be distributed to the town board for their review and, if the board desires, the clerk will draft a letter of opposition in the form of a resolution.
Being no further business, Hammerschmidt, seconded by Feuling, made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Meeting adjourned at 6:36 p.m.
Respectfully submitted….
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Gregg Raisanen, Clerk
Approved this ____ day of ________, 2015
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Joel Dahlheimer, Vice-Chairman