Alexandria Township
Alexandria, Minnesota 56308
Minutes of the meeting of August 4, 2014
A regular meeting of the Board of Supervisors of Alexandria Township was held on the 4th day of August, 2014 at the Alexandria Township Conference Room, 610 Fillmore Street.
ROLL CALL: Supervisors present were Bryon Alstead, 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 Chairman Alstead at 6:00 p.m.
Dahlheimer, seconded by Hammerschmidt, made a motion to adopt the agenda as presented. Motion carried unanimously.
Niskanen, seconded by Hammerschmidt, made a motion to approve the minutes of the 07/21/2014 regular board meeting as written. Motion carried unanimously.
Dahlheimer, seconded by Niskanen, made a motion to authorize payment of claims 14156 – 14169 in the amount of $143,018.10, net payroll of $4,687.70, totaling $147,705.80. Motion carried unanimously.
CITIZEN’S CONCERNS: Chad and Sarah Overland, 2912 Lake Park Court SE, inquired about upgrading the gravel road adjacent to their property. They reported there has been significant erosion, especially where the road intersects with Wilderness Ridge Road. Engineer Kuhn stated this is a platted public road that has never been maintained as a township road and has never been accepted. The Overlands have been maintaining the road. In order for the township to take over maintenance of the road, the road would need to be brought up to township standards. When asked about blacktopping the road, Clerk Raisanen explained the petition process. He mentioned that the landowners could choose to improve the road. They would not own the road, but they could maintain it, much like a driveway. Engineer Kuhn will forward the township road standards to the residents.
The residents also asked if the township could come up with an alternative to the road maintainer utilizing their driveway as a turnaround. The board discussed the possibility of contacting a landowner on Lake Park Court for an easement. Supervisors Dahlheimer and Niskanen will follow up and report back to the board.
PLANNING AND ZONING: Zoning Administrator Oleson reported Chris Just had applied for a conditional use permit, which would allow him to live in his existing house located at 3009 Berglund Mile NE while a new dwelling is moved onto the property and set upon a foundation. Once completed, the former dwelling would be removed. He said the planning commission had recommended approval of the CUP with the following conditions: 1) that the existing home be demolished or removed by December 1, 2014. Any extension to this timeframe to be approved by the planning commission; and 2) that all water connections to the existing house be disconnected at the time it is connected to the new house. Niskanen, seconded by Dahlheimer, made a motion to approve the conditional use permit with the two conditions outlined above. Roll: Dahlheimer, Niskanen, Alstead, Hammerschmidt – yes. Opposed: none. Motion carried unanimously.
Oleson also reported that the planning commission conducted a public hearing on temporary second dwellings as an interim use permit. He summarized the amendments to Ordinance No. 126 as follows: 1) a revised section III.B (Uses Permitted) identifying temporary second dwellings as an interim use and permanent second dwellings as a prohibited use in certain zoning districts; 2) a revised section V.J (Accessory Building) regulating the construction of detached accessory buildings on certain parcels and Section VII (Definitions) defining certain terms relating to the regulation of detached accessory buildings; 3 a revised motor vehicles, trailers, farm machinery or other similar items at any given time from being considered a home occupation; 4) a revised section V.L.4 (Storm Water Management) that would allow a 25 percent credit against impervious coverage for the use of pervious pavers by permit under certain conditions where a lot already exceeds impervious limits; 5) a revised Section VIII.B (Supremacy) to clarify that more restrictive standards adopted by Douglas County shall be applied to Alexandria Township even when not specifically adopted by Alexandria Township. Dahlheimer, seconded by Niskanen, made a motion to adopt Resolution 14-02, a resolution adopting Zoning Ordinance 126, repealing Zoning Ordinance 125. Roll: Niskanen, Hammerschmidt, Dahlheimer, Alstead – yes. Opposed: none. Motion carried unanimously.
Dahlheimer, seconded by Hammerschmidt, made a motion to adopt Resolution 14-03, a resolution adopting the summary of Zoning Ordinance 126 for publication. Roll: Niskanen, Hammerschmidt, Dahlheimer, Alstead – yes. Opposed: none. Motion carried unanimously.
In reference to temporary second dwellings, Oleson reported the planning commission recommended the board consider eliminating the site visit and having the subsequent $200 cost savings be applied to the interim use permit fee. Board consensus to consider this cost reduction when they review the fee schedule in January.
Supervisor Dahlheimer stated he had been contacted by a resident on Maple Drive inquiring about the process of paving his driveway. Zoning Administrator Oleson said no permit is required, as the driveway is considered impervious whether gravel or blacktopped. Oleson will review the impervious calculations.
Oleson reported that last fall the board had approved a conditional use permit for a property on 39th Avenue. The original purpose of the CUP is no longer viable, thus negating the effectiveness of the CUP. Since the CUP will expire in September from non-action, did the board wish to record a document stating the CUP expired and therefore is no longer valid. The board will consider its options once the CUP has expired.
ENGINEER’S REPORT: Item moved to Citizen’s Concerns.
OLD BUSINESS: Clerk Raisanen provided a breakout of costs for potential office space in the Broadway Suites building. Total cost for the lease would be $17,422 per year which is approximately double our current costs. Major cost increase will be paying for additional common space. Hammerschmidt, seconded by Dahlheimer, made a motion to relay to the Economic Development Commission the township’s interest in entering into a leasing arrangement for the Broadway Suites space. Motion for: Hammerschmidt, Dahlheimer, Alstead. Opposed: Niskanen. Motion carried.
Clerk Raisanen reported he, Chairman Alstead and Supervisor Niskanen had a second meeting with the City concerning an annexation agreement. The City indicated they were not interested in committing to a moratorium. Another meeting will be held in the near future. Clerk Raisanen to contact Attorney Bob Ruppe.
Clerk Raisanen reported he had received a response from Township Attorney Paul Johnson regarding ATV use on township roads. Attorney Johnson stated ATV’s are permitted on township roads. Clerk Raisanen and Chairman Alstead will meet with Attorney Johnson and report back to the board. Residents will be subsequently notified.
The board discussed posting the township parking ban at the township boundaries. Supervisors Dahlheimer and Niskanen will identify areas for posting.
NEW BUSINESS: none
Being no further business, Hammerschmidt, seconded by Dahlheimer, made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Meeting adjourned at 7:08 p.m.
Respectfully submitted….
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Gregg Raisanen, Clerk
Approved this ____ day of ________, 2014
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Bryon Alstead, Chairman