Alexandria Township
Alexandria, Minnesota 56308
Minutes of the meeting of August 19, 2013
A regular meeting of the Board of Supervisors of Alexandria Township was held on the 19th day of August, 2013 at the Alexandria Township Conference Room, 610 Fillmore Street.
ROLL CALL: Supervisors present were Bryon Alstead, Jul Feuling, Lyle Hammerschmidt, 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.
Hammerschmidt, seconded by Niskanen, made a motion to adopt the agenda with the addition of barking dogs under Citizens Concerns and trees in the right of way under New Business. Motion carried unanimously.
Supervisor Dahlheimer joined the meeting.
Hammerschmidt, seconded by Niskanen, made a motion to approve the minutes of the 08/05/2013 regular board meeting as written. Motion carried unanimously.
Niskanen, seconded by Dahlheimer, made a motion to authorize payment of claims 13178 – 13185 in the amount of $43,605.39, EFTPS of $782.55, totaling $44,387.94 with a transfer from savings in the amount of $32,000.00. Motion carried unanimously.
CITIZEN’S CONCERNS: Ken Voight, 2505 Burgen Heights, was present to discuss a barking dog issue. He reported that he had contacted his neighbor twice and contacted the sheriff’s department six times. The sheriff’s department has not heard the dog when they responded and told Mr. Voight that they could not do anything since this does not constitute a nuisance. Chairman Alstead had contacted the sheriff’s department and did talk to the deputy who reported that same information. Chairman Alstead will contact Sheriff Wolbersen and Clerk Raisanen will research other animal ordinances on wording pertaining to dog barking.
PLANNING AND ZONING: Matt Zimmerman, owner of the undeveloped lot located at 4101 Neewana Beach Road, was present to discuss his plans to construct a residence on this lot. Mr. Zimmerman presented a proposed plan and indicated that he meets all the required setbacks from the property lines and wetland and is proposing to move the location of the drainage pipe that was installed in 2001. He purchased the lot from the county in 2004. In order for this plan to move forward, it would require an abandonment of the current easement and a new one be approved. Mr. Zimmerman indicated that if he did not receive approval for the easement change, he could construct a home by moving the location of the residence to the west side of the lot which would not require changing the easement.
Engineer Kuhn reported that the structure would result in a minor increase in flow in the drainage area to downstream landowners. Dahlheimer, seconded by Alstead, made a motion to not approve abandoning the drainage easement and relocation of the drainage pipe. The board discussed the feasibility of a public hearing regarding the matter. For: Dahlheimer, Alstead. Against: Niskanen, Feuling, Hammerschmidt. Motion failed.
The board discussed the desire to obtain additional public input. Niskanen, seconded by Feuling, made a motion to allow public comments during the next board meeting. Motion carried unanimously. Mr. Zimmerman will provide a detailed sketch of the second option for the board.
NEW BUSINESS: Supervisor Niskanen inquired into the need to get landowner approval for the removal of dead trees in the road right of way. It was agreed that any dead trees could be removed without landowner approval.
Clerk Raisanen reported that the winter road maintenance contract would begin on October 1, 2013 and requested approval to advertise for quotes for road maintenance services. Niskanen, seconded by Dahlheimer, made a motion to authorize Clerk Raisanen to advertise for winter road maintenance quotes. Motion carried unanimously.
ENGINEER’S REPORT: Engineer Kuhn reported that Central Specialties will begin working on the blacktop overlays the beginning of September. Feuling, seconded by Niskanen, made a motion to approve a change order to the bid to allow an overlay of a portion of Lois Lane and Shadow Lane at the same unit price in the original bid. Motion carried unanimously.
OLD BUSINESS: none
Being no further business, Feuling, seconded by Hammerschmidt, made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Meeting adjourned at 7:35 p.m.
Respectfully submitted….
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Gregg Raisanen, Clerk
Approved this ____ day of ________, 2013
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Bryon Alstead, Chairman