Alexandria Township
Alexandria, Minnesota 56308
Minutes of the meeting of March 7, 2011
A regular meeting of the Board of Supervisors of Alexandria Township was held on the 7th day of March, 2011 at the Alexandria Township Conference Room, 610 Fillmore Street.
ROLL CALL: Supervisors present were Bryon Alstead, Louis Ross, Jul Feuling and Joel Dahlheimer. 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 Ross at 6:00 p.m.
Alstead, seconded by Feuling, made a motion to adopt the agenda with the addition of the LAR audit under New Business. Motion carried unanimously.
Alstead, seconded by Feuling, made a motion to approve the minutes of the 02/23/2011 regular board meeting as written. Motion carried unanimously.
Dahlheimer, seconded by Alstead, made a motion to authorize payment of claims 11054-11063 in the amount of $20,935.45, net payroll of $3,786.86, totaling $24,722.31. Motion carried unanimously.
CITIZEN’S CONCERNS: none
PLANNING AND ZONING: The planning commission recommended approval of the zoning ordinance amendments. Alstead, seconded by Dahlheimer, made a motion to approve Resolution No. 11-02, Adopting Zoning Ordinance No. 123 and repealing Zoning Ordinance No. 122. Supervisor Feuling had concerns regarding moderate and high activity in the home occupations section. Even though the township attorney expressed an opinion that sufficient protections were in place to limit the types of businesses allowed, she felt the language may be too permissive, thus potentially encouraging businesses in the residential areas. The chart on page 7 for low activity home occupations depicts “P — a use allowed, but which may require a land use permit” for RCR, RR, UR, RS and CS. She would prefer “A — allowed, no permit required”. Supervisor Alstead stated he was confident in the thoroughness of the planning commission’s preparation of the amendments. Supervisor Dahlheimer stated both the town attorney and the county had expressed no misgivings. Vice-Chairman Ross asked if Supervisor Alstead were willing to alter his motion to reflect the changes mentioned by Supervisor Feuling. Supervisor Alstead declined. Vice-Chairman Ross stated that the motion is to make no changes to the document, as presented by the planning commission. Motion failed. Alstead, seconded by Dahlheimer, made a motion to table until the next meeting. Motion carried unanimously.
ENGINEER’S REPORT: Engineer Kuhn reported on potential road overlays and/or sealcoating projects. He stated that a thin overlay, approximately 1 inch, would be more cost effective than a sealcoat application. 2011 overlay projects would include SE Lake Victoria Rd, E. Lake Geneva Rd and Geneva Golf Club Drive. He proposed seeking cost estimates on a 1-1/2” bituminous application. Clerk Raisanen stated that the budget would accommodate servicing all three roads. Motion by Feuling, seconded by Dahlheimer, to direct Engineer Kuhn to prepare cost estimates for board review. Supervisor Alstead stipulated that he preferred to see the terminology for the bike trail changed to either “bike lane” or “bike route”. Motion carried unanimously.
Bike Route application. Motion by Dahlheimer, seconded by Alstead, to direct the clerk to apply for a bike route grant application with the MnDNR trails program. Motion carried unanimously.
Engineer Kuhn had compiled a prioritized crack fill listing last year. Due to the lateness of the season, the crack filling was not begun. Motion by Dahlheimer, seconded by Alstead, to direct the township road maintainer to provide crack sealing per Engineer Kuhn’s direction. Motion carried unanimously.
Information for gravel and calcium chloride quotes will be provided at the next meeting.
OLD BUSINESS: none
NEW BUSINESS: Clerk Raisanen reported that the township had received an inquiry from Someplace Safe, an organization which houses victims of violence. He stated the organization is seeking a $100 contribution. Consensus to have Clerk Raisanen check with the township attorneys.
Supervisor Alstead provided an update on the LAR Audit. He indicated that LAR operated slightly in the red last year.
Being no further business, Alstead, seconded by Dahlheimer, made a motion to adjourn the meeting.
Vice-Chairman Ross opened the Board of Audit meeting. Clerk Raisanen presented Schedule 1, the actual cash accounting for 2010, along with the audited financial statements. The board reviewed the assets, fund balances, and total expenditures for 2010. He stated that our audit is not completely finalized, due to the fact that the township has not received payment from Charter for the franchise fee. He stated there are no deficiencies in the audit. Motion by Dahlheimer, seconded by Alstead, to accept the financial statement as presented. Motion carried unanimously.
Feuling, seconded by Dahlheimer, made a motion to adjourn the Board of Audit meeting. Motion carried unanimously. Meeting adjourned at 6:56 p.m.
Respectfully submitted….
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Gregg Raisanen, Clerk
Approved this ____ day of ________, 2011
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- Louis Ross, Vice-Chairman