Alexandria Township
Alexandria, Minnesota 56308
Minutes of the meeting of January 3, 2011
A regular meeting of the Board of Supervisors of Alexandria Township was held on the 3rd day of January, 2011 at the Alexandria Township Conference Room, 610 Fillmore Street.
ROLL CALL: Supervisors present were Bryon Alstead, Jul Feuling, Louis Ross and Roger Thalman. 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 Thalman at 6:00 p.m.
Alstead, seconded by Ross, made a motion to adopt the agenda as presented. Motion carried unanimously.
Ross, seconded by Alstead, made a motion to approve the minutes of the 12/20/2010 regular board meeting as written. Motion carried unanimously.
Alstead, seconded by Feuling, made a motion to authorize payment of claims 11001-11017 in the amount of $28,600.34, net payroll $4,793.37, totaling $33,393.71 and to authorize a transfer from savings into checking of $25,000.00. Motion carried unanimously.
Supervisor Dahlheimer joined the meeting.
CITIZEN’S CONCERNS: Geneva Estates Bike Trail. Clerk Raisanen reported that residents from the Geneva Estates area were scheduled to appear at the last meeting to discuss the bike trail. Since there was no representation at the meeting, the residents expressed their concerns via a letter to the town board. Their request was to apply park dedication fees to this project. The proposed bike trail would extend from the golf course clubhouse to Liberty Road, then cross Liberty Road to the Geneva East development. Clerk Raisanen stated that the town plans to apply for a grant from the DNR to offset project costs. If approved, the project would be engineered and then advertise for bids.
Al Lieffort, Douglas County Parks Superintendent, was present to clarify how park dedication fees are to be utilized. He explained that these are in actuality county funds to be disbursed as the county deems appropriate within the jurisdiction from which they are received. The process is as follows: the money for park dedication fees is collected from subdivisions approved by the township at the final plat stage. All funds collected by the township are to be used for projects within that township unless specifically permitted by the township for use in other areas of the county. He stated that Alexandria Township currently has $53,000.00 in the park dedication fee fund. The county is allocating those funds for the Lake LeHomme Dieu Trail Project. This project would extend the current bike path from State Highway 29 to County Road 85. It would be funded on an 80/20 basis: i.e. 80% state/20% local.
Engineer Kuhn asked if the township could apply for the Legacy Fund as well as the DNR grant. Supervisor Feuling asked if we needed to have engineered plans in order to apply, to which Engineer Kuhn responded affirmatively. Supervisor Ross asked if perhaps the township’s park and recreation committee could meet and discuss the issue further. The board asked if all $53,000.00 would be used for the Lake LeHomme Dieu Trail project. Mr. Lieffort said no, but in his opinion, there would not be sufficient monies to fund two projects; i.e. the Lake LeHomme Dieu Trail project and the Geneva Estates project. Clerk Raisanen reported that the township has $45,000.00 in the parks fund. The consensus of the board was to have the township Parks and Recreation Committee meet and make a recommendation to the town board; i.e. the Geneva Estates project. Clerk Raisanen was directed to respond to the Geneva Estates landowners.
PLANNING AND ZONING: Zoning Administrator Oleson stated that the planning commission had tabled their public hearing regarding the Spinner application. A public hearing on the zoning ordinance amendments has been tentatively scheduled for February 2011.
Extra soil borings. Oleson stated that the county submits an annual bill to the township regarding soil borings. Our sewer design application allows for one soil boring. In 2010, three soil borings that were not affiliated with the sewer designs were submitted to the township for payment. In these three cases, the contractor felt the soils were borderline and asked the county to re-test. The county passed the additional cost onto the township. Board consensus is to not charge the landowners or hold the county accountable for the additional fee.
ENGINEER’S REPORT: Lisa Ave. closure. Engineer Kuhn stated that the letter regarding the closure was sent to area residents. Clerk Raisanen stated that he had received responses from two landowners not opposing the closure.
NEW BUSINESS: Planning Commission term expirations. Clerk Raisanen stated that the terms for Lyle Hammerschmidt and Larry Steidl expired March 2010. Chairman Thalman stated that both individuals indicated a willingness to serve another term. Motion by Alstead, seconded by Feuling, to appoint Lyle Hammerschmidt and Larry Steidl to the planning commission for terms ending March 2013. Motion carried unanimously.
Establishment of an absentee ballot board. Clerk Raisanen stated that this board needed to be established for March elections. This board could consist of the election judges appointed by the town board. Motion by Alstead, seconded by Dahlheimer, to adopt Resolution 11-01, a resolution establishing an absentee ballot board. Roll: Alstead, Ross, Feuling, Dahlheimer, Thalman. – yes. Opposed: none. Motion carried unanimously.
2010 budget review. Clerk Raisanen reported the township received approximately $87,000 more revenue than budgeted due to the payment from the City of Alexandria for the orderly annexation agreement and underspent the 2010 budget by $180,000 due to the cancelation of proposed blacktop projects. The board directed the town engineer to assess our gravel roads for upgrades. They also directed the township Transportation Committee to meet and comprise a list of recommendations on where to allocate funds for roads.
Budget Committee: The budget committee, consisting of the chair, vice-chair, clerk and treasurer will meet on Monday, January 31, 2011 for the purpose of planning the 2012 budget.
Zoning Administrator Oleson stated that the county is willing to turn over the parcel files to the township by the end of January 2011. Oleson to contact the MAT attorneys and state agencies preparatory to institution of a contract for the release of the files.
ADJOURNMENT: Being no further business, Feuling, seconded by Alstead, made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Meeting adjourned at 7:16 p.m.
Respectfully submitted….
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Gregg Raisanen, Clerk
Approved this ____ day of ________, 2011
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Roger Thalman, Chairman