Alexandria Township
Alexandria, Minnesota 56308
Minutes of the meeting of March 1, 2010
A regular meeting of the Board of Supervisors of Alexandria Township was held on the 1st day of March 2010 at the Alexandria Township Conference Room, 610 Fillmore Street.
ROLL CALL: Supervisors present were Bryon Alstead, Julie Feuling, Joel Dahlheimer 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 Feuling, made a motion to adopt the agenda as presented. Motion carried unanimously.
Alstead, seconded by Dahlheimer, made a motion to approve the minutes of the 2/17/10 regular board meeting as written. Motion carried unanimously.
Dahlheimer, seconded by Feuling, made a motion to authorize payment of claims 10053-10064 in the amount of $33,587.16, net payroll in the amount of $4,056.63 for a total of $37,643.79 and transfer of funds from savings into checking of $9,000.00. Motion carried unanimously.
CITIZEN’S CONCERNS: none
PLANNING AND ZONING: Zoning Administrator Oleson presented an application by Joshua and Renee Sanden to rezone their 26+ acre parcel from Rural Conservation Residential to Rural Residential. The RR district would allow a maximum density of one home per 2.5 acres (8 dwellings) versus their current RCR district, allowing a maximum of one home per 10 acres (2.6 dwellings for the 26 acre parcel). Their property borders Hope and Homestead Roads and, on the east, abuts the City of Nelson. Oleson said that since this area is currently identified in the comprehensive plan as Transition Residential, indicating higher density areas, the planning commission recommended approval without any conditions. He stated that the commission discussed the current condition of Hope Road and at what point it would need upgrading.
If the town board approves the rezoning, the applicants intend to apply for a plat application. Supervisor Feuling asked if the rezoning application is approved, could the applicants apply for more than three lots. Oleson stated that even though the applicants have indicated their plans are for only three lots, there is the potential for up to eight lots. He said the town board could stipulate that only three lots be allowed; however, that criteria would need to be justified. This issue could be discussed at the time an actual plat application is considered.
Chairman Thalman decided to poll the board since a rezoning application mandates a 4/5ths majority. The poll would indicate if all supervisors are in favor of the application; if not, the application should be tabled until all five supervisors would be available to vote on the matter. Poll: Dahlheimer, Alstead, Feuling, Thalman – no objections. Alstead, seconded by Feuling, made a motion to approve the Sanden rezoning application from RCR to RR with no conditions. Roll: Dahlheimer, Feuling, Alstead, Thalman – yes. None opposed. Motion carried unanimously.
Fee changes. Zoning Administrator Oleson stated that in 2009 Douglas County began charging the town an additional $60 fee to cover state-mandated soil verifications. Alstead, seconded by Feuling, made a motion to increase the sewer disposal permit fee for all categories by $60. Motion carried unanimously.
Oleson received a call from a resident regarding the semi-trailers at Jack’s Family Recycling Center, claiming that they were not road-ready. The town board had previously ruled that if the semi-trailers were road-ready, they were allowed. The town board directed Oleson to inspect the semi-trailers to determine if they are licensed.
ENGINEER’S REPORT: Engineer Kuhn was asked to submit a cost estimate for the upgrade and blacktopping of Neewana Beach Road. He estimated rebuilding costs at $181,000, and paving costs of $124,000.00. In addition, he provided an estimated cost in the amount of $82,000 for the installation of a 12’ by 8’ box culvert to allow golf cart travel across the road. Clerk Raisanen stated that only the populated portion of Neewana Beach Road was paved. When the golf course was expanded to the north side of the road, the owner said perhaps a box culvert would help. There could be liability issues if the town blacktops the road and does not supply a box culvert. The question was asked if any other governmental entities have encountered this situation. Clerk Raisanen stated that a box culvert was installed under CR 42 to serve the Alexandria Golf Club and also under CR 5 for Miltona Golf Course.
Clerk Raisanen said that this would be a project to improve distribution of traffic on this road. To ensure public safety, the town should bear the brunt of the cost, with no assessment to the landowners. Discussion ensued regarding the cost of the box culvert; i.e. will the town pick up the entire cost or perhaps ask the golf course to cost-share. Engineer Kuhn said that the town should take into consideration: 1) that this road is a collector route; and 2) the annual maintenance costs on bituminous is less on an annual basis than blading, etc. Engineer Kuhn said that the speed limit would remain 55 mph outside of the developed area.
OLD BUSINESS: Resolution 10-03, Resolution Denying Petition for Improvement. Attorney Haseman has prepared a resolution denying bituminous surfacing for Southside Drive stating that a public hearing was held, notice was given, and an overwhelming majority of landowners present at the hearing expressed denial of the project. Alstead, seconded by Dahlheimer, moved to adopt Resolution 10-03, a resolution denying petition for improvement of Southside Drive. Roll: Alstead, Feuling, Dahlheimer, Thalman – yes. None opposed. Motion carried unanimously.
Letter to the landowners on Southside Drive. Since not all landowners were present at the hearing, Attorney Haseman has drafted a letter notifying landowners of the decision not to approve the project. Alstead, seconded by Feuling, made a motion to approve the letter and have Attorney Haseman distribute. Motion carried unanimously.
NEW BUSINESS: Clerk Raisanen said state statute dictates that the township is required to conduct an annual Board of Audit meeting. The clerk presented the audit materials. Total cash balance at the end of 2009, was $684,009.39 compared to a beginning balance of $642,192.55, an increase of approximately $40,000. Total receipts for the year were $1,084,941 and expenditures were $1,043,124. The board reviewed the revenue/expenditure analysis for the previous 10 years that was completed by Chris Mitchell, Accounting. It showed that with an exception of two years, revenue was greater than expenditures.
Net assets for the township at the end of the year were $2,028,450 compared to $1,895,261. The greatest increase in net asset was the inclusion of the Erickson Heritage roads, which were improved during 2009. The board reviewed the audited balance sheet and combined statement of Revenue, Expenditures, and changes in fund balances for 2009.
Dahlheimer, seconded by Feuling, made a motion to approve the 2009 financial statements as presented. Motion carried unanimously.
Clerk Raisanen presented the 2011 budget that was prepared by the budget committee. The total recommended budget for 2011 was $1,021,357, a decrease of 2.6% from the 2010 budget. The recommended levy to support this budget is $784,498, which is a 1.5% decrease from the 2009 levy. Alstead, seconded by Dahlheimer, made a motion to forward the recommended levy amount of $784,498 to the voters at the annual meeting. Motion carried unanimously.
Being no further business, Dahlheimer, seconded by Alstead, made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Meeting adjourned at 6:45 p.m.
Respectfully submitted….
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Gregg Raisanen, Clerk
Approved this ____ day of ________, 2010
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Roger Thalman, Chairman