Alexandria Township
Alexandria, Minnesota 56308
Minutes of the meeting of October 5, 2009
A regular meeting of the Board of Supervisors of Alexandria Township was held on the 5th day of October, 2009 at the Alexandria Township Conference Room, 610 Fillmore Street.
ROLL CALL: Supervisors present were Bryon Alstead, Louis Ross, 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.
Ross, seconded by Alstead, made a motion to adopt the agenda with the addition of the Humane Society under New Business. Motion carried unanimously.
Alstead, seconded by Dahlheimer, made a motion to approve the minutes of the 9/21/09 regular board meeting with clerical corrections. Motion carried unanimously.
Alstead, seconded by Dahlheimer, made a motion to authorize payment of claims 9270-9287 in the amount of $13,363.93 with net payroll in the amount of $3,938.29 for a total of $17,302.22 and a transfer from savings of $10,000.00. Motion carried unanimously.
CITIZEN’S CONCERNS: None
PLANNING AND ZONING: Zoning Administrator Oleson forwarded a conditional use application for Louis and Velvet Ross. The applicants are seeking approval to allow limited raising of up to 9.74 animal units of livestock on their property, parcel number 03-1985-000. The planning commission recommended approval with the seven (7) conditions set forth in the staff report.
Mr. Ross asked to clarify the last condition, which reads “that if the land is altered in size, the conditional use permit will be null and void.” He stated that currently the permit would encompass Lots 3 and 4, which totals 9.74 acres. He proposed dropping the total number of allowed units to 9.1, thus changing the application to reflect Lot 4 only. He also asked if he could include goats as allowable animals under condition 6. Zoning Administrator Oleson said the animal unit would be about the same as a sheep or lamb. Alstead, seconded by Dahlheimer, made a motion to approve the conditional use application for Louis and Velvet Ross to allow limited livestock raising on parcel number 03-1985-000 with the conditions as amended. Ayes: Alstead, Dahlheimer, Thalman. Nays: None. Ross abstained.
Zoning Administrator Oleson presented a conditional use application for Nick/Jennifer Heydt and Dennis/Karin Weigel. Zoning Administrator Oleson stated that the permit would allow 100 cubic yards of riprap, 3,000 cubic yards of fill; placement of 130 feet of culvert and restoration of an eroded ravine to prevent future erosion. Oleson stated that the planning commission had recommended approval with nine (9) conditions outlined in the staff report. He mentioned that rock check dams would be implemented under condition no. eight (8). Ross, seconded by Alstead, made a motion to approve the Heydt/Weigel conditional use application with the nine (9) conditions as outlined in the staff report. Motion carried unanimously.
The applicants requested that the township help cost share in the project by paying for the culvert installation and rip rap at the end of the culvert. Quotes presented for consideration were Waldorf Excavating, in the amount of $6,760 for culvert and $8,000 for riprap, totaling $14,760 and Zacker Excavating quoting $18,000. Mr. Heydt proposed that the landowners would pay for the fill and tree removal and township assisting in cost-sharing for the culvert and riprap.
Clerk Raisanen stated that the motion for cost-sharing would be conditional upon the landowners providing an easement. Before making the motion, Dahlheimer asked to have stipulated in the minutes that the reason the town is considering cost-sharing is to correct the actions taken at the time of the original plat by requiring a drainage easement and to prevent future erosion to prevent sediment into Lake Burgen. Dahlheimer, seconded by Ross, made a motion to participate in cost-sharing for culvert installation and rip rap placement in the Heydt/Weigel drainage in the amount of $14,760.00. Ayes – Dahlheimer, Ross, Thalman. Nay: Alstead. Motion Carried.
Clerk Raisanen reported that Attorney Michelle Clark had reviewed the proposed easement agreement and vacation of easement document that was drafted for this project. She recommended no changes to the document. Ross, seconded by Dahlheimer, made a motion to approve the easement agreement and vacation of easement document as presented provided that the legal descriptions of the properties be verified. Motion carried unanimously.
ENGINEER’S REPORT: Donway Drive. Eric Nyberg, representing the Homeowner’s Association, provided photos, asking the township to address needed repairs to the road. Engineer Kuhn said he noticed one problem curb area that should be addressed yet this fall. He felt the other issues are minor and would be addressed at the time of overlay in the future. Motion by Ross, seconded by Alstead, to have the township engineer and Supervisor Dahlheimer work with Alden Just to repair the areas that are of public safety concerns. Motion carried unanimously.
OLD BUSINESS: Pat Sieverling of 2474 Shadow Lane SE provided three quotes for concrete repair to his driveway: Kluver Poured Foundations, Inc. $2,279, Central Minnesota Masonry $2,800, and Lake Mary Concrete $1,530. Clerk Raisanen stated that the quotes are not all comparable. He stated that the township had agreed to repair two slabs. Mr. Sieverling proposed repair of four concrete slabs, the cost of which will be divided between the township and the landowner. The town board directed Mr. Sieverling to have the work done and submit a bill to the township.
NEW BUSINESS: Supervisor Ross has been working with the Lakes Area Humane Society to address the rising impound costs. He invited the shelter director, Christin Klimek, to the meeting. Ms. Klimek provided a presentation outlining why animal control costs keep rising in the county and some available options. One option would be to ask Douglas County to implement a commitment of $1 per capita. Another option is for the township to broaden its commitment; i.e. $25,000/year with a 5-year commitment to fund spay/neuter programs. Supervisor Ross will contact LaGrand Township and the City of Alexandria to see if the three entities can meet jointly with the County, requesting the county’s support for a spay/neuter program.
Being no further business, Ross, seconded by Dahlheimer, made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Meeting adjourned at 7:20 p.m.
Respectfully submitted….
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Gregg Raisanen, Clerk
Approved this ____ day of ________, 2009
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Roger Thalman, Chairman