Alexandria Township
Alexandria, Minnesota 56308
Minutes of the meeting of May 4, 2009
A regular meeting of the Board of Supervisors of Alexandria Township was held on the 4th day of May, 2009 at the Alexandria Township Conference Room, 610 Fillmore Street.
ROLL CALL: Supervisors present were Bryon Alstead, Jim Casper 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 Casper, made a motion to adopt the agenda as presented. Motion carried unanimously.
Alstead, seconded by Casper, made a motion to approve the minutes of the 4/20/09 regular board meeting as written. Motion carried unanimously.
Supervisor Dahlheimer joined the meeting.
Alstead, seconded by Casper, made a motion to authorize payment of claims 9116 – 9131 in the amount of $44,268.24, net payroll $5,490.46, totaling $49,758.70 and to authorize a transfer from savings into checking of $10,000. Motion carried unanimously.
Supervisor Ross joined the meeting.
PLANNING AND ZONING: The planning commission had forwarded the preliminary plat of Victoria Crest, First Addition, submitted by Wayne and Patricia Virkus, and recommended approval with conditions. Zoning Administrator Oleson stated that the application consists of combining two existing parcels, a portion of a public right-of-way that would need to be vacated, and an “orphaned” portion of Lot 50, Lake Jessie Meadows, into one residential lot. Alstead, seconded by Dahlheimer, moved to approve the preliminary plat of Victoria Crest, First Addition, including the three conditions recommended by the planning commission and outlined in the staff report. Roll: Alstead, Ross, Casper, Dahlheimer, Thalman – yes. Opposed: none. Motion carried unanimously.
Zoning Administrator Oleson stated that the preliminary plat of Quitmeyer Addition, submitted by Scott and Donna Quitmeyer, was tabled at the last planning commission meeting due to concerns regarding drainage issues. The application was to subdivide an existing Outlot (E) of “Golden Gate” into five residential lots and a remainder that would be an outlot. The planning commission directed Engineer Kuhn to address the drainage issues and present his findings at the next planning commission meeting.
The Board considered the preliminary plat of Victoria Estates, submitted by Ben Zacher. The planning commission recommended approval with conditions. Zoning Administrator Oleson stated that the purpose of this plat is to create two buildable lots, one that already contains a single-family dwelling. The board discussed changing condition no. 1 to include a signed developer’s agreement requiring that the applicant build the road and install the sewer line when Lot 1 is sold. Supervisor Casper requested the addition of a condition to have the final plat drawing depict all existing right-of-ways including the turnaround. Casper, seconded by Ross, made a motion to approve the preliminary plat of Victoria Estates with three conditions, two as outlined in the staff report and the third condition as stated above. Roll: Alstead, Ross, Casper, Dahlheimer, Thalman – yes. Opposed: none. Motion carried unanimously.
The board considered the Conditional Use application submitted by Shad Steinbrecher. They recommended approval with conditions. Zoning Administrator Oleson stated that this application is to allow the applicant to operate a small engine repair business on the property. The business would be located within an existing barn/storage shed on the site with the possibility of some outdoor storage. Chairman Thalman asked if the board could review it anytime. Oleson answered in the affirmative. Alstead, seconded by Dahlheimer, made a motion to approve the conditional use application for a home based small engine repair business located at parcel number 03-1282-000 with all five conditions as outlined in the staff report. Roll: Alstead, Ross, Casper, Dahlheimer, Thalman – yes. Opposed: none. Motion carried unanimously.
Zoning Administrator Oleson provided an update on Jacks Family Recycling Center. He spoke with the owner regarding the roll-offs to the west. He stated that the owner indicated this area has been used in the past for this purpose. The roll-offs were placed there since the yard was full.
CITIZEN’S CONCERNS: Supervisor Ross stated that he had met with Mr. Marti regarding drainage off of Queens Road. Mr. Marti expressed concerns about the culvert installed under the road during the Queens Road project and water on the south side of the road. He wanted to know how the level of the concrete slab in the mouth of the culvert was determined. Engineer Kuhn said the original culvert was an existing culvert that was blocked prior to construction of the road. A new larger culvert was installed at the same elevation during the reconstruction of Queens Road. The concrete structure was installed to slow down the water flow going to the north side of the road and the elevation of the concrete was establish to prevent water from damaging any property to keep the level within the boundaries of the existing wetland on the south side of Queens Road. Supervisor Ross said since there is no damage to Mr. Marti’s property, it appears that the elevation of the concrete control structure appears to be adequate. The town board elected to take no further action.
ENGINEER’S REPORT: Engineer Kuhn reported that he had requested gravel quotes from two contractors however only received one quote. Central Specialties provided a written quote in the amount of $7.00/ton for the application of approximately 4000 tons of class 5 gravel. Alstead, seconded by Casper, made a motion to accept the quote for class 5 gravel submitted by Central Specialties in the amount of $7.00/ton.
Engineer Kuhn stated that a number of sinkholes are present along Liberty Road. Alden Just Road Maintenance will be directed to fix the sinkholes.
Clerk Raisanen said he met with a FEMA representative regarding the storm-damaged roads. The township will be reimbursed the standard rate for culverts, etc. Engineer Kuhn asked if we are to bring the roads up to the new standards or to the condition prior to flooding. Clerk Raisanen suggested obtaining quotes for both scenarios. The caseworker will notify us this week as to when work can commence. The board directed Engineer Kuhn to obtain quotes.
Engineer Kuhn stated that we currently have three prospective bidders for the Erickson Heritage paving project. Bid opening is scheduled for May 20, 2009.
Engineer Kuhn met with a resident regarding the drainage along Homestead Road. It appears that the slope is higher on the east side than the west. Engineer Kuhn saw no evidence of a culvert. Standing water is presently in the fields on both sides of the road. Engineer Kuhn recommended that the resident discuss drainage with the landowner on the other side of the road before taking any action.
Supervisor Dahlheimer commented that the speed limit sign on Pawnee Drive West is in the wrong location, coming north from the dead end. Supervisor Dahlheimer will direct Alden Just Road Maintenance to relocate the sign.
Supervisor Ross stated that there are frost boils on Shadow Lane. Engineer Kuhn asked if the town should put in new Class 5 and asphalt. Clerk Raisanen asked if tile should be installed to drain to the ditch. Engineer Kuhn stated that the cost for repair would be around $5,000 – $6,000. Engineer Kuhn will direct Alden Just to remove the tar and install class 5 until the asphalt plants have begun operation.
Being no further business, Alstead, seconded by Ross, made a motion to adjourn the meeting.
Meeting adjourned at 7:10 PM.
Respectfully submitted….
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Gregg Raisanen, Clerk
Approved this ____ day of ________, 2009
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Roger Thalman, Chairman