Alexandria Township
Alexandria, Minnesota 56308
Minutes of the meeting of 5-19-08
A regular meeting of the Board of Supervisors of Alexandria Township was held on the 19th Day of May 2008 at the Alexandria Township Conference Room, 610 Fillmore Street.
ROLL CALL: Supervisors present were Bryon Alstead, Joel Dahlheimer, Jim Casper and Roger Thalman. Also present were Deputy Clerk Bonnie Fulghum and Mona Billmark, Treasurer. As said members formed a quorum and the meeting was called to order by Chairman Thalman at 6:00 PM.
Alstead, seconded by Dahlheimer, made a motion to adopt the agenda with the addition of Gavin’s Point under Old Business and Wayne Johnson – Audit and LAR Update under New Business. Motion carried unanimously.
Alstead, seconded by Casper, made a motion to approve the minutes of the May 5, 2008 regular board meeting as written. Motion carried.
Wayne Johnson of the Chris Mitchell accounting firm made a brief presentation of the audit. The town board also requested Mr. Johnson to research the issue of the deputy clerk’s ability to sign checks in the clerk’s absence.
CITIZEN CONCERNS: Tony Strasser of 1404 Maple Drive SE raised concerns regarding the sharp curve on Maple Drive adjacent to the streetlight. Someone had an accident at this site resulting in damage to signs. He had three questions: 1) who would be responsible to repair and/or replace the signs; 2) would the twp install reflecting curve signs before and at the curve; and 3) would the township possibly install a road guard right at the curve. The town board instructed the township engineer to research the issue and bring a recommendation back to the board at the next meeting.
ENGINEER’S REPORT: Engineer Kuhn provided two written quotes for class 5 gravel. Central Specialties quoted $6.20/ton for an estimated cost of $31,000 and Alden Just quoted $8.55/ton for an estimated cost of $42,750. Engineer Kuhn stated that Central Specialties had done a good job last year and his recommendation was to utilize them again. Alstead, seconded by Casper, made a motion to accept the quote by Central Specialties in the amount of $6.20/ton for class 5 gravel. Motion carried unanimously.
Engineer Kuhn stipulated that we will be receiving bids May 29, 2008 for the Queens Road and Maple Drive area bituminous street improvements. The town board can act on this issue at their next meeting.
With regard to the Rod Eldevik property, Engineer Kuhn said we can raise the grade of the ditch and perhaps place some fill in the neighboring ditch. Chairman Thalman asked if we proceeded with this plan of action, what would the next step be? Engineer Kuhn said we would need to talk to the landowner. The town board instructed Engineer Kuhn to make this contact and report back at the next meeting.
Casper, seconded by Dahlheimer, made a motion to authorize payment of claims 8156-8168 in the amount of $12,504.40 and net payroll in the amount of $531.04 for a total of $13,035.44 and a transfer of funds from savings in the amount of $9,500.00. Motion carried unanimously.
Chairman Thalman presented a 3.2 liquor application for Three Havens Store. Dahlheimer, seconded by Casper, made a motion to acknowledge approval of the 3.2 liquor license for Moore’s Three Havens store. Motion carried unanimously.
The town board received one written quote for calcium chloride from Alden Just in the amount of $.965/gallon. Deputy Clerk Fulghum stated that Douglas County’s quote for a one-time application only, was $.924/gallon through Univar, Inc.. Dahlheimer, seconded by Casper, made a motion to accept the quote from Alden Just for calcium chloride application in the amount of $.965/gallon. Motion carried unanimously.
Gavin’s Point plat — Mr. Lerew was present on behalf of Lakeland Construction Finance as well as his surveyor, Mike Nyberg. Zoning Administrator Oleson stipulated that there are three main issues concerning this plat: 1) public safety; i.e. one access only; 2) coordinated road network; i.e. the need for an easement; and 3) efficient public service; i.e. cul-de-sac issues. He stressed that the top priority of the three was public safety.
Other issues discussed were potential flooding on the lower portion of the development and the feasibility of requiring an easement, since the “future road” may never come to fruition. Does the township want to put this requirement on the land?
Chairman Thalman asked if the applicant had any other information to present. Mr. Lerew stated that his company took this property over from Garfield Homes. He said that the foreclosure processs took over a year, which meant they lost a lot of time with which to complete the platting process. From their perspective, they are losing money on this development and just wish to finish the project.
Mr. Nyberg gave a history of adjoining properties and the practicality/impracticality of those properties subdividing at some point in the future. He also stated that for some parcels, there are covenants against subdivision.
Supervisor Casper stated that he would abstain from any discussion and voting on this issue due to the proximity of his property to the proposed plat.
Discussion ensued regarding widening the right-of-way/setbacks on the entrance road, potentially affecting lots 2, 21, 20 and 19.
Alstead, seconded by Dahlheimer, made a motion to approve the plat with conditions nos. 1 and 3 in the staff report and to add a condition to address a wider setback to the ingress road prior to final plat approval. Roll: Dahlheimer – yes, Alstead – yes, Thalman – yes. Motion carried unanimously.
Supervisor Alstead gave an update on LAR. He stated that LARA intends to sign over the entire 60-acre parcel to the YMCA. He also stipulated that the YMCA desires to work with community groups on developing the field space on the back portion of the parcel. They are also contemplating contacting Magellan on leasing land for ball fields, etc. The YMCA and LAR have agreed to form a task force. Supervisor Alstead stated that he and Elroy Frank have been meeting with the YMCA representative.
Supervisor Casper requested an update on the transportation committee. Engineer Kuhn to give a report at the next meeting.
Being no further business, Alstead, seconded by Dahlheimer, made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Meeting adjourned at 7:30 PM.
Respectfully Submitted….. Approved this _____ day of________, 2008
_______________________________ ______________________________
Bonnie Fulghum, Deputy Clerk Roger Thalman, Chairman