Alexandria Township
Alexandria, Minnesota 56308
Minutes of the meeting of 5-05-08
A regular meeting of the Board of Supervisors of Alexandria Township was held on the 5th Day of May 2008 at the Alexandria Township Conference Room, 610 Fillmore Street.
ROLL CALL: Supervisors present were Bryon Alstead, Jim Casper, Louis Ross, Joel Dahlheimer, and Roger Thalman. Also present were Clerk Gregg Raisanen 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 discussion regarding alteration of a wetland at 2945 Wilderness Ridge Road. Motion carried unanimously.
Alstead, seconded by Casper, made a motion to approve the minutes of the April 21, 2008 regular board meeting as written. Motion carried unanimously.
Ross, seconded by Casper made a motion to authorize payment of claims 8139-8155 in the amount of $34,557.13 and net payroll in the amount of $3,813.00 for a total of $38,370.13. Motion carried unanimously.
CITIZEN CONCERNS: Supervisor Ross reported that as a result of final grading during construction of a home at 2945 Wilderness Ridge Road, a wetland has been drained approximately 2 feet. Engineer Kuhn reported that Jerry Haggenmiller from Douglas County Soil and Water has been contacted to look at the issue.
PLANNING AND ZONING: The board discussed the preliminary plat application and a conditional use permit for a planned unit development for Lakecrest Townhomes previous referred to as Le Homme Dieu Estates Townhomes. Zoning Administrator Oleson reported that the Planning Commission recommended approval with 3 conditions. The board recommended amending condition 1 to include the requirement that the applicant provide an easement to access the stormwater retention pond and associated pipes to meet the conditions of the township’s stormwater ordinance. Ross, seconded by Casper, made a motion to approve the application for a preliminary plat and conditional use permit for a planned unit development submitted by Robert Bugher for Lakecrest Town homes with the amended conditions recommended by the planning commission. Motion for: Alstead, Ross, Casper, Dahlheimer, Thalman. Motion against: none. Motion carried.
The board discussed the preliminary plat application for Gavin’s Point submitted by Lakeland Construction Finance. This preliminary plat application was previously approved by Douglas County in 2006 but was never finished. The Planning Commission recommended to approve the application with 2 conditions as listed in the staff report. Zoning staff recommends a third condition to require a 66 ft wide easement extending to the eastern most portion of the property for future road construction if needed. Casper, seconded by Ross, made a motion to discuss the application. Supervisor Ross questioned the length of the cul-de-sac, which exceeds the 600 ft. maximum length outlined in the zoning ordinance. The developer reported that the typography of the land makes another entrance not feasible. He indicated that the county previously approved this plat and it is substantially completed as proposed. Supervisor Ross expressed concern about the risk of having 27 lots served by one egress into the development. The board discussed the feasibility of extending an easement to the east to construct an additional access point into the development but did not know who would be responsible for paying for another entrance at a later date. Casper, seconded by Ross, made a motion to table this item until the next meeting. Motion for: Casper, Ross, Dahlheimer, Thalman. Motion against: Alstead. Motion carried. Item tabled until the next meeting.
Zoning Administrator Oleson reported that the planning commission discussed calculations of open space in Planned Unit Developments and sewer requirements in the urban residential districts.
The board discussed the final plat application for Geneva Bluff Estates Second Addition. Zoning Administrator Oleson reported that the planning commission recommended approval with no conditions. Ross, seconded by Casper, made a motion to approve the final plat of Geneva Bluff Estates, Second Addition as recommended by the Planning Commission. Motion for: Dahlheimer, Casper, Alstead, Ross, Thalman. Motion against: None. Motion carried.
Zoning Administrator Oleson reported that he has been in discussion with the county to get a contract for sewer inspection services. He also asked the board if they were interested in having the county staff determine bluff setbacks. Ross, seconded by Alstead, made a motion to require landowners to get a license surveyor to determine if a bluff condition exists and to determine setback requirements from a bluff at the discretion of the zoning administrator. Motion carried unanimously.
The board indicated that if any plat application expired, the applicant would have to reapply.
ENGINEER’S REPORT: Engineer Kuhn reported that after researching magnesium chloride vs. calcium chloride, he recommends that calcium chloride be used for dust control.
Engineer Kuhn reported that he would be requesting gravel quotes for the same quantity as last year.
Engineer Kuhn reported that the bid opening for the Queens Road/Maple Drive paving project would be held at 1:30 PM on May 29, 2008.
Engineer Kuhn provided the board a draft of a memorandum regarding a possible consideration of a regional stormwater retention pond in the Queens Road area to alleviate some of the drainage concerns expressed by Rod Eldevik. When Queens road was reconstructed, the ditch elevation on the south side of the road changed which Mr. Eldevik alleges has resulted in additional water being drained onto his property. He is concerned about future development upstream of this drainage and the potential impact on his property. Engineer Kuhn reported that it would be almost impossible to prevent no additional volume of water downstream but any future projects would be designed to not release additional flow but the volume would probably increase. The board directed Engineer Kuhn to determine if the ditch elevations could be raised to decrease the amount of drainage onto Mr. Eldevik’s property.
NEW BUSINESS: Clerk Raisanen provided the board a copy of a resolution approving lawful gambling by the Nelson Mens Club at Nokomis Market. He reported that there is no potential liability to the township if it is approved. Dahlheimer, seconded by Casper, made a motion to approve resolution 08-08, a resolution approving lawful gambling by Nelson Mens Club. Motion carried unanimously.
Clerk Raisanen reported that the board needs to approve a kennel application procedure. A draft application will be available for their consideration at the next meeting.
The board discussed the hours of the administrative assistant. They indicated the need to have the office staffed from 9:00-1:00 M-F. They also discussed the number of hours worked by the administrative assistant. Clerk Raisanen reported that the board approved 25 hours/week at the reorganization meeting. Any additional hours worked would have to be authorized by Chairman Thalman, Vice-Chairman Ross, or Clerk Raisanen. Clerk Raisanen will try to find an additional person to staff the office in the absence of the Administrative Assistant.
Being no further business, Ross, seconded by Dahlheimer, made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Meeting adjourned at 8:20 PM.
Respectfully Submitted….. Approved this _____ day of________, 2008
_______________________________ ______________________________
Gregg Raisanen, Clerk Roger Thalman, Chairman