Alexandria Township
Alexandria, Minnesota 56308
Minutes of the meeting of 11-20-2006
A regular meeting of the Board of Supervisors of Alexandria Township was held on the 20th Day of November 2006 at the Alexandria Township Conference Room, 610 Fillmore Street.
ROLL CALL: Supervisors present were Louis Ross, Bryon Alstead, Joel Dahlheimer, and Roger Thalman. Also present was Clerk Gregg Raisanen and Mona Billmark, Treasurer. Also present was attorney Kristen Carr, County Attorney Chris Karpen, and County Commissioners Paul Anderson, Jerry Johnson, John Mingus and Dan Olson. As said members formed a quorum and the meeting was called to order by Chairman Thalman at 7:30 PM.
Chairman Thalman opened the discussion regarding the township’s intent to do their own planning and zoning. The meeting was turned over to Supervisor Ross who provided a chronological summary of events that occurred during the past two years and also a description of the townships plan for proceeding with their own planning and zoning. He reported that the township will be adopting interim ordinances in the near future that will be as restrictive as the county’s ordinances and will adopt permanent ordinances in the next 6-12 months.
Commissioner Anderson asked who would be doing the enforcement of the township ordinances? Chairman Thalman reported that the township has hired a zoning administrator and that Attorney Michelle Clark would be prosecuting just as is currently being done with Alexandria Township’s existing ordinances.
Attorney Karpen discussed the possibility that the County would be named in a lawsuit since the County Board would be approving final plats. Attorney Karr reported that the law requires that the County Board approve final plats and the possibility of the County being named is slim.
Commissioner Johnson inquired whether the county surveyor would check final plats as part of the process. The county surveyor would review the plats before the final approval of plats.
Supervisor Ross reported that the county would be involved at the development review team meeting and then at the time of final plat approval. He indicated that the rest of the review would be completed by the township planning commission and approved by the town board. He also indicated that the town board prefers that the fees stay the same and not to access double fees on developers or residents.
Attorney Karpen talked about who would be responsible for completing an EAW if it was requested. Attorney Carr indicated that the township would be the governmental unit that would be responsible for completion since they are reviewing the preliminary plat application.
Commissioner Anderson inquired if agriculture would be dead because of the no new feedlot provision in the draft ordinance. Since the county rezone all of Alexandria Township as rural residential, new feedlots are currently prohibited in Alexandria Township under the existing county ordinance.
Attorney Karpen questioned why the township is pursing an interim ordinance instead of passing permanent ordinances? Supervisor Ross reported that the township has had numerous public meetings developing the comprehensive land use plan and the township intends on passing the interim ordinances to take effect immediately and to allow time for the township to develop permanent ordinances within 1 year.
Both boards agreed to develop a joint planning agreement and memo of understanding to proceed with the process. Attorney Karr and County Attorney Karpen will work out the details of the agreement in preparation for the town board’s December 4, 2006 meeting if possible.
Ross, seconded by Alstead, made a motion to adopt the remaining agenda items as presented. Motion carried unanimously.
Alstead, seconded by Ross, made a motion to approve the minutes of the November 6, 2006 regular board meeting as written. Motion carried unanimously.
Alstead, seconded by Ross, made a motion to authorize payment of claims 6345-6374 in the amount of $14,003.34. Motion carried unanimously.
ENGINEER’S REPORT: Clerk Raisanen presented a blacktop petition received for Deer Lane. Alstead, seconded by Dahlheimer, made a motion to accept the blacktop petition for Deer Lane. Clerk Raisanen recorded this as 06-02. He informed the residents that the soonest that this would be considered is 2009.
OLD BUSINESS: Clerk Raisanen presented an engagement letter for accounting services from Chris Mitchell in the amount of $3,100.00. He reported that he had met with Wayne Johnson from Chris Mitchell’s office and Bob Johnson from the State Auditor’s office to discuss the details of the upcoming audit. It was agreed that Chris Mitchell’s office will do all the accounting and the State Auditor’s office will use the work papers to finalize the audit and to make an opinion. Ross, seconded by Alstead, made a motion to contract with Chris Mitchell for 2006 accounting services in the amount of $3,100.00. Motion carried unanimously.
NEW BUSINESS: There were no items to discuss under township planning and zoning. The board discussed the proposed replatting of Longboat Commons that was presented to Douglas County. The request was tabled since the Stormwater retention pond did not meet the township’s requirements.
Being no further business Alstead, seconded by Ross, made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Meeting adjourned at 9:05PM.
Respectfully Submitted…..
Gregg Raisanen, Clerk
Approved this _____ day of _________, 2006
Roger Thalman, Chairman