Alexandria Township
Alexandria, Minnesota 56308
Minutes of the meeting of 10-16-2006
A special and regular meeting of the Board of Supervisors of Alexandria Township was held on the 16th Day of October 2006 at the Alexandria Township Conference Room, 610 Fillmore Street.
ROLL CALL: Supervisors present were Louis Ross, Bryon Alstead, Jim Casper, Joel Dahlheimer, and Roger Thalman. Also present was Clerk Gregg Raisanen. As said members formed a quorum and the meeting was called to order by Chairman Thalman at 6:45 PM.
Casper, seconded by Ross, made a motion to recess the meeting at 6:46 to open up the public hearing on the Golden Gate Area paving project and to reconvene at the end of the public hearing. Motion carried unanimously. Meeting was recessed at 6:46 PM.
Casper, seconded by Alstead, made a motion to reconvene the board meeting. Motion carried unanimously. Chairman Thalman reconvened the meeting at 7:45 PM. Treasurer Billmark was present.
Discussion was held regarding the proposed Golden Gate Area paving project. Supervisor Ross questioned whether the portion of Queens Road should be included at this time or should it be included in the other portion of Queens Road when it is paved. Engineer Kuhn recommended that the project go forward as proposed.
Dahlheimer, seconded by Alstead, made a motion to order the Golden Gate Area paving project as proposed. Motion for: Alstead, Ross, Casper, Thalman, Dahlheimer. Motion against: 0. Motion carried unanimously.
Dahlheimer, seconded by Casper, made a motion to adopt Resolution 06-06, a resolution ordering improvement and preparation of plans for Golden Gate Ave., Kings Road, Bridge Street, Castle Lane, and a portion of Queens Road. Motion for: Alstead, Ross, Casper, Thalman, Dahlheimer. Motion against: 0. Motion carried unanimously.
Ross, seconded by Alstead, made a motion to adopt the agenda for the regular board meeting with the addition of discussion about the proposed drainage project for Whispering Oaks under Citizen Concerns. Motion carried unanimously.
CITIZEN’S CONCERNS: Dave Robley and Scott Green, Douglas County Public Works, provided the board an updated plan for the proposed drainage project in Whispering Oaks involving 4 wetlands. Chairman Thalman and other residents of the area expressed concern about the water level in the south-western pond located within the plat as a result of the proposed drainage project. Dave Robley reported that the current elevation of the pond is 1365.65 and the proposed outlet of the pond is at 1365.5. Scott Green reported that it is feasible and less expensive to eliminate the concerned pond from the project by boring directly from the eastern pond to the outlet pond and eliminate the other two ponds from the project. This would require easements from different landowners than the proposed original project. They will design this approach and the board will discuss this proposal at the next board meeting on November 6, 2006.
ENGINEER’S REPORT: The board discussed the turnaround at the end of Airway Lane. Victor Roob was present and agreed to provide a temporary easement and to build a cul-de-sac at the end of the road according to township road standards. Ross, seconded by Alstead, made a motion to proceed with the turnaround at the end of Airway Lane and directed Engineer Kuhn and Clerk Raisanen to design and record the turnaround. Motion carried unanimously.
Dave Robley and Scott Green provided an update to the board regarding the CR 42 project. Comment period on the project’s EAW finishes on October 24, 2006. The proposed plan includes 4 ft. wide shoulders, and a sidewalk on one side of the road. The design provides for enough treatment for drainage from all the impervious surfaces for a ½ “ rain event. They reported that the accident rate on this stretch of road was significantly higher than other similar county roads and the current average speed of autos is similar to other roads. The proposed project would result in the removal of some existing retaining walls and the removal of some trees along CR 11 on the north end of the proposed project. They indicated that this road provides for one of the main entries into the City of Alexandria from the north. Supervisors Alstead and Dahlheimer expressed support for the project.
They also provided a brief update of the CR 81 road realignment project. They indicated that as a result of the current rain, it has been difficult for travel on the new road. The contractor has finished the main construction with the installation of gravel the next step once the road dries out. A larger box culvert will be placed under the road at the Lake Jessie/Lake Victoria channel, which will allow for the passage of larger boats.
Clerk Raisanen forwarded a request by a resident located along a corner on Maple Drive for the township to assume maintenance of a street light to Engineer Kuhn.
NEW BUSINESS: Ben Oleson, CGI, presented a memo describing some recommendations from the zoning subcommittee regarding some decisions that the board needs to make regarding implementation of future zoning and subdivision regulations and administration. The board directed Clerk Raisanen to try to set up a meeting with the Douglas County Commissioners on November 20, 2006, if it was feasible, to discuss future planning and zoning. The board will discuss the recommendations of the zoning subcommittee at the next meeting.
The board discussed the formation of a subcommittee to develop recommendations about parks and recommendation. Supervisor Casper recommended that Chairman Knowles from the planning commission appoint two members to this committee. The board was in consensus to form a parks and recreation subcommittee consisting of the following members: two members from the planning commission, Al Lieffort, Ben Oleson, Jim Oldenkamp, Supervisor Alstead, and Clerk Raisanen.
The board discussed the proposed rezoning of a property located on Hwy. 29 north. The property is located within an area that is identified as commercial on the comprehensive land use plan so no concerns were expressed by the board regarding the request.
Chairman Thalman provided a summary of the public hearing held by the ALASR board regarding the proposed expansion of sewer along Lake Jessie and Lake Victoria. He reported that at the hearing, 27 individuals spoke, and 7 spoke in opposition to the project. Clerk Raisanen reported that he had received one email and one voice mail in opposition to the proposed project. Chairman Thalman reported that the ALASR board approved the project on Wednesday, October 11 with the following recommendations: the maximum assessment amount of $10,000/parcel and
to not require hookup for up to 5 years after the date of installation. He indicated that the availability of low interest money from the State of Minnesota provided an opportunity to lower the overall cost of the project to make in more feasible.
Alstead, seconded by Ross, made a motion to approve the minutes of the October 2, 2006 regular board meeting as written. Motion carried unanimously.
Dahlheimer, seconded by Casper, made a motion to authorize payment of claims 6311-6320 in the amount of $11,267.44, net payroll in the amount of $420.22 for a total of $11,687.66 and to authorize the transfer of $10,000.00 from the savings into the checking account.
Being no further business Alstead, seconded by Casper, made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Meeting adjourned at 9:20 PM.
Respectfully Submitted…..
Gregg Raisanen, Clerk
Approved this _____ day of _________, 2006
Roger Thalman, Chairman