Alexandria Township
Alexandria, Minnesota 56308
Minutes of the meeting of 4-18-2005
A regular meeting of the Board of Supervisors of Alexandria Township was held on the 18th day of April 2005.
ROLL CALL: Supervisors present were Louis Ross, Jim Casper, Joel Dahlheimer, 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 7:30 PM.
Casper, seconded by Dahlheimer, made a motion to adopt the agenda with the addition of discussion regarding ALASD. Motion carried unanimously.
Dahlheimer, seconded by Casper, made a motion to approve the minutes of the April 4, 2005 regular board meeting with a typographical date change. Motion carried unanimously.
Ross, seconded by Casper, made a motion to authorize payment of the bills in the amount of $31,906.89. Motion carried unanimously.
Dahlheimer, seconded by Casper, made a motion to transfer $15,000 from the savings into the checking account. Motion carried unanimously.
Planning and Zoning: Attorneys Bob Ruppe and Kristen Carr from the Law office of Couri, MacArthur & Ruppe, were present to discuss future planning and zoning options for Alexandria Township. Ms. Carr indicated that an interim ordinance could be for a twelve-month period of time and it is possible to extend the ordinance for an additional 18-month period. She indicated that the ordinance could require signature authority of the Board for preliminary plats. The Board would have no authority over variances and conditional use permits since there are no township zoning ordinances currently in place. The board could not determine completeness of an application and the 60-day rule would apply as soon as the county has accepted the application. In addition, the Board could not require an EAW since this falls under the jurisdiction of the County.
Dahlheimer, seconded by Casper, made a motion to recess the regular Board meeting to open the public hearing on an interim ordinance permitting Alexandria Township to approve preliminary plats and to reconvene the regular Board meeting at the conclusion of the public hearing. Motion carried unanimously. Meeting recessed at 8:05 PM.
Chairman Thalman reconvened the regular board meeting at 8:06 PM since there were no public comments during the public hearing.
The board continued discussion of an interim ordinance. Attorney Carr recommended that the Board appoint a planning commission as a first step to begin the planning and zoning process. They would be needed to help develop the comprehensive land use plan and be advisory to the board on preliminary plats. The Board directed Attorney Carr to finalize drafts of an ordinance establishing a planning commission and an interim ordinance requiring township signatures on preliminary plats.
NEW BUSINESS: Clerk Raisanen reported that he had sent request for road maintenance proposals to Alden Just Road Maintenance and Greeley Snow Removal and Grading. Alden Just Road Maintenance submitted a proposal, which the Board reviewed. Ross, seconded by Casper, made a motion to contract with Alden Just Road Maintenance for the period of April 18, 2005-October 1, 2005 for road maintenance services for the following amounts: blading and maintaining township roads- $56.50/hr., Spreading of liquid chloride- $0.76/gal., mowing of weeds- $46.00/hr., spraying of weeds- $56.00/hr., misc. maintenance- $26.00/man hr., and sweeping of streets- $46.00/hr. Motion carried unanimously.
ENGINEER’S REPORT: The board discussed drainage issues. Engineer Kuhn reported that the end of the culvert under Apache Lane was partially blocked preventing proper drainage on the east side of the road. He will look at ditch on the south side of Sioux Lane to determine if it was constructed to specifications.
Clerk Raisanen reported that he had received a road inspection report from County Engineer Dave Robley indicating that the road into Burgen Terrace meets Township Road standards. The Board was in consensus to sign the developer’s agreement for this development allowing the sale of lots.
The Board discussed drainage issues in the E. Lake Burgen Area. Engineer Kuhn will view and report back to the Board.
NEW BUSINESS- Continued: Clerk Raisanen reported that he had received a lower quote for the mowing of Woodland Park from a contractor after the work was awarded to Hemming Lawn Care.
Ross, seconded by Dahlheimer, made a motion to set the regular Township Board meeting dates and times to the first and third Monday of the month at 7:30 PM and in the event of a Monday holiday, the meeting will be moved to the next Wednesday. Motion carried unanimously.
Ross, seconded by Dahlheimer, made a motion to designate the bulletin board in the parking lot of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church and Alexandria Township’s web site as the official posting places for Alexandria Township notices. Motion carried unanimously.
Chairman Thalman reported that the Central Lakes Sanitary District has petitioned to enter ALASD. A meeting has been scheduled for May 4, 2005 to discuss this petition. Also, the City of Forada has requested hookup to the district, which would require the installation of a larger inceptor line to the south, which would require a larger assessment to the members of the district.
The Board discussed the process for selection of members to a planning commission. Clerk Raisanen was directed to determine if a closed meeting could be used to discuss potential members. The board was in consensus to bring nominations for members for the next meeting. The board discussed the necessity of a Zoning Administrator if an interim ordinance was adopted and who would serve in this capacity during the interim.
Being no further business Dahlheimer, seconded by Ross, made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Meeting adjourned at 9:30 PM.
Respectfully Submitted…..
Gregg Raisanen, Clerk
Approved this _____ day of _________, 2005
Roger Thalman, Chairman