July 6, 2016 Meeting Minutes

Alexandria Township
Alexandria, Minnesota 56308
Minutes of the meeting of July 6, 2016

A regular meeting of the Board of Supervisors of Alexandria Township was held on the 6th day of July, 2016 at the Alexandria Township Conference Room, 324 Broadway.

ROLL CALL: Supervisors present were Joel Dahlheimer, Rod Eldevik and Russell Niskanen. Also present were Gregg Raisanen, Clerk, and Mona Billmark, Treasurer. As said members formed a quorum and the meeting was called to order by Vice-Chair Dahlheimer at 6:00 p.m.

Eldevik, seconded by Niskanen, made a motion to adopt the agenda as presented. Motion carried unanimously.

Niskanen, seconded by Eldevik, made a motion to approve the minutes of the 6/20/2016 regular board meeting as written. Motion carried unanimously.

Niskanen, seconded by Eldevik, made a motion to authorize payment of claims 16115 – 16133 in the amount of $34,658.61, net payroll $4,353.94, totaling $39,012.55 with a transfer of funds from savings in the amount of $35,000.00. Motion carried unanimously.

CITIZEN’S CONCERNS: A resident raised concerns regarding the clean-up of Jack’s Family Recycling Center. He stated there are many containers with picture tubes, discarded picture tubes on the ground and other miscellaneous debris. Consensus to direct the clerk and zoning administrator to meet with the township attorney and discuss next steps to get the area cleaned up.

PLANNING AND ZONING: Zoning Administrator Oleson reported that the owner of the cabinet business on Hazel Hill Road applied for an interim use permit. The owner stated his business has been operating for 12 years. Since the owner did not have written proof from the county permitting the business location, the owner needed to apply to the township for an interim use permit.

Oleson provided copies of Alexandria City’s junk ordinance as well as the ordinance from the League of Minnesota Cities. Alexandria City’s process for enforcing the junk ordinance is to issue a letter regarding the nuisance, giving a timeframe for response of approximately 10 days. There is also an appeal process. If the nuisance is not taken care of, the city will clean it up and charge the landowner. Clerk Raisanen responded that if the township chooses to enact an ordinance, we should have specific parameters apply, such as to platted areas only.

Oleson reported that the issue of building additions/non-conforming lots has been resolved.

Oleson reported we have encountered a situation where a building permit was approved; however, the permit expired prior to a deck being constructed. The landowner would now like to complete the deck. The building inspector’s office is inclined to let them complete the project if there is no deviation from the original plans. The board was in consensus to let the landowner add the deck as originally permitted without an additional fee.

ENGINEER’S REPORT: Clerk Raisanen had drafted Resolution 16-03 requesting that the Department of Transportation conduct a speed study for Liberty Road from CR 73 to CR 82 and the portion of Neewana Beach Road that was recently paved. Eldevik, seconded by Niskanen, made a motion to approve Resolution 16-03, recommending that the Department of Transportation conduct a speed study for Liberty Road and a portion of Neewana Beach Road. Motion carried unanimously.

Clerk Raisanen reported we had received a request to post Geneva Road for safety reasons. Since this is a 55 mph road, Engineer Kuhn will ask Douglas County Engineer Robley about putting up a speed advisory sign.

Engineer Kuhn reported that Central Specialties will begin graveling the township roads beginning this week.

Kuhn presented a first pay estimate for the 2016 road improvements. He stated that the Apache Lane/Colorado project went well.

Kuhn also stated that an additional service was placed in the Victoria Estates area and was stubbed in.

OLD BUSINESS: none

NEW BUSINESS: none

Being no further business, Eldevik, seconded by Niskanen, made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Meeting adjourned at 6:57 p.m.

Respectfully submitted….

______________________________________
Gregg Raisanen, Clerk

Approved this ____ day of ________, 2016

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Joel Dahlheimer, Vice-Chair