Alexandria Township
Alexandria, Minnesota 56308
Minutes of the meeting of December 5, 2016
A regular meeting of the Board of Supervisors of Alexandria Township was held on the 5th day of December, 2016 at the Alexandria Township Conference Room, 324 Broadway.
ROLL CALL: Supervisors present were Jul Feuling, Jeff Oberg, 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 Chair Feuling at 6:00 p.m.
Feuling, seconded by Eldevik, made a motion to adopt the agenda with the addition of junk in ditches and junk amnesty day under Old Business. Motion carried unanimously.
Oberg, seconded by Eldevik, made a motion to approve the minutes of the 11/21/2016 regular board meeting as written. Motion carried unanimously.
Niskanen, seconded by Eldevik, made a motion to authorize payment of claims 16244 – 16261 in the amount of $140,798.65, net payroll of $11,058.71 totaling $151,857.36 and a transfer of funds from savings of $146,000.00. Motion carried unanimously.
CITIZEN’S CONCERNS: none
PLANNING AND ZONING: Zoning Administrator Oleson presented an application submitted by Laurence and Dawn Dailey for the preliminary plat of Dailey’s Country Pass. The application is for a three-lot residential subdivision of a 58.62 parcel of land located at 3802 Hazel Hill Road SE. No new roads would be constructed and access to the lots would be from either E. Lake Victoria Road SE (Lot 3) or from Hazel Hill Road (County Road 81) (Lots 1 and 2). The planning commission’s recommendation is to approve the 3-lot plat, keeping the driveway to the western side of Lot 1, said driveway to be located no greater than 50 feet from the west lot line.
Oleson suggested the board clarify the planning commission’s recommendation by considering the following three items for conditions of approval. 1) That the driveway for Lot 1 (subject to the requirements of Douglas County Public Works) be no greater than 50 feet east of the west property line of Lot 1 where it intersects with County Road 81; 2) that any filling of wetlands on Lot 1 related to placement of a driveway be subject to the requirements of Douglas County Soil and Water, which stipulates any filling shall not exceed 2,000 square feet; and 3) that Lot 3 shall only be accessed from the township road, subject to township driveway permit and other requirements.
Supervisor Oberg recused himself from voting and commenting.
Mark Jahner of Stoeckel and Jahner Surveying, representing the Daileys, stated that there are potentially two areas suitable for building on Lot 1. Either site would require less than 2000 square feet of infilling. He also did not foresee a problem for building due to the natural gas line easement running through Lots 2 and 3.
Supervisor Eldevik asked what assurance we have that the yard would not be increased and the wetland diminished should someone build on Lot 1. Oleson replied that this would be a stipulation for building permit approval.
Supervisor Niskanen expressed concerns regarding the driveway on Lot 1.
Niskanen, seconded by Eldevik, made a motion to approve the preliminary plat of Dailey’s Country Pass based upon the findings of fact and the three conditions of approval as stated in the staff report. Roll: Eldevik, Niskanen, Dahlheimer, Feuling – yes. Opposed: none. Motion carried unanimously.
ENGINEER’S REPORT: Supervisor Dahlheimer reported that he had spoken with both the county and our road maintainer about costs for extra salt sand. Further discussion was tabled until more information could be provided.
OLD BUSINESS: Chair Feuling reported that the zoning subcommittee had met four times to discuss not only the creation of a stand-alone junk ordinance but also the perceived increase of junk in township ditches. The subcommittee had discussed installing reflective “no littering” signs in the most affected areas to see if it would act as a deterrent. The board was in consensus to obtain a quote on signage.
Feuling also mentioned that the subcommittee had discussed the institution of an annual junk amnesty day where residents would be allowed to bring junk to a drop off point for free or for a nominal fee. She said it would involve the township’s personnel assisting in the effort and could potentially promote good public relations for the township. Further discussion was tabled until more information could be provided.
NEW BUSINESS: Clerk Raisanen reported the town had conducted a public hearing on the nuisance “junk” ordinance and presented Resolution 16-04 for adoption, which would formally adopt Ordinance No. 129 and repeal Ordinances 94-17 (Noise Ordinance) and 94-18 (Public Indecency). Eldevik, seconded by Niskanen, made a motion to adopt Resolution 16-04, adopting Ordinance No. 129 and repealing Ordinances 94-17 and 94-18. Roll: Niskanen, Dahlheimer, Oberg, Eldevik, Feuling – yes. Opposed: none. Motion carried unanimously.
Raisanen also presented Resolution 16-05, which would adopt a summary of Ordinance No. 129 for publication. Dahlheimer, seconded by Eldevik, made a motion to adopt Resolution 16-05, a summary of Ordinance No. 129 for publication. Roll: Niskanen, Dahlheimer, Oberg, Eldevik, Feuling – yes. Opposed: none. Motion carried unanimously.
Clerk Raisanen reported we had received a proposal from Hometown Planning for 2017 zoning administration services. The contract for 2017 is for $3,900/month, an increase of $40 from 2016. Feuling, seconded by Dahlheimer, made a motion to contract with Hometown Planning for 2017 zoning administration services at the rate indicated above. Motion carried unanimously.
Clerk Raisanen reported we had received a proposal from Widseth Smith Nolting for 2017 engineering services. The proposed rate increased $3 for the Engineer’s rate, to $148/hr. and increased 2% for other general services; i.e.fee schedule. Eldevik, seconded by Oberg, made a motion to contract with WSN for 2017 engineering services at the contracted rate indicated above. Motion carried unanimously.
Being no further business, Eldevik, seconded by Niskanen, made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Meeting adjourned at 6:56 p.m.
Respectfully submitted….
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Gregg Raisanen, Clerk
Approved this ____ day of ________, 2016
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Jul Feuling, Chair