Alexandria Township
Alexandria, Minnesota 56308
Minutes of the meeting of November 6, 2017
A regular meeting of the Board of Supervisors of Alexandria Township was held on the 6th day of November, 2017 at the Alexandria Township Conference Room, 324 Broadway.
ROLL CALL: Supervisors present were Jeff Oberg, Joel Dahlheimer, Rod Eldevik, Linda Dokken-McFann and Jerry Wright. 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 Eldevik at 6:00 p.m.
Wright, seconded by Dahlheimer, made a motion to adopt the agenda with the addition of the “To-Do List” to follow New Business. Motion carried unanimously.
Oberg, seconded by Wright, made a motion to approve the minutes of the 10/16/2017 regular board meeting as written. Motion carried unanimously.
Dahlheimer, seconded by Oberg, made a motion to authorize payment of claims 17196-17209 in the amount of $47,145.38, net payroll $4,388.98 totaling $51,534.36 and a transfer of funds from savings of $46,000.00. Motion carried unanimously.
CITIZEN’S CONCERNS: none
PLANNING AND ZONING: Clerk Raisanen presented the following items for consideration on behalf of the zoning administrator:
Zoning Administrator Oleson requested the town board consider approving a 2018 contract with Douglas County for septic system inspections and information tracking. The county currently conducts the town’s septic inspections and is willing to provide additional services, such as tracking records for septic system pumping, submittal of annual reports to the MPCA, sending out reminder letters to landowners, etc. The county is proposing to charge the township 75% of the fees collected related to these services. Oleson is recommending the town consider approving this arrangement since the township generates a low number of permits requiring this type of tracking and the set-up cost for implementing our own tracking mechanism would be prohibitive. Dokken-McFann, seconded by Oberg, made a motion to have Douglas County Land and Resource Director Dave Rush draw up the agreement. Motion carried unanimously.
Minnesota enacted a “buffer law” several years ago requiring perennial vegetation be planted at certain widths along certain ditches, rivers and public waters. It is unclear whether state law gives townships the ability to enforce the law and, if the town were able to enforce it, a considerable amount of time and effort would be expended to set up a system to track compliance. Therefore, Oleson recommends the town consider leaving enforcement of the buffer law within the township to Douglas County. Dahlheimer, seconded by Oberg, made a motion to leave enforcement of the state buffer law to the county. Motion carried unanimously.
Clerk Raisanen reported that the property at 4810 County Road 82 has been in violation of the septic ordinance for many years. In 2007 $5000 was placed in escrow to upgrade the septic system. The landowner was given options to a) have an inspection completed showing the system to be in compliance, b) to upgrade their private sewer system or c) to connect to ALASD sewer. To date, none of these options have been completed. Due to the length of time involved and the number of letters sent with no response, Oleson recommends the board consider turning this matter over to the township attorney. Dokken-McFann, seconded by Dahlheimer, made a motion to direct the township attorney to send a letter to the landowner requesting compliance with the township zoning ordinance. Motion carried unanimously.
Clerk Raisanen reported that the property located at 3602 E. Burgen Road SE has had a continuing violation related to impervious coverage in excess of the allowable amount of 25%. The latest letter to the landowner indicated compliance was needed by October 31, 2017. Oleson recommended the town board consider turning this matter over to the township attorney due to the length of time already extended to the current (and previous) landowners, the provision of a survey from the current landowner clearly indicating the property to be in violation and the number of conversations with the current owner about the matter. Wright, seconded by Dokken-McFann, made a motion to direct the township attorney to send a letter to the landowner requesting compliance with the township zoning ordinance. Motion carried unanimously.
Clerk Raisanen reported that the property at 3430 Hazel Hill Road SE was recently brought up as possibly being in violation of its Interim Use permit. The town had received inquiries regarding the outside storage of heavy equipment. Oleson contacted the landowner and confirmed that the equipment has no bearing on the business itself and is owned by his contractor. The landowner stated that the equipment is to be removed from the site shortly. Oberg, seconded by Dokken-McFann, made a motion to pursue no action at this time and to keep it on the to-do list. Motion carried unanimously.
Clerk Raisanen reported the town had received an inquiry related to heavy equipment and rolloffs being moved back onto the property at 3511 Hazel Hill Road (formerly JFRC) Oleson recommended the town either continue to monitor the site for business-related activity that would be regulated by the zoning ordinance or send the current owner a letter reminding them of the town’s position regarding business use and requesting additional information as to why the equipment is being stored there. The town discussed action items going forward, which would include having the MPCA attend a town meeting to discuss long-term environmental concerns; written documentation on contamination since the 2010 testing and guidance on getting additional testing completed; asking for written documentation from the MPCA stating they have no issue with the future development of the property; and legal ramifications regarding liability as it relates to contaminated soils. Consensus to have Oleson contact the MPCA and invite them to a town meeting. A letter to be sent to the current landowner will be dependent upon whether or not the MPCA is able to attend a future meeting and/or address the town’s concerns.
Engineer Kuhn reported that he, Supervisor Dahlheimer, and Oleson met with the landowners of 2005 E. Lake Victoria Road SE to discuss drainage concerns. Engineer Kuhn stated that there appeared to be no obvious violations to the township’s ordinance as the landowner met the required setbacks and complied with the stormwater ordinance. They did not appear to be in conflict with the fill requirements of the ordinance. Consensus to have Dahlheimer meet with the adjoining landowner to discuss the results from the site visit.
ENGINEER’S REPORT: Engineer Kuhn introduced a representative with Lot Pros, the company that conducted the work for the route and seal. The contractor happened to be in the area and wanted to meet the township board.
OLD BUSINESS: Clerk Raisanen reported that interest has been expressed in the vacancy on the planning commission. Supervisors Oberg and Dokken-McFann to follow up with possible candidates.
Discussion on the Zunker agreement was tabled until Attorney Johnson can be present.
NEW BUSINESS: Clerk Raisanen reported that the township had received one quote for salt/sand. Alden Just Road Maintenance quoted $45.00 per cubic yard ($32.14/ton) for salt/sand and $200/ton for extra salt. He noted that Douglas County charges $27.75/ton and $87.63/ton for extra salt; however the township would have to pick up from the county and store. Oberg, seconded by Dahlheimer, made a motion to approve the purchase of salt/sand from Alden Just Road Maintenance at the quoted rate of $45.00/cubic yard and $200/ton for extra salt. Motion carried unanimously.
Being no further business, Dokken-McFann, seconded by Oberg, made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Meeting adjourned at 7:26 p.m.
Respectfully submitted….
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Gregg Raisanen, Clerk
Approved this ____ day of ________, 2017
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Rod Eldevik, Chairman