Alexandria Township
Alexandria, Minnesota 56308
Minutes of the meeting of August 17, 2020
A regular meeting of the Board of Supervisors of Alexandria Township was held on the 17th day of August, 2020 at the Alexandria Township Conference Room, 324 Broadway.
ROLL CALL: Supervisors present were Jeff Oberg, Joel Dahlheimer, Rod Eldevik, Dennis Butz and Jerry Wright. Also present was Gregg Raisanen, Clerk. As said members formed a quorum and the meeting was called to order by Chairman Eldevik at 6:00 p.m.
Oberg, seconded by Butz, made a motion to adopt the agenda with the addition of impervious surfaces under Old Business. Motion carried unanimously.
Chairman Eldevik introduced Dave Wolf, CEO of Gardonville. Mr. Wolf provided a map depicting the areas of Alexandria Township that are not currently being served by high speed internet services. Mr. Wolf reported that his company submitted a grant proposal to the state last year to install new fiber into the area along Maple Drive from Hazel Hill Road to the end of Queens Road. The company was prepared to install the fiber this year; however, the grant was not accepted. The project was delayed when Charter installed cable along Maple Drive to Wickstrom Lane. As a result, residents along the south shore of Lake Victoria along Maple Drive, the area along Queens Rd,. and the Golden Gate subdivision are not served by high speed internet. Gardonville plans on submitting another state grant in 2021 to extend fiber into this area along with the area on the west side of Lake Jessie. The township inquired if a part of this could be completed by December 2020 if the township were willing to cost share for a portion of the project. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, a significant number of residents in these locations have children studying remotely through distance education as well as adults required to work remotely. These families are currently restricted due to internet speed.
Mr. Wolf reported that Gardonville has enough equipment and is prepared to install fiber along portions of the south shore of Lake Victoria and on the west side of Lake Jessie by December, 2020 at an estimated cost of $400,000 if Alexandria Township cost shares in the amount of $72,000. Clerk Raisanen will present a written proposal for the board to consider at the next meeting.
Dahlheimer, seconded by Butz, made a motion to approve the minutes of the 08/03/20 regular board meeting as written. Motion carried unanimously.
Dahlheimer, seconded by Wright, made a motion to authorize payment of claims 20135 – 20141 in the amount of $4,457.56, EFTPS $1,308.84 totaling $5,766.40 with a transfer from savings of $5,000.00. Motion carried unanimously.
CITIZEN’S CONCERNS: None
PLANNING AND ZONING: Chairman Eldevik reported that Zoning Administrator Oleson viewed Billie Dropik’s property today. Mr. Dropik has not complied with the three conditions agreed upon previously; however, the auction date was verbally communicated to Mr. Oleson. Oberg, seconded by Butz, made a motion to have Zoning Administrator Oleson send Mr. Dropik a letter that states he needs to be in compliance by the next meeting or the township will proceed with the court ordered cleanup. Motion carried unanimously.
ENGINEER’S REPORT: none
OLD BUSINESS: Supervisor Oberg reported that Douglas County is revising their ordinance for calculation of impervious surfaces. After adoption, the township should review their updated ordinance in regard to different surfaces.
NEW BUSINESS: Clerk Raisanen reported that the existing summer road maintenance contract expires the end of September and the township will have to advertise for a winter contract. Dahlheimer, seconded by Butz, made a motion to authorize Clerk Raisanen to advertise for RFP’s for Winter Road maintenance services. Motion carried unanimously.
Clerk Raisanen provided a summary of the primary election voting. Although there were some challenges at the beginning of the day, the issues were resolved and voting overall went smoothly. We need to send a newsletter outlining the voter process prior to the general election.
Being no further business, Dahlheimer, seconded by Oberg, made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Meeting adjourned at 6:55 p.m.
Respectfully submitted….
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Gregg Raisanen, Clerk
Approved this ____ day of ________, 2020
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Rod Eldevik, Chairman