Alexandria Township
Alexandria, Minnesota 56308
Minutes of the meeting of October 5, 2020
A regular meeting of the Board of Supervisors of Alexandria Township was held on the 5th day of October, 2020 at the Alexandria Township Conference Room, 324 Broadway and via teleconference.
ROLL CALL: Supervisors present onsite were Jeff Oberg, Joel Dahlheimer, Rod Eldevik, Dennis Butz and Jerry Wright. Also present onsite was Gregg Raisanen, Clerk. Mona Billmark, Treasurer, attended via teleconference. 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 zoning ordinance amendments under Planning and Zoning and a possible violation of the small animal ordinance under Citizen Concerns. Motion carried unanimously.
Dahlheimer, seconded by Oberg, made a motion to approve the minutes of the 09/21/2020 regular board meeting as written. Motion carried unanimously.
Dahlheimer, seconded by Butz, made a motion to authorize payment of claims 20163 – 20175 in the amount of $22,980.38, net payroll $4,778.55 totaling $27,758.93 with no transfer of funds from savings. Motion carried unanimously.
CITIZEN’S CONCERNS: Clerk Raisanen reported that a resident on Genes Road voiced a complaint concerning a dog running at large. The resident stated he had reported this situation to the sheriff’s office a few years ago and has again been in contact with DCSO with the same concern. He provided examples of the dog’s aggressive behavior toward his family and neighbors. He also mentioned there is a daycare in the same area. It was determined by the town board that since this occurred in a platted area, the township’s small animal ordinance would apply. Consensus to have the clerk contact the township’s attorney to follow up with a letter to the landowner notifying them of the ordinance violation.
PLANNING AND ZONING: Zoning Administrator Oleson reported the planning commission had a discussion about feedlots at their last meeting. Currently the township does not allow for new feedlots. He noted that the county’s feedlot ordinance applies to the Agricultural Zoning District, a classification the township does not have. The planning commission wanted to know if the town board had an interest in allowing feedlots and, if so, the maximum number of animal units to be allowed. Supervisor Oberg asked if a feedlot would be addressed via a CUP. Oleson stated that feedlots are not allowed in any township district currently. Oberg mentioned that animal units would need to be defined and/or limited as to the types of animals allowed and suggested these situations be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Consensus to have the planning commission research further and bring a recommendation to the town board.
Oleson reported that the planning commission was recommending changes to the sign, renewable energy and septic system ordinances and would be forwarding them to the town board. He mentioned that Dennis Conn would be submitting a CUP application to the planning commission in October for an electronic changeable copy sign. Oleson requested the town board consider reviewing the zoning amendments first at the November 2nd meeting and then Mr. Conn’s CUP request, as the new sign ordinance amendment would directly impact his application if approved by the town board.
ENGINEER’S REPORT: none
OLD BUSINESS: Clerk Raisanen reported that the town board had tabled discussion on the Charter Communications request for a letter of support at the last meeting. Upon further review of their request, it was noted that Charter needed an answer from the township for their border-to-border grant application before September 30th. Consensus to have the clerk send a letter to Charter outlining the reasons for tabling their request.
NEW BUSINESS: none
Being no further business, Dahlheimer, seconded by Wright, made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Meeting adjourned at 6:36 p.m.
Respectfully submitted….
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Gregg Raisanen, Clerk
Approved this ____ day of ________, 2020
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Rod Eldevik, Chairman