Alexandria Township
Alexandria, Minnesota 56308
Minutes of the meeting of January 3, 2024
A regular meeting of the Board of Supervisors of Alexandria Township and two public hearings of the Board of Adjustment was held on the 3rd day of January, 2024 at the Alexandria Township Conference Room, 324 Broadway and via teleconference.
ROLL CALL: Supervisors present were Jeff Oberg, Joel Dahlheimer, Rod Eldevik, Dennis Butz and Jerry Wright. Also present were Gregg Raisanen, Clerk with Mona Billmark, Treasurer, attending remotely. As said members formed a quorum and the meeting was called to order by Chairman Eldevik at 6:00 p.m.
BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT PUBLIC HEARINGS:
Chairman Eldevik recessed the town meeting to open the public hearing on the variance application submitted by Randy Thompson on behalf of RT Seasonal Properties LLC. The property is located at 4011 Co Rd 73 NE. The request is to allow the construction of a residential dwelling on a parcel to be served by a private sewer system rather than connecting to the ALASD sanitary sewer collection system.
Zoning Administrator Oleson reported that Mr. Thompson owns a 20-acre tract of land. His intention is to construct a new dwelling / shouse on the property. Due to its location in the ALASR service area, the dwelling is required to connect to the ALASD sewer system per ALASD ordinance. Oleson noted that when the lot was created by plat in 2021, a variance was granted to not require sewer to be extended to the created lots. This was on the condition that any future construction of sewage-generating dwellings or other facilities would not be allowed without either connecting to ALASD sewer or obtaining another variance. Oleson stated ALASD is not opposed to this application if the individual agrees to connect to sanitary sewer when it becomes available.
Chairman Eldevik opened the hearing to the public for comment. Hearing none, he closed the public hearing and opened the second public hearing on the variance application submitted by Mark Lindemann on behalf of Tech North LLC. The property is located at the intersection of Co Rd 73 NE and E. Lake Geneva Rd NE. The request is to allow construction of a dwelling and attached garage as close as 75 feet from the center line of Co Rd 73 (minimum setback required is 100 feet).
Oleson reported Mr. Lindemann had applied for a conditional use permit last month for the movement of fill to provide a building pad for a dwelling to be built on this property. The CUP request was approved. Oleson stated the highway department confirmed the county road setback is 100 feet. He noted this property will connect to ALASD.
Chairman Eldevik opened the hearing to the public for comment. Hearing none, he closed the public hearing and re-convened the regular town meeting at 6:06PM.
Wright, seconded by Dahlheimer, made a motion to adopt the agenda with the addition of sewer extensions under Old Business. Motion carried unanimously.
Oberg, seconded by Wright, made a motion to approve the minutes of the 12/18/23 regular board meeting as written. Motion carried unanimously.
Wright, seconded by Dahlheimer, made a motion to authorize payment of claims 24001 – 24016 in the amount of $50,618.57, net payroll of $4,076.38, totaling $54,694.95 and a transfer of funds from savings of $50,000.00. Motion carried unanimously.
CITIZEN’S CONCERNS: none
PLANNING AND ZONING: Zoning Administrator Oleson reported that RT Seasonal Properties is requesting a variance to not connect to the sanitary sewer system as the line is approximately a quarter mile in distance from the property. Mr. Thompson has already installed a private septic system. In 2021, when the lot was created, discussions had begun about the possibility of a public project to extend the ALASD sewer line to this area. Wright, seconded by Dahlheimer, made a motion to approve the variance for RT Seasonal Properties with the condition outlined in the staff report requiring connection to ALASD within three years if the line is extended past the property. Roll: Wright, Oberg, Butz, Dahlheimer, Eldevik – yes. Opposed: none. Motion carried unanimously.
Oleson reported that Tech North has requested a variance for a road setback of 75 feet from Co Rd 73 NE (100 foot minimum required for a county road setback). Oleson stated when measuring 100 feet from the middle of the road, the setback extends to approximately the middle of the lot. If the 100-foot setback is left in place, it would necessitate the applicant to reconfigure their building. In support of the variance, Mr. Lindemann said that since the lot curves, it is actually larger on the front side. Dahlheimer, seconded by Oberg, made a motion to grant a 90-foot setback and to include the two conditions outlined in the staff report, changing condition no. 1 to read: “the applicant shall meet a minimum setback from the centerline of the county road of at least 90 feet rather than the requested 75-foot setback;” and changing condition no. 2 to read: “the approved variance shall apply to a dwelling, attached garage, and attached deck only. All other structures shall meet the required 100-foot setback unless a separate variance is granted.” Roll: Oberg, Butz, Dahlheimer, Eldevik – yes. Opposed: Wright. Motion carried.
Oleson reported he had asked permission from a landowner to gain access for a site visit on a property on Co Rd 23 SE to determine if there were violations of the nuisance ordinance. The landowner did not grant access. Consensus to request the township attorney to send the landowner a letter.
Oleson reported he had made a site visit to a property on Co Rd 81 SE and determined there was a violation of the nuisance ordinance. Consensus to have Oleson send a letter to the landowner.
ENGINEER’S REPORT: none
OLD BUSINESS: Scott Gilbertson and Bryan Bye of ALASR were present to discuss the proposed extension of sanitary sewer along Co Rd 81 and 82. An initial presentation to the town board was made on August 21, 2023. A public hearing held by ALASR with a notice sent to all affected landowners was held on December 5, 2023. The estimated assessment to benefiting landowners is to be a maximum of $30,000 per parcel. The proposed extension project includes area in four townships and includes Co Roads 81 and 82 in Alexandria Township. The feasibility report was adopted by ALASR. They also reported there are $4 million in dedicated funds from ALASR and ALASD. ALASR is requesting resolutions of support from each of the four townships to proceed with the project. Supervisor Oberg expressed concern regarding the proposed assessment of $30,000. He indicated residents he had spoken with were more likely to support a $20,000 assessment. He also expressed concern about future development in these areas as a result of the proposed assessment. Clerk Raisanen will present a resolution for consideration at the next meeting.
NEW BUSINESS: Clerk Raisanen reported effective this year is a new state law requiring employees be awarded ESST (Earned Sick and Safe Time). The administrative assistant is an hourly employee and earns 6 hours / month pto, which meets the state requirement. The clerk and treasurer positions are appointed and therefore constitute employee status. Even though these positions are salaried, they must be awarded ESST. The Clerk’s recommendation is to create a policy awarding both positions an accumulative 1 hour / month for ESST. Dahlheimer, seconded by Butz, made a motion to accept the clerk’s recommendation of awarding both positions an accumulative 1 hour / month for ESST. Motion carried unanimously.
Clerk Raisanen reported the ALASR appointment is up for renewal. Wright, seconded by Oberg, made a motion to appoint Supervisor Dahlheimer to serve a 3-year term. Motion carried unanimously.
Clerk Raisanen reported the ALASD appointment is up for renewal. Wright, seconded by Oberg, made a motion to appoint Supervisor Dahlheimer to serve a 3-year term. Motion carried unanimously.
Election judge appointments were tabled until the next meeting.
The Budget Committee meeting was set for Monday, January 22, 2024 and will include Clerk Raisanen, Treasurer Billmark, Chairman Eldevik, Supervisor Wright and Deputy Clerk Meuwissen.
Being no further business, Dahlheimer, seconded by Butz, made a motion to adjourn the meeting.
Meeting adjourned at 7:37 p.m.
Respectfully submitted….
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Gregg Raisanen, Clerk
Approved this ____ day of ________, 2024
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Rod Eldevik, Chairman