Alexandria Township
Alexandria, Minnesota 56308
Minutes of the meeting of 3-08-2022
The annual meeting of Alexandria Township was held at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Hwy 29 North, on the 8th Day of March 2022.
Clerk Raisanen opened the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance at 8:02 PM.
Joel Dahlheimer nominated Bernie Van Zomeren as moderator for the meeting. Rod Eldevik moved to have nominations ceased. A unanimous ballot was placed for Bernie Van Zomeren as moderator.
The meeting was turned over to Bernie Van Zomeren at 8:04 PM.
Jerry Wright, seconded by Dennis Butz, made a motion to approve the agenda as presented. Motion carried.
MINUTES: Moderator Van Zomeren reported that the minutes from the 2021 Annual meeting had been posted on the Township Website since last year and no corrections were noted. Joel Dahlheimer, seconded by Jerry Wright, made a motion to approve the 2021 annual meeting minutes as written. Motion carried.
CLERK’S REPORT: Clerk Raisanen reviewed the 2021 financial data for the township. The draft balance sheet for 2021 shows total assets at the end of 2021 were $1,675,293 with the majority in cash. Clerk Raisanen reviewed the statement of Receipts, Disbursements, and Balance for 2021. Total revenue for 2021 was $1,130,577 vs disbursements of $672,114. Total fund balance at the end of 2021 was $1,621,134. Clerk Raisanen reported approximately $150,000 in revenue was from Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds. The township plans on using this funding for blacktop projects in 2022. The 2021 approved budget was $1,003,000 and actual spending was $660,000. The two major areas underspent were Road and Bridges and Blacktop. The township anticipated spending money on a major road project in partnership with Douglas County and Hudson Township on the rebuilding of 50th Ave. The project did not get state funding; therefore, it didn’t happen in 2021. The township did not have any blacktop projects in 2021. The approved budget for 2022 is $ 1,038,343 and the proposed budget for 2023 is $1,110,343. To support that budget, the town board recommended a levy increase of 5.2%.
Clerk Raisanen reported the township solicited bids for road overlay projects in 2022 at an estimated cost of over $300,000.
Clerk Raisanen reported building activity in 2021 was at a record level. Twenty-five new homes were constructed at an estimated construction cost of $11,000,000. In addition, permits for remodeling was also at a record level.
The township is updating the comprehensive land use plan and continues to explore the rebuilding of 50th Ave. Liberty Road will also need to be rebuilt in the future.
Rod Eldevik, seconded by Dennis Butz, made a motion to approve the Clerk’s report as presented. Motion carried.
Nicole Klimek, Alexandria Township’s representative to the AAEDC, gave an update of activity from the Economic Development Commission. She reported that 1.5 million dollars was given to 83 companies in Douglas County for Covid relief. AAEDC continues to explore methods to recruit workers to the Alexandria region. They are working on workforce development projects. She also reported on future projects.
Clerk Raisanen reported that Douglas County, along with the area ATV club ROAR, is trying to develop additional ATV trails within the county. They are requesting support for the development of additional trails, which may include gravel township roads.
Clerk Raisanen presented a proposed levy for the following amounts: General Revenue- $184,950, Road & Bridge- $232,284, Blacktop- $180,000, ALASD- 130,000, Snow & Weed- $67,157, Parks & Recreation- $4,000, and Fire Protection- $50,793. Total recommended levy amount for 2022 is $849,184.
Joel Dahlheimer, seconded by Dennis Butz, made a motion to approve the levy for General Revenue in the amount of $184,950. Motion carried.
Jerry Wright, seconded by Dennis Butz, made a motion to approve the levy for Road and Bridge in the amount of $232,284. Motion carried.
Rod Eldevik, seconded by Dennis Butz, made a motion to approve the levy for Blacktop in the amount of $180,000. Motion carried.
Jerry Wright, seconded by Larry Steidl, made a motion to approve the levy for ALASD in the amount of 130,000. Motion carried.
Dennis Butz, seconded by Larry Steidl, made a motion to approve the levy for Snow and Weed in the amount of $67,157. Motion carried.
Rod Eldevik, seconded by Jerry Wright, made a motion to approve the levy for Parks and Recreation in the amount of $4,000. Motion carried.
Larry Steidl, seconded by Joel Dahlheimer, made a motion to approve the levy for Fire Protection in the amount of $50,793. Motion carried.
2023 MEETING DATE: Rod Eldevik, seconded by Dennis Butz, made a motion to set the 2023 annual township meeting on March 14, 2023 at 8:00 PM at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church. Motion carried.
Joel Dahlheimer reported that Superintendent Rick Sanstad reached out to him, inviting a representative of the township to attend the Community Education Advisory meetings. He also requested financial support. Rod Eldevik reported that when LAR was dissolved in 2019 and Alexandria Schools proposed to assume the running of community recreation, they said they would not need financial support from the townships. Clerk Raisanen will reach out to Superintendent Sanstad.
Clerk Raisanen reported that Rod Eldevik and Joel Dahlheimer have each been reelected to a three-year term as supervisor. He also reported that 13 votes were cast.
Being no further business, Rod Eldevik made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Meeting adjourned at 8:35 PM.
Submitted March 8, 2022 ___________________________ Gregg Raisanen, Clerk
Approved this _____ day of _________, 2022
_______________________________
Bernie Van Zomeren- Moderator