Alexandria Township
Alexandria, Minnesota 56308
Minutes of the meeting of April 15, 2024
A regular meeting of the Board of Supervisors of Alexandria Township was held on the 15th day of April, 2024 at the Alexandria Township Conference Room, 324 Broadway and via teleconference.
ROLL CALL: Supervisors present were Joel Dahlheimer, Rod Eldevik, Jeff Oberg, and Dennis Butz. Also present were Mark Meuwissen, Clerk and Mona Billmark, Treasurer. Said members formed a quorum and the meeting was called to order by Chairman Eldevik at 6:00 p.m.
Butz, seconded by Dahlheimer, made a motion to adopt the agenda. Motion carried unanimously.
Jerry Wright joined the meeting.
Wright, seconded by Dahlheimer, made a motion to approve the minutes of the 4/01/24 regular board meeting as written. Motion carried unanimously.
Dahlheimer, seconded by Butz, made a motion to authorize payment of claims 24084-24097 in the amount of $17,574.27, EFTPS of $1,214.42 and net payroll $1,649.33 totaling $20,438.02 with no transfer from savings.
CITIZEN’S CONCERNS: none
PLANNING AND ZONING: The township planning commission recommended approval of a conditional use permit (CUP) for Evan Amundson, representing Carr’s Tree Service, located at 3544 Geneva Rd NE. This CUP describes the possible use by Carr’s Tree Service of approximately 2.2 acres of land adjacent to their existing 5-acre parcel. The additional property would allow the business to store brush piles from tree removal work in a location further to the east, away from the public road, as well as parked vehicles and a small office building. The proposed use of the land would include storage of brush, chipping and grinding of vegetative materials, and burning of brush piles. Considerations included the findings of fact, the current Urban Residential zoning of the proposed additional land, and the impact such expansion might have on neighboring parcels. Wright, seconded by Dahlheimer, made a motion to deny the CUP request based on the findings of fact provided in the board report. Chair Eldevik called for a roll call vote. Oberg, Wright, Dahlheimer, Butz, Eldevik – yes. Opposed: none. Motion to deny CUP request passed unanimously.
Stormwater concerns for known problem areas was tabled to be discussed in conjunction with the Engineer’s Water Study Topic to follow.
ENGINEER’S REPORT: Engineer Jeff Kuhn suggested a water study might be needed for the area between the north end of Lake Victoria SE and the south end of Queens Road SE. This area drains into Lake Victoria through some culverts and along the house located at 2520 Queens Rd SE. Consensus to schedule a site visit before the town’s next meeting to determine the level of the township’s responsibility for resolving this issue.
Kuhn presented plans for road projects that could exceed $900,000 for 2024 and $500,000 for 2025. Implementation would require an additional $600,000 more than was budgeted for the year. Kuhn suggested an aggressive approach to road overlays in 2024 would likely save money by avoiding the deterioration of roads to a point where they required a total reclaim, specifically West Lake Jessie Drive SE and Queens Road. Kuhn noted the predicted long-term cost of road maintenance over a 20-year time frame, without adjustment for inflation, could be under $250,000 a year if we pursue this aggressive plan. Clerk Meuwissen provided approximate fund balances for Road & Bridge, Black Top, and the General Fund, suggesting the town does have the funds available to spend the incremental $600,000 increase over budget. It was noted the town has future obligations for 50th Avenue and Liberty Road.
Kuhn provided an update on the grant process for 50th Avenue, predicting a second round of grant approvals was possible. He was not able to predict the outcome for a second round on the Township’s grant proposal.
Oberg suggested the board could make a more informed decision if Kuhn could get a more refined estimate of the cost to overlay West Lake Jessie Drive SE and Queens Road, both individually and combined into one project. Kuhn agreed to compile the information for future consideration. Dahlheimer suggested the annual township road inspection be scheduled for May 4th. It would also give the board a better idea of the condition of these two roads and other roads that might need attention in 2024.
OLD BUSINESS: none
The State of Minnesota passed new regulations requiring employers to provide sick and safe time (ESST) for any employee working more than 80 hours a year. Paid time off meets the requirements of safe time under ESST. To be in compliance with the State of Minnesota’s law, the Township Clerk and Township Treasurer should accumulate sick and paid time off. Oberg, seconded by Eldevik, made a motion to accumulate 1 hour of sick leave and 1 hour of paid time off each month for the Clerk and Treasurer. Motion passed unanimously.
NEW BUSINESS: Geneva Golf Club requested renewal of their liquor license. Oberg, seconded by Wright, made a motion to renew the Geneva Golf Club liquor license. Motion passed unanimously.
The board acknowledged the United Way gambling application at Geneva Golf Club. No further action was taken.
Being no further business, Wright, seconded by Oberg, made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Motion passed and Chair Eldevik adjourned the meeting at 7:23 p.m.
Respectfully submitted….
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Mark Meuwissen, Clerk
Approved this ____ day of ________, 2024
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Rod Eldevik, Chairman