April 2, 2018 minutes

Alexandria Township

Alexandria, Minnesota 56308

Minutes of the meeting of April 2, 2018

A regular meeting of the Board of Supervisors of Alexandria Township was held on the 2nd day of April, 2018 at the Alexandria Township Conference Room, 324 Broadway.

ROLL CALL:  Supervisors present were Joel Dahlheimer, Rod Eldevik, Linda Dokken-McFann and Jerry Wright.  Also present were Gregg Raisanen, Clerk, and Mona Billmark, Treasurer.

Clerk Raisanen called for nominations for chairman.  Dokken-McFann nominated Rod Eldevik as chair.  Nominations ceased and a unanimous ballot was cast for Eldevik as chair.  The meeting was turned over to Chairman Eldevik.

Chairman Eldevik called for nominations for vice-chair.  Wright nominated Joel Dahlheimer as vice-chair.  Nominations ceased and a unanimous ballot was cast for Dahlheimer as vice-chair.

Dahlheimer, seconded by Wright, made a motion to adopt the agenda as presented.  Motion carried unanimously.

Wright, seconded by Dokken-McFann, made a motion to approve the minutes of the 03-19-2018 regular board meeting and the 03-19-2018 BOA meeting as written.  Motion carried unanimously.

Dahlheimer, seconded by Wright, made a motion to authorize payment of claims 18067 – 18078 in the amount of $22,251.82, net payroll $5,697.69 totaling $27,949.51 with no transfer of funds from savings.  Motion carried unanimously.

CITIZEN’S CONCERNS:  none

PLANNING AND ZONING:  Zoning Administrator Oleson reported Robert Bugher had submitted a preliminary plat and conditional use application for Lakecrest Townhomes, First Addition, a planned unit development (Highpoint Homes, Inc. and Alexandria Home Sales, Inc, owners).  The PUD would include five detached single family units on what are currently four previously platted lots intended for one single-family unit each. He noted that the town had previously approved variances for the development. He stated that the plat meets all requirements and the planning commission had recommended approval with no conditions.  Wright, seconded by Dokken-McFann, made a motion to approve the preliminary plat and conditional use application for Lakecrest Townhomes, First Addition (PUD).  Motion carried unanimously.

Oleson reported Al Beisner had submitted a preliminary plat for 7th Addition to Lake Geneva Estates, a 5-lot residential development on 4.13 acres in an Urban Residential district.  The planning commission recommended approval with the condition that the applicant meet all requirements of the Stormwater Ordinance in the development of the site.  Engineer Kuhn said there was no need for additional stormwater provisions.  Wright, seconded by Dahlheimer, made a motion to approve the preliminary plat for 7th Addition to Lake Geneva Estates with one condition, to meet all requirements of the township’s stormwater ordinance.  Motion carried unanimously.

Oleson reported Evan Amundson had proposed a preliminary plat to split 5 acres from a 29+ acre lot currently owned by David Nelson.  He noted that Mr. Amundson has previously been granted a rezoning of the land from Urban-Residential to Commercial-Rural, a conditional use permit to allow a tree removal service in a C-R district, and a variance from connecting to sanitary sewer.  He stated that the planning commission recommended approval of the one-lot commercial subdivision with two conditions:  1) that the applicant submit a preliminary plat drawing, as required in the Township Subdivision Ordinance, to be reviewed and approved by the Township Zoning Administrator; and 2) that the applicant meet all requirements of the Township Stormwater Ordinance in the development of the site.  Dahlheimer, seconded by Dokken-McFann, made a motion to approve the proposed one-lot commercial subdivision with the two planning commission recommendations stated above.  Motion carried unanimously.

Oleson reported that in light of recently adopted zoning amendments by Douglas County, the planning commission has recommended the establishment of a township zoning subcommittee to review the amendments.  Dokken-McFann, seconded by Wright, made a motion to create a zoning subcommittee.  Motion carried unanimously.

Oleson reported that a resident on Pawnee East has expressed concerns about drainage/run-off from the development on Colorado Circle.  At the time the development was platted, no  stormwater provisions were in place.  Consensus to have Oleson contact the resident.  Dahlheimer has reached out to the owner of a newly built home in the development and will report back to the board.

ENGINEER’S REPORT:  Engineer Kuhn reported Douglas County had received a request from the Runestone Area Education District for a Deaf Child Area sign to be located at 2502 Little Sweden SE.  He stated it would be similar to the “Watch for Children” signs.  It would require two signs to be installed, one in either direction.  Kuhn suggested the town purchase the signs, provide the installation and require the homeowner to submit an annual report to the town ensuring the situation still exists and that the sign, therefore, is still relevant.    Dokken-McFann, seconded by Dahlheimer, made a motion to purchase two signs, have the township provide the installation and require the homeowner to submit an annual report to the town.  Motion carried unanimously.

Kuhn also reported the town had received a request to have a Dead End sign posted on Alyssa Lane, a cul-de-sac.  Consensus is to not install a sign as the area does not meet the qualifications for a Dead End sign.

Kuhn reported he will provide an update on the East Lake Jessie Road project at the next meeting.

OLD BUSINESS:  Clerk Raisanen recommended the winter road maintenance contract be extended to April 10, 2018 due to current weather conditions.  Alden Just Road Maintenance agreed to the proposed extension.  Dokken-McFann, seconded by Wright, made a motion to extend the 2017 winter road maintenance contract to April 10, 2018.  Motion carried unanimously.

Clerk Raisanen reported the town had received one RFP for summer road maintenance, from Alden Just Road Maintenance.  The proposal includes all the requested information.  The contracted amounts are the same as 2017 except for grading of roads with a motor grader, which increased from $85/hr. to $87/hr.  Dahlheimer, seconded by Dokken-McFann, made a motion to award the 2018 summer road maintenance contract to Alden Just Road Maintenance at the fee schedule provided above for the period of April 10, 2018 – September 30, 2018.  Motion carried unanimously.

NEW BUSINESS:

  1. The following Board appointments were made for 2018:
  • LAR  –  Supervisor Oberg
  • AAEDC – Vice-chair Dahlheimer
  • Planning & Zoning Subcommittee – Chairman Eldevik and Supervisor Dokken-McFann, with Commissioners Steinbrecher and Steidl from the planning commission
  • Roads – Vice-chair Dahlheimer and Chairman Eldevik
  1. Planning commission term expiration – Dokken-McFann, seconded by Dahlheimer, made a motion to re-appoint Jarrod Oberg to a 3-year term expiring March 2021. Motion carried unanimously.

 

  1. Per diem rate – Dahlheimer, seconded by Dokken-McFann, made a motion to have the per diem rate remain at $80/meeting with an extra $20/meeting chairing a meeting. Motion carried unanimously.

 

  1. Inspection rate – Dokken-McFann, seconded by Wright, made a motion to have the inspection rate remain at $40/inspection. Motion carried unanimously.

 

  1. Incidental labor rate – Dahlheimer, seconded by Dokken-McFann, made a motion to raise the incidental labor rate from $17.50/hr. to $18.00/hr. Motion carried unanimously.

 

  1. Administrative Assistant salary – Dahlheimer, seconded by Dokken-McFann, made a motion to increase the administrative assistant’s salary by $.50, from $20.00/hr. to $20.50/hr. Dahlheimer and Dokken-McFann amended their motion to reflect a salary increase to $21/hr.  Amended motion carried unanimously.

 

  1. Treasurer’s and Clerk’s salary – Dahlheimer, seconded by Wright, made a motion to have the treasurer’s and clerk’s salary increase from $735/month to $750/month. Motion carried unanimously.

 

  1. Mileage rate –Dahlheimer, seconded by Dokken-McFann, made a motion to adopt the IRS millage reimbursement rate. Motion carried unanimously.

 

  1. Official newspaper – Dokken-McFann, seconded by Dahlheimer, made a motion to designate the Echo Press and the township’s website as the township’s official site for legal notifications. Motion carried unanimously.

 

  1. Township bank – Dahlheimer, seconded by Wright, made a motion to designate Bremer Bank as our depositor of funds. Motion carried unanimously.

 

  1. Movement of funds – Wright, seconded by Eldevik, made a motion to purchase a one-year CD for $500,000.00. Motion carried unanimously.

 

  1. Attorney – Wright, seconded by Dahlheimer, made a motion to designate the Pemberton Law Firm as legal counsel, Marc Sugden serving as the township attorney for all current and future general township matters. Motion carried unanimously. Attorney Paul Johnson will finish all legal matters that he currently is working on.

 

  1. Weed inspector – Eldevik, seconded by Wright, made a motion to designate all town supervisors as weed inspectors with Vice-chair Dahlheimer as chief weed inspector. Motion carried unanimously.

 

  1. Group life insurance – Dahlheimer, seconded by Wright, made a motion to retain coverage at the silver level. Motion carried unanimously.

Chairman Eldevik stated the road inspection date will be postponed due to current weather conditions.

Being no further business, Dahlheimer, seconded by Dokken-McFann, made a motion to adjourn the meeting.  Meeting adjourned at 7:15 p.m.

Respectfully submitted….

______________________________________

Gregg Raisanen, Clerk

Approved this ____ day of ________, 2018

_______________________________________

Rod Eldevik, Chairman