April 21, 2025

Alexandria Township

Alexandria, Minnesota 56308

Minutes of the meeting of April 21, 2025

A regular meeting of the Board of Supervisors of Alexandria Township was held on the 21st day of April, 2025 at the Alexandria Township Conference Room, 324 Broadway, and via teleconference.

ROLL CALL: Supervisors present were Joel Dahlheimer, Rod Eldevik, Dennis Butz, Jerry Wright along with Jeff Oberg via teleconference.  Also present were Mark Meuwissen, Clerk, and Mona Billmark, Treasurer.  As said members formed a quorum, and this being the date the Township set for reorganization, the meeting was called to order by Clerk Meuwissen at 6:00 p.m.

Clerk Meuwissen called for nominations for chairman.  Dahlheimer nominated Rod Eldevik for chairman and Wright seconded the nomination.  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-chairman.  Wright nominated Joel Dahlheimer for vice-chairman.  Nominations ceased and a unanimous ballot was cast for Dahlheimer as vice-chairman.

The agenda was modified with two additions: new and existing nuisance sites under Planning and Zoning and speed limit signs on Geneva Golf Club Drive under Engineer’s Report.  Wright, seconded by Dahlheimer, made a motion to adopt the agenda with the proposed modifications.  Motion carried unanimously.

Dahlheimer, seconded by Butz, made a motion to approve the minutes of the 4/7/25 Board of Supervisors meeting and 4/10/25 Board of Equalization meeting as written.  Motion carried unanimously.

Dahlheimer, seconded by Wright, made a motion to authorize payment of claims 25074 – 25080 in the amount of $4,541.62, net payroll of $955.82, EFTPS $1,392.07 Totaling $6,889.51.  No transfer of funds necessary.  Motion carried unanimously.

CITIZEN’S CONCERNS: None

PLANNING AND ZONING: Clerk Meuwissen explained the delay in filing court actions related to continued ordinance violations on the property located at 7604 Newman Road NE.  Dahlheimer, seconded by Butz, made a motion reaffirming the Township’s resolve to have the Township Attorney file legal actions against the owner to bring this property into compliance.  Motion passed unanimously.

Chairman Eldevik stated the Township has numerous sites that either continue to be in violation of our nuisance ordinance or are conducting business without appropriate permits.  Eldevik stated a strong desire to get more aggressive on these locations, which could include letters or legal actions from our Township Attorney.  After discussion, the Board came to a consensus that our Zoning Administrator should be more aggressive, which may include turning over violations to our Township Attorney if appropriate.  The locations discussed include:   4311 Co Rd 82 SE, 3505 Maple Dr SE, 1110 E Lake Jessie Rd SE, 3321 Lake Victoria SE, 1709 Maple Dr SE and 1703 Maple Dr SE.

ENGINEER’S REPORT: Engineer Kuhn discussed the need to modify and add speed limit signs to Geneva Gulf Club Drive NE.  Dahlheimer, seconded by Butz, made a motion to add and move speed limit signs as recommended by Engineer Kuhn.  Motion carried unanimously.

Kuhn asked if the board if they wanted him to secure gravel quotes.  Kuhn agreed to obtain a quote from our road maintenance contractor Alden Just Road Maintenance.  Meuwissen will determine whether gravel is already contracted through our maintenance contract or if it needs to be a separate quote or bid process.

Kuhn stated there is a narrow spot on South Le Homme Dieu Dr NE where vehicles have occasionally parked, causing a safety hazard.  Kuhn recommended no parking signs would reduce the hazard. Consensus by the Board to accept the engineer’s recommendation and purchase no parking signs for this area.

OLD BUSINESS: The request for funding from School District 206 Community Education was tabled until the May 5th meeting.

Clerk Meuwissen presented the final audit report from CarlsonSV, along with other communications.  Meuwissen reported the Auditors gave the Township an unqualified opinion on the fairness of the financial statements, which is the best possible opinion.  He highlighted key financial results and positions stating the Township is in a very healthy financial position with a fund balance equivalent to approximately one year of normal expenditures.  While the fund balance is still considered more than adequate, Meuwissen pointed out that it decreased by $221,784 from the prior year.  The decrease is primarily the result of increased spending on Township roads.  Meuwissen reviewed the Government Wide reporting, which considers the value of infrastructure, such as roads and bridges. He pointed out that the net position actually improved over the prior year and reflects the expenditures on resurfacing roads are considered an increase in infrastructure.  Meuwissen also highlighted the page where cash, money market, and certificates of deposits were reported as of 12/31/24. The report was reviewed and discussed by the Board. Motion by Dahlheimer, seconded by Butz, to approve the final audit report as presented.  Motion carried unanimously.

Clerk Meuwissen discussed his review of the life insurance coverage the Township has carried on officers, board members, and the administrative assistant.  He feels the provider is well established and has township representation on their board of directors.  Meuwissen reported he determined the coverage has stayed at the $10,000 level for many years, the coverage is inexpensive, inflation has diminished the value of this coverage over time, and the previous $10,000 term coverage reduces by half and then half again based on age. This makes the potential benefit even less impactful.  Meuwissen suggested the Board consider increasing the group term life insurance coverage from $10,000 to $20,000.  The cost per covered individual would be $320 per year.  Eldevik pointed out that at age 75 or older, the previous coverage didn’t seem worth even carrying.  After discussion, a motion was made by Wright, seconded by Butz, to increase the term life insurance to the $20,000 level.  Motion carried unanimously.

New Business: Discussing issues relating to winter snow removal was tabled until the May 5th meeting.

As part of the Township’s annual reorganization, the following actions were taken by the Board:

  1. Consensus to have Rod Eldevik and Joel Dahlheimer remain supervisor designees for township / county roads.
  2. Economic Development Commission board appointment. Consensus to reappoint Joel Dahlheimer to a one-year term on the AAEDC board.
  3. Planning Commission appointments. Motion by Dahlheimer, seconded by Butz, to reappoint Jessica Fettig and Larry Steidl to 3-year terms expiring March 2028. Motion carried unanimously.
  4. Per Diem Rate. Consensus to leave the per diem rate at $90/meeting with an additional $20/meeting for the chairman.
  5. Inspection Rate. Consensus to leave the inspection rate at $45/inspection.
  6. Incidental Labor Rate. Consensus to leave the incidental labor rate at $25/hr.
  7. Administrative Assistant Salary. Clerk Meuwissen recommended a 3% increase, or $0.85/hour, which is consistent with the inflation rate for April 2024 to April 2025. Motion by Dahlheimer, seconded by Butz, to increase the Administrative Assistant pay from $28.50 per hour to 29.35 per hour.  Motion carried unanimously.
  8. Treasurer’s / Clerk’s Salary. Motion by Dahlheimer, seconded by Wright, to increase the treasurer’s and clerk’s salaries to $950.00/month.  Motion carried unanimously.
  9. Mileage Rate. Consensus to continue using the IRS mileage reimbursement rate.
  10. Official Publication for Notices. Consensus to keep the designation of the Echo Press and the township’s website as the township’s official site for legal notifications.
  11. Township Bank. Consensus to keep the designation of Bremer Bank as the Township’s depositor of funds. It was noted if Bremer Bank changes their name in the near future,  it would not impact their designation.
  12. Electronic Transfer of Funds. Consensus to make no change to the authority of the township’s clerk and treasurer to make electronic fund transfers.
  13. Township Attorney. Consensus to keep Town Law Center as our designated legal counsel with Troy Gilchrist serving as Township Attorney.
  14. Weed Inspector. Consensus to designate all town board supervisors as weed inspectors with Joel Dahlheimer being the lead inspector.

Chair Eldevik reminded the Board the annual road inspection is scheduled for 8:30 a.m., meeting at AJ’s shop, on Saturday, April 26, 2025.

There being no other business, Dahlheimer, seconded by Butz, made a motion to adjourn.  Chairman Eldevik adjourned the meeting at 7:12 PM

Respectfully submitted….

______________________________________

Mark Meuwissen, Clerk

Approved this ____ day of ________, 2025

_______________________________________

Rod Eldevik, Chairman