Alexandria Township
Alexandria, Minnesota 56308
Minutes of the meeting of April 6, 2020
A regular meeting of the Board of Supervisors of Alexandria Township was held on the 6th day of April, 2020 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, and Mona Billmark, Treasurer. As said members formed a quorum and the meeting was called to order by Clerk Raisanen at 6:00 p.m.
Clerk Raisanen called for nominations for chairman. Wright 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-Chairman. Oberg nominated Joel Dahlheimer as vice-chairman. Nominations ceased and a unanimous ballot for Joel Dahlheimer was cast as vice-chair.
Oberg, seconded by Butz, made a motion to adopt the agenda as presented. Motion carried unanimously.
Oberg, seconded by Wright, made a motion to approve the minutes of the 03/16/2020 regular board meeting as written. Motion carried unanimously.
Dahlheimer, seconded by Oberg, made a motion to authorize payment of claims 20056 – 20066 in the amount of $19,129.42, net payroll $3,919.79 totaling $23,049.21 with no transfer of funds from savings. Motion carried unanimously.
Clerk Raisanen reported that due to present circumstances, the Minnesota Association of Townships has recommended that townships allow two signatures for checks as opposed to three. Motion by Wright, seconded by Dahlheimer, to have the chairman (or vice-chair in the absence of the chairman) and the clerk (or treasurer in the absence of the clerk) be authorized to sign checks. Motion carried unanimously.
CITIZEN’S CONCERNS: none
PLANNING AND ZONING: Oleson reported that Mary Yaw, Executive Director for Titus II, Inc., had submitted an application for rezoning their property from Rural Conservation Residential (RCR) to Commercial-Rural (C-R). They propose to construct a secondary dwelling space within the existing home so that there are separate living quarters for Ms. Yaw. The township’s zoning ordinance does not allow for two-unit multi-family dwellings in the RCR district, but will allow for them as a CUP in the C-R zoning district. If the rezoning is approved, the applicant intends to follow up with a CUP application. The planning commission recommended approval with no conditions.
Oleson cautioned the board that if such a zoning change were approved, it would allow for a number of other permitted uses in the future. Supervisor Oberg asked for a list of businesses that could be allowed in a C-R zoning district. Supervisor Dahlheimer asked if their intent was to add to the east, toward agricultural land. The applicant responded it would be to the west. Supervisor Wright asked about the visual effect of the new building for the homeowner to the west. Ms. Yaw responded that she has had conversations with the homeowner and he expressed no concerns.
Oleson reported the town did not receive any written and/or other comments with regard to this application.
Wright, seconded by Butz, made a motion to accept the recommendation of the planning commission to rezone the Titus II property from Rural Conservation Residential (RCR) to Commercial-Rural (C-R). Roll: Butz, Wright, Dahlheimer, Oberg, Eldevik – yes. Opposed: none. Motion carried unanimously.
Oleson reported that Jessica Heaton and Gwen Bradley had submitted a conditional use application for a used car dealership to be located at the corner of State Highway 29 and County Road 120. They propose to construct a 25’ x 25’ office building with an attached
32’ x 50’ shop. The lot would house up to a maximum of 35 vehicles. The parcel is currently zoned Commercial-Urban and is in an area of other similarly zoned businesses. The planning commission recommended approval with 15 conditions.
Since the parcel is located on an intersection, Wright asked if the building would pose a sight (visual) interference from either the county or state roads. Oleson responded that the building must meet all specifications, which would include required road setbacks that are intended partly to address visual interference.
Oberg asked if outside storage of parts had been addressed. Oleson referenced condition nos. 8, 13 and 14 in the staff report. The applicants stated their intent is to not have any inoperable vehicles onsite. They would conduct any necessary repairs in the shop only for vehicles for sale.
Chairman Eldevik inquired as to their plan for disposal of wash water. Oleson responded they would need to install a holding tank and haul to an approved site based on his research, but ultimately that they would need to follow applicable regulations.
Supervisor Butz expressed concern as to the use of chemicals in the cleaning process. Ms. Heaton responded they would not be using abrasive cleansers.
Oberg, seconded by Butz, made a motion to accept the recommendation of the planning commission to approve the conditional use permit application submitted by Jessica Heaton and Gwen Bradley including the 15 conditions as outlined in the staff report and to add condition no. 16 to read: “All applicable local, state and federal regulations related to management of vehicle wash water and other automotive fluids shall be followed.” Roll: Butz, Wright, Dahlheimer, Oberg, Eldevik – yes. Opposed: none. Motion carried unanimously.
ENGINEER’S REPORT: None
OLD BUSINESS: None
NEW BUSINESS: Chairman Eldevik called for a motion to set the 2020 per diem rate. Dahlheimer, seconded by Oberg, made a motion to have the per diem rate remain at $80/meeting with an additional $20/meeting for the chairman.
Eldevik called for a motion to set the 2020 inspection rate. Oberg, seconded by Dahlheimer, made a motion to have the inspection rate remain at $40/inspection.
Eldevik called for a motion to set the 2020 incidental labor rate. Dahlheimer, seconded by Butz, made a motion to have the incidental labor rate remain at $18/hr.
It was noted that the salaries of the clerk, treasurer and administrative assistant, as well as all other appointments, be tabled until the next meeting.
Being no further business, Oberg made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Meeting adjourned at 6:36 p.m.
Respectfully submitted….
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Gregg Raisanen, Clerk
Approved this ____ day of ________, 2020
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Rod Eldevik, Chairman