Alexandria Township
Alexandria, Minnesota 56308
Minutes of the meeting of August 1, 2016
A regular meeting of the Board of Supervisors of Alexandria Township was held on the 1st day of August, 2016 at the Alexandria Township Conference Room, 324 Broadway.
ROLL CALL: Supervisors present were Jul Feuling, Jeff Oberg, Joel Dahlheimer, Rod Eldevik and Russell Niskanen. Also present were Gregg Raisanen, Clerk, and Mona Billmark, Treasurer. As said members formed a quorum and the meeting was called to order by Chair Feuling at 6:00 p.m.
Eldevik, seconded by Oberg, made a motion to adopt the agenda as presented. Motion carried unanimously.
Niskanen, seconded by Oberg, made a motion to approve the minutes of the 07/18/2016 regular board meeting as written. Motion carried unanimously.
Dahlheimer, seconded by Eldevik, made a motion to authorize payment of claims 16147 – 16156 in the amount of $107,162.14, net payroll $3,125.02 totaling $110,287.16 with no transfer of funds from savings. Motion carried unanimously.
CITIZEN’S CONCERNS: none
PLANNING AND ZONING: Zoning Administrator Oleson reported that Jeremy and Bethany Olson applied for an interim use permit for their cabinet shop located at 3430 Hazel Hill Road. The Olsons have been conducting business at their current location for approximately 12 years. The county initially gave them verbal approval to operate their business. Oleson reported that the planning commission recommended approval of the IUP with the four conditions outlined in the staff report, noting their recommendation of a 10-year termination date under condition no. 3. In addition, he stated that the Olsons have requested approval of their construction of a 40 x 80 building in the future. Any signage allowed would be limited to no more than 6 square feet in size. Supervisor Oberg also asked if the request for an extra building would be for future growth. Mr. Olson responded no, that the building would be used to store raw lumber and other materials for the business. He also noted that the number of deliveries would be reduced by having extra storage capacity. Chair Feuling stated she would like to see the shipping container eliminated if the new building were approved. Chair Feuling asked the applicants if they would be opposed to this as a condition to approving their permit. Supervisor Oberg asked why the planning commission recommended 10 years instead of the typical 5. Oleson responded that the planning commission thought the timeframe was reasonable since the business had been in operation for so long without any complaints. Chair Feuling stated she was comfortable with the 10 year timeframe due to the applicants’ investment and subsequent history. Supervisor Dahlheimer asked if the original building project was a house with a shop as opposed to a garage converted to a shop. Mr. Olson stated that was correct. Supervisor Oberg inquired if there would be any intent to move the production to the new building. Mr. Olson said no, as they did not intend to expand the business.
Niskanen, seconded by Feuling, made a motion to approve the interim use permit request submitted by Jeremy and Bethany Olson to continue operating their cabinet business at 3430 Hazel Hill Road and to include the four conditions outlined in the staff report, adding a sentence to the fourth condition to read as follows: “the shipping container will be enclosed or removed once the new building is completed.” Roll: Niskanen, Oberg, Dahlheimer, Eldevik, Feuling – yes. Opposed: none. Motion carried unanimously.
Zoning Administrator Oleson presented a request from Gary Hills for a final plat extension. This was a three lot plat that was approved September 2015. The typical procedure is for an applicant to have completed all final plat requirements within a year. Mr. Hills has asked to extend up to another year since he has not sold any lots. Dahlheimer, seconded by Niskanen, made a motion to grant Gary Hills a one-year extension for his final plat. Motion carried. Supervisor Eldevik abstained.
ENGINEER’S REPORT: Supervisor Niskanen reported that there are many sinkholes along the shoulders of Liberty Road. Niskanen will meet with the township engineer regarding this problem.
OLD BUSINESS: The regular board meeting was closed at 6:30 PM to discuss a possible modification to the settlement agreement with Dick and Judy Zunker.
The regular board meeting was reopened at 6::50 PM.
Township attorney Paul Johnson reported on the situation of Jack’s Family Recycling Center. He stated the property had gone into foreclosure and was purchased by Viking Savings Bank at a sheriff’s sale. The property was valued at $282,000 ($242,035 on the main scrapyard, $39,965 on the dwelling). Aerial photos depict more electronic waste in obscure areas. He said the bank intends to work with the MPCA on cleaning up the property, and their intent is to complete the process by spring, or to at least have a substantial amount done by that time. After the clean-up is complete, the bank plans to sell the property. Zoning administrator Oleson stated that when the township took over zoning from the county, the scrapyard was grandfathered in; however, once the clean-up is complete, the township has zoning authority and he emphasized that the area is zoned residential and therefore another scrapyard business would not be allowed. Attorney Johnson reminded the board that there is a one-year redemption period and it expires on December 15, 2016. Chair Feuling stated that the one-year redemption period could be considered one year of abandonment.
Chair Feuling stated she wants the township to have recourse regarding junk issues. Oleson said that the township ordinance has limited references to junk. The town could either incorporate a section pertaining to junk as part of the zoning ordinance or it could be a separate stand-alone ordinance. The biggest area of concern would be enforcement. Chair Feuling was in favor of adopting the city’s junk ordinance or a version thereof, relying on residential complaints. Supervisor Oberg concurred. It was noted that a landowner on Hazel Hill Road has accumulated material on his property and has two signs advertising his salvage business. The board was in consensus to request that the zoning administrator take action on this issue as the operation of a business without a permit is in violation of our zoning ordinance. The board was also in consensus to form a zoning subcommittee consisting of two town board members, two planning commission members and the zoning administrator. Chair Feuling and Vice-chair Dahlheimer volunteered to serve on this committee, with the board appointing planning commission members Larry Steidl and Linda Dokken-McFann
NEW BUSINESS: none
Being no further business, Oberg, seconded by Niskanen, made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Meeting adjourned at 7:18 p.m.
Respectfully submitted….
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Gregg Raisanen, Clerk
Approved this ____ day of ________, 2016
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Jul Feuling, Chair