August 1, 2022 minutes

Alexandria Township

Alexandria, Minnesota 56308

Minutes of the meeting of August 1, 2022

A regular meeting of the Board of Supervisors of Alexandria Township was held on the 1st day of August, 2022 at the Alexandria Township Conference Room, 324 Broadway and via teleconference.

ROLL CALL:  Supervisors present were Jeff Oberg, Joel Dahlheimer, Rod Eldevik, and Dennis Butz.  Supervisor Jerry Wright attended via teleconference.  Also present were Gregg Raisanen, Clerk, with Mona Billmark, Treasurer, attending remotely.  As 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 with the addition of home owned businesses under Planning and Zoning and office equipment under New Business.  Motion carried unanimously.

Oberg, seconded by Butz, made a motion to approve the minutes of the July 18, 2022 regular board meeting as written.  Motion carried unanimously.

Dahlheimer, seconded by Oberg, made a motion to authorize payment of claims 22138 – 22144 in the amount of $26,718.34, net payroll of $3,916.56 totaling $30,634.90 with a transfer of funds from savings of $26,000.00.  Motion carried unanimously.

CITIZEN’S CONCERNS: none

PLANNING AND ZONING: Zoning Administrator Oleson reported that Wally Tischer, representing Tischer Homes, is requesting a 12-month extension to complete the requirements for bringing Eastwood Estates to final plat.

Mr. Tischer explained the homestead received extensive storm damage causing significant delays, compounded by the Dropik family lawsuit.  Mr. Tischer indicated a 12-month extension would be more realistic due to the amount of damage sustained to the property, permit spring construction of the public road, and it would give him more time to secure financial backing.  He is planning on selling the original farm site comprising Lots 21 and 22 combined, which require a modified final plat.

Mr. Tischer reported that the property has been released from the original lawsuit and he has been granted approval to close on the property.  The board indicated their desire to see proof of ownership that the property has been released from the lawsuit and that the applicant can legally close on the property.

Oberg made a motion to grant an extension until the next town meeting on August 15, 2022 on condition that the applicant provides documentation from Douglas County Abstract approving the closing on the sale of the property.  Motion failed for lack of a second.

Wright, seconded by Dahlheimer, made a motion to deny the extension request. Supervisor Wright expressed concern regarding the ownership status of the property and also recommended that the proposed public road have an additional connection to CR 82.  Supervisor Dahlheimer reported he did not originally support the proposed plat due to the long cul-de-sac and the applicant has had 15 months to complete the final plat. Roll:  Wright – yes, Dahlheimer, yes, Oberg – no, Butz – yes, Eldevik – no.  Motion carried.

Oleson reported a request had been received for a possible one-lot plat off Highway 73 to not be required to connect to sewer.  Past township practice is that if a variance is granted, the landowner would be required to connect to sewer if sanitary sewer becomes available.  He noted a variance application has not yet been submitted.  Consensus to make the connection to sanitary sewer a condition of the variance if an application is submitted.

Oleson reported that Douglas County has revised their calculations for impervious surfaces including retaining walls and propane tanks.  Oberg, seconded by Wright, made a motion to follow Douglas County’s calculations as amended for impervious surfaces.  Motion carried unanimously.

Oleson reported that an application has been made for a home-based business.

ENGINEER’S REPORT:  Engineer Kuhn received two quotes for the culvert installation on Donway Drive.  Mark Lee quoted $22,415 and Seph Construction quoted $25,373.  Oberg, seconded by Wright, made a motion to accept the quote in the amount of $22,415 provided by Mark Lee Excavation for installation of new culverts under Donway Drive.  Motion carried unanimously.

OLD BUSINESS:  none

NEW BUSINESS:  Clerk Raisanen reported that the district 12 township meeting is scheduled for August 15 at 6:30 PM and recommended a time change for the next township meeting.  Dahlheimer, seconded by Butz, made a motion to change the meeting time for the August 15, 2022 meeting to 5:00 PM.  Motion carried unanimously.  Notice will be published and posted of the change.

Supervisor Wright reported the township office had borrowed a sit/stand station from the AAEDC to try out.  Dahlheimer, seconded by Wright, made a motion to have the township purchase a sit/stand station for the township office.  Motion carried unanimously.

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

Respectfully submitted….

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Gregg Raisanen, Clerk

Approved this ____ day of ________, 2022

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Rod Eldevik, Chairman