Alexandria Township
Alexandria, Minnesota 56308
Minutes of the meeting of August 18, 2025
A regular meeting of the Board of Supervisors for Alexandria Township was held on the 18th day of August, 2025 at the Alexandria Township Conference Room, 324 Broadway, and via teleconferencing.
ROLL CALL: Supervisors present were Jeff Oberg, Joel Dahlheimer, Rod Eldevik, Dennis Butz and Jerry Wright. Also present were Mark Meuwissen, Clerk, and Bryon Alstead, Treasurer. As said members formed a quorum, the meeting was called to order by Chairman Eldevik at 6:00 p.m.
Oberg, seconded by Dahlheimer, made a motion to adopt the agenda as presented. Motion carried unanimously.
Wright, seconded by Butz, made a motion to approve the minutes of the 8/4/2025 regular board meeting. Motion carried unanimously.
Butz, seconded by Wright, made a motion to authorize payment of claims 25152 – 25159 in the amount of $4,677.06, net payroll $0 totaling $4,677.06 and a transfer of funds from savings of $0. On discussion, the motion was amended to include a transfer of $4,000.00. Motion carried unanimously.
CITIZEN’S CONCERNS: none
PLANNING AND ZONING: Oleson presented an interim use permit (IUP) request from MN Grinding & Mulch. The proposal requests the business be allowed to have a leaf and grass clipping compost site in the Commercial-Urban (C-U) zoning district. A public hearing was held on July 28, 2025 to consider all comments of those present. The Planning Commission recommended approval of the permit with 7 conditions. Oberg stated he believes this would be a tremendous asset to the Township but had concerns with the smell and the location being too close to other businesses. Mark LeBrun, owner of Mid Minnesota Grinding and Mulch Inc., replied that the grass clippings usually form a crust which limits the smell. He has other active sites which have had very few complaints over several years of operation. Oleson mentioned no representatives from nearby businesses voiced concerns during the public hearing. Oleson also discussed the 6th condition, which gives the Township some possible actions if the site has considerably more disruption or smell than represented in the permit request.
Oberg, seconded by Butz, made a motion to approve the IUP with the conditions listed by the planning commission. Dahlheimer asked if the length of the permit should be shortened to 2 years. The Board did not believe this was necessary. Roll: Oberg, Wright, Butz, Dahlheimer, Eldevik – yes. Opposed: none. Motion carried unanimously.
Oleson stated the Board had approved the ordinance amendment for cannabis businesses in the Township at their last meeting. Discussion was opened, giving opportunity for the two Supervisors that were absent when the ordinance was adopted to share thoughts or ask questions. Wright asked if there was any consensus on who would administrate the registration process for businesses. It was clarified that the ordinance does not define the registration process. After discussion, it was unclear whether the Township’s limitations on the number of businesses approved would be impacted by whether the County or Township administrates the registration process. Oleson agreed to get clarification from our Township Attorney.
There were no other significant issues relating to Planning and Zoning.
ENGINEER’S REPORT: Engineer Kuhn suggested the summer paving projects could be finished as early as the following week. It appears the projects are going as expected without significant changes.
Kuhn alerted the Board to a parcel of land for sale on Colorado Circle SE (Lot 25) that is holding water. The relief of this issue during any new construction could negatively impact other parcels and be problematic. Dahlheimer stated he had a conversation with the realtor selling the lot that any future construction would require an acceptable plan for the drainage of stormwater runoff. This would be required before a building permit is approved. This could be a significant hurdle for new construction. The expectation is that the Realtor will make this clear to anyone purchasing the parcel. Chair Eldevik confirmed the Board will not issue a building permit unless a comprehensive drainage plan for the parcel was included with the permit request.
OLD BUSINESS: None
NEW BUSINESS: None
Being no further business, Butz, seconded by Dahlheimer, made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Meeting adjourned at 7:46 p.m.
Respectfully submitted….
______________________________________
Mark Meuwissen, Clerk
Approved this ____ day of ________, 2025
_______________________________________
Rod Eldevik, Chairman