Alexandria Township
Alexandria, Minnesota 56308
Minutes of the meeting of August 21, 2023
A regular meeting of the Board of Supervisors of Alexandria Township was held on the 21st day of August, 2023 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, 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.
Oberg, seconded by Butz, made a motion to adopt the agenda with the addition of Liberty Road overlay under Engineer’s report. Motion carried unanimously.
Wright, seconded by Dahlheimer, made a motion to approve the minutes of the 08/07/2023 regular board meeting as written. Motion carried unanimously.
Dahlheimer, seconded by Butz, made a motion to authorize payment of claims 23141 – 23145 in the amount of $2,456.58, EFTPS $1,776.74, totaling $4,233.32 with no transfer of funds from savings. Motion carried unanimously.
PLANNING AND ZONING:
Zoning Administrator Oleson presented a CUP request for JJP Property, LLC to add a full-service department and the sale of trailers to an existing conditional use permit that was granted in 2020 to permit used car sales. The planning commission held a public hearing, noting one concern from a neighbor with regard to existing drainage from the property. The planning commission recommended approval of the application with six additional conditions listed in the board report. Supervisor Oberg expressed concern regarding condition no. 5, which requires all tires and other items be stored behind a fenced area. This condition was considered too vague and was amended to read “that the fenced area shall be enclosed and not to exceed 400 ft2 in area.” In addition, the existing condition no. 3, which limits the sale of 35 vehicles, is to be amended to read “35 items.” Wright, seconded by Oberg, made a motion to approve the CUP for JJP Property, LLC, located at 3608 State Hwy. 29 N, and to include the six additional conditions as amended. Motion for: Wright, Oberg, Butz, Dahlheimer, Eldevik. Against: None. Motion carried unanimously.
ENGINEER’S REPORT: The board requested Engineer Kuhn provide an explanation for why the quoted overlay project exceeded cost. Engineer Kuhn reported the contractor had applied a leveling course and patching in areas which resulted in the use of greater quantities of blacktop material than was quoted in the ½” overlay. The quote provided included a base quantity of material that was exceeded in the final project. He explained the end product resulted in a better outcome. Supervisor Oberg expressed frustration that the project cost exceeded the agreed-upon price. Engineer Kuhn responded that due to the overage, less additional patching will be done on other roads. Engineer Kuhn and Clerk Raisanen will review the list and provide the board with a proposed project list for the next meeting.
OLD BUSINESS: Tim Erickson, Douglas County Engineer, was present to answer questions regarding the proposed project for Douglas County to acquire Liberty Road from the township. He provided a summary of Douglas County’s interest in the road as a county road. He explained that the county commissioners have no interest in obtaining the road “as is,” as the existing road does not provide any benefit to the county. Douglas County would have an interest if the township secures road right of way to the north, up to CR 20. This extension of Liberty Road would be a good bypass around the City of Alexandria, permitting traffic to proceed north on HWY 29. Supervisor Oberg expressed concern that if the township expended a considerable amount of money and then was unable to secure the additional right of way north of the existing Liberty Road due to unforeseen circumstances, would the county still consider acquiring the existing Liberty Road. Engineer Erickson will discuss this scenario with the county commissioners.
Scott Gilbertson, ALASD, and Bryan Bye, WSN, were present to discuss an ALASR sewer expansion project within the existing ALASR region within Alexandria Township and areas that might be considered for future expansion. They presented a map depicting properties within the existing service area that are currently not served by sanitary sewer along with larger areas that could benefit from service for future development. The areas included properties along Crestwood Drive, Diamond Road, Wegner Lane, Queens Road, Maple Drive and County Road 81. The total estimated construction cost would be $2,701,600, which would be funded mostly through a bond from ALASR and ALASD. Individual property owners would be responsible for a proposed assessment cost of $30,000, payable over 20 years. Alexandria Township would not incur any direct financial cost for the project. The ALASR board will review the proposal after all the informational meetings have concluded and will schedule a public hearing before the project moves forward.
NEW BUSINESS: Clerk Raisanen reported Douglas County receives money to offset the cost of election administration, which includes maintenance of the voting equipment. Either the township agrees to authorize the county to expend the allocated amount to Alexandria Township on behalf of the township or the township will be responsible for maintenance and election administration. Dahlheimer, seconded by Butz, made a motion to authorize Douglas County to expend the allocated amount for authorized purposes on behalf of Alexandria Township. Motion carried unanimously.
Clerk Raisanen reported the township will need to advertise for winter road maintenance quotes. The board was interested in modifying the existing contract to ensure more timely snow removal. Clerk Raisanen will prepare a proposed change to existing terms and conditions for their consideration.
Being no further business, Dahlheimer, seconded by Butz, made a motion to adjourn the meeting.
Meeting adjourned at 7:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted….
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Gregg Raisanen, Clerk
Approved this ____ day of ________, 2023
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Rod Eldevik, Chairman