Alexandria Township
Alexandria, Minnesota 56308
Minutes of the meeting of August 3, 2020
A regular meeting of the Board of Supervisors of Alexandria Township was held on the 3rd day of August, 2020 at the Alexandria Township Conference Room, 324 Broadway.
ROLL CALL: Supervisors present were Jeff Oberg, Joel Dahlheimer, Rod Eldevik, Dennis Butz and Jerry Wright. Also present were Gregg Raisanen, Clerk and, by teleconference, Mona Billmark, Treasurer. As said members formed a quorum and the meeting was called to order by Chairman Eldevik at 6:00 p.m.
Wright, seconded by Butz, made a motion to adopt the agenda as presented. Motion carried unanimously.
Oberg, seconded by Butz, made a motion to approve the minutes of the 07/20/20 regular board meeting as written. Motion carried unanimously.
Dahlheimer, seconded by Wright, made a motion to authorize payment of claims 20126 – 20134 in the amount of $21,273.30, net payroll $3,784.94 totaling $25,058.24 with a transfer from savings of $25,000.00. Motion carried unanimously.
CITIZEN’S CONCERNS: Billie Dropik had previously indicated during the site visit of June 8, 2020 that he would be selling most of his ag equipment at auction by August 2020. He appeared before the town board with a request to allow him to conduct his farm machinery sale in November 2020 after harvest. Oberg made a motion to table the request until the next meeting, with the following three conditions: 1) that the semi-trailer be screened and/or moved out of sight; 2) that a site visit be conducted prior to the next meeting; and 3) that a scheduled date for said auction be confirmed by the next meeting. Mr. Dropik indicated these terms were acceptable.
PLANNING AND ZONING: Zoning Administrator Oleson reported that the town’s zoning ordinance has no clear interpretation/definition of impervious coverage relating to swimming pools. He stated that a resident, Lucas Kosters, submitted a land use application for a pool with a patio. The question before the board is whether the town defines a pool surface coverage area as impervious. Consensus to address pools on a case-by-case basis. Wright, seconded by Oberg, made a motion to not count Koster’s pool as impervious since it is not located in a shoreland area and precipitation in a pool doesn’t result in immediate runoff. Motion carried unanimously.
Oleson reported that Rick Faber had previously appealed the after-the-fact fee for his buildings and requests the town either reduce and/or eliminate those fees. The request was tabled until the number of sheds could be confirmed. Oleson stated the total number of sheds is nine. The late fee would be three times the normal land use fee of $35; i.e. $105/building. Oberg, seconded by Dahlheimer, made a motion to assess the regular permit fee of $35/building and waive the after-the-fact fees. Motion carried unanimously.
ENGINEER’S REPORT: none
OLD BUSINESS: Clerk Raisanen reported the town is scheduled to receive up to $72,000 in funding through the Cares Act. He said there were funding restrictions. One restriction is that eligible expenses be incurred between the dates of March 1st and December 1st, 2020. He stated the town did not necessarily incur costs related to COVID-19; however, he suggested that funds be used to improve areas within the township either without broadband access or spotty reception due to the fact residents have to telework and the requirement of distance learning for school age children. He said he has been in contact with CenturyLink and is awaiting a response. Oberg reported he has been in contact with Gardonville and they have expressed an interest in expanding into the Lake Jessie area. Consensus to have Oberg invite the Gardonville representative to the next meeting. Clerk Raisanen will research and identify other underserved areas within the township.
NEW BUSINESS: none
Being no further business, Dahlheimer, seconded by Butz, made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Meeting adjourned at 6:49 p.m.
Respectfully submitted….
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Gregg Raisanen, Clerk
Approved this ____ day of ________, 2020
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Rod Eldevik, Chairman