December 19, 2022 minutes

Alexandria Township

Alexandria, Minnesota 56308

Minutes of the meeting of December 19, 2022

A regular meeting of the Board of Supervisors of Alexandria Township was held on the 19th day of December, 2022 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, 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 road maintenance under Old Business and interstate interchange under New Business.  Motion carried unanimously.

Wright, seconded by Dahlheimer, made a motion to approve the minutes of the 12/05/22 regular board meeting as written.  Motion carried unanimously.

CITIZEN’S CONCERNS: none

PLANNING AND ZONING:  Zoning Administrator Oleson reported the Broken Arrow Resort Cooperative applied for a conditional use permit to allow the conversion of portions of an existing seasonal planned unit development to year-round residential units.  In 2011, the resort was converted to a seasonal cooperative.  Approximately three years ago the cooperative made changes to its internal organizational documents to permit year-round use. Subsequently, three of the cabins are currently occupied as year-round residences.  The current township ordinance requires the removal of one unit for every three units on sites that are over density by the current shoreland standards for residential planned unit developments.  The applicant has proposed reduction of impervious coverage in the 1st tier from 33.7% to 30.8%, tier 2 from 39.25% to 36.8%, and tier 3 from 16.5% to 10.9%.  They would also install three rain gardens on the property and reduce the number of boat slips from 22 to 16.  Zoning Administrator Oleson reported that the planning commission unanimously recommended approval of the application with the five conditions outlined in the zoning administrator’s report.  Wright, seconded by Dahlheimer, made a motion to approve the conditional use permit submitted by the Broken Arrow Resort Cooperative with the five conditions recommended by the planning commission. Supervisor Dahlheimer supports the proposal since it is an improvement to existing conditions.  Chairman Eldevik expressed concern about the impervious surface amount.  Supervisor Oberg expressed concern about the amount of impervious surface and if the proposed rain gardens have been reviewed by the Douglas County Soil and Water Department.  Supervisor Wright amended his original motion to include an additional condition that requires the applicant and Zoning Administrator Oleson to consult with Douglas County Soil and Water staff on the location of the rain gardens on the property prior to approval.  Supervisor Dahlheimer agreed to the amendment.

For:  Wright, Oberg, Butz, Dahlheimer.  Against:  Eldevik.  Motion carried.

Zoning Administrator Oleson reported he had inspected the erosion control logs installed on the Brock Wood property on Airway Lane that had been staked.  In addition, he had received a copy of the survey showing the amount of impervious coverage on the property was approximately 27.5-27.8%.  The property owner has submitted a proposal to remove gravel surfaces to reduce it below 25% and is requesting the removal be done in the spring.  In addition, a building permit will not be issued until the impervious surface is reduced to less than 25%.  Oberg, seconded by Dahlheimer, made a motion to approve the proposal submitted by Brock Wood to reduce the imperious coverage on his property on Airway Lane by May 1, 2023 and to include withholding the building permit approval until after the impervious reduction has been verified as less than 25%.  Motion carried unanimously.

ENGINEER’S REPORT:  None.

OLD BUSINESS: Supervisor Oberg reported he had received complaints regarding snow removal on township roads, especially West Lake Jessie and Liberty Road.  Other supervisors expressed concern about the number of roads that have ice on the surface.  Supervisor Dahlheimer will talk with the road maintenance contractor to determine what needs to be done to get more timely snow plowing and salt/sand placement to prevent ice buildup on the roads.

NEW BUSINESS:  Clerk Raisanen presented copies of Schedule 1, statement of receipts, disbursements and balance and a copy of the 2022 budget.  Actual expenditures and revenue are closely in alignment with the 2022 budget. Clerk Raisanen reported the planning and zoning fund currently has a negative balance and recommended a transfer of funds from the general fund.  Dahlheimer, seconded by Butz, made a motion to transfer $40,000 from the general fund into the planning and zoning fund.  Motion carried unanimously. Budget meeting will be held on January 23, 2023 at 5:00 PM.

Clerk Raisanen reported Rod Eldevik’s appointment on the ALASD board expires at the end of December.  Wright, seconded by Oberg, made a motion to appoint Rod Eldevik to the ALASD board for a three-year term.  Motion carried unanimously.

Clerk Raisanen reported he had received a proposal for Zoning Administration services submitted by Hometown Planning.  Oberg, seconded by Butz, made a motion to contract with Hometown Planning at a rate of $4,450/month for zoning administration services for 2023.  Motion carried unanimously.

Clerk Raisanen reported he had received a proposal for engineering services from Widseth, Smith and Nolting for a two-year period.  The proposed fees are approximately a 5% increase from the current contract.  Oberg, seconded by Dahlheimer, made a motion to contract for engineering services with Widseth, Smith, and Nolting at the quoted rates for a two-year period.  Motion carried unanimously.

Chairman Eldevik reported he had a conversation with County Engineer Erickson regarding the proposed interstate interchange.  MNDOT has proposed to Douglas County to have Douglas County take the lead in this interchange due to funding concerns in this district. Engineer Erickson stated if Douglas County is in the lead for this project, they would not be supportive of the interchange being located at the original proposed location of County Road 23.  A future meeting should be held to explore other options, including Alexandria Township’s support of including CR 17 as a proposed location.

Being no further business, Dahlheimer, seconded by Butz, made a motion to adjourn the meeting.  Meeting adjourned at 6:55 p.m.

Respectfully submitted….

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Gregg Raisanen, Clerk

Approved this ____ day of ________, 2023

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Rod Eldevik, Chairman