Alexandria Township
Alexandria, Minnesota 56308
Minutes of the meeting of December 3, 2018
A regular meeting of the Board of Supervisors of Alexandria Township was held on the 3rd day of December, 2018 at the Alexandria Township Conference Room, 324 Broadway.
ROLL CALL: Supervisors present were Jeff Oberg, Joel Dahlheimer, Rod Eldevik, Linda Dokken-McFann and Jerry Wright. Also present were Gregg Raisanen, Clerk, and 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 Dokken-McFann, made a motion to adopt the agenda with the addition of LAR needs assessment under Old Business and letter of resignation under New Business. Motion carried unanimously.
Wright, seconded by Dokken-McFann, made a motion to approve the minutes of the 11/19/2018 regular board meeting as written. Motion carried unanimously.
Dahlheimer, seconded by Wright, made a motion to authorize payment of claims 18237 – 18246 in the amount of $22,708.52, net payroll $5,295.60, totaling $28,004.12 and a transfer of funds from savings of $25,000.00. Motion carried unanimously.
CITIZEN’S CONCERNS: none
PLANNING AND ZONING: Zoning Administrator Oleson reported that the applicant, Indigo Signworks, on behalf of their client, Dougherty Minnesota, LLC, is requesting a conditional use permit for a freestanding illuminated sign to be located at 3608 State Highway 29 North. He stated that per our township ordinance, a CUP is necessary due to the fact the sign will be illuminated. The planning commission’s recommendation is to approve with the four conditions outlined in the staff report. There was no public comment at the public hearing. Dokken-McFann, seconded by Wright, made a motion to approve the conditional use request submitted by Indigo Signworks with the four conditions listed in the staff report. Motion carried unanimously.
ENGINEER’S REPORT: Engineer Kuhn reported that progress is being made on plans for the 2019 road improvements. Clerk Raisanen reported that a landowner on Geneva Road NE had contacted him about the petition process for blacktopping that road. Raisanen stated the township has two options for assessments: per square foot of frontage or by parcel. He has researched this area and said there are no assessable parcels on the west side of the road due to the railroad track, and on the east side the parcels are all quite large. Engineer Kuhn’s estimate to upgrade the road and put in a 24 ft. paved road surface would be $500,000 including upgrading costs. The total estimated cost for blacktop would be approximately $300,000.00. Township policy is to split the assessment between the township and benefitting landowners. By resolution, the township has determined to not pave a road if it is not connected to sanitary sewer. Consensus to have Clerk Raisanen contact the landowner and relay the preliminary cost estimates.
OLD BUSINESS: Supervisor Oberg reported that LAR has obtained approval to purchase playground equipment. A needs assessment for the Alexandria area was purchased and completed by LAR. A summary of the needs assessment is as follows: 1) a gymnastics center; 2) an indoor playground; and 3) water, such as a pool or splash pad. He further reported that LAR has entered into a 2-yr rental agreement with the county.
NEW BUSINESS: Clerk Raisanen reported the town had received a proposal from Hometown Planning for zoning administration services for 2019. He stated the proposal listed the same terms and conditions as 2018. The rate increased from $3,950/month to $4,000/month, approximately a 1% increase. Dahlheimer, seconded by Wright, made a motion to contract with Hometown Planning for zoning administration services for 2019 at the terms listed above. Motion carried unanimously.
Clerk Raisanen reported that he had received a proposal from WSN for engineering services, as requested by the board. In addition, he had received a proposal from Hagstrom Engineering. He stated that WSN proposed the same conditions as 2018. Their rates would increase approximately 4-5% over last year. Wright, seconded by Oberg, made a motion to table awarding the contract until the next meeting to afford the supervisors an opportunity to examine both proposals in depth. Motion carried unanimously.
Chairman Eldevik reported that the town had received a resignation letter from Linda Dokken-McFann, effective December 31, 2018. He expressed his thanks on behalf of the board to Dokken-McFann for her time of service.
Being no further business, Dahlheimer, seconded by Wright, made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Meeting adjourned at 6:28 p.m.
Respectfully submitted….
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Gregg Raisanen, Clerk
Approved this ____ day of ________, 2018
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Rod Eldevik, Chairman