Alexandria Township
Alexandria, Minnesota 56308
Minutes of the meeting of December 4, 2023
A regular meeting of the Board of Supervisors of Alexandria Township was held on the 4th day of December, 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 Mark Meuwissen, Deputy 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.
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 11/20/2023 regular board meeting as written. Motion carried unanimously.
Oberg, seconded by Butz, made a motion to authorize payment of claims 23203 – 23209 in the amount of $20,597.20, net payroll $11,317.64 totaling $31,914.84 and a transfer of funds from savings of $32,000.00. Motion carried unanimously.
CITIZEN’S CONCERNS: Jon Smalley, 2810 Liberty Road NE, was present to share information from a conversation he had with the county engineer, Tim Erickson, regarding Liberty Road. He said Mr. Erickson believes the existing Co Rd #9 meets the current traffic flow needs. Mr. Smalley also expressed concern regarding the preservation for Liberty Road. He mentioned perhaps changing weight restrictions and/or decreasing heavy loads. He noted Liberty Road is not posted. Engineer Kuhn responded that Liberty Road is in all likelihood a 7-ton road, and normally 7-ton roads are not posted. Mr. Smalley inquired if the town could write advisory letters to those heavy equipment companies that utilize this road, such as cement trucks and excavators. Engineer Kuhn said soil borings would need to be done to determine the actual tonnage. A feasibility study could be conducted in the future. Chairman Eldevik said the matter will be taken under advisement.
PLANNING AND ZONING: Zoning Administrator Oleson reported that Mark Lindemann, on behalf of Tech North, had submitted a conditional use application for the movement of more than 50 cubic yards of earth in a shoreland district (approximately 600-700 cubic yards requested) to prepare his adjoining lot for future building. The majority of the fill would be taken from a hill on an adjacent field owned by Ryley Blair. The conditional use is required by ordinance for the movement of more than fifty cubic yards of material located outside of steep slopes and shore and/or bluff impact zones if the Zoning Administrator determines that the potential for erosion exists.
Concerns addressed by the planning commission centered around drainage. While the planning commission recommended approval of the conditional use application, their recommendation hinged on the applicant providing sufficient grading to retain the water onto his own property. It was noted some water will flow to the county ditch as well as the low spot on Mr. Lindemann’s lot. Oleson stated the recommended approval was to include the four conditions: grading of the site for proper drainage; use of erosion control measures; re-vegetating disturbed areas by no later than June 1, 2024; and that no fill be placed within the public road rights of way. Oleson said neither Douglas County Soil and Water nor the Douglas County Highway Department had objections as long as the conditions stated above were met. Supervisor Oberg asked if the applicant had any plans for the installation of rain gutters. Oberg, seconded by Dahlheimer, made a motion to approve the Tech North conditional use request to include the four conditions as outlined in the staff report along with adherence to the pictures and graphs included in that report. Roll: Oberg, Wright, Butz, Dahlheimer, Eldevik – yes. Opposed: none. Motion carried unanimously.
Oleson reported the town had received another complaint regarding the Norris property. The complaint included accumulations of tires and appliances. Consensus to have Oleson send a letter to the landowner to set up a site visit.
Oleson reported the fence issue on LeHomme Dieu Heights resulted in the corrugated fence being removed. There has been another complaint about the replacement item. Consensus to have the township attorney send a letter to the landowner.
Supervisor Oberg reported he has received calls about junk on a property east of Vital Signs on Co Rd 81. Consensus to have Oleson check on the potential violation.
ENGINEER’S REPORT: Engineer Kuhn reported the LRIP resolution concerning funding for the 50th Avenue reconstruction project was passed in both Alexandria and Hudson Townships. He will be submitting the grant application and accompanying materials before the deadline of December 8, 2023. Supervisor Wright clarified that if this goes through, a minimum of $500,000 would be required from each township. Engineer Kuhn confirmed.
OLD BUSINESS: Chairman Eldevik brought back from tabled status the LAHS contract, which was tabled at the last meeting for more information. Dahlheimer, seconded by Butz, made a motion to approve the 2-year contract with Lakes Area Humane Society for $18,500.00 annually. Motion carried unanimously.
NEW BUSINESS: none
Being no further business, Dahlheimer, seconded by Butz, made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Meeting adjourned at 6:38 p.m.
Respectfully submitted….
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Mark Meuwissen, Deputy Clerk
Approved this ____ day of ________, 2023
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Rod Eldevik, Chairman