Alexandria Township
Alexandria, Minnesota 56308
Minutes of the meeting of February 23, 2011
A regular meeting of the Board of Supervisors of Alexandria Township was held on the 23rd day of February, 2011 at the Alexandria Township Conference Room, 610 Fillmore Street.
ROLL CALL: Supervisors present were Bryon Alstead, Jul Feuling, Joel Dahlheimer, Louis Ross and Roger Thalman. 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 Thalman at 6:00 p.m.
Ross, seconded by Alstead, made a motion to adopt the agenda as presented. Motion carried unanimously.
Feuling, seconded by Dahlheimer, made a motion to approve the minutes of the 2/07/2011 regular board meeting as written. Motion carried unanimously.
Alstead, seconded by Feuling, made a motion to authorize payment of claims 11045-11053 in the amount of $6,865.23, net payroll $1,134.74, EFTPS $1,153.57, totaling $9,153.57 and to authorize a transfer from savings into checking of $9,000.00. Motion carried unanimously.
CITIZEN’S CONCERNS: None
PLANNING AND ZONING: Zoning Administrator Oleson presented a memorandum of understanding between Douglas County and Alexandria Township regarding the zoning records for the township. The MOU allows for the transfer of all of the files relating to Alexandria Township with the understanding the township will store and maintain them. One additional requirement will be that the township adopts a policy in regard to the data practices act to allow that zoning records be public information. Alstead, seconded by Ross, made a motion to approve the MOU with Douglas County. Motion carried unanimously.
NEW BUSINESS: Clerk Raisanen reported that the road maintenance contract expires at the end of March. The board directed Clerk Raisanen to advertise for quotes for a six month summer road maintenance contract.
Chairman Thalman reported that the City of Alexandria has requested approval by the township to not require the installation of a water line to the end of South Darling Lane in Phase Three of the orderly annexation agreement. There is only one lot that would be served by the water line and it would require the city’s obtaining an easement between two other property owners to serve this area. The two property owners have not responded to the request to grant the easement; therefore, the city would have to use eminent domain to obtain the easement. Dahlheimer, seconded by Feuling, made a motion to exempt the City of Alexandria of the requirement to install a water line to the end of South Darling Lane as required by the orderly annexation agreement provided the city obtains a letter from the property owner at the end of the road stipulating they do not want city water. For: Dahlheimer, Feuling, Thalman. Against: Ross, Alstead. Motion carried.
Supervisor Alstead reported that the Lakes Regional Planning Agency meets on a monthly basis; however, recently there have been no significant agenda items. At the next meeting he is going to request that this organization meet on an as needed basis or quarterly. The board was in agreement with this recommendation.
Janet Samuelson was present to inquire into the process for obtaining a variance. They have a non-conforming parcel adjacent to the Carlos Darling Bridge off of county highway 34. Their property is non-conforming because the amount of impervious improvements is greater than 25% and their garage is closer than 75’ to the county road. They have plans to tear down and replace an old garage on their property and are requesting to move the location of the new garage, which will require a variance since it will be closer to the road and also will not meet the 25% impervious requirement. Chairman Thalman reported that in order to grant a variance, the property owner will have to demonstrate a hardship that prevents them from using the property like other property owners in that area. If the Samuelsons tear down and replace the existing garage in the same location, no variance would be required. Their proposed new structure would still be non-conforming, but would lessen the percentage of impervious surface on their property.
Mrs. Samuelson also requested some help from the board in regard to traffic speeds on the county road. She had indicated that she has contacted the Sheriff’s department to request enforcement. The township will also contact the Sheriff’s department requesting additional enforcement in this area.
Being no further business Feuling, seconded by Ross, made a motion to adjourn the meeting.
Meeting adjourned at 7:10 PM.
Respectfully submitted….
______________________________________
Gregg Raisanen, Clerk
Approved this ____ day of ________, 2011
_______________________________________
Roger Thalman, Chairman