Alexandria Township
Alexandria, Minnesota 56308
Minutes of the meeting of 2-28-2005
A special meeting of the Board of Supervisors of Alexandria Township was held on the 28th day of February 2005.
ROLL CALL: Supervisors present were Jim Casper, T. Michael Thompson, Louis Ross, Joel Dahlheimer, 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 7:00 PM.
The agenda for the meeting was to conduct a Board of Audit and to discuss future Planning and Zoning functions within Alexandria Township.
Chairman opened the Board of Audit. Clerk Raisanen presented a summary of the document provided by Chris Mitchell who conducted an audit for 2004. Clerk Raisanen reported that they did not find any audit findings. Total general fund revenue was $299,670 vs. expenditures of $293,607 with a fund balance of $153,389 after a transfer of $65,000 into the Road and Bridge account. Road and Bridge revenue was $164,148 vs. expenditures of $255,810. Expenditures were greater than revenue because of the rebuilding of roads in the East Lake Burgen Area and the Broken Arrow subdivision. A transfer of $65,000 from General fund to road and bridge was made to cover the additional costs leaving a fund balance of $1,907 at the end of 2004. Snow and weed revenue was $50,260 and expenditures of $34,739 leaving a fund balance after the transfer of $70,821 at the end of 2004. ALASD fund revenue was $107,655 and expenditures were $107,280 leaving a fund balance of $9,430. The Blacktop fund revenue was $166,750 vs. expenditures of $367,423 leaving a fund balance of $41,036. There was no activity in the Sewer Sinking Fund and the fund balance remained at $10,119. Total fund balance at the end of 2004 was $286,702 compared to a balance at the beginning of the year of $557,078.
Ross, seconded by Thompson, made a motion to adopt the 2004 audit report as presented. Motion carried unanimously.
Chairman Thalman closed the Board of Audit and opened the special meeting to discuss future planning and zoning.
The Board discussed reasons for Alexandria Township to have planning and zoning jurisdiction. Supervisor Casper reported that future Township zoning could not be less restrictive than the county’s zoning. Since the township has been rezoned rural residential by the County, this may create some issues with future development. A legal opinion will have to be obtained regarding this issue.
The Board discussed the need for a comprehensive land use plan. This would be a guide for future decision-making. The Board discussed the possible adoption of an interim ordinance requiring that the town Board prior to adoption approve all new preliminary plats.
Supervisor Casper outlined the steps that would be required to be followed to assume planning and zoning responsibilities:
- Develop a rationale for absorbing these functions from the County.
- Request proposals from consultants to complete comprehensive land use plan.
- Appoint a planning commission.
- Develop a comprehensive land use plan.
- Adopt an interim ordinance.
- Adopt comprehensive land use plan.
- Prepare zoning ordinances.
- Establish staffing needs and space needs.
- Adopt zoning ordinances.
- Notification to the County of intent.
The Board discussed the need to adopt new ordinances or to adopt the existing county ordinances. At the present, the Board was in consensus to move forward with the Comprehensive Land Use Plan and review existing county ordinances.
Being no further business, Ross, seconded by Thompson, made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Meeting adjourned at 9:05 PM.
Respectfully Submitted…..
Gregg Raisanen, Clerk
Approved this _____ day of _________, 2005
Roger Thalman, Chairman