Alexandria Township

Alexandria, Minnesota 56308

Minutes of the meeting of January 21, 2026

A regular meeting of the Board of Supervisors of Alexandria Township was held on the 21st day of January, 2026 at the Alexandria Township Conference Room, 324 Broadway and via teleconference.

ROLL CALL: Supervisors present were Jeff Oberg, Rod Eldevik, Dennis Butz and Jerry Wright.  Also present were Mark Meuwissen, Clerk, and Bryon Alstead, Treasurer.  As said members formed a quorum, 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 modification of moving the Senior Center from New Business to Citizen Concerns and to add the Dropik property to Old Business.  Motion carried unanimously.

Wright, seconded by Butz, made a motion to approve the minutes of the 1/5/2026 regular board meeting.  Motion carried unanimously.

Butz, seconded by Wright, made a motion to authorize payment of claims 25260 – 25268 in the amount of $13,723.37 and a transfer of funds from savings of $13,000.00.  Motion carried unanimously.

CITIZEN CONCERNS: Jim Engstrom was present to discuss damage to his grass and mailbox caused by a snow plow. After describing the damage, Chair Eldevik informed Engstrom the Township will replace his mailbox and repair the grass.

Shelli-Kae Foster, Executive Director of the Alexandria Senior Center, stated the township has funded the center in the past and is requesting the Township contribute $5,000 for 2026. Foster was joined by other members of the Senior Center and presented a summary of the services they provide.  It was also mentioned that the Senior Center operates on a budget of approximately $220,000 a year, has 670 members, and outreaches a significant percentage of seniors in the community through programs such as Meals on Wheels.  Oberg, seconded by Butz, made a motion to fund the Senior Center in the amount of $5,000 for the year 2026.  Roll:  Oberg, Wright, Butz, Eldevik – yes. Opposed: none. Motion carried unanimously.

Planning and Zoning: Zoning Administrator Oleson presented the Board with a preliminary plat application which proposes converting 2 parcels of land totaling 4.21 acres into a six-lot residential subdivision.  The subdivision would be called Natures Edge Third Addition and is located at 3565 Queens Rd SE.  After discussion, Oberg, seconded by Butz, made a motion to approve the Preliminary Plat of Natures Edge Third Addition with the four conditions outlined in the staff report.  Roll: Oberg, Butz, Wright – yes, Eldevik – abstain. Motion carried.

ENGINEER REPORT: none

OLD BUSINESS: Supervisor Oberg stated he observed the back side of the Dropik property from a public trail. He estimated there were over 100 vehicles on the property, which is more than Billie Dropik claimed in his conversation with the Board on January 1, 2026.  Oberg believes the Township should see progress each month in the reduction of the number of vehicles on the premises.  There was discussion on what would constitute progress and how it might be demonstrated.  Meuwissen stated the agreement by Dropik to escrow $5,000 had not been finalized.  Oleson agreed to work with the Township Attorney to formalize the agreement.   Consensus that a Dropik property update will be on the agenda monthly until the issue is completely resolved.

NEW BUSINESS: Oberg updated the Board on the unsuccessful efforts to locate a Township appointment to the AAEDC.  Clerk Meuwissen reminded the Board that it cannot be an elected officer of the Township, but it could be an appointed position.  Meuwissen stated he would consider being an interim appointee.  Oberg, seconded by Butz, made a motion to appoint Mark Meuwissen as the Township’s interim representative on the AAEDC.  Roll: Oberg, Butz, Wright, Eldevik – Yes.  Motion carried.

Clerk Meuwissen reported the Douglas County Historical Society had requested a donation of $500 to support its 2026 programming.  Oberg, seconded by Wright, made a motion to donate the same amount as the prior year, $250, to the Historical Society.  Motion carried unanimously.

Eldevik opened discussion concerning the need for a year-round parking ordinance.  Eldevik stated the Sheriff’s Department was not taking action on vehicles and trailers parked in an unsafe manner on Township Roads because the Township doesn’t have a clear parking ordinance governing these situations.  Eldevik inquired if the Board supports taking necessary action to pass a year-round parking ordinance that would be comprehensive and enforceable.  Butz, seconded by Wright, made a motion to create a comprehensive road ordinance.  Roll: Butz, Wright, Oberg, Eldevik – Yes.  Motion carried.

Being no further business, Chairman Eldevik closed the meeting. Meeting adjourned at 6:58 p.m.

Respectfully submitted….

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Mark Meuwissen, Clerk

Approved this ____ day of ________, 2026

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Rod Eldevik, Chairman