Alexandria Township
Alexandria, Minnesota 56308
Minutes of the meeting of July 15, 2024
A regular meeting of the Board of Supervisors of Alexandria Township was held on the 15th day of July, 2024 at the Alexandria Township Conference Room, 324 Broadway and via teleconference.
ROLL CALL: Supervisors present were Rod Eldevik, Joel Dahlheimer, Jerry Wright, and Jeff Oberg. Also present were Mark Meuwissen, Clerk and Mona Billmark, Treasurer. Said members formed a quorum and the meeting was called to order by Chairman Eldevik at 6:00 p.m.
The agenda was modified to move New Business and Discussion of the 2023 Township Audit to the first item of business. Motion by Oberg, seconded by Dahlheimer, to approve the agenda as modified. Motion carried unanimously.
Wright, seconded by Dahlheimer, made a motion to approve the minutes of the 7/1/24 regular board meeting as written. Motion carried unanimously.
Dahlheimer, seconded by Wright, made a motion to authorize payment of claims 24142-24151 in the amount of $49,774.51, EFTPS of $1,283.85, totaling $51,058.36 with a transfer of funds from savings of $50,000.00. Motion carried unanimously.
Supervisor Dennis Butz joined the meeting.
NEW BUSINESS: Dean Birkeland of Carlson SV presented the Board with copies of the 2023 Audit of the Town’s financial statements. The Auditor’s Opinion was “unqualified,” which is the highest assurance level independent auditors can give. Highlights of the financial statements included a moderate increase in the year end fund balance from $1,638,876 in 2022 to $1,751,695 in 2023. The majority of the Town’s assets are in cash and cash equivalents, which are considered very safe and not subject to loss in value. The Government Wide balance sheet includes additional capital assets of $1,251,964 net of accumulated depreciation. Birkeland suggested the Town is in a very healthy financial condition. The Board accepted the Audited Financial Statements and thanked the Auditors for their work.
CITIZEN’S CONCERNS: none
PLANNING AND ZONING: Township Zoning Administrator Oleson reported no further complaints have been made relating to the noise on property located off South Lake Jessie Dr. Oberg stated no one had called to ask him to observe the motocross activity.
No other Planning and Zoning items.
ENGINEER’S REPORT: Item 1: Engineer Kuhn inquired if the Board wanted to proceed with a water study of the Maple/Queens area. In attendance were area residents Kari Bollum (Henningsgaard), with David Henningsgaard attending via zoom. Wright commented we have experienced more than average rainfall in the past weeks and wondered if there was a noticeable increase in waterflow. Kari Bollum stated they have flowing streams of water on both sides of their house. She suggested the water is a result of an unapproved culvert installed down the road. Wright asked if she had documentation of the legal actions taken in the past. Ms. Bollum handed out copies to the Board. Consensus to have Oberg visit the site and report back to the Board. No further action was taken.
Item 2: Kuhn alerted the Board that an inquiry had been received concerning a lot on Geneva Estates East. They asked if a second road access to the back of the property off of O’Brien Road would be allowed. Kuhn said O’Brien Road was gravel and not designed to have multiple accesses from properties on Geneva Estates East. The Board was in consensus that if a request for this access was officially filed, it would likely be turned down. Zoning Administrator Oleson agreed to notify the interested party.
Item 3: Kuhn stated he is awaiting signatures on the contract for road work to be completed on West Lake Jessie Drive, Maple Drive, and Queens Road.
OLD BUSINESS: Clerk Meuwissen updated the Board on the annexation of property by the City of Nelson. The Town’s Attorney, Troy Gilchrist, was contacted and asked to initiate appropriate legal action to contest the annexation. Gilchrist’s partner, Jason Hill, responded with two comments. Attorney Hill believes the Town’s claim about the annexation not being supported by statute has merit and he has agreed to contest it. Attorney Hill also stated that as of this date, nothing has been filed by the City of Nelson. No further action can be taken until the City of Nelson files the appropriate documents and officially notifies the affected parties.
There being no further business, Chairman Eldevik adjourned the meeting at 6:52 PM
Respectfully submitted….
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Mark Meuwissen, Clerk
Approved this ____ day of ________, 2024
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Rod Eldevik, Chairman