Alexandria Township

Alexandria, Minnesota 56308

Minutes of the meeting of July 7, 2025

A regular meeting of the Board of Supervisors of Alexandria Township was held on the 7th day of July, 2025 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, 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 Dahlheimer, made a motion to adopt the agenda with a change in the total amount of bills paid to $68,484.45 and to include under Engineer’s Report Tom Pappenfus (Gavin’s Point) and Kari Bollum (Maple Drive drainage).  Motion carried unanimously.

Dahlheimer, seconded by Butz, made a motion to approve the minutes of the 6/16/2025 regular board meeting as written.  Motion carried unanimously.

Wright, seconded by Dahlheimer, made a motion to authorize payment of claims 25124 – 25134 in the amount of $60,910.87, net payroll $6,081.76, EFTPS $1,491.82 totaling $68,484.45 with a transfer from savings of $61,000.  Motion carried unanimously.

CITIZEN’S CONCERNS: Randy Goeke, Marvin Kulzer and Scott Rice addressed the board regarding drainage off Brackin Road. They were wanting to confirm if their neighbor to the south of Brackin Road had requested that the culvert be lowered. The culvert had been replaced in 2021.  Engineer Kuhn confirmed that Mr. Sonstegaard had made a request to him directly about the culvert. Kuhn stated he still needs time to review the request. At present, there is no plan to lower the culvert. The culvert had been replaced due to deterioration of the metal culvert and it was replaced with a concrete culvert. Kuhn will arrange to make an onsite visit with Supervisor Dahlheimer, Chairman Eldevik and DCSW official Jerry Haggenmiller.

PLANNING AND ZONING: Zoning Administrator Oleson reported the township had received a final plat application for Liberty Estates. This subdivision would create three residential lots with one lot containing an existing dwelling. The preliminary plat approval had included six conditions. Staff recommend approval of this plat.  Oberg, seconded by Wright, made a motion to approve the final plat of Liberty Estates with the six conditions outlined in the staff report.  Motion carried unanimously.

Oleson reported Douglas County has passed an ordinance concerning cannabis.  The township can either adopt their own ordinance or default to the county’s ordinance. Some components for consideration would be a) who would register a cannabis business; b) how many would be allowed; and c) potential setback requirements. Staff recommend the township’s adopting their own ordinance and designating this type of business as requiring an interim use permit. A public hearing has been scheduled for July 28, 2025.  Oberg, seconded by Dahlheimer, made a motion to have the township adopt their own ordinance on cannabis and determine the registration component at a later time. Roll: Oberg, Wright, Butz, Dahlheimer, Eldevik – yes. Opposed: none. Motion carried unanimously.

Chairman Eldevik reported the town has had several instances of items, such as vehicles, trailers, etc., being parked in the township’s rights-of-way for prolonged periods of time. He acknowledged the town already has a parking ban for the winter months, but suggested the town re-draft their parking ordinance to include a year-round ban. Oberg, seconded by Dahlheimer, made a motion to draft a new ordinance with a year-round ban on parking on township roads. Motion carried unanimously. Oleson to research and provide a draft updating the existing ordinance and, if necessary, to consult the township’s attorney.

Oleson provided an update on the junk violation located at a property on E. Lake Jessie Road. The landowner had contacted him and requested more time to finish the clean-up effort. Consensus to have Oleson schedule a site visit to view the property.

Oleson provided an update on the junk violation located on County Road 82 SE. The landowner stated that his tenant would be vacating the property.

ENGINEER’S REPORT: Tom Pappenfus presented a blacktop petition signed by a majority of  landowners on Gavin’s Point. The landowners are asking the township to take over the road. They understand there will be an assessment applied to the landowners. Clerk Meuwissen took possession of the petition and will determine the correct procedure to move the request forward. No action was taken by the Board.

Kuhn reported the grant application filed for stormwater relief was not successful. Kari Bollum expressed frustration with the drainage problem and stated this situation has been an ongoing concern for many years. Chair Eldevik said the Township is concerned with their responsibility to manage stormwater runoff, but there are situations where the control is the responsibility of the property owner. No other action was taken.

Kuhn reported that a pre-construction meeting for the 2025 road improvements has been scheduled for July 15, 2025 @ 1 p.m. The timeline for completion of the road improvements will be sometime in late July or early August.

OLD BUSINESS: none

NEW BUSINESS: none

Being no further business, Dahlheimer, seconded by Butz, made a motion to adjourn the meeting.  Meeting adjourned at 7:32 p.m.

Respectfully submitted….

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Mark Meuwissen, Clerk

Approved this ____ day of ________, 2025

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Rod Eldevik, Chairman