Alexandria Township
Alexandria, Minnesota 56308
Minutes of the meeting of 6-2-08
A regular meeting of the Board of Supervisors of Alexandria Township was held on the 2nd Day of June 2008 at the Alexandria Township Conference Room, 610 Fillmore Street.
ROLL CALL: Supervisors present were Bryon Alstead, Louis Ross, Jim Casper, and Roger Thalman. Also present were Clerk Gregg Raisanen and Mona Billmark, Treasurer. As said members formed a quorum and the meeting was called to order by Chairman Thalman at 6:00 PM.
Alstead, seconded by Casper, made a motion to adopt the agenda with the addition of cul-de-sacs under Engineer’s Report. Motion carried unanimously.
Alstead, seconded by Casper, made a motion to approve the minutes of the May 19, 2008 regular board meeting as written, with Supervisor Ross abstaining. Motion carried.
Dahlheimer, seconded by Casper, made a motion to authorize payment of claims 8169-8182 in the amount of $29,719.57 and net payroll in the amount of $2,570.30 for a total of $32,289.87 and a transfer of funds from savings in the amount of $28,000.00. Motion carried unanimously.
PLANNING AND ZONING:
First item was the preliminary plat and conditional use permit for Brede Addition, applicants Jeffrey and Lori Brede. Zoning Administrator Oleson explained that the Brede Addition plat was forwarded from the planning commission with no extra conditions. The plat had originally been tabled so the applicants could provide information, as required in the Zoning and Subdivision Ordinances, from a licensed sewer designer stating that there are at least two sewerable sites on each lot. They provided the sewer information and the planning commission recommended approval and forwarding to the town board. Alstead, seconded by Casper, made a motion to approve the preliminary plat and conditional use permit for Brede Addition with no conditions. Roll: Alstead – yes, Ross – yes, Casper – yes, Thalman – yes. Motion carried unanimously.
Second item was the final plat for Lakecrest Townhomes, applicant Bob Bugher. Zoning Administrator Oleson stated that Mr. Bugher has met all the conditions for this plat. Engineer Kuhn is satisfied with the driveway placements and easement. Covenants were provided; however, they have not yet been reviewed. Casper, seconded by Ross, made a motion to approve the final plat for Lakecrest Townhomes provided we obtain an affirmation of the covenants by our township attorney. Roll: Alstead – yes, Ross – yes, Casper – yes, Thalman – yes. Motion carried unanimously.
Third item was the final plat for the Fifth Addition to Lake Geneva Estates, applicant Al Beisner. Discussion ensued regarding the proposed rainwater gardens. Zoning Administrator Oleson said that at the time the preliminary plat was approved, this issue was left open. The applicant stated that he proposes the rainwater gardens be in the ditch area. He mentioned that his engineer has done some developments in the St. Cloud area that are all rainwater gardens.
Mr. Beisner stipulated that the purpose of the rainwater garden is to disburse water. Chairman Thalman expressed concern regarding utility companies needing to access their equipment in the right-of-way. He stated that a utility company could potentially destroy a rainwater garden and, if that happened, did not think it would be the responsibility of the utility company to replace the garden.
Supervisor Dahlheimer joined the meeting.
The issue of requiring an easement, and establishing the gardens in that area, was brought up. Mr. Beisner had concerns that the boundaries between the easement(s) and right-of-ways would be hard to distinguish. He stated that water would be funneled into the rainwater gardens first, then into the ditches, and finally into the ponds. He did not feel this would become a maintenance issue.
Mr. Beisner presented a plan on how to build a rainwater garden. It was the consensus of the board that the prospect of a rainwater garden would be presented to a new landowner when they discuss the building of the home.
Supervisor Ross stipulated that he likes the idea of the rain gardens. He asked Engineer Kuhn if utilizing the gardens would mean a loss in the common retention pond capacity. Engineer Kuhn stated that the rain gardens are not being used in place of retention ponds. The rain gardens will be used on lots that will not drain to the pond site. The rainwater gardens were created to alleviate the need to create an additional retention pond. Mr. Beisner said he would still like to put the gardens in, even where they are not necessitated. Engineer Kuhn said there would be a stipulation that these gardens would be allowed only along blacktop roads. With regard to the gardens retaining snow, Engineer Kuhn felt that the gardens would actually help with the snowfall. It was Engineer Kuhn’s recommendation that the rain gardens be properly designed and located only in areas that are actually collecting water.
Supervisor Ross brought up the safety issue. Engineer Kuhn did not see a need for concern. Ross, seconded by Casper, made a motion to table the final plat for the Fifth Addition to Lake Geneva Estates in order to address some of the conditions of the preliminary plat. Roll: Ross – yes, Alstead – yes, Casper – yes, Dahlheimer – yes, Thalman – yes. Motion carried unanimously.
Zoning Administrator Oleson stated that a resident expressed concern regarding the implementation of driveways in the annexation area. Oleson sought to clarify whose responsibility this would be, since the city is already in charge of zoning in the annexation areas. He spoke with the city’s street commissioner, Bryan Bjorgaard, and Mr. Bjorgaard stated that the city would take on the implementation of driveways for the annexation areas; however, if culverts were required, it would be the landowner’s responsibility to pay for it. The city would not begin paying for culverts until the area(s) are officially annexed. The town board directed Zoning Administrator Oleson to have the city execute a document with language to this effect.
Oleson brought up another issue, that of the city’s double-fee policy and if that would be something the township may wish to incorporate. The city’s policy on permits is that if they are not picked up within a ten-day timeframe, the fee will double. The consensus of the board was to have the building inspector’s office investigate and then, if no resolution, turn the matter over to Attorney Clark for prosecution. The applicant would be subject to the township’s after-the-fact fee policy.
Oleson made mention of the planning commission’s desire to institute the zoning subcommittee again to review ordinances, etc.
ENGINEER’S REPORT:
The Queens Rd/Maple Dr bids were received on May 29th, one from Riley Bros. and the other from Central Specialties. Engineer Kuhn’s recommendation was to award the bid to the low bidder, Riley Bros. Dahlheimer, seconded by Casper, made a motion to accept the low bid from Riley Bros. Motion carried unanimously.
Queens Road drainage: Engineer Kuhn stated that the ditching along Maple Drive was accomplished and satisfactory. Discussion ensued regarding adjusting the level of the culvert inlet . Years ago the culvert was plugged. The township unplugged it, put in a larger culvert, and now the drainage affects neighboring landowners. Alstead, seconded by Dahlheimer , made a motion to have the engineer prepare plans/ideas to raise the inlet of the culvert. Motion carried unanimously.
Rod Eldevik raised the question as to who owned the original culvert. He thought it belonged to a private landowner. What would be the cost to raise the culvert, and should a legal opinion be rendered as to who owned the original culvert?
Cul de sacs: Engineer Kuhn stipulated that they vary from 500 foot maximum lengths to 1500 foot maximum lengths. Our standards are 600 ft and 1200 ft. This is based on the number of estimated vehicles generated per household. The transportation committee will research.
Gravel roads: The annual road inspection was conducted on Saturday, May 31, 2008. Engineer Kuhn determined roads that need additional gravel are: Berglund Mile (portion), S. Lake Jessie Road, Brackin Road, E. Lake Jessie Road, E. Lake Victoria, Newman Road (portion), and all of Remington Road. The township needs to address the turnaround on Remington Road.
OLD BUSINESS:
Kennel application: Clerk Raisanen stated the need to adopt a procedure for the application process. Ross, seconded by __Alstead?____________, made a motion to use the material as presented and establish a fee of $20/animal, with the board having the option of waiving the fee for a private kennel. Roll call: Dahlehimer – yes, Casper – yes, Ross – yes, Alstead – yes, Thalman – yes. Motion carried unanimously.
NEW BUSINESS:
Clerk Raisanen presented a resolution to expand the sewer district boundary around the South Lake Jessie area. Alstead, seconded by Ross, made a motion to approve resolution 08-09. Roll: Dahlheimer – yes, Casper – yes, Ross – yes, Alstead – yes, Thalman – yes. Motion carried unanimously.
Office help: Clerk Raisanen expressed the need to hire a person, or persons, to fill in for the administrative assistant. They would be paid at the incidental labor rate. The town board directed the clerk and board chair to oversee this matter.
Supervisor Alstead asked if the board had noticed the access clean-up that had been done by Rural Cellular Corp employees in honor of Earth Day. The town board directed the administrative assistant to send a letter of thanks to RCC.
Zoning Administrator Oleson stated that the Geneva Lakes Association has asked him to speak at their meeting on June 30, 2008 regarding the building permit process and any changes to the ordinances. The town board gave their approval.
Being no further business, Ross, seconded by Dahlheimer, made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Meeting adjourned at 7:55 PM.
Respectfully Submitted….. Approved this _____ day of________, 2008
_______________________________ ______________________________
Gregg Raisanen, Clerk Roger Thalman, Chairman