June 6, 2022 minutes

Alexandria Township

Alexandria, Minnesota 56308

Minutes of the meeting of June 6, 2022

A regular meeting of the Board of Supervisors of Alexandria Township was held on the 6th day of June, 2022 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 Gregg Raisanen, Clerk, with Mona Billmark, Treasurer, via teleconference.  As said members formed a quorum and 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 addition of Frontline Worker bonus pay under new business.  Motion carried unanimously.

Oberg, seconded by Dahlheimer, made a motion to approve the minutes of the May 16, 2022 regular board meeting as written.  Motion carried unanimously.

Dahlheimer, seconded by Butz, made a motion to authorize payment of claims 22095 – 22107 in the amount of $41,588.22, net payroll $4,448.89 totaling $46,037.11 and a transfer of funds from savings of $28,000.00.  Motion carried unanimously.

CITIZEN’S CONCERNS:  Two residents of the Golden Gate area were present to discuss drainage and storm damage in their subdivision.  Their complaint stems from the clearing of trees at a property that runs along the southern boundary line of homes located on Golden Gate Avenue.  Chairman Eldevik commented no zoning violation occurred when the adjoining property owner cut down his trees.  It was noted Supervisors Eldevik and Dahlheimer met with the property owner, township engineer and Douglas County Soil and Water personnel onsite to evaluate the condition of the land.  Chairman Eldevik will assess the ditch and report back to the board. The adjoining land owner has agreed to remove the fallen trees from their property and the board encouraged the residents to meet with him to work out a possible solution to the drainage issue.

PLANNING AND ZONING:  Zoning Administrator Oleson inquired if the board wanted to establish a policy for permit fee reductions and/or fee waivers for people affected by storm damage, fire, etc.  An example would be the allowance of building permits without the requirement of a septic compliance.  Consensus to require a septic compliance for dwelling building permits.  Other instances, such as accessory buildings, would be determined on a case-by-case basis.  Oleson made mention that the City of Alexandria would not be reducing building fees for storm damaged properties.

Oleson reported that the original recorded interim use permit issued to Jeremy Olson in 2016 did not list all the conditions.  Oleson proposed recording a corrected document to include all conditions.  Consensus to have Oleson record a corrected document and to contact the landowner to discuss the conditions of the original IUP and report back to the board.

Oleson reported the board had previously approved a variance for the Shomion property, allowing construction of a dwelling/garage less than the requisite 30-foot bluff setback.  The landowner will not be using the existing septic drainage field and will need a variance for the septic system as it is only five feet from the property line (10 ft minimum required).  The landowner claims he cannot connect to sanitary sewer due to the distance to the nearest line.  Oleson asked if the building permit could be issued if the landowner installs a holding tank temporarily (until a variance has been approved and a Type III system installed).  Consensus to issue the building permit with a holding tank as long as documentation is submitted for the new design and/or connection to sanitary sewer is established.

Oleson reported he and Supervisor Wright met with Billie Dropik onsite regarding the clean-up effort and determined substantial headway was gained.  Consensus to continue to monitor the situation and to inform Mr. Dropik that all junk cars are to be removed immediately and, if compliance is not met, the township will haul the vehicles to storage.

Clerk Raisanen reported he and Chairman Eldevik had a conversation with Doug Jasken regarding the motocross track established on his property at S. Lake Jessie Road.  Mr. Jasken indicated they are using the track approximately one night a week for two hours. It appears that no current ordinances are being violated at the present time.

ENGINEER’S REPORT:  none

OLD BUSINESS:  none

NEW BUSINESS:  Supervisor Wright inquired if the administrative assistant was eligible for the frontline worker bonus pay program.  Raisanen to research eligibility.

Being no further business, Oberg, seconded by Butz, made a motion to adjourn the meeting.  Meeting adjourned at 7:09 p.m.

Respectfully submitted….

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Gregg Raisanen, Clerk

Approved this ____ day of ________, 2022

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Rod Eldevik, Chairman