June 7, 2021 minutes

Alexandria Township

Alexandria, Minnesota 56308

Minutes of the meeting of June 7, 2021

A regular meeting of the Board of Supervisors of Alexandria Township and a public hearing of the Board of Adjustment was held on the 7th day of June, 2021 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 was Gregg Raisanen, Clerk. Mona Billmark, Treasurer,  attended via teleconference.  As said members formed a quorum and the meeting was called to order by Chairman Eldevik at 6:00 p.m.

Chairman Eldevik recessed the regular meeting to open the public hearing on the variance request submitted by GOJO, LLC.  Ronald W. Jobe, Trustees, et al., owner.  The property is located along Hazel Hill Road SE.

Zoning Administrator Oleson reported that the variance request is to allow a 4-lot residential subdivision without connecting to sanitary sewer.  The closest existing sewer main line is located approximately 1,600 feet away to the north and east.  He made note that our township ordinance requires connection to ALASD for all platted subdivisions within the ALASR service region.  The applicant is requesting a variance to allow for private sewage treatment on each lot due to the prohibitive cost of paying for the extension of the sewer line to the proposed subdivision.

Scott Gilbertson, Executive Director for ALASD, expressed his concern that since the township’s subdivision ordinance specifies that subdivisions within ALASD’s boundaries be required to connect to sanitary sewer, studies should be conducted before a variance is considered.  Going forward, he wants to ensure subdivisions are more accessible to the sanitary lines and that comprehensive concept planning take place.  He reported that a feasibility report was ordered.  Phase 1 would encompass properties from the intersection of Maple Drive and Co Rd 81 to the southwest corner of the proposed subdivision.  The cost would be approximately $900,000.  Chairman Eldevik inquired as to a timeframe for completion.  Mr. Gilbertson did not have a conclusive timeframe.

Chairman Eldevik opened the meeting to the public for comment.  Hearing none, he closed the public hearing and resumed the meeting.

Oberg, seconded by Dahlheimer, made a motion to adopt the agenda with an addition under Planning & Zoning to read:  No. 6 Concept Planning.  Motion carried unanimously.

Wright, seconded by Butz, made a motion to approve the minutes of the May 17, 2021 regular board meeting as written.  Motion carried unanimously.

Dahlheimer, seconded by Butz, made a motion to authorize payment of claims 21101 – 21113 in the amount of $63,954.42, net payroll $4,193.58 totaling $68,148.00 and a transfer of funds from savings of $52,000.00.  Motion carried unanimously.

CITIZEN’S CONCERNS:  Chairman Eldevik reported the town had received a request for a streetlight to be located at the end of Pawnee Drive West.  Engineer Kuhn reported that REA has changed their policy to reflect charges for each location as well as a per month/meter charge.  He indicated that a meter is needed for each light.  He noted that the county has begun using solar lights versus the traditional metered lights.  His recommendation is to set up a meeting with REA to discuss the policy change and, upon the conclusion of that meeting, discuss with the board next steps.

PLANNING AND ZONING:  Zoning Administrator Oleson reported an application had been submitted by Thomas Wosepka for approval of the Preliminary Plat of Wosepka Acres.  The property is currently owned by William and Judith Kluver, located at 3410 W. Lake Jessie Drive SE.  The proposal is to subdivide a 10-acre parcel into two parcels; a 3-acre parcel to be retained by the Kluvers, which includes their homestead, and a 7-acre parcel to be purchased by Mr. Wosepka.  A variance was granted in April 2021 to allow the configuration of the lots with less than the minimum lot width/frontage of 150 feet.  The planning commission’s recommendation was to approve the request as presented with one condition of approval.

Supervisor Wright inquired as to the square frontage footage for the ALASD lift station.  Brad Nyberg of Nyberg Surveying noted that it had never been properly deeded to ALASD.  They will ensure the ALASD property is deeded properly after the final plat of Wosepka Acres is recorded.

Wright, seconded by Oberg, made a motion to approve the Preliminary Plat of Wosepka Acres with the condition that an outlet be placed to provide adequate drainage and that a drainage easement be granted.  Roll: Wright, Oberg, Dahlheimer, Butz, Eldevik – yes.  Opposed: none.  Motion carried unanimously.

Oleson reported that GOJO, LLC had three requests to present: a variance, preliminary plat and final plat.  He said the variance request was due to the distance for connection to sanitary sewer.

Jeff Oberg, on behalf of GOJO, LLC, reported he had done his due diligence by speaking with ALASD staff prior to moving forward with the proposed subdivision.  He noted he had soil observations done and acknowledged that our ordinance requires two soil borings/lot.  Olesen emphasized that each lot must have two sites identified.

Wright, seconded by Butz, made a motion to approve the variance request submitted by GOJO, LLC with the three conditions included in the staff report and with condition number 3 to include the verbage of requiring residents to connect within three years if an ALASD sewer collection line is extended past the property in the future.  Roll:  Wright, Butz, Eldevik – yes.  Dahlheiner – no.  Motion carried.

Oleson reported that the planning commission recommended approval of the Preliminary Plat of Ashmark First Addition with 3 conditions.  He stated that a property owner to the north was present at the public hearing and expressed concerns about drainage from his land flowing south and the potential for it to be blocked.  It was noted there will be 2 shared approaches serving the 4 lots.  Douglas County Soil & Water had no objection as long as the approach stays in the ditch area and does not encroach into the wetland area.

Dahlheimer, seconded by Wright, made a motion to approve the Preliminary Plat of Ashmark First Addition with condition no. 3 from the staff report and to add another condition to read:  provide for a drainage easement on Lot 3.  Roll:  Wright, Dahlheimer, Butz, Eldevik – yes.  Opposed: none.  Motion carried unanimously.

Oleson presented the application for Final Plat of Ashmark First Addition.  Dahlheimer, seconded by Butz, made a motion to approve the Final Plat of Ashmark First Addition with the changes made to the preliminary plat.  Chairman Eldevik expressed concerns regarding approval of the final plat prior to the county surveyor reviewing the plat.  Normally the review is conducted prior to the town board approving.  Roll:  Butz, Dahlheimer, Wright – yes.  Eldevik – no.  Motion carried.

Oberg made a motion to table discussion on concept planning.

Oleson reported the Norris property had been cleaned up in front.  A follow up with viewing is scheduled in 45 days.

Consensus to have Oberg follow up with Billie Dropik regarding the status of his cleanup.

ENGINEER’S REPORT:  none

OLD BUSINESS:  none

NEW BUSINESS:  none

Being no further business, Dahlheimer, seconded by Butz, made a motion to adjourn the meeting.

Meeting adjourned at 7:55 p.m.

Respectfully submitted….

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Gregg Raisanen, Clerk

Approved this ____ day of ________, 2021

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Rod Eldevik, Chairman