Alexandria Township
Alexandria, Minnesota 56308
Minutes of the meeting of March 3, 2014
A regular meeting of the Board of Supervisors of Alexandria Township was held on the 3rd day of March, 2014 at the Alexandria Township Conference Room, 610 Fillmore Street.
ROLL CALL: Supervisors present were Bryon Alstead, Jul Feuling, Lyle Hammerschmidt, and Russell Niskanen. Also present were Gregg Raisanen, Clerk, and Mona Billmark, Treasurer. As said members formed a quorum and the meeting was called to order by Chairman Alstead at 6:00 p.m.
Feuling, seconded by Hammerschmidt, made a motion to adopt the agenda as presented. Motion carried unanimously.
Hammerschmidt, seconded by Niskanen, made a motion to approve the minutes of the 02/19/2014 regular board meeting as written. Motion carried unanimously.
Feuling, seconded by Niskanen, made a motion to authorize payment of claims 14043-14052 in the amount of $40,291.56, net payroll $3,273.88 totaling $43,565.44 and a transfer of funds from savings in the amount of $18,000.00. Motion carried unanimously.
CITIZEN’S CONCERNS: none
PLANNING AND ZONING: Zoning Administrator Oleson reported the planning commission had forwarded the preliminary plat application of Tim and Sandy Rock for Rock Acres. The application is to re-subdivide two 10-acre lots into three lots of 1.75 acres. 5.54 acres and a 12.20 acre outlot. Supervisor Feuling requested clarification regarding the variance granted to not extend sanitary sewer to the lots. Oleson replied that the variance applies to all three lots in the proposed subdivision. Hammerschmidt sought clarification of the sewage disposal section on page five of the staff report. Niskanen expressed concern about the spacing guidelines referred to in the letter from Douglas County Public Works. Oleson stated there is no way to meet those guidelines, and in fact none of the driveways meet it currently. He stated the county’s public works director indicated these were guidelines only. Mr. Rock asked that the application not be delayed while waiting for compliance checks for the septic systems that currently exist on Lots 1 and 2. Oleson stated he had spoken with the septic professional, Steve Schmidt, who is confident a second site could be located on each lot. Niskanen, seconded by Feuling, made a motion to approve the preliminary plat of Rock Acres with the following conditions:
1) The applicant shall dedicate enough land so that there is a full 50 feet of right-of-way along Liberty Road for all three proposed lots; 2) The applicant shall submit more detailed documentation from a licensed SSTS designer indicating where the properties can support two private sewer systems for each lot (current compliance inspections showing a compliant system for each of the two existing systems must also be submitted and can serve as evidence of one available site). This documentation need not be submitted prior to final plat approval, but must be submitted by the end of May 2014; 3) No construction or placement of structures or other improvements shall take place on Outlot A unless specifically approved by the Township Board;
4) No future subdivision of Outlot A, or Lots 1 and 2, shall be allowed except in conformance with the requirements of the Subdivision Ordinance, or other applicable ordinances, in effect at the time. This shall include requirements for connection to public or regional sewer system(s); and 5) The applicant shall reduce the width of Outlot A along Liberty Road from 80 feet to 66 feet, with the excess 14 feet to be added to the proposed Lot 2. Roll: Niskanen, Hammerschmidt, Feuling, Alstead – yes. Opposed: none. Motion carried unanimously.
Oleson reported we had received complaints regarding the height of a garage being built in the neighborhood of E. Burgen Rd and Maple Drive. At issue were the gambrel-style roof and the expectation that the tenant may run their business out of this structure. The planning commission is working on clarifying definitions and updating the ordinance.
ENGINEER’S REPORT: The board discussed the use of Base One to treat heavily traveled graveled roads. Engineer Kuhn received a quote from the supplier in the amount of $29,218.75, which would be enough product to treat 6 miles of roadway. Engineer Kuhn recommended using the product on 50th Ave, Neewana Beach Road, E. Lake Victoria Road and Hope Road. He will make a determination on where to apply the sixth tote. He stated Base One is compatible with calcium chloride which would be needed for dust control. Base One could potentially save the township money by reducing the amount of blading and chloride application needed. Niskanen, seconded by Alstead, made a motion to accept the quote submitted by Team Lab for the purchase of six totes of Base One product for the amount of $29,218.75. Motion carried unanimously.
OLD BUSINESS: 2015 budget and 2014 levy. Clerk Raisanen reported that the budget committee proposed a $490,000 levy, a slight decrease from last year to support the proposed $732,000 budget. Feuling, seconded by Hammerschmidt, made a motion to present the levy in the amount of $490,000 to the voters at the annual meeting. Motion carried unanimously.
NEW BUSINESS: Clerk Raisanen reported we received a completed questionnaire from Shad Steinbrecher who has indicated he is interested in the planning commission seat to be vacated by Julie Haar.
Niskanen, seconded by Hammerschmidt, made a motion to adjourn the regular meeting and open the Board of Audit meeting. Meeting adjourned at 6:56 p.m.
Clerk Raisanen reported that since we have an outside audit, the purpose of the Board of Audit is to review the financial statements that have been submitted by our auditor. The financial statements show total net assets of $2,279,755 at the end of the year with $963,535 unrestricted net assets. Total revenue for the year was $1,077,530 compared to expenditures of $991,945. Total change in fund balance for the year was $85,605.
Niskanen, seconded by Hammerschmidt, made a motion to approve the preliminary financial statements presented by the auditor. Motion carried unanimously.
Being no further business, Feuling, seconded by Hammerschmidt, made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Meeting adjourned at 7:06 p.m.
Respectfully submitted….
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Gregg Raisanen, Clerk
Approved this ____ day of ________, 2014
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Bryon Alstead, Chairman