Alexandria Township
Alexandria, Minnesota 56308
Minutes of the meeting of 3-21-2005
A regular meeting of the Board of Supervisors of Alexandria Township was held on the 21st day of March 2005.
ROLL CALL: Supervisors present were Joel Dahlheimer, Louis Ross, Jim Casper, and Roger Thalman. 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 Thalman at 7:30 PM.
Casper, seconded by Ross, made a motion to adopt the agenda with the following additions: Mr. Johnson under citizen’s concerns and property insurance under new business. Motion carried unanimously.
CITIZEN’S CONCERNS: Chairman Thalman opened discussion regarding Queen’s Road. Clerk Raisanen explained that during the initial part of the feasibility study, the engineer discovered that a major portion of properties along Queen’s Road are not connected to sanitary sewer although they are located within the ALASD boundary. The Township Board of Supervisors passed a resolution in 1996 requiring as a condition for new blacktop projects, all properties within the ALASD boundary are required to be connected to sanitary sewer. Engineer Kuhn provided the following cost estimates for improvements: Sewer line installation-$176,000 or $6,500/parcel, an additional $130,000 for a lift station to serve the last 10 homes at the end, paving costs of $153,000 with the residents’ share of $86,000 or $3,200/parcel. Chairman Thalman reported that the paving option is not possible until the area is sewered. The residents would have to petition ALASD to request the feasibility of sewering the area. One resident inquired if the Golden Gate area and the beginning portion of Queen’s Road could be paved since it is sewered. Clerk Raisanen will send a blacktop petition out. Rod Eldevik spoke that he is not in favor of improvements if they would be assessed on a per ft. basis since he owns the majority of the frontage of the road and his assessment would be greater than the benefit to his property.
Orrin Johnson presented the Board a preliminary draft of a proposed plat located between Rosewood Lane and CR 46. The board indicated that this is within the annexation area; therefore, it would presently be under the jurisdiction of the joint planning board and after December 31, 2005, it would be within the City limits of Alexandria.
Dahlheimer, seconded by Casper, made a motion to approve the minutes of the February 28, 2005 special board meeting and the March 7, 2005 regular board meeting with the correction of Dahlheimer voting no on the animal impoundment contract. Motion carried unanimously.
Casper, seconded by Dahlheimer, made a motion to authorize payment of the bills in the amount of $2,664.39. Motion carried unanimously.
Dahlheimer, seconded by Casper, made a motion to authorize the transfer of $3,000.00 from the savings into the checking account. Motion carried unanimously.
ENGINEER’S REPORT: Engineer Kuhn recommended that the Board award the paving contract for the E. Lake Burgen Project to the low bidder, MidConn Asphalt. Dahlheimer, seconded by Casper, made a motion to award the E. Lake Burgen paving contract to MidConn Asphalt in the amount of $102,465.00. Motion carried unanimously.
Engineer Kuhn presented the Board a draft update of the storm water retention pond standards. The board discussed if the standards should be changed now or after the planning and zoning options were finalized and they could be part of a subdivision ordinance. Supervisor Ross is opposed to the township assuming maintenance of the ponds and feels the landowners should assume the maintenance. Currently the only way the standards are enforceable is the provision that the township will assume maintenance of the ponds provided that they are constructed to Alexandria Township standards. The Board will consider the changes at the next board meeting.
Engineer Kuhn reported that he reviewed the drainage plan for Airway Acres and had no concerns.
The Board discussed the request by Al Sonju for a conditional use permit to construct a greenhouse within an area that is zoned rural residential. Mr. Darren Hungness, Land and Resource Director, reported that the commissioners were considering this request tomorrow at their board meeting. The supervisors expressed concern about a retail greenhouse located within a residentially zoned area. They discussed that a wholesale greenhouse would be okay since it falls within the definition of a home-based business; however, a retail business would not be compatible with this area.
OLD BUSINESS: Supervisor Casper presented copies of a RFP for consulting services for drafting a comprehensive land use plan. Ross, seconded by Dahlheimer, made a motion to authorize Clerk Raisanen to send out copies of the RFP to four consultants for their consideration. Motion carried unanimously.
Clerk Raisanen provided the Board a copy of a RFP for road maintenance services for a year period. Clerk Raisanen reported that he was unsure if this service could be contracted by the RFP quote process if the estimated contract amount was greater than $50,000. He would like to discuss this with the Township Attorneys at the short course on Thursday. Ross, seconded by Casper, made a motion to authorize Clerk Raisanen to send out the RFP for road maintenance services. Ross, seconded by Casper, amended the original motion to include the provision that if it was determined, after consulting with the attorneys that the services would have to be bid, to authorize Clerk Raisanen to send a RFP for summer Road maintenance services instead of a yearly contract. Motion carried unanimously.
NEW BUSINESS: The Board discussed the proposed planning commission ordinance that was drafted by Supervisor Casper. He reported that this ordinance includes language for a Board of Adjustment and Appeals that is required by statute. Clerk Raisanen reported that this ordinance would have to be published after the board approved it. The board will consider adoption at their next meeting.
The Board discussed future planning and zoning. Brad Nyberg spoke in opposition to the township assuming planning and zoning. He questioned the cost, the duplication of services since the county is already serving in this capacity, and he also questioned the potential liability that the township would be exposed to. Supervisor Ross indicated that a township the size of Alexandria should have a comprehensive land use plan to be used as a guide for wise planning. Currently there is no guide that is used to make planning decisions. He doesn’t view the township assuming planning and zoning functions as being contrary to the County. Chairman Thalman reported that there are a number of townships in MN that are doing their own planning and zoning.
Clerk Raisanen presented copies of the procedure to appoint a deputy clerk. He reported that if the township moves forward with planning and zoning and with the addition of more meetings, appointment of a deputy clerk would be beneficial to the township.
Clerk Raisanen reported that Attorney Michelle Clark indicated that the Township’s Parking Ordinance is lacking proper language to allow prosecution for lack of payment of parking fines. Clerk Raisanen indicated that the ordinance would have to be redrafted and published. The Board was in consensus to have the ordinance redrafted to include the proper language.
Clerk Raisanen reported that he has received an invoice for property insurance with County Insurance. He also reported that he has received a request from the PAL self-insurance plan through the MN Association of Townships for the same services. He will provide quotes at the next meeting.
Being no further business, Dahlheimer, seconded by Ross, made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Meeting adjourned at 9:10 PM.
Respectfully Submitted…..
Gregg Raisanen, Clerk
Approved this _____ day of _________, 2005
Roger Thalman, Chairman