Alexandria Township
Alexandria, Minnesota 56308
Minutes of the meeting of 5-7-2007
A regular meeting of the Board of Supervisors of Alexandria Township was held on the 7th Day of May 2007 at the Alexandria Township Conference Room, 610 Fillmore Street.
ROLL CALL: Supervisors present were Bryon Alstead, Jim Casper, Joel Dahlheimer, Louis Ross, and Roger Thalman. Also present were Clerk Gregg Raisanen and Mona Billmark, Treasurer. Also present were Jeff Kuhn, Township Engineer and Ben Oleson, Township Zoning Administrator. As said members formed a quorum and the meeting was called to order by Chairman Thalman at 7:30 PM.
Alstead, seconded by Dahlheimer, made a motion to adopt the agenda with the addition of discussion about Deer Lane under Citizen’s concerns and communication regarding action of the joint zoning board under new business. Motion carried unanimously.
Alstead, seconded by Casper, made a motion to approve the minutes of the April 16, 2007 regular board meeting as written. Motion carried unanimously.
Alstead, seconded by Casper, made a motion to authorize payment of claims 7121-7143 in the amount of $59,051.08 and net payroll in the amount of $3,700.06 for a total of $62,751.14 and authorize the transfer of $62,000.00 from the savings into the checking account. Motion carried unanimously.
CITIZEN CONCERNS: Supervisor Alstead reported that he had discussions with a resident who lives off of 50th Ave. however their lot also borders Deer Lane. If Deer Lane ever gets paved, they would prefer that a portion of 50th Ave. also get paved so that they would receive some benefit. One of the issues with paving 50th Ave is that the road borders Hudson Township so they would have to agree with it. The board will consider this when and if the road paving proceeds.
Chairman Thalman reported that he had received an unsigned complaint alleging that a resident is operating a lawn care business from a residence located on Kari St. Chairman Thalman will view the residence to determine if this is complaint is valid and also determine if the county has granted a conditional use permit for the property if it appears that a business is located there.
PLANNING AND ZONING: Ben Oleson presented an application, recommended for approval by the Planning Commission, for a condition use permit for Harry and Pat May allowing them to move approximately 160 cubic yards of soil as part of a grading project for a new residence. Alstead, seconded by Casper, made a motion to approve the Planning Commissions recommendation to approve a conditional use permit for Harry and Pat May to allow excavation provided that they follow the conditions outlined in the staff report. Motion for: Dahlheimer, Alstead, Ross, Casper, Thalman. Motion against: none. Motion carried.
Ben Oleson reported that the planning commission has unanimously recommended that the draft of the ordinance regulating adult use businesses be adopted with minor changes in defining alcoholic beverages. Clerk Raisanen will present a resolution for adoption of the ordinance.
Ben Oleson brought forward the recommendation of the planning commission to revise the interim subdivision ordinance to allow for private roads within non-residential PUDS. This will be considered at the next board meeting.
Ben Oleson reported that he had received one proposal for sewer inspection services prior to the deadline and reported that he had been contacted regarding another proposal. The board was in consensus to wait until the next meeting to make a decision regarding this matter.
Ben Oleson inquired into the recommendation of the board regarding compliance inspection of sanitary sewer systems. The board was in consensus to have private inspectors complete the work.
Ben Oleson reported that he had received three complaints regarding non-compliant systems from the county. The county was aware of the three systems; however, did not take any legal action against the landowners prior to the township assuming responsibility. Ben reported that it any of the systems had raw sewage coming to the ground surface, this would be an immediate public health threat according to state statutes. The board directed Ben Oleson to contact Attorney Michelle Clark to get direction on how the township should proceed and report back to the board.
Ben Oleson reported that he had received a complaint regarding two property owners on the east side of Lake Geneva regarding possible violations due to excessive erosion. After investigating, he found no violations of the township’s ordinance; however, he sent an informational letter to the landowners and one took offense to the letter. The board was in consensus to only send future letters if the landowner is not in compliance with an ordinance.
Ben Oleson reported that the Planning Commission would be holding a public hearing on May 14, 2007 to recommend zoning districts within the township.
ENGINEER’ REPORT: Engineer Kuhn and Zoning Administrator Oleson presented recommendations for a new driveway ordinance. The recommended that the application fee be set at $100.00 to help cover the cost of inspections. The board directed Clerk Raisanen to draft an ordinance for their consideration at the next meeting.
Engineer Kuhn requested that the board authorize placing an addendum to the ALASR bid notice for sewer installation into Natures Edge subdivision to include the rebuilding of the road at the same time. He estimated the cost of the road rebuilding at $70.000.00. Alstead, seconded by Ross, made a motion to authorize the inclusion of an addendum for the rebuilding of Queen’s road to the ALASR bid proposal. Motion carried unanimously.
Clerk Raisanen presented a resolution adopting a temporary easement allowing for a turnaround at the end of Airway Lane. Dahlheimer, seconded by Casper, made a motion to adopt resolution 07-03, a resolution accepting a temporary easement at the end of Airway Lane. Motion carried unanimously.
Clerk Raisanen reported that he had received notice from County Engineer Robley indicating that Burgen Terrace and Burgen Lane had been constructed with the exception of bituminous surfacing to township standards.
OLD BUSINESS: The board directed Clerk Raisanen and Ben Oleson to proceed with a procedure with the City of Alexandria to process future building permits within the two-mile radius of the city. The board also requested that the township proceed with drafting an ordinance to allow for the enforcement of the state building code throughout the whole township.
NEW BUSINESS: Clerk Raisanen presented two written quotes for new computer equipment. Betterware computers quoted $1985 including installation and Networks for HIRE quoted $2190 plus $130.00 for updates and installation. Dahlheimer, seconded by Alstead, made a motion to authorize the purchase of a new computer system from Betterware Computers for the amount of $1985.00. Motion carried unanimously.
Ross, seconded by Alstead, made a motion to authorize Clerk Raisanen to review the draft 2006 financial audit for completion prior to it being finalized. Motion carried unanimously.
Clerk Raisanen presented quotes for installation of the two warning sirens. Rudy’s Electric quoted $7,000, which included eight 12-volt batteries, and Alexandria Electric quoted $3,900.00 but did not include the batteries. Dahlheimer, seconded by Ross, made a motion to accept the quote from Alexandria Electric for the installation of the two warning sirens. Motion carried unanimously.
The board directed Clerk Raisanen to obtain quotes for Calcium Chloride application.
Chairman Thalman reported that the joint zoning board adopted the city codes within the orderly annexation area of the township. Also, the city has adopted a moratorium for the installation of off premise electric billboards.
Being no further business, Alstead, seconded by Dahlheimer, made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Meeting adjourned at 9:25PM.
Respectfully Submitted…..
Approved this _____ day of________, 2007
Gregg Raisanen, Clerk
Roger Thalman, Chairman