May 18, 2020 minutes

Alexandria Township

Alexandria, Minnesota 56308

Minutes of the meeting of May 18, 2020

A regular meeting of the Board of Supervisors of Alexandria Township was held on the 18th day of May, 2020 via teleconference and at the Alexandria Township Conference Room, 324 Broadway.

ROLL CALL:  Supervisors present via teleconference were Jeff Oberg, Dennis Butz and Jerry Wright.  Onsite were Joel Dahlheimer and Rod Eldevik.  Also via teleconference were Gregg Raisanen, Clerk, and Mona Billmark, Treasurer.  As said members formed a quorum and the meeting was called to order by Chairman Eldevik at 6:00 p.m.

Eldevik, seconded by Wright, made a motion to adopt the agenda, moving the approval of minutes and payment of bills to the end of the meeting.  Motion carried unanimously.

CITIZEN’S CONCERNS:  Chairman Eldevik acknowledged Pete Klaphake, who was onsite representing Klaphake Feed Mill, Inc. He reported the reason for Mr. Klaphake’s presence was to address issues stemming from the issuance of a building permit by the township for the demolition of two turkey barns and the construction of a new building.

Eldevik recognized Steve and Kathy Fernow, 6507 Co Rd 82 SE.  The Fernows stated they felt the permitting process was flawed, specifically with no public hearings and no notifications as to the intent of the Klaphake owners.  The Fernows said they had been in contact with Mr. Klaphake regarding conditions they felt should have been required upon issuance of the land use permit; i.e. a tree buffer, timeline for destruction of the buildings (April 1, 2021), notification when shipping of birds, and a process for not stockpiling manure.

Supervisor Oberg asked if this problem between the parties directly involved the township.  Mr. Klaphake stated he, as well as the Fernows, have sought legal advice.

Mrs. Fernow stated she wants the township to amend the land use permit.  Township Attorney Sugden stated he has been in contact with the Fernows’ attorney.  He said that if the approval letter is amended and the application for the building permit is revised, that should suffice.

Mrs. Fernow added that in regard to the tree buffer, she wants a row of three pine trees, not a single row.

Mark Koep, Douglas County Feedlot Program Coordinator, provided background information on feedlot requirements and compliance.

Mr. Klaphake will work with Zoning Administrator Oleson and Attorney Sugden to revise the application and approval letter.

PLANNING AND ZONING:  Oleson reported that Billie Dropik informed the township of his intent to have all the cars, junk and recreational vehicles on his property cleaned up by the June 1st deadline; however, he is asking for an extension on the cleanup of agricultural equipment.  He had hoped to have an auction this spring.  With the pandemic, this was not possible.

Oberg asked for clarification that this was an extension for agricultural equipment only and that all other items will be in compliance by June 1, 2020.  Mr. Dropik responded yes.

Oberg, seconded by Dahlheimer, made a motion to allow an extension until August 1, 2020 for cleanup of agricultural equipment.  All personal and transport vehicles, as well as recreational vehicles, are to be in compliance with the December 20, 2019 agreement, by June 1, 2020.  Oberg, seconded by Dahlheimer, amended the motion to include the verbage, “the extension is conditional based upon an onsite inspection scheduled for June 2, 2020.  If the town determines the items (outside of agricultural equipment) are not in compliance on June 1, 2020, the extension is revoked and the December 20, 2019 agreement terms are reinstated.”  Roll:  Butz, Wright, Oberg, Dahlheimer, Eldevik – yes.  Opposed:  none.  Motion carried unanimously.

ENGINEER’S REPORT:  Engineer Kuhn reported that Central Specialties would provide 3,000 ton of gravel at the quoted price of $13.99/ton.  Engineer Kuhn stated the 3,000 ton would be applied to roads south of Co Rd 82.

Butz, seconded by Oberg, made a motion to accept the quote from Central Specialties of $13.99/ton for 3,000 ton of gravel.  Roll:  Butz, Oberg, Wright, Dahlhheimer, Eldevik – yes.  Opposed:  none.  Motion carried unanimously. Additional gravel application needed beyond the 3,000 ton would be determined by Engineer Kuhn, Supervisor Dahlheimer and the township road maintainer.

OLD BUSINESS:  none

NEW BUSINESS:  none

Dahlheimer, seconded by Wright, made a motion to approve the minutes of the 05/04/2020 regular board meeting as written.  Motion carried unanimously.

Dahlheimer, seconded by Butz, made a motion to authorize payment of claims 20080 – 20088 in the amount of $4,721.40, EFTPS $1,466.50, net payroll $997.68 totaling $7,185.58 and a transfer of funds of $3,000.00 from savings.  Motion carried unanimously.

Being no further business, Wright, seconded by Oberg, made a motion to adjourn the meeting.

Meeting adjourned at 6:50 p.m.

Respectfully submitted….

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Gregg Raisanen, Clerk

Approved this ____ day of ________, 2020

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Rod Eldevik, Chairman