Alexandria Township
Alexandria, Minnesota 56308
Minutes of the meeting of May 5, 2014
A regular meeting of the Board of Supervisors of Alexandria Township was held on the 5th day of May, 2014 at the Alexandria Township Conference Room, 610 Fillmore Street.
ROLL CALL: Supervisors present were Bryon Alstead, Jul Feuling, Lyle Hammerschmidt, Joel Dahlheimer 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 Dahlheimer, made a motion to adopt the agenda with the addition of urban short course update and golf cart ordinance under New Business. Motion carried unanimously.
Hammerschmidt, seconded by Niskanen, made a motion to approve the minutes of the 4/21/2014 regular board meeting as written. Motion carried unanimously.
Niskanen, seconded by Dahlheimer, made a motion to authorize payment of claims 14089 – 14102 in the amount of $36,972.12, net payroll of $3,755.68 for a total of $40,727.80 with a transfer of funds from savings in the amount of $40,000.00. Motion carried unanimously.
2013 financial audit. Dean Birklund of CarlsonHighland was present and reviewed the 2013 audit. Dean reported that there were no findings and that the financial statements presented fairly the financial position of the township. Total Net Assets at the end of 2013 were $2,274,742, an increase of $230,628 compared to the end of 2012. Total revenues were $1,076,556 and expenditures were $998,128. Total ending fund balance was $889,729.
CITIZEN’S CONCERNS: none
PLANNING AND ZONING: Zoning Administrator Oleson reported the Interim Use Permit application for Doug and ShirleyJacobson had been tabled by the planning commission in March. The hearing was continued at their April meeting and the planning commission recommended denial. While a number of factors contributed to the denial, such as projected increased traffic, increased road maintenance and dust control, the primary case for the denial is due to retail sales; i.e. commercial enterprise in a residential setting. The applicant had inquired if they could continue to utilize the site for growing produce/plants and conducting sales offsite. The commission had no opposition if the sales were conducted offsite. Supervisor Hammerschmidt asked if a timeframe would be set for the greenhouses being onsite. Oleson replied there is no limitation as long as it remains only a greenhouse and no sales are generated. Dan Paulson, the Jacobsons’ representative, explained the purpose for the IUP is to promote educational opportunities for families and the Alexandria Opportunities Center (AOC) and to promote funding for the AOC as well as defray costs through retail sales. Chairman Alstead expressed his concern that this could promote “spot zoning”, a practice the township does not advocate. Clerk Raisanen reported that this was one of the topics at the urban township short course. Urban townships face challenges with “ag tourism”, which essentially permits something small in scope, in this case a garden, and the idea is built upon until eventually it has grown into a commercial enterprise. Feuling, seconded by Hammerschmidt, made a motion to deny the interim use permit application submitted by the Jacobsons based upon the findings of fact stipulated in the staff report. Roll: Niskanen, Dahlheimer, Feuling, Hammerschmidt, Alstead – yes. Opposed: none. Motion carried unanimously.
Zoning Administrator Oleson reported that Jamie Feldhake had submitted a conditional use permit application which would allow for the temporary use of a dwelling while a new dwelling is constructed. Oleson stated the CUP is necessary to ensure the former dwelling is removed once the new dwelling is completed. Supervisor Feuling inquired why this wasn’t an IUP application since it has a time limitation. It was noted the CUP designation was necessary since it had been noticed by the planning commission as a CUP. Feuling, seconded by Niskanen, made a motion to approve the Feldhake CUP application with the three conditions as outlined in the staff report. Roll: Dahlheimer, Niskanen, Hammerschmidt, Feuling, Alstead – Yes. Opposed: none. Motion carried unanimously.
Oleson reported the planning commission will be conducting public hearings on accessory buildings and the solar/wind ordinance. He noted the county recently passed its solar/wind ordinance. They discussed utilizing an interim use permit instead of the traditional conditional use permit for temporary second dwellings.
Oleson reported receiving a complaint about junk vehicles on Brackin Rd. Oleson to send a letter.
Oleson provided an update on the dog grooming business in the Golden Gate area. The sheriff’s office had issued a warrant. It was noted that letters were issued to the daughter, who lives on the property; however, the mother owns the property. Since the landowner had not received notice, consensus was to give the landowner 30 days in which to apply for an IUP
ENGINEER’S REPORT: Road inspection. No major issues.
OLD BUSINESS: Neewana Beach Road drainage easement. Chairman Alstead reported Mr. Zimmerman verbally committed to a $3,500 payment to allow a drainage easement on his property as drafted by WSN and Attorney Johnson. Feuling, seconded by Hammerschmidt, made a motion to pay $3,500 to Mr. Zimmerman for a drainage easement for his property located at 4101 Neewana Beach Road (PIN: 03-1207-835). Motion carried unanimously.
NEW BUSINESS: Clerk Raisanen reported that the assessor contract with Douglas County is up for renewal. The Douglas County Assessor’s office is proposing to offer assessment services for 1925 parcels on a four-year contract, the first two years @ $7.25/parcel, and the subsequent two years @ $7.50/parcel. Feuling, seconded by Dahlheimer, made a motion to renew the assessor contract with Douglas County for an additional four years at the terms specified above. Motion carried unanimously.
Supervisor Hammerschmidt reported that a resident had inquired whether a natural gas line can be installed in the area, what the parameters would be, the scope of the township’s involvement, etc. Chairman Alstead stated he had attended an informational meeting within the past year. Essentially, if there is enough interest by residents, and if the utility deems the project to be viable, the utility would put the infrastructure in place and then bill back costs to the residents. Hammerschmidt will notify resident to contact CenterPoint Energy.
Supervisor Niskanen stated he and Chairman Alstead met with city officials regarding the conclusion of the annexation agreement. Niskanen reported the city is proposing another annexation agreement which would specify a timeframe wherein the city would not pursue further annexation. The only caveat would be if wells were to fail and township residents petition the city for water. Supervisor Hammerschmidt mentioned an agreement would minimize annexation. Consensus to table discussion until the next meeting.
Since the township is urban in nature, Clerk Raisanen made the recommendation to have the township officers split their attendance between urban and rural short courses. Raisanen was able to secure powerpoint materials from the urban short course and will disperse to the supervisors.
Clerk Raisanen reported the town had sent out two letters requesting quotes for sign replacement. We received one quote from M&R Sign Co. out of Fergus Falls in the amount of $2,418.08. Niskanen, seconded by Dahlheimer, made a motion to contract with M&R Sign Co. for the 2014 sign replacement in the amount of $2,418.08. Motion carried unanimously.
Supervisor Hammerschmidt reported a violation of the golf cart ordinance on West Lake Jessie Drive. The sheriff’s department was contacted and issued a citation.
Being no further business, Dahlheimer, seconded by Feuling, made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Meeting adjourned at 7:51 p.m.
Respectfully submitted….
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Gregg Raisanen, Clerk
Approved this ____ day of ________, 2014
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Bryon Alstead, Chairman