Alexandria Township
Alexandria, Minnesota 56308
Minutes of the meeting of May 3, 2010
A regular meeting of the Board of Supervisors of Alexandria Township was held on the 3rd day of May 2010 at the Alexandria Township Conference Room, 610 Fillmore Street.
ROLL CALL: Supervisors present were Bryon Alstead, Jul Feuling, Joel Dahlheimer 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 6:00 p.m.
Feuling, seconded by Dahlheimer, made a motion to adopt the agenda as presented. Motion carried unanimously.
Alstead, seconded by Feuling, made a motion to approve the minutes of the 4/19/2010 regular board meeting as written. Motion carried unanimously.
Supervisor Ross joined the meeting.
Dahlheimer, seconded by Alstead, made a motion to authorize payment of claims 10116-10130 in the amount of $38,258.63, net payroll of $4,345.47, totaling $42,604.10 and to authorize a transfer from savings into checking of $42,000.00. Motion carried unanimously.
CITIZEN’S CONCERNS: None
PLANNING AND ZONING: Zoning Administrator Oleson brought the Preliminary Plat and Conditional Use Application submitted by Joshua and Renee Sanden to the township board for their consideration. Oleson said that the township board had approved a rezoning application for the same property in March 2010, rezoning the property from Rural Conservation Residential to Rural Residential. He stated the planning commission recommended approval of the preliminary plat/conditional use application with two conditions.
The applicants are currently proposing a total of three lots, with the largest becoming a “reserve parcel”. The preliminary plat includes a Rural Reserve Development, which means one parcel must be at least 60% of the size of the entire parcel being subdivided. Lots 1 and 2, if subdivided in the future, would need to maintain a minimum lot size of one acre and a minimum width/depth of 100/150 ft. Lot 3, the largest lot on the parcel, “the reserve parcel”, cannot be subdivided again unless the land were rezoned in the future to allow for a higher density.
Oleson said that the commission discussed the ditch on the north end, but chose not to impose conditions regarding the ditch. They also discussed a plugged culvert which runs under Hope Road to the south. Very little of the drainage from this property flows to this culvert. This ditch was determined to be private, and thus maintenance would not be required of the town. In consultation with the township attorney, she said the town would need to justify putting an easement in place due to public safety, concerns about the integrity of the town road, etc. The planning commission did not feel an easement would be needed.
Supervisor Ross asked why a conditional use permit was part of the application. Oleson stated that the Rural Reserve Development aspect of the preliminary plat requires it. Alstead, seconded by Feuling, made a motion to approve the Sanden Preliminary Plat/Conditional Use application with the two conditions set forth in the staff report. Roll: Alstead, Feuling, Ross, Dahlheimer, Thalman – yes. None opposed. Motion carried unanimously.
Oleson stated that the planning commission would be discussing home occupations at their next meeting. He also commented that the township would begin receiving DNR notifications on a regular basis.
Jack’s Family Recycling Center update. The landowner applied for a land use permit grandfathering in an existing mobile home. A condition of permit approval was the permanent severance of the waterline. Oleson stipulated the line was initially cut above ground and that the town had given the landowner until May 15, 2010 to make that change permanent. The landowner wants to utilize a holding tank rather than install a sewer system. Oleson advised the landowner that this would necessitate a variance, which requires proving a hardship. The town board instructed Oleson to convey to the landowner that he needs to comply with the current conditions or risk losing his land use permit.
Zebra mussels – Oleson attended an informational meeting regarding the possibility of closing the Victoria/Geneva channel. The goal would be to stop the spread of zebra mussels to Lake Victoria and Lake Jessie. Supervisor Feuling stated that closing the channel to traffic would have a negative effect on house values. Oleson said the city and county would be conducting public hearings in the near future. Chairman Thalman asked if the board should make a statement on this. The board instructed Clerk Raisanen to have a draft letter ready for the next meeting stating their opposition to closing of the channel.
ENGINEER’S REPORT: Crack filling – Engineer Kuhn has comprised a priority list for crack filling. Clerk Raisanen stated that the work hadn’t been completed the last few years. He said that the road maintenance contract has a provision for labor rates, but not for purchasing of materials. For 2010, we have agreed to have our road maintainer purchase material up to $10,000. Next year the work should be authorized by obtaining quotes.
Gravel quotes – Engineer Kuhn presented two quotes for gravel. Central Specialties quoted $6.55/ton and Mark Lee quoted $ 7.15/ton. Alstead, seconded by Ross, made a motion to accept the quote from Central Specialties in the amount of $6.55/ton. Motion carried unanimously.
Project costs for Kurt Street – Engineer Kuhn stated that we would need to remove the subgrade, put in new Class 5, and surface with bituminous. The estimate for the Kurt Street project would be approximately $40,000. Another project would be to patch about 1700 square yards in areas on Parkview Road, Red Oak Drive, Apache Lane, Donway Drive, Manor Hills Street and Geneva Golf Club Drive. The estimate for patching these areas would be about $42,000. Alstead, seconded by Dahlheimer, made a motion to authorize Engineer Kuhn to advertise for quotes. Motion carried unanimously.
NEW BUSINESS: AAEDC representative — David Kjos has served as the township’s AAEDC representative. He has submitted his resignation from this position and submitted Jeff Patience’s name as a possible successor. At their last meeting, the town board accepted Mr. Patience’s offer to complete Mr. Kjos’s term, which runs until the end of the year. Mr. Kjos expressed his appreciation to the town board for allowing him to serve in this capacity for the past 11 years.
Website – Supervisor Alstead asked what the procedure is for updates to the website, specifically the map and budget information. Clerk Raisanen stated that administrative personnel do the updates on a quarterly basis.
Assessor contract – Clerk Raisanen stated that we had received notice from the county that our 2010 assessment of $6.75/parcel was due. This was the amount agreed-upon for the 2009 and 2010 contractual years. The county had also sent a 4- year contract which covers years 2011 – 2014. The first three years we would be assessed $7/parcel, with the fourth year increasing to $7.25/parcel. Ross, seconded by Dahlheimer, made a motion to contract with Douglas County for assessment services for the next four years at the above-stated costs. Motion carried unanimously.
Being no further business Feuling, seconded by Dahlheimer, 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 ________, 2010
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Roger Thalman, Chairman