May 4, 2020 minutes

Alexandria Township

Alexandria, Minnesota 56308

Minutes of the meeting of May 4, 2020

A regular meeting of the Board of Supervisors of Alexandria Township was held on the 4th day of May, 2020 via teleconference.

ROLL CALL:  Supervisors present were Jeff Oberg, Joel Dahlheimer, Rod Eldevik, Dennis Butz and Jerry Wright.  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 Eldevik at 6:00 p.m.

Chairman Eldevik recessed the meeting to open the Board of Adjustment public hearing on the variance request submitted by Kirk Bormann for his property located at 3204 Crestwood Drive NE.

Zoning Administrator Oleson reported the variance request relates to the construction of a dwelling with attached garage and attached deck.  Approvals required include variances to construct a dwelling ranging from 21-30 feet from a road right-of-way.  Minimum of a 32 foot setback is required.  No sewer stub has been located.

Supervisor Dahlheimer commented that when the area was platted, the road passed through a portion of the property, thus creating the need for a variance.  Oleson stated that Lot 19 lost 33 feet when Island Drive was created.

Supervisor Wright asked if the impervious requirements would be met.  Oleson responded yes, that the maximum impervious coverage for a lot is 25%, and Mr. Bormann’s impervious coverage would be 22.4%.

Chairman Eldevik closed the public hearing for the Board of Adjustment and resumed the township meeting at 6:08 PM.

Dahlheimer, seconded by Butz, made a motion to adopt the agenda with the addition of the Bormann variance request under Planning and Zoning.  Motion carried unanimously.

Oberg, seconded by Dahlheimer, made a motion to approve the minutes of the 04/20/20 regular board meeting as written.  Motion carried unanimously.

Wright, seconded by Butz, made a motion to authorize payment of claims 20072 – 20079 in the amount of $35,484.09, net payroll $3,577.49 totaling $39,061.58 with no transfer of funds from savings.  Motion carried unanimously.

CITIZEN’S CONCERNS:  none

PLANNING AND ZONING:  With no further discussion concerning the variance request, a motion was made by Dahlheimer, seconded by Butz, to approve the variance request submitted by Kirk Bormann based on the hardship caused by the roadway’s encroachment upon Lot 19 when Island Drive was constructed.  The motion was amended to include the two conditions as stipulated in the staff report:  1) that the applicant provide evidence that they will be able/allowed to connect to the ALASD sewer system, said evidence to be provided before issuance of a permit to construct the home/garage; and 2) that the applicant obtain a driveway permit from the Township in coordination with the Township Attorney.  Roll:  Butz, Dahlheimer, Wright, Oberg, Eldevik – yes.  Opposed:  none.  Motion carried unanimously.

Oleson reported that Titus II submitted a conditional use request to construct an addition onto their existing dwelling via a breezeway.  The addition would house a meeting/conference room, a one-stall garage and second dwelling.  A conditional use permit is required to have a two-family dwelling in the Commercial-Rural zoning district.  He stated the planning commission recommended approval with two conditions.

Supervisor Oberg asked if the applicant would need to come to the board to request an extension for another year.  Oleson responded yes.

Oberg, seconded by Wright, made a motion to approve the conditional use request submitted by Titus II with two conditions:  1) that the permit shall be valid for one year, but the applicant may request extensions (without the need for a new public hearing) for up to five years.  If after five years the applicant has not applied for the permit to construct the second living unit, the conditional use permit will expire and the applicant will be subject to the then-current zoning regulations and procedures for any construction of a second dwelling unit; and 2) the applicant shall work with the Township’s contracted sewer inspector (Douglas County Land & Resource office) to verify whether any alterations will be necessary to the existing sewer system on the property and to connect the new dwelling unit to the system.  Roll:  Butz, Dahlheimer, Wright, Oberg, Eldevik – yes.  Opposed:  none.  Motion carried unanimously.

Oleson reported that Geoff Bloom and Karla Myhra-Bloom submitted a written request to the Township to maintain an area at the end of Pawnee Drive pursuant to the drainage easement filed with the county recorder on March 4, 2019.  The agreement stipulates that “…with prior written approval of Township staff, Grantor may manage vegetation to prevent or control infestation, noxious weeds, disease, fire, personal injury or property damage, or to improve the hydrological function and value of the water resources within or associated with the Easement Area.”  Oleson stated that according to the agreement, the Blooms needed prior written approval before conducting any maintenance in this area.  Oleson presented the board with an option to issue a blanket approval versus the annual request.  Dahlheimer, seconded by Butz, made a motion to permit the Blooms to conduct maintenance according to the terms of the agreement without the need for annual application to the town board until such time as the town board chooses to rescind said approval.  Roll:  Butz, Dahlheimer, Wright, Oberg, Eldevik – yes.  Opposed:  none.  Motion carried unanimously.

Oleson cited areas of concern regarding violations to the town’s nuisance ordinance.  1)  consensus to have Oleson send a letter to a property owner on E. Lake Jessie Road regarding the presence of a large number of inoperable vehicles;  2) consensus to have Oleson send a letter to Billie Dropik regarding the June 1st deadline for cleanup.  A viewing will be scheduled for June 2nd.  Mr. Dropik will be notified of the viewing; and 3) consensus to have Oleson conduct a site visit for a property on 50th Avenue and, if he deems it in violation of our ordinance, to send a letter to the property owner.

ENGINEER’S REPORT:  Engineer Kuhn reported that the town received two gravel quotes:  Central Specialties quoted $1,399/ton for a total of $69,950, and Mark Lee Excavating quoted $1,430/ton for a total of $71,500.  He noted this is an increase of $237/ton ($11,850 total) over last year’s cost.  The board discussed changing the amount of gravel needed to under 5,000 ton.  Consensus to have Engineer Kuhn determine if a lesser amount would be adequate coverage.

OLD BUSINESS:  none

NEW BUSINESS:  Clerk Raisanen reported that Douglas County had gone out for bids for calcium chloride and awarded the bid to Knife River Corporation at $1.20/gal.  He said the town received one quote, from Alden Just Road Maintenance, for $1.31/gal.  Raisanen stated the county would provide a one-time application whereas Alden Just would be able to provide chloride on an “as needed basis.”  Dahlheimer, seconded by Oberg, made a motion to award the calcium chloride contract to Alden Just Road Maintenance for $1.31/gal.  Motion carried unanimously.

Clerk Raisanen reported that the county Auditor’s office provided information for utilizing a mail only election for the primary and general election.  He stated concerns of maintaining sanitization standards and social distancing as recommended by CDC guidelines.  Residents would be able to register at the courthouse until the day of election.  The township would provide an area at Good Shepherd to accommodate new voters.  Dahlheimer, seconded by Wright, made a motion to adopt Resolution 20-01, A resolution adopting mail balloting for state and federal elections.  Roll:  Butz, Dahlheimer, Wright, Oberg, Eldevik – yes.  Opposed:  none.  Motion carried unanimously.

Clerk Raisanen presented a proposal for Animal Control Services submitted by Alden Just Road Maintenance.  He indicated that the rate would remain the same as last year, at $65/hr/call.  Butz, seconded by Oberg, made a motion to contract with Alden Just Road Maintenance for Animal Control Services for the period of May 1, 2020 – April 30, 2021.  Motion carried unanimously.

Being no further business, Dahlheimer, seconded by Butz, made a motion to adjourn the meeting.  Meeting adjourned at 7:00 p.m.

Respectfully submitted….

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Gregg Raisanen, Clerk

Approved this ____ day of ________, 2020

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Rod Eldevik, Chairman