Alexandria Township
Alexandria, Minnesota 56308
Minutes of the meeting of May 5, 2025
A regular meeting of the Board of Supervisors / Board of Adjustment public hearing for Alexandria Township was held on the 5th day of May, 2025 at the Alexandria Township Conference Room, 324 Broadway, and via teleconferencing.
ROLL CALL: Supervisors present were Jeff Oberg, Joel Dahlheimer, Rod Eldevik, Dennis Butz and Jerry Wright. Also present were Mark Meuwissen, Clerk, and Mona Billmark, Treasurer. As said members formed a quorum, the meeting was called to order by Chairman Eldevik at 6:00 p.m.
Chairman Eldevik closed the township meeting to open the Board of Adjustment public hearing on the Quick Stop Properties LLC variance request.
Zoning Administrator Oleson reported the town had received a variance application for a 3-lot subdivision in the Urban Residential zoning district. The property is located within the sewer district boundaries. The applicant is requesting to utilize private sewer instead of connecting to ALASD due to the significant distance from the closest sewer line to the properties. Oleson noted the planning commission held a public hearing for the platting portion of this application and has recommended approval on the condition that the applicant connect to ALASD unless the requested variance is granted. Their recommendation is that the applicant provide sufficient information to show two private drainfield sites on each of the proposed lots. The applicant has provided this information.
Chairman Eldevik called for public comment. Hearing none, he closed the public hearing and reconvened the town meeting.
Oberg, seconded by Butz, made a motion to adopt the agenda as presented. Motion carried unanimously.
Dahlheimer, seconded by Wright, made a motion to approve the minutes of the 4/21/2025 regular board meeting, amending the last paragraph on the first page under Planning and Zoning to read: “Chairman Eldevik stated the Township has received numerous complaints on several sites…. Eldevik stated a strong desire to get more aggressive on these locations. After discussion….” Motion carried unanimously.
Butz, seconded by Wright, made a motion to authorize payment of claims 25081 – 25092 in the amount of $50,467.52, net payroll $4,997.89 totaling $55,465.41 and a transfer of funds from savings of $52,000.00. Motion carried unanimously.
CITIZEN’S CONCERNS: none
PLANNING AND ZONING: Oleson reported Quick Stop Properties LLC submitted an application for a variance to not connect to sanitary sewer. Since the propert(ies) is located in the ALASR service area, the propert(ies) would be required to connect to the ALASD sewer system per ALASD ordinance. Any future subdivision would require connection to ALASD or be required to apply for a variance. All three lots can be sewered with onsite systems. Oberg suggested adding an additional condition to the variance request that would read “any future subdivision with these lots need to be connected to ALASD.” Oberg, seconded by Wright, made a motion to approve the variance submitted by Quick Stop Properties LLC based on the findings of fact, the condition suggested by the planning commission in the staff report, and the additional condition suggested by Oberg. Roll: Oberg, Wright, Butz, Dahlheimer, Eldevik – yes. Opposed: none. Motion carried unanimously.
Oleson reported some residents from the Heatherwood Association had inquired about an occasional-use driveway. The buildings are very close to the south and north property lines. The only option for a vehicle to access lakeside areas for maintenance is to use the space between the north property line and the north wall of the building. Driving on this space creates ruts, kills grass, and increases undesirable erosion. The development is estimated to be at about 33 percent impervious, and any type of driveway that might increases the impervious percentage would require a variance. The residents are asking whether the Board would consider a variance or if there are other alternative solutions.
One option identified is to put down fiber cloth with landscape rock and remove the existing sidewalk. This would be considered landscaping and not require a variance. The Board expressed concern over the effectiveness. Supervisor Oberg said he felt a site visit was warranted. Consensus to table until a site visit can be made.
Oleson provided an update on zoning violations:
- The property with the excess cars on Newman Road has been turned over to the township attorney and has an October court date.
- A letter has been sent to the property owner at 4311 Co Rd 82 SE.
- The property at 3505 Maple Drive SE has been turned over to the township attorney.
- A letter has been sent to the property owner at 1110 E Lk Jessie Rd SE.
- A letter extending the deadline one more time will be sent to the property owner at 3321 Lake Victoria SE.
- The property at 1709 Maple Dr SE has been turned over to the township attorney.
- Another letter will be sent to the property owner on Hazel Hill Road SE.
- A letter has been sent to the property owner of 1703 Maple Dr SE.
Oleson commented he had received a complaint regarding a parking issue / obstruction on Le Homme Dieu Heights. Consensus to have Oleson send a letter.
ENGINEER’S REPORT: The town received three quotes for the 2025 gravel contract. Alden Just Road Maintenance quoted $19/cu yd; Mark Lee Excavating $18.50/ cu yd; and Central Specialties $19.75/cu yd. Oberg stated that Alden Just’s familiarity with township roads and synergies with previous and current contracted road maintenance would result in an overall lower cost. Motion by Oberg, seconded by Dahlheimer, to accept Alden Just’s quote of $19/cu yd. for the 2025 season.
OLD BUSINESS: Clerk Meuwissen brought the subject of funding Community Education back from the table. He commented that a 2016 letter by the State Auditor’s Office to the Township of Lutsen clearly stated townships do not have statutory authority to fund education. While Community Education does have a focus on recreational activities, it is still part of School District 206. Community Education has presented a proposed contract for service to the Township for consideration. Clerk Meuwissen expressed he was unsure if the contract avoided the limitation on funding education suggested by the State Auditor’s Office. The Board considered if it was appropriate to fund Community Education and at what dollar amount. After considerable discussion, the Board was in consensus not to fund Community Education at this time.
Supervisor Oberg commented he felt the past winter snow removal was not done in a prompt manner. He stated the town had re-vamped the winter road maintenance contract to ensure timely removal. Consensus to meet with whomever secures the 2025 – 2026 winter road maintenance contract to outline expectations.
NEW BUSINESS: Consensus to change the Board of Adjustment’s site visit time from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. to coincide with the Planning Commission’s site visit timeframe.
Clerk Meuwissen reported the annual animal control services contract expires May 14, 2025. Alden Just Road Maintenance submitted a one-year proposal. Their hourly rate would increase from $85/hour to $95/hour. Dahlheimer, seconded by Butz, made a motion to approve the new animal control services contract at the hourly rate specified above.
Being no further business, Dahlheimer, seconded by Butz, made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Meeting adjourned at 7:15 p.m.
Respectfully submitted….
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Mark Meuwissen, Clerk
Approved this ____ day of ________, 2025
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Rod Eldevik, Chairman