Alexandria Township
Alexandria, Minnesota 56308
Minutes of the meeting of May 6, 2024
A regular meeting of the Board of Supervisors of Alexandria Township was held on the 6th day of May, 2024 at the Alexandria Township Conference Room, 324 Broadway, and via teleconference.
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 and the meeting was called to order by Chairman Eldevik at 6:00 p.m.
Oberg, seconded by Butz, made a motion to adopt the agenda as presented. Motion carried unanimously.
Oberg, seconded by Wright, made a motion to approve the minutes of the 4/15/24 regular board meeting as written. Motion carried unanimously.
Wright, seconded by Dahlheimer, made a motion to authorize payment of claims 24098 – 24108 in the amount of $36,578.63, net payroll of $6,757.24 totaling $43,335.87 and a transfer of funds from savings of $30,000. Motion carried unanimously.
CITIZEN’S CONCERNS: Representing the YMCA were Catherine Stine, Mary Meyer and Jackie Peters who were present to discuss potential expansion opportunities and the relationship of the YMCA with area municipalities and businesses. Their presence at the meeting was to determine if the township would support them in their building process and, in turn, to inquire how the YMCA can support the township’s residents. No plans have yet been decided. An exploratory committee has been formed to assess whether the YMCA should proceed with a capital campaign. A brochure about the campaign was distributed to the board. Ms. Peters elaborated on the need for senior activities and additional childcare. No action of the board was required.
PLANNING AND ZONING: Zoning Administrator Oleson reported the town received a final plat application for Geneva Meadow Townhomes. This subdivision would create seven residential lots in a planned unit development consisting of three twinhomes and one single-family townhome. The PUD was recommended for approval by the planning commission at their February 26, 2024 meeting and approved by the town board on March 18, 2024. Oleson also reported the town received a letter from the county surveyor indicating no objections to this plat. Application for ALASD is in progress. He noted the Board of Adjustment approved a variance on March 4, 2024. The variance was necessitated since the combined size of the lot being re-subdivided totaled 2.47 acres, which falls short of the 2.5 acre minimum lot size required for a PUD. Staff recommended approval of the final plat based on the letter from the surveyor. Dahlheimer, seconded by Butz, made a motion to approve the final plat for Geneva Meadow Townhomes with conditions as outlined in the board report. Motion carried unanimously.
Oleson reported a chronic storage violation on a property located off Maple Drive and Queens Road West. Two letters have been sent to the landowner with no response. Dahlheimer, seconded by Wright, made a motion to turn the matter over to the township attorney. Motion carried unanimously.
A joint site visit by the planning commission and town board was held on April 10, 2024. During that visit, it was noted a considerable amount of accumulated junk was present onsite. The landowner has an IUP application coming before the town board’s next meeting on the 20th of May. Consensus to have Oleson send a letter to the landowner with deadlines for clean-up prior to the next meeting.
Supervisor Oberg commented that the Patrick property off Co Rd 81 appears to be in the process of clean up.
ENGINEER’S REPORT: Engineer Kuhn reported street improvements for 2024 are needed in three principal areas: Maple Drive, Queens Road and West Lake Jessie Drive. He is recommending a combination of patching, overlay, and reclaim work, estimating a cost of approximately $800,000 – $900,000. The next step in the process is to authorize advertising for bids. Dahlheimer, seconded by Oberg, made a motion to instruct Engineer Kuhn to put bid language together for board consideration for the next meeting, with the bids to be done on an individual (per area) and on a group basis. Bid letting to be determined after this review. Motion carried unanimously.
OLD BUSINESS: Road inspection was delayed due to rain and rescheduled for Thursday,
May 9, 2024 at 3:00 p.m. proceeding from Alden Just’s shop.
A letter will be forthcoming regarding the board’s viewing of the water issues in the Queens Road / Maple Drive area.
NEW BUSINESS: Clerk Meuwissen reported the animal control contract with Alden Just Road Maintenance expires on May 14, 2024. Alden Just submitted a one-year contract proposal for $85 / hour / call with a minimum fee of one hour charged per call. Oberg, seconded by Dahlheimer, made a motion to contract with Alden Just Road Maintenance for animal control services at the above-stipulated rate for the contract period of May 15, 2024 – May 14, 2025. Motion carried unanimously.
Clerk Meuwissen reported the town had received a quote from Alden Just Road Maintenance for calcium chloride application in the amount of $1.78 / gallon. The county was considering a proposal from Crow River Construction in the amount of $1.528 / gallon. Meuwissen stated the town has contracted with Alden Just in the past due to his ability to store and apply multiple applications throughout the season versus the county’s one time application. Dahlheimer, seconded by Butz, made a motion to contract with Alden Just Road Maintenance for calcium chloride application for the 2024 season in the amount stated above. Motion carried unanimously.
Being no further business, Dahlheimer, seconded by Oberg, made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Meeting adjourned at 6:45 p.m.
Respectfully submitted….
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Mark Meuwissen, Clerk
Approved this ____ day of ________, 2024
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Rod Eldevik, Chairman