Alexandria Township
Alexandria, Minnesota 56308
Minutes of the meeting of May 2, 2011
A regular meeting of the Board of Supervisors of Alexandria Township was held on the 2nd day of May, 2011 at the Alexandria Township Conference Room, 610 Fillmore Street.
ROLL CALL: Supervisors present were Bryon Alstead, Louis Ross, 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 Ross at 6:00 p.m.
Feuling, seconded by Dahlheimer, made a motion to adopt the agenda with the addition of manholes and Homestead Road under Engineer’s Report; street sign for W. Lake Jessie Road under Old Business; and update on the Douglas County comprehensive plan under New Business. Motion carried unanimously.
Clerk Raisanen stated that he will make a change to the Engineer’s Report in the April 18, 2011 minutes regarding total cost for road surfacing projects. The sentence will read as follows: “With this work and the previous estimates for road overlays, the total cost of road surfacing would be $620,000.00.” Clerk Raisanen also informed the town board of the annual informational meeting hosted by the county’s public works department scheduled for May 25, 2011, 7 p.m., at the public works facility.
Alstead, seconded by Thalman, made a motion to approve the minutes of the 04/18/2011 regular board meeting with the change indicated by Clerk Raisanen. Motion carried unanimously.
Dahlheimer, seconded by Feuling, made a motion to authorize payment of claims 11102-11120 in the amount of $48,814.22, net payroll of $4,164.19 for a total of $52,978.41 and a transfer of funds from savings in the amount of $25,000.00. Motion carried unanimously.
CITIZEN’S CONCERNS: none
PLANNING AND ZONING: Jack’s Family Recycling Center. Zoning Administrator Oleson stated he had sent a letter to the owner, Ms. Kathy Hodges, regarding a possible violation of her conditional use permit. He said that barrels were stacked up towards the front of the property. Oleson said his understanding is that this 30’ area is to remain clear of any materials. The town minutes and reports specify nothing is to be stored there. Ms. Hodges indicated that she thought she could store things in that area temporarily. At present, that area is too wet to remove the barrels. The board was in agreement to have Oleson relay to Ms. Hodges a 2-week deadline for removal of the storage items.
ENGINEER’S REPORT: Drainage issue concerning the Ronning property on McKay Avenue. Engineer Kuhn stated that the elevation difference between the basement floor of the Ronning house and McKay Road surface is 1.68 feet. If additional rainfall occurred, McKay Ave. and Whispering Oaks Drive would be flooded and Douglas County would respond to protect the road. As a result of the survey, he indicated that there is no imminent danger of the house being flooded. Board consensus is to take no action at this time since it was determined there was no imminent danger to the residence. Chairman Ross will convey the board’s decision to the Ronnings.
Engineer Kuhn was seeking authorization to advertise for bids on two projects; i.e. the 2011 road overlays (SE Lake Victoria Rd, E. Lake Geneva Rd, and Geneva Golf Club Drive); and patching for Donway Drive, Manor Hills and Shadow Lane, as well as any other areas deemed necessary by the town. Consensus of the town board was to merge the two projects for bidding purposes and to have each project as one bid and separately. Motion by Thalman, seconded by Feuling, to authorize the township engineer to advertise for bids for 2011 road projects and to have the bid opening at 1:00 PM, June 8, 2011 at the offices of WSN. Motion carried unanimously.
Engineer Kuhn recommended having the road maintainer compile a list of problem manholes needing repair. Supervisor Dahlheimer will coordinate.
Vice-Chairman Alstead stated that he had spoken with a resident on Homestead Road, Shad Steinbrecher of a drainage issue on his property. The resident currently has water in his front yard and woods. It was concluded that excess water is due to two factors: 1) water is being diverted to the west into the trees by a culvert that was opened up last year; and 2) this spring has been abnormally wet resulting in a higher water table. Alstead will contact the resident.
OLD BUSINESS: At its last meeting, the town board had directed Clerk Raisanen to contact LaGrand Township to learn who they are using for a township attorney. Clerk Raisanen stated that the LaGrand township clerk was unaware that Julie Haseman was no longer interested in providing legal services to townships. He said two local attorneys have expressed interest: Joel Paschka of Dutcher & Paschka, at a rate of $155/hr. and Paul Johnson of Tillitt, McCarten, at a rate of $165/hr. Motion by Thalman, seconded by Dahlheimer, to retain the legal services of Paul Johnson of Tillitt, McCarten,at an hourly rate of $165/hr. for one year. Clerk Raisanen to notify both parties. Motion carried unanimously.
Supervisor Feuling stated that the street sign on W. Lake Jessie Road and 30th Avenue is still down. This will be added to the spring clean-up list.
NEW BUSINESS: Animal control. Clerk Raisanen stated we had received notice from the City of Alexandria that effective July 1, 2011, the city will no longer provide animal control for the township. The sheriff’s office, by default, will respond to animal control problems. Clerk Raisanen will notify the sheriff’s office of the change in protocol.
Urban Short Course – Clerk Raisanen and Chairman Ross attended the urban short course. The most significant item to come out of that meeting was the definition of “hardship” to grant a variance. Cities and towns have a different interpretation of “hardship” than counties. They also discussed requirements of the open meeting law and the legal requirement to post the township’s subcommittee meetings.
Calcium chloride quotes. Clerk Raisanen stated that the town had received one quote for calcium chloride application from Alden Just Road Maintenance for $.97/gal. The county had received two bids: Univar at $.88/gal. and U. Dust Control at $.97/gal. Motion by Thalman, seconded by Alstead, to accept the quote for calcium chloride application from Alden Just Road Maintenance in the amount of $.97/gal. Motion carried unanimously..
Supervisor Thalman indicated that Douglas County is considering a change in their wording of the comprehensive plan to not require a development of 40 lots or less to hook up to ALASD. Presently, developers are required to pay the cost for extending the sewer line to developments within ALASD boundaries.
Being no further business, Feuling, seconded by Thalman, made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Meeting adjourned at 7:06PM.
Respectfully submitted….
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Gregg Raisanen, Clerk
Approved this ____ day of ________, 2011
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Louis Ross, Chairman