November 1, 2021 minutes

Alexandria Township

Alexandria, Minnesota 56308

Minutes of the meeting of November 1, 2021

A regular meeting of the Board of Supervisors of Alexandria Township was held on the 1st day of November, 2021 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 Gregg Raisanen, Clerk, with Mona Billmark, Treasurer, attending via teleconference.  As said members formed a quorum and the meeting was called to order by Chairman Eldevik at 6:00 p.m.

Oberg, seconded by Dahlheimer, made a motion to adopt the agenda as presented.  Motion carried unanimously.

Wright, seconded by Dahlheimer, made a motion to approve the minutes of the 10/18/21 regular board meeting as written.  Motion carried unanimously.

Butz, seconded by Wright, made a motion to authorize payment of claims 21174 – 21189 in the amount of $26,644.73, net payroll $4,352.38, EFTPS $1,703.77 totaling $32,700.88 with no transfer of funds from savings.  Motion carried unanimously.

CITIZEN’S CONCERNS:  none

PLANNING AND ZONING:  Zoning Administrator Oleson reported the planning commission, at the request of the town board, discussed potential updates for a comprehensive plan review.  They noted the placement of the new I-94 exchange could impact future commercial corridors in the township. Engineer Kuhn remarked a public meeting regarding the new exchange is to be held later this year. Chairman Eldevik stated further discussion on the comprehensive plan can wait until after the public hearing to see what develops.  Areas earmarked by the planning commission included the future land use map, sanitary sewer expansion, internet/broadband, parks/recreation, feedlots, short term rentals, solar farms and updating some of the ordinances.  Oleson also commented that the planning commission intends to invite Scott Gilbertson of ALASD to a future meeting.

Oleson reported the town had received a request to split a 40 acre parcel along Co Rd 73.  He said the landowner wants to divide the property into two 20 acre parcels without hooking up to sanitary sewer.  Oleson stated ALASD’s caveat to approving the split is if no homes will be built. A variance is needed from the town board to approve the split without hook-up to ALASD.  The next Board of Adjustment hearing is on December 6, 2021.  The town board agreed to meet as the BOA on November 15, 2021.

Chairman Eldevik asked about the creation of a subcommittee to begin review of the comprehensive plan.  Consensus that the subcommittee consist of two planning commission and two town board members.  He stated they don’t need to be the same members that are on the zoning subcommittee.   Consensus to recommend completion of the comprehensive review by July 2022.  The planning commission was instructed to begin review of the ordinances.

Clerk Raisanen will work with Ben Oleson, Hometown Planning, to prepare a proposal for updating the comprehensive plan for the board’s consideration.

Oleson reported the vehicles at Billie Dropik’s Newman Road property had not been removed by the November 1st deadline as per the town’s directive.  Mr. Dropik stated the work has not been completed as the contractor was in the hospital due to an accident.  The work has since been subcontracted out. He anticipates the work should be done next week.  Consensus of the town board is to grant Mr. Dropik an additional week.

ENGINEER’S REPORT:  Engineer Kuhn reported he had previously disseminated to the town board break-outs for the 2022 blacktop projects projecting costs, locations, etc.  Clerk Raisanen reported the blacktop fund balance as $175,000. He projected the town would have approximately $350,000 in our blacktop fund by next year.  Supervisor Oberg asked about prioritization of projects. Engineer Kuhn said the short list of roads comprising two miles would be first. Oberg, seconded by Wright, made a motion to authorize Engineer Kuhn to prepare plans and specifications for obtaining bids for the overlay projects.  Motion carried unanimously.

Engineer Kuhn reported he had received two quotes for patching/repairing the frost heave on Old Glory Road.  Riley Bros. quoted $1940; Mark Lee Asphalt quoted $2450.  Dahlheimer, seconded by Wright, made a motion to accept Riley Bros. quote of $1940 for repair of the frost heave on Old Glory Road.  Kuhn asked if it would be acceptable to the board if this repair was delayed until spring.  Chairman Eldevik stated the repair needs to be done this year.  Motion carried unanimously.

Chairman Eldevik stated the town board had previously discussed the streetlight situation on Pawnee West and asked for an update.  Kuhn recommended the purchase of a solar light, citing cost.  Chairman Eldevik instructed Kuhn to get the install of the streetlight done.

OLD BUSINESS:  Clerk Raisanen reported he had received another request from Community Education asking the town to help fund recreation programs.  Last spring the town board had discussed not providing funding and tabled the issue until October.  Consensus of the town board is to deny the request.

NEW BUSINESS:  Clerk Raisanen stated the laptop used for conferencing is inadequate and requested the town replace it.  Dahlheimer, seconded by Butz, made a motion to authorize the purchase of a laptop used for conferencing.  Motion carried unanimously.

Being no further business, Wright, seconded by Dahlheimer, made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Meeting adjourned at 7:29 p.m.

Respectfully submitted….

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Gregg Raisanen, Clerk

Approved this ____ day of ________, 2021

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Rod Eldevik, Chairman