Alexandria Township
Alexandria, Minnesota 56308
Minutes of the meeting of November 18, 2024
The Alexandria Township Board of Supervisors held a Board of Adjustment meeting and a regular town board meeting on the 18th day of November, 2024 at the Alexandria Township Conference Room, 324 Broadway and via teleconference.
ROLL CALL: Supervisors present were Joel Dahlheimer, Dennis Butz, Jerry Wright, Jeff Oberg and Rod Eldevik. 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.
Chairman Eldevik recessed the regular meeting to open the Board of Adjustment public hearing on the variance request submitted by Rick Ohlsen for an increase in height of a legal nonconforming guest cabin located within the required lake and side yard setback of the Residential Shoreland District. The property is located at 3704 Crestwood Drive NE, parcel number 03-0199-000. The existing 20’ X 20’ guest house pre-existed before zoning ordinance restrictions. The requested variance would allow a change in the roof pitch, which would increase the height of the guest house and allow the addition of a partial loft area.
Hearing no concerns from attendees, Eldevik closed the public hearing and reconvened the regular meeting.
Oberg, seconded by Dahlheimer, made a motion to adopt the agenda as presented. Motion carried unanimously.
Wright, seconded by Butz, made a motion to approve the minutes of the 11/4/2024 regular board meeting as written. Motion carried unanimously.
Dahlheimer, seconded by Butz, made a motion to authorize payment of claims 24215 – 24225 in the amount of $543,396.03, EFTPS $1,650.98 net payroll $4,811.26, totaling $549,858.27 and a transfer of funds from savings of $550,000.00. It was noted the claims include a partial payment to Mark Lee Construction for the overlay of Queens, Maple Dr. and West Lake Jessie Dr. Eldevik pointed out the project will actually cost less than expected. Motion carried unanimously.
CITIZEN’S CONCERNS: Brian Kwitek, 4103 Neewana Beach Road NE, addressed the board requesting a change in the speed limit along the portion of Neewana Beach Road NE leading into the residential area starting at the intersection of Vinland Strait. The residential area after the intersection is posted at 30 miles per hour. Dahlheimer explained the speed limit along the road in question is set by state law based on the type of road and number of residential dwellings. The Township does not have jurisdiction to change the speed limit. Mr. Kwitek then requested that a road sign be added that alerts drivers of the upcoming reduced speed limit. The Board agreed to consider this request and would look at options.
Tom Pappenfus and Dennis Cin addressed the Board and presented information on the proposed dredging of the lagoon off Lake Le Homme Dieu near Crestwood Drive. Other affected parcel owners were in attendance. Mr. Cin provided historical information about the previous dredging in 1994 and suggested the DNR special provisions on the permit provided guidelines for future maintenance. Mr. Cin believes the current request to dredge the lagoon area so boats can navigate from their dock to the main lake was anticipated and inevitable. Mr. Cin asked the Board to support the landowners’ initiative seeking to gain required permits and proceed with dredging the lagoon. Eldevik pointed out the Township has no jurisdiction for lakeshore or waterways below the Ordinary High Water mark and the Board would not be able to grant permission to dredge the lagoon. Mr. Pappenfus thanked the board for listening and hoped the Board considers the positive impact dredging would have on the landowners relying on the lagoon for access to the lake. No action was taken.
PLANNING AND ZONING: The Rick Ohlsen variance request was considered. Mr. Ohlsen suggested the modifications would increase the height of the guest house by changing the roof pitch from 5/12 to 8/12. There were no other increases in the dimensions or square footage of the guesthouse. Mr. Ohlsen also stated that gardens and a driveway turnaround on the parcel were removed in order to bring the impervious percentage from 36.1% to 29.2%. Oberg asked if the impervious percentage could be reduced to the 25% required by ordinance. Zoning Administrator Oleson stated there were no other reasonable modifications that could improve the impervious percentage. Mr. Ohlsen suggested that even with the additional height of the guesthouse, the overall appearance after reconstruction would be much more consistent with the house in the background and would be an improved appearance to any boaters on the lake. He also suggested the additional roof pitch allows a more appealing lofted ceiling, additional windows, and the addition of a loft area in the back of the structure. Oberg emphasized that the loft area could not be a living space.
Motion by Oberg, seconded by Dahlheimer, to approve the variance with the conditions that any added loft area be for storage only and not living space and that the roof pitch be no more than 8/12. Motion passed unanimously.
Zoning Administrator Oleson reported that Francis Chock’s property located at 4810 Co Rd 82 has been connected to ALASD.
ENGINEER’S REPORT: Eldevik stated Engineer Kuhn approved the bill from Mark Lee Construction for payment and the project is considered complete.
OLD BUSINESS: none
NEW BUSINESS: Clerk Meuwissen noted that a proposal for year-end audit services was received from CarlsonSV LLP. The proposed fee for the 2024 calendar year is $9,000, up from $8,000. The increase in fees over a 5-year time frame exceeds inflation. Meuwissen had previous discussion with Mr. Birkland from CarlsonSV, who suggested the shortage of qualified accountants and CPA’s is driving up costs. Oberg asked if CarlsonSV could provide an hourly billing rate for the Board to consider. Meuwissen agreed to contact CarlsonSV with this request. Wright believes the fee is reasonable and it would be unlikely the Township could save money by switching firms or even by moving toward a periodic audit covering more than one year at a time. Meuwissen was in agreement with Wright. Consensus that the Township contract with CarlsonSV for the 2024 audit.
Being no other business, Chairman Eldevik adjourned the meeting at 6:52 p.m.
Respectfully submitted….
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Mark Meuwissen, Clerk
Approved this ____ day of ________, 2024
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Rod Eldevik, Chairman