Alexandria Township
Alexandria, Minnesota 56308
Minutes of the meeting of November 20, 2023
A regular meeting of the Board of Supervisors of Alexandria Township was held on the 20th day of November, 2023 at the Alexandria Township Conference Room, 324 Broadway and via teleconference.
ROLL CALL: Supervisors present were Joel Dahlheimer, Rod Eldevik, Dennis Butz, Jeff Oberg and Jerry Wright. Also present were Mark Meuwissen, Deputy Clerk, and Mona Billmark, Treasurer. Clerk Raisanen attended via teleconference. Said members formed a quorum and the meeting was called to order by Chairman Eldevik at 6:00 p.m.
Chairman Eldevik temporarily adjourned the township meeting to hold a public hearing on an interim ordinance imposing a moratorium on cannabis business.
No public comments were received.
Chairman Eldevik reconvened the township meeting at 6:05 PM.
Oberg, seconded by Butz, made a motion to approve the agenda as presented. Motion carried unanimously.
Wright, seconded by Dahlheimer, made a motion to approve the minutes of the 11/06/23 regular board meeting as written. Motion carried unanimously.
Dahlheimer, seconded by Butz, made a motion to authorize payment of claims 23196 – 23202 in the amount of $4,852.21, EFTPS of $1,984.22 and net payroll $1,468.36 totaling $8,304.79 with a transfer from savings of $8,000.00. Motion carried unanimously.
CITIZEN’S CONCERNS: Time was allowed for citizens to express their concerns on the possible actions the township had considered relating to Liberty Road. Some individuals were concerned that Township actions, minutes, and outreach to owners along this road seemed to indicate an intention to proceed with a trade to Douglas County. The Township Engineer and Supervisors responded that it is their obligation to the Township to explore all opportunities, or possible solutions, for a road that needs significant investments in rebuilding and is a major roadway within the township. Supervisor Dahlheimer stated the board had never committed to any particular course of action, but was gathering information on how improvements and possibly an extension of the road might impact landowners along the road. Chair Eldevik and other Supervisors confirmed that at this time the Township was no longer pursuing any changes to Liberty Road other than continued maintenance. After all concerns had been heard and discussed, no further action was taken.
PLANNING AND ZONING: Zoning Administrator Oleson discussed the process to pass an interim ordinance which would limit Cannabis Business activity until a study could be completed and reasonable limitations be determined.
Dahlheimer, seconded by Butz, made a motion to pass Resolution No. 23-07, a resolution approving adoption of interim ordinance 138 placing a moratorium on cannabis businesses. Roll: Oberg, Wright, Butz, Dahlheimer, Eldevik – yes. Opposed: none. Motion carried unanimously.
Dahlheimer, seconded by Butz, made a motion to pass Resolution No. 23-08, a resolution approving summary language for publication of interim ordinance 138 placing a moratorium on cannabis businesses. Roll: Oberg, Wright, Butz, Dahlheimer, Eldevik – yes. Opposed: none. Motion carried unanimously.
Engineer’s Report: Engineer Kuhn discussed potential grant money to help fund improvements to 50th Avenue which runs along the border of Alexandria Township and Hudson Township. The grant, if awarded, would require the two townships to contribute equally towards a portion of the total cost. Kuhn suggested that committing to fund engineering costs and sharing one half of 25% of the total cost would improve the likelihood of receiving the grant. Kuhn recommended the Township Board pass Resolution No. 23-09, a resolution supporting Local Road Improvement Program Funding application (LRIP) for 50th Avenue SE Reconstruction. Kuhn stated Hudson Township passed a similar resolution committing to share the other half of 25% of the total cost.
Oberg asked for clarification of the length of the road and the estimated total cost. Kuhn suggested 2.5 miles and possibly $2.5 million in total costs.
Motion by Dahlheimer, seconded by Butz, to pass Resolution No. 23-09, a resolution supporting the Local Road Improvement Program Funding application for 50th Avenue Reconstruction. Roll: Oberg, Wright, Butz, Dahlheimer, Eldevik – yes. Opposed: none. Motion carried unanimously.
OLD BUSINESS: Clerk Raisanen stated the Lakes Area Humane Society had not yet supplied the requested information. Further discussion of their contract was tabled until the next township meeting.
NEW BUSINESS: None.
Being no further business, Dahlheimer, seconded by Butz, made a motion to adjourn. Motion carried.
Respectfully submitted….
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Mark Meuwissen, Deputy Clerk
Approved this ____ day of ________, 2023
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Rod Eldevik, Chairman