Alexandria Township
Alexandria, Minnesota 56308
Minutes of the meeting of November 3, 2014
A regular meeting of the Board of Supervisors of Alexandria Township was held on the 3rd day of November, 2014 at the Alexandria Township Conference Room, 610 Fillmore Street.
ROLL CALL: Supervisors present were Bryon Alstead, Jul Feuling, Lyle Hammerschmidt, Joel Dahlheimer and Russell Niskanen. 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 Alstead at 6:00 p.m.
Hammerschmidt, seconded by Dahlheimer, made a motion to adopt the agenda with the addition of LAR under New Business. Motion carried unanimously.
Feuling, seconded by Hammerschmidt, made a motion to approve the minutes of the 10/20/2014 regular board meeting as written. Motion carried unanimously.
Niskanen, seconded by Hammerschmidt, made a motion to authorize payment of claims 14227- 14235 in the amount of $18,541.01, net payroll of $2,879.65 totaling $21,420.66 and a transfer of funds from savings in the amount of $10,000.00. Motion carried unanimously.
CITIZEN’S CONCERNS: none
PLANNING AND ZONING: Zoning Administrator Oleson presented the final plat for Rock Acres. He stated that the applicants have met all the required conditions of the preliminary plat and therefore recommended approval of the final plat. Feuling, seconded by Hammerschmidt, made a motion to approve the final plat of Rock Acres. Roll: Niskanen, Hammerschmidt, Feuling, Dahlheimer, Alstead – yes. Opposed: none. Motion carried unanimously.
Oleson reported that Freehealer Asset Holdings, LLC had applied, and was approved for, a conditional use permit in September 2013 to operate their business out of 7300 – 39th Avenue North. The purchase of the property did not transpire and the building proposed as part of the conditional use permit was never built. The township ordinance states that “work on any project requiring a conditional use permit shall begin within one year of the issuance of the permit and completed within eighteen months of permit issuance or it shall expire.” He also reported that the applicant has no intention of acting on the approved CUP as they were unable to purchase the land as originally anticipated. Since the one year timeframe has now elapsed, Oleson inquired if the board wished to formally rescind the CUP and record it at the county or simply let it expire by ordinance. Consensus of the town board is to acknowledge in the minutes that the CUP expired.
Oleson reported the planning commission had discussed what criteria would necessitate a CUP for moving a used building onto a parcel. At present, that determination is made at the discretion of the zoning administrator. The commission’s recommendation is to either use an existing subcommittee (such as the zoning subcommittee) or create a new subcommittee solely for that purpose. Consensus of the town board is to use the existing zoning subcommittee members.
Oleson reported that a landowner, contemplating a subdivision of their property, has requested a meeting of the DRT (Development Review Team). Supervisor Feuling asked who is included on the DRT and when do they meet. Oleson responded the DRT includes county staff, Douglas County Soil and Water, the Department of Public Works, the Douglas County Lakes Association, and two members of the Planning Commission. He asked if members of the town board wished to be included as well. Supervisor Dahlheimer indicated his willingness to serve in this capacity. Oleson to set up a meeting in the next few weeks.
Oleson provided an update on the ditch infraction on Maple Drive. He reported that he had sent a letter to the landowner on October 7, 2014, indicating a November 1st deadline to remove the fill from the ditch area. As of this date, the ditch has not been cleared. He stated the landowner has indicated he doesn’t have the funds to complete the work. On October 6, 2014, a letter was sent asking the landowner to rectify and/or substantiate the overage in impervious coverage. This also has not been done. The matter will be turned over to the township attorney for prosecution.
ENGINEER’S REPORT: Members of the Geneva Estates Association were present to discuss the drainage ditch situation along E. Lake Geneva Road and Geneva Golf Club Drive. Engineer Kuhn provided a detailed survey of the elevations of the ditch and conferred the work previously done by the association. Supervisor Hammerschmidt asked if the township can use the bids the Association has solicited. Clerk Raisanen stated that the township will need to determine if the contractors have an insurance certificate. If so, we could use those bids, however, it may be too late in the season to complete. Engineer Kuhn indicated we would be running a risk by attempting the work this late in the season. Consensus of the town board is to pursue next year with a 50:50 cost share on the construction costs.
Engineer Kuhn reported that the information from the traffic counters on Neewana Beach Road is incomplete. The counters appeared to be working; however, some of the data seemed inconsistent and therefore he was unable to determine how to interpret the data. He will confer with the road maintainer on the counts and report back to the board.
NEW BUSINESS: Clerk Raisanen reported we had received one quote for this winter’s salt/sand from Alden Just Road Maintenance. They quoted $42.50/cubic yard. The cost of extra salt is $200/ton. He indicated that the county has not yet secured their figures for the coming winter’s salt/sand. Dahlheimer, seconded by Feuling, made a motion to contract with Alden Just Road Maintenance for the 2014-2015 salt/sand season at the prices quoted above. Motion carried unanimously.
Clerk Raisanen reported that he has received an engagement letter for the 2014 financial audit in the amount of $5,100.00 from Carlson-Highland. The 2013 financial audit was conducted by the firm in the amount of $4,900.00 and the audit went smoothly; therefore, his recommendation is to utilize Carlson Highland for the upcoming 2014 financial audit. Niskanen, seconded by Hammerschmidt, made a motion to contract with Carlson Highland for the 2014 financial audit. Motion carried unanimously.
Chairman Alstead indicated his desire to step down from his appointment to the LAR (Lakes Area Recreation) committee in June 2015.
Clerk Raisanen reported that we had solicited quotes from Viking Office Supply and Alex Movers for moving the township office to the Broadway Suites location. Viking Office Supply quoted a total of $640 and Alex Movers $910. Feuling, seconded by Hammerschmidt, made a motion to use Viking Office Supply to move the township office to the new location. Motion carried unanimously.
Being no further business, Feuling, seconded by Hammerschmidt, made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Meeting adjourned at 6:46 p.m.
Respectfully submitted….
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Gregg Raisanen, Clerk
Approved this ____ day of ________, 2014
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Bryon Alstead, Chairman