Alexandria Township
Alexandria, Minnesota 56308
Minutes of the meeting of October 17, 2011
A regular meeting of the Board of Supervisors of Alexandria Township was held on the 17th day of October, 2011 at the Alexandria Township Conference Room, 610 Fillmore Street.
ROLL CALL: Supervisors present were Roger Thalman, Louis Ross, Jul Feuling, and Joel Dahlheimer. 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.
Thalman, seconded by Feuling, made a motion to adopt the agenda as presented. Motion carried unanimously.
Thalman, seconded by Feuling, made a motion to approve the minutes of the 10/03/2011 regular board meeting as written. Motion carried unanimously.
Dahlheimer, seconded by Feuling, made a motion to authorize payment of claims 11260-11270 in the amount of $8,747.60, EFTPS- $928.11, totaling $9,675.71 and a transfer of funds from savings in the amount of $8,100.00. Motion carried unanimously.
CITIZEN CONCERNS: Kevin Baumann, Hazel Hill Road, requested that the township view the conditions at Jacks Family Recycling. Mr. Baumann stated that the business has been storing material in violation of their conditional use permit. Zoning Administrator Oleson reported that he visited the property on August 23rd and September 12th. On both dates, he observed material stored out front, but it was within the allowable storage area. He also visited the property on September 22nd and again did not observe any violations of the CUP. Mr. Oleson reported that the new fence that was installed on the west edge of the business was installed further west than 30 feet from the driveway, which was originally agreed upon. Chairman Ross requested that in preparation for the next meeting, all minutes regarding Jacks Family Recycling be sent to the board to research the conditions discussed previously.
Mr. Baumann also alleged that used motor oil was leaching from the property and he provided photos of oil. Zoning Administrator Oleson will investigate and Mr. Baumann indicated that he had already contacted the MNPCA regarding the issue.
ENGINEER’S REPORT: Engineer Kuhn made the recommendation to have the stop signs located on the frontage road at the Lisa Ave. intersection removed since the access to Hwy. 29 north has been removed. Feuling, seconded by Dahlheimer, made a motion to remove the stop signs on the frontage road at the intersection of Lisa Ave. Motion carried unanimously.
Engineer Kuhn reported that the results of the soil boring on Apache Lane indicated inadequate subgrade below the culverts which will require 2-7 feet of soil removal to correct. He recommended that the work be done next year. A letter will be sent to the landowners in the area notifying them that the work will be completed next year.
Engineer Kuhn reported that a resident located on Pawnee Drive inquired into the possibility of the installation of a street light in the middle of the block on this street if the residents paid for the installation and the township would assume the electrical costs after installation. The board would consider the request provided that all residents in the area signed a petition supporting the installation.
Supervisor Feuling reported that some residents on W. Lake Jessie are dismayed that the work on cleaning the ditches has not been completed yet and are disappointed on the settlement that has occurred on the road surface. Engineer Kuhn indicated that the road met standards at the time of the contract. The road will be examined during the annual road inspection in the spring and the road maintenance contractor will ensure that manholes are not extended above the road surface.
PLANNING AND ZONING: Gary Thompson, Geneva Golf Club, presented a plan to construct an accessory building over a portion of the existing driving range at the golf course. Feuling, seconded by Thalman, made a motion to not require an additional CUP application since this accessary structure does not change the existing use of the driving range. Motion carried unanimously.
The board requested that Zoning Administrator Oleson prepare a proposed fee structure for their consideration at a future meeting.
Zoning Administrator Oleson reported that Douglas County has officially adopted its revised Comprehensive Plan. There were minor changes but none of great significance. The planning commission will begin discussion of the township comprehensive plan.
Zoning Administrator Oleson reported that a landowner on Kings Road had been contacted regarding the operation of a dog grooming business without the necessary permits.
Zoning Administrator Oleson provided the board an update on the legislative changes to the definition of a hardship for consideration for variances. He provided a summary of the differences in definition previously for cities and towns vs. counties. He indicated that based on changes, a hardship is no longer a criteria for variance consideration but practical difficulty is used as the standard.
NEW BUSINESS: Clerk presented a proposal from Chris Mitchell Accounting to complete the 2011 financial audit. Thalman, seconded by Feuling, made a motion to contract with Chris Mitchell Accounting in the amount of $3,900.00 to complete the 2011 township financial audit. Motion carried unanimously.
Chairman Ross reported that he has accepted a different job and therefore he is resigning as chairman effective the end of the meeting. He will remain as a supervisor; however, because of his new responsibilities, he feels he cannot continue as chairman.
Being no further business, Thalman, seconded by Feuling, made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Meeting adjourned at 7:10 p.m.
Respectfully submitted….
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Gregg Raisanen, Clerk
Approved this ____ day of ________, 2011
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Louis Ross, Chairman