Alexandria Township
Alexandria, Minnesota 56308
Minutes of the meeting of October 23, 2024
A regular meeting of the Board of Supervisors of Alexandria Township was held on the 23rd day of October 2024 at the Alexandria Township Conference Room, 324 Broadway, and via teleconference.
ROLL CALL: Supervisors present were Rod Eldevik, Joel Dahlheimer, and Dennis Butz. Also present were Clerk Mark Meuwissen and Treasurer Mona Billmark. Said members formed a quorum and the meeting was called to order by Chairman Eldevik at 6:00 p.m.
Dahlheimer, seconded by Butz, made a motion to adopt the agenda as presented. Motion carried unanimously.
Clerk Meuwissen suggested two changes to the 10/7/2024 minutes. Dahlheimer, seconded by Butz, made a motion to approve the minutes of the 10/7/2024 regular board meeting as written with the modifications suggested by Meuwissen. Motion carried unanimously.
Dahlheimer, seconded by Butz, made a motion to authorize payment of claims 24195 – 24204 in the amount of $46,464.45, EFTPS $1,280.39, net payroll $577.19 totaling $48,322.03 and a transfer of funds from savings of $55,000. Motion carried unanimously.
CITIZEN’S CONCERNS: None
PLANNING AND ZONING: The Board reviewed and considered the final plat for Geneva Haven Estates. Zoning Administrator Oleson noted all of the conditions for the previously granted conditional use have been met, including a water management plan. Motion by Dahlheimer, seconded by Butz, to approve the final plat. Motion carried unanimously.
Oleson updated the Board on the long-term non-compliance of Francis Chock’s property located at 4810 Co Rd 82 SE. The landowner has a non-compliant septic system and has failed to connect to available sewer lines required by ordinance. Oleson reported the Township Attorney suggested a few options and believes the Township should proceed with court action. Oleson suggested he might be able to negotiate a binding written agreement with the landowner. Such an agreement could include terms such as further missed deadlines would allow the Township to make the connections and attach the cost as an assessment on the owner’s property taxes. The Board encouraged Oleson to aggressively pursue some sort of agreement with a binding deadline. They also agreed the Township Attorney should start legal actions against the property owner. Oleson agreed to pass the Board’s request to the Township Attorney.
Oleson followed up on the cannabis moratorium passed by the Board. Oleson reminded the Board that the state statute for moratoriums on cannabis sales expires January 1, 2025. Oleson suggests if the Township doesn’t pass any specific ordinance regulating the sale of cannabis, a licensed retailer of cannabis would still be subject to the same ordinances as other retailers. Oleson stated the County is holding a coordination and planning meeting on 10/29/24 to discuss passing an ordinance at the county level. Oleson and Clerk Meuwissen plan on attending this meeting.
Engineer’s Report: None
Old Business: Eldevik shared with the Board and those in attendance at the township meeting the outcome of the City of Nelson public hearing on the annexation of Eastwood Estates, which includes parcels 03-1848-000 and 03-1841-000. Dahlheimer, Oberg, Eldevik, and Butz attended the hearing, representing the Township. At the public hearing, Eldevik stated the Township objects to the annexation and does not believe it is legal under statute because it is served by public wastewater facilities. Eldevik also objected to the City’s previous assertion that they could provide the parcels with wastewater facilities. Eldevik stated the City could not provide a system because there is an existing system with ordinances restricting the use of an alternative system, and the City of Nelson does not have a waste treatment system they could offer since they contract services through ALASD. After hearing the Township’s objections, the City of Nelson closed the public hearing and immediately passed a motion to annex the parcels.
New Business: None.
Motion by Dahlheimer, seconded by Butz, to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried and Chairman Eldevik adjourned the meeting at 6:28 p.m.
Respectfully submitted….
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Mark Meuwissen, Clerk
Approved this ____ day of ________, 2024
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Rod Eldevik, Chairman