Alexandria Township
Alexandria, Minnesota 56308
Minutes of the meeting of September 3, 2014
A regular meeting of the Board of Supervisors of Alexandria Township was held on the 3rd day of September, 2014 at the Alexandria Township Conference Room, 610 Fillmore Street.
ROLL CALL: Supervisors present were 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 Vice Chairman Dahlheimer at 6:00 p.m.
Hammerschmidt, seconded by Niskanen, made a motion to adopt the agenda as presented. Motion carried unanimously.
Supervisor Feuling joined the meeting.
Hammerschmidt, seconded by Feuling, made a motion to approve the minutes of the 08/18/2014 regular board meeting as written. Motion carried unanimously.
Niskanen, seconded by Hammerschmikdt, made a motion to authorize payment of claims 14188-14196 in the amount of $16,564.49, net payroll of $3,416.39 totaling $19,980.88. Motion carried unanimously.
CITIZEN’S CONCERNS: Clerk Raisanen reported we received an inquiry from a resident about dust, traffic and possible blacktopping of 50th Avenue. Raisanen stated the resident agreed that the road was improved after the application of the Base One product. The blacktop petition process was explained to the resident. When asked about the feasibility of turning the road over to the county, Raisanen stated it would not fit in with the county’s long-range transportation plan. The board discussed performing a traffic count on 50th Ave. Consensus to have the township engineer contact MnDot to secure a traffic counter. Supervisor Feuling asked if the counters differentiate between types of trucks. Engineer Kuhn will research.
PLANNING AND ZONING: Zoning Administrator Oleson reported the planning commission had conducted a public hearing on the interim use application for Wendy Ramsdell (2701 Kings Rd SE). The applicant is proposing to continue operating a pet grooming business in her home. He noted the business was begun in the City of Alexandria and, a few years ago, moved to the township. The township received a complaint in 2011 and followed up with letters to the landowner (the applicant’s daughter). Those letters were not acknowledged and the matter was turned over to the Township Attorney. After notification from the Township Attorney, the applicant submitted an application for an interim use permit. Oleson reported the planning commission recommended approval with the conditions as set out in the staff report. Supervisor Niskanen asked her procedure for disposal of hair clippings. The applicant stated that she brings them to the landfill. Supervisor Hammerschmidt asked how much business she conducts on Saturdays. The applicant said it is rare, around 2 – 3 times/year. Supervisor Feuling asked if she boards dogs overnight, to which Ms. Ramsdell replied no.
Feuling, seconded by Hammerschmidt, made a motion to approve the Ramsdell interim use permit with the six conditions as outlined in the staff report, changing condition no. 1 to read:
“That the applicant must pay an after-the-fact fee of $500 within ninety (90) days of today’s date.” Roll: Niskanen, Hammerschmidt, Feuling, Dahlheimer – yes. Opposed: none. Motion carried unanimously.
Oleson reported that Global Ag Investments had submitted a conditional use application for agricultural sales to be located at 3608 State Highway 29 N (the old Klein RV business site). He also reported that we received a letter from MnDOT ascertaining that their conditions had been met. The planning commission had recommended approval with the six conditions as outlined in the staff report. Supervisor Dahlheimer asked if they would be selling any used equipment. Andrew Venton, representative for Global Ag, stated that the equipment would all be new, lease returns. Supervisor Niskanen asked if the applicant had any reservations regarding the proposed conditions, to which the applicant stated there were none.
Niskanen, seconded by Hammerschmidt, made a motion to approve the Global Ag Investments conditional use permit with the six conditions as outlined in the staff report. Roll: Niskanen, Hammerschmidt, Feuling, Dahlheimer – yes. Opposed: none. Motion carried unanimously.
Supervisor Hammerschmidt commented that there was a property on County 82 East that appears to have exceeded the number of vehicles for sale allowed by ordinance. Oleson to follow up.
ENGINEER’S REPORT: Clerk Raisanen requested the township engineer prepare cost estimates for blacktop projects for 2015.
Due to resident concerns regarding the golf cart crossing, he also recommended that the township engineer complete a traffic count on Neewana Beach Road. Supervisor Niskanen will follow up with the golf course owner.
OLD BUSINESS: Clerk Raisanen reported the township attorney will have an annexation petition drafted for the next board meeting regarding the Geneva Road annexation.
NEW BUSINESS: Consensus to have the township clerk solicit quotes for the winter road maintenance contract.
Being no further business, Hammerschmidt, seconded by Feuling, made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Meeting adjourned at 6:34 p.m.
Respectfully submitted….
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Gregg Raisanen, Clerk
Approved this ____ day of ________, 2014
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Bryon Alstead, Chairman