Alexandria Township

Alexandria, Minnesota 56308

Minutes of the meeting of 4-4-2005

A regular meeting of the Board of Supervisors of Alexandria Township was held on the 4^th Day of April 2005.

ROLL CALL: Supervisors present were Louis Ross, Jim Casper, and Roger Thalman. Also present were Gregg Raisanen, Clerk and Mona Billmark, Treasurer. As said members formed a quorum and the meeting was called to order by Clerk Raisanen at 7:30 PM.

Casper, seconded by Ross, nominated Roger Thalman to be the chairman. Nominations ceased and a unanimous vote was cast for Roger Thalman for chairman.

The meeting was turned over to Chairman Thalman.

Supervisor Dahlheimer joined the meeting.

Casper, seconded by Dahlheimer, nominated Louis Ross to be Vice-Chairman. Nominations ceased and a unanimous vote was cast for Louis Ross as Vice-Chairman.

Ross, seconded by Casper, made a motion to adopt the agenda with the following additions: 2004 financial audit final report, discussion about the sewer sinking fund, and Citizen’s input and consistency under planning and zoning. Motion carried unanimously.

Casper, seconded by Dahlheimer, made a motion to approve the minutes of the March 21, 2005 regular board meeting as written. Motion carried unanimously.

Wayne Johnson, Chris Mitchell Accounting, presented the final 2004 financial audit report to the Board. It was finalized after the cable television franchise fee payment was received which had to be credited to the 2004 financial statement. Mr. Johnson reviewed the new items which were included as part of this year’s financial statements. All equipment over $2,000.00 and new roads over $100,000.00 were included as assets and will be depreciated according to the schedule that was previously approved. Another change was that special assessments would be recognized the year that the county places them on the tax statements. The Board discussed the sewer sinking fund, and they were in consensus to close out this fund by transferring the funds into another account. Clerk Raisanen will determine the proper course of action to complete this transfer.

Dahlheimer, seconded by Ross, made a motion to authorize payment of the bills in the amount of $11,909.86. Motion carried unanimously.

ENGINEER’S REPORT: Ross, seconded by Casper, made a motion to adopt the revised storm-water retention pond standards drafted March 2005 by Engineer Kuhn that was reviewed at the last board meeting. Motion carried unanimously.

The Board discussed the proposed Little Norway-third addition plat. The supervisors reviewed the road alignment and were in consensus that the road should connect with E. Lake Burgen instead of a cul-de-sac if it was possible.

The Board discussed the actions of the Douglas County Board of Commissioners in their action to change the conditions of Jessie Meadows PUD without any communication with the township.

OLD BUSINESS: Clerk Raisanen presented quotes for property/liability insurance. The MN Association of Townships Agency quoted $810 and County Insurance quoted $1,020. Ross, seconded by Casper, made a motion to accept the quote by the MN Association of Township Agency in the amount of $810.00 for property/liability insurance. Motion carried unanimously.

The Board discussed the proposed ordinance establishing a planning commission. Supervisor Casper reported that he had forwarded a copy to Attorney Haseman for her review; however, he had not heard back from her. The Board will consider this at the next meeting.

NEW BUSINESS: Supervisor Casper presented the Board a draft of an interim ordinance permitting Alexandria Township to approve preliminary plats, planned unit developments, conditional use permits, and variances filed with the county. Supervisor Casper indicated that he had forwarded a copy to attorney Haseman and had not received a response. Clerk Raisanen reported that this ordinance would require a public hearing before adoption. The Board directed Clerk Raisanen to publish notice of a public hearing on April 18, 2005 to consider this ordinance.

The Board discussed future planning and zoning. Supervisor Casper indicated that he was unsure how the 60-day action requirement of the state would impact the processing of applications if the township adopted the interim ordinance. The Board also discussed the issue of zoning within the township. Currently all the land east of Liberty Road is zoned rural residential with 1-acre minimum lot sizes. The future comprehensive plat may indicate areas of desired smaller lot sizes, which would require rezoning by the county.

The Board discussed the necessity of public communication regarding the comprehensive plan and future planning and zoning. Supervisor Casper made the recommendation that township residents need to be notified of future planning and zoning functions and also need to be part of the comprehensive plan process. He recommended use of the township’s web site, newsletters, posted notices, and the newspaper.

The following Board appointments were made: LAR- Thompson with Dahlheimer as an alternate, AAEDC- Dahlheimer, Planning and Zoning- Ross, Dahlheimer, and Thalman, Roads- Dahlheimer, Lakes Regional Planning Agency- Casper, Water Planning Task Force- Casper.

Ross, seconded by Dahlheimer, made a motion to set the per diem rate at $50.00/meeting where minutes are recorded and the inspection rate at $30.00. Motion carried unanimously.

Ross, seconded by Thalman, made a motion to set the incidental labor rate at $10.00/hr. Motion carried unanimously.

Casper, seconded by Dahlheimer, made a motion to set the salary of the administrative assistant at $13.50/hr. Motion carried unanimously.

Dahlheimer, seconded by Ross, made a motion to set the salary of the Treasurer at $600.00/month. Motion carried unanimously.

Ross, seconded by Casper, made a motion to set the salary of the Clerk at $600.00/month. Motion carried unanimously.

Ross, seconded by Casper, made a motion to set the mileage rate at the federal reimbursement rate. Motion carried unanimously.

Ross, seconded by Casper, made a motion to designate the Echo Press as the official newspaper for notices. Motion carried unanimously.

Ross, seconded by Casper, made a motion to designate Bremer Bank as the official depositor of funds for the Township. Motion carried unanimously.

Ross, seconded by Dahlheimer, made a motion to designate Julie Haseman as the township attorney and Michelle Clark as the prosecution attorney. Motion carried unanimously.

Ross, seconded by Thalman, made a motion to appoint all supervisors as weed inspectors, and to appoint Joel Dahlheimer as chief weed inspector. Motion carried unanimously.

Clerk Raisanen presented a quote for park mowing from Hemming Lawn Care in the amount of $50.00/mowing for Woodland Park. Clerk Raisanen indicated that the total amount would probably be $600.00 for the season based on this rate. Ross, seconded by Casper, made a motion to accept the quote by Hemming Lawn Care for Woodland Park mowing. Motion carried unanimously.

Ross, seconded by Dahlheimer, authorized Clerk Raisanen to obtain written quotes for 3000 yds of class 5 gravel. Motioned carried unanimously.

Being no further business Ross, seconded by Casper, made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Meeting adjourned at 9:50 PM.

Respectfully Submitted.....

Gregg Raisanen, Clerk

Approved this _____ day of _________, 2005

Roger Thalman, Chairman