Alexandria Township

Alexandria, Minnesota 56308

Minutes of the meeting of 10-17-2005

 

A regular meeting of the Board of Supervisors of Alexandria Township was held on the 17th day of October 2005.

 

ROLL CALL:  Supervisors present were Louis Ross, Jim Casper, Joel Dahlheimer, 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 Chairman Thalman at 7:30 PM.

 

Ross, seconded by Casper, made a motion to adopt the agenda as presented.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

Casper, seconded by Ross, made a motion to approve the minutes of the October 3, 2005 regular board meeting as written. Motion carried unanimously.

 

Ross, seconded by Casper, made a motion to authorize payment of the bills in the amount of $33,741.02 and to authorize the transfer of $33,500.00 from the savings into the checking account.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

 CITIZEN’S CONCERNS:  Darrell and Orin Johnson presented a request to rezone a portion of their farm along CR 46 from R1 to B2.  The property in question is located within the orderly annexation area; therefore, this request will come before the Joint Zoning Board.  There will be 3 applications submitted for a plan to rezone approximately 60 acres.  They indicated that this road is heavily traveled and lends itself to a commercial zone more than a residential zone.  

 

ENGINEER’S REPORT:  Engineer Kuhn reported that he had determined the location of 4 speed limit signs for E. Lake Victoria Rd. and will forward this information to the road maintenance contractor for installation.

 

Engineer Kuhn reported that he had staked the location of the turnaround at the end of Deer Lane and Alden Just Road Maintenance would begin the construction soon.

 

Engineer Kuhn reported that after determining the elevations downstream of the centerline culvert under E. Lake Geneva Rd, it appears that re-grading the end of the culvert should facilitate additional drainage through the culvert.

 

Engineer Kuhn reported that the road into Airway Acres has been constructed to Township Standards; therefore, the Township could start maintaining the road.  Clerk Raisanen will prepare a resolution for the Board’s consideration at their next meeting.

 

Engineer Kuhn reported that Alpine Road has been constructed to Township Standards with the exception of turf establishment and could be considered as a township road.  Clerk Raisanen reported that the developer needs to formally request this action and also has to provide a one-year guarantee to the workmanship prior to the township assuming maintenance.  Engineer Kuhn will contact the developer.

 

Engineer Kuhn reported that Gene Karnis, Wilderness Ridge Developer, had contacted him regarding the storm water retention pond located within this development.   He indicated that he is willing to reestablish the necessary vegetation and clean out the sediment in the bottom and was willing to work with the township regarding possible enlargement.  Clerk Raisanen and Engineer Kuhn will meet with developer.

 

Clerk Raisanen reported that Attorney Haseman had contacted him regarding an upcoming legal seminar in St. Cloud regarding storm water and drainage issues in MN.  The Board was in consensus to pay the cost of two people attending this session.  Supervisor Ross and Engineer Kuhn were authorized to attend.

 

Clerk Raisanen also reported that the township could assess a storm water fee to property located within a storm water district under Chapter 444 of MN statutes.  Attorney Haseman is finding out more information regarding the process.

 

Engineer Kuhn provided estimates for the blacktop overlay in Carneva Acres and for the repaving of the roads in Erickson Heritage.  The estimated cost for the work in Carneva Acres is $147,000.00 and in Erickson Heritage is $456,000.00.

 

OLD BUSINESS:  Clerk Raisanen reported that he had signed a lease with WSN for office space in the WSN building beginning December 1, 2005.  They agreed to let the township start moving in prior to this date.  They are in the process of obtaining prices for the reconstruction of the meeting space and anticipate having this space available approximately March 1, 2006.

 

NEW BUSINESS:  Zoning Administrator Ben Oleson was present to discuss progress from the zoning subcommittee.  The subcommittee has determined three main areas of immediate concerns: storm water management, subdivisions, and PUDs.  They desire to have Board direction on what is the next step.  Should the township wait until the comprehensive plan is adopted before adopting ordinances or enact interim ordinances now and adopt permanent ordinances later?  Supervisor Ross indicated that he desires a slower approach and try to improve communication with the county to have them follow the existing ordinances.  He expressed concern about the ability of the township to enact and enforce too much in the beginning.  Supervisor Casper reported that he desires to move ahead with ordinances.  Engineer Kuhn and Administrator Oleson have reviewed the county’s subdivision ordinance and can make recommendations for changes for an ordinance.  Chairman Thalman reported that he wants the township to proceed with assuming the administration of ordinances.  The board directed the subcommittee to proceed with the drafting of ordinances for their consideration.

 

Ross, seconded by Dahlheimer, made a motion to authorize reimbursement of expenses for any Board member who attends the MAT annual conference at Arrowwood.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

City of Alexandria Mayor, Dan Ness, was present to discuss the working relationship between the City and Alexandria Township.  He reported that the relationship has been positive and has resulted in a seamless annexation process.  Chairman Thalman indicated that the Township Supervisors have experienced the same positive relationship and that the Joint Zoning Board has been operating and conducting business without any problems.

 

Being no further business Dahlheimer, seconded by Casper, made a motion to adjourn the meeting.  Meeting adjourned at 9:10 PM.

 

Respectfully Submitted.....

Gregg Raisanen, Clerk

 

Approved this _____ day of _________, 2005

Roger Thalman, Chairman