Alexandria Township

Alexandria, Minnesota 56308

Minutes of the meeting of 4-07-2008

A regular meeting of the Board of Supervisors of Alexandria Township was held on the 7^th Day of April 2008 at the Alexandria Township Conference Room, 610 Fillmore Street.

ROLL CALL: Supervisors present were Louis Ross, Jim Casper, Joel Dahlheimer, Bryon Alstead, and Roger Thalman. Also present were Gregg Raisanen, Clerk and Mona Billmark, Treasurer, Jeremy Anderson of WSN and Zoning Administrator Ben Oleson. As said members formed a quorum and the meeting was called to order by Clerk Raisanen at 7:30 PM.

Joel Dahlheimer nominated Roger Thalman to be the chairman. Nominations ceased and a unanimous vote was cast for Roger Thalman as chairman. Motion carried unanimously.

The meeting was turned over to Chairman Thalman.

Bryan Alstead nominated Louis Ross to be Vice-Chairman. Nominations ceased and a unanimous vote was cast for Louis Ross as Vice-Chairman.

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

The board reconvened discussion of the Queens Road/Maple Rd. project that was recessed from the March 31, 2008 meeting. Dahlheimer, seconded by Casper made a motion to adopt Resolution 08-05, a resolution ordering improvement and preparation of plans for Queens Road and Maple Drive blacktop project. Supervisor Ross inquired if the only decision the board had to make at this time is to authorize the project. Clerk Raisanen indicated that the assessment amounts would be calculated at the assessment hearing. Supervisor Alstead said little opposition was voiced at the public hearing and the town office had not received any calls. Roll: Dahlheimer, Alstead, Ross, Casper, Thalman – yes. None opposed. The town board authorized Engineer Kuhn to prepare the construction documents. Chairman Thalman inquired if the board wished to discuss the proposed assessments for the two properties that had come up at the public hearing. The consensus was to wait until after the bid opening when an accurate estimate of the amount can be determined if the bid is awarded.

Alstead, seconded by Dahlheimer, made a motion to approve the minutes of the March 17, 2008 regular board meeting. Supervisor Casper abstained. Motion carried.

Alstead, seconded by Casper, made a motion to authorize payment of claims 8098 – 8119 in the amount of $28,406.03 and payroll in the amount of $3,778.97 for a total amount of $32,185.00. Motion carried unanimously.

PLANNING AND ZONING:

Application for the preliminary plat of LeHomme Dieu Estates Townhomes, a/k/a Lakecrest Townhomes. Zoning administrator Oleson stated that the planning commission recommended this plat for tabling since a number of residents at the public hearing were concerned as to private covenants on the property. The planning commission had requested that Oleson meet with our attorney and come up with a policy with regard to private covenants. Upon consultation with Attorney Clark, she confirmed that the township has no authority to enforce private covenants and, in the future, she said that a matter should not be tabled if the only issue is related to covenants. In any case, the applicant’s surveyor stated that they would most likely be changing the plat and PUD application, thus necessitating further review by the Planning Commission. This plat is scheduled to come before the planning commission at its April 28, 2008 meeting.

Dennis Conn’s preliminary plat and conditional use application for Eastgate. This application had originally been tabled at the planning commission’s February 25, 2008 meeting for a re-design of the stormwater management plan and a new master plan layout of the buildings, which would also include positioning of the holding tanks that would serve each building. When it came before the commission’s March 24^th meeting, Mr. Conn stated that he is anticipating a total of four buildings (units), rather than the original six. He plans to develop the rear of the property sometime in the future. The stormwater plan has been changed from two retention ponds to one large pond, which meets all the requirements. Supervisor Casper asked if Oleson agreed with the planning commission’s recommendation. Oleson stipulated that the plan is satisfactory, with the conditions as outlined in the staff report. Motion by Alstead, seconded by Casper, that the town board approve the preliminary plat and conditional use permit with the conditions as outlined in the staff report. Roll: Dahlheimer, Alstead, Ross, Casper, Thalman – yes. None opposed. Motion carried unanimously.

Oleson stated that the commission tabled a discussion about open space requirements. They also continued their discussion about sewer requirements in the UR district. These topics will both be discussed at the next meeting.

Oleson raised the question as to how the board wishes to handle fees, such as two fees that come up in one application; i.e. two CUP’s at once. The county’s practice is to charge both fees. The board requested that Oleson present a recommendation at the next meeting.

Chairman Thalman distributed a general info sheet re zoning classes that are available in May. If anyone is interested in attending a class, they should bring it before the board for approval.

Chairman Thalman discussed actions that had come before the Joint Planning Board. The board rejected the plat request for Deb Crocker, Darling Drive, since she was unwilling to grant a wide enough utility easement on her property.

CITIZEN CONCERNS: W. Lake Jessie Drive. Jeremy Anderson of WSN, project engineer, stated that the sewer is all in except for the very south end, around 400 – 500 feet. The reason this area has been encountering problems is because last fall the contractor put in sewer till freeze-up, and then the sub-cut was not able to be completed. Once the ground froze, Duinick Bros. put 1 – 2 inches of gravel on the road. Chairman Thalman mentioned the number of complaints that have been received as a result of the poor condition of the road. In his conversation with the township engineer, it was determined that the township had an obligation to protect our residents, so the township road maintenance contractor was instructed to spread reclaimed tar/gravel to shore up the road. ALASR will be billed for the township work that has been done. Duinick Bros. conceded that the work done by the township road maintainer was adequate. It was the consensus of the board to turn the road back to Duinick. Jeremy Anderson will be checking on the road continually. Duinick plans to begin work the end of April or the beginning of May. Once road restrictions are off, they intend to finish the work and will commence paving once the asphalt plants open. A pre-construction meeting will be scheduled for April 29, 2008.

ENGINEER’S REPORT: None.

OLD BUSINESS: The board discussed the amendments to the animal ordinance No. 101. No residents spoke in favor or against the amendments at the March 31, 2008 public hearing. Motion by Dahlheimer, seconded by Ross, to approve Resolution 08-06, a resolution adopting ordinance 117, amending ordinance 101 regulating the presence and keeping of animals. Supervisor Casper expressed concern about no limits being established. Clerk Raisanen stipulated that there is still a limit of three adult domestic animals/household and that the amendment pertains to those persons seeking a kennel license. Roll: Dahlheimer, Alstead, Ross, Casper, Thalman - yes. None opposed. Motion carried unanimously.

Motion by Ross, seconded by Casper to adopt Resolution 08-07, a resolution ordering adoption of summary of Ordinance 117. Roll: Dahlheimer, Alstead, Ross, Casper, Thalman. - yes. None opposed. Motion carried unanimously.

NEW BUSINESS:

Clerk Raisanen made the recommendation that the township hire Busy Bee Lawn Maintenance for mowing of the two township parks since they had done good work last year. The price is $40/time for Woodland Park, and $50/time for Manor Hills Park. Alstead made a motion, seconded by Ross, to hire Busy Bee for lawn service. Motion carried unanimously.

Charitable gambling permit – the Chamber of Commerce wants to have an event on June 9, 2008 at Alexandria Golf Course and is seeking township approval. Ross, seconded by Dahlheimer, made a motion to acknowledge the event. Motion carried unanimously.

The following Board appointments were made: LAR- Alstead with Dahlheimer as an alternate, AAEDC- Dahlheimer, Roads- Dahlheimer, Lakes Regional Planning Agency- Casper, Park Inspection- Alstead, Water Planning Task Force- Casper, Transportation committee- Casper, Dahlheimer, Russ Niskanen and Larry Steidl from the planning commission. Parks/Recreation Committee: Clerk Raisanen, Bryon Alstead. Planning Commission: 3-year terms for Feuling and Knowles. Motion by Casper, seconded by Alstead to appoint John Knowles and Julie Feuling to 3-year terms. Motion carried unanimously.

Casper, seconded by Alstead, made a motion to appoint Gregg Raisanen as the Alexandria Township clerk. Motion carried unanimously.

Clerk Raisanen reported that he is appointing Bonnie Fulghum as deputy Clerk.

Casper, seconded by Alstead, made a motion to set the per diem rate at $80/meeting for supervisors and an additional $20/meeting for the chairman where minutes are recorded. Motion carried unanimously.

Alstead, seconded by Dahlheimer, made a motion to approve the $80/meeting rate for the planning commission, clerk and treasurer. Motion carried unanimously.

Dahlheimer, seconded by Casper, made a motion to set the inspection rate at $40. Motion carried unanimously.

Chairman Thalman clarified the definitions for “meeting” and “site inspection”. He stated that if minutes are taken, it would be classified as a meeting; if no minutes are taken, then it would be an inspection.

Casper, seconded by Alstead, made a motion to set the incidental labor rate at $15/hr. Motion carried unanimously.

Clerk Raisanen presented a recommendation that the administrative assistant salary be increased to $15.25/hr. Alstead, seconded by Dahlheimer, made a motion to set the salary of the administrative assistant at $15.25/hr. Motion carried unanimously. Clerk Raisanen also requested additional hours for the administrative assistant as work necessitates. Alstead, seconded by Dahlheimer, made a motion to authorize five additional hours per week as needed. Motion carried unanimously.

Alstead, seconded by Dahlehimer, made a motion to set the salary of the Treasurer at $630/month. Motion carried unanimously.

Alstead, seconded by Casper, made a motion to set the salary of the Clerk at $630/month. Motion carried unanimously.

Alstead, seconded by Ross, made a motion to set the mileage rate at the federal reimbursement rate which is currently at $.505/mile. Motion carried unanimously.

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

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

Alstead, seconded by Ross, made a motion to designate Julie Haseman as the township attorney and Michelle Clark as the attorney for prosecution as well as ordinance enforcement for planning and zoning ordinances. Motion carried unanimously.

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

The supervisors set the annual road inspection for April 26, 2007 at 9:00 AM, meeting at Alden Just Road Maintenance shop.

Alstead, seconded by Ross, made a motion to change the town board meeting time from 7:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. effective May 5, 2008. Motion carried unanimously.

Chairman Thalman asked for discussion relative to reflective signs and changing them out on a rotational basis. Board consensus was that Phase III and IV of the orderly annexation agreement area should not be included in the rotation.

Being no further business Ross, seconded by Alstead, made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Meeting adjourned at 8:51 PM.

Respectfully Submitted.....

Gregg Raisanen, Clerk

Approved this _____ day of _________, 2008

Roger Thalman, Chairman