Alexandria Township

Alexandria, Minnesota 56308

Minutes of the meeting of 6-16-08

 

A regular meeting of the Board of Supervisors of Alexandria Township was held on the 16th Day of June 2008 at the Alexandria Township Conference Room, 610 Fillmore Street.

 

ROLL CALL:  Supervisors present were Bryon Alstead, Louis Ross, Jim Casper, Joel Dahlheimer, and Roger Thalman.  Also present were Clerk Gregg Raisanen and Mona Billmark, Treasurer.  As said members formed a quorum and the meeting was called to order by Chairman Thalman at 6:00 PM.

 

Casper, seconded by Ross, made a motion to adopt the agenda with the addition of Mr. Bill Matzke under citizen concerns and Whispering Oaks Drainage and E. Lake Burgen Drainage under the engineer’s report. Motion carried unanimously.

 

Alstead, seconded by Casper, made a motion to approve the minutes of the June 2, 2008 regular board meeting as written.  Motion carried unanimously. 

 

Alstead, seconded by Casper, made a motion to authorize payment of claims 8183-8199 in the amount of $19,214.45 and net payroll in the amount of $1,823.75 for a total of $21,038.18 and a transfer of funds from savings into checking in the amount of $14,000.00. Motion carried unanimously.

 

CITIZEN CONCERNS:  Bill Matzke questioned how a property located at 304 E. Lake Geneva could be expanded when his variance was not approved to expand his home.  In addition, he questioned why the township would allow the excavation in the ditch along this property.  Zoning Administrator Oleson reported that the property in question was not located in a bluff zone therefore no variance was needed and the landowner obtained the necessary building permit for the project.  As far as the drainage project, the landowner obtained a conditional use permit to restore the ditch.  Mr. Matzke project was located in a bluff zone, which required a variance.

 

Supervisor Ross reported that he talked to the homeowner located at 2945 Wilderness Ridge who indicated that they would restore the wetland to allow for water storage so no additional action is needed.

 

PLANNING AND ZONING:  Zoning Administrator Oleson reported that he had met with Attorney Michelle Clark to discuss the proposed rainwater gardens in the 5th Addition to Lake Geneva Estates.  Attorney Clark originally was opposed to locating the rainwater gardens in the road right of way due to potential maintenance issues and also was concerned about utility maintenance.  Mr. Al Beisner reported that most communities that have allow rainwater gardens allow installation in the road right of way, which allows the municipality to maintain without requiring easements from the landowner. He indicated that after he had met with Attorney Clark and explained the concepts, she was more comfortable with locating them in the road right of way.  Homeowners would have to sign a subdivision registration form to require them to maintain them.

 

Zoning Administrator Oleson reported that he had spoken with Joyce Silot from the MPCA who indicated that the subdivision registration form does not apply to road right of way and that the MPCA would not enforce requirements in the agreements.  Al Beisner reported that the Builder/landscaper would install and the homeowner would be responsible for the maintenance, which would be outlined in covenants. The issue is that covenants are not enforceable by the township.  Supervisor Ross indicated that there are significant unresolved issues with the proposed rainwater gardens and made a motion, seconded by Casper, to table a decision to the next board meeting.  Motion carried unanimously.  Zoning Administrator Oleson and Al Beisner will be in communication with Attorney Clark and the MPCA.

 

ENGINEER’S REPORT: 

 

Engineer Kuhn presented the board a proposed plan for the inlet to the centerline culvert under Queens Road.  He proposed installing an apron inlet structure to raise the inlet of the culvert by 0.70 of a foot to store additional water on the upstream end of the culvert.  Rod Eldevik was in agreement with the Engineer recommendation.  Engineer Kuhn estimated the cost to not exceed $500.00. Ross, seconded by Alstead, made a motion to authorize Engineer Kuhn to contract with a contractor to install the proposed apron on the centerline culvert under Queens Road at the recommended elevation. 

 

Engineer Kuhn and Chairman Thalman reported that they had a meeting with residents in Whispering Oaks to discuss the proposed drainage project.  The only two feasible permanent options are to direct bore from the wetland to the proposed outlet or to set up a pumping station and route the water along McKay Ave. and S. LeHommeDieu Dieu Road.  The piping project would require obtaining easements from 4 landowners who indicated that they would possibly sign provided that they were compensated for the easements. Alstead, seconded by Ross, made a motion to not install any improvements and to use temporary pumps on an as needed basis.  Motion for:  Alstead, Ross, Motion against: Casper, Dahlheimer.  Thalman abstained.  Motion failed.

 

Engineer Kuhn recommended that a permanent solution be installed.  Clerk Raisanen and Engineer Kuhn will speak to County Engineer Robley to determine updated cost.

 

The board discussed drainage on the east side of Lake Burgeon.  A landowner has requested assistance to control erosion in a ravine, which may affect his residence in the future.  It appears that there was a drainage easement identified on the plat south of the problem area when the plat was originally platted.  Engineer Kuhn will meet with the two affected landowners to discuss possible options.

 

Being no further business, Ross, seconded by Dahlheimer, made a motion to adjourn the meeting.  Meeting adjourned at 7:15 PM.

 

 

Respectfully Submitted.....                                         Approved this _____ day of________, 2008

           

_______________________________                             ______________________________    

    Gregg Raisanen, Clerk                                                         Roger Thalman, Chairman