Alexandria Township
Alexandria,
Minnesota 56308
Minutes
of the meeting of 08-18-2008
A regular meeting of the Board of
Supervisors of Alexandria Township was held on the 18th Day of
August 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 Alstead,
made a motion to adopt the agenda with the following additions: Permanent Dock on Lake Victoria and Sign
Replacement Plan. Motion carried
unanimously
Alstead, seconded by Ross, made
a motion to approve the minutes of the August 4, 2008 regular board meeting as
written. Motion carried unanimously.
Alstead, seconded by Casper,
made a motion to authorize payment of claims 8256-8268 in the amount of
$7,631.64 and a transfer from savings into checking of $6,800.00. Motion
carried unanimously.
CITIZEN’S CONCERNS: The board discussed the drainage on the E.
Side of Lake Burgen. Attorney Haseman
reviewed a response written to her from Nick Heydt one of the affected landowners. She indicated that this drainage originates
upstream from the affected land and that the township has not altered the
course of the drainage. A 15” culvert
was replaced during the road-paving project but it was placed in the same location
and elevation as the previous culvert.
There is a recorded drainage easement on the plat but the township is
under no obligation to use the easement and it appears that the developer or
homeowner placed a culvert under Mr. Heydt existing driveway directing the
water flow to the north after it crosses E. Burgen Drive. Attorney Haseman indicated that this is a
private matter and the township appears to not have any liability. Attorney Haseman also reported that to set up
a subordinate service district to tax individuals in the watershed would
require a petition signed by more than 50% of the landowners.
Karen Weigel asked why the
township improved the drainage along the Thompson property located south of
this location. The board responded that
during the road reconstruction, a centerline culvert was moved which resulted
in additional flow, which resulted in additional erosion. The board authorized rip-rapping the outlet
to control the erosion. Nick Heydt reported
that some unit of government was responsible for requiring the easement on the
plat otherwise the developer would not have dedicated it. He feels that the township is partially
obligated to correct the current situation.
This drainage results from a large land area being drained onto his
property, which is causing significant erosion, which is going into Lake
Burgen. Attorney Haseman recommended to
the board to document what are the facts before spending any township funds on
the project. Clerk Raisanen will
research Douglas County and Alexandria Townships minutes from 1969 to find out
if this drainage easement was mentioned prior to the plat being approved.
Bernie Rachael voiced concern
about the installation of a permanent dock on the south end of Lake
Victoria. He was concerned that the end
of the dock was located in a platted road right of way and also expressed
concern about the potential impact of driving pilings in to the lakebed. Zoning administrator Oleson reported that he
had contacted the MNDNR who reported that there are no laws prohibiting
permanent docks as long as the dock was no wider than 8 ft. Bernie Rachel reported that he is going to
the county commissioners requesting that they pass a moratorium prohibiting
permanent docks in Douglas County and ask if the town board would support
this. The board directed Zoning
Administrator Oleson to research the town’s zoning ordinance and to determine
if the township can adopt an interim ordinance prohibiting permanent docks.
PLANNING AND ZONING: The board considered a private kennel license
submitted by Karin Weigel, 3810 East Burgen Road. This license would allow 4 dogs at this
property. Alstead, seconded by Ross,
made a motion to approve the private kennel license for Karin Weigel and to
waive the license fee. Motion carried
unanimously.
ENGINEER’S REPORT: The board discussed the sign replacement plan
that was prepared. This plan would
replace the entire road signs located outside the orderly annexation area by
the year 2014. Dahlheimer, seconded by
Alstead, to adopt the sign replacement plan as presented. Motion carried unanimously.
NEW BUSINESS: Dahlheimer, seconded by Ross, made a motion to increase the personal time off for the administrative assistant from 4 hours to 5 hours a month. Motion carried unanimously.
Clerk Raisanen reported that the town has received written quotes from two vendors for a new photocopier. Clerk Raisanen and Chairman Thalman will discuss what the needs of the township are with the administrative assistant and make a recommendation at the next board meeting.
Chairman Thalman reported that the sewer district might be interested in participation in replacement of the failed dam in Scenic Heights.
Being no further business, Ross, seconded by Casper, made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Meeting adjourned at 7:24 PM.
Respectfully
Submitted.....
Approved this _____ day of________, 2008
_______________________________ ______________________________
Gregg Raisanen, Clerk Roger Thalman, Chairman