Alexandria
Township
Alexandria, Minnesota 56308
Minutes of the meeting of 4-04-2011
A regular meeting of the Board of Supervisors of Alexandria
Township was held on the 4th Day of April 2011 at the Alexandria
Township Conference Room, 610 Fillmore Street.
ROLL CALL: Supervisors present were Louis Ross, Jul
Feuling, Joel Dahlheimer, Bryon Alstead, 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 Ross at 6:00 PM.
Dahlheimer, seconded by Feuling,
made a motion to adopt the agenda with the additions of Short Course, DCATS
(Douglas County Association of Townships) meeting, and Mailboxes under New
Business. Motion carried unanimously.
Thalman, seconded by Dahlheimer,
made a motion to approve the minutes of the March 21, 2011 regular board
meeting. Supervisor Feuling abstained.
Motion carried.
Dahlheimer, seconded by Thalman,
made a motion to authorize payment of claims 11079–11091 in the amount of $17,484.42
and payroll in the amount of $4,437.81 for a total amount of $21,922.23
and a transfer of funds from savings in the amount of $17,000.00. Motion carried unanimously.
CITIZEN CONCERNS: It was noted that a Yield sign was down at the
intersection of 30th Avenue and W. Lake Jessie Dr. and a 30 mph sign
was down at the intersection of Wickstrom Lane and Maple Drive.
PLANNING AND ZONING: Zoning Administrator Oleson stated that Sylvia
Luetmer, along with her builder, Mike
Klimek of Northwoods Construction, were present to discuss nonconforming
buildings on her property located at 2204 E. Lake Jessie Road. State statute stipulates nonconformities can be
replaced but they cannot expand. Our
zoning ordinance states a parcel with five acres or less is allowed only two
detached accessory buildings for a combined total of 1500 square feet. The landowners are asking the town board to
consider an interpretation of the statute which would allow for the square
footage of the combined removed outbuildings to be reconfigured into one
accessory building. Oleson said the
planning commission felt this was a reasonable interpretation of the statute as
long as the square footage did not exceed what had existed previously. The new building would still be nonconforming. The number of accessory buildings would be
reduced from seven to three. Oleson
stated that the town board could make an administrative decision to follow the planning
commission’s recommendation; otherwise the landowner would need to apply for a
variance. Consensus is to have Oleson formulate
a final plan and present it to the town board for consideration.
ENGINEER’S REPORT: Engineer Kuhn stated that gravel quotes have not
yet been obtained. He will have these
available for the next meeting.
At the town’s request, Engineer
Kuhn researched the chloride application process, magnesium chloride versus
calcium chloride. His recommendation is
to stay with calcium chloride. Clerk
Raisanen to obtain calcium chloride quotes.
There had been a resident concern
regarding the manholes on Apache Lane near the asphalt patch that had been done
on Apache Lane last summer. Engineer Kuhn stated that the manholes should
be fine and it is more likely the road is sinking around them. He recommended posting the manholes and
re-visiting the site after the ground thaw.
He also recommended posting a manhole on Rachel Drive with the same
issue.
Road inspection was set for
Saturday, April 30, 2011, 9 a.m. commencing from Alden Just Road Maintenance,
416 Geneva Road NE, Alexandria, MN.
OLD BUSINESS: None
NEW BUSINESS: Supervisor Feuling
gave an overview of the Douglas County Association of Townships (DCATS) weed
training that she had attended. She also
stated that information was distributed concerning the Beyond the Yellow Ribbon
project, a program to help veterans and their families with everyday needs.
The following Board appointments
were made: LAR- Alstead with Dahlheimer
as an alternate; AAEDC- Dahlheimer; Planning
and Zoning Subcommittee – Feuling, Ross, with Knowles and Niskanen from the
Planning Commission; Roads- Dahlheimer and Alstead; Lakes Regional Planning Agency- Alstead; Park
Inspection- Alstead; Water Planning Task Force- Alstead; Transportation Committee-
Engineer Kuhn, Dahlheimer, Feuling, with
Niskanen and Steidl from the Planning Commission; Parks/Recreation Committee: Clerk Raisanen, Alstead, Thalman, with Hammerschmidt and Haar from the
Planning Commission; Flood Board – Dahlheimer.
Clerk Raisanen reported that he
is appointing Bonnie Fulghum as Deputy Clerk.
Per diem
rate: Feuling, seconded by Alstead, made
a motion to approve 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 Thalman,
made a motion to approve the inspection rate at $40. Motion carried unanimously.
Alstead, seconded by Feuling,
made a motion to leave the incidental labor rate at $15/hr. Motion carried unanimously.
Alstead, seconded by Dahlheimer,
made a motion to set the salary of the administrative assistant at $16.00/hr. with
the HRA contribution to remain at $60/mo.
Roll: Dahlheimer, Alstead,
Thalman, Feuling, Ross – yes. Opposed: none.
Motion carried unanimously.
Alstead, seconded by Dahlehimer,
made a motion to leave the salary of the Treasurer at $630/month. Roll:
Dahlheimer, Alstead, Thalman, Feuling, Ross –
yes. Opposed: none. Motion carried unanimously.
Thalman, seconded by Alstead,
made a motion to leave the salary of the Clerk at $630/month. Motion carried unanimously.
Alstead, seconded by Feuling,
made a motion to set the mileage rate at the federal reimbursement rate which
is currently at $.51/mile. Motion carried unanimously.
Feuling, seconded by Thalman,
made a motion to designate the Echo Press as the official newspaper for
notices. Motion carried unanimously.
Alstead, seconded by Dahlheimer,
made a motion to designate Bremer Bank as the official depositor of funds for
the Township. Motion carried
unanimously.
The designation of township
attorney was tabled.
Alstead, seconded by Feuling,
made a motion to appoint all supervisors as weed inspectors, and to appoint
Joel Dahlheimer, as chief weed inspector.
Motion carried unanimously.
Charitable gambling permit –
United Way has applied for a charitable gambling permit for an event scheduled
on June 13, 2011 at Geneva Golf Course and is seeking township approval. Alstead, seconded by Dahlheimer, made a
motion to acknowledge the event. Motion
carried unanimously.
Clerk Raisanen made the
recommendation that the township hire Busy Bee Lawn Maintenance for mowing of
Woodland Park. The price is $60/time
with spring clean-up at $220 and fall clean-up at $280. He stated that the city will be maintaining
Manor Hills Park this year. Feuling,
seconded by Thalman, made a motion to hire Busy Bee for 2011 lawn service at
the quoted prices. Motion carried
unanimously.
Short course update – Supervisor
Thalman stated that one of the topics was on the township meetings. He said they clarified the meaning of a
public meeting. In essence, the public
has a right to attend and listen, but not necessarily to speak. They can speak only if the board opens the
meeting to the public for discussion. In
reference to the Data Practices Act, this does not apply to townships.
Mailboxes – Supervisor Alstead
stated that the town had received communication from a supplier of swing away
mailbox supports. If the town places an
order for mailbox supports, they will be delivered free to Public Works. Douglas County has offered to house supports
ordered by the townships for one week. Alstead,
seconded by Thalman, made a motion to purchase ten mailbox supports to have in
stock from SwingSAFE Mailbox Supports for a total cost of $650. Motion carried unanimously.
Being no further business Feuling, seconded by Thalman, made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Meeting adjourned at 7:28 PM.
Respectfully Submitted.....
_____________________________________
Gregg Raisanen, Clerk
Approved this _____ day
of _________, 2011
_______________________________________
S. Louis Ross, Chairman