Farming Township
Official Minutes 8.7.12

The August monthly meeting was called to order by Vernon Willenbring at 8:00 pm. The flag pledge was said. All members were present. Also present were Craig Bardson, Bill Otto, Ron Kalthoff, Math Schmitz, Neil Eiynck, Eiynck’s two sons and Mike Nelson.

The July monthly meeting minutes were read. Neil Franz made a motion to accept the minutes as read, Dan Stommes seconded. All in favor, motion carried. The July Special Meeting minutes were read. Neil Franz made a motion to accept the minutes as read, Dan Stommes seconded. All in favor, motion carried.

A financial report was given by Duane Janssen. The July checks are in and $40,000 was deposited into a CD for the Tarring Fund.

RE: July Special Meeting – It was reported that all papers concerning the Fromm turn-around were signed and notarized.

RE: Neil Eiynck Variance – The Zoning Board presented their recommendation on the variance request by Neil Eiynck. The request was for an entrance stoop with a setback of 94 feet from road center instead of the required 100 feet. The Zoning Board recommended approval of the variance. Discussion was held. Dan Stommes made a motion to approve the variance as recommended by the Zoning Board, Neil Franz seconded. All in favor, motion carried.

RE: Cutting Road Ditches – Math Schmitz requested permission to begin cutting road ditches the last week of August as he would be gone the next week. Discussion was held. Permission was granted.

RE: Manana Road – Mike Nelson was present with the bid info for Manana Road. Hardrives was $100,072.11 and Knife River was $96,589.60. Central Specialties did not give a bid stating that they were not interested at this time – per Mike Nelson. Discussion was held. It was determined that each bid could be reduced by approximately $8500 by eliminating three items listed in the bids. Neil Franz made a motion to accept the bid from Knife River in the reduced amount of $88,055 , Dan Stommes seconded. All in favor, motion carried. Mike Nelson will take care of the agreement paperwork and overseeing the project.

RE: 911 Sign – It was noted that the 911 sign at the Tony Kotten residence is broken. The township will order a replacement.

RE: Reflectivity Signs – A list of signs that were recommended for replacement because of bad condition and reflectivity was presented to the Board. It was decided to go ahead and order new replacement signs.

RE: Craig Bardson Rezoning – Craig Bardson was present to request the Board’s approval of his application to rezone approximately five acres from AGG to Industrial. The land is east of Mapleview Road and was once a gravel mine. Mr. Bardson presented his plan. Discussion was held. A motion was made by Neil Franz to approve the proposed rezoning plan to the county, Dan Stommes seconded. All in favor, motion carried.

RE: Albany Fire Department – Neil Franz had attended the Albany Fire Department Meeting and presented the proposed agreement. Discussion was held. Neil Franz made a motion to extend the agreement with the Albany Fire Department for three years (through December 31, 2015), Dan Stommes seconded. All in favor, motion carried.

RE: Dog Complaint – Dan Stommes reported that he received a dog complaint from Jeff Johnson. He will speak with the dog’s owner.

RE: Fireproof File – The Clerk and Supervisor Neil Franz have been checking vendors for pricing on a fireproof file for township records. The Board recommended that they go ahead and make a purchase if the price was reasonable. It was recommended that they try and stay under $1000 if possible.

The following warrants were examined, verified and ordered paid:
5980 Stearns Cty Aud-Treas assessing fees $ 6057.50
5981 Star Publications newspaper ads $ 48.75
5982 Wakefield Township COL clerk fees/bond interest $ 742.04
5983 COL Fire & Rescue Dist. operating costs 1153.48
5984 Stearns Electric monthly electric bill 64.93
5985 Envirotech Serv. Inc. dustcoating 10744.35
5986 Lange Trenching blading June/July 8297.19

Total $ 27,108.24
Year-to-date Total $ 148,393.39

At 9:57 pm, Neil Franz made a motion to adjourn the meeting, Dan Stommes seconded. All in favor, motion carried.

Minutes taken by Judy Bruemmer, Farming Township Clerk.