Author Archives: Dewey

Official Minutes 5.7.19

The May monthly meeting of the Farming Township Board was called to order by Dan Stommes at 8:00 pm in the FCC Board Room. All members were present. Also present were Dale Lange, Patsy Zimmerman and Matt Schmitz. The flag pledge was said.

The April minutes were read. Dave Robertson made a motion to accept the minutes as read, Jason Willenbring seconded. All in favor, motion carried.

Duane Janssen gave a financial report with $320,226.78 in the checking account.

RE: Dustcoating – Only one quote for dustcoating was received. Central MN Dustcoating’s price was $.56/foot. Discussion was held. Jason Willenbring made a motion to accept the quote from Central MN dustcoating, Dave Robertson seconded. All in favor, motion carried. The Clerk will post notice for residents who would like dustcoating along their property to contact Supervisors by May 31, 2019.

RE: Blading – Lange Trenching presented a quote for blading Township roads. It was the only quote received. The price was $45.00 per mile – the same as last year. Discussion was held. Jason Willenbring made a motion to accept the quote from Lange Trenching, Dave Robertson seconded. All in favor, motion carried.

RE: Class 2 Road Material – One quote was received. Lange Trenching quoted a price of $18.25/ton, placed and packed – same as last year. Discussion was held. Jason Willenbring made a motion to accept the quote from Lange Trenching, Dave Robertson seconded. All in favor, motion carried.

RE: Class 5 Gravel – Wm. D. Scepaniak gave the only quote for Class 5 road material. The price was $10.49 – a raise from the 2018 price. Discussion was held. Dave Robertson made a motion to accept the quote from Scepaniak, Jason Willenbring seconded. All in favor, motion carried.

RE: Road Ditch Cutting – Matt Schmitz submitted the only quote for road ditch cutting. The price was $65/hr plus fuel – a $5 raise from last year. Discussion was held. Jason Willenbring made a motion to accept the quote from Matt Schmitz, Dave Robertson seconded. All in favor, motion carried. Plans for road ditch cutting are around mid-June and before school starts, weather permitting.

RE: Pilgrims Pride – A request for permission to haul agricultural products over 80,000 up to 97,000 pounds gross weight on .28 miles of 275th Street and .50 miles of 260th Street – except during road restriction time – through May 2020 was presented. Discussion was held. Dave Robertson made a motion to approve and sign the request, Jason Willenbring seconded. All in favor, motion carried.

RE: Crackfilling – Dan Stommes stated the crackfilling will be finished in May, weather permitting.

RE: Five Year Road Plan Meeting – Supervisors were notified that meeting will be held on Tuesday, May 14, 2019.

RE: Albany Fifth Monday Meeting – Dan Stommes gave a report on the meeting. It was noted that the elementary school will be short of room in the fall. Several plans are being considered.

RE: Weed Meeting – Dave Robertson gave a short report on the Weed Meeting. They received reports on new noxious weeds and were given a spreadsheet showing their problem areas.

Farming Township Minutes

5.7.19 page 2

RE: Road Tour – Extensive Discussion was held with the blading and dustcoating contractors on which roads will be dustcoated, graveled or have Class 2 applied as determined as a result of the Road Tour. Notice will be posted concerning dustcoating. Two “Dip” signs will be ordered for a problem area.

The following warrants were examined, verified and ordered paid:

6794       Stearns Electric                                 monthly electric bill                         $               65.08

6795       Star Publications                               newspaper ads                                                    52.30

6796       COL Fire & Rescue Dist.                 fire protections Qtr 2                                   1,093.01

6797       Lange Trenching                               blading1410/road repair1399                   2,809.00

6798       Stearns Cty Aud/Treas                   truth in taxation131/election176.14         307.14

6799       Sunny Brook Ent. Inc                      snowplowing                                                      770.00

Total                      $           5,096.53

Year-to-date Total           $       104,063.03

At 9:40 pm, Jason Willenbring made a motion to adjourn the meeting, Dave Robertson seconded. All in favor, motion carried.

Dustcoating Roads

Dustcoating will be done on Farming Township Roads this Spring. If any residents wish to have dustcoating done along their property, they are asked to contact one of the Township Supervisors by May 31, 2019.

Official Minutes 4.2.19

The April monthly meeting of the Farming Township Board was called to order by Dan Stommes at 8:00 pm in the FCC Board Room. All members were present. Also present were Dan Rea, Dave Walz, Roxanne Gerads, Dale Lange and Bob Backes. The flag pledge was said.

The March minutes were read. Jason Willenbring made a motion to accept the minutes as read, Dave Robertson seconded. All in favor, motion carried.

A financial report was given by Duane Janssen with $342,525.10 in checking.

RE: Election Procedure Changes – Dave Walz and Roxanne Gerads were present from Stearns County to explain the options regarding the elimination of the paper rosters for elections. Options are either mail ballots or E Poll books. Discussion was held. They asked that we have a decision before the end of summer.

RE: Farming Baseball Association – Dan Rea presented an application for an On-sale 3.2% Malt Liquor License for the Farming Athletic Field from April 13, 2019 through October 12, 2019. Discussion was held. Jason Willenbring made a motion to approve the application, Dave Robertson seconded. All in favor, motion carried.

RE: Backes Plat – Bob Backes presented his final plat to the Board. Discussion was held. Dave Robertson made a motion to approve the plat, Jason Willenbring seconded. All in favor, motion carried. Jason Willenbring made a motion to authorize Dewey Klaphake, Zoning Administrator, to sign the plat when Backes contacted him, Dave Robertson seconded. All in favor, motion carried.

RE: Trappers Pub and Grub – A request was made for Township Consent to authorize a County On/Off Sale Intoxicating Liquor License for Trappers Pub and Grub from July 1, 2019 through June 30, 2020. Discussion was held. Jason Willenbring made a motion to approve the application, Dave Robertson seconded. All in favor, motion carried.

RE: Hildebrande Trucking LLC – A request for permission to service farms and drive on Township roads during road restriction season was received from Hildebrande Trucking (dead animal service). Discussion was held. Dan Stommes made a motion to sign the permission form, Dave Robertson seconded. All in favor, motion carried.

RE: DOT Maps – Discussion was held. It was decided to order 12 maps of Farming Township.

RE: Stearns Bank Checking Account – Discussion was held. Jason Willenbring made a motion to remove Dave Robertson as a signer on the checking account and to have Chairperson Dan Stommes, Clerk Judy Bruemmer, Treasurer Duane Janssen and Deputy Clerk Bonnie Behnen as signers on the checking account, Dave Robertson seconded. All in favor, motion carried.

RE: Road Tour – Road Tour Issues were discussed. Water on Mapleview South will be checked into. Maintenance and road issues will be discussed at the May Board Meeting.

Farming Township

4.2.19 minutes – page 2

The following warrants were examined, verified and ordered paid:

6784       Lange Trenching            blading 1906.91/road repair 764                                 $           2,670.91

6785       Stearns Electric              monthly electric bill                                                                          65.08

6786       US Treas                          medicare/soc. security                                                                  454.02

6787       Sunny Brook Ent. Inc.   snowplowing/guarantee                                                            3,360.00

6788       M-R Sign Co. Inc.           road signs                                                                                           66.78

6789       Mary Lou Salzl                election judge                                                                                  100.00

6790       Diane Brinkman             election judge                                                                                    87.50

6791       Neil Franz                         annual meeting moderator                                                            50.00

6792       City of Albany                  fire protection                                                                              14,135.00

6793       MN DOT                            12 maps of Farming Township                                                       21.50

Total    $         21,010.79

Year-to-date Total         $         98,966.50

At 9:25 pm, Dan Stommes made a motion to adjourn the meeting, Dave Robertson seconded. All in favor, motion carried.

Dustcoating

Dustcoating will be done on Farming Township Roads this Spring. If you are interested in having dustcoating done along your property please contact one of the Township Supervisors before May 31, 2019.

Judy Bruemmer, Farming Township Clerk

Farming Township Road Tour Meeting

4.2.19

 The Road Tour Meeting was called to order by Dan Stommes at 11:35 am at the Farming Community Center. Road tour was made with taken with the Clerk and Supervisors making notes of road conditions.

The Clerk’s notes are available in her office. Maintenance and repair issues will be discussed at the May Township Board Meeting with the issuing of blading and gravel contracts.

Judy Bruemmer

Farming Township Clerk

 

Farming Township ReOrganization Meeting 3.21.19

Clerk Judy Bruemmer called the ReOrganization Meeting to order at 7:00 pm in the Township Board Room. The flag pledge was said. Present were Judy Bruemmer, Duane Janssen, Dan Stommes, Dave Robertson and Jason Willenbring.

Dave Robertson and Duane Janssen took their Oath of Office and received their Certificate of Election.

Judy Bruemmer asked for nominations for Board Chairperson. Dave Robertson nominated Dan Stommes, Jason Willenbring seconded. Dan Stommes accepted the nomination. Jason Willenbring made a motion to close nominations, Dave Robertson seconded. Motion carried. Dan Stommes was named Board Chairperson.

Judy Bruemmer asked for nominations for Board Vice-Chairperson. Dan Stommes nominated Jason Willenbring, Dave Robertson seconded. Jason Willenbring accepted the nomination. Dan Stommes made a motion to close nominations, Dave Robertson seconded. Motion carried. Jason Willenbring was named Board Vice-Chairperson.

RE: Zoning Board – Dave Robertson made a motion to keep the meeting per diem at $60 for Zoning Board members with only the Zoning Administrator attending the monthly meetings and the rest of the Board meeting as needed, Jason Willenbring seconded. All in favor, motion carried.

RE: Township Board Members – Discussion was held. Dan Stommes made a motion to keep the meeting per diem at $75 for all elected members, Dave Robertson seconded. All in favor, motion carried.

RE: Hourly Wage – Discussion was held. Dave Robertson made a motion to raise the hourly wage to $15.00 per hour, Jason Willenbring seconded. All in favor, motion carried.

RE: Supervisor’s Hourly Wage:

Jason Willenbring made a motion to pay Dave Robertson $15.00 per hour for work other than regular supervisor duties, Dan Stommes seconded. Motion carried.

Dave Robertson made a motion to pay Dan Stommes $15.00 per hour for work other than regular supervisor duties, Jason Willenbring seconded. Motion carried.

Dan Stommes made a motion to pay Jason Willenbring $15.00 per hour for work other than regular supervisor duties, Dave Robertson seconded. Motion carried.

RE: Mileage Rate – Dan Stommes made a motion to raise the mileage rate to 58 cents per mile, Jason Willenbring seconded. All in favor, motion carried.

RE: Treasurer’s Monthly Wage – Discussion was held. Dan Stommes made a motion to keep the Treasurer’s wage at $90 per month, Dave Robertson seconded. All in favor, motion carried.

RE: Clerk’s Monthly Wage – Discussion was held. Jason Willenbring made a motion to keep the Clerk’s monthly wage at $180 per month with a $15 reimbursement per month for computer time, which would be reviewed should computer rates increase, Dave Robertson seconded. All in favor, motion carried.

RE: Zoning Fees – Since the Zoning Administrator was not in attendance it was decided to table the matter until he was present at a meeting.

RE: Fee for Tractor and Equipment – Discussion was held. Jason Willenbring made a motion for the Supervisors to negotiate each case with the owner, Dan Stommes seconded. All in favor, motion carried.

REL Bank Depository – Dave Robertson made a motion to keep Stearns Bank as the depository for Farming Township, Jason Willenbring seconded All in favor, motion carried.

At 7:25 pm, Dave Robertson made a motion to adjourn the meeting, Jason Willenbring seconded. All in favor, motion carried.

Minutes taken by Judy Bruemmer, Farming Township Clerk

 

Board of Appeals and Equalization Meeting

4.2.19

The Board of Appeals and Equalization Meeting was called to order by Dan Stommes at 10:30 am in the FCC Board Room. All members were present. Also present were Mark Koehn, Michelle Hinnenkamp and Kathy Korte from the Stearns County Assessor’s Office – and Albert Meier.

RE: Albert Meier – Mr. Meier was present to dispute the market value of his property – citing house completion and lack of a decent driveway. After a long discussion with Mr. Meier, Dave Robertson made a motion that no change be made, Jason Willenbring seconded. All in favor, motion carried. He was advised that he could appeal the decision to the County.

RE: Alan and Cathleen Miller – The Millers had requested a reduction in the value of their property citing many issues with the home. The Assessor’s Office had gone to re-inspect the property and had agreed with the owners that a reduction should be recommended. After a discussion with the Assessors, Jason Willenbring made a motion to reduce by value to $510,400 as recommended, Dave Robertson seconded. All in favor, motion carried.

The Assessors stated that overall total values rose approximately 3% with residential raising by 8 to 10% in some instances.

At 11:30 am Dave Robertson made a motion to adjourn the meeting, Jason Willenbring seconded. All in favor, motion carried.

 

Official Minutes 3.5.19

The March monthly Meeting of the Farming Township Board was called to order by Dave Robertson at 8:00 pm in the FCC Board Room. All members were present. Also present were Dewey Klaphake and Leo Gerads. The flag pledge was said.

The February minutes were read. Dan Stommes made a motion to accept the minutes as read, Jason Willenbring seconded. All in favor, motion carried.

Duane Janssen gave a financial report with $342,887.07 in the checking account on March 1, 2019.

RE: St. Martin Fire Meeting – a short report was given on the meeting – no major news.

RE: Albany Fire Meeting – a short report was given – all is well, checking into new pumper truck, and gambling income is going very well.

RE: COL Fire Meeting – a short report was given – all is going well.

RE: Zoning – Dewey Klaphake gave a short report. He will check into rates for variance meetings, etc and report back to the Board.

RE: Complaints – Jost by Clear Lake Road, holes in 223rd Ave, water running across 218th Ave. Discussion was held. The issues will be checked out on Road Tour.

RE: Road Tour – Road Tour is planned for April 2, 2019 after the Board of Appeals and Equalization Meeting, weather permitting. The Clerk will post a notice.

RE: Election Changes from County – The Board will bring the issue up at the Annual Meeting and Dave Walz, from Stearns County, will come to the April 2, 2019 meeting to explain things further. The Clerk will publish and post the meeting.

RE: Gravel, Blading and Dustcoating – Supervisors will check into quotes and present them at the May meeting.

Board members were reminded of the Township Workshop on March 26, 2019, the Board of Appeals and Equalization Meeting on April 2, 2019 and the Weed Meeting on April 3, 2019.

RE: Township Election and Annual Meeting – The Clerk stated that all was in order.

Minutes 3.5.19 page 2

The following warrants were examined, verified and ordered paid:

6772       Daniel Stommes                               supervisor wages                                             $             357.86

6773       Jason Willenbring                             supervisor wages                                                             484.84

6774       Star Publications                               newspaper ads                                                                 123.26

6775       Stearns Electric                                 monthly electric bill                                                        65.08

6776       Judy Bruemmer                               postage,supplies,computer, mileage                             179.54

6777       City of St. Martin                              fire protection                                                                8,175.57

6778       Judy Bruemmer                                clerk wages                                                                       845.00

6779       Dewey Klaphake                              zoning adm. wages                                                            110.82

6780       Dave Robertson                                reimb. mileage                                                                  18.48

6781       Dave Robertson                                 supervisor wages                                                             346.31

6782       Duane Janssen                                  treasurer wages                                                               595.66

6783       SunnyBrook Ent. Inc.                      snowplowing, guarantee                                           12,295.00

Total         $                  23,597.42

Year-to-date Total              $                       77,955.71

At 9:05 pm Dan Stommes made a motion to adjourn the meeting, Jason Willenbring seconded. All in favor, motion carried.

Farming Township Meetings – April 2, 2019

Farming Township Meetings – April 2, 2019

Board of Appeal and Equalization – 10:30 am to 11:00 am

This concerns the value and classification that affects the 2020 property taxes.

Road Tour – immediately following the Board of Appeal and Equalization meeting – approximately 11:05 am – Weather Permitting. If you have any concerns, please contact one of the Supervisors or attend a Board Meeting.

Township Board Meeting – 8:00 pm

A representative from Stearns County will be present to explain the changes in election procedure and the options open to the Board – along with the normal meeting business.

Unapproved Annual Meeting Minutes 3.12.19

The Annual Meeting in the Town of Farming, County of Stearns, State of Minnesota was held in the Farming Community Center on the 12th day of March 2019. It was called to order by Clerk Judy Bruemmer at 8:30 pm. The flag pledge was said.

Judy Bruemmer asked for nominations from the floor for moderator. Walter Buerman made a motion to nominate Neil Franz, Duane Klaphake seconded. Neil Franz accepted the nomination. All in favor, motion carried. Duane Janssen made a motion to close nominations, Dave Robertson seconded. All in favor, motion carried. Neil Franz was declared the moderator.

The minutes of the 2018 Annual Meeting were read by Clerk Judy Bruemmer. Duane Klaphake made a motion to accept the minutes as read, Victor Kotten seconded. All in favor, motion carried.

The Treasurer’s Report was reviewed. Discussion was held. Walter Buerman made a motion to accept the report as printed, John Blenker seconded. All in favor, motion carried.

Duane Klaphake made a motion to continue with Trappers Pub and Grub, Immanuel Lutheran Church, the Farming Community Center and the Township Website as posting places, John Linn seconded. All in favor, motion carried.

Tony Legatt made a motion to have the Albany Enterprise as the official newspaper for publishing legal notices, Tom Winkels seconded. All in favor, motion carried.

Duane Klaphake made a motion to have the polling times from 2 pm to 8 pm in the Farming Community Center for the Township Election, Dale Lange seconded. All in favor, motion carried.

Victor Kotten made a motion that the next Annual Meeting be held in the Farming Community Center at 8:30 pm on Tuesday, March 10, 2020, John Blenker seconded. All in favor, motion carried.

Dale Lange made a motion that the monthly Board Meetings be held on the first Tuesday of the month at 8 pm, John Linn seconded. All in favor, motion carried.

Duane Klaphake made a motion to hire a ditch cutter to cut ditches twice a year, Tom Winkels seconded. All in favor, motion carried.

The Board of Canvass was held immediately following the election. The results were: For Supervisor – Dave Robertson 25 votes, Neil Franz 1 vote, John Blenker 1 vote. Dave Robertson was declared the winner. For Treasurer – Duane Janssen 28 votes. Duane Janssen was declared the winner.

John Linn made a motion to destroy the 2017 ballots, Walter Buerman seconded. All in favor, motion carried.

The proposed General Fund Levy of $88,000 was presented. Discussion was held. Dale Lange made a motion to set the General fund Levy at $88,000, Duane Klaphake seconded. All in favor, motion carried.

The proposed Road and Bridge Levy of $122,500 was presented. Discussion was held. Duane Klaphake made a motion to set the Road and Bridge Levy at $122,500, Dale Lange seconded. All in favor, motion carried.

The Tarring Fund Levy came up for discussion. After a lengthy question and answer session concerning tarring plans, costs, maintenance, etc. Victor Kotten made a motion to set the Tarring Fund Levy at $200,000, Don Brinkman seconded. A voice vote was not able to tell the number for or against. A hand vote was taken. Ten residents were in favor of the Levy, eight were against. The motion passed. The Tarring Fund Levy was set at $200,000.

New Business – the Township was informed that there will be a change in the Election Procedures with the County. We will no longer have paper rosters and will have to decide on either an E Poll Book system or a Mail Ballot system. Discussion concerning the options was held. The residents were informed that a representative from the County will be at the April Board Meeting to better inform the Board and the public on the options. As always the meetings are open to the public. The Clerk will post and publish notice of the meeting.

Twenty residents were present at the meeting.

At 9:37 pm, Tony Legatt made a motion to adjourn the meeting, Walter Buerman seconded. All in favor, motion carried.

Minutes taken by Judy Bruemmer, Farming Township Clerk

Cookies from the Stearns Bank were served following the meeting.