The March Monthly Meeting of the Farming Township Board was called to order by Dan Stommes at 8:00 pm. The flag pledge was said. All members were present. Also present was Adam Brix, Dan Rea and Cole Thoma Stearns County Deputy.
The February minutes were read. Jason Willenbring made a motion to accept the minutes as read, Ben Mergen seconded. All in favor, motion carried.
Treasurer Duane Janssen gave a financial report with $562,273.97in the checking account.
RE: Cole Thoma from Stearns County Sheriffs Department gave a report for the month of January 2023, there were 13 calls in the township.
Dan Rea was present to request a 3.2 liquor license for the Farming Athletic Association for 2023, discussion was held. Jason Willenbring made a motion to approve the liquor license for 2023. Ben Mergen seconded, all in favor, motion carried.
Linda Theisen gave each board member a packet of information to review before the annual meeting, It was noted that John(Jack) Wimmer should be removed from the Zoning Board, and that a replacement will need to be found. Discussion was held regarding the budget. Jason Willenbring made a motion to change the budget to $324,000 which includes $100,000 to going into the tarring fund, instead of having the tarring fund a separate item in the budget. Ben Mergen seconded, all in favor, motion carried.
Jason Willenbring gave a report from the St. Martin Fire Department, they approved their budget, they got a FEMA grant and will be getting a new compressor.
Dan Stommes, gave a report from the Albany Fire Department, nothing new
The following claims were examined, verified and ordered paid
7184 Sunnybrook Enterprise Plow/Sand/Salt $5,990.00
7185 City of Albany Fire Proctection $16,517.00
7186 Jason Willenbring Supervisor Wages $484.84
7187 Ben Mergen Supervisor Wages $207.79
7188 Dan Stommes Supervisor Wages $346.31
7189 Arvig Monthly internet $78.95
7190 Linda Theisen computer time/supplies $104.93
7191 Stearns Electric Monthly electric $65.08
7192 Dewey Klaphake Planning & Zoning wages $69.26
7193 Linda Theisen Clerk Wages $761.89
7194 Duane Janssen Treasurer Wages $484.84
TOTAL $35,353.54
Year to date total $60,464.43
At 9:25pm Ben Mergen made a motion to adjourn, Jason Willenbring, seconded it, all in favor, motion carried

The February Monthly Meeting of the Farming Township Board was called to order by Dan Stommes at 8:00 pm. The flag pledge was said. All members were present. Also present was Adam Brix
The January minutes were read. Jason Willenbring made a motion to accept the minutes as read, Ben Mergen seconded. All in favor, motion carried.
Treasurer Duane Janssen gave a financial report with $537,378.06 in the checking account.
RE: Linda Theisen gave a follow up for the cost of a new computer, it would cost about $1100.00 it was decided that we would wait with getting a new computer at this time.
Duane Janssen will follow up with Stearns Bank regarding interest rates on CD’s current rate is 3.79%, currently if a CD is cashed in before the maturity date we would lose 6 months of interest.
Adam Brix will also check with Bank of the West what their interest rates would be.
A request from Hillebrandt Trucking was presented for permission to drive on gravel roads during road restrictions for hauling and pick up of rendering. Discussion was held. Jason Willenbring made a motion to approve the request, Ben Mergen seconded it, All In favor, Motion carried
The following claims were examined, verified and ordered paid
7175 Arvig Monthly Bill $ 78.95
7176 Total Agri-Business Preparing w2’s and 1099’s $ 144.00
7177 City of St. Martin Fire Protections $ 7680.01
7178 Sunny Brook Ent Plow/Sand/Salt $10,265.00
7179 Chain of Lakes Fire 1st Quarter Fire Protection $ 2051.45
7180 Star Publications Legal Notice $42.00
7181 Stearns Electric Monthly Bill $ 65.08
7182 Stearns County Assn Townships Dues $ 1028.70
7183 Farming Community Center Yearly rent $3500.00
TOTAL $24,855.19
Year to date total $35,353.54

At 9:15 Jason Willenbring made a motion to recess the monthly meeting to hold the board of Audit and Budget meetings, Ben Mergen seconded it . All in favor motion carried
Unofficial Minutes of the Board of Audit Meeting 2.7.2023
Dan Stommes call the Board of Audit Meeting to order at 9:15pm
The Clerk and Treasurer met on Tuesday January 31,2023 to reconcile their records. The supervisors reviewed the report. Discussion was held. Jason Willenbring made a motion to accept the report as presented. Ben Mergen seconded it. All in favor motion carried.

Official Minutes of the Budget Meeting 2.7.23
Dan Stommes called the Budget meeting to order at 9:20 pm
The Board reviewed the budget information and expenses from the previous year and set the budget to propose at the annual meeting at $224,000. With $100,000 from the budget being put into the tarring fund. Ben Mergen made a motion to accept the proposed amounts. Jason Willenbring seconded it, All in favor, motion carried.

The February monthly meeting was called back to order by Dan Stommes at 9:25pm
Township Election- Discussion was held. Jason Willenbring made a motion to appoint Linda Theisen as head judge with Vic Kotten and Anne Smith-Bleichner as judges and to appoint Linda Theisen and Vic Kotten to the Absentee Ballot Board. Ben Mergen seconded it. All in favor, motion carried
Jason Willenbring made a motion to use Tuesday March 28th as the 3rd alternate date for Township election, Ben Mergen seconded it, All in favor, motion carried.
Duane Janssen stated that there was an article in The Township Report stating that township should define what duties are expected of the Deputy Clerk and Treasurer and what their pay should be. This is something to be looked into, in the future
At 9:35 Ben Mergen made a motion to adjourn the meeting, Jason Willenbring seconded it, all in favor, motion carried

The January Monthly Meeting of the Farming Township Board was called to order by Dan Stommes at 8:00 pm. The flag pledge was said. All members were present.
The December minutes were read. Jason Willenbring made a motion to accept the minutes as read, Ben Mergen seconded. All in favor, motion carried.
Treasurer Duane Janssen gave a financial report with $691,987.88 in the checking account. This includes ARPA money.
Discussion was held regarding the current rate of interest the township is receiving on the CD’s. Duane Janssen will check with the bank if they have a Money Market that would pay more interest.
Jason Willenbring gave a report from the Chain of Lakes Fire Department. They will be getting a new grass rig. They increased their budget by $10,000. Farming Township will pay a percentage based on the number of calls that were to Farming Township.
Discussion was held regarding getting a new computer. Linda Theisen will check into that and report at the next meeting

The following claims were examined, verified and ordered paid
7170 Stearns Electric Monthly Bill 65.08
7171 Postmaster Roll Stamps 60.00
7172 Arvig Monthly Bill 78.95
7173 Sunny Brook Ent Snow plow and Sand 9850.00
7174 United States Treasury 4th Quarter Payroll tax 444.32

Total $ 10498.35
Year-to-date Total $ 10498.35
At 8:50 Ben Mergen made a motion to adjourn the meeting, Jason Willenbring seconded. All in favor, motion carried.

The December Monthly Meeting of the Farming Township Board was called to order by Dan Stommes at 8:00 pm. The flag pledge was said. All members were present. Also present were Cole Thoma of The Stearns County Sheriffs Department, Marlene Statz, Dale Job from Magnifi Financial and Gail Holdvogt from Magnifi Financial
The November minutes were read. Jason Willenbring made a motion to accept the minutes as read, Ben Mergen seconded. All in favor, motion carried.
Treasurer Duane Janssen gave a financial report with $550,564.86 in the checking account.
Cole Thoma gave a report stating that from October till December 5,2022 there were 34 calls in Farming Township
Dale Job and Gail Holdvogt presented to the board the products that Magnifi is offering, including interest rates.
Marlene Statz was requesting a one day gambling license for the Farming Lions raffle that they will be having in conjunction with their annual fish fry on March 24, 2023. Jason Willenbring made a motion to approve the permit, Ben Mergen seconded it, all in favor, motion carried.
Dewey Klaphake is still looking into any ordinance ‘s regarding solar farms, but has not had much time to do so.
Derek Kulzer variance is part of a 5 year plan
Jason Willenbring made a motion to approve Resolution number 12-5-22, which states the Farming Community Center is the polling place for township elections and that the Stearns County Service Center is the polling place for all other elections. Ben Mergen seconded, all in favor, motion carried.
Jason Willenbring gave a report from the Chain of Lakes Fire meeting, they are looking at buying a new grass rig
Discussion was held regarding the interest rates that Magnifi is currently offering, Duane Janssen will check with Stearns Bank and see if they can match them and will follow up at the next meeting
The following claims were examined, verified and ordered paid
7154 Ben Mergen Supervisor wages $ 207.79
7155 Linda Theisen computer fee/mileage $ 145.20
7156 Linda Theisen Clerk Wages $ 864.40
7157 Jason Willenbring Supervisor Wages $ 484.84
7158 Dan Stommes Supervisor Wages $362.94
7159 Dan Stommes Mileage reimbursement $ 27.49
7160 Stearns Electric Monthly Bill $65.08
7161 Dewey Klaphake Zoning Admin wages $ 207.79
7162 Dewey Klaphake Milage reimb/permits $230.83
7163 Stearns County Auditor mail ballot precinct costs $ 5852.00
7164 Arvig monthly bill(to correct billing error) $ 54.96
7165 MATIT work comp insurance $363.00
7166 Midwest Asphalt Air Patch 223rd ave $ 2950.00
7167 Lange Trenching Blading $2516.28
7168 Duane Janssen Treasurer wages $554.10
7169 Farming Township Transfer to CD tarring fund $50,000.00

TOTAL $64,886.70
Year to date Total $339,033.97

At 9:39 pm Ben Mergen made a motion to adjourn the meeting, Jason Willenbring seconded. All in favor, motion carried.

The November Monthly Meeting of the Farming Township Board was called to order by Dan Stommes at 8:00 pm. The flag pledge was said. All members were present. Also present was Dewey Klaphake and Derek Kulzer.
The October minutes were read. Jason Willenbring made a motion to accept the minutes with correcting check number 7146 to 7147 United States Treasury and check 7147 to 7148 M&R Signs, Ben Mergen seconded. All in favor, motion carried.
Treasurer Duane Janssen gave a financial report with $598933.60 in the checking account.
Regarding the bill to Asphalt Seal Coating, Dan will get a breakdown of the bill before sending them a check.
RE: Derek Kulzer would like a construction permit for building on Hazelwood Road, Jason Willenbring made a motion to approve this permit, Ben Mergen seconded, All in favor, motion carried
RE: Snow Removal for the 2022-2023 Season. Jason Willenbring made a motion to accept the bid from Sunnybrook Enterprises for snow removal of Truck of $170/hour and Salt Sand of $100/yard, (price of salt may go up with out notice due to possible shortage) Ben Mergen seconded, All in favor, motion carried
RE; Dan Stommes gave a report of 5th Monday meeting, nothing new
Discussion was held regarding the current rate on CD’s in the bank, Duane will get a list of the CD’s and when they are due and possibly combining some of them, as interest rates are rising slightly.
Discussion was held regarding getting a grant for work on 260th and 223rd, is on hold for now.
The road that Kerry Mergen had done some work on, is still rough and with time will hopefully smooth out.
Linda Theisen had done up a agreement that could be used, when the township does any work along township roads that could affect the land owner, all board members reviewed and it looked good, each board member took some along with them.
Discussion was held regarding Solar Farms, The township will review in the future. Dewey Klaphake will get more information regarding Solar Farms.
The following claims were examined, verified and ordered paid
7149 MN Association township/Linda Year end training $ 40.00
7150 Midwest Asphalt crack sealing $ 56,720.00
7151 Arvig monthly bill $ 86.95
7152 Chain of Lakes Fire 4th Quarter fire protection $ 1813.60
7153 Stearns Electric monthly bill $ 65.08
____
Total $ 58,725.63
Year-to-date Total $ 274,147.27
At 9:04 pm Ben Mergen made a motion to adjourn the meeting, Jason Willenbring seconded. All in favor, motion carried.

The October Monthly Meeting of the Farming Township Board was called to order by Dan Stommes at 8:00 pm. The flag pledge was said. All members were present. Also present was Dale Lange.
The September minutes were read. Jason Willenbring made a motion to accept the minutes as read, Ben Mergen seconded. All in favor, motion carried.
Treasurer Duane Janssen gave a financial report with $604,936.44 in the checking account.
RE: Kerry Mergen project of putting tile under the road is done. Dan will follow up with Kerry about seeding the road ditches and leveling the road.
RE: 223rd Ave will be looked at again in spring
RE: Ben contacted the land owner regarding the trees on Mahogany road, she said it was O.K. to trim, but Ben will meet with the grandson before doing so. After discussing the tree trimming it was suggested that Linda look into doing up an easement agreement to have land owners sign before the township would do any tree trimming, weed spraying or any work on the property.
RE: Dan gave a report from the Albany Fire Department meeting. The fire department was asked to take the new fire truck to Duluth to a convention, the department declined to do this
RE; Snow plowing estimates, Dan will contact Sunny Brook Enterprise to see if they are interested and if so get us a quote.
The following claims were examined, verified and ordered paid
7144 Stearns Electirc monthly bill $ 65.08
7145 Lange Trenching blading and fix washout $ 5344.83
7146 Arvig monthly bill $ 86.95
7147 United States Treasury 3rd quarter payroll taxes $ 425.72
7148 M&R Signs 911 signs Brix/Kulzer $ 80.31

Total $ 6002.89
Year-to-date Total $ 215,421.64
At 8:57 pm Ben Mergen made a motion to adjourn the meeting, Jason Willenbring seconded. All in favor, motion carried.

The September Monthly Meeting of the Farming Township Board was called to order by Dan Stommes at 8:00 pm. The flag pledge was said. All members were present. Also present were Kerry Mergen and Math Schmitz. The meeting was held using social distancing and Covid 19 recommendations.
The August minutes were read. Jason Willenbring made a motion to accept the minutes as read, Ben Mergen seconded. All in favor, motion carried.
Treasurer Duane Janssen gave a financial report with $617,247.78 in the checking account.
RE: Linda had a request from Community Center board, if it would be a option to move to a different room if the Community Center could rent the current room out for a different purpose. Discussion was held, it would not be a problem to move if the Center so would request it.
RE: Kerry Mergen will begin his project on 288th, that he had requested last fall. He was asked to let Dan Stommes know when he would be starting because of the bus route.
RE: Ben Mergen did a ride along with Paynesville Cenex about spraying the road ditches this fall yet, discussion was held and it will be revisited in spring.
RE: Trees on Mahogany Road are starting to present a problem. The board will try to get a hold of the land owner to discuss getting them trimmed back.
Other trees along township roads will be trimmed this fall and winter as time permits
Some research was done regarding the boil on 223rd ave , it was determined that is was dug up and some sand was in there about 15 years ago, it is an on going issue
The following claims were examined, verified and ordered paid
7133 Dan Stommes Mileage $ 67.19
7134 Dan Stommes Supervisor wages $ 346.31
7135 Linda Theisen Clerk wages $ 943.36
7136 Jason Willenbring Supervisor wages $ 415.57
7137 Linda Theisen Mileage, ink cartridge $ 162.72
7138 Stearns Electric Monthly bill $ 65.08
7139 Arvig Monthly bill $ 86.95
7140 Math Schmitz Cutting road ditches $ 3633.25
7141 City of St Martin Fire protection $ 6387.08
7142 Ben Mergen Supervisor wage $ 310.30
7143 Duane Janssen Treasurer wages $ 554.10

Total $ 12,971.91
Year-to-date Total $ 209,418.75
At 8:50 pm Ben Mergen made a motion to adjourn the meeting, Jason Willenbring seconded. All in favor, motion carried.

_____________________________________ ____________________________________
Chairman Date Clerk Date