Farming Township – Official Minutes 12.6.11
The December monthly meeting was called to order by Vernon Willenbring at 8:00 p.m. The flag pledge was said. All members were present. Also present were John Mergen and Duane Janssen.

The November 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 Patti Legatt.

RE: Clear Lake Road – John Mergen reported that a culvert was blocked along his property on Clear Lake Road. Discussion was held. It will be checked into. If it cannot be fixed this winter, it will be taken care of in the spring.

RE: Chain of Lakes Fire District – Vernon Willenbring reported that the Open House was well attended. Fifteen firefighters are fully trained and 8 more firefighters are working on completing their training. The Fire District will be operational by the end of the month.

RE: Building Permit – Duane Janssen was present for a building permit. He stated that he has been unable to contact the zoning administrator. The zoning administrator was not present. Vernon Willenbring will contact him.

RE: Treasurer Resignation – Patti Legatt presented a letter of resignation for her office as treasurer of Farming Township. She no longer resides in Farming Township. Neil Franz made a motion to accept the resignation, Dan Stommes seconded. All in favor, motion carried. Discussion was held. In the interest of continuity and ease of transition, Dan Stommes made a motion to re-appoint Patti Legatt to the office of Treasurer until the March elections, Vernon Willenbring seconded. All in favor, motion carried. Patti Legatt accepted the temporary re-appointment.

The following warrants were examined, verified and ordered paid:
5905 Stearns Electric monthly electric bill $ 64.93
5906 Farming Baseball Team last ½ payment of levy 2500.00
5907 Vernon Willenbring supervisor wages 636.86
5908 Judy Bruemmer clerk wages 764.23
5909 Judy Bruemmer re-imb. mileage/computer use 42.50
5910 Patti Legatt treasurer wages 382.12
5911 Daniel Stommes supervisor wages 339.66
5912 Neil Franz supervisor wages 339.66
5913 Karolyn Boucher website design/training 618.34
5914 Sunny Brook Ent. Inc. blading/plowing 1634.00
Total $ 7,322.30
Year-to-date Total $ 187,565.56

At 9:18 p.m. Neil Franz made a motion to adjourn the meeting, Dan Stommes seconded. All in favor, motion carried.
Minutes taken by Judy Bruemmer.

Farming Township – Official Minutes 11.1.11
The November monthly meeting was called to order by Vernon Willenbring at 8:00 pm. The flag pledge was said. All members were present.

The October minutes were read. There was one correction: that O’Malley and Boe presented a ‘preliminary’ plat for ‘St. Catherine’s Addition’. Neil Franz made a motion to accept the minutes with the correction, Dan Stommes seconded. All in favor, motion carried.

A financial report was given by Patti Legatt. Discussion was held.

RE: Chain of Lakes Fire and Rescue District – Vernon Willenbring gave a report on the Fire District.

RE: Statz Cartway – It was reported that the road repairs were being taken care of.

RE: Township Website – Judy Bruemmer has received training from Karolyn Boucher and will begin putting the meeting minutes on the website.

The following warrants were examined, verified and ordered paid:
5903 Stearns Electric monthly electric bill $ 64.93
5904 Sunny Brook Ent. blading 1143.00

Total $ 1,207.93
Year-to-date Total $ 180,243.26

At 9:05 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 – Official Minutes 10.4.11
The October monthly meeting was called to order by Vernon Willenbring at 8:00 p.m. The flag pledge was said. All members were present. Also present were Duane Massmann, Leander Winkels, Craig Bardson, and Ben O’Malley from O’Malley & Boe Land Surveyors.

The September minutes were read. Neil Franz made a motion to accept the minutes as read, Dan Stommes seconded. All in favor, motion carried.

Patti Legatt gave a financial report.

RE: Church Property Plat – Ben O’Malley from O’Malley & Boe presented a preliminary plat of St. Catherine Addition. Discussion was held. Neil Franz made a motion to approve the preliminary plat presented by O’Malley & Boe Land Surveyors, dated October 3, 2011, Dan Stommes seconded. All in favor, motion carried.

RE: Snow Removal Quotes – One quote for snow removal was received – Sunny Brook Enterprises Inc. The quote was for snow removal and sanding: Truck use: $95/hour, Grader use: $85/hour, Salt/sand: $85/yard, $5/hour surcharge if diesel price goes above $5/gallon, plus in addition to the normal charges, a guarantee of $500/month for the months of December, January, February, and March. Discussion was held. Neil Franz made a motion to accept the quote for snow removal for the 2011-2012 season from Sunny Brook Enterprises, Dan Stommes seconded. All in favor, motion carried.

RE: Mapleview Road South – Craig Bardson reported that the project was finished. Discussion was held. The final cost was $2127.00 under estimate.

RE: Statz Cartway – Vernon Willenbring stated that the upgrades on the Statz Cartway were being taken care of.

RE: Chain of Lakes Fire District – Vernon Willenbring reported that 18 people had finished the training testing. Others were still training. Vehicles, clothing and uniforms were being purchased.

The following warrants were examined, verified and ordered paid:
5898 Stearns County Aud/Treas truth-in-taxation charge $ 94.00
5899 Stearns Electric monthly electric bill 64.93
5900 US Treasury medicare/social security 345.80
5901 Sunny Brook Ent. Inc. blading 639.00
5902 Craig Bardson Mapleview South proj/final pmt 14803.00

Total $ 15,946.73
Year-to-date Total $ 179,035.33

At 9:05 p.m. Dan Stommes made a motion to adjourn the meeting, Neil Franz seconded. All in favor, motion carried.

Farming Township – Official Minutes 9.6.11
The September monthly board meeting was called to order by Vernon Willenbring at 8:05 pm. The flag pledge was said. All members were present. Also present: Bill Otto, Math Schmitz, Craig Bardson and Mike Schleper.

The August minutes were read. One correction was made: “regarding Mapleview South – that the ‘washout’ by the culvert on the Gorecki property will be taken care of”. A motion was made by Neil Franz to accept the minutes with the correction, Dan Stommes seconded. All in favor, motion carried.

Patti Legatt gave a financial report.

RE: Statz Cartway – Landowners at the end of the cartway (Collegeville residents) want the cartway built up in order to get to their property for deer hunting. The cartway is the only way to the property and Collegeville Township did not want to pay for work needed on the cartway. Vernon Willenbring will check into this and contact Collegeville Township.

RE: Ditch Cutting – Math Schmitz reported that the second round of ditch cutting was finished. He stated that the cost of the second round was higher because bad blading made his work more difficult. This will be checked into.

RE: Mapleview South Project – Craig Bardson stated that the work on Mapleview is progressing. Discussion was held.

RE: Farming Baseball Levy – Mike Schleper was present to request payment of the baseball levy that was passed in 2010. It was decided to pay one-half now and the remainder when we receive our second government payment in December.

RE: Legatt Mining – It was noted that Legatt Mining has not paid the road maintenance fee for 2010. It was also noted that Stearns County will be having a special hearing regarding the mining operations on Farming Township on Thursday, September 15, 2011 at 7:00 pm.

RE: COL Fire and Rescue District – Vernon Willenbring reported that 23 applications have been received. Training sessions were scheduled. Purchases of vehicles and equipment are being looked into. They are also applying for grants to help pay for some of these purchases.

RE: Zoning – Bill Otto gave a short report on zoning issues.

RE: Snow Removal Quotes – Snow removal quotes will be opened at the October monthly meeting.
The following warrants were examined, verified and ordered paid:

5880 Craig Bardson, Exc. partial pmt-Mapleview South $ 17100.00
5881 Stearns Cty Recorder record new zoning ordinance 46.00
5882 City of St. Martin ½ 2011 estimated fire protection 5181.29
5883 City of Richmond 3rd quarter fire protection 2011 1685.00
5884 Stearns Electric monthly electric bill 64.93
5885 Pat Schmitz road ditch cutting 1603.00
5886 Sunny Brook Ent. blading – July thru 9/5/11 3798.00
5887 Kotzer Exc. Inc. class 5/asphalt-road repair 778.50
5888 Vernon Willenbring supervisor wages 778.39
5889 Bill Otto zoning adm. wages 33.02
5890 Bill Otto re-imb –site permits/postage 32.00
5891 Neil Franz supervisor wages 226.44
5892 Daniel Stommes supervisor wages 438.73
5893 Daniel Stommes reimbursement – mileage 40.00
5894 Judy Bruemmer reimb. – mileage/postage/computer 98.44
5895 Judy Bruemmer clerk wages 594.40
5896 Patti Legatt treasurer wages 382.12
5897 Farming Baseball Team ½ payment of baseball levy 2500.00

Total $ 35,380.26
Year-to-date Total $ 163,088.60

At 9:35 pm, Neil Franz made a motion to adjourn the meeting, Dan Stommes seconded. All in favor, motion carried.

Official Minutes 8.2.11
The August monthly meeting was called to order by Vernon Willenbring at 8:00 pm. The flag pledge was said. All members were present.

The July monthly meeting minutes were read. One correction was made: change blading billing from ‘hours’ to ‘miles’. Neil Franz made a motion to accept the minutes with the correction, Dan Stommes seconded. All in favor, motion carried.

Patti Legatt gave a financial report.

RE: Dustcoating – Two township landowners requested dustcoating. The township will pay one-half of the cost. The landowners will be sent a bill for their half.

RE: Mapleview South – The project is moving forward. The washout by the culvert on the Gorecki property will be taken care of.

RE: Storm Damage – Most storm damage has been taken care of. A complaint received from Sara Bushman will be checked into.

RE: OLA Survey – A survey from the Office of the Legislative Auditor regarding Consolidation of Local Governments was filled out by the Board of Supervisors.

RE: Township Website – The website is nearing completion and should be ready to go after a training session this fall.

RE: Noise Complaint – Neil Franz reported that there is still no progress in defining who should be handling the complaint.

RE: Dog Complaint – Neil Franz had received a complaint about a dog issue between Stueve and Kuepers. He talked to both parties and gave them a copy of the dog ordinance.

RE: COL Fire and Rescue District – As of this date 16 applications have been accepted. More applicants are to be interviewed. Training will begin soon.

The following warrants were examined, verified and ordered paid:
5874 Star Publications newspaper ads $ 53.63
5875 M-R Sign Co. Inc. 911 sign 22.24
5876 Stearns Electric monthly electric bill 64.93
5877 MN Eng. & Constr. Services Mapleview Rd project 375.00
5878 Dustcoating Inc. dustcoating 7200.00
5879 Kotzer Exc. Inc. road repairs 810.00

Total $ 8,525.80
Year-to-date Total $ 127,708.34

Neil Franz made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 9:07 pm, Dan Stommes seconded. All in favor, motion carried.

Farming Township, Stearns County, Minnesota
Official Minutes 7.5.11
The July 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 Mike Nelson from MN Engineering & Construction Services, Craig Bardson, Math Schmitz, Duane Janssen, and William Scepaniak.

The June minutes were read. One correction was made: to call the new zoning ordinance the Farming Township Land Use and Zoning Ordinance #3 instead of “the new county zoning ordinance”. Neil Franz made a motion to accept the minutes with the correction, Dan Stommes seconded. All in favor, motion carried.

Patti Legatt gave a financial report.

RE: 300th Street – Mike Nelson stated that the heavy rains had washed part of the road along the culvert by Lloyd Juell. Discussion was held. It will be checked into.

RE: Zoning – Discussion was held concerning the Farming Township Land Use and Zoning Ordinance #3. Neil Franz made a motion to pass the Resolution for Publication of Farming Township Land Use and Zoning Ordinance #3 and to establish the effective date of July 13, 2011, which will be the date of publication, Dan Stommes seconded. All in favor, motion carried.

RE: Dustcoating – Neil Franz reported that the dustcoating was finished.

RE: Ditches – Math Schmitz reported that ditch cutting was done. Discussion was held. It was decided that the second ditch cutting should be done just before school starts.

RE: Mapleview South – Three quotes were received for the Mapleview South project. They were: Kotzer Excavating $40,279.10, Lange Trenching $47,694.63, and Craig Bardson Excavating $34,030.70. Discussion was held. Dan Stommes made a motion to accept the quote from Craig Bardson Excavating, Neil Franz seconded. All in favor, motion carried.

RE: COL Fire and Rescue District – Vernon Willenbring gave a short report on the fire district. He stated that a fire truck and generator had been purchased and, with the lockers installed, the building was nearing completion.

RE: Website – Neil Franz reported that the Farming Township Website is coming together. Discussion was held. Within the next month or two we should be online and training will be held.

RE: Noxious Weeds – Supervisors reported on their surveys of the township for noxious weeds. A few problem areas were found. The landowners either have been or will be notified concerning the problem areas.

The following warrants were examined, verified and ordered paid:
5867 Sunny Brook Ent. Inc. blading 37.25 miles $ 1341.00
5868 Wm. D. Scepaniak, Inc. class 5/shoulder roads/Rap 36614.70
5869 Stearns Cty. Aud-Treas assessing fees 5751.50
5870 US Treasury medicare/social security 574.56
5871 Appolis, Inc. website set-up & support 1200.00
5872 Stearns Electric monthly electric bill 64.93
5873 Pat Schmitz cutting road ditches 1316.00

Total $ 46,862.69
Year-to-date Total $ 119,182.54

At 9:18 pm, Neil Franz made a motion to adjourn the meeting, Dan Stommes seconded. All in favor, motion carried.

Download minutes here.

Download minutes here.

Download minutes here.

Download minutes here.