Farming Township ReOrganization Meeting 3.21.13
Clerk Judy Bruemmer called the Reorganization Meeting to order at 8:00 pm. Present were Judy Bruemmer, Vernon Willenbring, Neil Franz, Daniel Stommes and Duane Janssen.

Neil Franz and Duane Janssen received their Certificates of Election and took their Oath of Office.

Judy Bruemmer asked for nominations for board chairperson. Vernon Willenbring nominated Dan Stommes, Neil Franz seconded. Dan Stommes accepted the nomination. Neil Franz made a motion to close nominations, Vernon Willenbring seconded. Motion carried. Dan Stommes was named board chairperson.

Judy Bruemmer asked for nominations for board vice-chairperson. Dan Stommes nominated Neil Franz, Vernon Willenbring seconded. Neil Franz accepted the nomination. Dan Stommes made a motion to close nominations, Vernon Willenbring seconded. Motion carried. Neil Franz was named board vice-chairperson.

RE: Zoning Board – Vernon Willenbring made a motion that the per diem for the zoning board be $35, with only the administrator attending monthly meetings and the rest of the board meeting as needed, Neil Franz seconded. All in favor, motion carried.

RE: Board Member Per Diem – Neil Franz made a motion that the meeting per diem for all elected board positions remain at $60, Vernon Willenbring seconded. All in favor, motion carried.

RE: Hourly Wage – Vernon Willenbring made a motion to leave the hourly pay at $10, Neil Franz seconded. All in favor, motion carried.

RE: Supervisor’s Hourly Wage –
Vernon Willenbring made a motion to pay Neil Franz $10 an hour for work other than regular supervisor duties, Dan Stommes seconded. Motion carried.
Neil Franz made a motion to pay Dan Stommes $10 an hour for work other than regular supervisor duties, Vernon Willenbring seconded. Motion carried.
Dan Stommes made a motion to pay Vernon Willenbring $10 an hour for work other than regular supervisor duties, Neil Franz seconded. Motion carried.

RE: Mileage Rate – Neil Franz made a motion to leave the mileage rate at 50 cents per mile, Vernon Willenbring seconded. All in favor, motion carried.

RE: Treasurer’s Monthly Wage – Discussion was held. Vernon Willenbring made a motion to leave the treasurer’s monthly wage at $75, Neil Franz seconded. All in favor, motion carried.

RE: Clerk’s Monthly Wage – Discussion was held. Neil Franz made a motion to leave the clerk’s monthly wage at $150 with a $10 monthly reimbursement for computer time, which would be reviewed should computer rates increase, Vernon Willenbring seconded. All in favor, motion carried.

RE: Zoning Permit Inspection Fee – Discussion was held. Vernon Willenbring made a motion to set the fee amount when the new zoning administrator is appointed, Neil Franz seconded. All in favor, motion carried.

RE: Fee for Tractor and Equipment – Vernon Willenbring made a motion for the Supervisors to negotiate each case with the owner, Neil Franz seconded. All in favor, motion carried.

A ‘Thank You’ will be sent to Stearns Bank for the cookies provided at the annual meeting.

Neil Franz made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:38 pm, Vernon Willenbring seconded. All in favor, motion carried.

Official Minutes 3.5.13
The March 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 Math Schmitz, Bill Otto, Brian Brix, and Dewey Klaphake.

The minutes from the February monthly meeting, the Board of Audit and the Budget Meeting were read. Neil Franz made a motion to accept the minutes as read,Dan Stommes seconded. All in favor, motion carried.

Duane Janssen gave financial report.

RE: Snowplowing – Math Schmitz was present with a complaint about a road not being plowed. Sunny Brook Enterprises will be contacted.

RE: Crackfilling – Three quotes were received for crackfilling: Brix Excavating for 1.20# labor and materials, Wm Scepaniak for 1.33# for rubberized material application and blowing out cracks, and D & J Parking Lot Services for 1.30# for hot-applied material and labor. Discussion was held concerning crackfilling and the different types of materials. Dan Stommes made a motion to award the crackfilling to Brix Excavating, Neil Franz seconded. All in favor, motion carried.

RE: Ditch Cutting – Ditch cutting quotes will be opened at the May meeting. Quotes are to be hourly.

RE: Zoning Administrator – Two people have expressed interest in replacing Bill Otto as zoning administrator. The supervisors will contact them and discuss the position with them.

RE: Manana Road Project – It was noted that the payment voucher was received from Knife River and the final payment for the project has been sent.

RE: Board of Equalization and Review – It was noted that the Board of Equalization Meeting will be held on Tuesday, April 9 from 10:30 to 11:00 am. The notice will be published and posted.

The following warrants were examined, verified and ordered paid:
6053 Sunny Brook Ent. Inc snowplowing $ 5530.00
6054 City of Albany fire protection 11030.00
6055 Bill Otto zoning adm. wages 32.32
6056 Vernon Willenbring supervisor wages 387.87
6057 Judy Bruemmer re-imb postage/computer 36.52
6058 Albany Post Office stamps 46.00
6059 Neil Franz supervisor wages 277.05
6060 Judy Bruemmer clerk wages 544.86
6061 Daniel Stommes supervisor wages 221.64
6062 Duane Janssen treasurer wages $ 429.43
6063 Stearns Electric monthly electric bill 64.93
6064 Star Publications newspaper ads 93.80
6065 Bill Otto re-imb permits/copies 12.00
6066 Voided Check 0.00

Total $ 18,706.42
Year-to-date Total $ 51,516.92

At 9:30 pm, Dan Stommes made a motion to adjourn the meeting, Neil Franz seconded. All in favor, motion carried.

Official Minutes 2.5.13
The February 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 Dewey Klaphake, Leo Gerads, Brian Brix, Mike Schleper and Mike Nelson.

The January minutes were read. One correction was made: to ‘void’ check #6045. 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 current checking balance was $99,997.57.

RE: Gravel vs Tar – Dewey Klaphake was present with more information about his presentation before the annual meeting concerning gravel roads vs. tar roads. The presentation will begin at 8:00 pm. He may also show the Farming Township Website and what it has on it.

RE: Liquor License – Mike Schleper requested approval by the Township Board for a 3.2 liquor license for the Farming Athletic Association. Discussion was held. Neil Franz made a motion to recommend approval of an on-sale 3.2 liquor license for the Farming Athletic Association, Dan Stommes seconded. All in favor, motion carried.

RE: Snowplowing – Discussion was held with Leo Gerads from Sunny Brook Enterprises concerning snowplowing.

RE: Crackfilling – Brian Brix was present to ask if the Township was going to crackfill again this year. Discussion was held. Supervisors stated that others had also expressed an interest in crackfilling township roads. Quotes for crackfilling will be opened at the March meeting.

RE: Manana Road Project – Mike Nelson was present to explain the difference in billing for the project. Discussion was held. It was noted that check #6045 was voided because it was not sent. Mike will contact Knife River and upon receipt of a notarized payment voucher Farming Township will send a check for the final payment.

RE: Absentee Ballot Board – Dan Stommes made a motion to establish an Absentee Ballot Board for the Township Election, Neil Franz seconded. All in favor, motion carried.

RE: Zoning Administrator Position – Dewey Klaphake stated that he would be interested in replacing Bill Otto as Zoning Administrator.

RE: Community Center Sign – Holly Roush from the Community Center Board notified the Clerk that the Community Center will be putting up a new sign in front of the building and offered to include the Farming Township Board on the sign at their cost. Discussion was held and the Supervisors thought it would be a good idea.

The following warrants were examined, verified and ordered paid:
6046 COL Fire & Rescue Dist Qtr 1 fire protection $ 1056.85
6047 Stearns Electric monthly electric bill 64.93
6048 Office Furniture Solutions fireproof files/delivery 2915.00
6049 MATIT liability/bond insurance 1479.00
6050 Sunny Brook Ent. Inc. snowplowing 4140.00
6051 CVT Manana Road testing 530.00
6052 Knife River Manana Road final payment 8949.81

Total $ 19,135.59
Year-to-date Total $ 32,810.50

The February monthly meeting was recessed at 9:23 pm to conduct the Annual Board of Audit Meeting and the Annual Budget Meeting.
________________________________

The Annual Board of Audit Meeting was called to order at 9:25 pm by Vernon Willenbring. All members were present.

The Board reviewed the 2012 Financial Report. Discussion was held. A correction concerning a .10 error was made. Dan Stommes made a motion to accept the financial report with the correction, Neil Franz seconded. All in favor motion carried. At 9:37 pm, Neil Franz made a motion to adjourn the Board of Audit Meeting, Dan Stommes seconded. All in favor, motion carried.
________________________________

The Annual Budget Meeting was called to order by Vernon Willenbring at 9:39 pm. All members were present. The budget levy proposal for the year 2014 was discussed and set. The agenda for the annual meeting was also reviewed and set. At 10:10 pm Neil Franz made a motion to adjourn the Budget Meeting, Dan Stommes seconded. All in favor, motion carried.
_____________________________________________

The February monthly meeting was called back to order by Vernon Willenbring at 10:12 pm. All members were present.

As there was no further business, Neil Franz made a motion to adjourn the monthly meeting, Dan Stommes seconded. All in favor, motion carried

Official Minutes 1.8.13
The January 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 Jason Willenbring, Dewey Klaphake, Pat Smoley and Tony Legatt.

The December 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. He stated that there was currently $106,849.53 in the tarring fund.

RE: Gravel vs Tar – Pat Smoley was present to give information on gravel versus tar roads. Dewey Klaphake was also present with information he had gotten off the internet. Discussion was held. Dewey Klaphake offered to bring a video to the next meeting and to do a power point presentation at the annual meeting.

RE: Fire-proof Files – Neil Franz presented information on two lateral files he found. Discussion was held. Dan Stommes made a motion to buy the lateral fire-proof files, Vernon Willenbring seconded. All in favor, motion carried.

RE: Board of Audit – The Board of Audit and Budget Planning Meetings will be held after the February monthly meeting.

RE: GoatRopers Bar & Grill – An application for a liquor license in the name of Stephanie Jacobs was presented. She is planning on leasing-to-own GoatRopers Bar & Grill. Discussion was held. Vernon Willenbring made a motion to approve the application for a liquor license, Neil Franz seconded. All in favor, motion carried.

The following warrants were examined, verified and ordered paid:
6037 Stearns Electric monthly electric bill $ 64.93
6038 US Treasury soc. sec/medicare 303.25
6039 Wakefield Twp COL exp/debt retirement 5314.09
6040 Sunny Brook Ent. snowplowing 5135.00
6041 Star Publications newspaper ads 65.00
6042 Farming Comm. Ctr. annual rent 1650.00
6043 Stearns Cty Assn of Twp county/state dues 1031.64
6044 Stearns Cty Aud/Treas. truth-in-taxation charge 111.00
6045 VOID 0.00

Total $ 13,674.91
Year-to-date Total $ 13,674.91

At 9:30 pm, Neil Franz made a motion to adjourn the meeting, Dan Stommes seconded. All in favor, motion carried.