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
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
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.
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.
The February Monthly Board Meeting of the Farming Township Board was called to order by Dave Robertson at 8:00 pm. The flag pledge was said. All members were present. Also present were Dewey Klaphake, Leo Gerads and Bob Backes.
The January 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 $342,736.23 in checking.
RE: Backes Plat – Bob Backes presented a preliminary plat for a 4.6 acre area west of Hedgewood Road. Discussion was held. Jason Willenbring made a motion to approve the preliminary plat, Dan Stommes seconded. All in favor, motion carried.
RE: Midco Permit – Midco had contacted the Township concerning installation of communication cables along 260th Street East and Manana Road. They needed a signed utility permit. Discussion was held. Dan Stommes made a motion to sign the permit, Jason Willenbring seconded. All in favor, motion carried.
RE: County Election Meeting – The County has requested our presence at a meeting to discuss election procedures for the remaining precincts using paper rosters. They will not be available in 2020 and our choice will be either E-poll books or mail ballot elections. The meetings will be held in February. The Clerk and one Supervisor will attend.
The following warrants were examined, verified and ordered paid:
6765 Judy Bruemmer election meals Nov 2018 $ 68.30
6766 MATIT Insurance 1,445.00
6767 COL Fire & Rescue Dist. Qtr 1 fire protection 1.093.01
6768 Farming Comm. Ctr. annual rent 2,700.00
6769 Couri & Ruppe PLLP lawyer fees 47.50
6770 Stearns Electric monthly electric bill 65.08
6771 Sunny Brook Ent. Inc. snowplowing 4,800.00
Total $ 10,218.89
Year-to-date Total $ 54,358.29
At 8:45 pm Dan Stommes made a motion to recess the monthly meeting in order to hold the Board of Audit Meeting and the Budget Meeting, Jason Willenbring seconded. All in favor, motion carried.
Unofficial Minutes of the Board of Audit Meeting 2.5.19
Dave Robertson called the Board of Audit Meeting to order at 8:46 pm. The Clerk and Treasurer had met on Friday, January 18, 2019 to reconcile their records. The Board reviewed the information presented. Discussion was held. Dan Stommes made a motion to accept the report as presented, Jason Willenbring seconded. All in favor, motion carried.
At 9:12 pm, Jason Willenbring made a motion to adjourn the Board of Audit Meeting, Dan Stommes seconded. All in favor, motion carried.
Unofficial Minutes of the Budget Meeting 2.5.19
Dave Robertson called the Budget Meeting to order at 9:13 pm. The Board reviewed budget information and expenses from the previous year and set the Budget to propose at the Annual Meeting at $210,500. Jason Willenbring made a motion to accept the proposal amount, Dave Robertson seconded. All in favor, motion carried.
At 9:40 pm, Dan Stommes made a motion to adjourn the Budget Meeting, Jason Willenbring seconded. All in favor, motion carried.
The February Monthly Meeting was called back to order by Dave Robertson at 9:41 pm.
RE: Platting Resolution – Stearns County had drafted a resolution changing the process for approving minor and major plats. The resolution was reviewed by the Board and the Zoning Administrator. Discussion was held. Dan Stommes made a motion to approve the resolution, Jason Willenbring seconded. All in favor, motion carried.
RE: Township Election – The Clerk reported that all was in order. Judges will be Judy Bruemmer, Mary Lou Salzl and Diane Brinkman. Mary Lou Salzl and Judy Bruemmer will serve on the Absentee Ballot Board. Jason Willenbring made a motion to set March 26, 2019 as the third alternate date in case of inclement weather, Dan Stommes seconded. All in favor, motion carried.
RE: Board of Equalization – Dan Stommes presented his Certificate of Training for the Board of Equalization which will expire on July 1, 2022.
At 10:00 pm, Jason Willenbring made a motion to adjourn the meeting, Dan Stommes seconded. All in favor, motion carried.
The January monthly meeting of the Farming Township Board was called to order by Dave Robertson at 8:00 pm. The flag pledge was said. All members were present. No other people were present.
The December 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 year-end financial report with a checking account balance of $387,216.21 with $340.58 in outstanding checks for the year.
RE: 307th Street – Dan Stommes and Dave Robertson reported that putting up a sign for 307th Street would not make the Township responsible for the road per their inquiries with the County Commissioner and the Township Association lawyer. Jason Willenbring made a motion to install the sign, Dan Stommes seconded. All in favor, motion carried. The Clerk will order the sign and it will be put up as soon as weather permits.
RE: Board of Audit and Budget Meeting – Discussion was held. The meetings will be held on the same evening as the February monthly board meeting.
RE: COL Budget Meeting Update – Jason Willenbring gave a report on the Fire District. All is going well. No major changes in billing for the Township.
RE: Board of Equalization – Supervisors were reminded about getting certified for the Board of Equalization.
RE: Election – The Clerk reminded Board that filing time ends January 15th. Judges are being contacted.
The following warrants were examined, verified and ordered paid:
6756 Stearns Electric monthly electric bill $ 65.08
6757 Sunny Brook Ent. Inc. snowplowing 4,585.00
6758 Midwest Asphalt LLC crackfilling/patch 15,600.00
6759 Collegeville Township Kriegle Lake Road repair 15,000.00
6760 Stearns County Aud. Treas. elelction equipment rental 1,500.00
6761 Star Publications newspaper ads 47.58
6762 Wakefield Township COL debt 5,834.84
6763 Stearns Cty Assn of Twp county/state dues 1,086.72
6764 US Treasury medicare/social security 420.18
Total $ 44,139.40
Year-to-date Total $ 44,139.40
At 9:00 pm, Dan Stommes made a motion to adjourn the meeting, Jason Willenbring seconded. All in favor, motion carried.