Minutes 11.7.23
The November Monthly Meeting of the Farming Township Board was called to order by Jason Willenbring at 8:00 pm.
The flag pledge was said. All members were present. Also present was Trevor Lange
The October minutes were read, Dan Stommes made a motion to accept the minutes as read. After correcting Hanson
Tarring to Hanson Paving Ben Mergen seconded it, All in favor, motion carried.
Treasurer Adam Brix gave a financial report with $ 532,853.00 in the checking, money market account and one CD.
$1,237,144.26 in tarring fund CD’s for a total of $1,769.997.26 between all accounts.
Discussion was held regarding road repair and 223 rd update. There is a hole in the road by Lloyd Juel that needs fixing
with class 2 before winter and Hanson Paving should be done with 223 rd .
Discussion was held regarding Arvig and them putting in fiber optics to the underserved of Farming Township, they
should have completed all the necessary permits and requirements with the exception that their bond expires in
February of 2024 and that they will get us an updated one when the current one expires.
Snow removal for the 2023-2024 season, There was one bid from Sunnybrook Enterprises Inc for snow removal for
2023-2024 season. The bid would be for snow removal and sanding truck at $175/hour, Salt/sand at $100 per yard with
the price subject to change if there is a shortage. In addition to these fees there would be a monthly guaranteed
payment of $1000/month for the months of January thru April 2024. Dan Stommes made a motion to accept the bid
from Sunnybrook Enterprises Inc for the 2023-2024 season of snow removal and sanding truck at $175/hour, salt/sand
of $100 per yard and the monthly guarantee payment of $1000/month for the months of January thru April 2024, Ben
Mergen, seconded it, all in favor, motion carried.
Dan Stommes gave a report on the 5 th Monday meeting held in Albany, small turnout, not much to new, other than
Avon Township is limiting solar farms.
Discussion was held regarding the use and placements of shipping containers in Farming Township. Dan Stommes will
report back to the board at the December meeting.
Discussion was held regarding Stearns Electric and them providing new service to residents in the township. They will be
sending the required check as per the fee schedule, but they will be sending a$500 bond instead of a check that would
be returned to them if all work in the road ways is back to specifications. This met approval of the board.
The following claims were examined, verified and ordered paid.
7257 M-R Signs 911 signs Statz/Rothstein 92.86
7258 Chain of Lakes Fire Protection 2051.45
7259 Hanson Paving Tarring 223 rd 45000.00
ACH Arvig Monthly Bill 78.95
ACH Stearns Electric Monthly Bill 60.50
Total $ 47283.76
Year-to-date Total $ 284565.62

At 9:20pm Dan Stommes made a motion to adjourn, Ben Mergen seconded it. All in favor, motion carried.

The October Monthly Meeting of the Farming Township Board was called to order by Jason Willenbring at 8:00 pm. The flag pledge was said. All members were present. Also present were Dale Lange, Dewey Klaphake. Ron Backes, Ron and Sherry Rolfes
The September minutes were read, Dan Stommes made a motion to accept the minutes as read. Ben Mergen seconded it, All in favor, motion carried.
Treasurer Adam Brix gave a financial report with $ 578,912.48 in the checking and money market accounts and $1,237,144.26 in CDs for a total of $1,816,056.74 between all accounts. Discussion was held. Ben Mergen made a motion to move $300,000.00 out of the money market and put it into a 3-month CD, Dan Stommes seconded it, all in favor, motion carried.
Ron Rolfes was present to make a request be able to put a tile line in a natural waterway. Discussion was held. Ben Mergen made a motion to allow Ron Rolfes to put the tile in, provided that it was back far enough as to not interfere with the 33 foot set back on a township road. Dan Stommes seconded it, all in favor, motion carried
Dale Lange, from Lange Trenching gave a follow up regarding the work on 223rd Ave, Hansen Tarring should be out next week to do the tarring, there are a few repairs by Michael Kotten, and Lloyd Jewel that need to be addressed yet. The gravel roads will be bladed one last time before winter.
The following claims were examined, verified and ordered paid.
7253 Paynesville Cenex Weed control $7237.25
7254 United States Treasury 3rd Quarter Payroll tax $552.34
7255 Central MN Dust Control Dust Control $2890.00
7256 Lange Trenching Blading and Repairs/replace culvert $42,470.16
ACH Arvig Monthly Bill 78.95
ACH Stearns Electric Monthly Bill 60.50
Total $ 53,289.20
Year-to-date Total $ 237,281.86
At 9:40pm Dan Stommes made a motion to adjourn, Ben Mergen seconded it. All in favor, motion carried.

The September Monthly Meeting of the Farming Township Board was called to order by Jason Willenbring at 8:00 pm. The flag pledge was said. All members were present. Also present were Dale Lange, Dewey Klaphake and Math Schmitz
The August minutes were read, Dan Stommes made a motion to accept the minutes as read after correcting the automatic payment that came out for Stearns Electric, $65.08 had been approved to be paid in August, after changing to paperless billing the balance due was $30.83. Ben Mergen seconded it. All in favor, motion carried.
Treasurer Adam Brix gave a financial report with $ 595,456.84 in the checking and money market accounts and $1,237,144.26 in CDs for a total of $1,832,601.10 between all accounts.
Regarding 223rd Ave, Discussion was held, Lange Trenching will get to getting the repairs done, in the following week, areas of concern, dip in the road by Buerman, cattle pass by Brinkman, culvert by Niehaus, hill by Holthaus. Dale from Lange Trenching will be in contact with Hansen Paving so that the paving can be done, when Lange Trenching is finished with their work.
Dan Stommes gave a report from the 5th Monday meeting at Albany Area Schools, Jeff Howe will be at the new building open house, The city of Avon has sold all the lots in the Avon Estates housing development, and Avon Township did some tarring and it cost about $250,000.00/mile.
Bills could start coming as soon as next month for the ARPA money that was designated to Fiber Optics.
Ben Mergen has been in contact with the landowners on Mahogany Road and will start cutting the trees.
The following claims were examined, verified and ordered paid.
7240 Dewey Klaphake Planning board wages 290.90
7241 Dan Stommes Supervisor wages 535.63
7242 Dan Stommes Mileage 95.63
7243 Linda Theisen computer time/ink 101.86
7244 Minn Assoc Township Linda training 50.00
7245 City of St. Martin Fire Protection 7033.55
7246 Lange Trenching Blading 2778.77
7247 Math Schmitz Cutting road ditches 4191.00
7248 Jason Willenbring Supervisor Wages 554.10
7249 Adam Brix Treasurer wages 554.10
7250 Ben Mergen Supervisor wages 406.34
7251 Dewey Klaphake Site permits/mileage 350.68
7252 Linda Theisen Clerk wages 992.76
ACH Arvig Monthly Bill 78.95
ACH Stearns Electric Monthly Bill 65.08
Total $ 18079.35
Year-to-date Total $ 183992.66
At 8:55pm Ben Mergen made a motion to adjourn, Dan Stommes seconded it. All in favor, motion carried.

The August Monthly Meeting of the Farming Township Board was called to order by Jason Willenbring at 8:00 pm. The flag pledge was said. All members were present. Also present were Dale Lange, and Dewey Klaphake
The July minutes were read, Dan Stommes made a motion to accept the minutes as read. Ben Mergen seconded it. All in favor, motion carried.
Treasurer Adam Brix gave a financial report with $ 649,083.75 in the checking and money market accounts and $1,175,218.85 in CDs for a total of $1,824,302.60 between all accounts. Dan Stommes made a motion to have Adam move $50,000 from the Money Market account and add it to the CD that is coming due, and have the new CD have a term of 9 months, Ben Mergen seconded it, all in favor, motion carried.
Regarding the culvert on 290th and County Road 9, Discussion was held. A new culvert has been ordered and Lange Trenching should have it installed in the next couple of weeks, along with the work on 223rd.
Dust coating, nothing done yet, will wait till next year to do dust coating. Discussion was held, in 2024 flags or some other way to mark the areas to be dust coated will have to be looked at.
Paynesville Cenex has almost used up the dollar amount that the township had approved for spraying the weeds/trees along township roads. Regarding the Spraying of trees and weeds, there was one citizen that expressed concerns about this, and like to not have the trees/weeds sprayed along their property line, they are OK with the trees being trimmed and brush cleaned up. This concern will be noted for next year if the township does spraying of weeds/trees.
The following claims were examined, verified and ordered paid.
7236 VOID
7237 VOID
7238 Chain of Lakes Fire Protection 2051.45
7239 Lange Trenching Inc Class 2,Blading & repair 3352.25
ACH Arvig Monthly Bill 78.95
ACH Stearns Electric Monthly Bill 65.08

Total $ 5547.73
Year-to-date Total $ 165,913.31
At 9:00pm Dan Stommes made a motion to adjourn, Ben Mergen seconded it. All in favor, motion carried.

The July Monthly Meeting of the Farming Township Board was called to order by Jason Willenbring at 8:00 pm. The flag pledge was said. All members were present. Also present were Dale Lange, Trevor Lange, Math Schmitz and Dewey Klaphake
The June minutes were read, Dan Stommes made a motion to accept the minutes as read with correcting the minutes to read the total value of the CD’s should be $1,173,118.23 and that Adam would be combing 7 CD’s into one and not 6 CD’s Ben Mergen seconded. All in favor, motion carried.
Treasurer Adam Brix gave a financial report with $ 701,727.56 in the checking and money market accounts and $1,175,218.85 in CD’s for a total of $1,876,946.41 between all accounts.
Ben Mergen has been in contact with Attorney Steve Fenske, regarding sending a letter to some property owners regarding the removal of trees in the township road right of way. This letter needs to be sent out 14 days prior to the removal of the trees.
Regarding the culvert on 290th and County Road 9, Discussion was held. Dale Lange from Lange Trenching will have the underground wires located and Jason Willenbring will contact the Statz’s regarding the size and type of hose that they use when pumping manure, to help determine the size and design of culvert that will be needed.
Dan Stommes gave a report from the Albany Fire Board. They will now send out 3 bills before turning over to a collection agency. They added one new member to the department, their annual golf tournament fund raiser is coming up. They will be applying for a FEMA grant again this year, even though they only qualify once every three years.
Jason Willenbring gave a report from the Chain of Lakes Fire Department. They got the new one ton truck, it will take two to three months to get it into operation. They will be having their annual pontoon raffle again this year.
Ben Mergen has been in contact with Paynesville Cenex, regarding spraying weeds in the township road ditches. Discussion was held. Dan Stommes made a motion to allow Paynesville Cenex to start spraying for weeds based on the areas of most need, and that they would have a budget between five and seven thousand dollars to start. Ben Mergen seconded it, all in favor, motion carried.
The following claims were examined, verified and ordered paid.
7228 MR Signs 911 sign 46.43
7229 Arvig Monthly Bill 78.95
7230 Stearns Electric Monthly Bill 65.08
7231 Star Publications Legal Notice 26.74
7232 Lange Trenching Inc Class 2, Class 5, Blading, Repair 51049.80
7233 MATIT Insurance 1455.00
7234 Math Schmitz Mowing road ditches 2221.00
7235 United States Treasury 2nd quarter payroll tax 950.90

Total $ 55,893.90
Year-to-date Total $ 160,365.58
At 9:25pm Ben Mergen made a motion to adjourn, Dan Stommes seconded. All in favor, motion carried.

The June Monthly Meeting of the Farming Township Board was called to order by Jason Willenbring at 8:00 pm. The flag pledge was said. All members were present. Also present was Dale Lange
The May minutes were read, Dan Stommes made a motion to accept the minutes as read with correcting the minutes to add Lange Trenching Inc. after Dale Lange, and to add repair and snow removal to the memo for Lange Trenching. Ben Mergen seconded. All in favor, motion carried.
Treasurer Adam Brix gave a financial report with $540,780.37 in the checking and money market accounts. Adam also presented a list of the CD’s that the township has at the bank with a value of $1,173,118.23. Discussion was held regarding these CD’s and Adam will combine 7 of them into one CD with 12 month maturity and earning 5% interest.
Other issues of discussion:
Lange Trenching Inc will fix the culvert on 290th Ave up by County road 9.
At the July meeting more discussion will be held regarding removing the cattle pass on 223rd Ave and getting some bids to do some tarring repairs on 223rd Ave.
Linda Theisen presented a one day liquor license request from the Farming Community Center to have a Octoberfest fundraiser on September 30,2023. Discussion was held. Dan Stommes made a motion to approve the one day liquor license, Ben Mergen seconded it, all in favor, motion carried.
The July meeting would be Tuesday July 4, being that is a holiday, discussion was held. Dan Stommes made a motion to move the next meeting to Thursday July 6, 2023, Ben Mergen seconded it, all in favor, motion carried.
The following claims were examined, verified and ordered paid:
7211 Dan Stommes Supervisor wages $1219.02
7212 Dan Stommes Mileage, supplies,short course fee $260.49
7213 Jason Wilenbring Mileage $129.70
7214 Linda Theisen Clerk wages $1454.51
7215 Linda Theisen Mileage, election judge, copies, $401.32
7216 Ben Mergen Mileage $78.60
7217 Void
7218 Adam Brix Treasurer Wages $831.15
7219 Stearns County Assessing Fees $7231.75
7220 Jason Willenbring Supervisor Wages $1403.72
7221 Jason Willenbring Blading w/tractor,pull in shoulders $ 2520.00
7222 Arvig Monthly Bill $78.95
7223 Stearns Electric Monthly Bill $65.08
7224 Lange Trenching Inc Blading, class 2, repairs $7855.16
7225 Star Post Legal notice $44.55
7226 Ben Mergen Supervisor wages $831.15
7227 Ben Mergen Short course reimburse $75.00

Total $ 24480.15
Year-to-date Total $ 104,471.68
At 9:20pm Dan Stommes made a motion to adjourn, Ben Mergen seconded. All in favor, motion carried.

The April Monthly Meeting of the Farming Township Board was called to order by Jason Willenbring at 8:00 pm. The flag pledge was said. All members were present. Also present was Dale Lange.
The March minutes were read, Dan Stommes made a motion to accept the minutes as read, Ben Mergen seconded. All in favor, motion carried.
The Re-Organization minutes were reviewed, Dan Stommes made a motion to accept the re organization minutes with one correction of changing a $18.00/hour to $20.00/hour. Ben Mergen, seconded it, all in favor, motion carried.
Treasurer Adam Brix gave a financial report with $563,956.58 in the checking account.
New Signature cards were signed, discussion was held regarding getting a deputy clerk. Jason Willenbring will check with other townships to see what they do.
Dan Stommes will contact Matt Schmitz to see if he is interested in mowing road ditches again this year, if so he should get us a bid by the May meeting.
Dale Lange will get us bids for Class 2, Class 5 and blading for the May meeting.
Dan Stommes will check with Central MN Dust Coating for estimates to bring to the May meeting.
Discussion was held regarding the money in the checkbook and earning of interest. Dan Stommes made a motion to open a Money Market account at Stearns Bank, where we could earn more interest, Ben Mergen seconded, all in favor, motion carried. Adam Brix will do this when time permits.
The insurance policy was reviewed, there are a few minor changes to be made, Linda Theisen, will contact MATIT with these changes.
Upcoming events: April 18, 2023, Board of Equalization meeting with road tour to follow.
April 28, 2023, Annual township officers meeting in Freeport at 7:00pm
The following claims were examined, verified and ordered paid:
7195 Anne Smith-Bleichner Election Judge $170.00
7196 Arvig Monthly Bill $78.95
7197 Stearns Electric Monthly Bill $65.08
7198 Stearns County Auditor Election Charge Back $182.00
7199 Stearns County Auditor Truth in Taxation $177.00
7200 United States Treasury 1st Quarter Payroll Tax $390.15
7201 Vic Kotten Elect Judge/meeting moderator $300.00
7202 MN Association Township Spring Short Course/Jason $75.00
7203 Sunny Brook Enterprises Snow Plow/monthly guarantee $10560.00
7204 Township Officers Association 2 guest meal ticket $20.00
Total $ 12018.18
Year-to-date Total $ 66065..08
At 9:35 pm Dan Stommes made a motion to recess the meeting, until April 18,2023, Ben Mergen seconded. All in favor, motion carried.

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