The December Monthly Meeting of the Farming Township Board was called to order in the FCC Board Room by Jason Willenbring at 8:00 pm. The flag pledge was said. All members were present. Also present were Dewey Klaphake, Marlene Statz and Marvin Eiynck. The meeting was held using social distancing and following Covid 19 recommendations.
The November minutes were read. One correction was made: Dewey Klaphake was also present at the November meeting. Dan Stommes made a motion to accept the minutes with the correction, Dave Robertson seconded. All in favor, motion carried.
Treasurer Duane Janssen gave a financial report with $448,464.50 in the checking account.
RE: Farming Lions – Marlene Statz presented an application for a Gambling Permit for the Farming Lions for an event on 4/1/22 at the Trappers Pub and Grub. Discussion was held. Dave Robertson made a motion to sign the application, Dan Stommes seconded. All in favor, motion carried.
RE: Polling Place Resolution – Dan Stommes made a motion to designate the Farming Community Center as the Farming Township Polling Place for 2022 by Resolution 12.7.21, Dave Robertson seconded. All in favor, motion carried.
RE: Elections – Marvin Eiynck reported that he had talked to the County Representative Roxann Gerads and was told that he and his support group could handle the in-person election if the Board decided to go back to the in-person election. Discussion was held. Clerk Judy Bruemmer stated that she did not believe that was correct and would contact the Stearns County Election Board for clarification. Her understanding was that only the Clerk was the Election Administrator.
RE: Albany School Board Meeting – Dan Stommes reported on items discussed at the meeting. One possibility that was being looked into was the purchase of the old hospital building in order to gain more space. He stated that there was no open enrollment at this time because of space restrictions.
RE: Zoning – Dewey Klaphake stated that there were no issues to discuss at this time.
RE: FCC Board Room – The Board received notice that the rent for the Board Room would be $3300 for 2022. This is the same as 2021.
The following claims were examined, verified and ordered paid:
7048 Dave Robertson supervisor wages $ 207.79
7049 Jason Willenbring supervisor wages 415.57
7050 Daniel Stommes reimb. mileage 19.60
7051 Judy Bruemmer clerk wages 761.89
7052 Dewey Klaphake zoning adm. wages 166.23
7053 Dewey Klaphake reimb. for permit fees 97.36
7054 Daniel Stommes supervisor wages 304.75
7055 Judy Bruemmer reimb. ink/computer 133.91
7056 Stearns Electric monthly electric bill 65.08
7057 MATIT workman’s comp ins. 337.00
7058 M-R Sign Co. Inc. 911 sign 48.60
7059 Duane Janssen treasurer wages 581.80
7060 Farming Township tarring fund CD 50,000.00
Total $ 53,139.58
Year-to-date Total $ 270,379.58
At 9:15 pm, Dan Stommes made a motion to adjourn the meeting, Dave Robertson seconded. All in favor, motion carried.

The September Monthly Meeting of the Farming Township Board was called to order in the FCC Board Room by Jason Willenbring at 8:00 pm. The flag pledge was said. All members were present. Also present were Dewey Klaphake, Math Schmitz and Dale Lange. The meeting was held using social distancing and Covid 19 recommendations.
The August minutes were read. Dave Robertson made a motion to accept the minutes as read, Dan Stommes seconded. All in favor, motion carried.
Duane Janssen gave a financial report with $486,856.78 in the checking account.
RE: ARPA Grant – The Clerk reported that $58,876.65 was received from the State of MN for the American Rescue Plan Grant. The second half of the Grant should be received in the next twelve months. Dan Stommes made a motion for the Chairperson to sign the necessary Federal documents and the Entity Administrator document, Dave Robertson seconded. All in favor, motion carried. Discussion was held concerning some uses of the Grant money.
RE: Albany Fire Department – Dan Stommes presented the fire protection contract from the Albany Fire Department. Discussion was held. Dan Stommes made a motion to sign the contract, Dave Robertson seconded. All in favor, motion carried. Dan Stommes will return the contract to the Fire Department.
RE: Albany School District – Dan Stommes reported on the Fifth Monday Board Meeting stating that 25 new teachers and 15 new personnel had been hired for the 2021-2022 year. He also stated that they had enough bus drivers for the year.
RE: Zoning – Administrator Dewey Klaphake stated that he was asked about a permit for a solar array. He contacted the County and they stated that we could control those permits if we added an amendment to our MOA of the County Zoning Ordinance. Discsussion was held. It was decided to leave the County in charge of the permitting at this time.
The Board was reminded about the Town Officers meeting in Freeport on Thursday, September 16, 2021.
The following claims were examined, verified and ordered paid:
7026 Daniel Stommes reimb. mileage $ 67.20
7027 Daniel Stommes supervisor wages 457.13
7028 Math Schmitz road ditch cutting 3,063.00
7029 Judy Bruemmer clerk wages 761.89
7030 Judy Bruemmer reimb. computer 75.00
7031 M-R Sign Inc 911 and arrow signs 285.85
7032 City of St. Martin ½ 2021 fire protection 6,010.83
7033 Stearns Electric monthly electric bill 65.08
7034 CentraSota St. Martin spraying ditches 6,578.35
(official Minutes 9.7.2021 page 2)
7035 Duane Janssen treasurer wages 457.13
7036 Jason Willenbring supervisor wages 415.58
7037 Dave Robertson supervisor wages 277.05
7038 Dewey Klaphake zoning adm. wages 110.82
7039 Dewey Klaphake reimb. permit/mileage 51.20
7040 Lange Trenching road rpr. 1147/blading 1587.20 2,734.50
Total $ 21,410.61
Year-to-date Total $ 189,841.50
At 9:05 pm Dan Stommes made a motion to adjourn the meeting, Dave Robertson seconded. 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 Gilbert Bruemmer. The meeting was held using social distancing and Covid 19 recommendations.
The July 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 $430,971.43 in the checking account.
RE: Stearns County Sheriff – Deputy Kern was present with reports of activity for the months of May, June and July. He stated that most of the incidents were the usual kind. Discussion was held. The Supervisors stated that they had no special concerns.
RE: Dustcoating – Dustcoating is finished.
RE: Ditch Spraying – Ditch spraying for noxious weeds is in progress. Discussion was held. It was decided to do the spraying a little earlier next year.
RE: Farming Athletic Field – The athletic field has a 911 sign so all is in order.
RE: Albany Fire Department – Dan Stommes gave a report on the Albany Fire Department Meeting. He stated that the new pumper truck is being built and should be done by fall. He also stated that the fire department will be getting a used ladder truck from another fire department. Money from donations and gambling have kept the department in good shape. The Albany Fire Department along with several area departments, Life Link and the Sheriff’s office will be putting on a Farm Safety Demonstration Day on September 11, 2021.
RE: ARPA Grant – The Clerk stated that the SAM registration is in progress.
RE: County Township Officers Board – Duane Janssen gave a report on the Board meeting. He stated one of the concerns was the disposal of solar energy panels.
RE: District 5 Meeting – The Board was reminded of the District 5 Township Meeting on August 19, 2021. Those attending will meet at Trappers at 5:30 pm.
The following claims were examined, verified and ordered paid:
7021 Stearns Electric monthly electric bill $ 65.08
7022 Star Publications newspaper ads 16.32
7023 COL Fire & Rescue Dist. Qtr 3 fire protection 1,507.21
7024 Midwest Asphalt injection road patch 500.00
7025 Lange Trenching blading 637.00
Total $ 2,725.61
Year-to-date Total $ 168,430.89
At 9:05 pm Dan Stommes made a motion to adjourn the meeting, Dave Robertson seconded. 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 in the FCC Board Room. The flag pledge was said. All members were present. Also present were Dewey Klaphake, Deputy Kern and Dan Gondringer. The meeting was held using social distancing and following Covid-19 recommendations.
The January minutes were read. Jason Willenbring made a motion to accept the minutes as read, Dave Robertson seconded. All in favor, motion carried.
A financial report was given by Duane Janssen with $328,006.77 in the checking account.
RE: Gondringer Plat – Dan Gondringer was present with the final plat. Discussion was held. Jason Willenbring made a motion to approve and sign the plat, Dave Robertson seconded. All in favor, motion carried.
RE: Sheriff’s Report – Deputy Kern gave a report on activity in the Township. He stated things were relatively quiet and normal.
RE: Hildebrand Trucking – Hildebrand Trucking requested permission to service farms and drive on Township roads during road restriction season. Discussion was held. Dave Robertson made a motion to approve the request, Jason Willenbring seconded. All in favor, motion carried.
RE: Right of Way Resolution – Discussion was held regarding fee amounts for the Right of Way Permit. It was decided to charge $5000 for the first mile and $1000 for each additional mile. This would be refundable after inspection. There would also be a non-refundable $100 inspection fee for each crossing inspection. Dave Robertson will contact Compass Consultants about the decision. The Clerk will also send a letter containing the information.
RE: Road Grants – Discussion was held concerning an application fee for 260th Street. This would be shared with Munson Township. Jason Willenbring made a motion to approve sharing the costs of writing the grant application with Munson Township, Dave Robertson seconded. All in favor, motion carried. A Supervisor will notify Munson Township of the decision.
The following claims were examined, verified and ordered paid:
6971 Stearns Electric monthly electric bill $ 65.08
6972 M-R Sign road signs 246.84
6973 Sunny Brook Ent. Inc. snowplowing/Jan guarantee 1,300.00
6974 COL Fire & Rescue Qtr 1 2021 fire protection 1,507.21
6975 Wakefield Twp fire debt retirement/fee/interest 5,882.36
Total $ 9,001.49
Year-to-date Total $ 24,772.34
At 9:13 pm Dan Stommes made a motion to recess the monthly board meeting in order to hold the Board of Audit Meeting and the Budget Meeting, Jason Willnebring seconded. All in favor, motion carried.