Meeting Changes for Farming Township

The April 7 monthly meeting has been postponed to Tuesday, April 14 because of the Governor’s ‘stay at home’ restrictions. The meeting will be at the same time and place and will practice “social distancing”. If the Governor extends the restrictions, the public meeting will be cancelled.

THE FARMING TOWNSHIP LOCAL BOARD OF APPEAL AND EQUALIZATION MEETING SET FOR 10:30 am on 4/7/2020 HAS BEEN MOVED TO A TELECONFERENCE MEETING. DETAILS ARE BELOW:
Due to concerns over the health and safety of Stearns County property owners and employees, this Local Board of Appeal and Equalization (LBAE) meeting has been moved to a teleconference/conference call. If you wish to appeal your value, please call in to the phone number and enter the access code below at the meeting start time.

Phone number: 1-408-418-9388

Access code: 245 568 24

Employees from the Stearns County Assessor’s Office as well as the Local Board will be on this call to assist you through this process.
If you are seeing this notice well in advance of the Local Board meeting, you may contact the appraiser for your area at:

Residential Michelle Hinnenkamp 320-656-3691 michelle.hinnenkamp@co.stearns.mn.us
Commercial Kathy Korte 320-656-3688 kathryn.korte@co.stearns.mn.us

If you are having technical difficulties with your conference call, please call the commercial appraiser above.

The decision to change the in-person meeting to a conference call has been done in accordance with MN DOR guidelines and Stearns County’s decision to close public facing services. Please refer to our website for any updates or further changes to upcoming meetings and deadlines.

Thank you for your cooperation and patience as we navigate through these difficult times.

Jake Pidde
Stearns County Assessor

Board of Appeal and Equalization for Farming Township
Regarding your 2021 Property Taxes
Because of COVID-19, the Meeting is being changed to a teleconference to avoid public gatherings at this time. It will still be held on Tuesday, April 7, from 10:30 to 11:00 am as advertised on your value notices. Any appeals are asked to be e-mailed to the Assessor’s Office at property.assessment@co.stearns.mn.us
If there are any questions you can call the Assessor’s Office at 320-656-3680.

Official Minutes 2.4.20

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 was Dan Rea.

The January minutes were read. Dave Robertson made a motion to accept the minutes as read, Jason Willenbring seconded. All in favor, motion carried.

Treasurer Duane Janssen gave a financial report with $359,655.36 in the checking account.

RE: Farming Baseball Association – Dan Rea presented an application for an On-sale 3.2% Malt Liquor License for the Farming Athletic Field from April 2020 to October 2020. Discussion was held. Jason Willenbring made a motion to approve the application, Dave Robertson seconded. All in favor, motion carried.

RE: Comprehensive Plan Meeting – Notice was received from the County about a Comprehensive Plan Meeting on March 5, 2020. Dan Stommes will attend.

The following warrants were examined, verified and ordered paid:

6870       Albany Post Office                           stamps                                                 $                         55.00

6871       Stearns Electric                                 monthly electric bill                                                      65.08

6872       MATIT                                                   insurance/bond                                                                     1,495.00

6873       COL Fire & Rescue Dist.                 debt 5280/interest 419.76/fee 43.56               5,743.32

6874       Sunny Brook Ent. Inc.                     snowplowing                                                              8,374.00

Total                      $                   15,732.40

Year-to-date Total   $          29,540.43

At 8:28 pm Dave Robertson 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.

Official Minutes of the Board of Audit Meeting

At 8:29 pm, Dan Stommes called the Board of Audit Meeting to order. All members were present.

The Clerk and Treasurer met in January to reconcile their records. The Board reviewed the information presented by them. Discussion was held. Jason Willenbring made a motion to accept the report as presented, Dave Robertson seconded. All in favor, motion carried.

At 8:40 pm, Jason Willenbring made a motion to adjourn the Board of Audit Meeting, Dave Robertson seconded. All in favor, motion carried.

Official Minutes of the Budget Meeting

Dan Stommes called the Budget Meeting to order at 8:41 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 adjourn the Budget Meeting at 9:08 pm, Dave Robertson seconded. All in favor, motion carried.

The February Monthly Meeting was called back to order by Dan Stommes at 9:10 pm.

RE: March Meeting – Since the March monthly meeting date falls on the same day as the Presidential Primary, the Board decided to change the March meeting to Wednesday, March 4, 2020 – same time, same place. The change will be published and posted.

RE: Township Election – All is in order and ready.

At 9:20 pm Dave Robertson made a motion to adjourn the March monthly meeting, Jason Willenbring seconded. All in favor, motion carried.

eeting, Jason Willenbring seconded. All in favor, motion carried.

 

Official Minutes 1.7.2020

The January monthly meeting of the Farming Township Board was called to order by Daniel Stommes at 8:00 pm in the FCC Board Room. The flag pledge was said. All members were present. Also present were Dewey Klaphake, Leo Gerads, and Anne and Jim Bleichner.

The December minutes were read. Dave Robertson made a motion to accept the minutes as read, Jason Willenbring seconded. All in favor, motion carried.

Treasurer Duane Janssen gave a financial report with $373, 463.39 in the checking account.

RE: Mail Ballot Election – Anne and Jim Bleichner were present with questions regarding the decision to do mail ballot elections for statewide elections. Discussion was held.

RE: Road Issues – Blading issues were discussed. Leo Gerads explained that roads were only spread with gravel and not salt because salt would cause more problems.

RE: Township Election – Jason Willenbring made a motion to make the following Tuesday, March 17, 2020 and Tuesday, March 24, 2020 as the alternate days should inclement weather postpone the Annual Township Election, Dave Robertson seconded. All in favor, motion carried. Clerk Judy Bruemmer reported that Joyce Wimmer will serve as head judge and Linda Theisen and Victor Kotten will serve as election judges for the Township Election. Joyce Wimmer and Linda Theisen will also serve on the absentee ballot board.

RE: Zoning – Dewey Klaphake gave a short zoning report.

The following warrants were examined, verified and ordered paid:

6863       Farming Community Center                        annual rent                         $               3,000.00

6864       Stearns Electric                                                 monthly electric bill                                  63.08

6865       Star Publications                                               newspaper ads                                          74.70

6866       Sunny Brook Ent. Inc.                                     snowplowing                                        8,050.00

6867       COL Fire & Rescue                                           Qtr 4 2019 fire protection                1,093.01

6868       US Treasury                                                        medicare/soc.security                          437.58

6869       Stearns Cty. Assn. of Twps.                         county/state dues                              1,089.66

Total                      $              13,808.03

Year-to-date Total           $                 13,808.03

At 9:10 pm Jason Willenbring made a motion to adjourn the meeting, Dave Robertson seconded. All in favor, motion carried.

Unapproved Annual Meeting Minutes 3.10.2020

The Annual Meeting in the Town of Farming, County of Stearns, State of Minnesota was held in the Farming Community Center on the 10th day of March, 2020. It was called to order by Clerk Judy Bruemmer at 8:30 pm. The flag pledge was said.

Judy Bruemmer asked for nominations from the floor for moderator. Duane Janssen nominated Dewey Klaphake, Ron Backes seconded. Dewey accepted the nomination. Judy Bruemmer asked if there were any other nominations. Dewey Klaphake nominated Victor Kotten, Dan Stommes seconded. Victor Kotten accepted the nomination. Duane Janssen made a motion to close nominations, Dave Robertson seconded. All in favor, motion carried. A vote by show of hands was held. Dewey Klaphake was declared the moderator.

The minutes of the 2019 Annual Meeting were read by Clerk Judy Bruemmer. Victor Kotten made a motion to accept the minutes as read, Duane Janssen seconded. All in favor, motion carried.

The Treasurer’s Report was reviewed. Ron Backes made a motion to accept the report as presented, Jack Wimmer seconded. All in favor, motion carried.

Ron Backes made a motion to continue with Trapper’s Pub and Grub, Immanuel Lutheran Church, the Farming Community Center and the Township Website as posting places, Roger Backes seconded. All in favor, motion carried.

Duane Janssen made a motion to have the Albany Enterprise as the official newspaper, Randy Backes seconded. All in favor, motion carried.

John Blenker made a motion to have the polling times for the Township Election from 2 pm to 8 pm in the Farming Community Center Board Room, Dave Linz seconded. All in favor, motion carried.

Tom Buerman made a motion that the next Annual Meeting be held on Tuesday, March 9, 2021 at 8:30 pm in the Farming Community Center, Tony Legatt seconded. All in favor, motion carried.

Duane Janssen made a motion to hold the monthly Board Meetings on the first Tuesday of the month at 8 pm, Tom Buerman seconded. All in favor, motion carried.

Dale Lange made a motion to have the Board hire a ditch cutter twice a year, Wally Buerman seconded. All in favor, motion carried.

The Board of Canvass was held immediately following the Township Election. The Results were: For Supervisor – Dan Stommes received 24 votes, there were no other votes. Dan Stommes was declared the winner. For Clerk – Judy Bruemmer received 24 votes, there were no other votes. Judy Bruemmer was declared the winner. A total of 24 voters voted in the Township Election.

Ron Backes made a motion to destroy the 2018 ballots, Randy Backes seconded. All in favor, motion carried.

The proposed General Fund Levy of $91,000 and the proposed Road and Bridge Levy of $119,500 was presented. The total of $210,500 was the same as the last year. Discussion was held. Ron Backes made a motion to set the Total Levy at $210,500, Dale Lange seconded. All in favor, motion carried.

The Tarring Fund Levy came up for discussion. After a question and answer session concerning project plans, maintenance, etc. Ron Backes made a motion to set the Tarring Fund Levy at $100,000, Randy Backes seconded. All in favor, motion carried.

Officer Eric Popp from the Stearns County Sheriff’s Department gave a report on calls and happenings in Farming Township. Twenty-one calls were received in December 2019 and twenty in January 2020. He also explained the different services they offer.

Firefighter Adam Braegelmann was present with a report from the Chain of Lakes Fire and Rescue District. The department has 22 members and is 9 years old. They had 93 calls in 2019. One change with the department was that they will begin to pay the members for meetings and trainings. He also explained some of their fundraising efforts.

New Business – As the Board had decided in 2019 to have Farming Township be a Mail Ballot Precinct for Statewide Elections, the Board presented the option to also incorporate the Township Election with the Statewide Elections. That would mean the Township Elections would be held every other November as a Mail Ballot election – on the same ballot as the Statewide election. Because of this, the terms of the Board members would have to be changed to 4 years instead of the 3 years for Supervisors and 2 years for the Clerk and Treasurer. It was explained that the Board could vote to make the Statewide Elections into Mail Ballot elections. However to change the Township Election, the option would have to be presented as a ballot question on the next Township Election and voted on by the eligible voters in the Township. After a lengthy discussion, Ron Backes made a motion to present the question on the 2021 Township Election ballot and, should it pass, change the terms of office for the Board members to 4 years, Dale Lange seconded. All in favor, motion carried.

It was noted that the Annual Township Meeting would still be held every year on the second Tuesday in March, as required by law.

At 9:50 pm, Ron Backes made a motion to adjourn the meeting, Tony Legatt seconded. All in favor, motion carried.

Cookies, milk and water were served following the meeting.

Minutes taken by Judy Bruemmer, Farming Township Clerk

 

Farming Township Election News

The Farming Township Board has elected to vote by mail ballot procedure in the STATEWIDE ELECTIONS. Registered voters will be notified and will automatically be mailed a ballot for the Statewide Elections. If you are not a registered voter, you can get information about registering by contacting the Stearns County Election Division at 320-656-3920, by e-mail at elections@co.stearns.mn.us or by visiting the website at www.co.stearns.mn.us.

Special note: the Annual Township Board Election will be held as usual on Tuesday, March 10, 2020 with polls open from 2 pm to 8 pm in the Farming Community Center Township Board Room. The Annual Township Meeting will follow the election at 8:30 pm.

Official Minutes 12.3.19

The December 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, Dale Lange and Officer Eric Popp.

The November minutes were read. Dave Robertson made a motion to accept the minutes as read, Jason Willenbring seconded. All in favor, motion carried.

Treasurer Duane Janssen gave a financial report with $321,257.60 in the checking account.

RE: Lion’s Club Gambling Permit – An application to conduct off-site gambling was presented. Discussion was held. Jason Willenbring made a motion to sign the application, Dave Robertson seconded. All in favor, motion carried.

RE: Sheriff Report – Officer Eric Popp gave a report of happenings in Farming Township. Discussion was held.

RE: Road Issues – Discussion was held concerning snowplowing and conditions on 223rd Ave.

RE: Road History – Zoning Administrator Dewey Klaphake presented an updated Road History Report. The Board thanked him for keeping the records. He also stated there were no major zoning issues.

RE: COL Fire & Rescue – Jason Willenbring reported that starting in 2020 the Department will pay the firefighters for training, fire calls, etc. There will be a minor raise in fire protection costs but it was determined it was necessary to keep firefighters as COL was one of only two departments in the state that did not pay its firefighters.

The following warrants were examined, verified and ordered paid:

6847       Jason Willenbring                               supervisor wages                                                 $             484.84

6848       Judy Bruemmer                                    reimb. computer/mileage                                                      61.24

6849       Stearns Electric                                    monthly electric bill                                                                 65.08

6850       Dewey Klaphake                                 permit fees/mileage                                                               216.82

6851       Judy Bruemmer                                    clerk wages                                                                              775.74

6852       MATIT                                                     workmans comp insurance                                                   297.00

6853       Stearns Cty Aud. Treas.                       2019 election equipment rental                                       1500.00

6854       Dewey Klaphake                                zoning administrator wages                                                   300.14

6855       Dave Robertson                                   reimb. mileage                                                                          17.98

6856       Dave Robertson                                   supervisor wages                                                                   277.05

6857       Jason Willenbring                                reimb. mileage                                                                          17.92

6858       Daniel Stommes                                   supervisor wages                                                                   346.31

6859       Lange Trenching                                  road repair-223rd                                                                    250.00

6860       Duane Janssen                                      treasurer wages                                                                       457.13

6861       Duane Janssen                                      reimb. stamper                                                                          70.93

6862       Farming Township                                tarring fund CD                                                                    50,000.00

Total       $           55,138.18

Year-to-date Total                $         355,510.80

At 8:58 pm Jason Willenbring made a motion to adjourn the meeting, Dave Robertson seconded. All in favor, motion carried.

Official Minutes 11.5.19

The November 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 were Dewey Klaphake, Dale Lange and John Blenker.

The October minutes were read. Jason Willenbring made a motion to accept the minutes as read, Dave Robertson seconded. All in favor, motion carried.

Treasurer Duane Janssen gave a financial report with $327,465.65 in the checking account.

RE: Snowplowing Quote – One Snowplowing quote was received. SunnyBrook Enterprises gave a quote with $110/hr for the truck, $90/yd for salt and sand (with possibility of higher price due to shortage), a $5/hr surcharge if diesel goes above $4/gallon, and a required charge of $700 in addition to the normal charges for the months of December, January, February and March. Lange Trenching opted not to give a quote. Discussion was held. Jason Willenbring made a motion to accept the quote from SunnyBrook Enterprises, Dave Robertson seconded. All in favor, motion carried.

RE: Dean Rausch – Dale Lange reported that the project along the Dean Rausch property on 280th Street was finished.

RE: 223rd Ave – Reports had been received concerning the bump on 223rd Ave. Lange Trenching will check it out.

RE: Polling Place Resolution – Jason Willenbring made a motion to designate the Farming Community Center as the Annual Polling Place by Resolution 11.5.19, Dave Robertson seconded. All in favor, motion carried.

RE: Comprehensive Plan Meeting – Dan Stommes and Dewey Klaphake gave a report on the meeting.

RE: District Meeting – It was noted that the District Meeting will be held in Freeport, MN on November 14, 2019 at 8:00 pm.

The following warrants were examined, verified and ordered paid:

6844       Stearns Electric                                 monthly electric                                               $               65.08

6845       Lange Trenching                               blading1643.14/rd rpr 3120/class 2 684                 5,447.14

6846       City of St. Martin                              fire protection                                                                6,938.47

Total      $         12,450.69

Year-to-date Total           $       300,372.62

At 9:05 pm Dave Robertson made a motion to adjourn the meeting, Jason Willenbring seconded. All in favor, motion carried.

Filing Notice for Township Election

The Farming Township Board has elected to vote by mail ballot procedure in the STATEWIDE ELECTIONS. Registered voters will receive information and automatically be mailed a ballot for the Statewide Elections.

If you are not a registered voter you can contact Stearns County by phone at 320-656-3920, by e-mail at elections@co.stearns.mn.us, or by visiting the website at www.co.stearns.mn.us.

The Annual Township Board Election will be held as usual on Tuesday, March 10, 2020 with polls open from 2 pm to 8 pm in the Farming Township Board Room. The Annual Meeting will follow at 8:30 pm.

Judy Bruemmer

Farming Township Clerk

320-548-3562

***Special Note: The Township Election will be held as usual. Only the “Statewide” elections are Mail Ballot.***

 

Mail Ballots for Statewide Elections

Office of the County Auditor-Treasurer    
Stearns County Service Center • 3301 County Road 138 • Waite Park, MN 56387

Phone: 320-656-3920 • Fax: 320-203-6960

Randy R. Schreifels, County Auditor-Treasurer

 

POSTED NOTICE OF MAIL BALLOT PROCEDURES

TO VOTERS OF STEARNS COUNTY, MINNESOTA

 

The following precincts located in Stearns County have elected to vote by mail ballot procedure in

Statewide elections as authorized under Minnesota Statues 204B.45. All other precincts vote at their

designated polling places on Election Day.

 

                              Townships                              Cities
              Crow Lake Luxemburg                 Elrosa    Roscoe
              Crow River Melrose                 Greenwald    St. Anthony
               Farming Munson                 Lake Henry St. Rosa
              Getty North Fork                 Meire Grove    Spring Hill
              Grove Oak                 New Munich
              Lake George Spring Hill
              Lake Henry

 

For the 2020 statewide elections, the election dates and the corresponding dates that ballots will be mailed to all registered voters in mail ballot precincts are:

Statewide Presidential Nominating Primary Election: March 3, 2020 Ballot Mailing Dates: January 20 – February 21, 2020
Statewide Primary Election: August 11, 2020 Ballot Mailing Dates: June 22 – July 27, 2020
Statewide General Election: November 3, 2020 Ballot Mailing Dates: September 28 – October 19, 2020

 

Voters registered in this precinct by the following dates will be mailed a ballot automatically:

February 11, 2020 for the Statewide Presidential Nomination Primary Election

July 21, 2020 for the Statewide Primary Election

October 13, 2020 for the Statewide General Election

Eligible voters not pre-registered by the dates listed above may vote by absentee.

Registered voters wishing to receive their ballot at a temporary address may contact the Stearns County Auditor-Treasurer Office to vote by absentee. You may check your voter registration status online at www.mnvotes.org.

To vote by absentee, request an absentee ballot application by one of the following:

  • Online at www.mnvotes.org
  • By phone (320) 656-3920
  • By mail: Stearns County Service Center, at address listed below:
  • In person at:

Stearns County Service Center       or         Stearns County Auditor-Treasurer Office Administration Building

3301 County Road 138                                 705 Courthouse Square, Rm 148

Waite Park, MN 56387                                 St. Cloud, MN 56303

8:30 am – 5:00 pm                                         8:00 am – 4:30 pm

Absentee voting begins January 17, 2020 for the Statewide Presidential Nomination Primary, June 26, 2020 for the Statewide Primary, and September 18, 2020 for the Statewide General Election.

Ballots may be returned:

  • by mail (a prepaid postage return envelope is included when the ballots are mailed)
  • may be delivered in person
  • delivered by designated agent to:Stearns County Service Center

3301 County Road 138

Waite Park, MN 56387

8:00 am – 4:30 pm

Ballots must be received no later than 8:00 p.m. on Election Day in order to be counted. Normal business hours are Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

In addition to the normal business hours, extended hours for absentee voting are:

Statewide Presidential Nomination Primary Election:

Saturday, February 29, 2020 from 10:00 am to 3:00 p.m.; Monday March 2, 2020 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.;

Statewide Primary Election:

Saturday August 8, 2020 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.; Monday, August 10, 2020 from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.;

Statewide General Election:

Saturday, October 31, 2020 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.; Monday, November 2, 2020 from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

If you choose to vote in person on Election Day, the designated polling place is:

Stearns County Service Center

3301 County Road 138

Waite Park, MN 56387

Polling hours are from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

At least one assistive voting ballot-marker will be available at that polling place to permit persons with disabilities to vote privately and independently.

All mail ballots will be counted at the Stearns County Service Center after 8:00 p.m. on the respective election dates.

Additional information is available by contacting the Stearns County Auditor-Treasurer Office, Elections Division, by phone (320) 656-3920, by email at elections@co.stearns.mn.us , or by visiting the website at www.co.stearns.mn.us .

 

Dated 11th day of December, 2019

By order of

Randy R. Schreifels,

Stearns County Auditor-Treasurer

Official Minutes 10.1.19

The October monthly meeting of the Farming Township Board was called to order by Dan Stommes at 8:00 pm in the FCC room. The flag pledge was said. All members were present. Also present were Dewey Klaphake and Dale Lange.

The September minutes were read. Jason Willenbring made a motion to accept the minutes as read, Dave Robertson seconded. All in favor, motion carried.

Treasurer Duane Janssen gave a financial report with a balance of $330,897.43 in the checking account.

RE: Road Issues – Discussion was held concerning several road issues. Due to the wet weather repairs and blading have proven difficult. They will be taken care of as soon as weather permit.

RE: Albany School District – Dan Stommes gave a report on the Fifth Monday meeting. There will be a shortage of space at the Albany Elementary School. Several options are being considered and the School Board is interested in any public ideas. The Green House is being constructed. He noted that the school population is currently 1772 with 211 students in open enrollment and 150 students from the District going to other schools.

RE: L & R Meeting – Duane Janssen gave a short report on the resolutions considered at the L&R meeting.

RE: Farming Community Center – The Board has received notice that the rent for the Board Room will be raised to $3000 for the year 2020. Discussion was held. The Board agreed to the new annual rent.

RE: Snow Blading Quotes – Dan Stommes will check into snow blading quotes and present them at the November meeting.

RE: COL Fire District – Jason Willenbring gave a short report on the COL meeting. Due to the high turnover of personal the COL Board is considering paying fire personal for fire calls and training sessions.

RE: Jost – It was noted that Norb Jost has buried a PVC pipe in the ditch along his property. Supervisors will watch to make sure there are no problems.

The following warrants were examined, verified and ordered paid:

6841       Lange Trenching                               blading                                                 $               3,819.43

6842       Stearns Electric                                 monthly electric bill                                                  65.08

6843       US Treasury                                        medicare/soc.security                                          391.28

Total                      $                 4,275.79

Year-to-date Total           $             287,921.93

At 9:05 pm Dave Robertson made a motion to adjourn the meeting, Jason Willenbring seconded. All in favor, motion carried.