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 was Dewey Klaphake and Derek Kulzer.
The October minutes were read. Jason Willenbring made a motion to accept the minutes with correcting check number 7146 to 7147 United States Treasury and check 7147 to 7148 M&R Signs, Ben Mergen seconded. All in favor, motion carried.
Treasurer Duane Janssen gave a financial report with $598933.60 in the checking account.
Regarding the bill to Asphalt Seal Coating, Dan will get a breakdown of the bill before sending them a check.
RE: Derek Kulzer would like a construction permit for building on Hazelwood Road, Jason Willenbring made a motion to approve this permit, Ben Mergen seconded, All in favor, motion carried
RE: Snow Removal for the 2022-2023 Season. Jason Willenbring made a motion to accept the bid from Sunnybrook Enterprises for snow removal of Truck of $170/hour and Salt Sand of $100/yard, (price of salt may go up with out notice due to possible shortage) Ben Mergen seconded, All in favor, motion carried
RE; Dan Stommes gave a report of 5th Monday meeting, nothing new
Discussion was held regarding the current rate on CD’s in the bank, Duane will get a list of the CD’s and when they are due and possibly combining some of them, as interest rates are rising slightly.
Discussion was held regarding getting a grant for work on 260th and 223rd, is on hold for now.
The road that Kerry Mergen had done some work on, is still rough and with time will hopefully smooth out.
Linda Theisen had done up a agreement that could be used, when the township does any work along township roads that could affect the land owner, all board members reviewed and it looked good, each board member took some along with them.
Discussion was held regarding Solar Farms, The township will review in the future. Dewey Klaphake will get more information regarding Solar Farms.
The following claims were examined, verified and ordered paid
7149 MN Association township/Linda Year end training $ 40.00
7150 Midwest Asphalt crack sealing $ 56,720.00
7151 Arvig monthly bill $ 86.95
7152 Chain of Lakes Fire 4th Quarter fire protection $ 1813.60
7153 Stearns Electric monthly bill $ 65.08
____
Total $ 58,725.63
Year-to-date Total $ 274,147.27
At 9:04 pm Ben Mergen made a motion to adjourn the meeting, Jason Willenbring seconded. All in favor, motion carried.

The October 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 Dale Lange.
The September 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 $604,936.44 in the checking account.
RE: Kerry Mergen project of putting tile under the road is done. Dan will follow up with Kerry about seeding the road ditches and leveling the road.
RE: 223rd Ave will be looked at again in spring
RE: Ben contacted the land owner regarding the trees on Mahogany road, she said it was O.K. to trim, but Ben will meet with the grandson before doing so. After discussing the tree trimming it was suggested that Linda look into doing up an easement agreement to have land owners sign before the township would do any tree trimming, weed spraying or any work on the property.
RE: Dan gave a report from the Albany Fire Department meeting. The fire department was asked to take the new fire truck to Duluth to a convention, the department declined to do this
RE; Snow plowing estimates, Dan will contact Sunny Brook Enterprise to see if they are interested and if so get us a quote.
The following claims were examined, verified and ordered paid
7144 Stearns Electirc monthly bill $ 65.08
7145 Lange Trenching blading and fix washout $ 5344.83
7146 Arvig monthly bill $ 86.95
7147 United States Treasury 3rd quarter payroll taxes $ 425.72
7148 M&R Signs 911 signs Brix/Kulzer $ 80.31

Total $ 6002.89
Year-to-date Total $ 215,421.64
At 8:57 pm Ben Mergen made a motion to adjourn the meeting, Jason Willenbring seconded. All in favor, motion carried.

The September 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 Kerry Mergen and Math Schmitz. The meeting was held using social distancing and Covid 19 recommendations.
The August 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 $617,247.78 in the checking account.
RE: Linda had a request from Community Center board, if it would be a option to move to a different room if the Community Center could rent the current room out for a different purpose. Discussion was held, it would not be a problem to move if the Center so would request it.
RE: Kerry Mergen will begin his project on 288th, that he had requested last fall. He was asked to let Dan Stommes know when he would be starting because of the bus route.
RE: Ben Mergen did a ride along with Paynesville Cenex about spraying the road ditches this fall yet, discussion was held and it will be revisited in spring.
RE: Trees on Mahogany Road are starting to present a problem. The board will try to get a hold of the land owner to discuss getting them trimmed back.
Other trees along township roads will be trimmed this fall and winter as time permits
Some research was done regarding the boil on 223rd ave , it was determined that is was dug up and some sand was in there about 15 years ago, it is an on going issue
The following claims were examined, verified and ordered paid
7133 Dan Stommes Mileage $ 67.19
7134 Dan Stommes Supervisor wages $ 346.31
7135 Linda Theisen Clerk wages $ 943.36
7136 Jason Willenbring Supervisor wages $ 415.57
7137 Linda Theisen Mileage, ink cartridge $ 162.72
7138 Stearns Electric Monthly bill $ 65.08
7139 Arvig Monthly bill $ 86.95
7140 Math Schmitz Cutting road ditches $ 3633.25
7141 City of St Martin Fire protection $ 6387.08
7142 Ben Mergen Supervisor wage $ 310.30
7143 Duane Janssen Treasurer wages $ 554.10

Total $ 12,971.91
Year-to-date Total $ 209,418.75
At 8:50 pm Ben Mergen made a motion to adjourn the meeting, Jason Willenbring seconded. All in favor, motion carried.

_____________________________________ ____________________________________
Chairman Date Clerk Date

The August 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 Ken Janssen. The meeting was held using social distancing and Covid 19 recommendations.
The July 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 $559,990.33 in the checking account.
RE; Ken Janssen was wondering what was needed to get a building permit to put a 14 x 24 addition on the back side of one of his sheds, he was directed to Dewey Klaphake.
RE: Linda had an email from Mike Williams, asking if the township had reconsidered giving the final $21,000.00 of ARPA money to the broadband project. Discussion was held and it was agreed that the township would consider giving the final $21,000 once the project was done and what the final cost to township residents was.
RE: Weed inspection, pretty good results, road right of ways is where the most problems are. Discussion was held and in spring it will be looked into as to what the cost of spraying for weeds would be.
RE: Dan Stommes gave a report from the Albany Fire Board, nothing much new
RE: Duane Janssen gave a report from the 5th Monday meeting for the school district. The big items of discussion were the referendum and the new superintendent .
A bill needs to be sent to the following for dust coating, Charlie Riechert, Dave Robertson, Jim Rau and Robert Kulzer.
Dale Lange looked into the culvert across from the Clear Lake public access, it should be looked next spring and determine if a catch basin needs to be added.
The following claims were examined, verified and ordered paid
7128 Stearns Electric-monthly bill $65.08
7129 Transfer money to CD/Tarring Fund $50,000.00
7130 Chain of Lakes-3rd Quarter fire protection $1813.60
7131 Arvig-monthy bill $86.95
71321 Central MN Dust Coating-dust coating $21,162.50
Total $ 73,128.13
Year-to-date Total $ 196,446.84
At 8:55 pm Ben Mergen made a motion to adjourn the meeting, Jason Willenbring seconded. All in favor, motion carried.

The July 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 Dale Lange, Matt Schmitz, Ed Jaeger and Cole Thomma of Stearns County Sheriffs Department. The meeting was held using social distancing and Covid 19 recommendations.
The June 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 $601,871.71 in the checking account.
RE: Ed Jaeger was present to discuss about putting in a new culvert in on his meadow hay ground. The current culvert is not on his property. Discussion was held. The board said to get ahold of Dewey Klaphake to get a permit and that any costs associated with the new culvert would be Ed Jaeger’s.
Cole Thomma from the Sheriffs Department gave a report of activity in the township for April and May.
RE: Jason Willenbring asked for a review of election judges. Linda Theisen reported that herself and Victor Kotten would be trained as head judges and that Anne Smith-Bleichner would also be a election judge. Linda also reported that if more judges are needed, she talked to Albany Township and that we would be able to get one from them.
RE: Dust control on 260th Dale Lange reported that it should be done soon.
RE: Weed Inspection each of the supervisors have gone thru their area once and will report back next month with any follow up
RE: Culvert on Clear Lake Road will be looked at next month
RE: Frost boil on 223rd will be looked at next month
The following claims were examined, verified and ordered paid:
7126 Stearns Electric monthly electric bill $ 65.08
7123 Math Schmitz cutting road ditches $ 1941.00
7124 Lange Trenching Class 2, Class 5 and blading $ 39,000.37

____
Total $ _______
Year-to-date Total $ _________
At 9:05 pm ___________ made a motion to adjourn the meeting, _____________ seconded. All in favor, motion carried.

The June Monthly Meeting of the Farming Township Board was called to order by Dan Stommes at 8:05pm. The flag pledge was said. All members were present. Also present was Dale Lange. The meeting was held using social distancing and Covid 19 recommendations.
The May minutes were read. Corrections: Change the $55/hour to $55/mile. Jason Willenbring made a motion to accept the minutes as read, with corrections, Ben Mergen seconded. All in favor, motion carried.
Treasurer Duane Janssen gave a financial report with $492,477.11 in the checking account.
RE: Linda gave a brief review of the clerk training she attended, and brought up a few changes they suggested, the board said not to make changes and continue as in the past,
RE: Weed inspection, discussion was held. Each of the supervisors will take a section of the township to check for noxious weeds, if there are some, they will contact the land owner about getting rid of the weeds.
RE: Clear Lake Road, by the public access, the culvert is lifting, discussion was held. Dale Lange will look into it closer as what needs to be done.
RE: The frost boil on the hill of 223rd ave by Tom Holthaus discussion was held, and the supervisors and Dale will look into it closer
RE: Hydro Patching Dan will follow up with them.
The following bills need to be sent out Tom Dobmeier for 911 road sign $60
Taylor Allen and Edward Weispfenning for 911 road sign $60
Pilgrims Pride made a request to haul agriculture products over 80,000 pounds up to 97,000 pounds on 275th st and 260th st. Ben Mergen made a motion to grant Pilgrims Pride permission, to haul agriculture products over 80,000 pounds up to 97,000 pounds Dan Stommes seconded, Jason Willenbring abstained from voting on the motion, 2 votes in favor, motion passed.
Minnesota Joint Powers Agreement Jason Willenbring made a motion to continue the The Minnesota joint Powers Agreement, Ben Mergen seconded it, all in favor motion carried
The Minnesota Joint Powers Agreement is an agreement with the department of public safety, Bureau of criminal Apprehension, State of Minnesota and Stearns County allowing the township to get some of the money that is collected from fines.
The following claims were examined, verified and ordered paid:
7118 Stearns Electric monthly electric bill $ 65.08 7100 Arvig Monthly Bill $148.49
7101 Jason Willenbring Mileage $ 104.40 7102 Ben Mergen Supervisor wages $623.36
7103 Linda Theisen Clerk Wages $ 1201.01 7104 Dan Stommes Supervisor wages $1207.94
7105 Judy Bruemmer Clerk wages $ 188.40 7106 Ben Mergen Mileage $13.34
7107 Duane Janssen Treasurer wages $ 761.89 7108 VOID
7109 Dewey Klaphake Zoning Board wages $ 205.02 7110 Dewey Klaphake reimb expenses $507.86
7111 Stearns Co Auditor Accessing fees $ 7237.25 7112 General Rental rent Chipper $203.54
7113 Dave Robertson Supervisor wages $ 69.26 7114 Victor Kotten Election Judge $127.50
7115 Jason Willenbring Supervisor wages $ 795.13 7116 Judy Bruemmer Reimburse expense $79.98
7117 Judy Bruemmer Election Judge $ 112.50 7119 Linda Theisen Mileage $105.42
7120 Joyce Wimmer Election Judge $ 120.00 7121 Lange Trenching Class 2 and Blading $ 7829.68
7122 Dan Stommes Mileage $ 162.30

Total $ 21,869.35
Year-to-date Total $ 81,388.36
At 9:20 pm Jason Willenbring made a motion to adjourn the meeting, Ben Mergen seconded. All in favor, motion carried.

The May 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 Math Schmitz, Eric Popp, Stearns County Deputy, Kristina Peasley and Dale Lange. The meeting was held using social distancing and Covid 19 recommendations.
The April 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 $497,621.55 in the checking account.
RE: Ryan Symanietz was granted is request to vacate the easement between lots 2 and 3 of Royal River Road
RE: Eric Popp of the Stearns County Sheriff’s Department gave a report of the activity that happened in Farming Township in March and April of 2022.
RE: Kristina Peasly asked if it would be possible to have some more crushed granite hauled on to 218th Ave, it is very soft in some spots, especially when wet. The board will look into this in the near future when the road is wet.
RE: Dust Control, there is only one quote it was from Central Minnesota Dust Control, their quote is for .65 cents per foot. Discussion was held, they should be able to apply in a timely manner this year as they have more storage for the product. Jason Willenbring made a motion to accept this bid. Ben Mergen seconded, all in favor, motion carried.
RE: Ditch Cutting, there was only on quote, it was from Math Schmitz, his quote was for $85/hour plus fuel. Discussion was held Jason Willenbring made a motion to accept this quote, Ben Mergen seconded, All in favor, motion carried
RE: Crack Filling, there was only one quote, it was from Midwest Asphalt it is for $1.60 per pound. Discussion was held, Ben Mergen made a motion to accept this quote, Jason Willenbring seconded it, All in favor, Motion carried
RE: Class 2, there was only one quote, it was from Lange Trenching, class 2 granite $21.47/ton and bladed one time. Discussion was held, Jason Willenbring made a motion to accept the quote for Class 2 granite from Lange Trenching, Ben Mergen seconded, All in favor, Motion carried
RE: Class 5 gravel, there was only one quote, it was from Lange Trenching Inc, Class 5 gravel $13.50 CY and bladed one time. Discussion was held. Jason Willenbring made a motion to accept the quote from Lange Trenching for the class 5 and blading, Ben Mergen seconded All in favor, Motion carried
RE: Blading township roads, there was only one quote, it was from Lange Trenching Inc. Blading the roads at $55/mile. Discussion was held. Ben Mergen made a motion to accept the quote from Lange Trenching to blade the township roads for $55/mile, Jason Willenbring seconded it, All in favor, Motion carried
The supervisors had finished the road tour. Discussion was held with Dale Lange about road and culvert issues along 223rd Ave and all other roads with issues.
RE: Linn Dairy driving up on to the road thru the ditch on Clear Lake Road Jason will discuss with them.
RE: Arvig update, they would charge $6500 to bring fiber optics to the building. Discussion was held. Arvig did bring the internet into the building thru the telephone line.
RE: Broadband to unserved and underserved in the township, Discussion was held Ben Mergen made a motion to commit $40,000 of ARPA money to the county so they can go ahead and apply for the boarder to boarder grant at this time, and when the township gets the second half of the ARPA money we will look at giving more money for this project. Jason Willenbring seconded it, All in favor, Motion carried.
RE: Liquor License for Trappers Pub and Grub discussion was held. Jason Willenbring made a motion to approve the liquor license for Trappers Pub and Grub, Ben Mergen seconded it, all in favor, Motion carried
RE: 5th Monday Meeting Dan Stommes gave a report that there will be a referendum to purchase the old hospital building in Albany. If purchased the pre school classes and Kindergarten would be in that building.
The following claims were examined, verified and ordered paid
Check 7094 Robyn Theisen help Linda with ARPA report $18.00
Check 7095 Stearns Electric Monthly bill $65.08
Check 7096 M& R Sign Sign $45.43
Check 7097 MAT CTAS Training/Linda $65.00
Check 7098 Lange Trenching Blading $3465.00
Check 7099 Chain of Lakes Fire 2nd qtr fire protection $1813.60
Total $5472.11
Year to date total $59519.01
At 10:15 pm Jason Willenbring made a motion to adjourn the meeting, Ben Mergen seconded. All in favor, motion carried.

The April 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 Mariah and Ryan Symanietz, Dan and Dana Rea. The meeting was held using social distancing and Covid 19 recommendations.
The March minutes were read. Corrections: Change Rich Symanietz to Ryan Symanietz. Jason Willenbring made a motion to accept the minutes as read,with corrections, Ben Mergen seconded. All in favor, motion carried.
Treasurer Duane Janssen gave a financial report with $500,065.89 in the checking account.
RE: Dan Rea from the Farming Athletic Field requested a 3.2 Malt Liquor License for the period of April 15,2022 thru October 14,2022. Jason Willenbring made a motion to approve the liquor license. Ben Mergen seconded. All in favor, motion carried.
RE: Reorganization Meeting. Jason Willenbring made a motion to accept the minutes of the Reorganization meeting, Ben Mergen seconded All in favor, motion carried.
RE: Dust coating/gravel/class 5 and tarring Dan Stommes will contact Lange Excavating and Scepaniak Excavating to get bids for gravel and class 5. He will contact Midwest Asphalt about tarring for repairs and Dale Lange for blading.
RE: Reminder road tour will take place April 19 at 9:30 am
The following claims were examined, verified and ordered paid:
7088 Stearns Electric monthly electric bill $ 65.08
7089 US Treasury Quarterly payroll taxes $ 516.40
7090 Dewey Klaphake Moderator for annual meeting $ 50.00
7091 Stearns County Truth in Taxation/Election Chg $ 337.66
7092 Sunny Brook March Plow and March guarantee $ 1240.00Ja
7093 Star Publication Public Hearing Notice $ 235.20
Total $ 2444.34
Year-to-date Total $ 54046.90
At 8:50 Jason Willenbring made a motion to recess the regular meeting, Ben Mergen seconded it. Motion carried
At this time a special meeting was called to order regarding vacating the easements of lots 2 and 3 of Royal River Road for Ryan Symanietz. Discussion and review of the application to vacate the easements of lots 2 and 3 of Royal River Road was held. Jason Willenbring made a motion to vacate the easement on lots 2 and 3 of Royal River Road. Ben Mergen seconded it. Motion carried.
At 9:40 Jason Willenbring made a motion to close the special meeting, Ben Mergen seconded, motion carried
At 9:40 Jason Willenbring made a motion to reopen the regular meeting, Ben Mergen seconded, regular meeting back in session.
Arvig update-No update, waiting to hear back

At 10:00 pm Ben Mergen 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 Jason Willenbring at 8:00 pm in the FCC Board Room. The flag pledge was said. All members were present. Also present were Dewey Klaphake and Linda Theisen. The meeting was held using social distancing and following Covid-19 recommendations.
The February minutes of the Board Meeting, Board of Audit and Budget Meeting 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 $483,090.39 in the checking account.
RE: Redistricting Resolution – Because of redistricting in Stearns County the Board needed to re-establish the precinct polling places. Dave Robertson made a motion to pass Resolution 3.1.22 designating the Farming Community Center as the polling place for local elections and the Stearns County Service Center in Waite Park as the polling place for the State and Federal elections, Dan Stommes seconded. All in favor, motion carried.
RE: Township Election and Annual Meeting – The Clerk stated all is in order.
RE: District Meeting in Freeport on February 23, 2022 – Jason Willenbring and Dan Stommes attended the meeting and gave a report. Representatives were present at that meeting and presented information on the ARPA grant and what the County plans would be.
RE: Albany Fire Department – Dan Stommes gave a report on the Department Meeting.
RE: Rich Symanietz – Dewey Klaphake presented information stating the Mr. Symanietz needed the Board to vacate the 20 foot drainage utility easement before they would issue a building permit. The Township Board needed to do that. The Supervisors were in favor of vacating the easement. Dewey Klaphake will check with Stearns County as to what steps needed to be taken.
RE: A reminder was given that the Board of Equalization will be held in person on Tuesday, April 5, 2022 at 10:30 am in the FCC Board Room.
RE: District Semi-annual Meeting – A reminder was given that the meeting will be held in Freeport, MN on Thursday, April 7, 2022. It will be a dinner meeting for officers and their spouses.
RE: Dustcoating, Gravel and Blading – Discussion was held. It was decided to contact MN Dustcoating soon and to get gravel and blading quotes for the May meeting.

Minutes 3.1.2022 second page

The following claims were examined, verified and ordered paid:
7072 Stearns Electric monthly electric bill $ 65.08
7073 Sunny Brook Ent. Inc. snowplowing/sand 3,340.00
7074 M-R Sign, Inc. 911 sign 45.43
7075 Dewey Klaphake zoning adm. wages 180.08
7076 Dave Robertson supervisor wages 415.57
7077 Dave Robertson reimb. mileage 17.92
7078 Jason Willenbring supervisor wages 554.10
7079 Dewey Klaphake reimb. permit fees/mileage 132.88
7080 City of Albany fire protection 18,556.00
7081 City of St. Martin fire protection 6,763.33
7082 Daniel Stommes supervisor wages 512.54
7083 Daniel Stommes reimb. mileage 45.92
7084 Judy Bruemmer clerk wages 831.15
7085 Judy Bruemmer reimb. supplies/computer/mileage 304.58
7086 Duane Janssen treasurer wages 623.36
7087 Stearns Cty Officers Assn spouse dinners 20.00
Total $ 33,407.94
Year-to-date Total $ 51,602.56
At 9:25 pm, Dave Robertson made a motion to adjourn the meeting, Dan Stommes seconded. All in favor, motion carried.