Board of Canvass Meeting 3.8.16
The Board of Canvass was called to order by Neil Franz at 8:25 pm following the counting of ballots in the 2016 Township Election.
The votes were as follows:
For Supervisor for a three year term:
Neil Franz 75
Dave Robertson 136
Vernon Willenbring made a motion to declare Dave Robertson the winner of the Supervisor position, Dan Stommes seconded. All in favor, motion carried.
For Clerk for a two year term:
Judy Bruemmer 203
Write-ins 2
Dan Stommes made a motion to declare Judy Bruemmer the winner of the Clerk position, Vernon Willenbring seconded. All I favor, motion carried.
A total of 212 ballots were cast in the Election.
At 8:30 pm, Vernon Willenbring made a motion to adjourn the meeting, Dan Stommes seconded. All in favor, motion carried.

Official Minutes 3.1.16
The March monthly meeting was called to order by Neil Franz at 4:05 pm. The flag pledge was said. All members were present. Also present were Roger Mergen, Dale Lange, Mike Schleper and Stephanie Jacobs.
The February minutes were read. Dan Stommes made a motion to accept the minutes as read, Vernon Willenbring seconded. All in favor, motion carried.
***the monthly meeting was held at an earlier time due to Precinct Caucuses***
Duane Janssen gave a financial report stating that the checkbook balance was $260,234.77.
RE: Mergen issue – Roger Mergen asked about the damage deposit he had made on his project along Mahogany Road. Discussion was held. Supervisors stated that they wanted to hold on to the deposit until Spring in case some issues came up after the thaw.
RE: Jacobs driveway – Stephanie Jacobs asked if she needed a permit to put an extension on her property’s driveway. Discussion was held. Supervisors will check with the zoning administrator and let her know.
RE: Farming Athletic Association Liquor License – Mike Schleper was present to ask the Town Board to approve the Association’s application for an On-Sale 3.2% Malt Liquor License from April 16, 2016 thru October 15, 2016. Discussion was held. Vernon Willenbring made a motion to approve the application, Dan Stommes seconded. All in favor, motion carried. Mike Schleper also gave a short report on the lighting project for the baseball field.
RE: Re-Organization Meeting – It was decided to have the Re-organization meeting on Thursday, March 17, 2016 at 8:00 pm.
RE: Board of Equalization Meeting – Discussion was held. Since the meeting will be held on the same day as the April monthly meeting it was decided to do the Road Tour following the meeting, weather permitting, and have the monthly meeting at the regular time that evening.
RE: Gravel Quotes – Supervisors reported that gravel specs have been checked out and they will pass them on to contractors and plan on opening gravel quotes at the April meeting.
RE: Albany School District – Dan Stommes gave a short report on the Fifth Monday Board Meeting. The 2 year Construction plan was presented, the Board meetings were changed to the third Wed of the month and an intern training program will begin at the school.
The following warrants were examined, verified and ordered paid:
6419 Neil Franz supervisor wages $ 277.05
6420 Vernon Willenbring supervisor wages 387.88
6421 Daniel Stommes supervisor wages 332.46
6422 Duane Janssen treasurer wages 484.84
6423 City of St. Martin fire protection 2015 4590.26
6424 COL Fire & Rescue Qtr 1 2016 fire protection 1243.09
6425 Judy Bruemmer reimb. mileage/postage/supplies 190.42
6426 Stearns Electric monthly electric bill 64.93
6427 Judy Bruemmer clerk wages 637.21
6428 City of Albany fire prot./equip fund 14623.00
6429 Sunny Brook Ent. Snowplowing 1615.00
Total $ 24,446.14
Year-to-date Total $ 38,729.56
At 5:00 pm, Dan Stommes made a motion to adjourn the meeting, Vernon Willenbring seconded. All in favor, motion carried.

Official Minutes 2.2.16
The February monthly board meeting of Farming Township was called to order by Neil Franz at 8:00 pm. The flag pledge was said. All members were present. Also present were Dewey Klaphake, Dave Robertson and Brian Brix.
The January minutes were read. One correction was made – two check numbers were incorrect. Vernon Willenbring made a motion to accept the minutes with the correction, Dan Stommes seconded. All in favor, motion carried.
Duane Janssen gave a financial report stating that the checking balance was $242,865.28.
RE: St. Martin Fire Department Meeting – A report was given concerning the special meeting. It concerned updating of the communication structure of the fire department. It was approved.
Vernon Willenbring made a motion to recess the monthly meeting in order to hold the Board of Audit Meeting and the Budget Meeting at 8:15 pm, Dan Stommes seconded. All in favor, motion carried.

Board of Audit Meeting 2.2.16
The Board of Audit Meeting was called to order by Neil Franz at 8:16 pm. The Clerk and Treasurer presented their report. Discussion was held. It was decided to use a simpler list of receipts and disbursements for the Annual Meeting Report. Several copies of the CTAS Ledger report will be made available for residents to look over. Vernon Willenbring made a motion to accept the report as presented, Dan Stommes seconded. All in favor, motion carried. At 8:30 pm, Vernon Willenbring made a motion to adjourn the Board of Audit Meeting, Dan Stommes seconded. All in favor, motion carried.

Budget Meeting 2.2.16
The Budget Meeting was called to order by Neil Franz at 8:31 pm. Discussion was held. The budget was gone over and amounts were set. Dan Stommes made a motion to approve the proposed budget for 2017, Vernon Willenbring seconded. All in favor, motion carried. At 9:16 pm, Vernon Willenbring made a motion to adjourn the Budget Meeting, Dan Stommes seconded. All in favor, motion carried.

The February monthly meeting was called back to order at 9:17 pm by Neil Franz.
RE: Township Election – The Clerk stated that Joyce Wimmer would be head election judge and Linda Theisen and Victor Kotten would be judges. Joyce Wimmer and Linda Theisen would be on the Absentee Ballot Board. Vernon Willenbring made a motion to accept the list of judges, Dan Stommes seconded. All in favor, motion carried.
RE: Zoning – Neil Franz reported on a communication received from Stearns County concerning zoning changes for road specs. Discussion was held.
RE: COL Fire District – Vernon Willenbring reported that the Fire District had received a grant for equipment purchases.
RE: MAT Resolutions – MN Association of Townships had presented a resolution concerning the ‘Revocation of County Highways to Townships’ that they were asking Farming Township to support. Discussion was held. Vernon Willenbring made a motion to endorse the resolution, Dan Stommes seconded. All in favor, motion carried.
RE: Zoning Permit Fees – Dewey Klaphake questioned the rates for permits for the Township. Discussion was held. It was decided to table it until the Reorganization Meeting.
The following warrants were examined, verified and ordered paid:
6415 Stearns Electric monthly electric bill $ 64.93
6416 Sunny Brook Ent Inc snowplowing 1955.00
6417 MATIT insurance 1495.00
6418 Stearns Cty Assn of Twps county/state dues 1029.96
Total $ 4584.89
Year-to-date Total $ 14,283.42
At 9:40 pm, Vernon Willenbring made a motion to adjourn the monthly meeting, Dan Stommes seconded. All in favor, motion carried

Official Minutes 1.5.16
The January monthly meeting of the Farming Township Board was called to order by Dan Stommes at 8:00 pm. The flag pledge was said. Present were Dan Stommes, Vernon Willenbring, Duane Janssen and Judy Bruemmer. Neil Franz was absent. Also present were Brian Brix, Dave Robertson, Dale Lange and Marlene Statz.
The December minutes were read. There was one correction: the surcharge for snowplowing when diesel goes above $4/gallon is $5 per hour. Vernon Willenbring made a motion to accept the minutes with the correction, Dan Stommes seconded. All in favor, motion carried.
Duane Janssen gave a financial report.
RE: Gambling License for Lions Club Raffle – Marlene Statz asked the Board to approve the application. Discussion was held. Vernon Willenbring made a motion to sign and approve the application, Dan Stommes seconded. All in favor, motion carried.
RE: Rau dustcoating bill – Vernon Willenbring reported that he contacted Mr. Rau and to go ahead and cash the check.
RE: Roger Mergen project – Discussion was held. It was decided to hold the damage deposit check until Spring.
RE: Ken Hamann driveway complaint – Vernon Willenbring reported that he checked it out and he notified Mr. Hamann that it was not the Township’s responsibility.
RE: COL Fire District – Vernon Willenbring gave a short report on the Fire District.
RE: Voting Booths – Judy Bruemmer asked the Board if they wanted to get different or additional voting booths. Discussion was held. It was decided to table the matter until the February meeting.
RE: Board of Audit Meeting and Budget Meeting – Discussion was held. It was decided to hold the meetings at the February meeting.
The following warrants were examined, verified and ordered paid:
6408 Farming Community Center annual rent $ 1995.00
6409 US Treasury medicare/soc.security 343.48
6410 Stearns Electric monthly electric bill 64.93
6411 Star Publication newspaper ads 48.30
6412 Lange Trenching blading 1555.64
6413 COL Fire & Rescue District ’15 Qtr 4 fire protection 1236.18
6414 Sunny Brook Ent. Inc. snowplowing 4455.00
Total $ 9,698.53
Year-to-date Total $ 9,698.53
At 8:35 pm Vernon Willenbring made a motion to adjourn the meeting, Dan Stommes seconded. All in favor, motion carried.

Official Minutes 12.1.15
The December monthly meeting was called to order by Neil Franz at 8:00 pm. The flag pledge was said. Present were Neil Franz, Dan Stommes, Vernon Willenbring and Duane Janssen. Also present was Dewey Klaphake, Dale Lange, Bryan Wellner and Randy Maile.
The November minutes were read. Vernon Willenbring made a motion to accept the minutes as read, Dan Stommes seconded. All in favor, motion carried.
Duane Janssen gave a financial report stating that the checking account balance was $203, 804.86.
RE: Snowplowing Complaints – Complaints were received about snowplowing on Hedgewood Road, Fifth Lake Road and 193rd. Discussion was held.
RE: 288th Street East – No work has been done on the road.
RE: Snow Plowing Quotes – Only one quote was received for snow plowing – Sunny Brook, Inc. The quote was for $100/hr for plow truck, salt and sand for $85/yd with possible increase due to possible shortages, a $5/hr surcharge if diesel fuel goes above $4/gal and an additional $600/month guarantee for the months of December, January, February, and March. Lange Trenching did not want to give a quote. Discussion was held. Dan Stommes made a motion to approve the quote and hire Sunny Brook Enterprise for snowplowing for 2015/2016, Vernon Willenbring seconded. All in favor, motion carried.
RE: Tarring Fund Transfer – Vernon Willenbring made a motion to transfer $50,000 to a Tarring Fund CD, Dan Stommes seconded. All in favor, motion carried.
RE: Zoning – Dewey Klaphake reported that the County visited the farm owned by Evergreen Acres and found that the new building was for worker housing. The County will take care of any zoning issues.
The following warrants were examined, verified and ordered paid:
6394 Neil Franz supervisor wages $ 277.05
6395 Daniel Stommes supervisor wages 244.73
6396 Vernon Willenbring supervisor wages 443.28
6397 Lange Trenching blading 4367.67
6398 Dewey Klaphake zoning adm. wages 96.97
6399 MATIT workman’s comp ins 242.00
6400 Stearns Electric monthly electric bill 64.93
6401 City of St. Martin fire protection ½ of 2015 6481.10
6402 Judy Bruemmer reimb supplies/mileage/comp 109.60
6403 VOID
6404 Stearns Cty Aud/Treas truth in taxation charge 109.00
6405 Judy Bruemmer clerk wages 637.21
6406 Duane Janssen treasurer wages 429.43
6407 Farming Township transfer to tarring fund CD 50000.00
Total $ 63,502.97
Year-to-date Total $ 297,752.61
At 9:00 pm, Vernon Willenbring made a motion to adjourn the meeting, Dan Stommes seconded. All in favor, motion carried.
Minutes taken by Neil Franz.

Official Minutes 11.3.15
The November monthly meeting was called to order by Neil Franz at 8:00 pm. The flag pledge was said. All members were present. Also present were Dewey Klaphake, Dale Lange, Dave Robertson and Brian Brix.
The October minutes were read. Vernon Willenbring made a motion to accept the minutes as read, Dan Stommes seconded. All in favor, motion carried.
Duane Janssen gave a financial report stating that the checking account balance was $217,006.50.
RE: Mapleview Maintenance Fund – Discussion was held. Dan Stommes made a motion to transfer the funds from the account into checking in order to pay for crackfilling along Mapleview, Vernon Willenbring seconded. All in favor, motion carried.
RE: Zoning – Dewey Klaphake gave a short zoning report. He stated that he and the County are still checking on construction done by Evergreen Acres as no permits have been recorded. He will update the Board when he has more information.
RE: Clear Lake Culvert – Discussion was held. Vernon Willenbring stated that he put up a post with red paint on it on the edge of the culvert. He will check on it to see if it helps keep the traffic off the edge of the culvert.
RE: Manure Regulations – Neil Franz stated that he checked on the statute regarding Townships issuing permits for manure applicators. He reported that the statute does not clearly state that the Township ‘must’ issue permits. Discussion was held. The Supervisors decided they will not issue permits unless it becomes a problem.
RE: 288th Street – Supervisors reported that Brian Brix has not done any work along the road yet.
RE: Blading – It was noted that there is a slight problem where 223rd Ave and 280th Street meet. It will be checked on.
RE: District Meeting – Discussion was held concerning information from the meeting. The County stated that there plan was to turn over one road a year to local governments. Farming Township was not on the list which only went to 2020.
RE: Regional Transportation Plan – Neil Franz reported on the October 21st meeting concerning future plans regarding bike paths, etc.
RE: Snowplowing Quotes – Supervisors will check for snowplowing quotes to be opened at the December meeting.
RE: Brushcutter – Vernon Willenbring stated that Munson Township said they are renting a brushcutter. He will check with them about how well it worked.
RE: January Meeting – Neil Franz stated that he will not be in attendance at the January meeting.
The following warrants were examined, verified and ordered paid:
6391 Lange Trenching blading $ 1668.76
6392 Stearns Electric monthly electric bill 64.93
6393 All Things Asphalt crackfilling 11866.40
Total $ 13,600.09
Year-to-date Total $ 234,249.64
Dan Stommes made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:50 pm, Vernon Willenbring seconded. All in favor, motion carried.

Official Minutes 10.6.15
The October monthly meeting of the Farming Township Board was called to order by Neil Franz at 8:00 pm. The flag pledge was said. All members were present. Also present were Dewey Klaphake, Dale Lange, Brian Brix and Dave Robertson. Carl Janssen arrived later in the meeting.
The September meeting minutes were read. One correction was made: Dewey Klaphake was also present at the meeting. Dan Stommes made a motion to accept the minutes with the correction, Vernon Willenbring seconded. All in favor, motion carried.
Treasurer Duane Janssen gave a financial statement stating that the checkbook balance was $220,149.29.
RE: Solar Panels – Dewey Klaphake reported that permitting for solar panels is done by the County. It does not involve the Township.
RE: Clear Lake Culvert – Vernon Willenbring reported that the culvert is on a corner and that vehicles are turning shorter on the corner thus causing problems with the culvert. He didn’t know if putting an extension on the culvert would solve the issue as vehicles would then turn even shorter. Maybe putting up reflectors would be a solution. Neil Franz and Dan Stommes will check it out to see what the best option might be.
RE: Baseball Association Grant Letter – The Supervisors looked over the draft of the letter the Township would give to the Association to send with their application for a grant for the Farming Baseball Association. Dan Stommes made a motion to approve the letter and send it to Mike Schleper, Vernon Willenbring seconded. All in favor, motion carried.
RE: District Meeting – A reminder was given about the District Township Meeting in Freeport on Thursday, October 29.
RE: Manure Application Permit – MAT News reported that the Legislature passed a law suggesting that Townships need to permit manure application contractors. Neil Franz will check into this.
RE: 260th West – Vernon WIllenbring reported that the loose tar spot has been repaired by Munson Township.
RE: 288th St East – Brian Brix asked permission to clean the ditch on the north side of the road. Discussion was held. The Board decided he could go ahead and do it.
RE: Road Maintenance – Dale Lange presented information he had acquired regarding specifications, costs and maintenance of tarred roads. The Board thanked him for the information.
The following warrants were examined, verified and ordered paid:
6387 Lange Trenching blading $ 1413.64
6388 US Treasury medicare/soc. security 428.04
6389 Stearns Electric monthly electric bill 64.93
6390 COL Fire & Rescue Dist. Qtr 3 2015 fire protection 1236.18
Total $ 3,142.79
Year-to-date Total $ 220,649.55
At 8:55 pm Vernon Willenbring made a motion to adjourn the meeting, Dan Stommes seconded. All in favor, motion carried.

Official Minutes 9.1.15
The September monthly meeting of the Farming Township Board was called to order by Chairperson Neil Franz at 8:00 pm. The flag pledge was said. All members were present. Also present were Matt Schmitz, John Blenker, Tom Winkels, Kenneth Hamann, Patty Linz, Donnie Linz, Nick Salzer, Dale Lange, Brian Brix, Dave Robertson, Craig Klein, P. Fischer, Lou Jost, Norb Jost, John Linn, Breanna Linn, Roger Backes, Jerry Rausch, Buddy Bushman, Ron Backes, Tony Legatt, Dean Rausch, Fred Holthaus, Dewey Klaphake and one unreadable signature.
The minutes from the August meeting were read. One correction was made – the unknown signature was determined to be Gary Winkels. Vernon Willenbring made a motion to accept the minutes with the correction, Dan Stommes seconded. All in favor, motion carried.
A financial report was given by Treasurer Duane Janssen stating that the checking account balance was $229,054.16.
RE: Road Tarring Policy – Dave Robertson submitted a petition in response to the proposed tarring policy. The petition, containing 320 signatures, asking that the Board retain the 2008 Tarring Policy was reviewed by the Township Supervisors. The Board noted that remarks made at the Annual Meeting, the establishment of the Road Study Group, their presentation in July and the Special Meeting in August were all indicators to them that residents were not pleased with the current tarring policy. A lengthy discussion was held. Vernon Willenbring made a motion to ratify and keep the 2008 tarring policy in effect, Dan Stommes seconded. All in favor, motion carried. As a result of the petition presentation and the passing of a motion to keep the 2008 policy in effect, Neil Franz did not present the updated revision of the proposed tarring policy.
RE: Bardson Ditch Spraying Complaint – Vernon Willenbring stated that he checked it out and the trees sprayed were within the Township right-of-way. He said he attempted to contact the residents but no one was home. He will try another time.
RE: 300th Street – A complaint was received about 300th Street West. It will be checked and bladed.
RE: Clear Lake Road Culvert – A complaint was received about a culvert on Clear Lake Road. Supervisors will check on it.
The following warrants were examined, verified and ordered paid:
6371 Bardson Excavating crushed concrete $ 324.00
6372 Star Publications newspaper ads 96.60
6373 Pat Schmitz road ditch cutting 2176.00
6374 Stearns Electric monthly electric bill 64.93
6375 CentraSota-St. Martin spray road ditches 2287.60
6376 Lange Trenching blading 1596.39
6377 Dan Stommes supervisor wages/put up signs 842.69
6378 Dan Stommes reimb. mileage/road rpr supplies 379.62
6379 Vernon Willenbring supervisor wages 443.28
6380 Neil Franz supervisor wages 221.64
6381 Judy Bruemmer clerk wages 581.80
6382 Judy Bruemmer supplies/computer time 58.49
6383 Dewey Klaphake reimb. – permit fees 65.12
6384 Dewey Klaphake zoning adm. wages 64.64
6385 Duane Janssen treasurer wages 429.43
6386 Duane Janssen road rpr 161.50
Total $ 9,793.73
Year-to-date Total $ 217,506.76
At 9:45 pm, Dan Stommes made a motion to adjourn the meeting, Vernon Willenbring seconded. All in favor, motion carried.

Official Minutes of the 8.4.15 Monthly Meeting and the Special Meeting regarding a Tarring Resolution
The August monthly meeting was called to order by Neil Franz at 8:00 pm. The flag pledge was said. All members were present. Also present were Dewey Klaphake, Nick Salzer, Dale Lange, John Blenker, Walter Buerman, Victor Kotten, Robert Massmann, Mike Bushman, Craig Klein, Dave Robertson, Brian Brix, Jerry Rausch, Todd Barrow, Deloris Hamann, Kenneth Hamann, Tom Winkels, Tony Legatt, Gary Winkels, Fred Holthaus, Sherry Holthaus, Peggy Eiynck, Tom Schliemann, Jessie Schliemann, Jack Wimmer, Pat Zimmerman, Dean Rausch, Deb Janssen, Art Janssen, Ken Janssen, Anne Brix, Ursula Robertson, John Zimmerman, Jim Barker and John Schueller.
The July minutes were read. Dan Stommes made a motion to accept the minutes as read, Vernon Willenbring seconded. All in favor, motion carried.
A financial report was given by Duane Janssen stating that the checking balance was $238,402.86.
RE: Crackfilling – Dan Stommes reported that crackfilling was finished. Dan Stommes made a motion to use the money in the Mapleview Road Fund to pay for crackfilling on Mapleview, Vernon Willenbring seconded. All in favor, motion carried.
RE: Dustcoating – Dustcoating is finished. The clerk will bill any residents that asked for dustcoating along their property.
RE: Albany Fire Dept – Neil Franz gave a short report on the fire department meeting, stating that Farming Township pays approximately 10% of the department billings. Vernon Willenbring made a motion to approve the fire protection agreement with the Albany Fire Dept., Dan Stommes seconded. All in favor, motion carried.
RE: Brush Spraying – Vernon Willenbring reported that brush spraying was done by CentraSota of St. Martin.
RE: Weed Inspection – Supervisors reported that weed inspection was finished.
RE: Albany School Referendum – A reminder was given that the referendum election will be on Tuesday, August 11, 2015. The only voting place will be the Junior/Senior High Building in Albany.

The August monthly meeting was recessed at 8:30 pm in order to conduct the Special Meeting to discuss the proposed Tarring Policy for Farming Township. (Those attending the Special Meeting are listed above.)
Neil Franz called the Special Meeting to order at 8:30 pm and stated that the purpose of the meeting was to get input, comments and opinions regarding the proposed Tarring Policy. Many of the attendees offered comments. Some of the comments were concerns about residents being assessed for tarring if funds were not available, options for 50/50 tarring, why rescind the previous policy, how to decide what roads to tar, traffic (business & other) from non-township sources doing damage to township roads, etc.
At 9:35 pm, Neil Franz made a motion to close the Special Meeting, Dan Stommes seconded. All in favor, motion carried. The Supervisors thanked everyone for their comments. They stated the Supervisors would take the comments under advisement and decide what their next step might be.

The August monthly meeting was called back to order at 9:36 pm.
Discussion was held concerning comments and opinions expressed at the Special Meeting. The Supervisors decided that they would like to think things over until the September meeting. Neil Franz stated he would like to re-write the draft and present it as a discussion item at the September meeting.
The following warrants were examined, verified and ordered paid:
6364 Albany Post Office stamps $ 49.00
6365 Stearns Electric monthly electric bill 64.93
6366 Lange Trenching rd rpr/granite/blading 6271.36
6367 Mayers Repair rd rpr/bolts for signs 30.20
6368 Stearns Cty Aud/Treas. March election costs 170.16
6369 Wakefield Township COL debt retirement/int. 3572.69
6370 COL Fire & Rescue Dist. 2015 Qtr 2 fire protection 1224.26
Total $ 11,382.60
Year-to-date Total $ 207,713.03
Dan Stommes made a motion to adjourn the monthly meeting at 9:49 pm, Vernon Willenbring seconded. All in favor, motion carried.