MP08-55
Maine Prairie Township Board Meeting
December 9, 2008

Chair Loewen opened the board meeting with the pledge to the flag.  He recessed to Planning & Zoning at 7:03 p.m. 

Board members present: Supervisors Dennis Loewen John Wicker, & Jim Unterberger, Clerk/Treasurer Terre Harff, Deputy Clerk Beverly Adolph.  Others present Chuck Froehling, Charles Kraft, & Gene Mertens.

Chair Loewen called for any additions or corrections to the minutes. With a sentence removed on MP08-50, Supervisor’s Wicker/Unterberger made a motion to accept the minutes with corrections.  Motion carried.

Treasurer’s report was reviewed.  Supervisors Unterberger/Loewen made a motion to accept the treasurer’s report.  Motion carried.  Clerk Harff asked if the board wants to put any money from the $229,844.13 into the money market.  With discussion, Wicker/Unterberger made a motion to put $200,000.00 into money market.  All into General Fund if possible, motion carried.  Clerk Harff felt that the checking was good and will meet about 4 months of bills as required by the auditors. 

Website was discussed.  Clerk Harff mentioned that Mary Mueller is requesting payment for the balance of the website and Harff has not been trained on how to operate within the website.  Wicker had seen a website with a calendar and thought it would be something the clerk could do later.  It was suggested to pay Mary’s bill but with the conditions that she educates Clerk Harff in the running of the website. 

145th Street – Permanent Easements have been signed by Richard & Robert Stein and Bill Herges.  Clerk Harff will have them recorded at the county.  Supervisors Loewen/Wicker made a motion to have them recorded and cover the cost of recording.  Motion carried.  Supervisor Loewen explained that granite will need to be placed in the driveway of one of the residents that had it before the work was done.    A question about the fence in the right of way by the landing; agreement was to leave the fence there but let them know the township is not responsible for any damage. 

Comprehensive Growth Plan – The meeting will be December 23rd at 6:30 p.m. with Charles Marohn from Community Growth Institute present. 

Fines, Fees & Penalties – Discussion was to invite the assessor, Gary Grossinger, into the next meeting to discuss what improvements the county assesses for.  Then the township can make a decision on what permitting is needed.  Before putting on the website, updating the permitting information is needed.  Chuck would like to see more definition in what he issues permits for.  Froehling also explained the state is looking at controlling sprinkler systems.  Clerk Harff was directed to contact the assessor’s office to see if Grossinger can come into the January 13th meeting. 

With no other old business, Chair Loewen called for New Business:

Maps for shore land are needed.  Chair Loewen will call the county to request some. 

City of Rockville – Supervisors Loewen/Unterberger made a motion that Wicker attends their next meeting on December 17th and act on behalf of the township.  Motion carried.  There is an agreement that the City of Rockville will take care of the road until Jan. 1st.  Wicker will see if they will continue to care for the roads until both boards can meet together and negotiate a road agreement.  With the Administrative Judge ruling that the City of Rockville will have control of Grand Lake road and its rights of way.  The shared roads needing to be discussed are: 210th St, Rausch Lake Road and about 50’ of Grand Lake Road up to Aggate Beach. As of Jan 1st, Hendricks Sand & Gravel will be prepared, if necessary, to plow the roads in question.  Wicker will let Hendricks know if he has any success in negotiating. 

Clerk Harff asked for approval of a gambling permit from Holy Cross in Pearl Lake for their calendar gambling.  Supervisors Unterberger/Loewen made a motion to approve the gambling permit.  Motion carried.

Clerk Harff also received the 2nd part of 2010 census and she has until March to complete.  She will have to add the detachment area and all the new homes not included before.  Gene Mertens said that he can help with the detachment area; he has a list of all the residents and their addresses. 

Tri Co Humane Society has sent their contract for renewal.   Supervisors Wicker/Unterberger made a motion to renew their contract as it has not changed from previously.  Motion carried. 

Charles Kraft asked if a welcome letter will be sent or newsletter is done by the township.  Harff explained the newsletter comes out in the spring and will address the detachment.  Kraft asked where they would get their burning permits from.  The board explained if they have the Rockville Fire Department, it would come from Rockville.   Kraft also asked if he could buy salt/sand for his driveway.  He was directed to Hendricks Sand & Gravel in Kimball. 

Gene Mertens asked about the fire department and if they would still service the detachment area.  The board said that nothing would change as far as service goes. 

Heidi from Environmental Services asked Supervisor Unterberger if the township was going to maintain the ponds in the right of way in Ken Zutz’s Plat.  The board said they are required to maintain all right of ways.  Unterberger will call Heidi to explain the board’s decision.

Clerk Harff received a letter from the Assessor’s office asking if the board wants to retain their own Board of Review or the township wants the county to take it over.  Supervisors Loewen/Unterberger made a motion to retain its own Board of Review.  Motion carried.

Clerk Harff explained she had an election meeting for December 17th in preparation for the Township Election.

Supervisor Wicker received a list of committee members for the TEP.  He gave it to the clerk for the file.

Bills were presented:

Supervisors Wicker/Unterberger made a motion to pay the bills presented including the bill presented at the meeting for Murnane & Brandt, M-R Sign Co and Bogart & Pederson.  Motion carried

Supervisors Unterberger/Wicker made a motion to adjourn the meeting.  Motion carried. 

Terre Harff,

Clerk/Treasurer