Maine Prairie Township
Board Meeting
January 8, 2008
Chair Wicker opened the board meeting with the pledge to the flag. He recessed to Planning & Zoning at 7:05 p.m. The board reconvened to the town board meeting at 7:20 p.m.
Board members present: Supervisors John Wicker, Jim Unterberger, & Dennis Loewen, Clerk/Treasurer Terre Harff, Deputy Clerk Beverly Adolph. Others present Chuck Froehling, Ron Albers, Joe Hendricks, Don Adams from Stearns Co Environmental Services, Fuzzy Hinz, and Tom Sommers.
Before going into the minutes and treasurers report, the chair called on Don Adams to explain to the board and neighbors present, what, if anything can be done with Tom Sieben nuisance complaint. Don explained that Tom has not paid his taxes from 2003 to 2007 plus he will need to pay the assessment of $47,000 - $50,000 for the clean up. The county gave him a 20 year clean up pay back but the taxes are still past due. Don suggested that the township hold off until 2009 when forfeiture proceedings will take place. Then he will be given so many days to pay the $13,000 back taxes and about $4,900 in past due assessment. Don Adams sympathized with the neighbors but felt that the wait is the best way to deal with it. Chair Wicker asked if the township should go after the unlicensed and untitled vehicles on his property. The decision was not to do anything, but to let the process work and not put undo pressure on Tom Sieben at this time. Right now the land value is $127,400 for 40 acres. There is little to no value in the home or out buildings. Fuzzy Hinz asked if Sieben would make a partial payment, will that give him extra time. Don said he talked with Jerry Rearing, who handles tax delinquent properties, and he stated all his special assessments and all his property taxes through 2009 would need to be paid. Fuzzy said that he is willing to wait a year but feels that should be the end. Tom Sommers also agreed that it would be best to wait. Don said that if Sieben would come up with the taxes due, then the county will take legal action to do a clean up with it stated that he could no longer add more garbage to his property. Don was asked when the process will begin. He explained there will be a review done in Nov. or Dec. of 2008 and the abatement process will begin in Jan. 2009.
Don Adams explained if the township is looking at taking on their own planning, it would have to work more closely with the county because they have the maps, GPS, feedlot information, lake setbacks and other information to be able to make the proper decisions, also he would suggest the board have their own planning board that advises to the main town board. He said that we should work on the comprehensive plan. Avon just gave up all their zoning permits back to the county. Since the township has land like the Avon area, he felt it would be good to meet with Avon to see how they worked on their comprehensive plan. Don said they held a public hearing section by section and then drew up the plan. He also said that Avon & Lynden Townships have very good growth maps and it is easier to pass with the planning board. There was a discussion on the problems Maine Prairie is having with County Planning Committee. Don felt that it would make no difference in changing the memorandum of understanding when it comes to Planning and Zoning because the process is done at the county level. The board thanked Don Adams for coming to their meeting. At a county meeting, Commissioner Schaeffer questioned Supervisor Unterberger; weather the township has a road plan. Supervisor Unterberger explained that we have specifications, if a road does not meet specification, it is not accepted as a township road. Don Adams explained this is something the county will be working on in the future.
Chair Wicker called for any additions or corrections to the minutes of the December 11, 2007 meeting. There were extractions with wording changes in the Cobblecrest Dr Section of the minutes. Supervisors Wicker/Loewen made a motion to approve after correcting the information. Motion carried. The clerk said that she will mail the corrected minutes to the chair to verify the information was corrected properly.
The treasurers report was presented with an money market investment
balance of $516,719.01, CD investment of $9877.13, and checkbook balance of
$118, 429.83 which leaves a total net worth of the township of $645.025.97.
After reviewing the reports, Supervisors Loewen/Wicker made a motion to
accept the treasurer’s
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report. Motion carried. The board suggested they contact Gail Scheifelbein
to ask her how she does her investment reports.
Clerk Harff checked with David Walz at Stearns Co Auditors office about electronic transfer of the revenue funds. They have not had requests for that as of yet and right not do not intend on doing so. Supervisor Loewen felt we should contact Randy Schreifels with our interest in doing so. Chair Wicker asked Clerk Harff to draw up a letter requesting they look into it and email it to him.
Chair Wicker reviewed the City of Rockville Fire Contracts and the increase. He requested a break down of how they arrived at their figures from the City of Rockville. Maine Prairie Township has 3% of their tax capacity and 3% of their calls. So the township pays 3% of their budget which is $8,739.00. Last year there were two rescue calls for Maine Prairie with one call cancelled. Fire Service cost $4,400.00 and debt pay down of the fire hall is about the same. They no longer have a fire board since they became a city. He explained he has heard nothing more from the Rockville residents requesting to become part of Maine Prairie.
A meeting with Maine Prairie Township Board with the City of Kimball is on Jan 10th, 7:00 p.m. to discuss orderly annexation and growth. Clerk Harff asked if the City clerk will take minutes or if she should. The board asked her to contact the City Mayor and discuss that with her.
Chair Called for New Business:
Comprehensive Growth Plan Hearing is scheduled for Jan. 22, 2008 at 10:05 a.m. at the county.
Clerk Harff will be going through the township audit from KDV on Jan. 30th and 31st at her home.
Ordinance Change copies of 209 Ordinances came in the mail. Supervisor Loewen requested a copy. He also requested a copy of the CTAS Chart of Accounts. Supervisor Unterberger would also like a copy of the chart of accounts.
Paynesville Meeting for Comprehensive Growth maps and Ordinance Changes for 209 will be discussed. Meeting will at Paynesville Community Center from 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. on Jan 30th. Other meeting dates are possible in different locations.
Clerk Harff is asking for a meeting change date for the March Monthly meeting because of the annual election and meeting. The board decided on March 4th. Clerk Harff explained that she will probably not have a chance to get the financial reports done by then because she doesn’t receive the bank statements soon enough. The board felt it important to meet before the Annual meeting so the clerk should do the best she can in that time span.
Chair Wicker said that he checked with Jody Teich about 145th St. Nothing had been submitted to the state and no bids called for. He said that he would keep checking to make sure it gets done as soon as possible. It was decided to let the County take care of the process.
Supervisor Unterberger mentioned that he went to the 5 year road plan meeting in November.
Town Hall – Supervisor Unterberger said that he called Carol Lenzmeier
about the property on the corner by the historical marker. She wanted to
discuss it with her sons but she never returned his call. He called and
spoke with Dennis Kuseske about the land across the road by Lloyd Scheeler’s
Trailer Home. Dennis Kuseske said he is willing to sell that piece of
property on the South side of his driveway but will not have anything to do
with the county. Supervisor Unterberger spoke with Angie at Environmental
Services about rezoning that piece of property. She said that any government
entity has a right to split or develop without rezoning. It is an odd size
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piece of property. The discussion was to look for about 5 acres, move the
historical marker, and offer $3,000.00 an acre give him credit for $5,000.00
as a tax incentive and possibly make it Maine Prairie Hall & Park. The board
decided on offering him $3,000.00 with $3,000.00 tax incentive. Supervisor
Loewen said he would see if he could get the acreage amount and bring it to
the next meeting. Then bring all the information to the people at the Annual
meeting. The discussion was: it is important to bring the cost of building a
hall for about 200-300 people to the annual meeting.
Clerk Harff explained she has the 2010 Census material that she really has not reviewed but she will contact the county for addresses listed in Street format like they ordered from the Census Bureau. The board has set up Feb. 19th & 26th for the LUCA meeting dates at 7:00 p.m. Clerk Harff will publish the closed meeting dates into the paper.
County Sign program was discussed; it was decided not to work with the county, that we would continue ordering signs from M-R Signs out of Fergus Falls.
Chair Wicker read a letter explaining MAITT Insurance Group has increased Liability coverage for the townships to $1,200,000.00 with no increase in premium at this time.
Bills presented at the meeting from Murane/Brandt, Attorneys for $356.14 and Ron Albers for $245.00. Supervisors Wicker/Loewen made a motion to pay those bills. Motion carried.
A bill from North Star Signs & Engraving for $427.24 was presented after the meeting. Clerk Harff called to get approved by Supervisors Unterberger/Wicker to pay since it was discussed and quoted in the December meeting.
Bills were presented to the board:
Disbursements Check #
Hendricks Sand & Gravel Snow Removal $ 9,719.25 4255
DiversiCom Telephone December Bill 37.59 4256
M A T Agency County & Asso. Dues 991.46 4257
Ron Albers Permit MP07-30 245.00 4258
Murane/Brandt Attorneys EAW & Mid MN Review 356.14 4259
North Star Signs& Engraving Plaques for Town Hall 427.24 4260
Receipts Receipt #
Interest Earned Ckecking $ Bank Statement
2006 CD Interest $ Bank Statement
2007 CD Interest $ Bank Statement
Money Market Interest $ Bank Statement
John Wicker Filing Fee 2.00 074518
Stearns Co 2007 Beer Settlement 335.00 074519
Stearns Co Settlement of Revenue Real & Mobile Home 6,931.94 074520
Supervisors Loewen/Wicker made a motion to approve the Planning & Zoning Permit.
Supervisors Wicker/Loewen made a motion to pay the bills. Motion carried
Supervisors Loewen/Unterberger made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried.
Terre Harff,
Maine Prairie Township, Clerk/Treasurer