JOINT SPECIAL MEETING
CITY OF KIMBALL & MAINE PRAIRIE TOWNSHIP
FEBRUARY 4, 2010
 
Meeting called to order at 6:37pm by Mayor Tammy Konz
 
Pledge of allegiance was recited
 
Council members present: Tammy Konz, Eric Loewen, Chris Jansky, DuWayne Orbeck and Joe Krippner
 
Maine Prairie Township Supervisors present: John Wicker, Jim Unterberger, Dennis Loewen and Chuck Froehling
 
Motion made by Chris Jansky and seconded by Jim Unterberger to approve the August 6, 2009 minutes; motion carried
 
The possible extension of Elm Street was discussed.  John spoke with Jodi from Stearns County Public Works regarding required studies needed if the extension is over a mile.  If the extension is over a mile an EIS Study will need to be done.  The township will be contacting a contractor to get a rough estimate on the cost of the extension and the city will be speaking with their engineer regarding the cost estimate.  A possible road swap with the county was also discussed as were benefits to MNDOT of extending the road to alleviate traffic problems.  The city will put together a committee at Tuesday’s council meeting and meet again with Maine Prairie after their annual meeting on March 9th.
 
An Orderly Annexation Agreement was discussed to ensure the ease of the township and city working together in the future.  It was agreed that a good place to start would be with the city’s and township’s Comprehensive Plans.  The city’s is complete and Maine Prairie will contact the person working on theirs regarding this.  Maine Prairie will let the city know when their Comprehensive Plan is complete so that the township and city can start drafting the Orderly Annexation Agreement.  The township feels that they have not had enough citizen input regarding their Comprehensive Plan.
 
Clean-up Day is scheduled for May 1st in Kimball in the A M Maus parking lot from 8-1.  Mayor Konz discussed also having volunteers from the township and Fairhaven due to people from those areas coming to the city to dispose of items on Clean-up Day.  Maine Prairie said they would have volunteers present.
 
Nicole Pilarski spoke about the TH 15 Corridor Coalition she had attended that day.  The coalition will be having a meeting in Kimball sometime in April to discuss plans/concerns with citizens in the area regarding the highway.  They are currently doing studies in conjunction with the 3 MNDOT Districts to get federal funding.
 
The Clearwater River Watershed District received a grant in the amount of $70,900 for the improvement of Willow Creek.  The city had a Wastewater Study done in 2004 by the Watershed District.  Maine Prairie recommended that the water be used in an irrigation field.
 
Mayor Konz updated the township on the 2010 Street Project the city is in the process of getting funding for.  The application has been submitted.  Dennis Loewen brought up having Cathy Olson specifically look for grants for the township and/or city.
 
The school district will again be voting on an operating levy this fall.  The township and city have set a meeting with the School Board, Superintendent and Principal for February 22 at 6:30pm so that everyone can partner up to help the school succeed in getting word out about the levy sooner to better provide a quality education for area students.
 
Mayor Konz spoke about Kimball CARES and the project they are working on this year is Homecoming.  They are hoping this will reduce vandalism and students’ late night hours.  They want to bring back the parade, snake dance, bonfire and all school dance.
 
Motion made by DuWayne Orbeck and seconded by Dennis Loewen to adjourn meeting at 8:35pm; motion carried
 
Respectfully submitted by Nicole Pilarski