MP09-47                                                        
Maine Prairie Township Board Meeting
November 10, 2009
 
Chair Wicker opened the board meeting with the pledge to the flag. 
 
Board members present: Supervisors John Wicker, Dennis Loewen, & Jim Unterberger, Clerk/Treasurer Terre Harff, and Deputy Clerk Bev Adolph.  Others present Chuck Froehling, Lonnie Hendricks, Gene Mertens, Robert Walter, Jerry from Mid MN Hot Mix, Larry Sheetz, and Ken Anderson.  Ron Albers was absent.
 
Chair Wicker called for any additions or corrections of the minutes.  With wording corrections noted, Supervisors Unterberger/Wicker made a motion to accept the corrected minutes.  Motion carried.
 
Chair Wicker called for the treasurer’s report.  Supervisors Unterberger/Wicker made a motion to approve treasurer’s report.  Motion carried. 
 
Old Business:  Road projects – discussion on the overruns for Powder Ridge Rd.  Jerry said that Mid MN didn’t make money on that road.  The water seeping through; they needed to dig it up again and put a blanket down before putting down the wear coat.  A question was about the damage and water issue on Carnelian Lake road by Etshokin’s property.  It was decided that Mid MN had nothing to do with this problem.  The board will take care of this issue.  Supervisors Loewen/Unterberger made a motion to pay for the overage.  Motion carried.  Jerry said he would fax the CC134 state required form so the clerk can pay the remainder of the contracted bill. 
 
163rd Ave – A bill for $17,000.00 is due for the 163rd St. work.  With the road raveling issue being reviewed in the spring, the board felt the whole bill should not be paid.  Supervisors Loewen/Wicker made a motion to pay 80% if the bill.  The balance once it is reviewed in the spring.  Motion carried. 
 
Eclipse Road – Mike Palmershine contacted Supervisor Wicker to see if they can have the Eastern part of the road vacated.  Residents are working on getting a consensus from all of the affected parties. 
 
Complaint 126th & 185th St – Supervisor Wicker asked if the sign could be moved back.  The trees are obstructing the sign.  It will be reviewed further.
 
Board of Appeals class:  Supervisor Unterberger attended so there are two members of the board certified.  Unterberger felt it was real informational.  Changes in Green Acres and Recreational land were discussed.
 
Supervisor Wicker reported that the City of Rockville will be doing their levying for the City Hall and Fire Hall as specified by the Law Judge in the detachment settlement.  The bill from the City of Rockville was discussed for the repair on Grand Lake Road.  The first bill was for only our share which was $4,400.00 dollars.  Clerk Harff called the city and requested an itemized bill from the contractor.  If the townships share was $4400, then the total cost would have been $8,800.00, that exceeds the road maintenance agreement of anything over $5,000.00 requires prior notice.  The city re-billed and it was then lowered to $3,200.00 with one half cost on the first part of the road and full cost on the township half of the road in the second repair.  According to the agreement, it was to be split, no matter what half is being done.  The clerk was authorized to pay $2,400.00. 
 
Road Agreement with Kingston Township – A letter was received from Kingston Township requesting a spring road tour with a member of each board rather than drawing up a road agreement.  Supervisor Wicker stated he was willing to try their proposal.  Supervisors Loewen/Wicker made a motion to have Supervisor Unterberger represent the township.  Motion carried. 
 
New Business:  Clerk Harff and Supervisor Loewen attended the MN Township Association meeting in Freeport.  Supervisor Loewen explained the new sign requirements and the cost.  The association was suggesting
 
MP09-48
that it be levied separately.  The new sign requirement goes into effect in 2015 and must be done by engineering.  There is no state grants to help pay for the new signage.  The Association is also requesting an increase of 6% in dues to help cover their costs.  Supervisors Loewen/Wicker made a motion to have the clerk email the cost that our township pays and what difference that would make.  Motion carried. 
 
At the township association meeting, a resolution concerning the Land Dedication money was presented.  It states that the money would be pooled together among districts and a member of each township would designate where the park money should be spent.  A draft of the resolution was discussed and Supervisors Unterberger/Wicker made a motion to sign the resolution with the understanding that it is better than what is in place now.  Motion carried.
 
Clerk Harff stated that she has not received the signed road maintenance agreement from the City of Kimball for the file.  Supervisor Unterberger said he will check with the City. 
 
Concerns for no field approach on 150th   St & 73rd Ave, the Tim Hurrle property.  With them using the road right of way, it could be a safety hazard for pulling out of the field at the intersection and the mud they are putting on the road could cause an accident.  Supervisors Loewen/Unterberger made a motion to have the clerk send a letter to the Hurrle’s asking them to come into the meeting to discuss field accesses.  Motion carried.  Clerk Harff was asked to email the letter to the supervisors before sending it out. 
 
Clerk Harff explained that the township will need to pass a resolution accepting another election precinct in the township.  The detachment area is in 15A district and the rest of Maine Prairie is in 14B district.  The County Auditor emailed the resolution and paperwork that needs to be sent to the state.  What this might mean for the township is we could be required to have more election judges because of two different ballots.   The board asked the clerk to check with the state on what requirements for two separate districts will be.  Supervisors Wicker/Loewen made a motion to pass a resolution to accept the two precincts in the township and to send the signed form to the state.  Motion carried.
 
Clerk Harff has met with Mary Mueller again to get help updating the website.  With not having high speed, it takes a long time to get everything downloaded before the land line disconnects. Supervisor Wicker asked the clerk to check into what the costs would be for high speed connection. 
 
Supervisors Unterberger/Wicker made a motion to accept the building permits.
 
Supervisors Loewen/Wicker made a motion to approve the bills presented including $355.00 to Environmental Services, Bogart Surveying, Menards for patching tar, Office Depot for paper and the City of Rockville claim was revised to pay only $2,400.00.  Motion carried. 
 
Balance Brought forth:     $ 142.047.73
Money received              +       2,366.66
Balance total                        144,414.39   
Expenses:                        -     73,695.07    
Balance in Ck Bk               $    70,719.32  
Total Investments           +   525,099.03
Total Value of Twsp        $    595,818.35
 
Supervisors Loewen/Unterberger made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried. 
 
 
Terre Harff, Clerk/Treasurer