MP11-70

 Maine Prairie Board Meeting
November 8, 2011
 
Supervisor Loewen opened the meeting with the pledge to the flag.  The meeting was recessed to planning and zoning at 7:05 and reconvened at 7:30. 
 
Additions to agenda: #8 202nd St by Mel Frank, #9 Walter Tadyach, #10 113th Street.  Supervisors Wicker/Kuechle made a motion to approve agenda.  Motion carried.
 
Board members present: Supervisors Dennis Loewen, Ron Kuechle, John Wicker, and Terre Harff, Clerk.  Others present Chuck Froehling, Mike Fricke from St of MN Labor & Industry, Ron Wasmund new building inspector, and Lonnie Hendricks.
 
Supervisor Loewen asked for any corrections or additions to the October board minutes and September 27th minutes.  On the Sept 27th meeting a rewording to list a name instead of using “his wife” was to clarify who it was.   Supervisors Wicker/Kuechle made a motion to accept the minutes as presented.  Motion carried.
 
Treasurer’s report was called for:  Clerk Harff explained the township received $11,634 from the St of MN for their portion of the levy.  Supervisors Wicker/Loewen made a motion to accept the treasurer’s report.  Motion carried.  Clerk Harff asked for verification on billing out for culvert and road/driveway repair to Gene Merten.  Gene furnished culvert and owes for one load of gravel and installation of the culvert under his driveway.  The road repair will be covered by the township. 
 
Old Business was called for:  City of Kimball – Joint meeting date is set for November 29th at 7:00 at the fire hall.  Storage of township files can be done at the police station but access will need to be arranged with Nicole, City Clerk.  An agreement will be drawn up to allow this and will be reviewed at the joint meeting.  A question whether a repair at the intersection of 83rd Ave and 135th St is a shared cost.  Clerk Harff was directed to see if she can find the quantity of gravel taken from the pit so a billing can take place.
 
Roads: Kingston Street – Culvert/Culvert Collars and gravel out of township pit all need to be billed to Kingston Township.  Lonnie said the collars are put in place.  Clerk Harff explained that she has not received notification as to how much gravel was hauled from the township pit.  It will be checked into further. 
 
163rd Street was reviewed by FEMA representative, it was explained the filing time for FEMA was in August.  The damage is coming from the high water washing the road ditch.  Lonnie was asked to start shoring up the road to protect it from further damage.   It is too late to request FEMA help.
 
Two complaints came forth concerning the gravel dead end road on Carnelian Lake Rd.  Supervisor Loewen feels gravel needs to be added.  Lonnie said the trees become a problem so he needs to go in with small equipment.  It was suggested that the township take care of the tree problems so emergency vehicles can get in and out. 
 
Township Association Meeting: Attended by Supervisors Wicker, Loewen and Clerk Harff.  An explanation of the loss of Homestead Credit and the lowering of property values was given by Mr Johnson from Assessor’s office.    Mike Couri announced that township can now get tax exempt status
 
MP11-71
on gravel purchased, supplies and etc.  Clerk Harff will get a tax exempt number from the Dept of Revenue. 
 
With no further old business, new business was called for:  Beaver trapping on 205th street – Supervisor Wicker explained he received a complaint from Jeff Loesch of someone trapping on a ditch right of way and he was afraid his dogs would get into the traps.  Wicker spoke with the trapper, the trapper spoke with DNR and was told it was in the right of way, he could trap.  Wicker asked Clerk Harff to contact Attorney Couri about it.  The reply was that the Right of Way land for townships is owned by the land owner unless it was a platted right of way, the land owner must give permission for trapping on his land.  If for some reason, the township asked the trapper to trap beaver to get rid of a road problem, it is then up to the township to draw up an agreement that the trapper is responsible for any liability.  Wicker spoke with the trapper concerning the attorneys reply.  The trapper has since removed his traps.
 
MOU meeting for November 22nd – It was suggested to cancel the MOU meeting because the joint meeting with the City of Kimball is on the 29th and Thanksgiving is in between.  Clerk Harff will take care of the legals.  Clerk Harff was asked to resend the MOU changes from Heidi to the supervisors. 
 
Crop Damage for Dennis Kuseske – When the ditch repair was done on 135th Street West of Hwy 15, some crop damage occurred.  Supervisor Kuechle reviewed the problem to approx 12 rows, 600’ long.  Wicker explained that would consist of approx .41 acres.  Figuring 200 bushels to an acre, the loss would be of approx 82 bushels.  The cost of corn was $6.50 a bushel which comes to a $533.00 loss.  Supervisor Wicker/Loewen made a motion to cover the loss and send a check to Dennis Kuseske for $533.00.  Motion carried. 
 
Sauk River Watershed District mailing was discussed concerning reverting water from Beaver Lake.  Supervisor Loewen explained the process was already approved.  No action needed to be taken.
 
Clerk Harff received information on money being available for parks and trails from the Transportation Enhancement Funding.  After discussion and review, no action needed.
 
Clerk Harff explained that she received notice that mileage rate went up on July 1st to $.55 from $.51.  According to the Board of Canvass meeting, the mileage rate is supposed to be paid retroactively.  Supervisors Wicker/Kuechle made a motion to not look back at the last pay period but to have it changed for this next pay period.  Motion carried.
 
MATIT Insurance Coverage was reviewed.  With no change in the township; Supervisors Loewen/Kuechle made a motion not to change the policy.  Motion carried.
 
Supervisor Wicker received a bill from Mel Frank whom lives on 202nd street.  The billing was for a washed out driveway.  He hauled granite in and wants reimbursement.  After discussion, the township is not responsible for driveways, there will be no action needed or taken and Supervisor Wicker will speak with him.
 
Walter Tadych fence issue from this past summer – Supervisor Loewen explained the letter never had to be sent because the extra posts and temporary fencing were removed. 
 
MP11-72
113th Street by Leither’s has been a problem when heavy rains come.  Lonnie went out to ditch it so the water doesn’t wash the road out.  Supervisor Wicker explained it is by where he farms.  He personally paid for 6 hours of work on his field side to correct the problem.  The rest is billed to the township.   
 
Supervisors Wicker/Kuechle made a motion to accept the permits.  Motion carried.
 
Supervisors Wicker/Loewen made a motion to pay the bills including the final bill to Ron Albers, Crop Damage claim to Dennis Kuseske and a claim for the Recorder’s office to pay for recording Douglass’s , Donnay’s and Fenton’s documents.  Motion carried.
 
Balance Brought Forward                           $165,447.96
                Receipts                                     +    3,657.22
                Disbursements                            -  10,041.95
                Balance in Checking                    $159,063.23
                Investment Total                         $784,832.92
                Total Value of Township              $943,896.15
 
 
Supervisors Kuechle/Wicker made a motion to adjourn.
 
 
 
 
Terre Harff, Clerk

Maine Prairie Township
12670 Co Rd 149   Watkins, MN 55389
Phone:   320.398.2905  Fax:   320.398.2906
clerk.mpt@meltel.net
Copyright (c) 2008