MP09-39
Maine Prairie Township Board Meeting
September 8, 2009
Chair Loewen opened the board meeting with the pledge to the flag.
Board members present: Supervisors Dennis Loewen, John Wicker, & Jim
Unterberger, Clerk/Treasurer Terre Harff, Deputy Clerk Bev Adolph.
Others present Chuck Froehling, Ron Albers, Lonnie Hendricks, Gene Mertens,
and residents from Carnelian Lake Rd & Cabana Circle.
Chair Loewen called for any additions or corrections of the minutes.
With corrections noted, Supervisors Wicker/Unterberger made a motion to
accept the corrected minutes. Motion carried.
Chair Loewen called for the treasurer’s report. Supervisors
Unterberger/Wicker made a motion to approve treasurer’s report. Motion
carried. Clerk Harff gave each supervisor a copy of an explanation
letter for Unallocated revenue. With confusion as to how this is
possible, the state came out with an explanation letter.
Old Business: Supervisor Unterberger met with Larry from Kingston
Township about the bill turned in for culverts on the line road. The
bill goes unchanged but next time a bid or quote will be turned into the
township ahead of time. Supervisor Loewen stated he talked with Gail,
Clerk of Kingston Tsp, and their board would like to meet with Maine Prairie
Board to discuss a maintenance agreement. An October 6th meeting was
set.
Danzig Road – A letter was received from Tadych’s attorney stating they
would like to compromise and remove one or two poles but not them all.
The letter stated that things have not changed from the previous court case
and felt if he has to remove his poles, others on the road that have things
in the right of way, should be required to do the same. Supervisors
Wicker/Loewen made a motion to have our maintenance company pull out all 5
poles with a sheriff present. Motion carried. Wicker will
contact the sheriff to set up the day.
163rd Ave, Cabana Circle, and Carnelian Lake Road Project – Brian Atherton
felt the tar should be laid down the same day they reclaimed it. It
was explained there are two separate contractors involved and the work on
163rd can’t be done until Carnelian Lake Road has its last wear coat
applied. Anna Getts was concerned about the water that is going to
come down and wash away their driveway. They were asked if they had
trouble with this issue before, both Getts and Jeff Lerum(live in same home)
have stated that it has been an issue before but feels the way it is now, it
will only get worse. Loewen explained he was out after the last rain
and found no issue with the water. They wanted to know why no grading
stakes or silt fence were put up. Loewen explained that he check with
environmental services, an engineer is not required. It would have
added cost to the project and it would not have been affordable to do.
Getts also felt their concrete apron was damaged.
Other concerns brought up was big chunks of millings on Cabana Circle, a
suggested stop sign on Carnelian Lake Road and 163rd Ave., Can’t see as you
come up the hill, better site from Carnelian Lake Rd to the East on 163rd
St., Water into homes on Cabana Circle with the amount of millings put onto
road, double center line painted on 163rd St., better patrolling by the
county sheriff’s department or contract with the Kimball City Police, and
dry wells in the ground to handle the water problems by Cabana Circle.
Supervisor Loewen made a motion to remove the millings and put Cabana Circle
back the way it was. After discussion, the residents didn’t want the
millings removed but the water issue dealt with. Loewen withdrew his
motion.
Carnelian Lake Road mailboxes and parking regulations – Supervisor
Unterberger stated the multiple mailboxes supports to hold up to 5
mailboxes, have been ordered. The residents will be given the choice
as to where they will be placed, supports and hardware will be supplied
residents will get their own mailboxes.
MP09-40
Parking regulations were discussed, Supervisors Wicker/Unterberger made a
motion that there will be no parking on the East side of Carnelian Lake Road
from Nov. 15th to March 31st. Motion carried.
Powder Ridge Road project is completed and needs inspecting by supervisors.
Unterberger stated he felt the ditch by Berscheid’s needs to have ground put
in because it looks to be steep. Hendricks was asked to add the fill.
Tree Trimming – Norgren’s Tree Service has done 133rd and it looks great.
They cut the stump all the way down to the ground and the stump is treated.
They will continue to cut other trees in the township.
Mailbox supports are being stored at Supervisor Wicker’s house. The
cost to the resident will be $75.00 for the post and support hardware.
The resident will be responsible for installation according to postal
regulations and locates will need to be done before digging.
Clerk Harff stated her concerns with the road maintenance agreement with the
City of Kimball. She had not seen the document approved at a previous
meeting and feels that there are things missing to protect the township.
There was no payment schedule, legal description of roads addressed
separately, and a description as to what maintenance is required.
Harff retyped it to address the issues but was told that it was approved
previously and needed to be given to the city for approval.
County Weed inspector, John Waldorf called to say that the County Attorney,
Brenda Theis has sent a letter to Kevin Donnay concerning his thistles.
Attorney Theis spoke with Harff and told her to document all contact with
Kevin concerning the weeds, take pictures and act earlier next year.
The county will pursue legal action if the weeds become unmanageable.
Clerk Harff received the application from KDV Auditors. There cost
will be $4850.00, an increase of $300 from last year.
Supervisors Loewen/Wicker made a motion to accept KDV as the township
auditing company. Motion carried and papers were signed.
Clerk Harff explained she received a letter concerning the next phase of the
census. This phase is to add on the new construction and will need to
be done by computer. Since the township had not done it by computer
before, Harff does not have the program to input the information.
Harff stated that we have not had a lot of new homes built since the last
time. Supervisors Wicker/Unterberger made a motion to pass on this
phase. Motion carried.
Clerk Harff asked if the township would allow her to go to an excel training
class on October 19th. She would like to learn more of the excel
program so she can do graphs and formulas. With no luck in getting the
classes elsewhere, there is one offered in St Cloud at a cost of $79.00 per
day. She would only need the one day basic class.
Supervisors Unterberger/Loewen made a motion to allow the clerk to take in
the class. Motion carried.
Road tour issues – Water heater & rolled carpet are in the ditch by Phil
Konz, approach by Bob Epple needs to be looked at, might need more gravel,
and 83rd Ave past Pope’s has bad dips in and might be hard to snow plow.
Hendricks will take a look at and deal with.
It was decided the township will be looking at crack sealing and seal
coating next year. Roads mentioned were Cassion Rd and 155th St.
To be reviewed in March or April.
Holy Cross of Pearl Lake requested a gambling permit for their October Fish
Fry. Supervisors Unterberger/Wicker made a motion to approve.
Motion carried.
MP09-41
Supervisors Loewen/Unterberger made a motion to approve the permits
submitted by Planning and Zoning. Motion carried
Supervisors Loewen/Wicker made a motion to approve the bills presented
including payment for clerks excel class. Motion carried.
Balance Brought forth: $ 294,932.22
Money received
+ 1,831.84
Total Expenses:
- 21,957.88
MidMN Rd Project -
188,100.00
Balance in Ck Bk
$ 86,706.18
Total Investments
$603,977.21
Total Value of Twsp $690,683.39
Loewen/Wicker made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried.
Terre Harff, Clerk/Treasurer