MP09-10
ANNUAL MEETING
Maine Prairie Township
March 17, 2009
The Annual Town Meeting and Election was held on March 17, 2009 rather than
March 10th due to bad weather, at the Kimball Area Fire and Rescue Hall.
The Polls opened at 12:00 noon and closed at 8:00 p.m. with the business
meeting following the counting of the ballots at 8:30 p.m.
Clerk Terre Harff opened the Maine Prairie Township Annual Meeting with the
Pledge to the American Flag. Clerk Harff, called for nominations to
elect a moderator to run the meeting. A motion was made and seconded
to nominate Gary Woods as moderator. Motion carried
Moderator Woods presented the results of the election for a three (3) year
term Supervisor:
Total Ballot
count was 30
Dennis Loewen received 30 votes
No Write in Votes
Dennis Loewen
was re-elected to a three year term.
Moderator Gary Woods called for the residents to review the minutes of the
March 11, 2008 annual meeting. John Gohman/Jeff Hilsgen made a motion
to accept the minutes as presented. Motion carried
Moderator Woods called for the residents to review the Treasurers report.
A motion made by John Gohman/Alice Robinson to approve the Treasurer’s
report. Motion carried.
Old Business was called for:
No Spraying was done in 2008 but after the tour with the weed inspector,
some days will be set up in 2009. Mowing was done with the maintenance
company getting a mower that covers a larger area. A larger area was
dust guarded for testing purposes. It is proved to save gravel so more
will be done in 2009. Residents will need to pay 50/50 as in the past.
The detachment area will need to pay 100% in 2009 because no revenue money
is collected in 2009.
Right of Way issues were discussed. A question by Keith Donnay as to
where the right of way lines are. Loewen explained the lines are
recorded and a copy will be given to him.
The 2008 road projects were reviewed by the board. There will be some
money due on the 145th St project but the state will be paying $187,500
towards the $210,000 project. The work is not done until another lift
is added. In 2009 the township tarred 103rd Ave south of Kimball and
residents on 127th St chose to tar their road. The township paid
2/3rds and residents paid 1/3rd.
City of Rockville Detachment hearing: Judge ruled in favor of the 6
sections of City of Rockville residents to be a part of Maine Prairie
effective on November 5, 2008. With the judgment, there will be no tax
revenue until 2010; the township is working with the City of Rockville to
make sure services are covered.
MP09-11
Town Hall – Unterberger explained that land out by the original Maine
Prairie settlement on Dellwood Rd owned by Dennis and Gretchen Kuseske is
the future home of Maine Prairie Hall. The land was donated to the
township by the Kuseske Family. The only request of the family is if
the township does not use it for a hall, that it be returned to the family
and that the area remains clean and free of debris. The land surveying
and legal work will be paid by the township. They are looking at 4-5
acres. It was the hopes to start building in 2 years. Residents
felt if only $10,000.00 a year is going towards the hall, there would not be
enough to consider building. Donations are accepted.
Moderator Woods called for New Business:
City of Kimball Chief of Police, Jim Frilstade & Assistant police officer,
Chris Langness was asked to be present to answer questions. The town
board wanted to hear the feelings from the residents as to contracting with
the city for police services in the township. The police officers
explain how they work with Fair Haven. It was asked what kind of
contracts the township has now. It was explained it comes from the
Stearns County Sheriff’s Dept. in St Cloud paid through our taxes. The
police officers said this would be over and above the county services and
they would work with the county. Some felt the area is covered well by
the county and is no need for additional services. Tom Ehlinger made a
motion to investigate it further before we act, seconded by Alice Robinson.
Motion carried.
Dennis Loewen explained Larry Hosch from the House of Representative is
submitting bill number 1035 that would have a huge impact on townships.
Loewen explained it gives cities a lot of authority over townships land.
Comprehensive Growth Plan – A core group has been organized from across the
township to help be the steering committee. The Community Growth
Institute was hire to head up the process. The residents were
encouraged to participate in an open forum on April 23rd at 5:30 p.m.
Projected Road Projects were discussed. Rough draft figures were given
to do Carnelian Lake Rd, Powder Ridge Rd to 93rd Ave, Echo Lane & Eclipse Rd
and ditch work on 135th Street by Kimball Cemetery. The project that
will be done is unknown until meeting with residents from Carnelian Lake and
bids can be attained.
Fire Contracts: Wicker explained and gave figures on what it would be
if the township would go into fire districts. The concern is the fire
district lines are uncertain, because of that; the county can’t give us the
figures we are looking for. Elmer Haus made a motion to table the fire
district decision until next year. With discussion and no second,
Elmer rescinded his motion. Tom Ehlinger made a motion to pay the 2010
fire contracts and implement a fire district assessment for 2011.
Dennis Loewen seconded, motion carried.
Donations:
1) Watkins Ambulance – Jeff Hilsgen reported a loss of $6,000.00 this
past year. People are not
paying for service. Jim Unterberger made a motion to increase the
donation to $3,000.00, seconded by John Gohman, motion carried.
2) Community Education – Maggie Lundorf spoke for Kris O’Brien
explaining the money donated is needed because they don’t get enough through
funding. She was asked about the $25,000 grant given to Community Ed.
She explained that it was specified for BLT (Building
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Leadership Together). She was also asked about Obama’s Pre-K Federal
Funding impact to Community Ed. She did not know what the requirements
will be to get the funding. Tom Ehlinger made a motion to donate $1,500.00,
same as last year, Chuck Froehling seconded, motion carried.
3) Kimball Community Playhouse – Jody Marqraf explained the playhouse has
concessions during the breaks and that money is used for dollars for
scholars. The plays cost about $16,000.00 every show and they rely on
donations and funding from the Arts Board. Dennis Loewen made a motion
to donate $1,000.00, the same as last year, seconded by Mark Dockery, motion
carried.
4) Kimball Historical Society – Mary Johnson asked for a donation for
the 4th stage of restoration of the Kimball City Hall/Kimball Library.
Mary explained that Kimball history is Maine Prairie’s history because Maine
Prairie’s residents started up the City of Kimball. Gene Merten made a
motion to donate $200.00, seconded by John Gohman, motion carried.
5) Kimball Kruiser’s 4-H Club – Cora Gohman, a member of Kimball
Kruiser’s 4-H club, requested a one-time donation to help with expenses in
hosting a group of 4-Her’s from another state. She explained that
their group does community service and wanted to make this trip special for
them since they were treated so well when they went out to see them.
Jim Unterberger made a motion to donate a onetime donation of $300.00,
seconded by Alice Robinson, motion carried.
Donation concerns were addressed. Many felt that a cap should be put
on the amount of money that can be donated. A concern for the
ambulance loss, Charlie Craft thought there should be an ambulance district
like a fire district. Bob Pike made a motion to cap donation money to
1% of the tax levy, Bill Herges seconded and a hand vote was taken with 13
for and 9 opposed. Motion passed.
Tax Levy – John Wicker explained that if we leave the levy the same at
$575,000.00, then the expenses for the detachment sections would come out of
that figure. After getting figures from the County Auditor’s office,
the levy would need to be increased by $40,000.00 in order to remain the
same. The levy would need to go to $615,000.00. Dennis Loewen
felt it should be increased since the levy had not increased last year and a
cost of living increase should be factored in. John Wicker disagreed,
with the economy the way it is, it should be left the same. John
Wicker made a motion to set the levy at $615,000.00, seconded by Elmer Haus.
With a hand count 12 were in favor and 8 opposed. Motion carried.
Town Hall – Chuck Froehling made a motion to leave the levied amount at
$10,000.00, seconded by Bill Herges. Motion carried.
Annual Meeting – John Gohman made a motion to hold the next annual meeting
on March 9, 2010, seconded by Jeff Hilsgen. Motion carried.
John Gohman made a motion to adjourn, Jeff Hilsgen seconded, motion carried.
Terre Harff Clerk/Treasurer