MP11-18
Maine Prairie Township Board Meeting
April 12, 2011
Chair Wicker opened the board meeting with the pledge to the flag.
Board members present: Supervisors John Wicker, Dennis Loewen, Ron
Kuechle, and Clerk/Treasurer Terre Harff. Others present Chuck
Froehling, Ron Albers, Lonnie Hendricks, Gene Merten, Charles Craft,
Gary Grossinger, John Adolph, Karl & Carol Krippner & their realtor,
Neil Willgohs & his wife, Reggie Fraley and Jason Spaulding.
Chair Wicker called for any additions or corrections, LAP was changed to
read LTAP. Supervisors Wicker/Loewen made a motion to accept the
corrected minutes. Motion carried.
Chair Wicker called for the treasurer’s report. A question came up as
to what the total gravel tax came to. Clerk Harff will give the
breakdown of gas and gravel in an email as she didn’t have a copy with
her. Supervisors Wicker/Loewen made a motion to approve both the
March and April Treasurer’s report.
Old Business:
LTAP training in Alexandria, attended by Dennis Loewen and Joe Hendricks
of Hendricks Sand & Gravel. Loewen felt it was a good class,
talked about crushed concrete and crushed granite, both could be dusty
but they put a sealer on. Reclaiming the gravel from shoulders and
the benefits there of were reviewed.
Donations made at annual meeting: Clerk Harff received
replies from Township Association Lawyers and the KDV accountants for
the township. Both felt very strongly that a donation to the
Turkey Federation was not a proper donation. The board of
supervisors advised that we notify Mr. Mueller that the township cannot
donate to this organization.
MN Township Association meeting for April 28th; Supervisors Loewen,
Kueckle, Clerk Harff and her husband will attend.
Rockville Fire Contract: Supervisor Wicker explained that he feels
the contract for Rockville Fire has been calculated wrong. Wicker
is getting information from the county and then he will meet with Rena
Weber from Rockville to come up with the accurate figures. Rena is
figuring it different than last year and they are using 2010 actual
figures rather than 2011 budget figures. Supervisors
Wicker/Kuechle made a motion to make a partial payment of $10,000.00
until both entities can come up with figures that each agree with.
Motion carried.
Sign Reflectivity: Maine Prairie still does not have a plan.
Clerk Harff would like to work on a plan before the end of the year.
The requirement is that the township has a plan in place by January of
2012. It was decided to first work on the signs that can be
removed, and then the ones that need replacing can be worked into a 3
year plan by township sections. Clerk Harff was asked to identify
the ones that could be removed and get that info to the supervisors
within 2-3 weeks so they can review them on their road tour.
MP11-19
MOU was discussed with Heidi from Environmental Services; she sent a
copy of county ordinances so the township could compare their MOU with
the county regulations. The board is asked to review this
information and bring suggestions into the May meeting. The side
wall height in the R10 districting was discussed. With gravel pits
up for discussion at the county on May 17th, it was suggested a
representative from the board be in attendance. Supervisor Kuechle
offered to attend and bring back information to our board.
Dust Control Quotes: Supervisor Wicker presented quotes from Dust
Control Inc at $.65 a lineal foot, Tri City Paving at $.54 a lineal
foot, and Central MN Dust Control at $.55 a lineal foot. The
board discussed adding 123rd St, 120th Street, part of 126th St and
185th St around the curves to the roads for dust control.
Supervisors Loewen/Wicker made a motion to have Tri City Paving lay the
Calcium Chloride again this year at the rate of $.54 a lineal foot.
Motion carried. Clerk Harff will draw up a contract and add an
additional 16,000 feet for the new roads. Clerk Harff will send
letters to the residents that participated earlier.
Road Tour: With the first road tour cancelled because of snow, the
board of supervisors will meet with Hendricks on Friday, April 22nd at
noon. Clerk Harff will post the change.
Crack Sealing/Seal Coating: Supervisor Loewen received 3 quotes
for crack sealing the township roads. Cedar Prof Seal Coating was
$1.69 a pound, ASCTEC is $1.36 a pound and Parking Lot Maintenance is
quoted different at 70,000 lbs at 1.29 a foot figuring 1 pound does
approx 2’ of crack sealing. It was suggested that Loewen
check with SEH to see if the products are all compatible.
Supervisors Kuechle/Wicker made a motion to go with ASCTEC if the
product is compatible and MNDOT acceptable.
Chuck Craft asked if there are any plans to work on 210th St (Tower Rd)
with the City of Rockville. Supervisor Wicker spoke with Rick
Hanson from Rockville Maintenance and that road was taken off their list
of roads to work on. Craft was concerned that road is cracking up.
Eclipse Rd, Eldorado Rd and 98th Ave: Supervisors Loewen/Kuechle
made a motion to send letters to everyone on those roads explaining that
the township is looking at tarring their roads and ask them to come into
the meeting on May 10th. Motion carried.
There is culvert needing work on 83rd Ave that is shared with the City
of Kimball. Supervisor Loewen will work with the City for shared
costs. A quote will also be asked for to patch parts of 83rd Ave
and 135th St. to be discussed at the May meeting.
Supervisor Wicker and Clerk Harff received calls stating Grand Lake Road
culvert by Haus Rd was being washed out. Both contacted Hendricks
to go out and repair it. Hendricks ended up putting in a new
culvert but the only thing they could get was a plastic culvert.
Supervisor Loewen explained that he would call environmental services to
inform them that an emergency culvert replacement was done in a wetland.
Weed Meeting: Supervisor Kuechle and Clerk Harff attended.
Changes in the way weed problems are handled are different.
Organic farmers that have problems with weeds need to have control of
them
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instead of being forced to eliminate them. The processes of
enforcement for problem residents are to go through the county and then
the county will get the state involved. Townships are asked “Not
Call the Sheriff’s office”. Weeds are added to the list and some
removed. Papers were given to each supervisor.
New Business:
Erin Gutwasser asked the board about weight limit signage on 93rd Ave.
She wanted to know if it is being enforced. It was explained the
township is looking at dual signage with 7 ton when weight restrictions
on and 9 ton when lifted. It was suggested we get a core sample of
the road to see what the road is built for.
Erin also asked where the Town Hall planning stands after the Annual
meeting. Discussion was the board was directed to get new
estimates, come up with alternative plans and put information into the
newsletter. Supervisor Loewen asked Clerk Harff to notify the
committee to meet on April 19, at 7:00 p.m. to come up with an insert
for the newsletter.
Clerk Harff presented a brochure from Douri, Mac Arthur & Ruppe law
offices about a seminar in June and September. It was suggested
this be tabled for the next meeting.
Pearl Lake Lodge is requesting a Liquor License. Supervisors
Wicker/Kuechle made a motion to accept this liquor license. Motion
carried.
Seeding Ditch for 155th St: Roland Donnay spoke with Supervisor
Wicker concerning the ditch across from his son, Keith’s, driveway.
He was willing to do the seeding but will haul manure on it also.
Board of Appeals & Equalization meeting is April 19th at 4:00 p.m.
Ron Kuechle said that he would not be present.
Clerk Harff reported that she has applied for the SCORE grant.
Supervisors Loewen/Wicker made a motion to approve the permits presented
by Planning and Zoning. Motion carried.
Bills were presented: Supervisors Wicker/Loewen made a motion to
approve. Motion carried.
Balance Brought forth: $ 85,435.49
Money received
+ 1,751.47
Balance total
$ 87,186.96
Expenses:
- 24,130.52
Balance in Ck Bk $
63,056.44
Total Investments
+ 881,977.60
Total Value of Twsp $
945,034.04
Supervisors Loewen/Wicker made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 10:00
p.m. Motion carried.
Terre Harff, Clerk/Treasurer
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